e-Paper Dec 20, 2012

No let up in brazen attacks on polio teams

Two more KP lady workers killed WHO ceases activities TTP claims responsibility UNICEF have been directed to In a gruesome incident the suspend their activities with re- heartless terrorists targeted a van PESHAWAR—Attacks by terror- gard to Polio campaign till fur- killing lady supervisor and the driver of the van in Mazarey baists on the polio teams adminis- ther orders. zaar in Tehsil Shabqadar of tering Polio drops, mostly comCharsadda district while they prising female health volunteers were performing their official continued in parts of Khyber duty in connection with the PoPukhtunkhwa on Wednesday, the lio eradication campaign. “Unlast day of Polio Eradication known assailants who targeted Campaign of 2012. the Polio team in Mazarey baTwo workers including a fezaar fled from the scene after male supervisor were killed and committing the crime”. Police many others sustained injuries in AMANULLAH KHAN officials said. various incidents in Peshawar, In Peshawar, terrorists fired Charsadda and Risalpur bringing K ARACHI —President Asif RAMALLAH—The Palestinian the death toll to seven in two at the polio team in Shairo Jangi president said he was ready to days. Earlier on Tuesday four Ali Zardari has issued direc- Khazana area in the outskirts of tives to the Interior Minister take in Palestinian refugees Polio workers were gunned down to ensure security of the polio the city injuring a volunteer. The fleeing Syria’s civil war. injured were shifted to Lady in Karachi while a teenaged fe- field workers.

Mahmoud Abbas said he Reading Hospital, where doctors male volunteer was shot dead in In a meeting held at the had asked UN chief Ban Kiwere performing surgery on poPeshawar.

Chief Minister House today the moon to help in bringing the This has also forced the UN Interior Minister Rehman lio vaccinator who had received refugees to the Palestinian to withdraw its staff facilitating Malik explained the law and bullet in her head and was stated territories.

Polio vaccination in Pakistan. order situation in the country to be in critical condition fightThis could include the ing a battle for her life. In The field staffers of World Health Continued on Page 7 West Bank, where Abbas Dawooddzai area of Charsadda Organization (WHO) and governs, or the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The request was reported Wednesday by the official Wafa news agency. It follows an attack by Syrian warplanes against a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus.

The statement said there K ARACHI — Aseefa Bhutto Earlier, the Muttahida Qaumi Continued on Page 7 Zardari, Ambassador for Polio STAFF REPORTER Movement (MQM) has deEradication, has strongly condemned the violence against ISLAMABAD—The National As- manded that a new census be Polio workers that killed four sembly (NA) on Wednesday ap- conducted within a month, and lady workers and a fourteen proved a resolution condemning that work on delimitations should year old girl: the attacks on polio workers. The begin subsequently.

MQM MNA S.A. Iqbal “Everyone involved in the resolution which was tabled by MQM MNA Iqbal Qadir called Qadri presented the resolution on for those behind the attacks to be the behalf of his party at the ISLAMABAD—Barrister Aitzaz arrested and security be provided Wednesday session of National Assembly, which was chaired by Ahsan on Wednesday excused to polio field workers. himself from representing Earlier during the assembly the Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s session, PPP MNA Noor Alam Kundi.

Many members of the aschief Altaf Hussain in the Khan criticised Minister of Intecontempt of court notice rior Rehman Malik claiming he sembly protested against the abagainst him. had informed Malik about such sence of ministers at the beginning of the assembly session, due Speaking to media persons, attacks one year ago.

Ahsan said he could not take Khan said Malik did not pay to which the session had to be the case due to the fact that any attention to this warning and adjourned temporarily to restore Chief Justice Iftikhar was only concerned with his per- order.

A Pakistan Muslim League Mohammad Chaudhry was on sonal security. “If people such as the bench hearing the notice.

Malik are in parliament, people – Nawaz (PML-N) Member of National Assembly (MNA) deHe said according to his pledge will also lose faith in us.” during the movement for the Polio campaign are selfless volrestoration of judges, he had unteers, they do this to save promised not to appear before lives, they do this to save Pakithe bench headed by the Chief stan, says a message received Justice Iftikhar Mohammad from London.

KARACHI—President Asif Ali said, the law would go a long Chaudhry. “ We must not be deterred, Zardari Wednesday signed into way in ensuring free and comHe said an MQM leader better security precautions law “The Right to Free and pulsory education, to the chilhad asked him to represent will be taken.

Compulsory Education Bill dren of the country. The PresiHussain in the case.

InshahAllah through our 2012. dent on the occasion said that The law covers the PresiContinued on Page 7 passion and dedication we shall Picture on Back Page eradicate this crippling disease dent signed the bill at a special from our homeland, we shall signing ceremony held at the continue to fight in the names Chief Minister House in Karachi pursuing Shaheed Mohtrama of those who have lost their that was attended among others Benazir Bhutto’s vision of free lives for the cause.

by Governor and Chief Minis- and compulsory education, the We shall continue to fight ter Sindh, federal and provincial government has fulfilled yet anfor young girls like Farzana. ministers, parliamentarians, se- other promise made to the Terrorists do this to scare us, nior officials and people from people.

LONDON —Britain will they do this to try and stop us, cross section of society. ChairHe urged the provincial govwithdraw nearly half of its we shall not be silenced and we man PPP Bilawal Bhutto ernments to follow the law 9,000 soldiers from Afghaniwill not stop the need, come Zardari was also present at the within their respective jurisdicstan by the end of next year as what may.” signing ceremony. The President tions. The President said that Afghan national forces take on a bigger role, Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday.

Nearly all of Britain’s soldiers are due to pull out by the end of 2014, drawing to an NEW YORK—The US Gov- a submission on a case filed by this case with respect to the ISI end a long, costly and ernment has informed a New relatives and family members of and former Directors General unpopular war that has cost the York court that the ISI and its the American victims of the lives of more than 430 British former director generals “enjoy Mumbai terrorist attacks. troops.

“Furthermore, the Departimmunity” in the case related to “Because of the success of 26/11 filed by the relatives of ment of State has determined that our forces and the Afghan former Director Generals Ahmed national security forces ... we’ll victims of the Mumbai terror Shuja Pasha and Nadeem Taj are attack and asked Pakistan to disbe able to see troops come mantle LeT and support India’s immune because plaintiffs’ alle- N EW D ELHI —India on home in two relatively even gations relate to acts that these Wednesday called a declarasteps - 2013 and 2014 - leaving efforts to counter terrorist threat. defendants allegedly took in their tion that Pakistan’s intelli“In the view of the United probably around 5,200 troops official capacities as directors of gence service and former after the end of 2013, compared States, the Inter-Services Intel- an entity that is undeniably a fun- chiefs enjoy immunity in a ligence (ISI) is entitled to imto the 9,000 we have now,” munity because it is part of a damental part of the Government case related to the 2008 Continued on Page 7 foreign state within the mean- of Pakistan,” Delery said in his Mumbai attacks a “serious disappointment”. ing of the FSIA (Foreign Sov- 12-page affidavit.

The Indian government “Because foreign sovereign ereign Immunities Act),” Stuart Delery, the Principal Deputy immunity and foreign official has long alleged that the InAssistant Attorney General told immunity provide an adequate Continued on Page 7 a federal court in New York in basis upon which to dispose of

TARIQ SAEED

Zardari directs security of vaccinators

Abbas offers to take Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria war

Aseefa condemns polio workers’ killing

unknown armed men opened fire at four women health workers while they were administering polio drops to children. As a result, the women received injuries and were shifted to the hospital for treatment.

In Behraam Kalay a few kilometers from Risalpur Nowshehra district in a similar incident some unidentified armed men targeted the women health workers. According to police sources, the terrorists used the motorway link leading to district Mardan to make good their escape. The injured women were shifted to the hospital for treatment.

Another volunteer was also injured when unknown miscreants attacked a polio team in Peshawar. The injured worker was shifted to the Lady Reading

Continued on Page 7

NA resolution blasts polio attacks MQM demands new census within month

Aitzaz excuses from representing Altaf

manded that the absent ministers should be prohibited from entering the Parliament House and their salaries to be stopped.

Another MNA of the Awami National Party (ANP) demanded that all those ministers who neglected their responsibilities be discharged from their duties.

When the session was resumed after the short adjournment, Federal Law Minister Farooq H Naek presented the Electoral Laws Amendment Bill 2012. Deputy Speaker Kundi sent the bill to the Standing Committee for Law and Justice for review. Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury Sajidul Hasan told the assembly that Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had met with the chief ministers of all four

Continued on Page 7

President gives assent to Education Bill

UK to cut troops in Afghanistan

under the law the federal government would now provide free textbooks and uniforms to the children in the areas of its jurisdiction besides ensuring that no child is deprived of admission in school and that schools have qualified teachers.

Under the law, the private schools will be required to provide free education to the disadvantaged students to the extent of ten percent of the class.

School management committees will be established which will collaborate with the community for persuading parents to send their children to schools.—INP

26/11: ISI, Pasha enjoy immunity, US tells court India ‘disappointed’

Pasha and Taj, the United States takes no position on the political question doctrine issues that are also presented in this case,” the affidavit says in its footnote in response to the court case filed by American survivors of the Mumbai terrorist attack.

Claiming that the ISI of Pakistan was involved in the planning and execution of the Mumbai terrorist attack, these American survivor of 26/11 and family members of the victims had filed a case against the ISI chiefs, Ahmed Shuja Pasha, Nadeem Taj and its other officials, besides Lashkar-e-Taiba

Continued on Page 7

SEOUL: South Korea’s presidential candidate Park Geun-hye of ruling Saenuri Party, waves to supporters after arriving at the party headquarters in South Korea on Wednesday.

Park Geun-hye elected S-Korea’s 1st woman leader SEOUL—Park Geun-hye, daughter of a divisive military strongman from South Korea’s authoritarian era, was elected the country’s first woman President Wednesday, a landmark win that could mean a new drive to start talks with rival North Korea.

After five years of high tension under unpopular incumbent Lee Myung-bak, Park has vowed to pursue engagement and send greater aid to North Korea, despite a widely condemned long-

Earlier story on Page 15 range rocket launch last week.

Pyongyang’s state media, however, has repeatedly questioned the sincerity of her North Korea policy since she and Lee are from the same conservative party.

Huge crowds lined up throughout the day, braving frigid weather to choose between Park and liberal candidate Moon Jaein, the son of North Korean refugees. Both candidates steered away from Lee’s policies, including, most strikingly, his hard-line stance on North Korea.—AP

Produce ex-Ogra chief on Dec 26, SC orders police STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Inspector General Police of Punjab, Islamabad and National Highway & Motorway to arrest and produce former chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) Tauqir Sadiq on December 26.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain resumed hearing of the Ogra implementation case.

During the course of hearing, Waqar Ahmed, the investigating officer of NAB informed the bench that the Punjab and Motorway police were not cooperating with the authorities in the arrest of Tauqir Sadiq.

On it the bench summoned Inspector General Police of Punjab, Haji Habibur-Rehman and Inspector General of National Highway & Motorway Police Zaffar Abbas Luk to appear and apprise the bench over

Continued on Page 7

Petrol price to go down by 50 paisas per litre ISLAMABAD—Petrol price is expected to be reduced by 50 paisas per litre but diesel price is likely to go up by 80 paisas.

According to petroleum ministry sources prices for the next month have been finalised.

The ministry said that notification for new prices will be issued on December 21.—INP

No- trust motion against Bhotani in BA STAFF REPORTER QUETTA—Constitutional crisis intensified Wednesday in Balochistan as 28 members of Balochistan Assembly moved no-confidence motion against speaker of the provincial assembly.The provincial assembly session started late by about two hours under the chair of Deputy Speaker Mattiullah Agha.

During the session Jammiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) members assembly and provincial health minister Ainullah Shamas presented the no-confidence motion signed by 28 members of the house. Aslam Baznjo and Zahoor Baleedi staged walk out from BA against moving the motion.

The deputy speaker announced voting on the no-confi-

dence motion on Dec 26, and adjourned the session till Friday (tomorrow) 11:00am.

Speaker Aslam Bhotani had earlier refused to summon and chair provincial assembly session saying it would be contradictory to the Supreme Court (SC) decision on Balochistan.

Aslam Bhotani giving his view point about the developing situation said that no-confidence motion won’t keep him away from his stand regarding supremacy of law and constitution.

He said office and political positions had no worth in his opinion and he would not budge an inch from his stance to save his position. Bhotani thanked the MPAs who were expressing confidences in him and refused to sign the no confidence motion.

WB post nomination

SC summons PM’s son-in-law STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Supreme Court of Pakistan has summoned all records of the nomination of Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf’s son-in-law, Raja Azeem-ul-Haque, as an executive director of the World Bank.

Moreover, the apex court also issued notices to Raja Azeem-ul-Haque, Secretary Establishment and Secretary Finance, summoning them to appear before the court.

The SC had taken suo motu notice of the issue and a threemember bench, headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, was hearing the case here on Wednesday. Issuing notices to the three parties, the court subsequently adjourned the case for

hearing until the second week of January. Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had appointed his son-in-law to the post by using his discretionary powers, even though some government officials had been critical of the nomination because of Haque’s ‘quick promotions’ within a few years from grade 18 to 21.

According to sources, the finance ministry had also opposed the nomination even though the Economic Affairs Division moved the summary for his appointment. Ultimately, the finance ministry had to give in to the wishes of the Prime Minister Secretariat, said the report.

Haque, an officer of the Income Tax Group, was working in grade 18 when the PPP government came into power more than four years ago.

President’s dual office case

LHC CJ, AG exchange heated arguments MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—The Lahore High Court (LHC) larger bench, hearing a contempt of court petition over the dual offices held by President Asif Ali Zardari, observed that since president slot is not administrative so penalizing the president of the country in any criminal case is equivalent to chastise the state itself.

The court further observed the president enjoyed immunity in criminal cases. The court adjourned the hearing till December 20 (today).

During the hearing, a heated argument occurred between Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (LHC) Umar Ata Bandial and Attorney General Irfan Qadir. A five-member bench, headed by Justice Bandial, was hearing the case. Other members of the bench include Justice Nasir Saeed Sheikh, Justice Sheikh Najmul Hassan, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah.

A heated exchange of remarks took place between Justice Bandial and Attorney General Qadir at the beginning of

Continued on Page 7

Rs 47 billion for welfare projects: Shahbaz OUR CORRESPONDENT GUJRANWALA—Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the young generation is the future of the nation and Punjab government is spending a huge amount of Rs.47 billion on the welfare projects for the youth to enable them meet the challenges of future. He said that PML-N government is striving for the education and training of the girls and providing them laptops so as to bring them forward in the practical field but it is lamentable that some circles are engaged in efforts for abolishment of the reserved seats for the women in assemblies which tantamount to depriving 52%

population of the country of its rights. He said that girls have won three times more laptops than the boys which is a proof of their talent. In view of this, he said, women should be provided more job opportunities in banks, educational institutions and other departments.

He was addressing laptops distribution ceremony among boy and girl students, internship letters to graduates, green tractors and laser levelers to farmers and wheel chairs among disabled persons at Jinnah Stadium Gujranwala today. Veteran Muslim League leader Ghulam Dastagir Khan, assembly members from Gujranwala, Engineer Khurram Dastagir, Barrister

Usman Ibrahim, Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan, Mahmood Bashir Virk, Saeed Mughal, Ch. Muhammad Iqbal, Khalid Pervaiz Virk, Irfan Bashir Gujjar, Imran Khan Butt, local PML-N leaders and a large number of people were present on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for the development of education sector during the last five years which has enabled the youth to utilize their energies and play their role for national progress and development. He said that educational scholarships, internship and laptops are being distributed on

merit throughout the province.

He said that students are facing serious difficulties due to loadshedding while the patients face agonizing situation in the hospitals due to power outages.

He said that distribution of 2.5 lakh solar lamps among students at a cost of four billion rupees will be started during the current month to enable them continue their studies.

He said that while the government is providing laptops and other facilities to the youth, it has also set up Punjab Educational Endowment Fund with an amount of Rs.10 billion and as many as 40 thousand poor but talented students are benefitting from this Fund. The Chief Min-

ister said that the project of training of 50 thousand fresh graduates at various institutions have been started under internship programme with a sum of Rs.4.40 billion throughout the province and a monthly stipend of Rs.10 thousand each will be given to the internees. He said that five thousand students of Gujranwala division have been included in the internship scheme. Shahbaz Sharif said that PML-N government has spent a sum of Rs.38 billion on development schemes in Gujranwala division, out of which, a number of projects have been inaugurated today. He said that out of this huge sum, Rs.11 billion have been utilized on the buildings of

Committee formed to resolve problems of parking, encroachments

Jeweller deprived of one kilo gold M ZAFAR ANSARI K AMALIA — Two

armed dacoits deprived a jeweller of one kilogram gold here in Saddar area at gunpoint and managed to escape from the scene. According to the owner of the Sardar Jewellers, Liaquat, two armed men riding on a motorcycle, arrived at the shop at about 5 pm and made hostage all the employees and started collecting gold.

The shop owner further told newsmen that after collecting about one kilogram gold they, firing in the air, managed to flee. One thing was interesting that before leaving the shop they locked all the employees and the owner inside the shop and put down the shutter. After receiving information, District Police Officer of Toba Tek Singh, Ahsan Younis, along with a police party reached the spot and started investigation GUJRANWALA: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif addressing students at Jinnah Stadium during laptop and into the theft. It is worth mention- internship certificates distribution ceremony. ing that in December last year the dacoits had struck this shop and deprived the owner of gold worth Rs 1.75 crore.

More steps to be taken for TESCO chief for people’s welfare: PPP leader enhancing recovery from defaulters STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Chief Executive Officer TESCO, Pervez Khankhel Swati has directed Superintending Engineer, XEN and SDO operation of the company to intensify recovery campaign against private and government consumers to achieve the set targets.

Addressing a high- level meeting of TESCO officers here at WAPDA House on Wednesday, he said the only task assigned to the field formations is to increase recovery and strict action would be taken against those failing in achieving the targets.

He directed for recovering total arrears from the government departments in FATA by 31st December besides others defaulting commercial, industrial and irrigation connections.

The Chief Executive Officer reviewed individual performance of each division and sub division under TESCO and directed to overcome the shortcomings in the matters pertaining to recovery.

He said that all out efforts are required in bringing down line losses within 20% limit to improve the performance of the company.

The meeting was attended

by Director General Human Resources, all superintending engineers, XENs and SDOs Operation of the company.

Health and Education Departments. He said that Punjab government has set up IT labs in more than four thousand schools.

He said that 1.25 lakh laptops were distributed last year among talented boy and girl students while same number of laptops will be given in the second phase of this programme.

He said had Zar Baba Forty Thieves not looted national exchequer he would have distributed five lakh laptops annually.

He said that the national exchequer had been plundered ruthlessly, frauds of billions of rupees have been committed in fertilizer deals, Punjab Bank has been robbed of large sums while even Hujjaj have not been spared.

NAZIR SIYAL

LARKANA—The government of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is a pro-worker which has taken several steps for the welfare of the labour class during past about five years. Addressing media men Hizbullah Bughio, senior Vice President Pakistan People’s Party, Larkana District, said when the PPP government came to power in 2008, the country was facing multiple crises and economy was in a shambles. “Despite all these difficulties the PPP has served the masses and in the coming elections it will once again return as victorious and support of the people of Pakistan.”

In 2008, many anti-worker laws were in practice which the PPP government had abolished and did legislation to provide

them their rights. He said, “This is a fact that prices of petroleum products and edibles have increased in the international markets which had an impact on the consumers, but Pakistan was the only country where salaries of pubic sector employees were increased by about 150 per cent in four years”, being the party of farmers, workers and labourers, PPP will continue to take further steps for the welfare of these segments of the society. ***** Armed men attacked the house and killed an innocent baby on old enmity in Sianch Muhalla, Ratodero city of Larkana district late night. According to police, about eight armed bandits entered the house of one Dost Mohammad Sianch and started firing on the house members which resulted in

death of an innocent 8-year-old baby Sabira.

The incident was result of an old enmity between the Sianch and Khokhar tribes, told the father of baby Sabira. The dead body was handed over to his father Dost Mohammed Sianch after an autopsy, while the police told media that the incident was result of an old enmity, which claimed two more lives of Khokhar community. ***** A training workshop will be held by Jamiat Ulema-e-Tahiria Pakistan (JUT) and Jamat Islah-ul-Muslimeen Pakistan, Larkana chapter, at Faqeerpur Shareef near Radhan. The workshop will start from December 21 and last for three days, in which philosophers, Ulema and others will speak on Quran, Hadith and Fiqah.

Workshop on Iodine Deficiency Disorder FAISAL KHAWER BUTT S IALKOT —Dr Muhammad Zafar Alvi, EDO Health has asked the Inspectors to strengthen monitoring mechanism of Salt processors, retail outlets, markets and household to ensure that adequate iodization of edible salt is improved to 100% which presently stands at only 40% He said that Sanitary/Food Inspectors of department must monitor salt factories on weekly basis to ensure processing of ad-

equately iodized salt only. He expressed these views during refresher training of Sanitary/Food inspectors organized by department of health at District Health Development Centre with the assistance of The Micronutrient Initiative. This training was organized to refresh the participants’ knowledge on the importance of compulsory edible salt iodization in strengthening the Universal Salt Iodization Program (USIP) to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs).

Dr. Javed Warraich, District Officer Health (DOH) informed the participants that District Coordination Officer (DCO) has supported the department of health’s efforts through a notification that puts complete ban on the production of un-iodized edible salt and all salt processors are required to produce 100% adequately iodized salt. He asked sanitary inspectors to regularly monitor Salt processors to enhance the iodization status to 100%.

Wife of former ruler of Chitral passes away OUR CORRESPONDENT

C HITRAL —Wife of former Mehteri Chitral (Ruler of Chitral state) Saifur Rehman late who passed away in Islamabad was laid to rest at Royal Graveyard (Shahi Qabristan) in Chitral. Her funeral prayers were attended by a large number of people belonging to all walks of life.

She died at the age of 80 years. She was mother of Shahzada Shujaur Rehman, sister of former Ambassador Hameedullah Khan, sister-in-law of senior Minister Rahim Dad Khan and grandmother of Shahzada Amanur Rehman. She was daughter of Asmar Khan and was known as Drosh Hunza. Her spouse, former Mehtari Chitral Saifur Rehman, ruled the Chitral state from 1949 to 1954 who had died in an air crash of a Pakistan Air force plan at Lawari top.

ATTOCK—Customers must be facilitated during peak hours in the main bazaar Attock and for this purpose a strong coordination must be evolved between district administration and business community to solve the problems of parking and encroachment. This was stated by additional collector, Attock, Choudhry Mohammad Ali Randhawa while chairing a meeting with business community on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Attock Iftikhar Alam, President Anjuman Tajran and the members, Incharge Traffic Police , TMO and by other relevant officers.

ADC Attock said that a comprehensive parking plan has been chalked out that includes, oneway traffic, one-sided parking, removal of encroachments etc.

All measures will be taken in collaboration with business community of the city. HE also constituted a committee comprising TMO Sardar Aftab, Motor Vehicle Examiner, Incharge Traffic Police and President Anjuman Tajran to solve the problems pf Rikshaw Parking. He also visited important points including committee chowk, Fawara Chowk, Madni Chowk and ordered to remove all sorts of encroachments.

Meanwhile, Police have arrested three lady pick pockets allegedly depriving a lady of cash.

One Rukhsana Bibi, boarded a wagon at Shamsabad Bus Stop to go to Hatian. Three ladies namely Farzana,Gukna Bibi and Alishah, all residents of Nowshera who were already siting in the wagon pick pocketed Rs 3000 from the purse of Rukhsana. While dismounting from the wagon at Hatian Rukhsana found the cash missing from her purse.

ACE CO arrested for receiving bribe BASHIR AHMAD RAHMANI the road when the recklessly

driven tractor-trolley knocked him

HAFIZABAD—Anti-Corruption down. He died on the spot.

Establishment have arrested Secretary Union Council Shah Jamal on the charge of extorting illegal gratification from a villager. According to Circle Officer ACE, Rana Muhammad Ramzan, Secretary UC Shah Jamal Muhammad Ashraf had demanded Rs. 2000 from the complainant Qaisar Raza for issuing birth certificate of his son.

Thereupon, he (CO) along with Judicial Magistrates Rai Naeem Ahmad and Zafar Iqbal conducted raid and caught Muhammad Ashraf red-handed while accepting Rs. 2000 as bribe from the complainant and also recovered marked currency notes from the accused and registered a case against him. ***** A 12-year-old boy was crushed to death under the wheels of speeding tractor-trolley in Vanike Tarar. According to police source, Muhammad Riaz, son of Mehtab, was attempting to cross

***** A delegation of teachers, led

by Muhammad Abu Bakar Alvi, President SES Teachers Association, called on the DCO, Hafizabad, and apprised her of the problems they were facing. They told her that Educators were recruited about five months back but they have not yet been paid their salaries. ***** On the orders of the Chief Minister Punjab, Examination Fee of Matric students had been abolished but all Secondary Boards have started realizing Rs. 450 as Result Card fee from 9th and 10th classes students which has disappointed the poor students and their parents. ***** District Bar Association, Hafizabad, has nominated Muhammad Saddique Bhatti as Chairman Election Board for conducting election proceedings of the bar for 2013.

Power shutdown STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—Due to maintenance and repair work power supply will remain suspended from 132 KV Peshawar City Grid Station on December 20 (Thursday) from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM resultantly the consumers of 11 kv Nishtarabad, Islamabad, Faqirabad-2, Zaryab, Pandu

Road-2 feeders will face inconvenience. Power supply from 132 KV Peshawar University Grid Station will also remained suspended on Thursday (December 20) from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M resultantly the consumers of 11 kv Abdara, Academy Town, Circular Road, Achini-I, II, Rahatabad, Gharibabad, KTH feeders will face inconvenience.

Cold, dry weather forecast ISLAMABAD— The Met Office expected to remain in the range has forecast cold and dry spell is likely to prevail in most parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi during the next 24 hours.

The cold and dry spell is likely to prevail in most parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 hours.

According to the provincial metrological office, weather would remain dry and cold in Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Mingora, Nowshera, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat in the next 24 hours. The met office has recorded five degree centigrade in the provincial capital on Wednesday. The Met office has forecast a dry weather with cool night in the city over the next 24 hours.

According to Met office’s weather report issued on Wednesday the minimum temperature is

of 12 to 14 degree centigrade.

The Met office said mainly cold and dry weather is expected elsewhere in the region.

The local Met Office Wednesday forecast dry weather

with chances of mist in the morning for the city and its suburbs during the next 24 hours. The maximum and minimum temperature was recorded 24.2C and 7.7C respectively. The humidity was recorded 93 per cent at 8.00 am and 40 per cent at 5.00 pm.

HELU protest STAFF REPORTER P ESHAWAR —Hydro Electric Labor Union (HELU) of Wapda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa held a protest demonstration against the delay in recovery of their kidnaped colleagues and the workers of Gomal Zam dam project and demanded of the government to recover them immediately.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands, large number of Wapda employees gathered opposite cantonment Railway Station on Wednesday and shouted full- PESHAWAR: A large number of students travelling on rooftop of a passenger bus which throat slogans against the provin- may cause any mishap. cial and federal governments for failing to recover their kidnapped colleagues.

Smooth conduct of exam under 144 SYED ADNAN NOOR

HYDERABAD: Lady Health Workers holdinga protest against target killing of Lady Health Workers on Wednesday.

RAZA NAQVI

Matric exam fee abolished, result card fee to be charged

Upgradation: Teachers protest against ignoring SST cadre 17 injured in head-on collision

JHANG—District Coordination

M HALEEM ASAD

Officer/ Administrator, Jhang District, Mohammad Shahid Niaz said on Wednesday that Criminal Code Section 144 has been imposed for smooth conduct of examinations under University of Sargodha.

The examinations are going to be held in subjects of MBA, MEd, M Work, LLB, Diploma in Physical Education for the annual examinations 2012 and B.Com part-I and-II second annual examination 2012. He said that no unauthorised person would be allowed entry within hundred yards of exam centres. He further said that students would not be allowed to carry books, guides, solved papers, digital diaries, cell phones.

TIMERGARA—As many as 17 people, including seven police officials, were injured when a passenger van and police van collided head-on at Nasafa Talash on Wednesday, police said. According to police, a police van carrying officials of the Elite Force (DPO’s escort) was going from Timergara to Chakdara to receive the DIG Malakand range.

The van was hit by a passenger coach coming from the opposite side when it reached near Nasafa Talash area, police said.

Policemen who were injured during the mishap included headconstable Muhammad Sadiq, driver Shaukat, constables Hayat Khan, Najeebullah, Khan

Bahadar, Imran Khan and Ali Muhammad. Ten passengers were also injured who were taken to Talash and Timergara hospitals. The Talash police have registered a case against the driver Umar Zada, son of Bacha Syed of Rabat, charging him for over speeding, negligence and injuringothers. The driver charged in the case also sustained injuries who was admitted to the DHQ hospital, Timergara. ***** The secondary school Teachers (SSTs) on Wednesday observed class boycott and held a protest rally in front of the EDO Education office at Balambat against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for ignoring the cadre in the newly upgradation

of teachers. Later the protesting teachers, led by the SST Association district chairman Abdul Khaliq, marched on the Balambat Timergara road. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands.

They had a sit-in in front of the local press club. Addressing the demonstrators, president All Teachers Association, Dir Lower, Syed Muhammad Shah, Abdul Khaliq, Aurang Zeb, Muhibullah and others alleged that provincial government had totally ignored the SST cadre in the present upgradation. They said that SST had been the backbone in education sector but the government had treated it as step-motherly.

Iftikhar announces Rs 3 lakh for polio victims’ families Modern communication facilities Staff Reporter

P ESHAWA R —Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti Wednesday said that present government was utilizing resources on construction of roads and bridges across the province as modern communication facilities played key role in business and economic development of an area. He was addressing people gathering after inaugurating construction work on roads from Torabhatti to Muslim Abad and Ghat Kalay Road in Chak Hoti Tajik Abad Mardan on Wednesday. The total financial implications on both the projects are exceeding Rs 27.6 million. Referring to development schemes in the area, he said that construction work has commenced on Banday Kalay road costing Rs 1.5 million. The project from Swabi Road to Mian Kalay costing Rs 18 million will complete in two months. The project of construction three bridges from Garhi Road to Yar Hussain costing Rs 550 million will be accomplished by June next year. The associated ring road will cost Rs 900 million and completion of Northern By-pass will complete ring around Mardan city that will bring pleasant change in lives of the people alongside opening new avenues of business and economic development. He said that the project will cost Rs 1.68 billion. The CM said that work on road from Taos to Bambaray Road costing Rs 60 million was in progress while Bakhshali road costing Rs 250 million was near completion. Small projects of sanitation and installing transformers consumed Rs 20 million in the area. On demand of an elder in the gathering, the CM approved Rs 10 million for construction of road from Bakhshali road to Aftab Korona.

Death anniversary of BB Shaheed I SLAMABAD —President Pakistan People’s Party Punjab Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Wednesday said that hundreds of thousands of PPP workers from every nook and corner of the country would attend the death anniversary of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on December 27. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, who is also Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, said that Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would formally initiate his full fledged political career on the eve of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed’s death anniversary. He stated this while addressing a press conference after the meeting of office-bearers and workers of Rawalpindi and Sargodha Divisions which was held to finalize the participation of PPP workers on the death anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed at Larkana.

He said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh would further increase the importance of the day. President PPP Punjab said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed continued her political struggle throughout her life and in this struggle she lost the lives of her father and brother and December 27 is the best time to highlight her struggles in a befitting manner when she also lost her life for this cause. Manzoor Wattoo said that during the meeting with the office- bearers of Rawalpindi and Sargodha Divisions, the strategy has been finalised for participation at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. He maintained that the PPP incumbent government is completing its five-year tenure and expressed the confidence that it would also get huge success in the coming elections as well. Wattoo further informed that the next meeting of five divisions of Punjab would be held on coming Friday on the same subject. On this occasion, Secretary General PPP Punjab Tanveer Ashraf Kaira, Nadeem Afzal Gondal, State Minister for Interior Tasneem Qureshi, Managing Director Pakistan Baitul Mal Zamurad Khan and others were also present.—APP

STAFF REPORTER P E S H AWA R —Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain Wednesdah strongly condemned target killing of polio workers in the country adding that elements behind the brutal act wants to destroy image of the country at international level. Talking to APP here on Wednesday, Mian Iftikhar Hussain announced Rs 300000 compensation amount for the families of the victims saying that polio workers are being targeted to create fear and terror among the people.

The Minister said that polio workers are being targeted in peaceful areas in terms of resistance to polio vaccination. Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that it was too early to say something about the elements behind the killing yet one thing was con-

firmed that those behind the savage acts want to destabilize the country in terms of economy and security.

Those targeting polio workers are the enemies of the country and could not be forgiven, he added. He said that first the miscreants destroyed schools and now they were after health and polio workers.

Meanwhile different religious, political and social circles from Khyber Pakthunkhwa Wednesday strongly condemned attacks on polio teams in Peshawar, Nowshwera and Charsaddha and called for early arrest of the culprits. They expressed resolve to make the polio eradication campaign a success to secure the future of coming generation from the crippling disease, adding that miscreants were attacking polio teams in a bid to KOT NAJEEBULLAH: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf inaugurating repair of road project. stop the campaign.

JI delegation briefs LCCI chief about Karachi situation

Sindh Govt fails to establish its working writ SALIM AHMED LAHORE—An eight-member Jamaat-e- Islami (JI) Karachi delegation Tuesday called on LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar and apprised him about deteriorating law and order situation in the business hub of the country. The LCCI Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad and Executive Committee Member Mian Zahid Javaid Ahmad were also present on the occasion and gave their input on Karachi law and order situation.

The JI delegation, led by the JI Karachi Ameer Mohammad Hussain Mehnti, informed the LCCI

President Farooq Iftikhar that target killings, extortion, abduction for ransom and bank robberies have become order of the day in Karachi.

He said that the anti-social elements were particularly targeting businessmen when they refuse to comply with extortion demand. He said that 2300 people including ulema, businessmen and students have fallen prey to target killings in Karachi in the last twelve months while 10 to 20 people are being killed daily.

The JI Karachi Ameer said that the business community in the country should come forward and play its role for revival of peace in the

PPP workers deny allegations by former MNA GUL HAMAAD FAROOQI pended on Lawari tunnel for 4 years but its design was

Tauqir Sadiq hiding in Islamabad

C HITRAL —The workers of changed and work assumed

People’s Party once again and will be comL AHORE —Punjab Law Minister Rana Pakistan (PPP) on Wednesday denied pleted by 2015. They said Sanaullah on Wednesday claimed that

allegations by former MNA and criticised his way of talking and mibehaviour with the sitting minister. Addressing a press conference Muhammad Hakim Advocate, General Secretary of PPP Chitral, Bashir Ahmad, Political Secretary to provincial Minister for Population Welfare, Burhan Shah Advocate, Iqbal Hayat president of PYO and others said that during a TV talk show former MNA, Chitral, Abdul Akbar used harsh language and misbehaved with provincial Minister Saleem Khan Which gave a bad impression of Chitral culture.

They said that work on Lawari tunnel was started by former Premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto but the work was stopped in General Zia regime.

Hence its excavation work was completed during Pervez Musharraf era but its design was changed from rail tunnel to road tunnel UAF floriculture and landscaping with enhancing its cost from F A I S A L A B A D —A two-day Winter Rs 8 billion to Rs 18 billion.

Flower Show-2012 organized by the It is a fact that work was susUniversity of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) concluded here. Prof Dr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan Vice Chancellor UAF was chief guest in the concluding ceremony. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the floriculture and landscaping was an emerging business in the world. He urged the students to equip themselves with latest trends of the business. During the exhibition, students from UAF, Lab Schools, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (ARRI), Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) and National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) participated with their flowers stalls.

According to results, in Group-1, NIAB stood 1st followed by AARI. In Group-II, autumn flowers, indoor/ house plants, varieties of cactus and succulents won

by NIAB, and AARI, respectively. Sitara Chemicals won the double chrysanthemum, 24 extra ordinary plants chrysanthemum, and maximum variety of potted chrysanthemum within an area of 5x10. The amateurs and individual competitions of basket of flowers were won

by Waleed, Liaba Matloob, M. Shoaib Shah and Kaneez Fatima. As many as 24 potted plants of chrysanthemum of different varieties won by Ahmad and Asad, Aman Zehra, Mehak, Aysha Shahid and Aysha Khalid. Division-C was won by Junior Lab School. The competition of flower arrangement was won by Urfa, Faria Azhar, and M. Imran. Presenting the fresh flowers in reflection of spiritualism, tolerance, and hanging arrangements were won by Rashid Iqbal, Kanza syed.—APP former Ogra chief Tauqir Sadiq is hiding in Islamabad. Talking to media outside Punjab Assembly, the provincial law minister stated that Tauqir Sadiq, an accused in the multi-billion-rupee scam in the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority(Ogra), was provided shelter at Punjab Governor House and from there he was taken to Islamabad.

Those involved in multi-billion-rupee scam are providing shelter to ex-Ogra chairman, he said adding that Tauqir Sadiq was hiding in one of the two big houses in Islamabad. Sanaullah said that the Supreme Court had issued order for arrest of former chairman of OGRA Touqeer Sariq but nobody is following the court order keeping in view the concept of rule of law. To a question, Rana Sanaullah said recommendations of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will be implemented. To a question, he said that Punjab government was facing resistance from doctors regarding implementation of Health Care Commission. The law minister said that accused could be produced before courts after completion of judicial inquiry into PIC drugs case. “We are not being blackmailed by doctors. It is the jobs of courts to award punishments,” he argued. He expressed sorrow over attack on polio teams adding security of polio teams all over the Punjab has been further intensified following shooting incidents in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed at least eight health workers.—INP

that Abdul Akbar claimed that he had appointed 8,000 youth which was totally wrong and if he could prove only 800 their minister would resign from his seat.

They claimed that Saleem Khan have appointed 1,500 people from different parts of Chitral without any personal benefit.

They said that Abdul Akbar delivered wrong statement regarding Bypass road that some 20 million rupees have been released for By-pass road and work had started in MMA Government which was totally wrong and baseless.

Actually no work was done during MMA government for by-pass road and present provincial government have allocated Rs 720 million for By-pass road and work also had been started on this mega project.

They said that cutting of forest was started in MMA government but former MNA Abdul Akbar was silent at that time because of personal interests.

city of lights. He said that it was very unfortunate that the Sindh government has failed to establish its writ as the killers and extortionists are roaming freely. The LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar said that business community understands that disturbance in Karachi has largely affected the economic activities in the entire country and the LCCI would not hesitate to go to any extent for return of normalcy in the port city.

He urged the Federal and Sindh governments to take serious notice of the law and order situation in Karachi and immediately initiate steps to arrest fast surging crime rate.

“Economic conditions will

not improve unless law and order is not seriously tackled, especially in Karachi, and upcountry in general,” said LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar. “The LCCI believes that law and order is a major cause of decline in local and foreign investment and if the government fails to respond to private sector’s call, the economy will continue to slide ultimately resulting in closure of industry and trade.”

“Karachi killings are a matter of grave concern for the business community as it is the most important business hub of the country that generates huge revenue with sizeable share in the GDP.”

“The government must re-set its priorities as far as the trade and industry is concerned there is an acute shortage of electricity and gas, skilled manpower is in short supply, input costs are very high and Pakistan is fast attaining the status of a trading hub instead of a manufacturing country.

If the law and order situation is under control and energy is made available to the industry around-theclock, then it will encourage local investors and foreign investors will also be ready to initiate joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts, creating more jobs for the unemployed youth.”

Targeting civilians by BSF an immoral, inhuman act STAFF REPORTER L AHORE—Pakistan Rangers (PR) have voiced strong protest over targeting of Pakistani citizens by Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) and called for end to this unethical and inhuman act. A 13member Pakistan Rangers delegation led by Deputy Director General Rangers Brig Hafiz Jamil reached India Wednesday to join dialogue process taking place at Attari.

Brig Hafiz Jamil said talks are key to resolution of border issues and revival of trust climate.

The delegation will hold in depth talks with Indian delegation on defence related construction and repair of all sorts close to and around working and international borders, he added.

Enigmatic issue of controversial polio drops

MEDIA WATCH

New twist in Egypt

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s incidence of polio is increasing and the authorities concerned are making frantic efforts to address the challenge because of its health-related internal and global dimensions, the campaign to eliminate the disease has received yet another jolt due to apparently two coordinated attacks on Monday in Peshawar and Karachi, leaving five women polio workers dead and several of their male colleagues injured. The tragedy forced the provincial government of Sindh to suspend the three day campaign, which is pathetic as the drive already stands halted in Balochistan.

Unfortunately, the polio vaccination campaign became controversial from the very beginning because of adverse propaganda, misperceptions and rumours but it is tragic that the issue has assumed violent dimensions.

A young volunteer associated with the campaign had been gunned down in Karachi on December 18 whereas earlier, in July 2012, one polio worker was killed and a WHO doctor and his driver injured during an attack at Sohrab Goth in Karachi. Polio teams are receiving threats in KPK, FATA and Balochistan where some of the areas have long been no go areas for vaccinators and that is one of the major causes of rise in the number of polio cases in the country. We have to blame our friends too for complicating things for Pakistan as misuse of the campaign by Dr. Shakeel Afridi has further raised doubts about real intentions and motives of such campaigns.

No doubt, there are genuine NGOs dedicated to welfare-oriented activities but many of them are engaged in questionable pursuits as they are not the ones they pretend to be. The fanfare with which the President, the Prime Minister and other VIPs launch campaigns in different areas also strengthens doubts of the people about the real objectives of the vaccination. Let it be a routine exercise in which cooperation of the parents and masses should be sought on the basis of cogent findings by doctors and researchers about benefits of the polio drops. As the issue has become as controversial as NATO’s presence in Afghanistan or Kalabagh dam, only a scientific explanation and approach would work.

What Tahir-ul-Qadri is upto?

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OR the last few months, the well-known Islamic researcher and founder of Minhajul Quran movement Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri is making headlines for his out-of-box approach to the challenges facing the country.

The leading religious thinker is, though, speaking in the context of the forthcoming general elections and his opponents would call it a routine political activity to influence the outcome of the elections but saner elements cannot differ from his analysis of the complex situation confronting people of Pakistan at this juncture.

There are reasons to listen to Dr. Qadri when he says state of Pakistan is more important than politics (Save State not Politics) and that only genuine reforms can help extricate the country from the existing mess. One may differ from him when says that elections without reforms would be a disaster for the country, which implies that the general elections should be delayed till reformation of the society. However, fuller analysis of his viewpoint would be possible only when he returns to the country to address a public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore where, as per his own announcement, he will unfold a reform agenda. One can hardly doubt his assertions as his pronouncements are based on the rich knowledge, study and research and he is fully motivated to serve the nation and the Ummah.

This is also evident from the popularity that his movement has attained especially among educated people and among women as well that matter much in any effort to bring about a change. His ideas are quite relevant to the prevailing situation. Anyhow, one must wait and watch what he has to deliver on the much-trumpeted December 23 address which is being compared by his followers and supporters with the rousing reception Benazir Bhutto received on her return to Pakistan in April 1986.

Admiral Fasih emerges tall D

ISCLOSURES by NAB Chairman Admiral Fasih Bokhari during his press conferences and interviews about large scale corruption in almost every department of the government have created a political storm.

While the government and political parties have refuted the charges of such a large scale corruption, it is a fact that people at large have admired his plain talk and in our view it is a national service.

Admiral Fasih Bokhari during his leadership of the Pakistan Navy was considered as an upright man but when he took over NAB some quarters criticized him on grounds that he is favourite of the government.

However time has established that these insinuations were wrong as he has been dealing each and every corruption case on merit. Though there are arguments from different quarters that corruption of the order of Rs 7 billion to Rs 8 billion in a day was out of question when one takes into consideration the annual tax collection of just over two trillion rupees.

However it is also a fact that the menace has seeped in so deeply in every department that the assessment of the NAB Chairman about the scale of corruption appears to be more than reasonable. Reports of corruption appear almost daily in the newspapers ranging from tax evasion, smuggling, pilferage in development projects, state run major enterprises and even in recruitments. The other day Admiral Bokhari authorized an inquiry against the Chairman Balochistan Public Service Commission for selling posts of Assistant Commissioners and Head Mistresses. In our view the NAB Chairman has emerged tall by exposing the level of corruption and the Supreme Court should take notice of this as it would be a great national service to recover the plundered national wealth and throw the corrupts in jail.

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Mass inflation in Pakistan and common man is hardly affected in this era of highly increasing Shaukat M Zafar prices. Pakistan’s Email: smzafar101@gmail.com inflation rate has grown more than expectations with increase in fuel and food prices.

The government akistan has abundant natu has raised the prices of petroleum ral resources, but poor gov products especially oil, CNG and ernance and corruption have electricity which have pushed the prevented ordinary citizens from production and transportation cost benefitting from this wealth. A up thereby accelerating inflation considerable amount of bribery, rate above 12 percent against tarnepotism and the use of political geted single digit. office for personal enrichment reMany people do not realize that mained highest throughout the inflation is with us, and it is an excurrent PPP regime. Pakistan has tremely destructive hidden tax, esbeen experiencing double-digit pecially on the poor of Pakistan. Ininflation over this period mainly flation reduces the buying power of due to increase in prices of oil, our money, so we become poorer, electricity and food. Prices of ev- even if we have the same amount ery essential commodity like of money in the bank or in our pulses, grains and sugar have gone pocket. While budgetary allocaup by leaps and bounds. The poor tions are inadequate to meet legitiand the middle class are extremely mate public expectations, state aufinding it difficult to lead an hon- thorities misuse the allocations orable life as grocery items have themselves. Apart from this, foreign become unaffordable for them. aid for socio-economic developRight now, the Country appears ment projects often ends up in the stuck with the various off shoots hands or pockets of corrupt politiof the crisis (such as shrinking pri- cians and those in authority, defyvate inflows, weakening Rupee, ing all attempts at accountability. lack of energy, highest unemployPoverty is a vicious circle. Povment rate, nose-diving foreign re- erty causes further poverty. Just as the serves, ever rising commodity rich get richer because they are alprices and almost hyperinflation). ready rich, poor people get poorer Zardari-led coalition Government because they live in poverty. It has has forced the masses to switch to become impossible for the common cheaper substitutes, raising con- man to support a family as the govcerns about possible malnutrition. ernment has failed to provide any reThe most visible impact of lief on basic necessities. On consumrising food prices on the economy ers, escalating food prices in the face is acceleration of inflationary of inflation lower the purchasing pressure. High inflation has power of the Rupee, fanning a higher pushed the food purchase bills up cost of living and ruthlessly lower-

P

ing the quality of life. The energy crisis has declined the industrial production due to which unemployment has jumped highest. .Poor families now spend more than half their household income on food and are bearing the brunt. The middle-income average households’ monthly budgets are further stretched against worsening food prices, having to spend some 70% to 80% of household incomes on putting food on the table. The government is hiking prices of petrol, diesel, gas and electricity.

This shows that it has become a symbol of heartless government.

The PPP government was brought to power by the common man but today it has failed to understand their pains. PPPs’ misrule, corruption, inflation and neglect of the common man has resulted into miseries of masses.

In the rural areas, people can barely eat two-square meals a day.

They cannot pay the school fees of their children and are unable to afford medical treatment for their aged parents. Millions and millions of people are suffering under the burden of rising costs. Faced with these circumstances they feel their life is not worth living any longer and feel it better to die. Support services such as education, shelters and health care are grossly inadequate for majority poor. Food riots are expected broken out, as people struggle with the rising costs of basic food material.

Another major contributor to all the unrest, demands and inflation is the fact that a large portion of the population is in debt. There is an unfortunate history of exploitation of debt among poor people, and unscrupulous micro lenders have been allowed to run rampant in poor communities. This brings us to the

role of the government and what it should do about the problem.

First of all, what is a government there for – what is its job? It is primarily to protect its citizens. And what if many of its citizens are financially illiterate? Then it must pass laws to protect them from exploitation via usury. The debt trap has crippled and imprisoned the country’s earning capacity.

Inflation is indeed a devil that needs to be controlled and reined!

If it crosses the double digit, is an index of an absolutely weak economy. The State Bank is being treated by the PPP regime as a printing press for making currency notes worth of billions of rupees every day. Printing more money doesn’t increase economic output in any way - it merely causes inflation due to devaluation of currency.

There is absolute lack of proper economic planning on part of the government. The Government should immediately stop printing excessive money. Government loans have surged up to more than Rs.13, 000 billion which needs to be strictly controlled through proper legislation.

The cost for essential items should always be less but it is almost as high as luxury items or non-essential items. Inflation needs to be controlled at least partly by a dear money policy to plug precautionary and speculative motives while accelerated economic development requires a cheap money policy. The government has to adopt appropriate policies and develop a method to control essential foods’ prices to provide relief to millions of poor people who are suffering due to soaring food inflation.

Reko Diq controversial project Muhammad Daheem Email: muhammaddaheem@gmail.com

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eko Diq, a small town in the North-West of Chagai Dis trict, is now identified for its large copper and gold reserves in raw form. This remote area of Pakistan is sparsely populated in Baluchistan. It has one of the largest undeveloped copper and gold mining deposits, worth billions of dollars, in the world. This natural treasure lies below the sand. The government of Baluchistan signed an agreement with Australian BHP Billiton, one of the world’s largest mining companies, to explore gold and copper at Reko Diq in Chaghi. After the survey of the area it was concluded that 200 to 500 million pounds copper can be extracted through this venture annually. The project has potential to generate a big mining industry in Pakistan. It has potential to become a multi-billion dollar project and can change the destiny of the nation. It contains large coppergold deposits of different grades and categories. A number of reddish rocks with large crystals also exist in the area.

The feasibility report shows that total mineral resources at Reko Diq are of about 5.9 billion tons of ore. Economically mineable portion is about 2.2 billion tons. It is estimated that an average copper grade of 0.53 percent and an average gold grade of 0.30 grams per ton can be processed “to produce12.3 million tons of copper and 20.9 million ounces of gold in the form of payable metal in about 56 years of mine life.”

The estimate includes probable reserves at the Tanjeel of 128.8

million tons with a copper grade of 0.7%.

The provincial government and the BHP entered into a new agreement in 2000 over the Reko Diq mining lease. This agreement was finally bought by the TCC. “Royalties were reduced from the initial four to two per cent. Terms for the provision of cost-free land for an airport and a 400 km Reko DiqGwadar road were accepted.” It is in the agreement that 25 % share will be paid to the Baluchistan government after it invests 25% in the project. The main license holders in this joint venture are the government of Baluchistan ( 25 % share), Antifagasta Minerals ( 37.5 % share) and Barrick Gold(37.5 % share). Nonetheless, it is a highly controversial contract.

The provincial government has now accused TCC of violating the terms and rules. The Baluchistan government now wants to run the project itself. There are several flaws in the scheme and the companies have not much bothered about the drinking water and environmental problems. The shortage of water is the biggest issue. The project depends upon sub-surface water. It is, in fact, pre-requisite for this project. The whole process has intense environmental problems. It probably does not have program of recycling of fresh water. The companies involved in Reko Diq project can create huge water problem in the area unless proper planning is made in this connection.

According to INP “ Tethyan Copper Company, a Canadian and Chilean consortium of Barrick Gold and Antofagasta Minerals formed to explore gold and copper, had invoked the jurisdiction of the ICC and ICSID against the government of Pakistan for not renewing the

prospective Reko Diq minerals license in accordance with Baluchistan Mining Rules 2002.”

Recently ICSID has given verdict and allowed Baluchistan government to carry out mining activity in the controversial area at Reko Diq. It has been concluded that the company had submitted insufficient feasibility report of six kilometers only.

The apex court continued to hear the case of identical petitions filed against the federal government’s decision to lease out gold and copper mines at Reko Diq in Chagai district to foreign companies. The Chief Justice remarked that court’s interest is in the validity of the agreement. Khalid Anwar, council for Tethyan Cooper Company Pakistan (TCCP), told the apex court that TCCP has a dispute both with the federal and provincial governments. He ensured the court that wealth of the nation had not been plundered by the company.

He further added that it would take time to start the exploration.

He stressed the point that Tethyan Copper Company Pakistan ( TCCP ) had spent millions of dollars for feasibility report on the Reko Diq project. He further submitted that all the allegations made against the Chaghai Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (CHEJVA) were irrelevant.

Moreover, Ahmer Bilal Sufi, counsel for the Balochistan government, raised the point that land had not been specifically allotted in the Reko Diq agreement. According to Chief Justice the agreement did not ratify a mining license in its spirit.

It simply agreed to the filing of a request for that purpose. “The Chief Justice has demanded copies of Reko Diq mining lease agreement from Baluchistan government to as-

certain legality of the contract between Chagai Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (CHEJVA), BHP and Baluchistan Development Authority.” The Chief Justice has pointed out certain flaws in the contract. He noted that the agreement was signed without mentioning the date on it. He added the governor cannot issue such directives to sign any addendum. The Chief Justice remarked that all foreign companies are bound to follow the laws of the country. They have no right to dictate a sovereign nation.

“The Reko Diq case, according to Chief Justice, would be considered by keeping within the limits of the system of the country and ensuring transparency in terms of law.”

Dr. Samar Mubarakmand’s viewpoint is that government of Baluchistan need not sign agreement with any foreign company.

He believes that these companies have their own vested interests.

Pakistani scientists and engineers can develop the Reko Diq project by dint of great effort. It is a national property and needs to be protected properly. It’s high time the proper mechanism had to be evolved to generate revenue. It should be beneficial for the nation and free from polluted hands. The lease duration, in any contract, should not exceed two years. The long lease agreements open the door of corruption for the corrupt rulers. It is claimed that this project would be beneficial for Baluchistan in the form of substantial profits as well as for the economy of the nation. The common people of Baluchistan should be the major beneficiaries of the Reko Diq program and not the corrupt politicians and their companions.

gypt’s power struggle is in a flux. It is quite difficult to as certain as to who is in command of things, as pro-government and the opposition activists are unrelenting to call it a day. The first phase of referendum on Saturday had simply furthered the impression that the Muslim Brotherhood is on a winning steak, and it won’t be a problem for President Mohammed Mursi to reign supreme once the draft constitution, which is in the eye of the storm and alleged to be too radical in substance, is adopted. But the surprise has come in the form of Mursi’s nominated top-prosecutorgeneral resigning under tremendous pressure from the judiciary.

In fact, naming a pro-government prosecutor and dislodging the incumbent from the Hosni Mubarak era was at the root of the controversy, plunging the silent majority Brotherhood parliament in chaos. Had Mursi and his party not put their foot down for ensuring speedy justice against elements allegedly involved in power abuse and excesses, it would have been a different situation altogether. It remains to be seen whether Talat Abdullah’s resignation is accepted or he is asked to continue in office, marking another episode of confrontation with the judicial circles. But what has been seen recently is that Mursi is on a retreat and had rescinded his own measures that included withdrawing a couple of nominations — objected by the judiciary and the opposition — and a decree that granted him absolute powers to override other organs of the state. Nonetheless, as far as the referendum is concerned, the Brotherhood has stood its ground, and a ‘yes’ vote is likely to bolster its political credentials in times to come.

The point of concern, however, at this point of time is neither the prosecutor’s resignation nor the controversy that surrounds the vote on the draft constitution, but the culture of defiance that is taking roots.

The opposition and the judiciary believe that the poorly drafted constitution has been rushed through and fails to protect fundamentals of the revolution — and at the same time the rights of minorities. This is a serious charge and is likely to be contested in days and weeks to come, thus literally pushing the administration to the wall. Coupled with this are the violent agitations taking place in the capital and elsewhere — bringing to a standstill the business of the state. Until and unless a dialogue is brokered between the stakeholders and protests come to an end, there doesn’t seem to be any respite for the Egyptians.— Khaleej Times

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Israeli plan violates international law

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HE illegal decision of the Is raeli government to build 1,500 new homes at an Israeli colony in occupied East Jerusalem is a clear demonstration that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is not interested in peace. It has abandoned any pretence of wanting the two-state solution, under which both Palestinians and Israelis would recognise each other with mutual respect, and build a peaceful relationship based on mutual recognition. Netanyahu has abandoned this and is heading for Fortress Israel, under which Israel will refuse to recognise Palestine and will continue to impose itself on the region by military force. In addition, Netanyahu will probably be forced to expel the 1.5 million ethnic Arabs that make up 20 per cent of the Israeli population.

He will not be able to tolerate the presence of the Arab-Israelis in Israel for too long. They are full Israeli citizens, but they do not meet Netanyahu’s plan for Israel, which is to build an overtly Jewish state and as their numbers increase, they will become a more dominant part of the Israeli population. This terrifies Netanyahu and his Zionist ambitions and he either has to abandon his plans or remove the problem. The expulsion of 1.5 million Arabs will dwarf any humanitarian crisis that we have yet seen, but without some action of that kind it is impossible to see how Netanyahu’s Fortress Israel will work.

Cynicism is humour in ill-health.

H G Wells — British writer

Myth of Indian nuke doctrine Shams uz Zaman Email:smszmn72@yahoo.com

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he Indian policy makers fi nally, on 11 May 1998, lifted the veil from the true face of the Buddha which had apparently smiled “peacefully” on 18 may 1974 in Pokhran. Pakistan was quick to display its tit for tat reaction a few days later. Although the 1998 testing did give India the status of defecto Nuclear weapon status, yet it also neutralized Indian conventional edge over Pakistan as prospects of any future conflict between these South Asian rivals could not be conceived without bringing the nuclear equation into the calculus.

Subsequently, Indians hurriedly came up with a draft nuclear doctrine which provides fuzzy guidelines for the employment of nuclear weapons. Pakistan, to add further credibility to its nuclear deterrent, decided to keep its nuclear doctrine a classified matter.

While Pakistan has never kept it hidden that its nuclear deterrent is

premised on the core belief of “first use but last resort”, this term has usually been seen by the western academics as an offensive nuclear posture. Other than Pakistan, only Israel shares same kind of doctrinal principle labelling it as a “Samson Option”, but it has never been subjected to the same kind of scrutiny in the western media or academics, as has been seen in the case of Pakistan. According to a report published

by International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament, no other nuclear weapon state, dejure or defecto, gives an unequivocal and unconditional negative security assurance except for China. Ironically, while Pakistan is singled out for adopting a posture of “first use but last resort” which actually means that it could consider the employment of nuclear weapons once all other options have been exhausted, India is given a salutary status to its actually meaningless clause of “no first use.” Interestingly, not only in the west but some of the Pakistani scholars amongst the strategic community have fallen victim to this deceptive phrase in the Indian

nuclear doctrine. The Indian so called “no first use” clause has three conditions attached to it which actually makes it redundant. The first condition says that, “any threat of use of nuclear weapons against India shall invoke measures to counter the threat” which doesn’t rule out a pre-emptive nuclear strike. Second, in the clause 2.5 saying, “India will not resort to the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against States which do not possess nuclear weapons, or are not aligned with nuclear weapon powers,” the term alliance can be translated into various terms.

Like should there be a formal defence pact or a treaty between a nuclear weapon states or mere maintaining diplomatic, economic and cultural ties could also be considered as an alliance.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and even Iran can be considered as allies of Pakistan with regards to certain issues. Likewise, Japan, Germany, Italy and South Korea also forms and alliance with the US and thus qualifies for a nuclear first strike. Finally, clause 2.3a, revised in 2003 states that, “however, in the event of a

major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons.” This implies that if some UN contingent including few Indian troops is attacked with either a chemical or a biological agent in some of the remotest part of the world, India could retaliate with nuclear weapons. Under such conditions, actually believing in the myth of Indian no first nuclear posture and doctrine is a self-alluded fallacy which practically makes no sense at all.

Rather, it is primarily meant to maintain ambiguity with regards to first strike option if a situation is deemed necessary.

This is not to criticize the Indian nuclear doctrine for its first use clause because all states, except China, have such provisions, rather the purpose is to understand the doctrine in right perspective and avoid singling out some states at the same time comforting other with the same nuclear posture.

—The writer is an M.Phil scholar at NDU, Islamabad.

Quality of our education we the Muslims pray to God to add to our knowledge.

To get education, Ch Bashir Ahmad the students have to attend some school, Email:smzlaw@yahoo.com college or institution.

The attainment of the students is greatly related with the number of days they attend evelopment of a state largely the educational institution and the depends on the percentage of number of hours per day they spend its educated citizens and the in the institution and more particuquality of education imparted to larly the time spent on academic them. In order to achieve the goal learning i.e. the time spent actually of progress, the under developed upon studies. The number of school countries have to assign first prior- days in different countries vary but ity to education for its citizens and on the average the school going stuthe education depends inter-alia on dents attend school about 180 days a year. number of school days.

The UNESCO undertook surIn different countries, the number of school days is different. It vey of 43 countries; 33 countries largely depends on the weather con- have more than 180 days in a school ditions of each country and also on year. Some countries like Japan their love for education. If the Gov- have as many as 240 days per year. ernment of the respective country Australia has about 220 days school is conscious of importance of edu- year and in Canada, the school year cation for the development and wel- lasts for about 195 days. A sumfare of its citizens, it can remove mary of school days per year in difall the odds which come in the way ferent countries is as follows:- Jaof education as it is the first and pan 243, West Germany 266, foremost duty of a welfare state. South Korea 220,Soviet Union The importance of education is 211,Scotland 200,England/Wales much emphasized in Islam. The 192, Switzerland 191,New Zealand Holy Prophet had said that a Mus- 190,France 185,Spain180, United lim must get education even if he States180, Flemish Belgium160. has to go to China. In our prayers, All those countries which have

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more than 180 days school year, have fewer holidays. In France, students attend school for six days a week and for 200 days a year.

Similarly, Iran has 220 school days a year. Number of school days also co-relates with the number of instructional days/hours in the school year. The number of school days refers to the actual number of days the pupils have contact with a teacher. In order to increase the maximum number of school days and instructional days; some states have mandated from 179 to 176 days, five set it at 175 days, two from 174 to 171 days. A total of 8 states require a minimum number of instructional hours. Only a few states have laws requiring schools to start on a certain date, most often leaving it to the discretion of local education agencies.

In Pakistan, the number of school days and the number of instructional days is very low. The number of school days has sometimes been even less than 150 days.

The government departments claim it to be 180 days which is not internationally acceptable. In Pakistan, we have 15 declared public holidays and undeclared and unannounced excessive holidays. There are also a number of local holidays which are allowed by the local Administration. In all the total of such holidays comes to 25 days a year.

In addition, there are summer vacations for about two and a half month and winter holidays for about 10 days every year. Thus the number of school days and instructional days is considerably low. Some times the schools are closed to use the school building as marriage or functions hall on the wishes of influential persons of the area. Furthermore, the conditions in school days even are not conducive to good education.

In some areas, a portion of school building is used as cattle shed and in the remaining portion, the students are being given education. At some other places, the school buildings have either fallen down due to decay or they have become so dangerous that these are unfit for human inhabitation and students are forced to get education in the open area even during the rainy season and under the scorching sun. In some schools, the regularly employed and qualified teachers do not attend schools for months and years and untrained teachers have been employed by them to impart education to the students.

The Government has to take some well considered and strong steps to reduce the number of holidays and increase number of school days and has to provide conditions conducive to good education.

Views From Abroad

Mass shootings & mental illness David Kopel

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as the rate of random mass shootings in the United States increased? Over the past 30 years, the answer is definitely yes. It is also true that the total US homicide rate has fallen by over half since 1980, and the gun homicide rate has fallen along with it. Today, Americans are safer from violent crime, including gun homicide, than they have been at any time since the mid-1960s.

Mass shootings, defined as four or more fatalities, fluctuate from year to year, but over the past 30 years there has been no long-term increase or decrease. But “random” mass shootings, such as the horrific crimes last Friday in Newtown, Connecticut, have increased.

Why the increase? It cannot be because gun-control laws have become more lax. Before the 1968 Gun Control Act, there were almost no federal gun-control laws. The exception was the National Firearms Act of 1934, which set up an extremely severe registration and tax system for

automatic weapons and has remained in force for 78 years. Today in America, most handguns are semiautomatics, as are many long guns, including the best-selling rifle today, the AR-15, the model used in the Newtown shooting. Some of these guns look like machine guns, but they do not function like machine guns.

Back in the mid-1960s, in most states, an adult could walk into a store and buy an AR-15 rifle, no questions asked. Today, firearms are the most heavily regulated consumer product in the United States. If someone wants to purchase an AR-15 or any other firearm, the store must first get permission for the sale from the FBI or its state counterpart. Permission is denied if the buyer is in one of nine categories of “prohibited persons,” including felons, domestic-violence misdemeanants, and persons who have been adjudicated mentally ill or alcoholic.

Since gun controls today are far stricter than at the time when “active shooters” were rare, what can account for the increase in these shootings?

One plausible answer is the media.

Cable TV in the 1990s, and the

Internet today, greatly magnify the instant celebrity that a mass killer can achieve. We know that many wouldbe mass killers obsessively study their predecessors. In the mid-1960s, many of the killings would have been prevented because the severely mentally ill would have been confined and cared for in a state institution. But today, while government at most every level has bloated over the past half-century, mental-health treatment has been decimated. According to a study released in July by the Treatment Advocacy Centre, the number of state hospital beds in America per capita has plummeted to 1850 levels, or 14.1 beds per 100,000 people.

Moreover, a 2011 paper by Steven P. Segal at the University of California, Berkeley, “Civil Commitment Law, Mental Health Services, and U.S. Homicide Rates,” found that a third of the state-to-state variation in homicide rates was attributable to the strength or weakness of involuntary civil-commitment laws.

Finally, it must be acknowledged that many of these attacks today unfortunately take place in pretend “gun-free zones,” such as schools,

movie theatres and shopping malls.

According to Ron Borsch’s study for the Force Science Research Centre at Minnesota State UniversityMankato, active shooters are different from the gangsters and other street toughs whom a police officer might engage in a gunfight. They are predominantly weaklings and cowards who crumble easily as soon as an armed person shows up.

Real gun-free zones are a wonderful idea, but they are only real if they are created by metal detectors backed up by armed guards. Pretend gun-free zones, where law-abiding adults (who pass a fingerprint-based background check and a safety training class) are still disarmed, are magnets for evildoers who know they will be able to murder at will with little threat of being fired upon.

People who are serious about preventing the next Newtown should embrace much greater funding for mental health, strong laws for civil commitment of the violently mentally ill—and stop kidding themselves that pretend gunfree zones will stop killers. — Courtesy: The Wall Street Journal

Be a role model..!

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his happened a few years ago; I was catching a flight to Mumbai from Delhi and standing in line for my security check; the queues at airports are worse than the lines you see at railway stations and bus stops and this one in particular was moving at a snail pace, suddenly a family of eight walked down the line to the head of the queue and the father and another gentleman who I presumed was the uncle started pushing all the members into the line.

I protested and called the security personal at the Delhi airport who pretended not to have seen anything, meanwhile the man had pushed his whole family of sons and daughters and wives into the line. I watched in disbelief and yelled at them to go to the end of the line.

“But I have been standing in this same line!” he lied with a grin.

“You are an idiot!” I told him quietly. “What did you call me?” asked the man and his companion walking towards me. “An idiot!” I said, “Because tomorrow your son will do worse than what you have just done.

You are his tutor! Tomorrow!”

I continued, “when that same son is arrested for something more heinous than jumping a queue and you

ask the world where he picked up such criminal habit you will have no one else to blame but yourself.

Sons and daughters,” I said, “learn from their fathers and mothers!”

There was no grin on their faces anymore. And here’s a true story: Once upon a time a journalist got a call from an airhostess, “Help me!” she wept into the phone, “I am a kept woman! I’m not allowed to move out of this house. I’m being kept a prisoner by a minister who does what he wants with me when he has the time and he’s told me he’ll kill me if I try to escape!”

The journalist decided to write about it but the lady was too scared to come out into the open. The minister as we all know later died under tragic circumstances and within a

month his son was found in the possession of drugs and it made newspaper headlines. “How did he become like this?” asked the mother of the boy, even as the rest of the country knew who he had learned his tricks from.

How often we tell our children when the phone rings, “Tell him I’m not at home!” And the tutoring starts from there. Start learning to be a role model. It’s not their boy friends, their girl friends, or their so called bad company to blame when something disastrous happens to them later; it’s you who have taught them wrong, by breaking queues, cutting signals: Don’t cry when they do things much, much worse..!

—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

Voice of the People Honour achievers, not deceivers PROFESSOR KABIL KHAN

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he Pakistani security forces are doing a good job in fighting terrorism and extremism, but this fight has proved very long and tedious where the security forces have suffered great losses. The highly motivated soldiers lay their lives for the sake of the nation and its people. The status of performing the ‘toughest job’ of the post 9/11 decade can be allotted to the security forces. They have been quite literally, ‘in the line of fire’ for far too long. It is amazing that achievement awards are being bestowed upon many people who aren’t even deserving of the credit they receive. Merit has never been our criteria for anything in this part of the globe. High achievers are ignored while high deceivers are lauded and appreciated. We must change our preferences and try to exalt the common man. Awards ought to adorn the uniforms of the brave soldiers and policemen instead of their big bosses who do not have the capacity to grow any bigger. Our hero is the soldier who fights with the terrorists head on, it is the security guard who grabs the terrorists clad in a burqa entering the girls cafeteria of the International Islamic University, it is the guard of a private bank who saves the bank and the people in it while he performs his duty, it is the all the soldiers who stand guard either at Salala, Siachen, along the Indian or Afghan border.

They are the ones that need to be backed, supported and lauded for their bravery.

—Peshawar

Rule of anarchy ASGHAR MAHMOOD All systems have collapsed in Pakistan, even civil society organizations and NGOs have failed to deliver.

Rats are reigning in hospitals and poison is being openly sold at Medical Stores. There is no check, no accountability. It is free for all, criminals go scot free, law abiding population is suffering. If this is not lawlessness, then what anarchy is?

The powerful are busy in looting national resources and assets as if there is no tomorrow. Where is governance? NGO funds are being spent on hefty salaries, fancy offices, parties and designer dresses of executives (mostly ladies). Whom should the underprivileged look up to! Is it doom’s day scenario? Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

—Islamabad

President Zardari warns GHAYUR AYUB ‘No one will be allowed to disturb Karachi peace: Zardari’ What peace Mr. President?

—London

Tribute to the teachers CLEMENTE FERRER The Spanish Foundation for Aid for Drug Addicts (FAD) has launched an advertising campaign which highlights the important role played by the school teachers who, side by side with the families, are leading trainers in values. The campaign enhances the extraordinary importance of a good education to prevent hazardous scenarios, violence, racism, drugs and sex abuse, and hopes to create social awareness about the important role of the teachers as educators and to enhance their function, requesting the help of the local population to the Masters and the work that they develop and to stimulate enthusiasm and joy of the teachers in their work.

The Tribute to the Teachers, will be held on September 30th, are located, with the award of a “Tribute to the Master” prize which will be given by Queen Sofia of Spain. The Foundation for Aid for Drug Addicts asserts that preventing drug abuse should go further and not only warn of the dangers. Prevention requires supporting the development of people, especially the youngs, struggling to create opportunities for authentic freedom.

From its years of experience in the prevention of drug abuse and its consequences, the FAD has become convinced that it is necessary to face these protective tasks from childhood. The FAD regards as very important to start this educational training in the infant stage, because the building blocks of personality are placed before the age of nine. A strong education in values can be an important barrier to various risk factors. Self-esteem, self-control, empathy, delayed reward and respect to their own morphology, help the young people to be in control of their behavior and to have more opportunities to choose freely, knowing better how to overcome the risks they will face.

—Spain

cident brought revolution known as “The Arab Spring”.

The spirit of the people of Arab world was to bring a change and they are still determined to achieve their desired goal .The great name in The Arab Spring. “Tawakkel Karman” Yemeni Peace activists known as “Mother of Revolution” was the role model for the people of The Arab world and for the world where the Muslim women is living the miserable life .She had shown the new light to the people of Arab to fight for their rights and especially to get rid of puppet Governments.

Recently due to the new elected President of Egypt Mohammad Morsi’s demand to gain more power to run a state was quite astonishing for the entire world and especially for the people of Arab world but it didn’t went long. The people started protesting against new elected President which showed the incompetency of President Mohammad Morsi to run the state then later he took his words back. Today due to Geostrategic location of Egypt it can play a major role as a bridge between West and the other underdeveloped Muslim states in order to maintain the relation of peace and Cooperation.

Due to the newly Democratic essence of Egypt Muslims can prove themselves that they are united and they cannot be crushed by evil forces.

As located on a world important choking point regarding trade ( Suez Canal ) its application to the world multiplies to a greater level.

—Via email

A letter from Germany COL RIAZ JAFRI (R)

Dr Kurt Waschnig came across one of articles and started communicating with me about 9 years ago. He asked me to suggest him books on Pakistan and some internet daily as well. He learnt Urdu by attending language classes in Germany and by now can communicate fairly well in Urdu and English. He is well familiar with the affairs of Pakistan and a good friend and a well wisher, which is evident from his following email of 16 December 2012, that I would request to be shared with your august readers. I wish his prayers are answered soon, ameen.

Dear Col Jafri: First of all I would like to convey best regards from my wife and my twins and we wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas. I hope you are in good health! Yesterday I celebrated my birthday. I became 60 years old. I had a very nice day with my family, relatives and lot of friends and former colleagues. I considered and thought what I really wish in my life and there is no doubt, it comes now deep from my heart.

I wish peace for Pakistan, a stable environment, a future for the children in Pakistan, no interference of western countries. Joy, happiness, harmony shall prevail among tribes and the People of Pakistan, no corruption and able politicians shall govern this wonderful country. Minorities shall enjoy equal rights and live in peace in Pakistan.

There shall be an independent judiciary and the Army of Pakistan shall defend the country and democratic developments and institutions.

There shall be a never ending dialogue between religions. Dignity, mutual understanding, respect and tolerance shall prevail. And children should go to school to receive an excellent education to build up Pakistan in the new century. Dear Col. Jafri, this is my vision and dream and I do not know if it will become reality. But the People of Pakistan have dreams.

MALIK SHAHAN ASLAM Perhaps their dreams will become In any society , fulfilling the physi- true. ological needs of the people should —Rawalpindi be the first priority of the state.

People gratified with their physiological needs will remain stuck to their work. Instead of discussing the merits and demerits of Dictatorship and Democracy when fulfilling MARYA MUFTY these physiological experiences negligence on the side of state then The Amnesty International has asked people of that state start a revolu- India to abolish death sentence, after tion. This happened in Arab World the reports that Ajmal Kasab was when citizen of Tunisia , hanged to death in haste. A bill was “Muhammad Bouaziz” self-immo- already in place in the Lok Sabha lated due to social Injustice. This in- seeking the abolition and all execu-

Egalitarian Arab world

Ajmal Kasab’s execution

tions were pending owing to this bill.

But how Kasab’s execution was decided has a story behind. According to Jawed Naqvi, a senior Indian columnist, the now deceased Hindu fundamentalist leader, Bal Thackeray had taken a word from Mukherjee during the latter’s presidential election campaign. Now, referring to the execution of Kasab in Pune on November 21, the AI has written to President Mukherjee and sought abolishing of death sentence and immediate moratorium on executions. It is yet to be seen how the Indian government responds. A similar move is also in process in Pakistan.

Notably, during President Zardari’s tenure not a single execution was made, except one last month.

A debate is going on in favour of abolishing death sentence. This might be true but it is also noteworthy that not a single terrorist who caused deaths to many has so far been taken to task, or at least met with fair trial or prosecuted due to intimidations to police individuals, lawyers and judges by the terrorists.

—Lahore

De-facto de-jure IQBAL HADI ZAIDI PPP headed by President Asif Ali Zardari is the governing political party in Pakistan and as such absolute total powers are vested in him which cannot be challenged whatsoever but it is an undeniable fact that Altaf Hussain, Chief, MQM sitting as far away as London enjoys more popularity in my beloved home country than Zardari since he pulls strings from there creating troubles in Pakistan which simply cannot be controlled as it has been very bluntly demonstrated earlier this week and none dared to penalize MQM for paralyzing life in Karachi, Hyderbad and Mirpur Khas which itself proves who is de-facto and who is de-jure.

—Kuwait

Challenging writ of the govt MALIK SHAHAN ASLAM The Peshawar airbase attack proved that the banned terrorist organizations are still working industriously to challenge the writ of the government wherever and whenever they want.

Unfortunately Pakistan Government is experiencing a very hard time in solving such pathetic situations because Government continuously bearing pressure from USA , Afghanistan and India to take effective action against terrorism . At both fronts like on eastern front with India and on western front with Afghanistan, Pakistan is sandwiched between both facing hard time to fight with the external and internal problems . Pakistan after 9/11 has experienced her worst time ever in shape of war on terror, National disintegration like problems in Baluchistan and Karachi , Army operation against own people, increasing rate of poverty and the list of problems goes on.

Today there is a need to understand where the real problem lies?

Knowing the reason of the problem our Government and law enforcement agencies have failed to prevent the banned organizations to challenge the writ of the Government as happened recently in Peshawar its just because of the fact that we are frontline state on war on terror and non Nato ally making the credibility of Pakistan in question .

In order to solve the problems of Pakistan the real culprit the real master mind has to be found out to know who is planning the new ways to challenge the writ of the government again and again.

—Via email

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

—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

Russia and America’s New Arms Race

BY J. MICHAEL COLE

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F reports in Russian state media last Friday are accu rate, the world may be on the brink of seeing a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) race, though of a conventional type rather than the nuclear arms race of the Cold War. According to a report by RIA Novosti, Moscow may be developing a heavyliquid-fuel, non-nuclear, precision-guided payload capability for a new class of ICBMs, which would give Russia near-global coverage similar to that sought by the U.S. under the controversial “Prompt Global Strike” program.

Using rhetoric that harkened back to the dark days of the Cold War, Russian Strategic Missile Forces Commander Colonel General Sergei Karakayev warned that Russia could develop its own strategic conventional ICBM force if the U.S. did not pull back from its efforts to create such a system, which gives the U.S. the ability to strike targets anywhere in the world within a matter of minutes.

In an apparent reference to U.S. and NATO plans to deploy missile defense systems in Europe, Karakayev said the new ICBM would be able to penetrate “any missile defense system likely to emerge in the near future.” Although the U.S. claims that the defense systems are targeted at a nuclear-armed Iran,

M. VEERA PANDIYAN

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HE troubling thought is Malaysian citizen Mohd Noor Fikrie Abd Kahar who was shot dead in Davao, Philippines last Friday, may be just one of many wannabe martyrs. The number of home-grown terrorists created through the social media is anybody’s guess but the reality is there are scores of vulnerable young people in Malaysia who are ripe for radicalisation. Terror groups can easily befriend them and empathise with their grievances and disenchantment. Once hooked, they are slowly pulled into the militant cause through indoctrination.

There is no longer any need for personal physical interaction like in the past. Today’s terrorists are lured into the ranks through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Dropbox and such. Emotion-stirring videos and other propaganda materials are enough to persuade these susceptible people to join the militant networks and be willing to sacrifice their lives. Fikrie, who used the moniker of “goodjinn” in a religious talk forum hosted by local web portal CariGold.com, for example, had posted 2,438 messages about fighting Islam’s enemies since 2006.

Among the latest was this: “Death is a friend. It follows you even when you have forgotten about it. Get to know it before it comes to you.” As one intelligence expert described it, he was a classic example of a selfradicalised young man, programmed into becoming a terrorist via the social media. What can the authorities do about this? For one thing, they should not be in denial that this is happening or regard the latest violent death as yet another isolated case.

One rehabilitated former Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member, who spoke to The Star recently, said Facebook had

Moscow contends that the deployment will also allow for the intercept of Russian ICBMs and thus undermine its deterrent capability.

If reports in Russian state media last Friday are accurate, the world may be.

Unlike current solid-fuel ICBMs, “the higher energy provided by liquid fuels gives it more varied and effective methods of countermeasures against global

Terrorists on social networks become the most popular means of luring new members.

The former militant confirmed that when they were ready, they were sent for training as fighters. It is no secret among counter terrorism experts that Malaysia is one of the countries favoured for recruiting new followers, even as far back as during the Afghanistan war against the Soviet Union between 1979 and 1989. Today’s tech-savvy terrorists are not exactly running riot on the Internet but it is a fact of life that they are very much there and using all the tools and freedom it offers to enlist new followers.

And it is unlikely that things would change soon through any form of global policing of the web. The United Nations’ recent plea for better surveillance of Internet users to help to investigate and prosecute terrorists has only resulted in cynical responses from advocates of Internet freedom across the world. Its 148-page report titled “Use of the Internet for Terrorist Purposes” warned that terrorists were using social networks and sharing sites for posting propaganda for recruitment, radicalisation, training, financing and executing physical acts of terrorism. The report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) urged governments to use the tools available in the Internet to prevent and deter acts of terrorism and engage potential recruits in “constructive dialogues” to tackle radicalisation.

Although it noted that overly stringent measures like tighter controls on ISPs to block content would impinge on privacy and human rights, it still drew much ridicule

Sanctions on Iran Hit Afghan Refugees

BY MONAVAR KHALAJ

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HEN Nasser, an Afghan labourer, illegally crossed the border to Iran to work last summer, he hoped to support his family and pay off his debts. But Nasser quickly realised that he had miscalculated, as Iran’s economy had changed a lot compared with a year ago when he returned to his home village near Mazar-e Sharif, northern Afghanistan, to get married.

Iran’s national currency, the rial, has fallen more than 35 per cent this year because of international sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme. The consequent rise in consumer prices – which is officially put at about 25 per cent but is believed to be far higher – has made Iran’s job market far less profitable for Afghans. “I owe [relatives]

When Nasser, an Afghan labourer, illegally crossed the border.

80m rials (about $6,400) for my marriage costs and must also pay 10m rials to smugglers who brought me here,” says Nasser, a 27-year-old slim man who is not registered as a refugee. “But now I do not know how I can pay my debts and I cannot go back to Afghanistan because I owe people money and will have no job there.”

missile defense screens, including space-based elements of those systems,” Russian media quoted Karakayev as saying (“while less stable than solid fuel, liquid fuel propellants provide the highest energy per unit of fuel mass and variable thrust capability”).

Karakayev’s remarks could furthermore indicate breakthroughs in missile maneuverability, an important component in a missile’s ability to penetrate air defenses. According to the Colonel General, the new missile will be deployed by 2018 and will be “largely superior” to its predecessors, including the Voyevoda (SS-18 “Satan”). Despite the advantages of having a conventional global strike capability – especially if coupled with hypersonic projectiles — proponents of the program tend to highlight its potential in the context of an attack against countries or intrastate organizations that do not possess long-range nuclear capability.

For clear reasons, conventionally armed ICBMs quickly lose their appeal if an opponent has a countervailing nuclear force: Given the difficulty of distinguishing between an incoming ICBM equipped with a conventional warhead and one that carries a nuclear weapon, targets might not wait until detonation to discern the nuclear status of the incoming payload, and instead retaliate through nuclear means.

Meanwhile, in what was ostensibly the first con-

For the past three decades, an influx of Afghani refugees crossed the border to Iran, fleeing wars and poverty and in search for jobs. Iran is the world’s second biggest host to a refugee population after Pakistan with more than 2m Afghan refugees, only 860,000 of whom are registered.

The representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Tehran, Bernard Doyle, forecasts no significant reduction in the Afghan population even though high inflation and the fall of rial have made their lives more difficult.

Voluntary repatriation, which Iran pushed for after the fall of the Taliban, only led to 18,600 Afghans leaving Iran last year and about 14,143 up to the end of October, Mr Doyle adds. Some politicians and officials say the return of Afghan immigrants to their home country will help Iran’s jobless youth but employers, especially in the services and building sectors, do not agree. Mostafa MohammadNajjar, interior minister, says “about 3m Afghans are living and working in Iran?.?.?.?which is not a problem’’ but is concerned that there are no jobs for Iranian youth.

Employers prefer Afghan labourers to their Iranian peers because they are cheaper and employment does not carry compulsory local insurance. But Mr Doyle says the central government in Tehran has not changed its policy toward Afghans, which is to provide asylum to refugees and a legal framework for Afghan migrant labour. Nasser is unaware that sanctions against Iran have been the main reason behind his lower income. Working in a restaurant in a hiking area in northern Tehran since his return in August, he is paid 270,000 rials a day.

He says 10m rials was equivalent to 25,000 afghanis ($480), his country’s national currency, when he resumed his job but now earns him about 13,000 afghanis. Nasser has no plans to leave Iran, despite his shrinking income.

His employer is keen that he stays. He has not left the restaurant for a month to avoid transport costs and stay safe. “The owner has good connections and can help prevent my arrest and deportation to Afghanistan.—Courtesy Financial Times

and scorn. It was seen as yet another attempt to compel ISPs to spy on users, collect the data and use it for keep-

Terrorist groups are turning to social media to recruit new members. ing people under surveillance for reasons beyond terrorist threats. More recently on Friday, the UN’s International Telecommunications Union treaty, signed in Dubai by 89 out of 144 countries, including Malaysia, revealed the world’s deep divide when it comes to the question of imposing controls on cyberspace.

Western nations, including the US, Britain and much of

firmation of the existence of the project, Karakayev also mentioned that a series of tests of a new solid-fuel ICBM had already been conducted and that the program was “right on path” (in its reporting on Friday’s announcement, Agence France-Presse seems to confuse the two types of ICBMs).

The latest test, using a mobile launcher, was held on October 24 at the Kapustin Yar firing range in southern Russia less than a week after Russian President Vladimir Putin personally led Moscow’s most comprehensive test of its strategic nuclear arsenal since the end of the Cold War. According to separate reports, Russia plans to testfire a total of 11 ICBMs in 2013. Karakayev said that a new, fourth-generation automated battle management system was being introduced for the strategic missile forces, which will possess a rapid and automated retargetting capability for the nation’s ICBMs. As the U.S. and Russia are both unlikely to abandon plans to create their conventional global strike missile forces, other countries, primarily China, and perhaps India, are likely to follow suit. In an odd twist, by adding conventional warheads to hitherto nuclear-tipped ICBMs, Moscow and Washington (and whoever else comes after) risk adding noise to what is already a dangerous game of signals interpretation, one that held the world hostage for decades. Courtesy Diplomat.

Europe, refused to sign the pact on the grounds that it gave too much power to UN, in spite of the ITU’s insistence that regulating the Internet was not its key issue. But our immediate worry should be over wannabe terrorists being recruited online, especially when one of the two most senior JI leaders in the Philippines are Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, better known as Marwan, who has a US$5 million (15 million ringgit) bounty on his head. The other is Singaporean Mohammad Abdullah Ali, known as Muawi-yah.

Fikrie, a divorced father of four, was believed to have been in close contact with them before leaving for his fatal mission to Davao. He went with his Filipina wife Annabelle Nieva Lee, a Muslim convert, carrying an improvised explosive device in a backpack. Lee, who is now in custody claimed that they had planned to bomb a bus for extortion, but Davao police suspect that a church may have been the target as two of five major bomb attacks in the city had been on churches.

According to Philippines’ news site Rappler.com, Marwan and Mua-yiyah were now in Butig, near the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Bushra camp. The network cited Filipino intelligence sources as saying that they were on the move with two pregnant Filipinas, believed to be their wives. The Philippines’ security forces are reportedly treading very carefully because the area is under the control of MILF which is currently holding peace talks with the government through a deal brokered by Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the pertinent question for our intelligence experts is: How many other young men have the JI and other militant groups succeeded in convincing to become terrorists and bomb makers? Courtesy Star.

M. Veera Pandiyan is associate editor, The Star.

Obama faces backlash on Hagel nomination for Pentagon P

RO-Israel groups, neoconservatives and even some former colleagues on Capitol Hill are confronting Presi dent Barack Obama with a growing backlash against Chuck Hagel, the ex-Republican senator tipped as his leading candidate for defense secretary. Obama’s aides have given no sign of dropping Hagel from consideration - even after several American Jewish leaders privately complained about his policy views, most notably on Israel and Iran, at a White House-hosted Hanukkah party last week, according to one attendee. But what has become clear in recent days is that the Democratic president will have a Senate confirmation fight on his hands if he decides to nominate the former Nebraska lawmaker, regarded as a moderate Republican, to replace Leon Panetta at the Pentagon.

The White House is preparing for a major realignment of Obama’s national security team, possibly by the end of this week, sources familiar with the process have said. But the announcement could be delayed by the difficult “fiscal cliff” negotiations with congressional Republicans. That could provide more time for Hagel’s critics to marshal opposition to his nomination, in public and behind the scenes.

But even they are skeptical of being able to derail it. Obama himself has faced questions from American Jewish leaders about his approach to close U.S. ally Israel, especially given his strained relations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and may decide to take a risk with Hagel. “This is a nomination that could be toxic to some degree for the White House,” a Senate Republican foreign policy aide said. “Do they really want this in the first months of a second term?”

Some of Israel’s leading U.S. supporters contend that Hagel, who left the Senate in 2008, at times opposed Israel’s interests, voting several times against U.S. sanctions on Iran, and made disparaging remarks about the influence of

what he called a “Jewish lobby” in Washington. William Kristol of the conservative Weekly Standard wrote in a recent column that Hagel “has anti-Israel, pro-appeasement-of-Iran bona fides.” While declining to discuss Hagel’s record on Israel, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters last Thursday that “the president thinks very highly of Senator Hagel.”

Hagel’s office has remain tight-lipped and had no immediate comment. J Street, a liberal American Jewish group, said it was “appalled by efforts surfacing in recent days to question his commitment to the state of Israel and to Middle East peace.” But The Washington Post weighed in late on Tuesday with an editorial declaring that Hagel was “not the right choice.” It chided him for advocating deep defense cuts and said he was out-of-step on Iran for voicing skepticism that force might eventually be needed to stop its nuclear program.

On Tuesday even some of Hagel’s former Republican colleagues expressed misgivings about him. Asked about Hagel’s 2006 statement that the “Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people here,” Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said he would “have to answer for that comment” if he is nominated. “And he’ll have to answer about why he thought it was a good idea to directly negotiate with Hamas and why he objected to the European Union declaring Hezbollah a terrorist organization,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “He’s been a friend, he has a stellar military record, but these comments disturb a lot of people.”

After leaving office, Hagel urged Obama to open talks with Hamas, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction Senator John McCain of Arizona insisted “we would review his entire record” but declined to “make a judgment until he’s nominated.”—Reuters.

The Humanitarian Fallout of a Military Intervention in Mali A

N international military intervention in Northern Mali “could further destabilize an already ex tremely fragile humanitarian situation” and “very well inflict more harm to the population.” Jérémie Labbé from IPI rightly argues that intense fighting would directly affect the civilian population, increase the number of refugees and internally displaced persons, and compromise the relatively stable situation of the last few months. Moreover, a military deployment would inevitably constrain an already difficult humanitarian access. Ultimately, “the risk is real that a military intervention will be perceived as promoting a Western agenda,” which might endangers the neutrality and safety of humanitarian actors operating in the region. In order not to repeat the mistakes of the relief operations in Somalia, Labbé stresses that a potential intervention should proactively and strictly comply with the UN human rights due diligence policy and that humanitarian actors should engage with non-traditional actors such as Islamic charities and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The recent forced resignation of Mali’s Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra casts further doubt on the imminence of international military intervention to oust radical Islamist groups in the country’s north. The idea of a military intervention, while accepted in principle by the Security Council in Resolution 2071 adopted on October 12, 2012, remains largely debated. While it is urgently called for by France and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which would lead the intervention, the United Nations and the United States are more cautious and want to see national unity strengthened before giving their support. The ousting of the Prime Minister, reportedly motivated by the reluctance of the military’s strongman Captain Sanogo to allow foreign troops on Malian territory, will undoubtedly reinforce skepticism.

Preparation for an intervention is well underway nonetheless, as related in a report of the UN Secretary-General submitted to the Security Council last week, pursuant to Resolution 2071. Despite the priority given by the Secretary-General to the political track—national dialogue and unity, but also negotiations with less radical armed groups occupying the north—the report says “a military inter-

African Union Considers Military Intervention In Mali. vention may be required as a last resort to deal with the most hard-line extremist and criminal elements in the North.”

However, the report warns about “the possible impact of a military intervention on the extremely fragile humanitarian and human rights situation” and on the “ability [of the UN] to play a meaningful role in supporting short-term humanitarian and emergency assistance efforts.”

Military intervention is not imminent—the SecretaryGeneral’s Special Envoy to the Sahel, Romano Prodi, doubted it would happen in advance of September 2013 even before the recent events. It remains worthwhile nonetheless to examine more in depth what the expected humanitarian fallout of such a deployment may be so that this is fully taken into account by all stakeholders.

Key Conclusions: An international military intervention is likely to have a direct impact on the civilian population, aggravating an already fragile humanitarian situation with additional casualties and displacement. In that respect, the UN must use its recent human rights due diligence policy proactively as a tool to ensure protection of the civilian population by the intervening forces, by conditioning support to strict compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law.

A UN-supported military intervention in northern Mali risks impacting humanitarian access in the region (which is already constrained) as well as the security of staff as it might contribute to the perception by armed groups that aid agencies are associated with the effort.

Experience and setbacks from the relief operations in Somalia in 2011 can give valuable lessons due to numerous contextual similarities. Humanitarian actors might want to consider developing partnerships and coordination with entities that are not part of the traditional humanitarian system—like Islamic charities—who played a valuable role in the response in Somalia.

Analysis: Since the takeover of northern Mali by armed groups in Spring 2012, more than 400,000 civilians have fled violence and oppression to find shelter abroad or in the southern part of the country. This happened on the backdrop of a serious food crisis that affected an estimated 18 million people across the broader Sahel region, and an approximately 510,000 people in northern Mali

alone. The region is also characterized by widespread insecurity and lawlessness, and the presence of radicalized Islamist groups creates fear of security incidents and kidnappings that restrict humanitarian access. An international military intervention could further destabilize an already extremely fragile humanitarian situation for two main reasons.

First, although military intervention might well be the ultimate means to dislodge extremist groups from northern Mali and free the population from their oppressive rule in the longer term, the use of force is likely to bring more suffering in the short term. Despite several hundred thousands of displaced people, the situation in northern Mali must be examined with nuance. Although Islamic groups are responsible for serious human rights violations and impose a strict—and retrograde—interpretation of Sharia law, the region has seen little fighting in the last few months and enjoyed a relative stability. Hundreds of displaced Malians have reportedly been returning to their homes in the north in recent months. Taking this into account, an international military intervention is likely to result in intense fighting with its cortege of civilian casualties and renewed displacement. While military intervention is partially aimed at protecting civilians by freeing them from Islamist groups, it could very well inflict more harm to the population, at least during the active phase of fighting.

The Secretary-General is well aware of the risk to civilians. It is encouraging to see that he intends to deploy a large human-rights component in the future UN mission in Mali to monitor respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, including the international force. The report also mentions that any support to the intervention would have to be in strict compliance with the recent UN human rights due diligence policy.—Courtesy IPI

Produce ex-Ogra chief on Dec 26

LHC CJ, AG exchange From Page 1

From Page 1 the hearing. The attorney general maintained that President Zardari was an elected president, adding that, the Constitution did not allow for any curbs on the political activities of the president. Attorney General Qadir moreover criticised the court’s decision on the case pertaining to the construction of the ‘controversial’ Kalabagh dam. Responding to which, the LHC chief justice said anyone who had any objections to or reservations over the court’s decision on the dam should challenge the ruling instead of attacking the court.

Attorney General argued that the slot of President is ceremonial in the country since the parliament enjoys supremacy of powers. Hearing this argument, the court gave remarks that the case was not in relation with the use of executive authorities rather it deals with the question whether the president enjoys immunity in criminal cases or not. The court further said because the president did not issue any orders so he enjoyed immunity. Reacting on these remarks, the attorney general said

the allegation of NAB officer.

Inspector General Police of Punjab, Haji Habibur-Rehman appeared before the bench and apprised that Punjab police is extending full cooperation in arrest of the accused and assured that Tauqir Sadiq would be arrested soon. He said that a senior police official of the anti-terrorist cell was deputed with NAB to ensure cooperation.

However, the bench observed that if a known person has not been arrested by IGP Punjab and head of ATC for the last three months then how police could trace out the other unknown persons.

The bench inquired from the IGP Motorway, Zafar Abbas Luk, on the claim of the investigating officer that despite informing the Motorway Police that the former Ogra chairman was travelling in their jurisdiction, no action was taken. The IG said that he checked the record but no such vehicle entered or exited from the motorway. However, he assured the court that motorway police would extend cooperation in the arrest of accused. Further hearing of the case was adjourned until Dec 26.

Aitzaz excuses From Page 1 Mr Aitzaz Ahsan said he represented former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in the supreme court but did not charge any fee.

He said the Chief Justice should not cancel his trip to Karachi due to security issues, adding that, if Chief Justice Iftikhar did not make the visit, it may give the MQM Chief the justification not to come to Pakistan. The MQM chief could say that if the Chief Justice did not have enough security, how could Hussain come to Pakistan from the United Kingdom, Ahsan said.

On Dec 14, the Supreme Court had asked the MQM chief to appear before it in person and explain why he should not be charged for contempt over “his contemptuous assertions against the judiciary”.

In a telephonic address from London to a gathering in Karachi on Dec 2, Hussain had criticised the judiciary and said that judges of the apex court should apologise for their remarks regarding delimitation of Karachi’s constituencies or face the consequences.—INP

Abbas offers From Page 1 are 450,000 Palestinian refugees living in 10 camps in Syria.

Abbas said the biggest camp, Yarmouk, ”has been through a difficult situation due to the escalating conflict in Syria”. Any movement of refugees into the West Bank would need the consent of Israel. Israel’s Foreign Ministry had no comment.— AP

NEW YORK: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon shakes hands with Ambassador Masood Khan, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN and President of Security Council for the month of January 2013.

Ban Ki-moon decries attacks UNITED NATIONS—Ambassador Masood Khan in a meeting with UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, at the UN headquarters Wednesday, reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment towards complete eradication of polio from his country.

Citing killing of innocent humanitarian workers involved in polio vaccination campaign as unfortunate and very sad incident, the ambassador informed the Secretary General that President and the Prime Minister’s of Pakistan had strongly condemned and took a very serious notice of this inhuman act.

The UN Spokesperson today in his briefing to the media said, “the Secretary-General joins the World Health Organization and UNICEF in condemning these senseless and inexcusable attacks on health workers”.

Handing over President of Pakistan’s statement of condemnation on this heinous crime, the ambassador apprised the Secretary General that the President had directed all the concerned authorities to coordinate with the national polio eradication teams and provide them foolproof security so that they could continue the campaign without any hindrance.

The President, he mentioned had reiterated unflinching resolve and commitment of the government for complete eradication of polio from the country and urged the provincial governments for ensuring safety and security of the workers involved in this noble cause. The Permanent Representative also told the Secretary General of Prime Minister of Pakistan, serious concern over the attack on polio workers in

UK to cut From Page 1

Karachi and Peshawar.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF in their statements have expressed their strong commitment and support to the Government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan in their efforts to rid the country of polio and other diseases.

Secretary General, Ban Kimoon commended government of Pakistan’s efforts for the eradication of polio from Pakistan.

The ambassador also mentioned strong condemnation by Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan’s Ambassador for Polio Eradication of the violence against Polio workers that killed female workers and a fourteenyear old girl in Pakistan today.

“All involved in the polio campaign are selfless volunteers, they do this to save lives, and they do this to save Pakistan”.—INP

Cameron told parliament.

Britain, which has the second biggest foreign contingent in Afghanistan after the United States, says its involvement has helped to stabilize the country and has prevented terrorists from finding a safe haven.

But the war’s critics say the country is less stable after more than a decade of violence and they question why Britain has spent so much money on the campaign at a time of strained public finances at home.

Britain’s defense budget, like that of other NATO members, is under pressure, forcing the Defence Ministry to spend less on troop numbers and equipment.

Ties between Western troops and Afghan forces have been tested by a series of “insider” attacks against NATO coalition troops by Afghan soldiers or by militants wearing Afghan military uniform.

After 2014, Britain will keep a small amount of soldiers in Afghanistan to help train Afghan forces, Cameron added.— less than an hour in seemingly Reuters coordinated attacks in Karachi.

A fifth worker, also a woman, was killed in Peshawar.

From Page 1 The five workers were killed a day after a man working on a local government-World Health especially incidents of killings of Organisation (WHO) project was anti-polio vaccine dispensers in Karachi and Peshawar. shot dead in Karachi.

He strongly condemned the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan attack on polio field workers and claimed responsibility for the at- directed the Interior Minister to bring the culprits to the book. tacks on Tuesday.

The President paid glowing Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio remains tributes to the services of all those endemic, along with Afghanistan who were complementing the and Nigeria, but efforts to tackle government’s efforts for eradicathe highly infectious crippling tion of crippling disease from the disease have been hampered over country.

Incidents of brutal killing of the years by extremists. the lady health workers sent a wave of resentment in the civil society. People expressed his deep sense of shock and sorrow on the killings that appear to have been undertaken in a very coordinated manner.

Two more KP lady workers From Page 1 Hospital for treatment. The Director Polio Eradication programme in KP said “though the campaign has been suspended in some of the areas after the attacks on the Polio teams, the department has no intentions to suspend activities all over the province”.

The UNICEF spokesman, however, said both WHO and UNICEF had suspended their Polio Campaign in Sindh and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa in the

wake of deadly attacks on the Polio teams. There were popular demonstrations in both KP and Sindh against terrorist attacks on polio teams.

Several political leaders including those belonging to religio-political parties condemned attacks on polio teams.

Religious scholars said the attacks were against Islamic teachings. The US and France have also condemned attacks on polio teams.

Add AP: Earlier on Tuesday, five health workers involved in the vaccination drive were killed in the cities of Karachi and Peshawar.

Four women were killed in

Zardari directs

Body formed to resolve traffic, other issues STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—The District Coordination Officer (DCO) Wednesday formed a three-member committee headed by an Assistant Commissioner to solve Parking, Traffic and Encroachment issues at Camera and Photo Goods Market. The DCO Noorul Amin

Mengal was talking to Chairman Anjuman-e-Tajiran Photo Goods Market and LCCI Executive Committee Member Nasir Saeed during a visit to the market along with a team of all concerned officers. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Trade Mohammad Ali Mian was also present on the occasion. The area businessmen informed the DCO that the fast increasing encroachments and non-availability of Parking site is causing undue damage to the business activities in the market that is one of the largest markets of photo goods in the country.

NA resolution From Page 1 provinces. During a questionsanswer session, the interior minister informed the assembly in writing of the increase in car thefts in Islamabad. In the last two years, 930 cars and 200 motorcycles have been stolen from the capital.

Two thousand, three hundred and thirty-four police personnel are assigned to protect the VIPs and VVIPs. This includes 43 lady constables, 1,607 constables, 309 head constables and 104 sub-inspectors.

political peoples were involved behind such cases and they wanted to implicate the courts in political issues. The attorney general further said the courts could not call the president to appear in person before the courts because he enjoys full immunity in this regard. He said the court’s remarks revealed that the court considered itself supreme authority over the slot of President and in response of his arguments the court gave remarks that the court always used respectful words to address the president. The petitioner’s counsel, Azhar Siddique, argued that the president slot was ceremonial and not administrative so he could not enjoy immunity. He further argued that since executive powers were delegated to Prime Minister, so only Prime Minister should be given immunity in criminal cases. The court said this was not possible when it was said Prime Minister should be given immunity while president deprived of it. The court said no political head ever violated the constitution of the country only dictators and third forces were involved in viola-

tion of the constitutions.

On Sept 5, the bench had issued a fresh notice to President Zardari through his principal secretary and had sought a reply to the petition pleading contempt proceedings against him for not abiding the court’s order to relinquish his political office.

The petition that had been filed by Munir Ahmad through lawyers A K Dogar and Azhar Siddique had accused President Zardari of indulging in political activities in the presidency. It had stated that the president had neither disassociated himself from the political office nor had he stopped ‘misusing’ the President House despite a verdict by the Lahore High Court’s full bench against the dual office.

The petitioner had also contended that the use of Presidency for political activities was illegal and tantamount to committing contempt of the court’s orders issued on May 12 last year.

He had also requested the court to issue a show-cause notice to the president and punish him under Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003, read with Article 204 of the Constitution.

26/11: ISI, Pasha enjoy immunity From Page 1 leaders, Mohammed Hafiz Saeed; Zaki ur Rahman, Sajid Mir and Azam Cheema.

On 26 November, 2008 in Mumbai, terrorists did well coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed and 308 others wounded.

In fact as many as four identical court cases were filed including one by Linda Ragsdale, on August 12. A resident of Tennessee, Ragsdale was shot in her back by one of the LeT terrorist at the Oberoi Trident hotel in Mumbai. She, however, survived that attack.

“In making this immunity determination, the United States emphasizes that it expresses no view on the merits of plaintiffs’ claims. The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and continues to believe that the Islamic Republic of Pakistan must take steps to dismantle Lashkar-e-Taiba and to support India¿s efforts to counter this terrorist threat,” the affidavit said.

The US Government argues that in its view FSIA requires that the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate of Pakistan be accorded immunity from this civil suit because the ISI is a fundamental part of the Government of Pakistan itself and no exception to immunity applies.

“Moreover, the Department of State has determined that the former Director Generals of the ISI, Ahmed Shuja Pasha and Nadeem Taj, enjoy immunity, a determination that is not subject to judicial review. In making this determination, the United States emphasizes that it expresses no view on the merits of plaintiffs’ claims,” the affidavit said.

The American relatives and victims of Mumbai terrorist attacks in their filings had alleged that the ISI controlled and coordinated the terrorist attacks and provided critical planning and material support to the attackers.

They also contend that former Directors General Pasha and Taj provided material support and resources to the attackers, recruited participants and planned the attacks. As such the American survivors and relatives of the victim had sought compensatory and punitive damages.

Lawyers of ISI and its directors had argued that they enjoy immunity in the case. It was on April 23 this year that the court had asked the US Government to clarify its position. December 17 was the last date for that.

“Under the FSIA, the ISI is immune from suit for the simple reason that it is a fundamental part of the Pakistani government.

Under the FSIA, the ISI must be treated as a “foreign state” for purposes of the FSIA and there is no applicable exception to immunity.”

“There can be no serious question regarding the ISI’s status as a “foreign state” within the meaning of the FSIA. As the Government of Pakistan states, the ISI is part of its government, organized under the Ministry of Defence,” it said.

“Although plaintiffs contend that the ISI is not governed or authorized by Pakistani law and is not under the control of the Pakistani government, the United States executive and legislative branches have consistently treated the ISI as part of the Government of Pakistan,” the US attorney said.

“The executive branch holds official meetings with representatives of the ISI, issues them diplomatic visas consistent with their status as Pakistani government employees and in all respects recognises the ISI as part of the Government of Pakistan.

Congress likewise has specifically recognised that the ISI is part of the Pakistani government,” he argued.

“The United States is not aware of any case in which a court has concluded that a com-

‘Rush to contract minerals is worrying’ K ABUL —The Natural Re- tract the country’s mines. sources and Environment Committee of the Afghan parliament called on top officials from several ministries as well as a number of academics to discuss the problems with the law of mines and consult on resolving the “rush” over contracting the country’s natural resources.

“One year of this government’s tenure is left. Our question is, Would hurrying to contract our mines help us reach the goal or would this act – in this short time – increase the problems?

Asked head of Natural Resources and Environment Committee Obaidullah Ramin.

The ministers of economy and commerce and industries shared the committee’s concern over what it said is a rush to con-

India disappointed From Page 1 ter-Services Intelligence agency was behind the Islamist attacks which left 166 people dead – an accusation denied by Islamabad.

The Indian statement was in response to an affidavit filed in a US court earlier in the week in which the US government said Pakistan’s ISI and its former chiefs, Ahmed Shuja Pasha and Nadeem Taj, “enjoy immunity” in the Mumbai attacks.—Agencies

“We still don’t have enough knowledge of contracting the minerals, and in my opinion there should be no rush to hand them out,” said Minister of Economy Abdulhadi Arghandiwal.

“Sometimes what we are told in the meetings is different from what is on the contracts, and I think this is not good at all. The value of the minerals should not fall victim to haste,” said Minister of Commerce and Industries Anwarulhaq Ahadi. —NNI

ponent of a foreign state lacks immunity because the foreign state allegedly does not control its actions. Plaintiffs’ theory is particularly unusual in the context of an intelligence agency, which, like a foreign ministry or defense ministry, serves a quintessentially sovereign purpose,” the attorney said.

The same date the State Department wrote a letter to the Department of Justice notifying of its determination that both Pasha and Taj enjoy immunity in the 26/11 case in a New York court.

“Upon consideration of this matter, and after a full review of the pleadings, the Department of State has determined that Defendants Pasha and Taj are immune from suit in this case. The residual immunity of a former official is based upon that official’s conduct and extends only to acts that individual took in an official capacity,” Harold Hongju Koh, legal advisor of the State Department said in a letter dated December 17 to Delery.—Online

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COURT NOTICE In the court ofMr. Mohammad Tariq Wali, Judge Banking Court 1, 13-A Qafla Road, Tehkal Payan Peshawar at camp court Bannu Case no 252/1 date of hearing 23/1/2013 Suit for recovery of Rs 293900 ZariTaraqqiati Bank Ltd Domail through manager VS Eida Khan NOTICES VERSUS=Eida Khan s/o Momin Khan cast Wazir R/O Dabak Said Khel Domail district Bannu.

Where as the plaintiff Bank has instituted a suit for the recovery of Rs 293900 against you under section 10(2) of the financial institution (recovery of finances) Ordinance 2001. You are hereby summoned to obtain leave of the court to appear and defend the suit within 30 days after receipt / publication of the notice in the newspaper failing which an exparte decree shall be passed in favor of the plaintiff Bank with costs Seal of the court Judge Banking court I Peshawar

Police fire water cannon at Delhi gang-rape protesters NEW D ELHI—Indian police fired water cannon Wednesday to break up a demonstration held to protest the gang-rape of a 23year-old student on a bus, witnesses said.The protesters, who gathered outside the residence of New Delhi’s chief minister, could be seen chanting “We want equal rights for women” as police hosed them.

Lawmakers, rights groups and citizens across India expressed outrage Wednesday over the gang rape of a woman on a bus in New Delhi and are urging the government to crack down on crimes against women.

The outpouring of anger is unusual in a country where attacks against women are often

3 die in buses collision KHUSHAB—At least three persons died and seven others sustained injuries in collision between two buses in Soon Valley here on Wednesday. According to police sources, two passenger buses were travelling to Uchali from Rawalpindi when they collided with each other in the area.

Police said that one bus plunged into ravine after the incident and two students riding on a cycle were hit, resultantly, both students and the bus driver died on the spot.

Police source said that rescue team reached the spot of the incident and shifted the injured passengers to Soon Valley Hospital.— INP

Millat Express engine fails SHORKOT—Millat Express passengers held strong protest after engine stopped functioning at Shorkot Cantt Station while Railways staff fled from the scene to avoid public wrath. Millat Express had been halted for many hours at Shorkot Cantt Station after oil tank of the engine blasted there and engine stopped functioning on Tuesday night. After many hours wait and seeing no move from the railways staff to fix the problem, passengers of Millat Express started stern protest at the station. —INP

Three bodies found

have been arrested and a search was underway for the two other men. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told Parliament that he had ordered increased police patrols on the streets, especially at night.

Shinde said the government has proposed amendments to criminal laws to increase the punishment for rapes and other crimes against women. But they are still awaiting discussion and passage in parliament. Analysts and protesters said the upsurge of anger was chiefly due to the increasing incidents of crime against women and the seeming inability of the government and police to ensure the safety of women. —AFP

Altaf hails Qadri’s return to politics S R

TAFF EPORTER country.

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari signing the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Bill 2012 during a special Dr Qadri thanked Mr Hussain KARACHI—The Founder and signing ceremony held at CM House on Wednesday.

Leader of Muttahida Quami for his support and said that there Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf is no difference between the Hussain has welcomed the returning of the head of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek and noted reliISLAMABAD—Chairman PPP gious scholar Dr Tahirul Qadri to GILGIT—In the backdrop of in- areas.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will for- country and has announced full Meantime, no culprit in- mally launch his political career support to the PAT jalsa being held WASHINGTON—The Pentagon tense tension triggered followsays its top intelligence official, ing December 12 clashes all volved in targeted killings on at a public rally on the 27th of in Lahore on 23rd December at who has been mentioned as a pos- educational institutions were Hospital Road and River this month in Larkana Minister the Minar-e-Pakistan.

He has appealed to the public sible candidate to be the next CIA closed and inter-city public View Road, could be arrested for Parliamentary Affairs Moula to participate in the jalsa and make transport was banned in the as yet.

The citizens are Bukhsh Chandio has said the director, is under investigation in concerned that Gilgit- Chairman of Pakistan Peoples it a success. He said this while connection with information he city on Wednesday.

A notification regarding Baltistan’s chief minister an- Party’s Bilawal Bhutto Zardari talking to Dr Tahirul Qadri on teleprovided to makers of a movie the ban on the public transport, nounced to conduct judicial would formally start his politi- phone. about the raid that killed Osama Mr Hussain supported the was issued. inquiry into the all-encom- cal career on 27th of this month bin Laden. revolutionary programme of Dr The sources said all exits passing tension; but, no headat a public meeting in Larkana.

Pentagon press secretary Qadri for abolishing the archaic and entrances were sealed off. way could be achieved thus Addressing a news conference George Little said Tuesday in Hyderabad‚ he said hundreds feudal system from the country. evening that the investigation of Stringent security arrange- far.

Karakoram International of thousands of the party work- He said that he would support Dr Michael Vickers is being con- ments were made with continducted by the Pentagon’s inspec- gents of police, the Rangers University, Gilgit-Baltistan ers would converge in Larkana Qadri if he would make practical tor general. Vickers is the under and scouts deployed around will remain closed till March to pay tribute to their martyred efforts for this purpose and for 4, according to the university leader Benazir Bhutto.— NNI establishing a just system in the secretary of defense for intelli- the city.

Also, the ban on the use of spokesman who said the decigence. Little said Vickers only provided unclassified information motorbikes persisted on the sion has been taken in view of law and order situation in the to the makers of the movie ”Zero second day.

Though offices were city.

Dark Thirty,” and that the session He further said the univerwas arranged in July 2011 by the opened on Wednesday, howPentagon’s office of public af- ever, the business activities sity is being closed for winter remained suspended in most vacations as well.—INP fairs.—INP

Osama raid informer under probe

Schools closed, vehicles Bilawal political banned as GB tension rises career from Dec 27

SC seeks text of Wasim’s speech

Shahbaz fears unrest if elections delayed

I SLAMABAD —The Supreme QUETTA—Bodies of at least Court (SC) has summoned the full three people were recovered from different areas of the city here on Wednesday. According to police, bodies of two young ladies were found from a rail track in Sariab area of Faizabad.

Police shifted the bodies to Civil Hospital, where doctors said the two women were strangulated to death. The entire report will be compiled after thorough medical examination of the bodies.

Police said the two ladies could not be identified as yet.

Meantime, a tortured body was recovered from Brori Road area of the city. The body has been transported to Bolan Medical Complex. The doctors said the unidentified man was tortured to death. —NNI

ignored and rarely prosecuted.

Opposition lawmakers protested outside Parliament on Wednesday and called for the death penalty for the rapists.

Demonstrations erupted outside New Delhi’s police headquarters demanding swift punishment for the rapists, and angry university students set up roadblocks across the city.

Police say six men raped the 23-year-old medical student, and beat her and her companion with iron rods before throwing them off the bus Sunday.

The woman was in a critical condition in hospital and doctors said she has severe internal injuries. Delhi police chief Neeraj Kumar said four men

text of MQ leader and MNA Wasim Akhtar’s speech that he delivered in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Akhtar criticized the SC’s judges during his speech in the NA. The MQM leader criticized the judges after the court issued contempt of the court notice to the MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, for using derogatory language against judges.Meanwhile Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi had expunged the objectionable remarks of Wasim Akhtar’s speech. According to sources in the NA Secretariat, the record of speech of Wasim Akhtar prior to expunging and after the expunging has been sent to the Supreme Court. —SANA

STAFF REPORTER ISLAMBAD—Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that there would be unrest in the country if general elections were delayed.

In an interview with a private TV channel, he said federal government is centre of corruption and President Asif Ali Zardari is the King of corruption.

He said that federal government deprived the Punjab of its just right and gross injustice was done to the people of Punjab.

Shahbaz Sharif said that PML-N could not bring resolution of no confidence against the government due to lack of majority in the house. He said

PML-N does not want politics of conflict.

To a question, Shahbaz Sharif claimed that he was against the family politics.

Meanwhile, speaking at a laptop distribution ceremony in Gujranwala on Wednesday, Shahbaz Sharif pledged that youth would keep getting free laptops if they voted for the PML-N in the general elections.

The Chief Minister said that corruption was rampant in the country.

“PIA, Pakistan Railways, Steel Mills and other key state institutions have been ruined,” he said.

He called on the youth to vote for PML-N in order to get laptops in the future

programmes of the MQM and the PAT as both the parties want to bring an end to the age-old and decaying feudal system.

Regular aspirin use may boost risk of eye problem

T

AKING aspirin regularly appears to slightly raise the risk of the eye con dition known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, new research suggests.

The increased risk only occurred with people who had taken aspirin regularly 10 years before they were diagnosed with the potentially blinding eye disease. They had taken aspirin at least twice a week for more than three months, says researcher Barbara E.K. Klein, MD, MPH. The risk was for the type of macular degeneration known as wet or neovascular AMD, says Klein, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison.

Wet macular degeneration is generally more severe than another version, known as dry macular degeneration.

Although people taking aspirin regularly were two times more likely to get the condition, Klein says the absolute risk is still low because the condition is not common. About 1% of people aged mid-40s and older get wet macular degeneration, she says.Klein studied nearly 5,000 men and women, ages 43 and older. She followed them for 20 years, although not all of them stayed in the study that long.

The research is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Previous research findings about as-

pirin use and macular degeneration risk have been mixed.

As aspirin use and macular degeneration are increasing, Klein decided to follow men and women over many years to see if she could find a link.

Nearly 20% of adults, or 1 in 5, take aspirin regularly.

Some use it for temporary relief of pain or fever. Others take it daily to prevent heart attacks.

The macula is a small area of the retina, the tissue lining the back of the eye, that is responsible for central vision.

Klein looked at wet (late) and dry (early) macular degeneration for the study. Both are potentially blinding conditions.

Over the course of the study, 512 people were diagnosed with early AMD and 117 with late AMD. Although regular use of aspirin 10 years before the diagnosis was linked with late macular degeneration, aspirin use five years before the diagnosis was not linked with an increased risk of either form of AMD. Klein can’t explain the link and says it requires more study. “The absolute risk of this is small,” she says.

“There are so many folks who have been put on aspirin for [heart disease] prevention. ... The [heart] protective effect is still primo.”

One co-author, Ronald Klein, MD, MPH, has served as a consultant for Pfizer, which makes AMD medicine.

ISLAMABAD: Paramedical staff of Polyclinic Hospital seen displaying Christmas decorations during a ceremony at the hospital.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan enthralls audience I SLAMABAD —Rahat Fateh

ISLAMABAD: Begum Shehla Tahir, President Pakistan Air Force Women Association visiting the Art Exhibition by budding artists of PAF Montessori, Sector E-9.

CDA to remove haphazard slums I SLAMABAD —The Capital sources of income. According on its various aspects of the Development Authority (CDA) has decided to temporarily spare 14 established katchi abadis (slums), while remove all the haphazard slums in the federal capital.

The civic authority took the decision on the directive of Prime Minister of Pakistan Raja Parvez Ashraf to regularize the slums in Islamabad and become financially self sufficient by creating its own permanent

to sources, the CDA would built flats for the dwellers of the established slums and then remove the slums.

Talking to media, Chairman CDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz said that the civic body was working on creating permanent sources of income. Confirming the news of building flats for the residents of 14 established slums, he said that CDA was working

project and it would be finalized in next week.

It is pertinent to mention here that CDA accelerated the sale of residential and commercial plots in the federal capital. The body held four auctions of the plots in last three months. It presented 13 plots for auction on Wednesday, while had auctioned five commercial plots on Tuesday.—INP

Ali Khan, the nephew of the legendary Sufi singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan performed in the capital which captivated the audience for over two hours.

The event was organised

by Pakistan Television Corporation in connection with the introduction of a new drama series, “Ishq Dastan”.

A new series of folk love stories from across the country is set to be started from next year.

First in the series “Heer Ranjha” would be aired in January 2013.

Among the audience enjoying popular songs were Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, Managing Director Pakistan Bait ul Maal Zamurrad Khan, MD PTV Yousuf Baig Mirza, parliamentarians and high government functionaries.

Presenting famous songs, Rahat earned great applause and appreciation from the audience.

The enthusiasm of participants particularly the Youth was extraordinary.

Rahat’s formal training with his uncle began at age six, and at 15, he became an integral part of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s qawwali party which acquired fame throughout the world.—APP

Lal Masjid commission formally starts its work I SLAMABAD —The Judicial tariat between 19-26 De- days.

Commission, formed by the Supreme Court to investigate Lal Masjid operation, has formally begun its work.

The Commission has asked all those interested to appear before it for providing any information about the incident or produce evidence, may contact Secretariat of the Commission.

The Secretariat of the Commission is functioning at the premises of the Federal Shariat Court, Constitution Avenue, Islamabad. Interested persons may get themselves registered at the desk specially established at the Commission’s Secre-

cember 2012 during office hours i.e 8 A.M to 3 P.M. They may provide all particulars including full name(s), parentage(s), address(permanent, temporary/official), CNIC No(s), contact No(s) and prospective nature of information to be provided.

Supreme Court (SC) had constituted a judicial commission to probe into the Lal Masjid operation on December 04.

One-member commission of senior judge of Federal Shariat Court, Justice Shehzad Shaikh will present its findings in 45

ISLAMABAD—Maulana Rumi Renouned Persian poet was paid rich tribute for his unique wealth of literary work self-realization, and motivation at an exclusive gathering held on the occasion of a “Tribute to Rumi” at Chaaye Khana.

The narrator Professor Dr. Aziz Ali, Vice Chancellor of Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan an avid follower of Rumi and Iqbal’s teachings shared some of Rumi’s famous poems with the enthralled audience comprising intellectuals, policymakers, bureaucrats, executives of private sectors and a big segment of youth He highlighted that Rumi believed passionately in the use of music, poetry and dance as a path for reaching God. For

Rumi, music helped devotees to focus their whole being on the divine and to do this so intensely that the soul was both destroyed and resurrected.

It was from these ideas that the practice of whirling dervishes developed into a ritual form. Rumi encouraged Sama, listening to music and turning or doing the sacred dance.

Sama, represents a mystical journey of spiritual ascent through mind and love to the Perfect One. In this journey, the seeker symbolically turns towards the truth, grows through love, abandons the ego, finds the truth and arrives at the Perfect. The seeker then returns from this spiritual journey, with greater maturity, to love and to be of service to the whole of creation without discrimination with regard to beliefs, races, classes

Two burnt as heater causes fire CITY REPORTER

Tributes paid to Brazilian architect I SLAMABAD —The Embassy of Brazil and the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) held an event to honour Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer on Wednesday. Niemeyer, one of the most important architects of the 20th century, died on December 5th, with 104 years old.

Among others he was responsible for the projects of the Governmental buildings of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, and for the United Nations Headquarters, in New York.

On Wednesday, at the

Library of the CIIT, more than 80 people, mostly students of architecture and arts, were delighted with an exhibition of photographs of Niemeyer ’s works in Brasilia.

Following the inauguration of the Exhibition by the Ambassador of Brazil, H.E. Alfredo Leoni, the public watched the documentary “Life is a Breath”, that tells the story of the architect’s long and prolific career.

Addressing the students of COMSATS, Ambassador Leoni focused on

Rich tribute paid to Maulana Rumi at Chaaye Khana C ITY REPORTER

Inspection team member of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Syed Muzafar Ali Shah has been nominated Secretary while Additional District and Session Judge Kamran Basharat as Additional Secretary of the commission.

The commission has been tasked with ascertaining the reasons which led to the operation along with the number of deaths which took place during the operation. It will also ascertain whether the dead bodies were handed over and compensation paid to the heirs.—INP

and nations. ticipated and enlightened On the occasion, Israa tion are proof that people The gathering ended the audience about their Wassay, Director of of all religions and backwith a session of quiz knowledge and association Chaaye Khana, said that grounds can live together in peace and harmony. His words, and life teach us how to be at peace with ourselves so we can finally stop the repeated stream of hostility and hatred and achieve true global peace and harmony.

It is very important to hold gatherings not only to tribute the glorious work of Rumi but also to teach his poetry to our next generation who can change the destiny of the nation in the light of the great poet’s vision.

Israa said that Chaaye Khana has been making an effort for some time now to have such literary gatherings which are objectiveoriented and constructive ISLAMABAD: Audience at Chaaye Khana captivated by the narrator and the dynamism for its visitors. In the recent of Rumi’s poetry. past we celebrated Iqbal Day which was aimed for mainly for youth who par- of Rumi’s work.

Rumi’s life and transforma- the same purpose.

the role Niemeyer had on the development of the Brazilian modern culture and on promoting Brazil in the world, since his works can be found in many countries, such as the US, France, Italy, Algeria, among others.

The Ambassador also highlighted the inspiration Niemeyer had given to architects and artists around the world and reminded the students: “you – as architects, designers and artists – can be a powerful tool of transformation”.—INP

R AWALPINDI —Two persons received burn injuries due to the fire caused by electric heater in Rawalpindi here on Wednesday.

According to police sources, two persons got hurt in Arya Muhalla of Rawalpindi when the mattress caught fire from the heater and burnt the entire room.

The injured were shifted to Holy Family Hospital for treatment.

The wounded men, Qari Niyaz and Qari Sajjad are clerics of a mosque in Rawalpindi.

Rescue sources told that the fire was brought under control later.

Islamabad Police to launch massive crackdown on offenders ISLAMABAD—Islamabad Po- and other criminals involved lice have been directed to launch effective crackdown against criminal elements especially absconders and those involved in bootlegging and drug pushing activities.

These directions were given by Senior Superintendent of Police Islamabad Yaseen Farooq in a meeting held to review policing measures and crime situation in the city.

The SSP directed all police officials to take further effective steps to control crime in the city and adopt professional as well as responsible attitude to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

The SSP ordered for strict patrolling and vigilance to ensure effective policing and constitute special teams to raid at the gambling dens and guest houses involved in immoral activities.

He ordered to ensure arrest of proclaimed offenders

in crimes of heinous nature and are still at large.

He also directed police officials for strict monitoring of those ever faced imprisonment in car lifting or involvement in other criminal activities.

Yaseen Farooq said that corrupt elements bringing bad name to the department will not be spared and urged all police officials to serve humanity. “Policing is a service oriented job and every police official must serve the humanity with devotion,” the SSP maintained.

He categorically asked all police officials to focus on resolving the public complaints and take every possible step to provide maximum relief to citizens.

He said those police officials responsible in delaying the registration of cases and doing sluggish investigation would not be spared and strict disciplinary action would be taken against them.—INP

Low gas pressure in twin cities irks citizens Zohr

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

December 20 THE Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad is organizing a Public Talk on ‘Framing Pakistan-US Relations in Obama’s Second-Term: Role of the Pakistani Diaspora’ by Irfan Mali, President USPAK Foundation, Washington D.C, at 2230 hrs at its premises’. ***** CONFERENCE on ‘Water and Energy Security in Pakistan: The Way Forward,’ organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, at the IPRI Conference Hall, House No. 6, Street 63, Ismail Zabeeh Road, Sector G-8/4, Islamabad, 10 am-12:20 pm.

***** AL-KHAIR Writers Club Islamabad has arranged a special Mushaira regarding birthday of Quaid-iAzam to be held at 4 pm at University camps office IJP Road Islamabad followed by a dinner. Renowned poet Iftikhar Arif will preside over the Mushaira whereas Dr Anwar Ahmed Siddiqui will be special guest. The famous poets from twin cities and abroad will pay rich tribute to the founder of Pakistan. ***** Fire and Safety Association of Pakistan and Punjab Emergency Service, Rescue 1122 is going to organise a seminar to commemorate sacrifices of martyrs of Ghakhar Plaza at TMA Hall, Liaquat Bagh at 1:30 pm.

Underpass approved for Judicial Complex R AWALPINDI —Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has approved construction of underpass at new judicial complex.

Earlier the district management wanted to build overhead bridge but district bar association had rejected this project terming it a security risk and a source of embarrassment for the children and elderly persons besides proposing an underpass on the site.

This project will cost Rs 50 million and work thereof will start in January, 2013.

Funds in this regard will be provided by the Punjab government.—Online

AIOU offers admission in MS/ MPhil and PhD

I SLAMABAD —The residents cost. of twin cities of Islamabad Rawalpindi are facing severe problem of low gas pressure, which has made their lives miserable.

Talking to APP here on Wednesday they said that they were unable to cook anything at home. They had to stand in long queues outside restaurants and tandoors during breakfast and dinner times.

Qasim Khan, a Tandoor operator at F-6 said that due to low gas pressure tandoor owners were using Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG) or firewood to operate their tandoors.

People said that the traders of LPG have raised the price manifold, as at present LPG is available at Rs 145 per kg, which is Rs 60 higher than the LPG production

Asma Waqar a resident of G-7 told APP that the low Sui gas pressure multiplied the miseries of domestic consumers in most parts of the City, compelling them to use electric heaters and stoves to fulfill their household chores.

The daily routine also badly affected due to the low pressure of gas especially at early morning hours and in the evening when the pressure reduced to minimum and it became too difficult for the people to cook.

According to Mothers, the school going children were also disturbed , as they have to skip their breakfast owing to very low pressure of gas.

Mrs Athar, a housewife told that it was really annoying when everyone was in hurry to start their daily ac-

tivities in the morning but could not get the breakfast ready on time due to low gas pressure.

A resident at Dhok Syedha , Muhammad Asif said that they had been facing severe problem of low gas pressure for the last two weeks. We have registered complaints to the relevant department several times but to no avail, he added.

An official of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) said that usually gas pressure reduced in the winter season due to considerable gap between the demand and supply.

Several complaints had been registered in the last few days and the company had been trying to sort out solution to ensure gas supply to the consumers, he added.— APP

PAC seeks details of plots allotted to officers I S L A M A B A D —The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday directed chief secretaries of all the four provinces to submit a detail report of plots allotted to government employees of Grade 16 and above.

In its meeting chaired by Nadeem Afzal Gondal here in the Parliament House, the committee also directed chief secretaries to display names of plots owners on website of concerned departments or ministries.

Members of the National Assembly, Mrs Yaseen Rehman, Ch. Saeed Iqbal, Zahid Hamid, Asiya Nasir, Attiya Inayatullah, Riaz Fatyana and Abid Sher Ali also attended the meeting.

Principal Accounting Officer, Auditor General of Pakistan also attended the committee.

The Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan briefed the committee about the allotment of

plots to the government employees.

The committee recommended cancellation of plots transferred to other sectors from D-12 and D-14.

The PAC also proposed that the officers joining Capital Development Authority (CDA) on deputation would not be allotted plots.

It also recommended that an officer heading a government department should not be given charge of more than two organizations or sections.—APP

ISLAMABAD: A group photo of students from Comsats University with Deputy Speaker, National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi at Parliament House.

Disconnection of power supply to tubewell

R AWALPINDI —Water crisis has aggravated in Gulshan Abad area at Adiala road due to disconnection of electricity supply by IESCO to the only tube-well in the locality.

The SDO alongwith his staff had removed the meter of the tube well on December, 12 depriving over 5000 residents of the area of clean drinking water facility, said a group of inmates of the area.

A temporary meter was installed in 2008 against tube well connection and “we have been filing applications persistently with the concerned office seeking permanent meter since then but this temporary meter is not being replaced, said office bearers of Gulshan Abad Cooperative Housing Society.

“We have been paying additional electricity bill running into million of rupees due to energizing of tube well under temporary tariff. Tube well connection is governed under tariff B-1 but our tube well connection is being charged under temporary tariff E-1 (2). Due ISLAMABAD: Encroachment mafia has gone out of control in the Capital as the to this irregularity on the stallholders have set up their business inside the bus stop of Aabpara market as well as the part of IESCO, we have to footpaths of the market, which needs attention of the authorities concerned.—PO photo pay Rs 22 per unit in excess than our lawful tariff of E-1, they said.

The residents demanded immediate restoration of tube well connection by IESCO otherwise they will be forced to hold protest demonstrations.—Online

Proposals to make institutions of Mohtasibs efficient

I SLAMABAD —A number of proposals were made to make the institution of Mohtasibs in the Federal and Provincial Governments more efficient to effectively address public grievances within minimum prescribed time.

These proposals are expected to be finalized for Legislative cover by 31st January 2013.

The proposals were made and discussed in a consultative meeting of Mohtasibs from all over Pakistan held here with Acting Federal Wafaqi Mohtasib, Mr. Salman Faruqui in-chair.Mr. Farooq H. Naek, Law Minister and Justice Yasmeen Abbasey, Law Secretary were later briefed in a meeting attended by a select group of Mohastibs.

Addressing the participants, Mr. Faruqui highlighted the need of resolving public grievances and to streamline the system, by removing anomalies, as it was the last hope of many who are in need of justice against maladministration of government departments.

He said the proposals being made for Mohtasib system improvement will be circulated to the media, civil society and experts for their input before they are considered by the concerned government agencies and Parliamentary Committees.

During the meeting it was felt that there was a need to introduce the offices of Grievance Commissioners in every public dealing Ministry and government institutions.

The Commissioner will have direct access to the case files and will have access to the Head of the Department, if he finds merit in the complaint.

In case no action is taken by the Department, the complaint will be referred to Ombudsman.

These grievance cells will be known as Instant Grievance Resolution Cells.

The streamlined procedure, it was proposed, will allow complainants to also file their complaints even by email, not require legal counsel or pay any fee. A separate exercise will be initiated to dispense with the personal

presence of the complainants where the documents provided by the complainants and the departmental files provide necessary material for arriving at decisions.

The meeting was attended

by Dr. Shoaib Suddle, Wafaqi Tax Ombudsman, Ms. Musarrat Hilali, Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment of Women at workplace, Provincial Ombudsmen, Mr. Asad Ashraf Malik (Sindh), Mr. M. Mukhtar Khan (AJK), Mr.Akbar Ali Baloch (Balochistan), Mr. Badsha Gul Wazir (KPK), Mr. Azhar Ali Farooqi Federal Insurance Ombudsman and Syed Pir Ali, Provincial Ombudsman Sindh for Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace and representative of Banking Mohtasib Mr. Farhat Saeed.

Mr. Imtiaz Qazi, Secretary Wafaqi Mohtasib, Mr. Farhat Hussain, Advisor on Wafaqi Mohtasib and Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, Advisor on Wafaqi Mohtasib attended the meeting on special invitation.—APP

I SLAMABAD —Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has started its Semester Spring, 2013 admissions for M.Sc (Hons), MS/M.Phil and PhD programmes across the country simultaneously.

Prospectus and admission forms can be obtained from the University’s website www.aiou.edu.pk.

Admissions of Ph.D Programmes (On MS/M.Phil Basis) are being offered in Distance, Non-Formal and Continuing Education, Secondary Teacher Education, Education Planning and Management (EPM), Special Education, Science Education and Agricultural Extension.

The admissions of MS/ M.Phil Programmes are offered in Distance, Non-Formal and Continuing Education, Secondary Teacher Education, Educational Planning and Management (EPM), Special Education, Science Education, Computer Science, Statistics, Physics, Environmental Design, Urdu, Economics, Management Sciences and Pakistani Languages and Litera- RAWALPINDI: Activists of WAPDA Hydro Electric Labour Union hold a protest rally in ture. —APP favour on their demands at Benazir Bhutto Road.

Two injured, five fainted in two separate incidents

PM gives Rs50m to Chairman Sultana Foundation I SLAMABAD —Prime Minis- Mainstreaming Children at the nation.” ter Raja Pervez Ashraf presented a cheque of Rs. 50 Million to Chairman Sultana Foundation, Dr. Naeem Ghani, at the Prime Minister House.

The Prime Minister had announced this grant to the Sultana Foundation, a non-governmental Organization, while laying foundation of Justice Yusuf Saraf Center for Research, Rehabilitation and

Sultana Foundation on November 17, 2012.

The Prime Minister appreciated the contribution of the Sultana Foundation in the field of education, especially for those who could not afford it.

Paying rich tributes to the welfare services of Sultana Foundation, the Prime Minister said, “Those working for the welfare of humanity are an asset of

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the organization would continue playing its role in the field of education and other lofty fields of public welfare.

The Prime Minister especially appreciated the leadership of Dr. Naeem Ghani and expressed the hope that under his supervision the organization would grow further.—NNI

Literary men promote democratic norms: Hameed ISLAMABAD—Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Abdul Hameed on Tuesday said literary men have always played a major role for the promotion of democratic norms in the country.

Addressing the ‘International Writers Conference’ under the title ‘Literature and Democracy’ held here Tuesday, Abdul Hameed said all the writers and literary personalities remained in favour of democracy and history reveals that these writers are the one who have raised their voices in the era of dictatorship.

Literary men have rendered many sacrifices and

also faced imprisonment for raising voices against injustices, he said.

He said that today’s conference was aimed at paying tribute to those literary men who stand with democracy and gathering the literary personalities belonging to different languages and areas at a single platform.

Abdul Hameed said the conference will help flourish democracy in the country and enhance interaction level among the literary men belonging to the different areas. He said the objective of PAL is to promote the literature of all the languages in the country.

“We want to give mes-

sage to the world that we are peace loving, tolerant and enlightened nation” Abdul Hameed said.

He said PAL has published one edition of Pakistani literature and is working on the second edition.

The academy has been issuing quarterly Adbiyat and monthly Academy News.

He said no institution can progress without equipping itself with latest technologies and PAL is working on launching its website to keep the people update about its structure, activities and developments. The website will display each and every literary activity, he added.—APP

R AWALPINDI —At least two persons were injured and five fainted in two separate incidents of fire eruption and gas leakage here on Wednesday.

According to Rescue1122 sources, two persons identified as Qariz Niaz son of Abdul Raheem and Qari Sajid Mehmood son of Muhammad Rafique received burn injuries in a fireeruption incident after they left the gas-heater burning on Tuesday night. Both the injured were Imam at the Masjid Bilali.

In another incident, five persons fainted in the area of ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Shamsabad due to gas leak- force with the participants of National Security Workshop during their visit to Air age in their room.

Headquarters.

The rescue team shifted the victims to Holy Family Hospital where their condition is stated to be stable.—APP

Ambassador Larocco, Canadian HC call on Gen Wynne R AWALPINDI —Ambassador James Larocco, Director of Near East and South Asia (NESA) Centre called on General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) here on Wednesday and discussed the regional situation.

According to an ISPR press release, later, Greg Giokas, High Commissioner Canada also called on the Chairman CJCSC and discussed matters related to mutual interests.—APP

Certificates distribution ceremony at Riphah C ITY REPORTER

R AWALPINDI —Certificates were awarded to the officials of Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) of Riphah International University, at a ceremony held at main campus for their commendable work in achieving (ISO 9001:2008) Certifications for the University. ProChancellor of Riphah International University Hassan Muhammad Khan was the chief guest on this occasion.

He gave away the certificates.

Addressing the ceremony, he lauded the efforts of QEC and the concerned departments of the university in achiev-

ing the ISO certifications.

He said that less then ten (10) Universities in Pakistan have been granted ISO certifications and Riphah University is one of them.

The Pro-Chancellor said the honor has been given to Riphah University on the basis of quality of teaching, research work and the healthcare services being carried out by it.

Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Amanullah Khan, Dean Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS), Asad Ullah Khan, Executive Director and Brig (r) Salim Ahmad Director QEC also spoke on the occasion.

NSW participants visit Air Headquarters

I SLAMABAD —The participants of National Security Workshop from National Defence University visited Air Headquarters here on Wednesday.

The contingent of NDU was led by Air Vice Marshal Syed Razi Nawab, Dean Faculty of Security Studies.

The visiting participants of Security Workshop were given a briefing on “Organization of PAF and nature of its operations” by Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans), at Nur Khan Auditorium, Air Headquarters, here.

Later on Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force answered the questions of the participants of Security Workshop.—APP

Pak-India composite dialogue be made more meaningful Kashmiris should be included in talks; APHC delegation meets Wattoo STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—A delegation of All Parties Hurriat Conference (APHC), led by Mir Waiz Umar Farooq, called on Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo here on Wednesday.

The meeting noted that All Parties Hurriat Conference favours improvement of relations between Pakistan and India along with enhancement of trade ties but this should be linked with the resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. It was agreed that to facilitate visits to religious shrines and other places, the set guidelines agreed between the two countries be followed.

Geelani’s forum discusses latest situation in IHK S RINAGAR —T he

forum patronised by the veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Geelani in its executive council meeting held with its General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Sumjhi in the chair discussed the latest situation in the territory.

The forum spokesman after the meeting while talking to media men in Srinagar said that the meeting expressed serious concern over the electric fencing along the Line of Control. He said that the participants were of the opinion that India was doing this to sabotage the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that the people of Kashmir were the basic party to the dispute and their inclusion in Pak, India dialogue on Kashmir was imperative for durable settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

He said the participants of the meeting also paid rich tributes to the Kashmiri youth killed by Indian troops in Sopore. The spokesman said that the meeting urged India to give up its rigid and unrealistic approach towards the Kashmir dispute and come forward to resolve the decades-long lingering dispute.—KMS

The meeting observed that composite dialogue between the two countries be made more meaningful by including Kashmiri leadership in the dialogue process. Above all India should respect the human rights in Kashmir.

Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, talking to the APHC delegation, said that Pakistan is fully committed to the Kashmiris right of self-determination and supports Kashmir cause politically, diplomatically and morally at all international fora including the UN. The Minister added that that a strong and economically prosperous Pakistan will be much more capable of strongly projecting the Kashmir case to the world.

He said the present Govern-

ment of PPP under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari has laid the foundation of a strong Pakistan by strengthening institutions. He said PPP has restored the 1973 constitution in its original form which is a great achievement. Institutions of Parliament, Judiciary, Election Commission as well as the accountability process have been strengthened in such a manner that other countries in the region are following Pakistan’s example.

Mian Manzoor Wattoo informed the APHC delegation that he has recently conducted a comparative study on the development sectors in IHK and AJK to evaluate level of progress between the two. He urged India to provide the people of occupied

Kashmir an opportunity to exercise their right to self determination, in the same manner as Pakistan had done by organizing a free, fair and impartial election in Azad Kashmir. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo reiterated that war was no more an option in this nuclear age and Kashmir dispute can only be settled through dialogue and pursuing India to hold plebiscite in Kashmir according to the UN resolutions.

APHC delegation comprised of Prof Abdul Ghani Bhatt, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Agha Syed Hasan Moosvi, Bilal Ghani Lone, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and Muhammad Musaddiq Adil. Se- ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo presenting his biography nior leaders of the Azad Jammu “Jum-i-Siyasat” to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who called on him with All Parties Hurriyat Conference delegation on Wednesday. & Kashmir also attended the meeting.

Hurriyat (M) declares Mirwaiz as undisputed leader of Kashmiris SRINAGAR—The Hurriyat (M) cism by Syed Ali Shah Geelani gal experts, educationists and said that Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had gone toPakistan not only as the head of the conglomerate but as the “undisputed leader of the Kashmiri people.”

In a statement issued after a meeting of its executive and general council constituents, the Hurriyat (M) deplored what it termed as rhetoric by “certain political quarters” over its Pakistan visit, saying that such remarks were “juvenile” and “far from the truth” and aimed at creating confusion.

It comes amid trenchant criti-

and shortly after dissident leader Shabir Ahmad Shah said that the Hurriyat (M) had left for Pakistan without “consulting others.”

“Such statement-mongering is far from the truth, juvenile, needless, and airmed at creating confusion among the oppressed Kashmiri people,” it said.

“Not only was the Pakistan visit discussed in several executive and general council sessions, it was extensively deliberated upon for over a month with delegations of intellectuals, civil society members, le-

prominent figures from various sections of life,” it said.

As a result, the Pakistan visit was not only hailed as a historic juncture, but the entire nation declared it as important headway in relation to resolving the Kashmir issue,” it said.

“Those who level unfounded criticism at the Kashmiri leadership (over the Pak visit) out of their vested interests and inflated ego have displayed the poverty of their own minds and lack of political vision,” it said.—NNI

their fresh acts of state terrorism martyred seven youth during the last three days at Saidapora in Sopore. The Indian army, backed by gunship helicopters, razed several houses to the ground during the operation.

Complete shutdown was observed in the town against the martyrdom of youth including a 10th class student in the ongoing military operation.

Hundreds of people participated in the funeral processions of the martyred youth.The APHC spokesman, Chairperson of Muslim Khawateen Markaz Jammu and Kashmir, Yasmeen Raja and Peoples League in their separate statements condemned the brutalities of the Indian army and lauded the sacrifices of the youth for the Kashmir cause. The forum, patronised by Syed Ali Gilani in its executive council meeting in Srinagar expressing serious concern over the electric fencing along the Line of Control said that India was doing this to sabotage the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.—KMS

S

Kashmir Peoples League has said that right to self-determination forms the bedrock of the Kashmir dispute. The JKPL at a meeting, chaired by its party leader, Mohammad Maqbool Sofi reiterated that the people of Kashmir would continue their struggle till they achieve their inalienable right.

The meeting was attended senior party leaders including Imtiyaz Ahmad Reshi, Farooq Ahmad Dar ,Gulzar Ahmad Katju ,Rasheed Shaheen, Imran Ahmad, Shakeel Munwar, Rouf Kashmiri and Shakeel-urRehman.

Addressing the meeting on the occasion, Mohammad Maqbool Sofi He emphasized that India had converted the entire south Asian region into a dangerous zone due to its state terrorism.—KMS

J AMMU —T he All Parties

MUZAFFARABAD: Participants of a seminar with Deputy Speaker Ms Shaheen Dar.

Fence along LoC: Separatists, mainstream oppose Indian move SRINAGAR—With the Government of India mulling to put in place all-weather permanent fence along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, both separatist and mainstream camps are opposing the move.

The Hurriyat Conference (M) has, meanwhile, started building pressure on India and Pakistanto make the ‘borders irrelevant’ to give impetus to their latest demand for unification of dividedKashmir.

“It is high time for India and Pakistan to allow free movement of people of divided parts ofKashmir. We urge both, India and Pakistan to show flexibility and accept the facts and allow the people of divided sides to meet whenever they wish,” Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told Greater Kashmir over phone from Muzaffarabad after

having discussions with the top leadership of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK).

Mirwaiz, currently on a week-long sojourn to Pakistan, said it is time for both the nations to shun rigidity and remove restrictions on the movement of people of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir so that they can meet anytime they wish.

“We have come to know that New Delhi is planning to put up permanent fence along the LoC. We will oppose the move tooth and nail,” Mirwaiz said. “The world is moving forward on improving communication and opening new routes for trade to become economically self-reliant. This is high time for India and Pakistan to open all routes on the LoC and forget the proposal of blocking the routes through new fencing.”

He said unfortunately neither Pakistan nor the Indian leadership has allowed the people of the divided parts of Kashmir to meet each other. “We have made it clear that Hurriyat wants J&K to emerge as a single entity as it existed before 1947,” the Hurriyat Chairman said. Senior Hurriyat (M) leader, Shabir Ahmed Shah, who has applied for LoC permit to travel to PaK, said India and Pakistan achieved freedom and left “the already free nation — J&K as an occupied region.”

“There is no denying the fact that the other side of the Kashmir is part of this side.

There has to be unification.

There should be no boundaries,” Shah said. “The Government of India’s plan to fix steel or iron fencing, won’t divide the hearts of people of the two sides.—NNI

Wamiq Farooq death case

Court directs police to ensure attendance of witnesses SRINAGAR— A city court or- their statements recorded. Later are confused or not conversant dered that Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Police mandated to probe circumstances which led to death of a teenager Wamiq Farooq in January 2010 agitation is well within its powers to procure attendance of witnesses who are not cooperating with the Team. Wamiq died in January 2010, allegedly after being hit by a tear smoke shell at Rajouri Kadal in old city Srinagar.

As the matter came up for hearing before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), the SIT submitted that some witnesses were not coming forward to get

the court ordered that Investigating Officer was will within his powers to procure attendance of the witnesses, advocate Aijaz Ahmad Dar, the counsel for family of Wamiq said. On September 8, the court had rejected the status report filed by SIT saying it was not coherent and in tune with orders passed by it especially on August 22 this year.

“Apparently it reflects from the opening paragraph of the status report that SIT is investigating into the FIR number 12 of 2010 of police station Nowhata.

It appears that either SIT officials

able basis which may result into settlement of Kashmir dispute. In fact, such visits by the Kashmiri leaders are conducive for both Pakistan and India as APHC acts as facilitator in deciding objectives which are in line with aspirations of Kashmiris who are fighting a war of liberation against the illegitimate control of New Delhi on Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Indian fundamentalist elements and hardliners including media hawks who are over-cautious over the upcoming trip of Hurriyat leaders are determined to derail the Pak-India new peace initiative. They are creating obstacles to curb first formal conversation between the Kashmiri leaders and Pakistan’s rulers. In fact, these elements do not desire that trust between Islamabad and APHC leadership

should strengthen. Therefore, on one hand, they seek to increase trust deficit by creating misunderstanding between Hurriyat leaders and Pakistan, while on the other hand, they are targeting the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who said that India wants to resolve all issues including Kashmir dispute with Pakistan through dialogue as announced by New Delhi and Islamabad on February 10, 2011.

In this backdrop, India may again show its obstinacy in issuing travel documents to the APHC leaders. In this respect, division can be created within the promovement camp of Kashmiris. In such a negative scenario, New Delhi may grant permission only to few leaders of APHC to visit Pakistan. However, these ele-

ments can jeopardise the consultative process initiated by Islamabad.

As part of its delaying tactics for settlement of Kashmir dispute, Indian rulers availed various crises so as to suspend the process of Pak-India talks. For example, in 2002, under the pretension of terrorist attack on the Indian parliament, New Delhi postponed the process of dialogue. Again, in 2008, India suspended the ‘composite dialogue’ under the pretext of Mumbai terror attacks which were in fact, arranged by its secret agency RAW in connivance with Indian home-grown terrorists.India and Pakistan resumed the new phase of parleys in March, 2009, which were the first structured bilateral talks. But every time, prime ministers and for-

with true import of the orders passed by this court especially that of August 22, 2012.

May be the SIT officials have not been conveyed a mandate of their docket as was pointed out the SIT had to investigate into the circumstances particularly the death of Wamiq Farooq and not those arising of FIR 12/2010. It was clarified in the last order dated August 22, 2012 but still the order has not been complied with. Investigation of FIR 12/ 2010 serves no purpose,” read September 8, order passed by CJM in the matter.—NNI

Violence against women has increased: SWC SRINAGAR—Admitting that graph of violence against women has increased extensively in the Valley, State Women’s Commission (SWC) Chairperson and MLA Habba Kadal Shamima Firdous said that women along with social justice were being denied political justice. She described recent dis-honor killing in Kupwara as very unfortunate and on that shook the public conscience.

She rued the fact that the state cabinet had only one female minister as its member presently.

She said that providing reservation to women in the state cabinet and the proposed BDC elections was a need of an hour. “It isn’t only in social life but also in Politics that women are being

discriminated on the basis of gender, we’ve only one female Minister in the State and we need to take the collective responsibility for strengthening the status of women”, Shamima Firdous said in an interview.

The SWC Chairperson said that every day hundreds of women from various districts including Kupwara, Baramullah, Pulwama, Poonch, Rajouri visit the Commission’s office with their grievances, adding, “Their stories surprise me and at times I couldn’t hold my tears. Their stories are as such that one has no words to describe their pain in proper words. Nowadays we witness such women rights violations that really shock public conscience”.

“Domestic violence by in laws is the most increasing cases under RPC that are being filed by victims. Demand of dowry is one of the main reasons behind these domestic violence’s by in laws”, she informed.

“Violence against women is increasing day by day in the State. Though, we have protective laws already established in the State for women but the laws are weak and have some loopholes”, SWC Chairperson said. “Dis-honor killing which occurred recently in District Kupwara is very unfortunate but at the same time it should be considered as an indication that offences against women are going from bad to worse”, she added.—NNI

ties Hurriyet Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir disclosed that from 1989 to 15 October 2012, there have been deaths of 93,274 innocent Kashmiris, 6,969 custodial killings, 117,345 arrests and destruction of 105,861 houses. Indian brutal security forces have orphaned over 107, 351 children, widowed 22,728 women and gang raped 9,920 women in the Indian held Kashmir.In their various reports, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also pointed out grave human rights violations in the Indian controlled Kashmir, indicating, “The Muslim majority population in the Kashmir Valley suffers from the repressive tactics of the security forces. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and

Public Safety Act, security forces personnel have extraordinary powers to shoot suspected persons.”

Therefore, 27th of October is being celebrated every year as the “Black Day”?by Kashmiris, living on both sides of the Line of Control. On this very day, Pakistanis and Kashmiris across the globe express solidarity with the freedom fighters as a protest against Indian illegal occupation of Kashmir. It is due to the joint efforts of Kashmiri leaders and Pakistan’s subsequent regimes that the Kashmir issue remains under endless focus in wake of Indian delaying tactics.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations.—Kashmir Watch

Huriyet Conference leader and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Front, Zafar Akbar Butt has denounced India and its authorities for not allowing him to visit jails in Jammu. A spokesman for the JKSM, in a statement in Jammu said that Zafar Akbar Butt and the party workers had sought the permission from the authorities to visit the jails, but his request was turned down in sheer violation of basic human rights.

“The detainees are facing wrath of the authorities which is against the jail manual and principals laid by UNO,” he added.

Expressing his anxiety over the pitiable conditions of detainees in Kathuwa, Hira Nagar, Amphla, Kotbalwal and Udhampur jails Zafar Akbar said that most of the detainees were innocent students and had been arrested for no fault of theirs. A large number of the detainees have completed their jail term and authorities are not releasing them or rearrest them under draconian, Public Safety Act, he said.

Zafar Akbar Butt and the party workers from Jammu visited the Ustad Mohhala, Urdu Bazar,Gujjar Nagar, Jolata Mohalla, Bathandi in Jammu and visited the affected families of those, whose near and dear ones were missing or fell victim to Indian state terrorism.

Zafar Akbar Butt also visited the martyrs’ graveyard at Gujjar Nagar and offered fateha MUZAFFARABAD: AJK MQM parliamentary leader /Minister for Transport meeting for the departed souls.—KMS former-prime minister Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan.

Endless focus on Kashmir issue

SAJJAD SHAUKAT OME media anchors of Pakistan have misperceived that Islamabad has set aside the solution of Kashmir issue due to its internal crises including subversive acts, while paying more attention on the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) with India.

It was a wrong assessment as Pakistan has endless focus on Kashmir Issue. In this regard, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has invited 8 members of the executive council of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to Pakistan from 15 to 22 December 2012. The aim is to begin a consultative process between the rulers of Pakistan and pro-movement leaders of the Indian held Kashmir in order to prepare suit-

SRINAGAR—The Jammu and

Butt barred from visiting jails in Jammu

Shutdown against martyrdom of 7 youth in Sopore SRINAGAR—Indian troops in

‘Self-determination forms bedrock of Kashmir dispute’

eign ministers of both the countries have ended their meetings with issuance of positive notes, and vowed that their dialogue would pave the way for the solution of real issues, particularly the core dispute of Kashmir, but the same failed without producing tangible results.

Notably, India is employing shrewd diplomacy of emphasising more on CBMs than to pay attention for the settlement of real issues, particularly thorny dispute of Kashmir. It is only interested in promotion of trade, friendly exchanges, tourism, relaxation of visas etc. While taking positive steps, Islamabad signed a number of trade agreemens with New Delhi, which allowed India exports of mutltiple items across the Wagah border. It also granted India Most

Favoured Nation status, which permits trade in almost everything.

It is mentionable that Indian adamant stand during Pak-India parleys are not without some sinister designs. In this context, India is determined to keep its hold on Kashmir which is considered by it as integrated part of the Indian union. It also wants to blackmail Islamabad by stopping the flow of rivers’ water towards Pakistan as major rivers of our country take origin from the occupied Kashmir. India is only fulfilling the formality through the new phase of talks by showing to the US-led western countries that it is willing to settle all the outstanding disputes with Pakistan including Kashmir.

A recent report of All Par-

Growers warned of post-rain mites’ menace M ULTAN —Agriculture experts have warned the growers against mites’ attack on roots of cultivated plants in the aftermath of rains. In a release issued by media liaison unit of Punjab agriculture department, experts said mites usually attack crops including gram, chili, tomato, cucumber, melon etc. Mites attack when the soil receives moisture after rain: They develop tunnels in the soil, causing roots of the plants to get dry ,explained the experts.

Fresh animal waste should not be applied as “organic fertilizers”. —APP

Economic coop lent more vigour to Pak-UAE ties: Raja STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Prime Minis-

ter Raja Pervez Ashraf has said thatPakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy excellent brotherly relations which have been further strengthened by economic cooperation. Prime Minister expressed these views this morning while talking to Etisalat delegation led by Mr. Abdul Karim Ahmad Julfar, Group Chief Executive Officer here on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister said that the auction of 3G Spectrum technology would inWorld Quality Day crease the broadband conISLAMABAD —Institute of nectivity in the country.

While encouraging Etisalat Space Technology (IST) will celebrate World Quality representatives to participate in the bidding process, Day (WQD) on Friday, the Prime Minister said, December 21 to raise “We are very keen to see awareness about quality Etisalat participating in the and to place quality at the auction of 3G License Spectop of the individuals’ trum.” The Prime Minister priority. The day is celebrated to demonstrate commitment to quality and to perpetually improve the business and survive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. In 1989,organizations such as Quality Organizations of Europe, STAFF REPORTER USA and Japan took an initiative to float the idea of I S L A M A B A D — S u f f i c i e n t ‘World Quality Day’ which wheat and sugar stocks of the United Nations Organi- over 7.1 million tones and zation took up to promote 1.26 million tones respecthe importance of water tively available with the govquality. With the involveernment reserves for domesment of world quality tic consumption. The wheat organizations, it supports and sugar stocks during corstandardization in the field responding period of last year of vocational training and were recorded at 7.891 million personnel certification. tones and 0.775 million tones Every year it is celebrated respectively, official sources with a particular motto and said. this year is the twenty-first The marketing year of anniversary. —APP wheat starts from May and continue till April and up to EU reforms active beginning of December 2012, 7.1 million tones of despite market calm about wheat stock was available in B ERLIN —Reforms to the government stores. The restore economic stability sources informed that as on in the European Union December 2012, Punjab posremain urgent despite a sessed total wheat stock of calming of the turmoil on 3.369 million tones, while it financial markets, European had 4.495 million wheat stock Central Bank executive during same period of last board member Joerg Asmussen said. “Putting in place a genuine financial union and a stronger economic union must be our key priorities for 2013,” he said in a speech late on Tuesday under a media embargo until Wednesday. ISLAMABAD—The Executive “It is essential that the Committee of National Ecoappearance of calm on nomic Council (ECNEC) had financial markets does not considered 74 development distract from the urgent projects and approved 69 costneed to address the euro ing Rs.658 billion during the area’s fundamental chalperiod from April 2011 to March lenges.” Asmussen called 2012 for the welfare of people for the bloc to press ahead across the country. The execuwith its planned fiscal tive committee deferred five compact committing projects during the period unmember states to greater der review. budgetary discipline.—AFP “The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) took up 224 development projects, approved 148 projects returned 23 projects, and recommended 53 project to ECNEC for apIn order to succeed, proval from April 2011 to March 2012”, a senior official of the your desire for sucPlanning Commission told APP. cess should be greater than your fear He said that CDWP during period from April 2011 to March of failure.

2012 approved three projects in —Bill Cosby agriculture sector, one project

pointed out that the government had recently formed an oversight committee comprising people with impeccable integrity and repute to ensure transparency and fairness in the auction process.

Etisalat Chief Executive Officer, Mr Abdul Karim Ahmad Julfar, said that Etisalaat was a leading telecom operator globally and had a potential to invest considerably in the Telecom sector ofPakistan. He further said that he saw Pakistan as a huge market. Etisalat, the CEO said, would like to improve the quality of broadband in Pakistan and informed the Prime Minister that his company intends to enhance its operations in the country.

The Prime Minister pointed out that there were some pending issues regarding sale of PTCL to Etisalaat.

He suggested that Etisalaat

nominate a team which should sit with the representatives of the government of Pakistan to resolve issues within a specified time frame so that we can move forward.

The Prime Minister assured the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalaat that government ofPakistan as part of its policy to encourage foreign investment shall extend all possible assistance to Etisalat. The CEO of Etisalaat said that the expansion of broadband was a key to development in the country and his company would be ready to invest in the telecom sector so thatPakistan could benefit in the process. Those who attended the meeting included Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr Salim Mandviwala, MoS & Chairman Board of Investment and other senior officials of the government.

Sufficient wheat, sugar stocks available for domestic consumption year.

Similarly Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have 1.014, 0.348 and 0.165 million tones respectively of wheat stock against 1.044, 0.285 and0.125 million tones during corresponding period of last year.

Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) possessed about 2.206 million tones against 1.942 million tones during last year, the sources added.

Elaborating on sugar stock in the country, the sources informed that the provinces retain 0.953 million tones (as on December 6, 2012) as against 0.65 million tones of sugar on December 8, 2011. Similarly, Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) possessed sugar stock of about 0.307 million tones whereas during corresponding period of last year the

TCP had stock of 0.125 million tones.

According to the sources the country was in comfortable position in terms of wheat and sugar production and consumption due to bumper crops achieved during last years. They informed during the year 2010-11 about 25.21 million tones wheat was produced while in 2011-12 the total output of the wheat was recorded at 24 million tones and in 2011-12 it was recorded at 23. 34 million tones.

Up to May 1, 2012 about 3.51 million tones of wheat carry forward stock was available in addition to about 23.34 million tones of current year ’s production, which mounted the local out put to over 27 million tones against the domestic consumption of 25 million tones, the sources added.

ECNEC approves fresh 69 projects costing Rs.658b in sport sector, five projects in education sector, 16 projects in energy, one in forest and wildlife, six schemes in governance, ten in health, 21 projects in higher education, one in information technology, eight in industries and commerce,four in mass media, three projects in manpower, 29 projects in physical planning two in population welfare, three in science and technology, 19 projects in transport and communication, and 16 projects in water resources.

Similarly, the ECNEC during period from April 2011March 2012 has approved one project in agriculture sector, six projects in devolution and area development one in education, ten projects in energy sector, one in governance, two in health sector, three in higher

education, two in information technology, two in industries and commerce, one in manpower, one on physical planning and housing, one scheme in population welfare, one in science and technology, 27 projects in transport and communication, and ten projects were approved by the ECNEC in water resources for the welfare of the people across the country. The CDWP during the period approved highest number of projects including 21 schemes in physical planning and housing costing Rs.11621.620 million, followed by 16 projects in energy sector costing Rs.8688.672 million, 21 projects in higher education costing Rs.12567.720 million, 19 projects in transport and communication costing Rs.10179.600 million.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf presiding over a meeting with Etisalat delegation led by Group Chief Executive Officer Abdul Karim Ahmad Julfar at PM House.

Lucky Cement wins award PESHAWAR—Second Supply Chain and Shipping Conference awarded Green Supply Chain award to Lucky Cement for showing excellence in Logistics Operations. The award was given to the cement factory for its best operational strategy and environment protecting measures.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Operating Officer, Numan Hassan said that it is prime responsibility of factories to focus the issue of global warming and adopt measures to control its hazards.

He said that Lucky Cement has recently invested in sectors of Waste Heat Recovery (WHR), Tyre Derive Fuel (TDF) and Reused Derived Fuel (RDF) to reduce excretion of gasses and control operational expenses.—APP

Pakistani diaspora remitted $5b during July-Oct 2012-13 ISLAMABAD—Expatriate Pakistanis remitted US $ 4.964 billion during the July-October 2012-13 as compared to $ 4.315 billion sent during the same period of last fiscal year showing a growth of 15 percent. According to official sources, the highest number of remittances of US $ 1.309 billion came from Saudi Arabia during the period under review as compared to US $ 1.145 billion registering a growth of 14.3 percent.

Similarly, the Pakistani diaspora remitted US $ 1.047 billion from UAE during July-October 2012-13 as compared to US $ 963 million during the same period of last fiscal year depicting a growth of 8.7 percent, the sources added.

They said that the Workers remittances of $ 841 million from USA during the period under review stood at $ 697 million as compared to $ 795 million showing a growth of 5.8 percent.

The Pakistani workers from UK,remitted $ 697 million during period July-October 2012-13 as compared to US $ 487 million remitted during same period of last fiscal showing an increase of 43.2 percent, they remarked.—APP

Sayeed wants more Pak, India bilateral investment STAFF REPORTER I S L A M A B A D — M r. Ta r i q Sayeed, former President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and SAARC CCI on Wednesday said concrete measure needs to be taken to strengthen bilateral investment between Pakistan and India. President Asif Ali Zardari has shown interest to negotiate with Indian company planning to produce 2000 Mega Watt electricity from Thar Coal to overcome dearth of electricity in Pakistan.

Sayeed further stated that during the meeting with President of Pakistan on the occasion of 36th FPCCI Export Award Trophy held at Governor House Karachi Mr.Asif Ali Zardari was pleased to know the efforts of Business Community and

glad on Indian company for investing in electricity generation in Pakistan. Mr.Asif Ali Zardari assured full support to overcome challenges being faced by Business Community.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, also attended the Award ceremony and said that Sindh government will fully support FPCCI to negotiate Indian company for 2000 mega watt electricity generation from Sindh Thar Coal.

Mr.Tariq Sayeed further informed that in a meeting after Award Ceremony held at Governor House President of Pakistan assured that his government will make all efforts to provide level playing field to the business community for the sustainable development of Pakistan economy.

Imran appointed as CEO of MCB Bank

Haji Fazal Kadir Khan Sherani President FPCCI said that Export Awards of FPCCI is a source of encouragement and healthy competition which enhancing Pakistan export. He also appreciated Mr.Asif Ali Zardari President of Pakistan for participating in FPCCI Export Award for the three consecutive years and said his presence encourage Businessmen of the country.

The Export Award Ceremony was attended by Makhdome Amin Fahim, Federal Minister for Commerce, Dr, Ishrat ul Ebad, Governor Sindh, Mr.Haroon Rahid, Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed Dhingra, Mr.Iqbal Dawood Pakwala, Begum Salma Ahmed, Mirza Abdul Rehman Vice Presidents of FPCCI and other prominent businessmen.

LSE gains 1.56 points

LAHORE—The Lahore Stock Banking, over a period of 15 Exchange on Wednesday years. He moved on to Citibank witnessed bullish trend by KARACHI—Imran Maqbool, a to work as Regional Head Cor- gaining 1.56 points as the LSE-25 Index opened with former Bank of America’s offi4076.44 and closed at 4078.00 cial, took the held of the MCB points. The market’s overall Bank as the banks’ president situation also corresponded and Chief Executive Officer, it to an upward trend as it reemerged Tuesday. After securmained at 2.605 million ing approval of the State Bank shares to close against preof Pakistan, Maqbool would be vious turnover of 2.408 miltaking his new charge from the lion shares, showing an up22nd of this month, said a bank ward move of 196,700 shares. official.

While, out of the total 102 “This is to inform you that active scrips, 18 moved up, 23 State Bank of Pakistan has shed values and 61 remained granted, in-principle, approval equal. Pakistan State Oil Comfor the appointment of Mr. pany Limited, Pakistan PetroImran Maqbool as President/ leum Limited and Attock ReCEO of MCB Bank Limited,” finery Limited were Major Abdus S. Sami, MCB’s comGainer of the day by recordpany secretary, told the bank’s ing increase in their per share shareholders at the country’s value by Rs 2.89, Rs 2.11 and porate Banking in Pakistan. three stock exchanges.

He has been a part of MCB Rs 1.21 respectively.

Subject to compliance with Engro Corporation Limapplicable laws, rules and regu- for the last eight years. During lations, the appointment of this period, he worked as Cor- ited, The Hub Power ComMaqbool was also notified to porate Head North before mov- pany Limited and Fauji Ferthe London Stock Exchange. ing to Colombo where he was tilizer Company lost their per Maqbool holds a MBA degree responsible for managing share value by Re 0.94, Re from IBA Karachi and MS in MCB’s Sri Lanka Operations. 0.93 and Re 0.85 respectively.

In Pakistan, he managed The Volume Leader of the day Management from Sloan School of Management, MIT the Islamic Banking and Spe- included Fauji Cement Com(USA). He started his career cial Assets Management pany Limited with 864,000 from Bank of America, where Group. Before becoming presi- shares, Lafarge Pakistan Cehe worked at various positions dent, he was serving as Group ment with 477,000 shares and in Relationship Management, Head Commercial Banking, The Bank of Punjab Limited with 175,000 shares.—APP Corporate and Investment MCB Bank.

ISMAIL DILAWAR

World hails Pak financial regulatory, branchless banking: Yaseen AMANULLAH KHAN

Assist the Poor (CGAP) of the and underserved people of World Bank in Karachi today, the country.

KARACHI—The Governor, SBP Governor stressed upon With almost 1.8 million mobile banking accounts, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), branchless banking customMr. Yaseen Anwar has said ers conducted almost 32 milthat on the back of several lion transactions worth Rs. policy and developmental 140 billion during the quarter initiatives taken by the cenending September 2012, he tral bank to promote finansaid, adding that the average cial inclusion in the country, size of each transaction is Rs the regulatory environment 4,065 which shows that techfor microfinance and nology is helping ‘financial branchless banking considaccess’ of the unbanked ered one of the best globally. population of the country. Mr. Inaugurating a one-day Anwar said that 90% of total workshop on ‘Future of bank branches are currently Branchless Banking, Payprocessing real time online ment Systems and Financial Inclusion’ jointly organized the banks and mobile network banking services across the

by SBP, Pakistan Telecom- operators (MNOs) to pro- country. ‘One million internet munication Authority (PTA) mote branchless banking for banking users, 1.8 million moand Consultative Group to the benefit of the un-banked bile phone banking users, and

more than 10 million call center users are enjoying virtual banking’, he added.

‘If the banks and mobile network operators want to succeed, they have to assign a strategic priority to branchless banking’, he emphasized that the Boards and Chief Executives of banks and MNOs must have ownership of branchless banking and added that this will help to bring commitment, attention, and support from every level of the organizations to this innovative, exciting and challenging service.

‘As a result of SBP regulations on “Branchless Banking”, we have seen emergence of four mobile banking

deployments which are not only advancing new frontiers for financial inclusion but also pushing the expansion in the payment ecosystem of the country’, he said, adding that these providers are investing heavily in hiring, training, and branding their agents, thus contributing to the development of a new layer of distribution network for serving largely unbanked market. SBP Governor said that mobile phone subscribers are almost 120 million, while banking accounts stand at 32 million whereas the number of borrowers is only 5.7 million which indicates that there exists a large ‘financially-excluded’ market ‘Bringing this

un-served market into the formal financial system is our key objective as we believe that this would enrich the socio-economic development of our country’, he added.

He pointed out that the brick and mortar retail network of the entire financial industry of Pakistan stands at around 11,000 outlets after 65 years while the branchless banking retail agents’ network has grown beyond 32,000 agents in a short span of 3 years. Stressing the urgent need for modernizing and expanding the payment system infrastructure segments, Mr. Anwar disclosed that a proposal is under consideration at SBP for the preparation of

Payment Systems Strategic Road Map for the next Five Years.

He emphasized upon the mobile network operators to come up with creative marketing strategies, and financial literacy schemes that provide basic learning and educative experience to their customers.

SBP Governor observed that a robust payment infrastructure is critical for the long-term development of mobile phone banking. ‘Banks and mobile network operators (MNOs) have to develop partnerships to expand the agent network, leverage communication bearer channels, develop client acquisition strategies, and build a robust risk manage-

ment framework’, he added.

Mr. Anwar said the last five years average shows that 36% of the transactions were routed through electronic channels depicting a 23% average yearly growth as compared to 2% average growth in paper based transactions.

Although, these statistics show an increasing trend, which is still insignificant for a country of 180 million inhabitants with a high currency in circulation of Rs. 1.9 trillion, he said, adding that this high currency in circulation is due to the fact that majority of our population is disconnected from the banking system, and is heavily reliant on cashbased transactions.

PQ shipping activity K ARACHI —Four ships carrying containers and chemical were allotted berth at Qasim International Containers Terminal and Engro Vopak Terminal during last 24 hours. Meanwhile four more ships scheduled to load/ offload containers, LPG mix, chemical and edible oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was 85% at the Port on Wednesday where total number of nine ships namely Hanjin Sandiego, Nedlloyd Hudson, CMA Debussy, Princess-k, Sai Eyernity, Harsanadi, Norgas Sonoma, Shang Dong Hai Chang and Overseas Leyte are currently occupying berths to load/ offload containers, cement, wheat, chemical, coat and diesel oil respectively during last 24 hours.

A cargo volume of 132217 tonnes comprising 93489 tonnes imports, 38728 tonnes exports inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 3424 containers (Boxes) were handle at the Port during last 24 hours.—APP

Belarus ratifies trade treaty with Pakistan AMANULLAH KHAN K ARACHI —Victor Rybak, Ambassador of Belarus to Pakistan has said that Bilateral Investment Treaty between Belarus and Pakistan has been ratified by Belarus while ratification from Pakistan is awaited. Addressing a meeting at Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the he informed that dynamics of Belarus are different from central Asian Republics and the country has its unique strengths in many areas. He stressed upon the need of frequent people-topeople contact, regular exchange of trade information and business delegations as Pakistan is an important friendly country and Belarus attaches importance to PakBelarus political and trade relations.

He endorsed the existing

prospects to enhance PakBelarus Economic and Commercial cooperation do exist.

To explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation, renowned Businessman Mr. Abdul Rauf Tabani has been appointed as the Honorary Consul General of Belarus to Pakistan.

Belarus lies in the heart of Europe and it is most industrialized country which got independence from Soviet Union. He informed that GDP was growing every year and economy strongest sectors were service industries and manufacturing. He informed that Belarus tractor is very popular in Pakistan. Five dealers of Belarus Tractors are operating in Karachi. In last 5 years, 30,000 tractors were sold to Pakistan. Ambassador informed that economic diplomacy was his first priority as Pakistan has lot of potential in many ar-

eas. He invited President KCCI to compose a business delegation to Belarus. He informed that Belarus is a promising business and investment destination for investors. Presently Belarus was 56th in ease of doing business whereas by 2015 the country will likely achieve the 30th rank for ease in doing business. Pakistan and Belarus are maintaining agreements on trade and economic cooperation and investment protection.

Muhammad Haroon Agar, President KCCI while expressing his point of view urged the Ambassador of Belarus to explore the possibilities of PakBelarus joint ventures in auto- The signing ceremony between JS Bank and InfoTel. Kalim-ur-Rahman, President and CEO, Mr. Kamran Jafar, mobiles, services and indus- Group Head Retail Banking and Mr. Riaz Siddiqui MD InfoTel with senior members from both management teams, trial products. Pakistan and Regional Representatives from Thalesas well as Mr. Christian Ramage, Consul General of the France in attendance.

Belarus are two friendly countries and there is great potential to enhance bilateral trade and economic ties.

PAS awards OBSERVER REPORT

CNG body demands gas price, cost audit by int’l firm

Stock Market Masses, CNG operators being awareness event for GIFT pushed to streets: Paracha Varsity

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The All PakiLAHORE—The Lahore Stock stan CNG Association Exchange Wednesday held its session of SECP Investor Education and Awareness Programme for the Masters level students of GIFT University, Gujranwala. Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and LSE officials participated in the session.

The LSE Investor Relations Section’s Head Nadeem Asghar elaborated the pros and cons of investing in different financial products. He focused on the broad features of investments opportunities available in the country, Pakistan’s economic & financial system, features and characteristics of different financial markets, regulatory framework, market indicators, investment products, financial services and roles & responsibilities of various financial institutions in the country.

He also explained the fact that how diversification across various investment instruments safeguards the investors interest.

The students were also given an insight about the features of insurance, mutual funds, commodities, debt and equity markets. He also briefed the participants the latest steps taken by their respective organizations for the benefits of investors. While, Lahore SECP’s Deputy Registrar (Companies) Kashif Islam briefed the listing procedure of the companies.

The SECP and Institute of Capital Market (ICM) along with financial market stakeholders (KSE, LSE, ISE, NCCPL, CDC, MUFAP, PMEX, IAP) have developed a countrywide ‘Investor Education and Awareness Programme launched since July 13, 2012. The basic purpose of the programme is the promotion of investors understanding of risk and reduced vulnerability to fraudulent schemes. Expanding outreach of financial products and services and encouraging short and long term saving culture is also an important component of the programme.

The program also focuses on building investor confidence in the non-banking financial markets which includes stock exchanges, commodity market, insurance, mutual funds etc.—APP

(APCNGA) on Wednesday demanded forensic audit of gas cost and production cost of the CNG filling stations by some internationally reputed audit firm. The non-serious and non-professional attitude of some officials in the petroleum ministry and OGRA is destroying the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry in which masses have invested around Rs 400 billion, it said.

The controversial decisions will hurt millions of

people but authorities seem unconcerned about plight of masses, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA. OGRA has rejected reports of its own staff while the reports of independent auditors have been overruled which has prolonged the current crisis adding to the miseries of the masses, he said.

Ghiyas Paracha said that CNG stakeholders cannot trust judgement of bureaucrats who have pushed country into never-ending energy crisis with no relief in sight.

Babucracy is unaware of the

ground realities and not bothered about anything therefore we will never accept their unilateral decisions, he said.

He said that CNG operators have invested some Rs 260 billion while the owners of 3.7 million vehicles converted on CNG have spent Rs 104 billion on cylinders and kits which cannot be left on the mercy of some officials working with questionable credentials. So far, the CNG owners have suffered losses to the tune of Rs 4 billion in last 53 days while the government has lost revenue around Rs 12 billon.

I SLAMABAD —To celebrate, acknowledge and credit the most effective communications advertising campaigns in Pakistan, Pakistan Advertisers Society presents third in row, the PAS AWARDS 2013 that will reiterate ‘creativity, idea and strategy that works’.

Pakistan Advertisers Society (PAS) collectively speaks for the common interest of the advertisers and is representative of 80% of the ad-spend of Pakistan. It aspires that advertising is efficient and effective for the advertiser; rewarding for the media, agencies and associate suppliers, and true, honest and equitable to the consumer.

For the last two consecutive years, PAS Awards have been synonymous to professionalism – an industry benchmark for assessing the best creative communications work. Immensely supported by the industry stakeholders including Pakistan Newspapers Association (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Advertising Association of Pakistan (AAP); PAS Awards 2011 and 2012 turned out to be a mega success.

CNOOC pledge small step for China transparency KARACHI: Pak Oasis officially signed the United Nations Global compact at a ceremony S I N G A P O R E — C N O O C ’s attended by the president of the Global Compact Pakistan network Mr. Ahsan Ullah Khan, promise of transparency, Omar Abbas Jillani, Chairman Pak Oasis Industries and others.—PO Photo by Imran Gilani pledged to win approval from Canada for its $15.1 billion purchase of Nexen Inc, looks like a positive step on the face of it but is unlikely to represent a sea change in Chinese business practices.

To be sure, the details of needs.

ISMAIL DILAWAR Ramy Reyad Kamel, Chief commitment are not clear. The M U LTA N —Agriculture experts have urged the grow- K ARACHI —Mobilink con- Technical Officer Mobilink state-controlled energy firm ers to harvest their turmeric tinues to consolidate its mar- highlighted “This expansion has promised the Canadian crop by December end when ket leadership in Pakistan’s activity is in line with the com- government an annual comits leaf start drying up. Ap- cellular industry, with the ex- mitment made by Mr Rashid pliance report on all its comply water some 3 to 4 days pansion of its voice and data Khan, our President & CEO mitments that are part of its before the planned harvest network across the country. at the beginning of 2012 to takeover of Nexen Inc, China’s and remove the leaf, says a Over the course of 2012, provide the best cellular ex- biggest ever takeover. These release issued by media liai- Mobilink has been rapidly perience to our customers. include listing shares on son unit of Punjab agricul- establishing new cell-sites to Over the course of the year, Toronto stock exchange, ture department here reach out to numerous un- we have optimized our infra- which comes with certain disder-served regions across structure investment thus en- closure requirements. But Wednesday.

The harvest should be Pakistan, to enable wider de- hancing the coverage and when capital is king, cash-rich done with the help of ‘Kassi’, livery of cutting-edge ser- capacity of Mobilink’s net- Chinese state-owned enteran earth digging tool, and vices throughout Pakistan. work across Pakistan.We are prises have the balance of Mobilink’s investment in committed to consistently power in any acquisition talks, growers should leave a part of the turmeric inside the soil network expansion is a con- enriching our network with leaving doubts about the real to serve as seed for the next tinuous endeavor, with 2012 newer technologies and ser- potency of transparency crop. It would be suitable to alone having seen over 8% vices, while continuing to ex- pledges.

“On the transparency harvest the crop three to four growth in cell sites, with the pand our network outreach side, I believe there will be days before the next sowing, organization’s cellular net- across Pakistan.”

In a meeting with Prime efforts from foreign governthe release said. However, in work now spread over 9,000 case they want to sow seed sites, the largest within Minister of Pakistan last ments to get more informapurchased from the market Pakistan’s industry.The cell month, VimpleCom’s manage- tion, but it’s still a question they should purchase it at the sites have primarily been set ment has pledged an of how far China is willing to time of harvest and keep it at up for improving voice and investmentof USD 1 billion give,” said Robert Lewis, a a shady place covered under data capacity and catering to into Mobilink’s network reach partner at Zhong Lun law firm in Beijing.—Newswire the growing communication and technology. a layer of soil.—APP

Turmeric growers urged to harvest crop

by December end

Mobilink network expanding across Pakistan

JS Bank to launch EMV capable credit, debit cards STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—JS Bank has recently inked a new strategic partnership with InfoTel Pakistan one of the leading cards services provider in the market and a partner of Thales e-Security Solutions.

To launch this new partnership, an agreement was signed by Mr. Kalim-urRahman, President and CEO of JS Bank, and Mr. Riaz Siddiqui, Managing Director, InfoTel at the Head Office of the Bank in Karachi. The signing ceremony was attended by members of the management teams of both organizations, regional representatives of Thales as well as His Excellency Mr. Christian Ramage, the Consul General of the French Republic in Karachi.

Under the new agreement, JS Bank will enable its systems to offer its customer EMV compliant cards in both Debit and Credit categories thereby providing them with a cutting edge global standard of heightened security and increased functionality.

Furthermore by complying to EMV, JS Bank will have a competitive advantage of issuing cards on the global platform of Java, thereby enabling them to be better equipped to offer more features and services in the days ahead.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Kalim-urRahman, President and CEO, JS Bank stated, “Credit and Debit cards are now a staple in customers’ lifestyle thereby making them the most visible face of any bank.

By signing this agreement we

are ensuring that we partner with a leading player to provide our customers with a heightened level of convenience, functionality and most importantly of security.

Through this agreement we wish to ensure that we remain ahead in the race to provide our customers the best card products that complement their lifestyles both in Pakistan and around the world”.

Commenting on the new vistas opened as a result of the new partnership agreement, Mr. Riaz Siddiqui, Managing Director, InfoTel stated, “We will deliver the world’s best EMV technology i.e. Thales P3 which will provide customers with the highest possible security and the ability to add new applications during the cards lifetime and also prevent the bank from malicious activities”.

Byco completes Pakistan’s largest oil refinery STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —Byco Oil Pakistan Limited Wednesday announced the completion of the country’s largest oil refinery at Mouza Kund, District Lasbella, Balouchistan.

A statement here said that at present the refinery is in state of pre-commissioning and preparatory activities wherein different plants, equipment and instrumentation are being put to confirmatory checks and tests.

It said that cold circulation of crude oil has already been established and sustained. Also furnaces of different process units have

been test fired.

The refinery is ready for hot commissioning and start up, the statement added. It said that this newly commissioned petroleum refinery will have an installed refining capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. Combined with existing and fully operative smaller Refinery, the cumulative capacity shall be over 155,000 barrels per day which is 55% higher than the existing largest refinery in Pakistan.

Thus it will enhance overall crude oil refining capacity in the country from existing 12.25 to 18 million tons per year and will significantly

contribute in reducing import of deficit refined petroleum products in the country. This Refinery can be further expanded up to 180,000 bpd.

On this occasion, Qaiser Jamal, CEO, Byco Oil Pakistan Limited, stated, ‘This milestone, for sure, has been made possible with sheer hard work of our Employees and support and cooperation of all our valued contractors.

Upon commissioning this refinery, with the blessings of the Almighty, will become the single largest in the country’.

Along with this new refinery, the country’s first Isomerisation Plant is being Commissioned.

PARC, FAO to equip 600m farmers with modern technologies STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is planning to provide modern communication facilities for over 600 million farm families across the country. This was stated by the Chairman PARC Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad while addressing the two-day ‘Farmers Share Mela’, jointly organized by PARC and FAO aiming to develop and promote the communication facilities and create market linkages in far flung areas of the coun-

try.

He said that PARC and FAO have developed a network for disseminating knowledge and expertise with the help of kissan organizations and provided skill training market access information to over 300,000- 400,000 farmers by involving over 100 kissan organizations. “We are also planning to involve telecom companies, TV, radio stations for providing technical assistance as well as market facilities and weather updates to enhance per acre crop out put to maximize the farm income in the country”, he added.

He further said that PARC

has suggested the government to adopt the Brazil model for providing better marketing facilities to large and small scale growers adding that Brazil has bound his large scale growers to export their produces to multi national companies while small scale growers are providing facilities to sell their products in domestic market and government organizations. Dr. Iftikhar said that huge local market exists in the country while government also purchased food stuff for its organization including army, police and for other social sector welfare organization.

7-8pc national economic growth quite achievable: Burki OBSERVER REPORT K ARACHI —There are a number of positive features in Pakistani economy, which if incorporated in the growth equation, can pull the country back from economic stagnation and set it on a plane of high and sustainable rate of GDP growth. Pakistan, if managed properly, can achieve a growth rate of 7 to 8 percent in the next three to five years.

Shahid Javed Burki, Renowned Economist, former VP World Bank and former Caretaker Finance Minister of Pakistan, expressed these views while presenting his Macroeconomic

Address during the 13th MAP Convention organized here today by the Management Association of Pakistan. Under the theme of this year ’s MAP Convention “Leadership, People, Innovation”, speakers from across the world gathered to discuss growing market needs and measures to overcome challenges through strong leadership, human capital management and innovation.

Terrabiz is the official conference producer of the convention.

Shahid Javed Burki highlighted factors that should become part of the growth framework being developed by the Planning Commission that include:

agriculture with a high growth potential; medium size companies with the skill base to become international supply chains; opening up of the economy to India; an enviable geographic space; rapidly growing cities that could become the engines of economic growth; the entry of a million well trained and skilled women into the economy every year; and large diasporas to play important roles in the development of the homeland.

He pointed out that 201213 is likely to be better than the year before but it does not mean that the economy is finally out of woods. He said: “In 2008-12, Pakistan

was engaged in making a transition from a controlled to a reasonably open political system. The positive side of this development is that a

durable and representative political system is coming into being in which people will have a voice. One of the more important reasons for

the economy’s indifferent performance was the poor quality of governance that was on offer. There are ways of improving governance

Renowned economist Shahid Javed Burki with participants of 13th MAP Convention.

and some of these are being factored into the development of institutions of accountability.”

Earlier, Kamal Chinoy, President MAP while delivering the welcome note said, “The aim of this convention is to provide a platform and opportunity for corporate stakeholders to analyze key trends and prospects in the region in general and Pakistan in particular. He said that MAP has established close and cordial relationships with other international management associations like Asian Association of Management Organizations (AAMO) of which MAP is a member, and All India Management Association

(AIMA). Collaboration with these associations is not only providing our members with an opportunity to interact with other likeminded corporate professionals, but also facilitating them with a learning experience for enhancing their management skills and knowledge at an international level. He said that MAP will continue enhancing such international link ups for further value addition for its members. Regarding the 14th MAP Convention, he informed that it is scheduled early next year in Lahore and delegates from Asian countries and AAMO are expected to attend the convention.

Obama faces tought ‘fiscal cliff’ talks

Park winning S Korea presidential polls

W ASHINGTON —Republicans tried to S EOUL — The daughter of greeted the exit polls with a president and the election of have risen in recent years.

wring more tax-rate concessions out of the White House on Tuesday as political maneuvering intensified over an agreement to keep the U.S. economy from tumbling off the “fiscal cliff” next year. Markets rallied on hopes for a deal.

After important concessions in recent days from both President Barack Obama and House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, Republicans moved to increase pressure on the Democrats by vowing to vote in the House on a “Plan B” back-up measure that would largely disregard the progress made so far. The Republican proposal was part of a political dance by both parties to try to spin the “fiscal cliff” narrative in their favor even as they edged closer together. The White House rejected the offer but remained confident of an agreement. “The president has demonstrated an obvious willingness to compromise and move more than halfway toward the Republicans,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters, adding that Obama is making a “good faith” effort to reach a compromise. House Republicans were still meeting to discuss the matter on Tuesday evening. Global stocks advanced to their highest levels since September amid rare signs of compromise on Capitol Hill. Investors shifted funds to stocks and the euro and pulled away from safe-harbor assets such as bonds, gold and the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Dow Jones industrial average of 30 industrial stocks closed at 13,232.4, up less than 1 percent on the day.—AFP

Chavez ‘stable’ CARACAS—Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is in “stable” condition after being diagnosed with a respiratory infection following his latest cancer surgery in Cuba, an official said Tuesday.

Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas said doctors had treated the infection and brought it under control, adding that it was a common consequence of “complicated surgeries” and that the ailing leader required “absolute rest.” Chavez, 58, is due to be sworn in for a third presidential term on January 10, but the country is now on tenterhooks to see if the outspoken, formerly tireless leader will remain their president, become incapacitated, or worse. He has named foreign minister and vice president Nicolas Maduro as both his temporary replacement and handpicked successor. Chavez’s ruling socialist party tightened its grip on power over the weekend by winning 20 of the 23 governorships in local elections, snatching up four that had been held by the opposition. But Chavez, who is still in Cuba following his latest surgery, has yet to publicly react to the victory. Chavez, the face of the Latin American left for more than a decade and a firebrand critic of US “imperialism,” had claimed before embarking on his arduous re-election campaign earlier this year that he was cancer-free. But he was forced to tell the nation afterwards that he had suffered a recurrence of the disease and returned to Cuba, a key Venezuelan ally, for surgery last week. Venezuela has never said what type of cancer Chavez has, nor which organs are affected, but doctors removed a tumor from his pelvic region last year. Aides admitted that Chavez experienced “complications” from this most recent surgery, including bleeding that now appears to be under control.—AFP

Iraqi president stroke raises succession rumours B A G H D A D —Iraqi

President Jalal Talabani was responding to treatment on Wednesday after suffering a stroke that raised fears of a messy succession battle to replace the Kurd leader who has mediated among Iraq’s competing factions. “He is showing clear signs of improvement,” Najmaldin Karim, the governor of Iraq’s Kirkuk city who is also a doctor, told Reuters.

The 79-year-old former guerrilla, who has helped ease tensions among Shi’ites, Sunnis, and Kurds and in the growing dispute over oil between Baghdad and the country’s autonomous Kurdistan, was admitted to hospital on Monday night. He was in intensive care with a specialist team including doctors from Germany, where he received treatment in the past. Under Iraq’s constitution, parliament elects a new president if his post becomes vacant. Iraq’s power-sharing deal calls for the presidency to go to a Kurd while two vice president posts are shared by a Sunni and a Shi’ite. Talabani survived wars, exile and infighting in northern Iraq to become the country’s first Kurdish president a few years after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. He has since been pivotal in navigating through the political turmoil in Iraq’s fragile power-sharing government that is split among Shi’ite Muslims, Sunni Muslims and ethnic Kurds who also run their own autonomous enclave in the north. “He is the Kurd who is closest to the center. He is so close to the Shi’ites and to the Sunnis,” said Iraqi political analyst Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie. “He is a very important regional player in creating balance.” But in an early sign that any future succession will likely be messy, senior Sunni political leaders suggested they may present their own candidate for the presidency in a challenge to the Kurds.—Reuters

Syria rebels fear chemical weapons A NTAKYA —Syrian rebels are closely monitoring the regime’s chemical weapons sites but don’t have the means to seize and secure them, their newly elected military commander told The Associated Press. Gen. Salim Idris, who defected from the Syrian army in July, said he is “very afraid” a cornered Syrian President Bashar Assad will unleash such weapons on his own people. Syria is said to have one of the world’s largest chemical arsenals. Earlier this week, Syria’s U.N. ambassador said the regime would not use such weapons under any circumstances. However, recent U.S. intelligence reports indicated the regime may be readying chemical weapons and could be desperate enough to use them.

Idris, a 55-year-old German-trained electronics professor, was chosen earlier this month as chief of staff by several hundred commanders of rebel units meeting in Turkey.

With the election of Idris and a 30-member military command center, Syria’s opposition hopes to transform largely autonomous groups of fighters into a unified force. The reorganization came after Syria’s political opposition won international recognition this month as the sole representative of the Syrian people. In an interview late Tuesday, Idris said the rebels could defeat the regime within a month if supplied with anti-aircraft weapons. Assad’s troops are stretched thin and have lost ground in recent months, particularly in northwestern Syria, but have kept rebel fighters pinned down with massive air bombardments. The West has refused to supply Syria’s opposition with weapons for fear they could fall into the hands of Islamic militants among the rebels, such as the al-Qaida-inspired Jabhat alNusra, which was designated a terrorist group by the U.S. last week. Idris estimated that about a fifth of al-Nusra’s fighters are foreigners, but said he believes they will leave Syria once the regime has been toppled.—AP

the South Korea’s former military ruler appeared to be leading in Wednesday’s presidential vote, putting her on track to become the country’s first woman head of state although her narrow advantage meant the race was set to go to the wire. A win for the 60-year old conservative Park Geun-hye would see her return to the presidential palace where she served as her father’s first lady in the 1970s after Park’s mother was assassinated by a North Korean-backed gunman. Exit polls released by three broadcasters showed Park had 50.1 percent of the vote against 48.9 percent for her left-wing challenger, human rights lawyer Moon Jaein, in a tight race where the predicted outcome was well within the margin of error.

Turnout was 75.5 percent, a touch less than the 77 percent her opponent had appealed for in a bid to turn out the youth vote that was more likely to be for him.

“This makes it difficult to predict the final breakdown of votes and who the winner will be,” Woo Jungyeop, a polling specialist at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a Seoul-based think-tank, said of the narrow margin. If she does win, Park will take office for a mandatory single term in February and will face an immediate challenge from a hostile North Korea and deal with an economy in which annual growth rates have fallen to about 2 percent from an average of 5.5 percent in the past 50 years.

She is unmarried and has no children, saying that her life will be devoted to her country. At the headquarters of her Saenuri party officials

celebrated a year in office, but wants the South’s isolated and impoverished neighbor to give up its nuclear weapons program as a precondition for aid, something Pyongyang has refused to do.

The two Koreas remain technically at war after a armistice ended the Korean conflict and Kim Il Sung, the grandfather of the North’s current leader, ordered several assassination attempts on Park’s father, one of which resulted in her mother being shot to death in 1974. Park herself met Kim Jong-un’s father, the late leader Kim Jongil, and declared he was “comfortable to talk to” and he seemed to be someone “who would keep his word”. The North successfully launched a long-range rocket last week in what critics said was a test of technology for an intercontinental ballistic missile and has recently stepped up its attacks on Park, describing her as holding a “grudge” and seeking “confrontation”, code for war.

Park remains a firm supporter of South Korea’s trade pact with the United States that her opponent has threatened to repeal and looks set to continue the free-market policies of her predecessor, although she has said she will seek to spread wealth more evenly. Moon had pledged to tackle the power of the country’s vast export-oriented industrial conglomerates, the so-called chaebol, but Park has stressed their value in creating jobs. The biggest of all the chaebol, Samsung Group, which produces the world’s top selling smartphone as well as televisions, computer chips and ships, has sales equivalent to about a fifth of South Korea’s SEOUL: During South Korean Presidential elections a woman cyclist racing along posters pasted line of boards here. national output.—Reuters. huge cheer, although a clear picture of results may not emerge until 11 p.m. (1400 GMT). “I feel good, a 1.2 percent gap on the sampling of 86,000,” said Shim Jae-chul, a member of parliament and one of the party’s top officials. The legacy of her father, Park Chung-hee, who ruled South Korea for 18 years and transformed the country from the ruins of the 1950-53 Korean War into an industrial powerhouse still divides the country.

For many conservatives, he is South Korea’s greatest

Chaos, not cover-up, made BBC scandal LONDON—Institutional chaos and confusion but not a cover-up were to blame for the BBC’s disastrous handling of pedophilia allegations involving one of its best-known children’s television personalities, an internal review found Wednesday. The review carried out by former Sky News boss Nick Pollard absolved BBC executives of trying to bury a potentially embarrassing story, saying that weak management and poor leadership were to blame for the fact that a planned expose about the late TV star, Jimmy Savile, never aired on the flagship “Newsnight” program.

When the rival ITV network broadcast a similar expose in October about Savile, who died in 2011 at age 84, the BBC came under fire for both harboring an alleged serial sex abuser for decades and for killing its own story about him. “The ‘Newsnight’ investigators got the story right,” Pollard said. “They had found clear and compelling evidence that Jimmy Savile was a pedophile.” He said the decision by news executives to scrap the item “was clearly flawed, and the way it was taken was wrong, though I believe it was taken in good faith.”

The review said the BBC was thrown into disarray when allegations that Savile was a serial sex predator were made public, taking more than a month to get a handle on the situation. The scandal has since metastasized, tainting the reputation of the BBC — the British broadcaster known worldwide for its news and entertainment divisions.

It also forced the resignation of the BBC’s brand new director-general, George Entwistle, and raised questions about its former leader, Mark Thompson, who has since become chief executive at The New York Times. The scandal took on greater dimensions when it emerged that the BBC had cancelled an initial investigation in December 2011 into Savile over the objections of its reporters, raising questions about whether senior executives tried to bury the story to protect the corporation’s reputation.

The report published Wednesday absolves the executives of that the most serious charge. In the review, which executives said cost the BBC 2 million pounds ($3.3 million), Pollard asked: “Did any inappropriate managerial pressure or consideration influence the decision ... not to run the Savile story?”.—APP

his daughter would vindicate his rule. His opponents dub him a “dictator” who trampled on human rights and stifled dissent. “I trust her.

She will save our country,” said Park Hye-sook, 67, who voted in an affluent Seoul district, earlier in the day. “Her father ... rescued the country,” said the housewife and grandmother, who is no relation to the candidate. For younger people, the main concern of the election is the economy and the creation of well-paid jobs in a country where income inequalities

Once a symbol of new Afghanistan, can policewomen survive?

KABUL—Shortly after Friba joined the Afghan National Police, she gave herself the nickname “dragon” and vowed to bring law and order to her tormented homeland.

Five years later, she is tired of rebuffing the sexual advances of male colleagues, worries the budget for the female force will shrink and fears the government will abandon them. Women in the police force were held up as a showcase for Afghan-Western efforts to promote rights in the new Afghanistan, born from the optimism that swept the country after the ouster of the Taliban in 2001.

Images of gun-wielding Afghan policewomen have been broadcast across the globe, even inspiring a television program popular with young Afghan women. But going from the burqa to the olive green uniform has not been easy. In Reuters interviews with 12 policewomen in districts across the Afghan capital, complaints of sexual harassment, discrimination and bitter frustration were prevalent.

President Hamid Karzai’s goal is for 5,000 women to join the Afghan National Police (ANP) by the end of 2014, when most foreign troops will leave the country.—Reuters

NBC newsman freed after kidnap in Syria BEIRUT—NBC’s chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel and members of his production crew have been freed unharmed following a firefight at a checkpoint after five days of captivity inside Syria, the network said.

NBC News said on its website that 39-year-old Engel and his team were kidnapped shortly after crossing the border from Turkey into Syria on Thursday. They were blindfolded and bound, but otherwise not physically harmed.

The group was transported in the back of a truck to a location believed to be near the small town of Maarrat Misrin in northern Idlib province. On Monday, the group was being driven to a new location when the kidnappers ran into a checkpoint manned by members of the Ahrar al-Sham brigade, a Syrian rebel group.

A firefight ensued, killing two of the captors, the report said.

“After being kidnapped and held for five days inside Syria by an unknown group, NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel and his production crew members have been freed unharmed,” NBC said in a statement. “We are pleased to report they are safely out of the country.” The network did not identify the other colleagues but said the team crossed back into Turkey on Tuesday. NBC had not been able to contact the team until learning that they had been freed on Monday, nbcnews.com said. The report said there was no claim of responsibility, no contact with the captors and no request for ransom during the time the crew was missing. They crossed back into Turkey on Tuesday.

The Syrian government has barred most foreign media coverage of the civil war in Syria, which has killed more than 40,000 people since the uprising began in March 2011. Those journalists

whom the regime has allowed in are tightly controlled in their movements by Information Ministry minders. Many foreign journalists sneak into Syria illegally with the help of smugglers. Several journalists have been killed covering the conflict. Among them are award-winning French TV reporter Gilles Jacquier, photographer Remi Ochlik and Britain’s Sunday Times correspondent Marie Colvin.

Also, Anthony Shadid, a correspondent for The New York Times, died after an apparent asthma attack while on assignment in Syria. Engel joined NBC in 2003 and was named chief foreign correspondent in April 2008. He previously worked as a freelance journalist for ABC News, including during the U.S. invasion of Iraq. He has lived in the Middle East since he graduated from Stanford University in 1996, according to his biography from NBC. He speaks and reads fluent Arabic.—Reuters.

Cho Hae-ran, 41, who is married and works at a trading company, believed Moon would raise wages if he won. “Now a McDonald’s hamburger is over 5,000 Korean won ($4.66) so you can’t buy a McDonald’s burger with your hourly pay.

Life is hard already for our two-member family but if there were kids, it would be much tougher.” Park has spent 15 years in politics as a leading legislator in the ruling Saenuri party, although her economic policies remain sketchy. Park has a “Happi-

ness Promotion Committee” and her campaign was launched as a “National Happiness Campaign”, a slogan she has since changed to “A Prepared Woman President”.

At times, she has cited former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a tough proponent of free markets, as her role model. At other times it has been Angela Merkel, the conservative German Chancellor who is Europe’s most powerful leader. Park has said she would negotiate with Kim Jong-un, the youthful leader of North Korea who recently

Hasina alerts army, people, civil admn D HAKA —Prime Minister heikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the Armed forces, the civil administration and people at large to remain alert as the anti-liberation forces are trying hard to foil the trial of the identified war criminals. “The anti-liberation forces are trying hard to raise their heads again, they’re hatching conspiracies to foil the trial of the identified war criminals… they’re on a destructive path ignoring the democratic one…their conspiracies will continue. I urge the patriotic armed forces, civil administration and the people of the country to remain alert,” she said.

The prime minister was addressing the graduation ceremony of National Defence Course and Armed Forces War Course 2012 at Mirpur Cantonment. Long before the country’s independence, Hasina recalled, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamt of building a strong armed force and placed the 6-point

A new habitable planet discovered C ALIFORNIA —A sun-like star in our solar system’s backyard may host five planets, including one perhaps capable of supporting life as we know it, a new study reports. Astronomers have detected five possible alien planets circling the star Tau Ceti, which is less than 12 lightyears from Earth — a mere stone’s throw in the cosmic scheme of things. One of the newfound worlds appears to orbit in Tau Ceti’s habitable zone, a range of distances from a star where liquid water can exist on a planet’s surface. With a minimum mass just 4.3 times that of Earth, this potential planet would be the smallest yet found in the habitable zone of a sun-like star if it’s confirmed, researchers said.

“This discovery is in keeping with our emerging view that virtually every star has planets, and that the galaxy must have many such potentially habitable Earthsized planets,” study co-author Steve Vogt, of the University of California, Santa Cruz, said in a statement.

“They are everywhere, even right next door.” [Gallery: 7 Potentially Habitable Exoplanets.—Reuters

demand in 1966 focusing on forming a provincial paramilitary government. “He also demanded a military academy, provincial Naval Headquarters and Ordnance factory on this land.”

The prime minister said her government always focuses on well-trained and professional armed forces and kept on increasing the defence budget for the last four years. Hasina said her government, during its previous tenure, established the National Defence College as there was no institution for the higher training of senior and junior officers of armed forces in the country before 1996. “This institution has turned into an internationally reputed training institution.

It’s indeed a matter of pride for the nation,” she added.

Hasina also mentioned that new battleships have been procured while runways are being expanded in addition introducing hightech modern equipment. Besides, she said, the government is lobbying in interna-

tional forums so that the participation of Bangladesh army personnel in peacekeeping forces could be increased alongside increased corresponding share in higher command appointments. Sheikh Hasina said the present government has introduced new medical facilities, upgraded educational institutions and ration scale for the welfare of their family members apart from strengthening the force.

Hasina said today the world is changing very fast and the security of the country is no more confined to securing land boundary only. “Food security, energy security, social security, international relationship, control of cyber world, environmental security all these are challenges of the 21st century. If any one of those security gets vulnerable, the national security will be in danger,” she mentioned.

The prime minister suggested the participants of courses to apply their knowledge.—Reuters

Syrian rebels seize Palestinian camp BEIRUT—Syrian rebels took the violence has crept into the full control of the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp on Monday after fighting raged for days in the district on the southern edge of President Bashar al-Assad’s Damascus powerbase, rebel and Palestinian sources said. The battle had pitted rebels, backed by some Palestinians, against Palestinian fighters of the pro-Assad Popular Front for the Liberation of PalestineGeneral Command (PFLPGC). Many PFLP-GC fighters defected to the rebel side and their leader Ahmed Jibril left the camp two days ago, rebel sources said. “All of the camp is under the control of the (rebel) Free Syrian Army,” said a Palestinian activist in Yarmouk. He said clashes had stopped and the remaining PFLP fighters retreated to join Assad’s forces massed on the northern edge of the camp.

The battle in Yarmouk is one of a series of conflicts on the southern fringes of Assad’s capital, as rebels try to choke the power of the 47year-old leader after a 21month-old uprising in which 40,000 people have been killed. Government forces have used jets and artillery to try to dislodge the fighters but

heart of the city and activists say rebels overran three army stations in a new offensive in the central province of Hama on Monday. On the border with Lebanon, hundreds of Palestinian families fled across the frontier following the weekend violence in Yarmouk, a Reuters witness said.

Syria hosts half a million Palestinian refugees, most living in Yarmouk, descendants of those admitted after the creation of Israel in 1948, and has always cast itself as a champion of the Palestinian struggle, sponsoring several guerrilla factions. Both Assad’s government and the mainly Sunni Muslim Syrian rebels have enlisted and armed divided Palestinian factions as the uprising has developed into a civil war. Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Sharaa said in a newspaper interview published on Monday that neither Assad’s forces nor rebels seeking to overthrow him can win the war. Sharaa, a Sunni Muslim in a power structure dominated by Assad’s Alawite minority, has rarely been seen since the revolt erupted in March 2011.—Reuters

Fast bowlers should support Saeed Ajmal: Misbah L A H O R E —Pakistan one day captain, Misbah ul Haq has urged the Pak pace battery to lend support to master spinner Saeed Ajmal to fetch described results against India during the three one day match series later this month.

“Total reliance on Ajmal cannot lead to our desired goals and our all bowlers, irrespective of their type, should put in their best to play their due role in elevating team’s performance against India,” he told reporters here on Wednesday after a training session of the team at Gadaffi stadium.

Misbah called upon the bowlers to excel in their respective art of bowling for leading Pak team to success during the one-day games.

He expressed his satisfaction over team’s preparations for the Indian tour and said the practice matches are helping the senior players in a big way to gain touch and from.

“It is a positive sign that big guns like Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi are getting back to form and through this training at home we will be fully prepared to give India a tough time in the one-day games.

He rejected that India after their loss to England at home will be an easy opponent to beat.

“We should not forget the important aspect of a

HBL, KESC win in PPL Football K A R A C H I —Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) and Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) notched-up solitary goal victories over their respective opponents in the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) Football on We d n e s d a y.

Midfielder Muhammad Ibrahim slammed in 32nd minutes of the first session as Habib Bank Ltd beat ZTBL 1-0 here at the People’s Stadium.

At Karachi Port Trust Stadium, Karachi Electric Supply Company defeated Karachi Port Trust (KPT) 1-0.

Abdul Samad scored the match winning goal in the 13th minutes.—APP

LAHORE: Dav Whatmore, giving tips to Test and One-day captain Misbah-ul-Haq during training camp at Gaddafi Stadium. come back by the Indian stances there is no need to side no matter they have undermine their strength,” lost to England because it he asserted.

(India) is a team which has Misbah was beaming in-depth batting and qual- with confidence when ity bowlers in their ranks asked his team’s prospects and in the given circum- in the one day games. “We

No evidence of Aussie ball-tampering: ICC H OBART —ICC match referee Chris Broad said Tuesday he found no evidence of Australian balltampering during the first Hobart Test and would not be taking the matter any further.

Sri Lanka’s team management had expressed concern at television match footage which it believed showed paceman Peter Siddle tampering with the ball during the Sri Lankan first innings.

The tourists’ team man- he found no evidence the ager Charith Senanayake match ball had been tampered with. “ T h e umpires frequently inspect the ball during play, and did so again after they had reviewed the video footage in question on Sunday,” Broad said in a said he had spoken to Inter- statement. national Cricket Council of“They found no evificials. But Broad said that dence to suggest that the after viewing video footage condition of the ball had been changed.”

Broad said he had spoken to Australia coach Mickey Arthur during the tea interval on Sunday’s third day and told him the match umpires would continue to inspect the cricket ball regularly, and monitor the actions of all players.

“In the opinion of the bowlers. umpires, there was no eviFaul talked up the ap- dence to suggest that the peal of the South African condition of the ball was side, claiming that local changed, or that the video supporters would be eager or photographic evidence to see their country’s stars would support a charge unin action on home soil for der the Code of Conduct, so the first time in almost a they will not be laying any year. charges relating to these inThe New Zealand T20 cidents.” squad includes five new Sri Lanka captain caps and there is one un- Mahela Jayawardene said capped player, left-arm his team had not made an spinner Bruce Martin, in the official complaint to the ICC Test party. The one-day officials about the televised squad has not been an- incident. nounced.

“We never made any ofMcCullum, appointed ficial complaint about it. We captain in all three formats just moved on. It’s up to the after what appeared to be a officials to see whether anybotched communication thing happened and if so between Taylor and coach take action, otherwise we Mike Hesson, admitted the move on,” Jayawardene said Black Caps would have at his post-match press conbeen stronger if Taylor was ference. in a team already missing The Sri Lankans had “no world-class spin bowling proof” and had only seen the all-rounder Daniel Vettori. incident on television, he “There’s obviously said. been some distractions Australia captain back home, but we know Michael Clarke supported there is a monumental task his bowlers and believed in front of us,” said firmly that his team played McCullum. “To take it on in the spirit of the game. “At without some of our better the end of the day the ICC players is disappointing, have made it clear there’s but that’s what we’ve got nothing there,” Clarke to do.”—AFP said.—AFP

Big task for depleted Black Caps in South Africa D URBAN (South Africa)— players such as batsmen The New Zealand Black Caps will be underdogs on their cricket tour of South Africa, with the first Twenty20 international against South Africa scheduled for Durban on Friday.

Hit by injuries and the unavailability of leading batsman and former captain Ross Taylor, New Zealand’s best chance of matching their powerful hosts would appear to be in three Twenty20 internationals, which precede two Tests and three one-day internationals.

Led by Brendon McCullum, one of the world’s leading T20 batsmen, New Zealand will hope to match an experimental South African squad in the shortest form of the game.

Their chances in the Tests would seem to be minimal against South Africa, who claimed the world No 1 ranking by beating England in England earlier this year and then endorsed that status with an away win against Australia.

New Zealand’s hopes in the Tests are likely to depend on a handful of key

have victory in our mind set and we will be demonstrating a collective team effort to rise to the occasion,” he said.

Pak one day captain supported the idea of batting consultant of the team, the former captain, Inzamam ul Haq , to display aggressive cricket in the series.

“When ever Pak-India team plays aggressive cricket is witnessed and our bowlers as well as the batsmen will be under heavy load of responsibility to show case their talent in aggressive style of cricket to defy Indian side,” he said.

To a question, he said the final line for the matches will be named after reviewing pitch and playing conditions and if any player who performs to a higher level in the T20 matches can be also be considered for one day games.

He did not agree to a question that Pak team will be under pressure while playing India in the Indian backyard.

“Why to be feel under pressure, but one thing is obvious it is very important series between the two countries because when ever both teams plays emotions are involved and what is important for us is to remain focus in our batting, bowling and fielding to outshine Indian opposition,” he added.—APP

McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Not only will the New Zealanders have difficulty matching South Africa on the field, but they will also have to convince a sceptical local public that they are worthy opponents.

Jacques Faul, the acting chief executive of Cricket South Africa, took the unusual step of distancing the organisation from negative media comments about the quality of a New Zealand side ranked eighth in Test and T20 cricket and ninth in oneday internationals.

South Africa are first, fifth and second in the respective categories.

“It is fundamental at any level of sport to respect the opposition, regardless of the team they put in the field,” said Faul.

He pointed out that New Zealand had recently drawn a Test series in Sri Lanka, McCullum had hit a record T20 international score, and that New Zealand had a crop of talented young cricketers, especially among their fast

SYDNEY: Australia Women’s team with the Rose Bowl trophy after winning the 4th ODI against the New Zealand.

SGA to invite Champions golfers for Sindh Amateur

Pakistan’s tour of West Indies to be split LAHORE—Pakistan’s tour of tri-series against India and Sri a PCB official said. “We the West Indies in July 2013 Lanka during that time. To wanted long-term bonding

the clash with Paki- with India on reciprocal baK ARACHI —Sindh Golf As- is likely to be split into two avoid stan, the WICB had asked sis, and to extend our relaparts in order to accommosociation (SGA) as per its new policy will invite champions golfer from all the four provinces and Islamabad to feature in the Sindh Amateur competition, newly elected President Asad I.A.Khan said on Wednesday.

“We will bear their air travel expenses and provide them boarding and lodging for the event,” he said in an interview.

He expressed the hope that other provincial associations and Islamabad will reciprocate by inviting Champions from other provinces for their respective amateur events.

“SGA will be embarking upon a mission to work for the welfare of the under privileged golfers and caddies and provide all the golfing gears,” he said.

He said SGA will patronize all the talented golfer and extend them all facilities to nurture their talent.—APP

Pak-India to sign agreement of bilateral hockey series L AHORE—Pakistan and India will sign agreement of bilateral hockey test series here on December 29.

“Dr Narinder Batra, Secretary, Hockey India will be reaching here on December 29 and the signing ceremony will take place on the same day “,said a spokesman of PHF on Wednesday.

PHF and Hockey India will organise the series next year, he said.—APP

date the PCB’s plan of hosting India in August for a series that is yet to be confirmed. Pakistan were due to play two Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s in the Caribbean in June and July but now they will only play either Tests or limited-overs matches to create a window for India.

According to the FTP, West Indies are scheduled to host Pakistan from the last week in June to the last week in July but they also have a

the PCB if their Caribbean tour could be rescheduled to August. That, however, would interfere with the PCB’s hopes of hosting India, so Pakistan’s West Indies tour had to be split.

ESPNcricinfo understands that after the upcoming limited-over series in India starting on December 25, the PCB is hoping to invite India to play another series in Pakistan.

“The limited-over series isn’t [just] what we wanted,”

tionship we will invite India to play a series next year in August. We will find a way to at least keep the window open.”

Cricket ties between Pakistan and India were put on ice following the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai and the upcoming series will be the first in four years.

Pakistan had also sought a postponement of its scheduled tour of Zimbabwe later this month so that they can tour India.—APP

FICA offers to provide security and risk assessment service to Bangladeshi players for Pakistan tour BIPIN DANI OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT M UMBAI—The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) has offered to provide security and risk assessments service to the Bangladeshi players before their proposed tour of Pakistan.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has agreed in principle to send its team to Pakistan and become the first team to play international cricket there since an attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus nearly four years ago.

Speaking to exclusively to this scribe, Tim May, the FICA’s CEO said, “this is a matter for the player association in Bangladesh. (But)

as part of their membership of FICA – they are able to utilize security and risk assessments service of our independent security consultants Eastern Star International”.

“We are awaiting advice from the player association as to whether they want to avail themselves of this service”, he added.

Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh is a member of the FICA. “The players, who have been given option to tour have not yet approached us. Once the tour is confirmed they will be guided properly”, Debabrata Paul, the General Secretary of the association said from Dhaka.

The tour, if given go ahead, will consist of two matches to take place in

Lahore from January 12-13, one of which would be a 50over One-Day International game and the other a Twenty20 contest.

Interestingly, the original petition filed against the BCB is likely to come up for hearing in the High Court in the first week of January.

“The court is on vacation now and we still stand to our original stand and oppose the tour as we think Pakistan is still unsafe to hold matches. However, if the court gives clearance, we shall have no choice”, Hassan M. S. Azim, the advocate for two petitioners, Kamal Hossain Miazi and Khandiker Dider-us-Salam, said from Dhaka.

The BCB will be represented by Barrister Anisul Haque, it is learnt here.

LAHORE: Players of PAF and OCL polo teams struggling to get hold on the ball during the Bank of Punjab Open Polo Championship.

Regular aspirin use may boost risk of eye problem

T

AKING aspirin regularly appears to slightly raise the risk of the eye con dition known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD, new research suggests.

The increased risk only occurred with people who had taken aspirin regularly 10 years before they were diagnosed with the potentially blinding eye disease. They had taken aspirin at least twice a week for more than three months, says researcher Barbara E.K. Klein, MD, MPH. The risk was for the type of macular degeneration known as wet or neovascular AMD, says Klein, professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison.

Wet macular degeneration is generally more severe than another version, known as dry macular degeneration.

Although people taking aspirin regularly were two times more likely to get the condition, Klein says the absolute risk is still low because the condition is not common. About 1% of people aged mid-40s and older get wet macular degeneration, she says.Klein studied nearly 5,000 men and women, ages 43 and older. She followed them for 20 years, although not all of them stayed in the study that long.

The research is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Previous research findings about aspirin use

and macular degeneration risk have been mixed.

As aspirin use and macular degeneration are increasing, Klein decided to follow men and women over many years to see if she could find a link.

Nearly 20% of adults, or 1 in 5, take aspirin regularly.

Some use it for temporary relief of pain or fever. Others take it daily to prevent heart attacks.

The macula is a small area of the retina, the tissue lining the back of the eye, that is responsible for central vision.

Klein looked at wet (late) and dry (early) macular degeneration for the study. Both are potentially blinding conditions.

Over the course of the study, 512 people were diagnosed with early AMD and 117 with late AMD. Although regular use of aspirin 10 years before the diagnosis was linked with late macular degeneration, aspirin use five years before the diagnosis was not linked with an increased risk of either form of AMD. Klein can’t explain the link and says it requires more study. “The absolute risk of this is small,” she says.

“There are so many folks who have been put on aspirin for [heart disease] prevention. ... The [heart] protective effect is still primo.” One co-author, Ronald Klein, MD, MPH, has served as a consultant for Pfizer, which makes AMD medicine.

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik called on President Asif Ali Zardari. Chairman of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present.

CO Landhi reviews green belts, parks’ development work KARACHI–Chief Officer (CO) Landhi Town Abdul Rasheed Khan along with the officials concerned visited the green belts and parks in different areas of the town here on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, he said all out efforts are being made to ensure cleanliness and development works including green belts in the town.

He also inspected the plantation of coconut trees at 10000 Road in the Landhi town. He said the parks and green belts are being developed so as to provide healthy environment to the people.—APP

Funernal prayers of Constable Aurangzeb held KARACHI: A large number of lawyers seen during the annual elections of Karachi Bar on Wednesday.

Sindbad ready to rock Karachi once again KARACHI—Sindbad’s, a name many places where kids can en- All the machines and attractions in the amusement park industry that needs no introduction, is launching its new family entertainment center at Dolmen Mall Clifton. This is a new concept as all the attractions inside Sindbad will be operated by the swipe card system instead of coins.

Sindbad’s has always been famous for its entertaining games and rides catering to the entire family. The age group targeted is 0-18 and older with the introduction of a toddler play area for children under 5.The rides were designed with strict safety measures in mind.

“I believe there are not

joy to the fullest and especially given the current situation parents hesitate to take their kids out, so this place will act as a complete entertainment package for children of all ages’, said the COO of Sindbad.

The new Sindbad’s is well planned and made specifically according to the needs of the kids.The attraction to look forward to the most inside this new facility is a three storey playground with slides, tunnels, ball pools, ball shooters and trampolines. This is going to the largest indoor playground of its kind in Pakistan.

have been imported from various countries and meet stict quality compliance regulations.

The overall ambiance is very bright and eye catching with the theme of “underwater world” adopted in all aspects of design.

The launch of Sindbad is very soon as final touches are being made to the place. The COO said on the date of the event there is going to be a huge surprise for the people coming to Sindbad.

In this era of commercialization and a hectic lifestyle, the importance of entertainment cannot be undermined. —NNI

Christmas ceremony held at Governor House STAFF REPORTER KARACHI —A ceremony was held at the Governor House here on Wednesday in connection with the Christmas. A cake-cutting ceremony was also performed.

The representatives of the Christian community attended in a large number. People of other religions were also present on the occasion.

The Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan, extended Christmas and New Year’s greetings to the Christian community well in advance.

He said that the doors of the Governor House would remain open for the people from all faiths.

Dr. Ishrat was optimistic that

people of all religions would make concerted efforts with the spirit of amity and brotherhood for the progress and development of the country and the betterment of its people. He said that a wide majority of the people in the country is moderate.

The Governor said that a handful of extremists want to impose their thinking on the people so much so that the antipolio campaign is also being targeted.

He pointed out that the nation is united against extremism, terrorism and militancy and that the government and the people would frustrate the negative thinking.

Referring to inter-faith harmony, Dr. Ishrat said that during his visit to UK he also vis-

ited churches in Scotland, Belfast and London and there was a headway in fostering inter-faith harmony.

He said that we respect all the faiths and religions.

The Governor also pointed towards the services of the Christian community in the realms of health, education and social welfare in sindh province.

He said that in the province concrete steps have been taken for inter-faith harmony and that because of these the militants and terrorists were not able to cause any rift between various communities.

The representatives of the Christian community congratulated Dr. Ishrat on the completion of 10 years’ as KARACHI—Sindh MadressaGovernor of Sindh. tul-Islam University (SMIU) has announced the final list of 209 successful candidates who had appeared in the interview after clearing pre-entry test for admission in SMIU.

SMIU announces final admission list of successful candidates

K ARACHI — The ‘Namaz-iJanaza’ of Constable Aurangzeb Khan was held at the Police Headquarters Garden here on An official of the institution Wednesday. said here on Wednesday that these A police statement here said candidates have been selected for that the deceased had embraced admission in six departments, Shahadat in Karachi’s Orangi initially opened at the SMIU Town area. It said that the which are: Business Namaz-i-Janaza was attended Administration,Media Studies, among others by the Inspector Environmental Studies, General of Police (IGP), Sindh, Education, English and Computer Fayyaz Ahmed Leghari, AddiScience and also for B.ED. tional IG Karachi, Iqbal The list of successful Mahmood, AIG Traffic, Syed candidates has also been displayed Zakir Hussain, and other senior on SMIU’s website: officers. www.smiu.edu.pk. The SMIU The IGP said on the occaadministration on Wednesday announced that those successful sion that the police action candidates who have not yet against the terrorists and crimisubmitted their required academic nals would continue for the prodocuments and bank draft/pay tection of the lives and property order, must submit these up to of the people.

December 22.

On the occasion he also anIn case of failing, their nounced a sum of Rs. 2 million seat would be canceled and for the heirs of the deceased conwill be offered to the next canstable and pension to the widow didate on the waiting list. till the age of deceased’s retireThe classes of the first ment. A family member of the deceased would also be given KARACHI: Residents of Chishti Nagar and Gulistan-e-Jauhar stage a demonstra- batch of SMIU would commence from January next employment in the Police De- tion against police. year.—APP partment. —APP

WRAP’s fire safety training course held at PHMA House STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI — ‘WRAP’s Fire Safety Training Course’ held at PHMA House yesterday. Conducted by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), in collaboration with Accordia Global Compliance Group, this was the first time when an international training course addressing the crucial industrial needs of fire safety and risk assessment was organised in Pakistan by WRAP. Tailored to the specific risks and fire safety legislation in Pakistan, the course covered asKARACHI: Sindh Provincial Minister for Health Dr Saghir Ahmad Ansari addressing pects related with fire safety & protection, fire spread & coma press conference.

bustion, routine fire prevention measures, effective response during fire, risk assessment, coupled with workable models of evacuation, including fire drills and pre-planning etc. Offering ‘international expertise with local experience’, the course also focused on fire safety laws in Pakistan and conducted practical fire-fighting sessions well.

This international fire safety course also introduced an internationally-practiced ‘5 Steps Risk Assessment Process’.

Mr. Saifullah Khawaja, Director of WRAP’s Bangladesh Liaison Office, was the lead trainer in the course.

Police arrest 47 accused STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—The Karachi police in their ongoing drive against criminals, arrested 47 accused during the past 24 hours.

A police statement on Wednesday said that those arrested included 29 absconders and two proclaimed offenders.

It said that there were four encounters of the police with the alleged criminals during the period and that two gangs of alleged criminals were eliminated.

As many as 12 pistols and seven mobile phones were recovered from the possession of the accused, the police statement added. Police have registered cases.

153 doctors to receive certificates at AKU graduation ceremony STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—66 interns, 69 residents and 18 fellows will be awarded certificates for completing their postgraduate medical training, at Aga Khan University’s (AKU) 17th graduation ceremony for Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) on Wednesday, December 19. So far 2198 doctors have graduated from AKU’s various PGME programmes and have maintained a 100 per cent pass record at FCPS, MRCP, MRCOG, MRCGP, FRCS, MRCS and other membership examinations.

Presently, over 25 per cent of AKU’s clinical faculty com-

prises of its own PGME graduates, while around 60 per cent of the PGME graduates are practicing within Pakistan. The rest are working at various locations across the world in Australia, Europe, Far East, Middle East and North America.

The list of exceptional postgraduate doctors and specialists produced by the PGME programme at AKU is extensive.

Several names that stand out for their contribution to health care in Pakistan include Dr Farhat Abbas, Dean, AKU Medical College. He has been the first AKU PGME graduate to receive the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz from the President of Pakistan.

Genetically modified cells could replace pacemakers

I

F PACEMAKER cells go awry due to disease or age, the heart pumps irregu larly, at best. Patients whose pacemaker cells have failed, but who still remain healthy enough to undergo surgery often rely on electronic pacemakers to survive. However, such methods face problems because “electronic devices are limited to their finite battery life,” said researcher HeeCheol Cho, a cell biologist at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles.

Other complications may occur with the devices, including accidental movement away from where the pacemaker was implanted, breakage and entanglement of the electrical wires that are screwed into the heart muscle. Such problems “are not uncommon and could be catastrophic,” Cho told TechNewsDaily.

In addition, the devices generally cannot adjust when patients need to change their heart rates to walk faster or run. Moreover, cases of bacterial infection in these devices are rising. “All these problems could be solved by a biological pacemaker that is microscopic in scale and free from all hardware,” Cho said.

Previous efforts have also attempted to generate new pacemaker cells by genetically modifying heart muscle cells, but these modified cells still resembled muscle cells more than

pacemaker cells. Other researchers have tried to derive pacemaker cells from embryonic stem cells, which in principle can transform into any kind of cell in the body. However, these cells carry a persistent risk of becoming cancerous.

Now Cho and colleagues have developed a simple, new method to create genetically modified pacemaker cells that closely resemble naturally occurring ones. This form of gene therapy also appears free from the risk of cancer.

“This is the culmination of 10 years of work in our laboratory to build a biological pacemaker as an alternative to electronic pacing devices,” said researcher Eduardo Marbán, director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.

This new strategy uses viruses injected into heart muscle to deliver a single gene known as Tbx18. This gene plays a key role in embryonic pacemaker cell development.

In experiments with guinea pigs, Tbx18 could reprogram ordinary heart cells so that they became pacemaker cells.

“Although we and others have created primitive biological pacemakers before, this study is the first to show that a single gene can direct the conversion of heart muscle cells to genuine pacemaker cells,” Cho said.

MPAs demand bullet-proof vehicles STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Registering their protest against the Punjab government for giving a luxurious bullet proof vehicle to PML-N Senator Kamran Michael for his personal use, all the treasury and opposition members of the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday demanded a bullet proof luxurious vehicle for each member since their lives too were under the direct attacks of the terrorists.

This luxurious bullet proof vehicle was the same one which was once used by the then Punjab government’s Senior Minister of PPP Raja Riaz, now the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly. Responding to their demands, the law minister Rana Sanaullah said the Punjab government could provide a bullet proof vehicle conditionally and if any member received life threats, he or she could get a bullet proof vehicle by submitting a written application before the higher authority of the government in this regard.

Showing a sharp reaction at the law minister’s reply during the Assembly’s session, the members of the assembly launched a protest and said how the government could give a bullet proof vehicle to a person who was not the liability of the Punjab government.

MPA Saeed Akbar Nowani said his own house was hit by the terrorists and about 35 people died when a suicide bomber exploded. He said even then the Punjab government did not provide him bullet proof vehicle for his safety.

MPA Majida Zaidi said polio female workers were being targeted across the country and female MPAs had also received life threats so they should be given bullet proof vehicles too.

PU approves 18 synopses STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE: Leader of Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadis Prof Sajid Mir with his delegation meeting with Saudi Minister for Religious Affairs Al-Sheikh Saleh bin Abdul Aziz.

Shahbaz for developing Pakistan into donor nation SALIM AHMED LAHORE—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab government has utilized unprecedented funds for the development of education sector and equipping the youth with the latest knowledge. He said if Musharraf, his cronies and the present corrupt rulers of Islamabad had not plundered national wealth, much more funds would have been available for the promotion of education.

He said that young generation is a national asset and the nation has high hopes of it and it will have to transform Pakistan in accordance with the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. He said that no obstacle is too big if one is determined enough and the

youth through their hard work and talent will have to make Pakistan a donor country instead of a beggar country. He said that there is a need to make Zar Baba and Forty Thieves leave and rid the country of corruption for achieving the goal of progress and prosperity. He said that Punjab government has given cash prizes of 550 million rupees to position- holder students of the whole country during the last five years and has laid the foundation of an education revolution and now young generation will have to carry forward this mission.

He said that continuation of the policies is essential for the continuity of educational process of millions of children of the nation. He said that Punjab government of Pakistan Muslim League-N is mak-

ing strenuous efforts for service of the people and welfare of the masses.

He was addressing Toppers Convention-2012 at Alhamra Cultural Complex, here today. Provincial Ministers, Assembly Members, Vice Chancellors, heads of educational institutions, teachers, parents and a large number of boy and girl students were present. The function was also attended by position-holders of Azad Kashimr, GilgitBaltistan, Islamabad and all the four provinces.

Congratulating the position-holder students, their parents and teachers on their glorious success, the Chief Minister said that he was very happy to attend this function arranged for their encouragement. He also welcomed the talented students from other

L AHORE —A meeting of LAHORE: People enjoying nap during sunny day at Bagh-e-Jinnah.

Body formed to resolve traffic, other issues STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—The District Coordination Officer (DCO) Wednesday formed a threemember committee headed by an Assistant Commissioner to solve Parking, Traffic and Encroachment issues at Camera and Photo Goods Market.

The DCO Noorul Amin Mengal was talking to Chairman Anjuman-e-Tajiran Photo Goods Market and LCCI Executive Committee Member Nasir Saeed during a visit to the market along with a team of all concerned officers. Advisor to the Chief Minister on Trade Mohammad Ali Mian was also present on the occasion.

The Committee headed

by Assistant Commissioner

Saira Umer and comprising Chairman Chairman Anjuman-e-Tajiran Photo Goods Market Nasir Saeed, President of Chairman Anjuman-e-Tajiran Photo Goods Market Mian Zaheer and Secretary General Haji Rahat will meet on monthly basis to evaluate progress on Parking, Traffic and Encroachment issues.

The area businessmen informed the DCO that the fast increasing encroachments and non-availability of Parking site is causing undue damage to the business activities in the market that is one of the largest markets of photo goods in the country.

The DCO said that the all available resources would be utilized to ensure the smooth

running of businesses as the government believes in private sector growth.

He said that the government is also alive to the law and order situation and is making foolproof arrangements so the business community could be able to do business with peace of mind.

Earlier, Chairman Anjuman-e-Tajiran Photo Goods Market Nasir Saeed gave a detailed briefing to the DCO on the day-to-day issues being faced by the businessmen.

He appreciated the Chief Minister Punjab for his all out efforts aimed at turning the province a hub of business activities. He stressed the need for early provision of parking site for the market for the smooth flow of traffic.

Westernized lifestyle responsible for obesity MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —Almost 1 in 3 adults in Europe and the United States can currently be defined as clinically obese and those in the developing world are rapidly catching up as they increasingly adopt a ‘westernized’ life-style.

This was said by Prof. Dr. Martin Wabitsch from Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Ulm, Germany, while delivering a lecture on “Monogenic Forms of Hu-

man Obesity”, at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) here on Wednesday.

The lecture was arranged

by UHS Department of Allied Health Sciences’ head Dr. Saqib Mehmood. Prof. Martin said that obesity could be seen as a global pandemic.

“The consequences of this are not only the social and psychological effects of excessive weight, but also the significant morbidity and premature mortality associated with serious medical conditions that obesity predisposes to,

including diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and many forms of cancers”, he elaborated.

Prof. Martin further said that rapid industrialization and its economic consequences had led to the creation of an ‘obesogenic’ environment in which people had easy access to high caloric food and almost no compulsion to exercise. He said that scientific studies have now revealed that humans can become obese as a result of simple genetic defects.

Punjab University Advanced Studies and Research Board (AS&RB) was held under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran here on Wednesday which approved 18 synopses, 47 panel of examiners, 03 PhD extension cases and 05 miscellaneous cases.

Prof Dr Khawja Haris Rashid, Prof Dr Shoukat Ali, Prof Dr Muhammad Ehsan Malik, Prof Dr Mazhar Moeen, Prof Dr Mansoor Sarwar, Prof Dr M Zakria Zakar, Prof Dr Hafiz Mehmood Akhtar, Chairperson DPCC Prof Dr Shahida Hasnain, Controller Examinations Prof Dr Liaqat Ali, Additional Registrar Prof Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir and Registrar Prof Dr Khan Raas LAHORE: A skilled man preparing curtains at a roadside for poultry farm in the Masood attended the meeting. provincial capital.

Sufis always promote culture of tolerance MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —Punjab University Pakistan Study Center (PSC) organized a seminar on Chisti Sufis and the culture of books at its seminar hall.

Prof Dr. Sajida Alvi, eminent scholar and professor of Islamic Studies at McGill University, Canada was the keynote speakers while PSC Director Prof Dr Mussarrat Abid, Dr. Prof. Dr. Sabir Alvi of Toronto University, Canada, former chairman of PU History Department Prof.

Ali Abbas, faculty members and students from various institutions were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sajida Alvi said that knowledge was not a monopoly of the privileged one. She said the Sufi wore simple clothes, possessed no worldly wealth, but promoted the culture of books.

She said that they authored books, bought books, even if they had to borrow money to purchase the books and they usually had a huge collection of the books.

The speaker highlighted the emphasis of the character building of the followers.

She also spoke on revitalization of the Chishti order in the eighteenth century in Punjab, with special reference to the influence of Mawalana Fakhr al-Din (one of the most popular of the Chishtia saints) on Nur Muhammad Maharawi, saint of Chishtiya order in 18th century. Throwing light on Chishtiya order, she said that the order was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami (“the Syrian”) who taught Sufism in the town of Chisht, some 95 miles east of Herat in presentday western Afghanistan.

“The Chishti Order is primarily followed in Afghanistan and South Asia. It was the

first of the four main Sufi orders (Chishti, Qadiriyya, Suhrawardiyya and Naqshbandi) to be established in this region.

Moinuddin Chishti introduced the Chishti Order in Lahore (Punjab) and Ajmer (Rajasthan), sometime in the middle of the 12th century AD,” she said. She mentioned that after Fariduddin Ganjshakar, the Chishti order split into two branches. She said that first Nazamuddin Auliya, this branch became the Chishti-Mazami branch.

She said that second branch was named by Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari and the branch became Chishti-Sabri branch.

She said that Khawaja Noor Muhammad Moharawi after reaching Delhi joined the Madrassah of Ghazi uddin Khan, Delhi and spent 18 years over there. She said that Khawaja Moharawi would use Punjabi language in Majalis. She said that Durri

language was also used by saints, which was translated by their Khalifahs.

She also discussed about Muhammad Sulayman Tawnsawi who remained Khalifah of Moharawi for sixty years.

She traced the importance of books in a Sufi Khanaqah in Punjab. Addressing the seminar, Prof. Dr. Massarrat Abid introduced the latest publication by Dr Sajida Alvi titled ‘Perspectives on Mughal India: Rulers, Historians, Ulama and Sufis’.

She urged the need of promoting book culture in the society in present day Pakistan. While concluding the session, Prof. Ali Abbas underlined the need of following the Sufi teachings of character formation and book culture to ameliorate the present society of Pakistan. A question-answer session was also held at the end of the lecture.

provinces. He said that Punjab government has introduced revolutionary reforms in education sector during the last five years which are leaving a positive impact on education sector. He said that instead of offering assistance, the federal government opposed Punjab government’s educational programme but it is still being continued. He said that 125000 laptops were distributed among talented students on the basis of merit last year and this programme is continuing.

He expressed the hope that among the recipients of laptops more than ten thousand IT experts will emerge who will play their role for ensuring a prominent place for Pakistan among developed nations and Pakistan will also become ‘Silicon Valley’ someday. He said that Punjab government is distributing free of cost solar lamps among boy and girl students at a cost of Rs.4.5 billion to enable them continue their studies despite power outages.

He said that distribution of 2.5 lakh solar lamps among boy and girl students is a slap in the face of federal government which has pushed the nation into darkness.

The Chief Minister further said that dictator Musharraf and his disciple former chief minister Ch. Pervaiz Elahi mercilessly looted national resources in the name of development projects.

He said that two billion rupees were wasted on the construction of a palatial Chief Minister’s House at 8Club Road where bulletproof glass costing Rs.12 crore was fixed. He said that he has not even entered into this majestic Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Moreover, he said, he stopped the construction of a luxurious complex for ministers costing Rs.65 crore. He said that former chief minister started a project at the rear of Punjab Assembly with a sum of Rs.2.5 billion while wasted national resources on the projects of Thokar Niaz Beg flyover and Lahore–Kasur Road and instead of completing these projects, misappropriated billions of rupees.