e-Paper April 25, 2013

Brussels talks

US wants Afghan, Pak tensions ease BRUSSELS—Afghan President was in “a critical transforma- Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Hamid Karzai met Pakistan’s army chief and the foreign secretary in talks on Wednesday hosted by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry aimed at easing tension between the neighbours before the end of NATO’s Afghanistan combat mission.

Kerry is hosting the talks in Brussels involving Karzai and Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani and Foreign Secretary Jalil Jilani, with the aim of calming tensions over border disputes and the stalled peace process.

Kerry told reporters at the BRUSSELS: US Secretary of State John Kerry laughs as Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan Army Chief Gen start of the meeting at the residence of the US ambassador to Ashfaq Parvez Kayani shake hands after he made a statement after a meeting on Wednesday.

NATO on the outskirts of the Belgian capital that Afghanistan

BB murder case

Musharraf’s bail petition dismissed

PPP, PML-N did nothing in their tenures: Imran

L AHORE —PTI chief Imran Khan has said that tested parties bench of the Lahore High are unable to bring about a Court’s Rawalpindi registry change in the country. dismissed the bail petition He was addressing a joining submitted by former military ceremony of 67 former Nazims ruler Gen (retd) Pervez in Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf.

Musharraf in the Benazir Addressing a press conferBhutto murder case. The bail ence held in a local hotel in was dismissed on the grounds Lahore ‚ the leaders of the jointhat Musharraf’s counsel did ing group termed Imran Khan as not pursue the case on bail plea. a great leader of the country‚ who Federal Investigation is striving to build a new PakiAgency (FIA)’s Prosecutor stan. They said that they are joinChaudhry Zulfiqar said that ing the PTI willingly and withfollowing the cancellation of out any pressure and they were his bail petition, Musharraf motivated and inspired by the slocould be arrested any time now. gan of change. They were of the The bench had resumed the view that the next prime minister would be Imran Khan.

Continued on Page 6 The PTI chairman Imran Khan was also present on the

RAWALPINDI—A division

Election office attack

MQM observes mourning day KARACHI—Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Wednesday observed mourning day across Sindh over the attack on its election office in Buffer Zone area killing four people and injuring 30 others.

It should be mentioned that the strike call was given by MQM’s Coordination Committee on Tuesday, in protest over the killing of the activists in the bombing.

The trades activities and transport remained suspended against the terrorist activities in the metropolis.

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China asks India to pull back from E Ladakh NEW DELHI—China has asked the Indian Army to destroy certain fortified positions in the disputed territory in eastern Ladakh in return for the PLA removing its temporary camp in Depsang valley, now at the centre of a military face-off.

Indian Defence sources said a flag meeting on Tuesday, the second since April 15, failed after the Chinese side made its demand. The Indian side was not willing to make a commitment, and that led to an impasse, the sources said.

The sources said that Indian fortifications that have come up recently in eastern Ladakh are in an area different from the one where the current

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Delhi mulls to join Iran-Pak gas project

occasion. Addressing the new en- number time‚ but‚ unfortunately trants‚ the PTI chairman wel- they did nothing for the bettercomed their joining and hoped ment and prosperity of the people during the past twenty seven years. He said that PPP and PML (N) had not enforced local bodies system and destroyed the national institutions.

He said that “there are plenty of resources in Pakistan and we don’t need to borrow money from other countries.”

He said that the economic development cannot be possible unless the powers are transferred upto the grass root level.

He said that development work is not the actual job of MNA and MPAs‚ rather their job that their joining would make the is legislation and the responsibilparty stronger. He said that both ity of development project goes PPP and PML(N) were elected a to the local bodies.—NNI

Altaf asks people to take MQM polls campaign in their hands STAFF REPORTER

TEHRAN—Iran Oil Ministry KARACHI—The Founder and spokesman has said that New Delhi is in talks with Tehran to join the multi-billion-dollar pipeline which Iran is building to export natural gas to the neighboring Pakistan.

“Since India has been motivated by Pakistan’s seriousness in building the [Iran-Pakistan] `peace pipeline’‚ New Delhi is negotiating to join the project‚” spokesman of Iranian oil ministry Alireza Nikzad-Rahbar has been quoted as saying by Meher News Agency Wednesday.

The Iranian official added that there has been considerable progress in the Iran-Pakistan (IP) pipeline‚ with Iranian contractors

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Leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain appealed to the people to take the MQM’s election campaign in their hands and spread its message door-to-door. He said this while speaking at a condolence meeting held in London on Wednesday.

Condemning the deadly bomb blast at the MQM’s election office at Peoples Chowrangi in North Nazimabad area, he offered his deep sense of grief and sorrow on the killing and injuring of MQM workers and sympathizers and offered condolences with the bereaved family members. He was overcome by grief and his voice gave way

while speaking about the MQM martyrs.

He said that the forces inimical to the MQM were targeting were targeting innocent MQM workers in order to keep it away from the election process. The persistent killings of the MQM workers for the past ten days brought back the memories of Qasba-Aligarh tragedy of 1986 and the operation clean-up of Jun 19, 1992.

He said that unconstitutional, undemocratic, and illegal were taken against the MQM in order to restrict it from launching a massive election campaign.

Addressing the haq parast people, MQM leaders, workers and sympathizers, he said that his courage and determination

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Khoso visits Karachi today

ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso is rushing to Karachi today (Thursday).

The untoward developments in Karachi especially the decision of Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) to close down its electoral offices in the city have turned the maiden visit of the prime minister exceptionally significant.

Interestingly Prime Minister Khoso had earlier scheduled to undertake visit to Karachi thrice but on every occasion it was called off at the eleventh hour. He is succeeding in visiting Karachi after more than a month of acquiring his office.

The Public Relations department of the PM House has confirmed the schedule of Prime Minister Khoso for Karachi as his personal staff including per-

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124 dead in BD building collapse DHAKA—At least 124 people have been killed and over 600 others injured in an incident where an eight-story building collapsed in the Bangladeshi (BD) capital, Dhaka.

The number of deaths at the Rana Plaza is expected to rise.

“Many people are feared dead,” said the director of the fire department, Zehadul Islam.

The Rana Plaza located in the Savar district on the outskirts of Dhaka, housed garment factories and a shopping center.

Reports say that only the ground floor of the building has remained intact. Fire service and army rescue workers are at the scene, trying to pull out trapped

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CEC asked to take note of vilification campaign against President: Babar IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar urged the CEC to take note of the vilification campaign against the President and issue directions to all to desist from it in the interest of free and fair elections.

In a letter addressed to the CEC which he personally delivered in the office of ECP he said “The President is severely handicapped because out of deference to the Court observations he can-

not react to these accusations by employing befitting political jargon”. Direct personal criticism of the President during the campaign while the President was unable to respond to them is denying level playing field to the Party that is contesting elections using the slogans and images of Shaheed Bhuttos, the letter said.

The spokesperson wrote that “I wish to bring to your attention the vilification campaign set in motion by the leadership of some political parties particularly the PML-N against the person of

President Asif Ali Zardari and its adverse impact on free and fair elections and the need to urgently redress the issue.”

He further stated in his letter that the President of Pakistan was the head of the state representing the unity of the Republic. Article 41 of the Constitution states: “There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of the State and shall represent the unity of the Republic”.

During hearing in the dual office case in the Lahore High Court recently the Honourable

court had made observations against the Head of the State involving in any partisan political activity.

Babar stated in the letter further that as a result a statement was made before the court that the President dissociated himself from political affairs of the Party.

The President also restrained himself from participating in activities and holding meetings that could be seen as partisan political in nature. This response of the President was also appre-

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tional period”. “(I am) very, very pleased the president could travel, General Kayani and Secretary Jilani could take the time to be here,” he said.

“We are very, very hopeful for a productive series of discussions.”

Karzai called it an important meeting and said he was glad Kayani and Jilani had found the time to travel to Brussels.

“Let’s hope forward for the best,” he told reporters. Jilani called it a very important meeting, adding: “We are looking forward to a very productive and forward-looking discussion.”

The talks come after a day after a gathering of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels at which NATO Secretary General

Pakistan must crack down on militants who use the country as a sanctuary to launch attacks in Afghanistan.

The meeting follows weeks of tension with Pakistan over their 2,600-km border and stalled peace efforts.

U.S. officials hope that Kerry, who has a good relationship with Karzai, can bring the parties back to the negotiating table and make constructive progress on an issue that has long-term security implications for Washington.

Rasmussen held talks with Karzai at NATO headquarters on Tuesday which he said focused on the legal framework for

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Bomb explosions in Balochistan, KP, Sindh; 23 injured QUETTA/PESHAWAR/SWAT— At least 23 people including women and children were injured in a series of bomb blasts in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday.

The blasts taking place in Quetta, Peshawar, Swat, D.I.Khan and Jacobabad created scare among the people as the militants have apparently become more active to derail the election campaign.

According to sources, a blast occurred near a private hospital in Quetta where the bomb was planted on a bicycle which was detonated using a remote control.

According to preliminary investigation, at least two kilograms of explosives were used in the blast. Thirteen people including two children were injured in the blast that took place in Satellite Town, Quetta.

In another blast near police station, two policemen were in-

jured. Later, police shifted the in- six people were killed and more jured to the Civil Hospital where than 45 others were injured in a the condition of two wounded powerful explosion in Nichari

QUETTA: An injured person being shifted to civil hospital after bomb blast near a private hospital in Satellite Town. was reported as critical. road area of Quetta.

Moreover, police and FronThe banned Lashkar-itier Corps (FC) cordoned off the Jhangvi (LJ) claimed responsibilarea and started their investiga- ity for the car bomb attack. A tion. Earlier, on Tuesday, at least Continued on Page 6

Final list issued

Election campaign picks up, PPP still slackens LIAQAT TOOR I SLAMABAD —The election campaign has picked up in the country with the issuing of final list of candidates by the Election Commission.

PML-N and PTI are in full gear as their leaders including Sharif brothers and Imran Khan are leading the campaign by addressing public meetings daily in different parts of the world while

PML-N to support voting rights for overseas Pakistanis: Nawaz LAHORE—PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday called for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s order for giving voting rights to overseas Pakistanis.

“Overseas Pakistanis, who send billions of dollars in remittances each year, are our major asset,” the former PM told a delegation of overseas Pakistanis.

He said that after coming to power, the PML-N government would promote business-friendly policies and provide safe environment for investment by overContinued on Page 6

PPP is still slackened and failed to hold a big public rally so far.

Though the parties had issued tickets to their candidates, the campaign was lack luster as final list of candidates was awaited. As the situation has cleared now, the reports pouring in from different parts of the country suggested that campaign has gained momentum. JUI-F, Functional Muslim League and regional parties in Balochistan

are also perked up their push but ANP and MQM are facing shocks of terror strikes which have slowed down their drive.

These important elections have also witnessed latest technology being employed by PTI and PML-N and partially by PPP in attracting the voters. Face book, twitter, blogs and SMS messages are being extensively used. Recorded speeches of the

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Dual nationality case

Contempt notices issued to Zardari, Ashraf I SLAMABAD —The Supreme and Senator Rehman Malik.

Court of Pakistan Wednesday issued contempt of court notices to President Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Raja Pervez Ashraf for not implementing its orders pertaining to dual nationality case. A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, will hear the case on Thursday.

Notices were also issued to Senate Chairman Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Fakhruddin G., Attorney General Irfan Qadir

Mehmood Akhtar, the petitioner, had filed separate petitions pleading the court to indict the said dignitaries over reappointing former interior minister Rehman Malik as senator.

Last month, the court had inquired from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) about the reasons for not disqualifying the dual-nation lawmakers and asked as to why were criminal cases not proceeded against the former members of provincial and national assemblies, when they had submitted their resignations.—INP

Malaria knocking at alarming stage, warns expert HYDERABAD—Director Malaria Control Sindh, Naheed Jamali Wednesday said that effective measures are required to contol malaria which is now knocking at an alarming stage. He said this while talking to this scribe in connection with the World Malaria Day, to be observed in Hyderabad on Thursday like other parts of the world. She said that Malaria Eradication Programme was started in Pakistan in 1961 and in the Province of Sindh during 1963. During eradication period due to support of foreign aid, she informed that cent percent houses were sprayed throughout the country.

She said that programme was later renamed as “Malaria Control Programme” in 1976.In control area, she informed that spray was restricted only to positive localities with more stress upon detection and treatment of cases. The Programme was integrated with General Health Services in Sindh Province in 1978, she said and added that the programme revitalisation started under global initiative of Roll Back Malaria in Sindh Province in 2002.

In order to reduce the number of Malaria cases by 50 percent by the year 2015 (Base line 2002) it was aimed to keep Plasmodium falciparum less than 40 per-

cent of all Malaria infections, early diagnosis and prompt treatment, multiple prevention, epidemic preparedness, behavioral change communication, partnership building, monitoring, evaluation and surveillance. About malaria related research, Naheed informed that 150 new Microscopy Centres have been established in various districts.The number of these centres have thus been increased from 280 to 430 and trained Microscopists/ Malaria Supervisors have been posted and provided with new Microscopes.

Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) has also been conducted and 25,06,385 rooms sprayed during last three

years, besides fumigation and 44,276 litres insecticide consumed during the peak season as well as flood and rain. Larviciding was also conducted to the extent of 2,337 Kg Fenthion Granules consumed in positive pits, she said and added that 45,000 Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets were distributed among pregnant women, children and more than 0.2 million were distributed during the flood/ rains.

Naheed informed that six weeks training of 20 Malaria Supervisors in Junior Course of malariology is being conducted at National Institute of Health, Lahore. Besides, six weeks Microscopy Training is also given to 15 Microscopist at Lahore,

she added. She said that 50 Malaria Supervisors have been trained in new technology of IRS and Fogging at Karachi. BT Larvicidal dunks study is performed in districts Sukkur and Jamshoro to check the efficacy at the larval stage of Anophles Stephensi, she said.

She further informed that Data Quality Assurance was carried out by GFATM in District Dadu, Khairpur and Tharparkar in the month of November 2011 and was graded A+.A Control Room has also been established which is working round the clock at Directorate of Malaria Control Programme Hyderabad to collect data of malaria cases from all rain affected districts and dissemi-

nate it to higher authorities on daily basis.

RDT Combo Kits were provided to all districts in huge quantity for early diagnosis and prompt treatment in rain affected areas where microscopy facility was not available, she said and added that treatment was provided to all positive cases on the spot. Larviciding was carried out at stagnant water by Fenthion two percent Granules, using Mobil Oil, she said and informed that indoor residual spray was also carried out

by Malaria Supervisors in Schools/ Relief Camps and in 100 houses around the Dengue affected patient’s house.—APP

Steps for politicians’ security not enough I SLAMABAD—Jamiat Ulema is more critical but still they Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) strongly condemned the recent attacks on different political parties and blamed the previous coalition government for the current deteriorating law and order situation. Talking to APP, spokesman of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Jan Achakzai said the recent attacks in Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar and D.I.Khan were reaction to bad policies of the previous regime.

He said the steps taken by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for the security of candidates were not enough.

He expressed hope that elections would be held on time, but if delayed, the delay would be long. The law and order situation in Afghanistan

were going for elections, he added. The spokesman said the delay in elections would be in favour of the forces who could not see democracy strengthening in the country.

He said the party’s election campaign was at peak and JUI-F was contesting the elections with full strength.

The party had strong position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) where it was hopeful to win 66 seats of Provincial Assembly and 27-28 of National Assembly, Achakzai added. He said the party position in Pakhtun areas of Balochistan province was also satisfactory as it spent 17 billion out of 25 billion budget in those areas during its government.—APP

Mukhtar and N-League are one: Elahi OUR CORRESPONDENT G UJRAT —Pakistan Muslim League senior central leader

and candidate from NA-105 Gujrat Ch Pervaiz Elahi has said that Ahmad Mukhtar and N-League are one but

with blessings of Almighty Allah and support of the people they would defeat the ‘enemies of Gujrat’ as “we had undertaken record development work during our five-year government in Punjab which were more than done previously in 55 years and now, Insha-Allah, if got the opportunity we will pick up thread from there and do much more works.”

Elahi said that on the NA seat, Ahmad Mukhtar is his opponent whereas on both Provincial Assembly seats NLeague is being supported and as such Ahmad Mukhtar and N-League are together contesting elections against him adding “enemies of Gujrat have joined hands against me but Insha-Allah they will be

defeated”. He said he would construct Gujrat-SialkotLahore Motorway for the people of Gujrat and two uni-

versities and an industrial estate will also be established there. He asked the people to sink their petty differences

and support him for honour and prestige of Gujrat as the opponents neither have any love for them nor for Gujrat, they come after taking lessons from Nawaz Sharif and in his language make false promises to the people.

The meeting at Jheeranwali was also addressed by N-League candidate from PP-110 Pir Syed Waqar Gillani who had withdrawn in favour of Moonis Elahi and joined PML-Q. He said that in whole of the area there is no better suited personality than Ch Pervaiz Elahi and as such his community has unanimously decided that they would vote for Ch Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi and ensure their victory in the elections with big majority.

District admin to remain impartial during elections BASHIR AHMAD RAHMANI parent elections. He directed unidentified accused for caus- brother Shafqat Ali, his wife PESHAWAR: A man collecting hailballs from a road as intense hailstorms and rain gripped Provincial Capital. the district administration to ing serious burns to Kousar Bashiran Bibi and Fayyaz HAFIZABAD—The Commis- remain impartial and the care- Perveen. The Chief Minister Ahmad who had sprinkled petrol on her and set her ablaze following quarrel of victim Kousar Perveen with Bashiran Bibi. Kousar Perveen is struggling for life with over fifty percent burns on her body in a Lahore hospital. ***** On persistent complaints that agents sitting around the Passport Office Hafizabad were fleecing the applicants, the city police raided the premises and arrested Haji Nasrullah and five others but later set them on liberty after giving them warning. ***** PASSCO would start supply of empty sacks through balloting to the growers at six Token Centres in Tehsil Hafizabad and three in Pindi Bhattian from Thursday, under the supervision of District Administration. The DCO Muhammad Zafar Iqbal visited Token Centre Jalalpur Bhattian to review the arrangements regarding the supply of sacks to the growers and issued direction to the concerned officers to ensure transparent balloting and warned that no nepotism and corruption would be tolerated.

The PASSCO would start procurement of 16,31,000 bags PESHAWAR: Chief Minister of KP Justice (Retd) Tariq Pervez with delegations of Bar of wheat from 19 procurement centres from May 1. associations from different districts.

sioner Gujranwala Division Tariq Najeeb Najmi on Wednesday visited Hafizabad to review the polling arrangements being made in the district. He also visited Control Room set up by the local administration.

The DCO Hafizabad briefed him about the details for holding free, fair and trans-

taker government would not compromise on this issue. ***** The Kaleke Police have arrested Shafqat Ali, his wife Bashiran Bibi and Fayyaz Ahmad on the charge of allegedly setting ablaze Kousar Perveen of Channi Jamke village. On Tuesday the police had registered a case against

of the Punjab Najam Siethi had taken strong exception to the incident and had ordered the police to resolve the mystery surrounding the cause of burning the woman when her husband Muhammad Qasim was away from the house.

According to Kaleke police, it has resolved the mystery and has arrested Qasim’s

Tribal leader joins PTI

PESHAWAR—A former candidate and influential tribal leader from NA-46 Khyber Agency, Haji Mian Gul along with supporters announced joining Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) after reposing confidence in its chairman Imran Khan.

He announced this decision in the presence of president PTI, Khyber Agency, Mohammad Iqbal Afridi during a press conference here at Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Wednesday.—APP

CM calls report of acid throwing

Land dispute claims two lives

OUR CORRESPONDENT

T ALAGANG —Two persons

M ULTAN —Punjab

Chief Minister Najam Sethi has taken notice of acid throwing incident in Naurangabad, on the outskirts of Multan on Wednesday. He has sought report of this brutal incident from RPO, Multan. Accused Altaf Baloch has been arrested by the police.

Dozens of people, mostly

women, are disfigured every year by one of the most brutal forms of domestic violence in a country where women are often treated as second-class citizens. Most of the incidents of acid throwing are taking place in southern Punjab.

More than 150 acid attack cases have been reported in the past twelve months despite passage of a new law by Parliament.

Plan to cut power outages underway OUR CORRESPONDENT S A H I WA L —Commissioner Sahiwal Division Muhammad Abdullah Khan Sumbal has said that Punjab government is aware of the severe energy crisis and has chalked out comprehensive plan to minimize its impact on common man. Chairing divisional load management committee meeting at his office, he urged people to conserve energy and use it judicially so that load shedding could be minimized.

All government offices will switch off half of its lights besides complete ban on use of air conditioners before 11 AM. Moreover all marriage halls will be closed by 10 PM and hotels, restaurants and other eateries by 11 PM. The meeting was also attended by RPO Sahabzada Muhammad Shahzad Sultan, DCOs, DPOs and representatives of chamber and trade bodies. He directed that all proposed measures should be implemented with letter and spirit and strict action should be taken against

violators.

RPO Sahabzada Muhammad Shahzad Sultan criticised the lame duck attitude of Wapda authorities and urged that complaints should be addressed promptly. Chamber President Ch. Muhammad Hussain Zahid said that Wapda should announce load shedding schedule to facilitate industrialists and traders. The Commissioner stressed complete coordination between traders and Wapda authorities to avert any unpleasant situation due to power outages.

SHAFFAAT MALIK were killed in a clash over land dispute in Murali, a village near Talagang on Wednesday.

Misri Khan, 55, and Shafique Ahmed, 22, died on the spot due to firing. Police party from Talagang rushed to the disturbed area and lodged a double murder case against the suspects but no arrests had been made so far. ***** Candidate forum on the theme of “Awam Hum Awaz, Pur Aman Intikhabat” was held at TMA Hall Talagang.

This forum was organized by FAFEN (Free and FairElection Network) and PAIMAN Team Talagang. All thirteen candidates of NA-61 were invited to give their manifesto to the people for upcoming election.

Sardar Mansoor Hayat Tamman from PTI who have won this constituency for three times, Commander (r) Malik Ayub from Awami Worker Party, the only lady independent candidate of NA61 Maqsooda Begum and Qazi Amir independent candidate were present at that moment.

Tough election contest in Multan district predicted SHER MUHAMMAD KHAN and Qureshi families repre- union councils. The con- of this electoral circle is tough competition is exsented the party here during stituency was redesigned 4,27,253. Javed Hashmi had pected

between

Rana

M ULTAN —The politics of the era of Z A Bhutto. They before the 2002 general elec- won in 2008 as PML– Nman Mahmood ul Hassan (PML– Multan district is beset with local rivalries. The PPP once had a vote bank here but in recent times the PML–N has come to dominate the district. Multan city and district headquarters consist of three million population and 52 union councils and at least 1.5 million registered voters, according to the Election Commission statistics.

A good number of people from Multan district are settled abroad, especially in the United Kingdom.

Multan is considered very important geographical part of South Punjab.

Multan was considered a PPP fortress when Gillani

have traditionally been opposed by the Makhdoom Javed Hashmi family and his relatives. Now, an alliance between former federal minister Sikandar Hayyat Bosan and former ticket holder Shahzad Maqbool Bhutta of the PML– N has come into existence in opposition to former Prime Minister Sayed Yousaf Raza Gillani’s sons Abdul Qadir Gillani and Ali Musa Gillani.

The PPP has decided to field Gillani’s sons and the son of former senator late Malik Salahuddin Dogar ’s son Malik Amir Dogar PPP candidate for NA–149.

NA–148 comprises Multan urbanized and rural

tions and included most parts of the former NA–148 from where Shah Mahmood Qureshi had won. A very tough competition is expected between Shah Mahmood Qureshi (PTI), Ali Musa Gillani (PPP), and Abdul Ghaffar Dogar (PML– N). Shah Mahmood Qureshi had won in 2008, as a PPP man and secured 83,184 votes against Makhdoom Javed Hashmi. In 2010 byuelections Ali Musa Gillani has won as PPP candidate against Malik Abdul Ghaffar Dogar.

NA–149 electoral circle comprises 23 union councils. The registered voters

and secured 70,864 votes against Malik Salauddin Dogar (late). In 2010 byeelections Shiekh Tariq Rasheed had won as PML– N candidate against Malik Liaqat Dogar. A very tough competition is expected in this circle between Malik Amir Dogar (PPP), Sheikh Tariq Rasheed (PML–N), Makhdoom Javed Hashmi (PTI) and Liaqat Baloch (JI).

In NA–150 the registered voters are 3,99,93. Rana Mahmood ul Hassan had won in 2008 as PML–N man and secured 57,774 votes against Mian Fazal Mukhtar of PML–Q. Here a very

N) and Nafees Ansari (PPP).

NA–151 is very important electoral circle of the Multan District. The registered voters of this constituency are 3,51,092 according to the election commission statistics.

Sayed Yousaf Raza Gillani had won in 2008 as PPP man and secured 77,664 votes against Sikandar Hayyat Bosan. In 2010 byeelections, Abdul Qadir Gillani defeated Shokat Hayyat Bosan, brother of Sikandar Bosan. Now 2013 Now a very tough competition expected between Sikandar Hayyat Bosan and LARKANA: Police officials viewing the damaged gas pipeline after bomb blast by unAbdul Qadir Gillani. known miscreants near Talabani Village.

SEA implementation before hydropower projects stressed ATIQ UL AMIN KHAN

Quality education assurance Staff Reporter

P E S H AWA R —The

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Education and Information, Mossarat Qadeem has said that government would extend its all out support to educational institutions who are engaged in promotion of quality education Talking to a delegation of Private Schools Management Association (PSMA) here Wednesday, she said that private sector educational institutions were playing significant role in spreading of quality education. Secretary Elementary Education, Humayun Khan and Director Rafique Khattak were also present on the occasion. Members of the delegation apprised the minister about the problems of the private sector educational institutions in detail and demanded special grant-in-aid for the financial support. Mossarat said that keeping in view the importance of education in existing setup maximum investment is needed to impart quality education to our youth. She urged the members of the delegation to understand the hardships of the parents as they were the main stakeholders. The minister said that focus of the government is to equip our students with modern and contemporary education with an objective to prepare them for meeting the challenges of current world adding that the education loving people should assist the endeavors of government.

Four former KP CMs in polls race Staff Reporter

P ESHAWA R —With only 17 days left before general elections, four former chief ministers of Khyber Pakthunkhwa have accelerated their elections campaigns to secure a berth in the provincial legislature with main focus to reoccupy their past positions as chief executives of the province. Former Chief Ministers including PML-N Central leader Sardar Mehtab Khan, JUI-F central leader Akram Khan Durrani, Central leader of Awami National Party, Amir Haider Khan Hoti and Provincial President of PML-N Pir Sabir Shah are in the run for general election 2013 from their respective home districts for provincial as well as national assembly seats.

Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao who ruled the province twice as Chief Executive 1988 and 1993 is contesting for NA constituency from his home district Charsadda leaving the provincial seat to his son Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao.

Luckily, the nomination papers of all politicians have been accepted. The political observers believe that position of all former Chief Ministers to win election are bright keeping in view their past track record of development work and strong roots among the masses. Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, and Pir Sabir Shah have never lost elections against the provincial seats.

Whereas Ameer Haider Khan Hoti started his political career from 2008 elections and made a debut in the provincial assembly and rose to the prestigious office of Chief Executive owing to ANP’s majority in the house of 124. Akram Khan Durrani ruled the province for five years 2002-2007 in MMA government.

NIM team visits Faisalabad FAISALABAD—A 20-member team of the officers of 15th Mid-Career Management Course of National Institute of Management (NIM) Karachi visited here on Wednesday and attended a briefing session in Commissioner’s Office. Divisional Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmad Anjum welcomed the officers and apprised them of the geographical aspects of Faisalabad division. He informed the administrative set up and socio-economic profile of the area. He said that Faisalabad as a textile hub of Pakistan is contributing major share to export of textile production. Highlighting the literacy rate in the four districts of the division, the Commissioner said that education sector had been focused for strengthening the infrastructure to promote education and chain of public schools had been established to impart the students with quality education. The Commissioner informed that young entrepreneurs in industrial sector had established Faisalabad Development Trust (FDT) on the motivation of then Commissioner Tahir Hussain and contributing a lot to welfare projects. He said that huge funds had been donated by the FDT for the beautification and face lifting of general bus stand besides developing the green belt of Jhang Road upto Faisalabad Airport. The students of Agriculture University Faisalabad.—APP

Exams re-scheduled H Y D E R A B A D —On the directives of Vice Chancellor University of Sindh (SU) Jamshoro Prof. Dr. Nazir A. Mughal, the semester examinations of the University have been re-scheduled and will now commence from May 16 at Allama I.I. Kazi Campus, Jamshoro and the classes will continue until then as usual. The Vice Chancellor made this decision while chairing a meeting which was attended among others by Registrar Muhammad Nawaz Narejo, Pro-Vice Chancellors Dr. Anwar Ali Shah G. Syed, Dr Imdad Ali Ismaili, Campus Coordinator Badin Dr. Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro, Dr. Sarfaraz Hussain Solangi, Dr. Basir Arain, Dr. Noor Afroz Khwaja, Dr. Abida Taherani, Prof. Khalid Noor, Controller Semester Examinations Muhammad Ali Roshan Pathan, Controller Annual Examinations Dr. Naeem Tariq Narejo, Dr Abdullah Dayo, Dr. Noor Muhammad Jamali, Dr. Asad Shaikh and Dr. Aslam Parvez Memon. The meeting unanimously decided that the date of semester examinations of Allama I.I Kazi campus which is fixed as May 16 will not apply to the other campuses of the University including Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta, Bhitshah and others. These campuses have been given free hand to take the examinations on their own schedules.—APP

MIRPUR—Experts from various nation-building institutions besides environmentalists at a workshop here have strongly emphasized the adoption and observance of the prime principle of Strategic Environmental Assessment before launching of the development projects of Hydropower generation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “Requisite legislation for making the exercise of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) before launching the study for construction of the Hydro Power projects in letter

and spirit is primarily the need for implementation of the SEA in letter and spirit”, the experts suggested at the day long workshop hosted by the Enviromental Protection Agency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir with the coordination of Islamabad-based Embassy of Netherland.

Highlighting the salient features of the workshop – seasoned facilitator and the Environmental Expert from Neitherland Dr. David Annandale said that it was aimed at to raise awareness among the participants of the importance of the values of applying of SEA to

the hydropower planning in AJK, deciding on the structure of the AJK Hydropower SEA work and commenting on a terms of reference for a SEA study. “The event is also aimed at to provide an opportunity for the participants to discuss and share ideas for ensuring complete protection to the natural environment during the course of the execution of development projects like those in hydropower sector in AJK”, he pointed out.

Earlier in their addresses of welcome, Director Environmental Projection

Agency, AJK Dr. Muhammad Aurangzeb and Mirpur Divisional Director Sardar Idrees Mehmood revealed that the National Impact Assessment Program (NIAP) was being implemented in various parts of Pakistan and AJK jointly by the Planning Commission and Ministry of Climate Change of the government of Pakistan, all the provincial governments as well as AJK and Gilgit / Baltistan governments, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Environmental Protection Agencies, to contribute to sustainable development in Pakistan through

strengthening of Environmental Impact Assessment process and introducing Strategic Environmental Assessment.

They pointed out that the Environmental Impact Assessment has become a legal requirement in Pakistan for over two decades. “However, the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is somewhat new to the country”, they disclosed and added that the SEA, with broader scope, aims to integrate environmental consideration into decision-making at policy, plan and program levels”.

Election candidate escapes blasts STAFF REPORTER P E S H AWA R —Two

blasts rocked the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while an election candidate remained safe in the incident. Two explosives planted alongside the road, located in Kalachi area, went off.

The bombs apparently targeted candidate Israr Khan and his guard. In yet another incident in the Sirki Gate area of the province, a suspicious blast near a house injured four people. The incident caused damage to several houses.

Scattered rain likely across country I SLAMABAD —Pakistan Me- Lahore 36 C, Karachi 35, teorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday forecast scattered rain and thundershower with gusty winds for Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, isolated places of Upper and Central Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir.

The met office also indicated chances of rain and thundershower for Quetta, Zhob and isolated places of Southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 hours.

According to the synoptic situation, an upper air westerly trough is prevailing over Iran and adjoining areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan and likely to persist during the next 24 hours. A low pressure lies over North-West Balochistan and its adjoining areas and is likely to persist HYDERABAD: Road seen deserted in the city during observance of mourning which was announced by MQM after for the next hours.

The maximum temperakilling of two party workers in a blast on election camp. tures recorded during the last 24 hours were Islamabad 30 C,

DEO Siraj lauded for promoting education

GUL HAMAAD FAROOQI at their homes without per- ers said that Siraj Muhammad marks in log book during vis-

forming their duty but Siraj Khan introduced monthly test iting these religious schools.

Muhammad khan made them punctual but re- ate teachers performance and thanked people of Chitral for covered a huge amount as students interest in their paying him due respect and salary from those defaulters’ study as well as he regular- hailing his services. teachers. ized financial and budgetary He stressed upon the The speakers said that system in education depart- education officer and teachSiraj Muhammad Khan is a ment. ers to continue his mission honest, hardworking and He adjusted 997 primary of quality education at Chitral dedicated education officer school teachers in different and must declare Chitral as a who bound all teachers to primary schools without fol- model district in education. perform their duty with hon- lowing any pressure of politi- The programme was orgaesty. He introduced cash prize cians. They said that two nized by all teachers coordiincentive for best teachers as government educational nation council. Those who a result a large number of schools (religious Madrasa) spoke on the occasion inteachers were motivated to at Chitral and Drosh have cluded Ziauddin, acting printeach their students with great been working since 1952 but cipal of GCMHS, Muhammad enthusiasm. Traditional gifts no education officer had vis- Ashraf, president All primary of Chitrali cloak and cap were ited these the Madaras. Hence Teachers Association, Mulvi also presented to outgoing Siraj Muhammad Khan is the Muhammad Yousuf, education officer. The speak- only officer who noted his re- Noorullah, Hafizuddin, Iftikharuddin, Sultan Mahmood, Prof Ubaidur Rehman and other teachers.

A large number of teachers, social workers participated in farewell party.

CHITRAL—A farewell party Muhammad Khan not only at each school so as to evalu- Siraj was held in honour of outgoing district education officer Chitral Haji Siraj Muhammad Khan. A simple but prompt function was held at Government Centennial Model High school Hall Chitral. Addressing on the occasion the speakers paid rich tribute to Siraj Muhammad Khan for bringing revolutionary changes in education system of Chitral.

They said that he has been transferred out from Chitral but people of the valley will remember him for ever. They said that earlier so many teachers used to get salary

Political heavyweights flex muscles for NA-35 Malakand STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—The candidates of mainstream political parties have accelerated their election campaign for NA-35 Malakand District by holding public and corner meetings in different areas of the constituency to inform masses about their programs and party manifesto. The election campaign is gaining momentum in the constituency comprising Dargai and Batkhela tehsils as the polling day draws nearer. The constituency home to two provincial seats PK-98 and PK-99.

The candidates have started corner meetings with local and influential people and party workers to muster maximum support in their favor. Big banners and portraits of party leaders had been installed at all the important routes to attract voters’ atten-

tion while flags of different parties are hoisting atop houses of the party workers.

Tough contest is expected between former Federal Minister and veteran PPP leader Lal Muhammad Khan, Jamaat-eIslami leader former MNA Bakhtair Maani, Haji Fida of PML-N, Muhammad Ibrar of QWP and Junaid Akbar of PTI while ANP had awarded party ticket to noted Pushto poet, Rehmat Shah Sayl.

Political observers opined that every candidate at the moment stand almost fiftyfifty chances to win the constituency, however, effective elections campaigning by leadership of the political parties and party’s election manifesto will make significant impact on overall results on May 11. The PPPP, PMLN and MMA had won the constituency in the past. However, the PPPP has larger vote bank in

Peshawar 28, Quetta 19 C, Skardu 24, Murree 19 C, Muzzafarabad 28, Gilgit Baltistan 28 C, Faisalabad 35 C, Multan 34 C and Hyderabad 36 C. The highest maximum temperatures recorded during

the last 24 hours was Chor, Dadu 39 C, Badin and Shaheed Benazirabad 38 C. The rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours was Turbat 21 mm, Kalam 20 mm, Khuzdar 19, Parachinar 17 mm, Mirkhani 10 mm, Quetta, Chitral 9 mm, Malamjabba 7 mm, Darosh, Pattan 6 mm, Dir, Pasni 5 mm, Saidu Shareef, Dadu and Bannu 4 mm.—APP

Foolproof polling day security plan finalised SYED ADNAN NOOR JHANG —District Police Officer Zeeshan Asghar has assured foolproof security during the polling on May 11.

During a special briefing on the election duty, he said that no male would be allowed in the women polling stations while police officials could only enter in case of an emergency. He ordered the security officials to strictly implement the ECP Code of Conduct. He directed the SDPOs, SHOs and subordinate staffers to prepare lists of criminals before the polling day.

He also ordered the officials to repair the vehicles and weapons. He directed the officials to stock teargas

shells and other equipment required to deal with a mob.

Zeeshan Asghar said that police officials would be deployed at entry and exit points of the district, while all the voters would be frisked outside the polling stations. The DPO ordered the Special Branch to extend cooperation to sensitive agencies.

He warned that stern action would be taken against the cops using mobile phone on the premises of polling stations. He said no politician would be allowed to keep private security without permission and those who want to have private guards should get them registered with the police station concerned.

the constituency as the previous elections results bears testimony to this fact.

Malakand District called ‘Mini Larkana’ was swept by the PPPP in 2008 elections by winning the lone NA and two provincial constituencies.

The slain PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto Shaheed like her father had given much importance to this constituency as she addressed the election rally in the constituency in 1988 and 1993. This time, PPPP has again awarded party ticket to old stalwart Lal Muhammad Khan who has great influence in his constituency. Lal Khan remained loyal to the PPPP since his joining the politics in early seventies. In 2002 elections, Maulana Inayatur Rehman of MMA had won the seat by bagging 37,663 votes KOHAT: A worker sorting ballot boxes at the office of Election Commission of Pakistan, while Lal Muhammad Khan of ahead of the May 11election day. the PPPP stood runner up with 17538 votes.

3 injured in landmine blast

Dr Murad wins research grant

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TIMERGARA—Dr Murad Ali, Assistant Professor, University of Malakand has won a highly competitive research grant under the Pakistan Strategy Support Programme, said a press release.

The programme, funded by the USAID and implemented by the International Food Policy Research Institute with the support of the Planning Commission, Govt. of Pakistan, aims at fostering innovation within the academic and policy-oriented research communities of Pakistan.

Focusing on four broad themes comprising quality governance, vibrant markets, creative cities and youth and community, the call for these competitive grants was announced in

T IMERGARA—Three people

FAISALABAD: Firework display by a political party during its election campaign.

including a child were injured when a landmine exploded outside a house at Sadbar Kalay in the jurisdiction of Samar Bagh police station on Wednesday, police and residents told this reporter. They said the landmine was planted outside the house of an Afghan refugee, Mir Ajbar. The device went off with a big bang spreading panic in the area, sources said.

Three people identified as Gul Khan, Wakil Khan and a child Matiullah were injured while a wall of the house damaged. One of the injured, Wakil Khan lost his leg in the incident who was admitted to the district headquarters hospital, Timergara. According to locals the Afghan refugee Mir Ajbar had a dispute with his countrymen.

M HALEEM ASAD

July 2012 and over 200 applications were received from Pakistani as well as international scholars from UK and US universities, the release said. In an award giving ceremony held at Islamabad, Dr Murad Ali was given certificate of award by Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque, deputy chairman planning commission and Jock Conly, USAID Pakistan Mission Director.

Focusing on district Swat, the research project of Dr Murad will examine the effectiveness of foreignfunded development initiatives following the 2009 militants’ insurgency and the 2010 floods. The research aims at exploring what role foreign assistance played in the rehabilitation of the affected population and how aid can be made more effective in poverty alleviation.

Perception of Musharraf being victimised

MEDIA WATCH

Egypt’s judicial row

W

HEN former President Pervez Musharraf returned to Pakistan on his own initiative and rather against the advice of many of his well-wishers, his conscience was clear that he had done nothing wrong for Pakistan and was prepared to face all the odds. That showed his confidence and conviction in State institutions and expectations from the people of Pakistan on the basis of his ten-year rule.

However there were many cases of all sorts pending against him and some more could be opened. But on his return, the way the proceedings started gives an impression to the neutral people that he is being victimized. Commentators and analysts are interpreting the body language and remarks of some of the judges in their own way and these have become a subject of criticism. The way the former Army Chief and President is being dragged from one to another court has also started evoking sympathy for him. Above all his lawyer Ahmad Raza Kasuri with tears in his eyes appealed for allowing him to go to Dubai to see his 95-year old mother who was seriously ill. Despite election hype in the country whenever General Musharraf appears in the courts, he gets maximum coverage in the print and electronic media. He is not just getting attention of Pakistani media but all the proceedings against him are being closely and keenly noted by the diplomatic corps in Islamabad and commented in the international media. What is worrisome is the trend that some among the blackcoats, who apparently do not have any cases at their hands, gather outside the court premises and chant indecent language to gain cheap publicity. The clash between a group of lawyers and supporters of the former President in Rawalpindi reflects that sympathy wave for General Musharraf was on the rise. One thing is certain that Musharraf case is bound to have serious repercussions. Therefore in our view the cases against him should be handled on merit and extra care, as after all he is former Army Chief and President of this country.

Caretaker PM too focuses on his constituency I

T is not unusual for any Minister or chief executive of the country to pay attention to the problems of his area but it is the lopsided focus that causes heart burning and creates feelings of utter discrimination and favourtism. And we are sorry to point out that even Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, who is in PM House just for a limited period and a specific purpose, has been swayed away by the same tendency.

Direction of the Caretaker Prime Minister to the Establishment Division on Tuesday to widely publicize on priority basis recruitment against vacancies available in the Federal Government on Balochistan quota is understandable and would be appreciated by all concerned as there are expectations that the process of recruitment under the interim set up would be comparatively more transparent and merit-based than it would have been during a political Government. This is despite the fact that total neutrality and fairness of the present set up is also questionable and one example to doubt its impartiality is recent undue promotion of the son of the Prime Minister. But hopefully, somewhat merit would be maintained and the process may help address the so-called sense of deprivation in Balochistan and might also be helpful in tackling the menace of violence through provision of job to the youth. But this is not the only instance as Khoso has been holding meetings more on Balochistan than the original mandate of the caretaker Government i.e. holding of the elections in a transparent and peaceful atmosphere.

It is because of his diversion of attention that the caretaker Government has so far been unable to create peaceful conditions for elections and hardly a day passes when there is no tragic incident in this or that part of the country. This approach of Khoso is no different from Yusuf Raza Gilanni for whom Pakistan meant Multan where he spent over Rs 45 billions and Raja Pervez Ashraf who diverted huge funds to his own constituency in Gujar Khan. This culture of showering money in native areas at the cost of other neglected sectors and regions is highly lamentable and it is particularly regrettable that such an approach should be followed by a Prime Minister who is a retired judge.

Energy conservation is a way out A

CCORDING to a report appearing in this newspaper, WAPDA has proposed phenomenal 165% increase in its tariff while central power purchase agency has demanded a hike of Rs. 2.20 per unit under the fuel adjustment mechanism. The proposal comes in the backdrop of rising gap between demand and supply of electricity and even the existing power plants have been forced to run on less than fifty percent capacity due to non-supply of fuel and liquidity crunch.

The load-shedding has increased to over 18 hours in urban areas while there is almost total blackout in rural areas and as a consequence businesses are shutting down and industry is crippled. The loss of production necessarily means loss of exports and this would cause more foreign exchange problems for the country. As end of energy crisis is not in sight in short or medium terms, one must pay heed to the call of Shahzada Ahsan Ashraf Sheikh, Federal Minister for Industries and Production who has urged industrial units to use energy efficient methods of production.

This would, indeed, be saner course as energy efficient methods of production would help reduce the cost of production and conserve the energy. Latest machines, plants and equipment are mostly energy efficient and it would be as worthwhile to replace the existing machinery based on obsolete technology as to make investment in exploration of new resources of energy. Energy conservation requires a coordinated effort by the Government, the private sector and of course, general public. Like replacement of ordinary bulb with energy savers, we can save much by opting for energy efficiency electrical and electronic equipment, solar solutions for homes, streetlights, parts and lighting.

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Rising election fever sive force was employed against the militants after PPPcoalition had Asif Haroon Raja MQM-ANP taken over power in March Email: asifharoon7751@yahoo.com 2008. Large-scale Army operations were launched in Swat, Buner, Dir, Shangla, ay 11, 2013 has been an Dara Adam Khel and all tribal agennounced as polling day. cies to control menace of terrorism.

Scrutiny of nominations It led to displacement of millions of papers has been completed and sub- people from war ravaged regions. The mission of appeals to election tribu- last government was also suspected nals and their decisions ended on of permitting CIA to employ drones 16th. Final list has been issued on in FATA freely. Acceleration of drone 19th election campaign will reach war gave rise to militancy and heightfeverish pitch. Notwithstanding the ened antagonism against USA and the eagerness of the candidates and vot- government. The TTP which doesn’t ers, security environment are not believe in Pakistan’s constitution, deconducive for holding smooth, fair mocracy and elections and advocates its brand of Sharia, is now trying to and free elections.

Besides security concerns and settle scores with liberal parties, fears that elections will be bloody, which it considers as anti-Islamists there is growing skepticism over the and hand-in-glove with USA. It has impartiality of caretakers and Elec- actualized its plan to disrupt election tion Commission (EC). Questions campaign by targeting contestants of asked by the Returning Officers to the three secular parties. Terrorist acts ascertain whether the candidates ful- have been stepped up particularly in fill the requirements of Articles 62 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), an afand 63 have generated a heated debate. The main objection is that fo- filiate of al-Qaeda and TTP, with its cus should have been on financial main base in Jhang is targeting Shias impropriety rather than on testing outside Punjab, which has given a candidate’s knowledge of Islam. handle to other political parties to laSeculars are in ugly mood and are ment that PML-N has a secret allidemanding scrapping of Gen Zia ance with LeJ and Ahle-Sunnat Wal invented Articles in the constitution, Jamaat. Although of late PML-N has not realizing that these were duly distanced itself from banned religious approved by the outgoing parliament groups, it cannot be denied that powhile introducing 18th Amendment. lice and crime investigative system Every political party, whether in Punjab being more stringent and status quo loving or change seeking, effective than other provinces conis claiming that it will bring about a stricted the space for terrorists.

Altaf Hussain has been raising revolutionary change if voted to power. None has the magic wand or alarm bells about arrival of Taliban credible roadmap to overcome com- in Karachi. After the target killing of plex problems and yet it claims that two candidates of MQM in it would be able to clear the huge Hyderabad and Karachi and its acmess left behind by the last govern- tivists, the MQM has decided to curment in quick time and make Paki- tail holding of public meetings and stan an Asian tiger or a welfare state. to instead carryout door-to-door canAmong the contesting political par- vassing. ANP is however the chief ties, three liberal parties PPP, MQM target of TTP, which had authorized and ANP are feeling more insecure repeated Army operations in KPK because of threats hurled by Tehrik- and PATA and had all along remained e-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP). Exces- in combative mood to crush mili-

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tancy. Maximum numbers of ANP activists and leaders including Bashir Ahmad Bilour have been gunned down by TTP. Even after ANP leadership decided to tone down its aggressiveness and to hold peace talks with TTP, the latter has not relented.

Since March 31, 2013, five ANP contestants have been targeted. Latest suicide attack on ANP public meeting in Peshawar took place on April 16 in which eight activists got killed and 50 including Ghulam Ahmad Bilour received injuries. Hamstrung ANP deprived of security cover was left with no choice but to prefer doorto-door canvassing over public meetings . ANP leadership has blamed caretakers and EC for failing to provide security. Governed by similar fear psychos, the PPP is also constrained to keep its trump card Bilawal Bhutto restrained.

Gen Musharraf who has recently barged into the political arena is also a prime target of TTP as well as the Baloch militants. Demand for his trial and prosecution under Article 6 for subverting constitution is growing louder. He is also blamed for Lal Masjid carnage, getting Nawab Akbar Bugti murdered and having a hand in murder of Benazir Bhutto. His spirits have soured after rejection of his nomination papers and cancelation of his bail and declaring his Chak Shehzad farmhouse as subjail.

Akhtar Mengal has returned and has announced that his BNP will contest elections provided security situation in Balochistan is favorable. PML-N has offered seat adjustments to BNP. So far Mengal is unhappy with the existing situation and holds the military responsible for it. In case he takes part in elections, he along with Hasil Bizenjo can help in emasculating the power of separatists or inducing them to come down from the mountains.

Leaders of all separatist groups other than BLF are absconders.

Funded by foreign powers, they are leading a luxurious life abroad. Their continued absence is causing heartburns to Baloch fighters stuck in the

mountains. It has also led to intensification of inter-tribal Baloch rivalry and cropping up of several armed groups in western Balochistan where hold of Sardars is minimal. These groups are confronting anti-state groups supported by foreign agencies. It is being alleged that our security forces and agencies are backing up armed groups and are also involved in missing person’s racket. Supreme Court is relentlessly pursuing missing person’s cases and is pushing the FC to recover them. Akhtar Mengal is among the complainants and talks of death squads and mutilated bodies left along the roadside. In case he finds the atmosphere uncongenial and pulls out of elections due to security concerns, it will be sad. BLF led by Dr Allah Nazar which is most dangerous and more active in western Balochistan including Khuzdar, has got miffed over Akhtar Mengal’s decision to participate in elections.

Nazar sees it as a setback to Baloch separatist agenda and has vowed to target BNP members. BLA, BRA and RAW agents are trying to disrupt elections in Balochistan.

Among the contesting parties that are feeling less threatened from militant groups are PML-N, PTI, JI and JUI-F, all favoring dialogue with TTP and opposing use of force and drones. Till October 30, 2012 mammoth rally held by PTI at Lahore, PML-N was taking Imran Khan for granted, but now it sees him as a formidable opponent in Punjab where the main battle will be fought.

Although Imran has successfully galvanized the urban youth and will capture seats from all provinces, PML-N with its allies is in a good position to form coalition governments in the Centre, Punjab and Balochistan, and also gain sizable number of seats in KPK and Sindh.

While PPP and PML-Q will become irrelevant, there will be reduction in vote bank of MQM. —The writer is a freelance columnist and defence analyst.

Army and elections security Muhammad Ali Ehsan Email:muhammadaliehsan1@hotmail.com

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revent army encroachment in politics is a lesson that the na tion has learnt after paying a huge price in its short history. As the military rulers changed so did our national interests and with them our security strategies which were twisted and turned to serve these military defined national interests. Having come so close to the elections one wonders can the follies and mistakes of past committed by our uniform wearing Presidents leading a compliant military be eradicated without paying a cost?

General Kayani ‘urges all political parties in Balochistan to participate in the upcoming elections’. He even welcomes “all inclusive elections” in the province and in doing so once again emphasizes the military formula and understanding of how to combat the rising insecurity challenges in the country. Not through the use of force and deployment of the army but through an all inclusive democratic system that provides good governance.

Critics all over the world have accused Pakistan Military for lack of intent and action to confront the growing extremism in the country.

‘Talibanization of Karachi’ being termed as the latest consequence of its persistent procrastination.

Army’s strategy to fight militancy

and extremism in the society is bounded by ‘military exclusion’ as its important feature. Endorsed recently by the caretaker cabinet’s decision that army troops would not be deployed at polling stations and only kept as standby at all district headquarters as a ‘quick response force’. A change from an earlier position taken by the election commission that army will be deployed on all sensitive polling stations. Whatever be the final decision it is hoped that the army will come forward and ensure it contributes to the smooth conduct of elections putting up able security arrangements against all security threats.

What worries and concerns the army is the institutional provocation that might result if the soldiers deployed on polling duties are targeted by the militants. This certainly is a situation that the army and the State would both wish to avoid. But is this not a defeatist consideration?

Knowing that militants have already demonstrated their capability to target the second best security forces like the Rangers in Karachi. Would you still wish to put up your second best defense against a threat that is real and beyond the capability of any other security service to control? To put it simply It’s a clear case of overstating the cost and understating the benefits.

Army cannot afford to abandon its security commitments to the State. Nothing is more important today than planning and executing the deployment of army on at least the most sensitive polling stations.

This will not only prevent the militants and anti-state elements from executing their evil designs but will also encourage the people to come out of their homes and vote.

‘Balancing the threat’ is part of military doctrines taught, practiced and war gammed extensively in army. Why should it than not be mind boggling to know that the army is content with ‘soft balancing’ this threat that not only has the potential

Army must recognize that the loss of human lives is the most mattered cost that the nation pays for army’s doctrine of military exclusion.

The problem of militancy and extremism in the society is a problem that is the creation of the military rulers. of ruining the complete election process but also damaging the already tinted status of the army as the sole guarantor and protector of the security of the State.

By avoiding confronting growing militancy in the society army only allows the militants to move from strength to strength. It is not the job of the army to facilitate the rise of militancy and extremism in

the society. The ‘continued militant over stretch’ in our society can be held back and blocked. For this the army must recognize that the loss of human lives is the most mattered cost that the nation pays for army’s doctrine of military exclusion. The problem of militancy and extremism in the society is a problem that is the creation of the military rulers. It thus makes it a military problem and one important component of its solution is military solution possible only through military deployment and operations.

The Supreme Court orders of elimination of all no go areas in Karachi within a week in the recent past also speaks of how only good hopes and wishes are guiding our institutions to seek solutions to state security concerns. The police and rangers do not have the capability to partially fix let alone entirely eliminate the no go areas and that too in a week’s time. At times one is inclined to think that the best that all pillars of our State can do is seek public approval and sympathy only through a barrage of public friendly statements hooted out by the media. But when it comes to action they all fall short of meeting their responsibilities. Ideally to bring about change they should work together through cooperation and collective action. Possible only if their understanding of national interests converges and not diverges - this it seems is not the case.

—The writer is a retd officer from Pak Army, doing PhD in civilmilitary relations from Karachi University.

he Muslim Brotherhood’s simmering feud with the ju diciary is exploding. The resignation of Egypt’s Justice Minister Ahmed Mekky under duress speaks of the uneasiness that is prevailing in the corridors of power in Cairo. The judicial fraternity and the elected dispensation have been at odds for long, with the former blamed for being pro-yester-regime. Thus the demands of cleansing the judiciary of people linked with ousted president Hosni Mubarak and the powerful military have now unfortunately taken an ugly turn with scuffles and protests becoming the order of the day.

Several people were killed in the last many weeks and pro-government supporters and the opposition fought itched battles in the capital city. The Brotherhood activists say that justice has not been done and accuse the government for failing to hold officials accountable for alleged crimes carried out during the Mubarak years. Similarly, they blame the judiciary for plotting against the parliamentarians as the courts had suspended the first elected parliament, and called off another vote to elect a subsequent assembly.

The fact that President Mohammed Mursi’s supporters are vehemently taking to the streets and bent upon coercing the judiciary tantamount to serious political crisis. Furthermore, the government too wants to seize the opportunity and has thus come up with another controversial bill, which envisages the lowering of the retirement age of the judges — a measure that would mean the forced retirement of some 3,000 judges. Such an act would empower the executive in a draconian manner, and create more problems among the organs of the state. The army and the courts take an exception to the stated policies of the government, and had fell out with the Mursi administration over the broadening of its executive arm.

What will be their reaction to the proposed legislation meant to curtail tenure of the judges is not difficult to guess.

The evolving situation is too precarious to be left to the wind.

Something serious and out of box is what Egypt’s divisive political scenario needs at this point of time.

President Mursi has to go back to his policy of reconciliation and take along the judiciary and the army — and try to broker a thaw. Egypt has seen too much of violence and vandalism, and this trend has to come to a stop. The government would be better advised to allow the judiciary the due space to operate, and desist from influencing the courts under any pretext. The proposed rules of business are contrary to the spirit of judicial independence.

— Khaleej Times

*****

Reading is important today

T

he 23rd Abu Dhabi Interna tional Book Fair opened the other day at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The annual fair, held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, aims to develop the book and publishing industry and promote reading in the Arab World.

Encouraging reading is especially important today, considering that coming generations will increasingly be exposed to an internet-based culture, where videos, pictures and 140-word text messages will be the dominant form of communication. While modern information technology is a wonderful thing, it cannot compare to the experience of reading a book. Encouraging everyone to read books is a great way to connect current generations to the history and traditions of not only their own culture, but also to that of the world around them. It is also one of the best ways to develop a politically, economically and socially aware and educated society. — Gulf News

A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.

Chinese proverb

Human trafficking Malik M Ashraf Email: ashpak10@gmail.com

T

oday remittances of Pakistani expatriates hover around US$ 13-14 billion which accounts for almost 7 per cent of the GDP and nearly 60% of the total tax revenue generated in Pakistan. Thus foreign remittances apart from being the mainstay of the Pakistan economy are also subsidizing the social security net in the country. It is estimated that almost 60,0000 Pakistanis go abroad every year for employment through Recruiting and Employment agencies licensed by the government and the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) established in the public sector in 1976.

That is of course the brighter facade of the phenomenon of economic migration. There is another side to it, a much darker and the most painful aspect of the lure and craze for seeking jobs abroad. Presently there are 1500 recruiting agencies in the country, mostly owned and patronized by the elite, politicians and bureaucrats. The job seekers going

through them are almost swindled by them. Although these agencies are supposed to get commission from employers on every individual supplied by them, yet they charge exorbitant amounts from the selected persons. The poor souls have to sell their valuables and whatever possession that they have to meet their demands. Then they are fleeced by having to pay for visa because of the visa box system in vogue and almost every worker has to pay Rs.50,000 for that.

The most sordid fall out and collateral social tragedy of the phenomenon of economic migration is the emergence of the most detestable pursuit of human trafficking. The fraudsters and unscrupulous elements within the society have destroyed many families by taking huge sums of money for facilitating their potential bread earners to go to European and other countries and vanishing with the accumulated money.

In certain cases the job seekers had to meet tragic deaths while undertaking sojourn to the foreign lands through illegal means including sneaking through borders or

traveling by boats which have met horrible accidents. In cases where they have managed to reach their destinations, most of them have had to bear the brunt of the law and are in jails for entering the country illegally. More than ten thousand are languishing in jails in Middle Eastern and European countries. Nearly ten thousand Pakistanis are in Germany as asylum seekers. Majority of them were smuggled into the country through former Soviet Union and Poland by the human traffickers. The ordeal and agony they went through during their journeys would fill volumes of harrowing stories. I gained first hand knowledge about it while posted in Pakistan Embassy in Berlin. Some of them are there for nearly a decade to the chagrin and grief of the families back home. Besides the sufferings of the victims, the problem also brings bad name to the country.

Unfortunately no effective measures have been taken to tackle the illegal practices of the employment promoters and human traffickers.

The successive governments showed criminal apathy to the plight of the poor masses and even the

media has not given much attention to this subject. I am of the considered view that this issue can be effectively tackled through educating the masses about the perils of relying on the unscrupulous and unauthorized elements for seeking jobs abroad, through concerted efforts at the official level through media. The media itself needs to highlight the issue by giving it due attention.

On the administrative side, the government must cancel the licences of all the employment promoters in the private sector and entrust the responsibility of sending Pakistani workers to the international job markets to Overseas Employment Corporation. It should have the monopoly in this regard like it has been doing exclusively in case of export of manpower to Korea since 2008. If the Pakistani expatriates are bringing valuable foreign exchange for the country, it is also obligatory on the state and government to protect the wouldbe job seekers from the clutches of the elements who are exploiting the circumstances to their advantage at the expense of the poor people.

Nuisance of unemployment Usman Ali Khan Email: usmanalikhan6@gmail.com

L

ife is what you make of it. It is a mixed bag of disappoint ments and surprises. Everyone has a reason to hang on to life to achieve what he desires for. Unfortunately, to some life is not easy.

Rather, it’s not a bed of roses. I personally know many of the university graduates who are still without jobs, struggling to achieve something in their lives. This makes me wonder whether they will succeed or rather ill find one or not? What would you do if destiny twisted the road you took? What if it threw you to a place you did not want to go?

Would you fight, would you run or would you accept?

Although some of my friends have been able to find one but they themselves are not sure whether they should celebrate their first job or regret on the money and time their parents spent on their education. But I think they should, feel happy as there are numbers of graduates who have specialized but, are either unemployed or have consented to work for much lesser salaries for what they did not wished or desired for. One out of every 10

people in the country is unemployed. The unemployment rate has further increased to 6.5%, showing signs of a crisis-plagued and slowing economy. The unemployment increased from 6% to 6.5% according to the latest labour force survey report 2012-2013. Also there was no real improvement in the living standards of the people in rural areas.

All persons aged above ten who work at least one hour per week were defined as employed persons regardless of whether they were paid employees or self-employed.

Due to the slow economic growth rate, youth unemployment and underemployment has risen sharply during the last few years.

The supply-demand of job market has been upset, with a major increase in supply and negligible increase in demand. So there is a need to develop better and well paid work opportunities to stop this steadily growing unemployment rate that is depriving graduates off their hopes.

The environment we are living in is not what we desire. But without realizing our own responsibility one cannot hope for a change we people wish for. Now we all are hoping for a change in coming election in 2013 but the question still arises that can it be fulfilled in its

true essence? Though, the steps taken are positive sign of improvement of a society and the structure of the government but still nobody is giving its clear vision about how to end all this that is breaching the roots of our country. Change is not a thing that happens over the night.

It is not just about focusing on one thing and leaving the others but everything needs to be improved from top to lower order. One needs to come up with a clear vision. The problems we need to focus on are energy crisis, economic meltdown, unemployment, drone attacks, and poverty. So, the countries problems cannot be reduced by going to general election and electing a new government. It is also the responsibility of masses to use their vote in a positive and right manner.

Unemployment is recognized as the mother of all ills. This rising unemployment and underemployment is creating problems for our society. We are the cause of drowning our young generation into darkness as an educated man had to resort to the extreme step self-immolation because he could not find a job for himself. It is also giving rise to social and psychological problems like frustration, depression, food insecurity, and crime rate etc therefore youth’s ac-

tivities and energies should be directed in a useful channel for the nation’s prosperity. So, unemployment needs to be kept as a top priority for policymakers and economic agents to control this rising ill. This requires a paradigm shift in policies for the prosperity and economic development of our country.

Unemployment is one of the major burning issues of a country.

This ever increasing unemployment paints a dark or bleak picture of the youth’s future. Given the importance of tapping or utilizing the capabilities of young generation, there is a need to immediately address the rising ill of unemployment. A much greater effort is required to improve the unemployment situation in view of the catastrophic development that has taken place in the past few years.

Solution to this problem is to wriggle the new generation out of the sense of deprivation. A well thought-out policy and political will is required. In the end most important of all is to check corruption and nepotism in our country and the constitutional obligation of the government needs to make plans to solve this problem as it is the need of the hour.

—The writer works for IPRI.

Views From Abroad

At home with Pervez Musharraf Sadanand Dhume

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ervez Musharraf’s recent legal setbacks are Pakistan’s gain.

Since Saturday, the country’s former military leader has found himself confined by police to a bedroom in his farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad. He faces charges ranging from complicity in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007 to wrongful dismissal of judges in the waning days of his unpopular rule, which stretched from 1999 to 2008. Meanwhile, his quixotic hope of once again leading Pakistan was dashed after courts rejected his attempt to run for Parliament.

Pundits don’t expect Mr. Musharraf’s political party to claim a single seat in elections scheduled for May 11.

A two-week house arrest is far from the welcome Mr. Musharraf expected on his return to Pakistan last month after more than four years of self-exile. In a stream of tweets and Facebook posts, the former commando had painted a picture of a grateful nation waiting

to sweep him back to power with a popular mandate.

In addition to serving as a case study in political delusion, Mr. Musharraf’s downfall marks a milestone in Pakistan’s fledgling democracy. Following on the heels of the first-ever completion of a full term by an elected government, the Musharraf arrest shows that the army’s death grip on public life is weakening.

Until now, the idea of a mere judge ordering a former army chief into confinement—even to the relative comfort of his own home—was unthinkable. Such treatment was reserved for elected leaders deposed by the kind of coup that brought Mr. Musharraf to power.

That Mr. Musharraf now faces punishment for his actions shows how quickly the country’s democratic institutions, most notably an independent judiciary and free press, have matured over the past five years. An alert media helped the courts by making it harder for Pakistan’s generals to intervene on their former boss’s behalf without facing public backlash. Large turn-

outs at election rallies this year indicate that the average Pakistani feels every bit as entitled to choose his own rulers as the average Indian.

Should next month’s polls go off as planned, Pakistan will join Turkey, Bangladesh and Indonesia as countries that have defied those who doubt Islam’s compatibility with democracy.

For the US, the general’s arrest should underscore a central lesson of the Musharraf era, that backing military leadership in Islamabad never pays off. In the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Mr. Musharraf won Western aid by vowing to fight terrorism and clothing himself as a modernizer in the mould of Turkey’s Kemal Ataturk. But this was mostly a public relations ploy.

By striking deals with militant groups in Pakistan’s remote northwest instead of fighting them, Mr. Musharraf laid the groundwork for much of the violence that roils Pakistan—and Afghanistan—today.

Mr. Musharraf’s twin legacies, a virulent Islamist insurgency and a sluggish economy dependent on aid, have unfortunately deepened over the

past five years of civilian rule. Violence against religious minorities such as Shia Muslims has skyrocketed. And this year’s election has already been marred by terrorist attacks against the non-religious Awami National Party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the Muttahida Quami Movement in Karachi. The army, for its part, may have retreated from hands-on governance, but it continues to consume a whopping 20% share of the national budget and call the shots on international relations and national security policy.

Nonetheless, bloody and balky progress is still progress. Only when Pakistan’s politicians grow confident that they won’t be jailed, exiled or executed for crossing the military will they be able to decisively reorient their country away from confrontation with its neighbours and toward development for its citizens. House arrest for a once grandstanding general is one large step in this direction. The writer is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.— Courtesy: The Wall Street Journal

Opening the gardens for us..!

T

his morning I read with de light that the Municipality of Mumbai decided to keep their public gardens open till 11 pm.

It was just the other day I was telling my wife that compared to other countries our gardens are kept open during office hours and shut during recreation times. “Come dear let us take a stroll down the road and sit in the park awhile!” says the tired husband to his wife after returning

from work. “It’s closed dear!” says the wife, “It closes at seven o clock!”

“But who sits in the park between 9 and 7?” asks the flustered husband.

“Well I do see a couple of drug addicts, they do enjoy the park and quite often children playing truant from school or college, but nobody else!” “So what’s the park for?”

“Why husband, lets take a walk and watch the park from over the wall!”

And across the wall of the closed park, the couple see empty benches beckoning them, saying, “Come! Sit! We were placed here for couples like you!” “But the gates are locked!” say the tired couple as they walk back to their homes and put on their TV to see another silly soap opera.

I remember driving down a road in Chennai a few months ago. I was so happy to see a river called the Cooum that used to raise quite a stink before, had now been dredged and looked pretty clean. I was even more delighted to see that all along the banks, stretching for miles on end, parks had been built. “How beautiful!” I thought to myself, “How relaxing it would be to sit and watch the river flow by!”

I decided to stop the car, and sit awhile, till I saw the locks on all the gates. It was not even seven o clock!

I then heard the parks were closed all the time. “Why?” I asked a friend.

“Because the public will dirty it!”

Open the parks! Leave it open to the

public!

Have guards who will enforce cleanliness, see there are enough dustbins, and watch a population who don’t have enough resting spots, slowly start to relax.

We put restrictions, enforce preventive measures, instead of educating our people to enjoy the view and keep clean habits. It’s not the public who are dirty, it’s our law enforcing security who are lazy.

Any way, this morning I read with delight that the municipality of Mumbai, have decided to keep their public gardens open till 11 pm.

Way to go Mumbai! I hope other cities follow suit..!

—Email: bobsbanter@gmail.com

Voice of the People Dishonesty all over MIR MURTAZA HUSSAIN

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e were told that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), being truly independent, would not allow dishonest persons to contest the elections. But now we see that it has not disqualified even certified crooks like those who submitted fake degrees and an ex-PM who sold some land that he did not own. Besides these, it has allowed even bank loan defaulters like the ex-speaker and her spouse, as well as the former foreign minister (who paid income tax that was less than the price of her handbag).

As for those who were named as recipients of ISI money in the Asghar Khan case, they are holy cows who cannot be touched. One is tempted to ask what the use of articles 62 and 63 is if criminals are not restrained from standing in the elections? Knowing the mindset of the majority of our voters (who mostly vote on caste basis), immoral and corrupt people will be elected again, giving them ample time to loot the country while cases against them will take many years to be fully decided. I wonder why the outgoing government did not amend the constitution to allow only corrupt people to contest the elections. That would have been much closer to reality. The next government should do so immediately.

—Karachi

Air pollution M OSAMA AFNAN HANAFI Air pollution is actually the addition of any harmful substances to the atmosphere, which causes the damaging of the environment, human health and the quality of life. With the development in industry, came along the increase in air pollution, which occurs inside homes, schools, offices even in the countryside. Consequently there has been an increase in the death rates resulting from various diseases caused by air pollution varying from breathing problem to lung cancer.

Air pollution does not only affect people but it also damages the whole ecological system in which plants and animals are harmed as well. Air pollution has reached such a critical stage where it affects the earth’s atmosphere as it lets in more harmful radiation from the sun. Consequently, our polluted atmosphere is becoming a better insulator, thus, preventing heat from escaping back into space. That is why there is a global rise in temperature which scientists refer to as “global warming”. As a result of this rise in temperature the world food supply and sea level will be affected, also there is the probability of increase in the tropical disease.

Domestic fires are principal sources of air pollution. While they account for nearly 52 per cent of the pollution, industrial gases account for between 20-25 per cent and the internal combustion engines account for the balance 2530 per cent. Some steps can be initiated to reduce air pollution. Use of LPG and electricity will make people less dependent on domestic fires. Non-conventional energy sources should be encouraged in rural areas. Factory chimneys should be as high as possible to distribute and dilute the pollution level over a larger and wider area. Separators and air filters should be used in factories. Separators separate out panic late and gas fraction. Filters can collect over fine particulates.

Chimneys should be provided with setting chambers, so that the smoke particles settle down separating from other gases. To prevent automobile exhausts, regular checking should be done. Forestation programme should be implemented throughout the country.

—Karachi

Tell us truth HAFIZ SHOIB KHAN Different political parties have presented their manifestos vowing that only they can solve the problems inflicting the country. Unfortunately for them, we are in no mood to be taken for another ride. It would have been better if one of the parties had spoken the truth and made achievable goals that one could believe.

The voters are mature enough to face reality and want to hear the truth. I would vote for a leader who can look me in the eye and say that the country is facing a lot of serious problems which will take a lot of time and effort to improve, and that if elected I will try and start the process of making things better and solving problems. Unfortunately, we don’t have such a leader.

—Karachi

Stray dogs NUZRAT FATIMA Through the courtesy of your widely circulated newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards nuisance done by street dogs. In our area there is more stray dogs. They disturb us when we are going by roads. People are much more disturb in midnight. They make a mess of the rubbish bins every day. They fight among themselves and especially when the mating season arrives the noise they make is unbearable. I have to say they are a threat to the residents here. There have been many instances of dog bites or dog chase reported and yet haven’t seen any effort by BBMP to curb the population of street

dogs. I personally have never been bitten by a dog however I have been chased and barked at many a times leaving a permanent scar in my memory and indication of lanes to avoid at particular times of the day.

Could you please do something to get rid of these pests before a real tragedy occurs?

—Karachi

Impact of dramas ALTAMASH BIN SYED I am writing this letter in reference to your article “The major influences on the year today” last month, I would like to add that the article was very accurate in defining the major influences on a normal teenager. One of those is the impact of TV serials and soaps on the youth. Our youth of today is a bit naive; they fall into bad habits if left unattended. The daily programs airing on TV channels mostly display stories based on in-house politics and drama that one goes through in his life. Such stories affect the mind of the person and idealize it.

Some programs leave a bad impact on the human mind provoking it to indulge into bad habits. Some T.V programs help in enhancing a human mind positively as well.

People learn a lot from reality quiz shows and real life documentaries.

This increases a person’s knowledge and helps him to understand its atmosphere. It also increases the awareness in a person about the current situations of the country.

—Karachi

Unsafe journalists RIMSHA AHMAD Being a journalist in Pakistan is not an easy job now a day, as the rate of killing journalist in Pakistan is increasing day by day. Global rights organizations have rated Pakistan as one of the most dangerous for journalists and an increasing number of reporters being killed in the last two years made it the deadliest in the world. It is now becoming very common for a Pakistani journalist, or his family, to live under fear and threats.

Reporters working in the field have been supposedly threatened, tortured and killed by political groups as well as state and enemies of homeland.

The Pakistani journalists are forced to not only work in poor working conditions but also receive not enough compensation. They are not only insecure but also under constant mental, physical and economic pressure to support their families.

About 63 journalists have killed and the number of injured is not less than 350. The causes of these deaths are Pakistan’s countless conflicts. Some are caught in suicide blasts; others targeted by Taliban militants or Baloch insurgents. In Karachi, several reporters have been gunned down as part of the city’s political influence war.

So is this bearable for journalist community? Why are they not protected by the government and media groups? Being a student of Mass Communication I am also having a fear about my profession and future because of the insecurity. There is no doubt that the working journalist and the future journalist are becoming afraid to do work in this field.

Journalism plays an important role in any society and it is a well known and respectable field. So it’s a humble request to our government to take prompt action for all trouble makers and try to make secure our journalist and reporters.

—Karachi

Fashion and fashionholics MADIHA RASHEED Through your newspaper i would like to draw the attention of fashionholics towards its effects. A unique combination of functional and cultural systems defines and distinguishes a society. Society is a place where we live together and interact with each other and also we share our joys and sorrows. Fashion is something we deal with everyday.

One can find a lot of changes and evolution in the history of fashion.

Name brands became of particular importance among young people.

Fashion changes like wind which makes it difficult for man to keep pace with them. Fashion is a form of non-verbal communication to indicates occupation, gender etc. It not only embraces clothing but also accessories.

Enables us to make ourselves understood with rapid comprehension by the onlooker. Fashion is only a means of ones expression? Musicians and other cultural icons have always influenced that we are wearing, but so have political figures and royalty. The death of Diana, the princess of Wales, was a severe blow to the high fashion world, where her clothes were daily news fashions Have both positive as well as negative impacts. Girls or boys use the fashion in order to attract the representatives of their contrary. Fashion industry employs some millions of people. It shows your thinking is modern and flexible. It is a way of celebrating the diversity and variety of the world in which we live.

Negative impacts youth only think about the new fashion styles and this causes money wasting on it. The main task of students is study, since they spend more time on fashion, they will have less time and energy for study. We seem to feel inadequate if not properly accepted by society, so we are mentally disturbed by it and it can causes things such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders. We go more for the look and the name, rather than quality. I believe that fashion should be sensible, dress up nicely, looking good and the main and the common thing the fashion is to be which make you comfortable.

—Karachi

Road accidents KIRAN ZEHRA Reports are being published in your newspaper as well as in others regarding causalities due to road accidents across the country especially in Karachi. Our country has serious road accident problems wherein the fatality rate appears to be higher than in many developing countries. This shows that moving on roads has become hazardous to an extent that road accidents claim more lives. One estimate confirms that the reported deaths on roads in Pakistan are above 50,000 a year.

There are many causes of accident on the road. Lack of experience and licensing older drivers are the causes of escalating accident rate. Nowadays, people can obtain license easily. Actually, people who want to obtain the license must have an experience and know the rule on the road. However, we do not have a big number of experienced drivers on the road. The inexperience drivers will give problems to other people and they can be the causes of accidents on the road. Moreover, a few other issue which need to be seriously taken care of include putting an immediate ban on heavy and long trailers at least in areas where there are single and already devastated roads like deserts part of the country.

—Karachi

***** FAHAD ANWAR The new traffic arrangements in railway road are causing problems. It is now difficult for residents to cross the road because of the increased number of vehicles.

This situation affects especially the young who go to school there, and the old who live in the old people’s home. Also, the noise and the fumes are annoying everyone and affecting the health of some. As a result, the residents intend to fight to have the traffic arrangements cancelled.

—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

Musharraf’s From Page 1 hearing over a petition filed by Musharraf seeking bail in the case pertaining to the murder of former two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto in December 2007.

The bench had earlier given the counsel for the petitioner an hour’s time to makes make its argument over why the former military should be granted bail.

Musharraf’s counsel instead of giving his argument, had sought more time and requested the court to adjourn the hearing.

Prosecuting lawyer of the FIA had objected to the request arguing that Musharraf was already under detention on judicial remand at his Chak Shehzad residence, which was declares as a sub-jail after the cancellation of his bail in the judges detention case.—NNI

Election campaign From Page 1 leaders are available easily on internet. According to the final lists, a total of 4671 candidates are contesting for 272 general seats of the National Assembly while 10958 are competing for 577 seats of provincial assemblies. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 517 candidates are contesting for 35 general seats of the NA while 1438 aspirants will run for 99 provincial assembly seats.

In Fata, 339 candidates are running for 12 general seats of the National Assembly in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

As many as 77 candidates will compete for two general seats of the National Assembly in Islamabad.

In Punjab, 5758 contestants will run for 148 National Assembly seats while 5758 will compete on 297 provincial assembly seats.

In Sindh, 1087 candidates will run for 61 NA seats while 2810 contestants will be running for 130 provincial assembly seats.

As many as 284 candidates will be in the election race for the 14 seats of the National Assembly in Balochistan while 953 will contest for 51 seats of the provincial assembly seats.

Nomination papers of 258 female candidates have been accepted for the 60 reserved seats for women. The ECP has accepted 123 nomination papers for 35 reserved seats for women in Punjab, 58 in Sindh for 14 seats, 45 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 8 seats and 32 in Balochistan for 3 reserved seats.

Nomination papers of 71 candidates have been accepted for 10 reserved seats for minorities in the National Assembly.

Maryland governor considering White House run JERUSALEM—Maryland Gov. for mayor and when I ran for gressive agenda that includes leMartin O’Malley, a rising star in Democratic politics, said Wednesday that he is considering making a run for the White House in 2016 and will likely make a decision later this year.

O’Malley, in Jerusalem on a Mideast tour, said he was still undecided but intends to dedicate “reflection time” on whether to seek the Democratic nomination.

“I plan for the latter half of this year to dedicate some more thought time — reflection time — to the question of whether or not I would run in 2016,” O’Malley, a former mayor of Baltimore, told reporters.

“The key question in running for any office is having a clear and refined understanding of the shared reality we face,” he said. “I arrived at that freedom and that clarity when I ran

galizing same-sex marriage, introducing some of the U.S.’s toughest gun control laws, repealing capital punishment, and enabling some students who are not in the country legally to pay in-state tuition, seen as an important part of immigration reform.

O’Malley is on an eight-day tour of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories with a delegation of Maryland officials. He is meeting Israel’s President Shimon Peres, high-ranking Israeli politicians and the outgoing Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad.

During his visit, he also intends to visit the traditional birthplace of Jesus, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, to attend Sunday Mass. This is O’Malley’s third visit to Israel.—AP

Wife: American in Iraqi prison is on hunger strike B AGHDAD —In Baghdad’s statement said. Omar’s case is Jordan in 1995 in a bid to famil-

maximum-security Karkh prison, Shawki Omar is triply damned, his supporters say.

He’s a Sunni prisoner in a Shiite-dominated jail. A foreigner in a country where outsiders are blamed for fueling an insurgency.

And to top it off, an American in a nation struggling with the bloody legacy of the U.S.-led invasion.

“He is discriminated against on three different levels there,” Omar’s wife, Sandra, said in an interview. She said Shawki — a naturalized American citizen of Jordanian-Palestinian descent who was apprehended by U.S.led forces in Baghdad nearly a decade ago on suspicion of fomenting jihad — had been beaten and denied medication.

In emails and phone calls from her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, Sandra Omar said that her 51-year-old husband shared a poorly heated shipping container with a dozen other inmates.

She said he and other Sunni prisoners were denied care packages, refused exercise and repeatedly beaten. She said Omar had been on some form of hunger strike for more than two months to protest his condition.

The U.S. government claimed that Omar was unlikely to be tortured when it handed him to the Iraqi justice system, whose prisons are notorious for rights abuses. But Omar says he was brutalized soon after he was turned over. American officials say they are aware of Shawki’s allegations and of his hunger strike. In a statement, it said it had raised the issue of abuse with Iraqi officials and that they were investigating.

From Page 1 “We are in regular contact NATO’s presence in Afghanistan with him and the prison authoriafter 2014. ties concerning his health,” the NATO-led forces are expected to cede the lead role for security in Afghanistan this spring to Afghan soldiers, 12 years after the United States invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban government harboring Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda leader.

KABUL—A number of experts The White House has yet to said that some of the Afghan decide how many U.S. troops diplomats, especially ambassawill remain in Afghanistan after dors to other countries, have not 2014.—Reuters returned to the country after their working term ended and have sought asylum, an act which according to the pundits From Page 1 is caused for inattention from foreign ministry while employPrivate Schools Manage ment Association and Trans- ing the diplomats.

Admitting such act for only porters Association completely a very few diplomats, foreign supported the strike.

MQM coordination commit- ministry, however, said that it has tee said that entire nation is united set a fresh regulation for employagainst the terrorist elements and ing diplomats and in the future such issues will be resolved with their cowardly attacks.—INP the country the diplomat is sent Experts said that over the past COURT NOTICE to. years, many diplomats used their passports to seek asylum.

In the Court of Mr. “Over the recent years, dipMuqarab Khan Naizi lomats were not employed at the Sahib, District Judge foreign ministry based on their Chakwal competencies and capacities but Civil Appeal-96 Feroz Khan etc V/S Mehboob through in-betweens, are Jihadi leaders, MPs, and figures in Hussain etc power,” said Ahmad Saeedi, poMemo Muhammad Altaf, Ghulam litical expert.

“Based on the figures I have, Ruqizya, Mazhir Hussain, Muhammad Naveed Caste Afghanistan has 63 offices of Kahoot Qreish R/O Hijyal diplomatic mission and more Tehsil & Distt, Chakwal Whereas serving of summon to the respondent in the case as titled above is not porrible, the respondent is herely in formed through this ad in this newspapers that the respondent has been announced to B RUSSELS —The European appear in this court in person Union’s counter-terrorism cooron be represented by a lawyer dinator says at least 500 Europein this court on 07-05-2013 at ans are fighting along with the 8.00 hours. In case of non- foreign-backed militants against compliance, ex-party proceed- Syria.EU’s anti-terror chief Gilles de Kerchove told British ing shall take place.

Given under my hand and seal media on Wednesday that some 500 Europeans were in Syria, to of the Court.

Sd/- District Judge fight against the government of Chakwal President Bashar al-Assad.He said that Britain, Ireland and

US wants Afghan, Pak

governor, and the interior challenge is whether or not I can arrive at that clarity, and that freedom and that sense of responsibility and urgency with regard to making a run in 2016.”

O’Malley, 50, is frequently touted as a potential presidential candidate, along with former Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He is favored by Democrats who want the party to look to younger candidates, noting that Clinton will turn 69 shortly before Election Day 2016, and Biden will turn 74 soon after.

President Barack Obama, a Democrat, cannot run because U.S. presidents are limited to two four-year terms. O’Malley has successfully promoted a pro-

unique in one way: He was the first known American to be slated for trial in Iraq’s post-Saddam Hussein courts. He is also one of only five American citizens in Iraqi custody. But his allegations of mistreatment are far from unusual. Erin Evers, a Middle East researcher with Human Rights Watch, said she knew of similar claims, and that they were symptomatic of a shaky criminal justice system shot through with corruption.

“It’s one of the biggest problems in Iraq today,” she said, noting that the Sunni protest movement, which has threatened the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, has prisoners’ rights at the heart of its demands. Iraqi officials deny mistreating their American prisoner; Deputy Justice Minister Busho Ibrahim said the allegations were “absolutely not true.” But Omar’s Iraqi lawyer, Zeina Ahmad, told The Associated Press that when she saw her client late last year his feet had been so badly beaten they had swelled up and turned blue. Omar’s path to U.S. citizenship began when the Kuwaitiborn Jordanian visited South Dakota more than three decades ago. In 1982, he met Sandra, a student at the Pierre School of Practical Nursing in Pierre, South Dakota. The couple married the following year, moving around the country as their family grew.

Sandra Omar, who was put in touch with The Associated Press though the London-based prisoners’ advocacy group CagePrisoners, said she grew up “firmly Christian.” When the two wed, she still held on to the hope that Shawki would convert. “It didn’t turn out that way,” she said. Instead, she converted to Islam, eventually moving to

iarize the couple’s children with the Arabic language and Muslim culture. Shawki Omar, who had become increasingly devout, took a second wife — a Jordanian — and brought the entire family to Iraq in 2002 in an attempt to get his eldest son into university there. He then took a third wife — an Iraqi. The family left as the U.S.-led invasion was looming, but Sandra said that Shawki returned to the country after the war.

What happens next is in dispute. In a statement, U.S. Maj. Gen. John Gardner alleged that Omar was an al-Qaida emissary whose second marriage had made him a member of terror kingpin Abu Musab Zarqawi’s extended family. Gardner said that multinational forces had arrested four Jordanian jihadists and an Iraqi insurgent at Omar’s home in October 2004. Under questioning, the general said, the arrested jihadists accused Omar of trying to organize the kidnapping of foreigners in Baghdad.

Sandra Omar said the allegations are bogus, suggesting that the information had been squeezed out of Omar’s alleged associates under duress.

“This is the kind of faulty intelligence you get when you torture people,” she said of the allegations. From U.S. detention, Omar sent a series of desperatesounding letters to his wife and son, saying he was being kept in solitary confinement and would be refusing food until he saw a lawyer. “The last time I checked my passport I thought I was an American citizen,” he wrote in a letter dated March 2005. He went on to demand that his family do something — anything — to prevent his transfer to Iraqi custody.—AP

Afghan diplomats do not return, seek asylum: Experts

MQM observes

than 70 percent of the diplomats who were changed in Afghanistan over the course of one to one and a half year have not returned to Afghanistan,” Saeedi added.

Some jurists have suggested that foreign ministry of Afghanistan is required to consider commitment from its staff besides skills and experience.

“There will be problems if we set a standard by which, for example, they spend three years in mission and three years in a foreign country formulaically. I repeat again that a diplomat’s commitment to their country and to their country’s interests – whether inside Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at offices of diplomatic mission – is a very important principle which Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to work on seriously and be concerned about,” said Nasrullah Stanikzai, Kabul University teacher.

Nevertheless, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the asylum act has only been done by a very few diplomats and dialogues regarding the issue are carried out with those countries. “Unfortu-

nately, there are few cases in Canada and Germany. In very few cases, there were those who sought asylum. We informed Canada and Germany about the issue,” said Jawid Lodin, deputy foreign minister for political affairs.

“The only measure we can put to practice is to agree with the countries of the other side, and no matter what their laws are, our laws require that the government staff cannot – with the privileges they receive – do such acts, which are not good for the country’s reputation,” the deputy minister added.

In addition, employing diplomats as ambassadors in countries where they have citizenship is of other distresses. Experts said the diplomats prefer interests of the country of their second citizenship as superior. Experts said that foreign ministry of Afghanistan should act more accurately for employing ambassadors, and suggested the ministry should select diplomats – with dual citizenship – as ambassadors to a third country.—NNI

500 Europeans fighting with militants in Syria: EU France were among the EU countries to have the highest numbers of militants in Syria.

He also warned that the Europeans who have joined the militants in Syria would most likely be radicalized there and would be a serious threat when they get back to their countries.On Monday, the EU foreign ministers met in Luxemburg and eased EU’s oil embargo

against Syria to assist the foreignbacked militants. Under the deal, European countries will be allowed to purchase oil from the militants in Syria and in turn provide them with funds needed to buy more weapons. Syria has been gripped by unrest since March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of government forces, have been killed in the violence.— PressTV

82 dead From Page 1 people. Officials say at least 100 are feared to be trapped.

Police officials say factory owners had ignored warnings against allowing workers into the building after a crack was detected the day before.

Last November, 112 workers were killed in a blaze at a factory in an industrial suburb of Dhaka.In 2005, more than 70 people were killed after a garment factory building collapsed in the same area. Bangladesh owns around 4,500 garment factories and is the second largest clothes exporter after China.—Agencies.

Delhi mulls From Page 1

Bomb explosions in Balochistan, KP, Sindh; 23 injured From Page 1 spokesman for the group, Abubakar Siddiq, called local reporters and said it had carried out the attack.

The Hazara Democratic Party’s chairman, Abdul Khaliq Hazara, had a narrow escape as he was passing through the area after addressing an election corner meeting when the blast took place. Mir Zubair Mehmood, the Capital City Police Officer in Quetta said that the casualties were due to suicide bombing.

Police said the bomber was driving the car towards Alamdar Road, probably to carry out an attack on members of the Hazara community, but he detonated the vehicle when the FC soldier flagged it down.

At least four people were injured when two consecutive blasts rocked the provincial capital on Wednesday while an election candidate narrowly escaped in the incident. According to de-

starting work on the Pakistani section of the pipeline‚ after finishing nearly 900 kilometers of the pipeline on Iran soil.

In March‚ Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas M. Veerappa Moily voiced his country’s willingness to join the pipeline project.

The pipeline will enable the export of 21.5 million cubic meters per day of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan. The Pakistani government has stressed that it would go ahead with the construction of the gas pipeline despite threats and pressure from ciated by the Hon’ble Court while the U.S.—NNI disposing the petition.

However, he said that during the ongoing electioneering campaign a section of the political From Page 1 leadership particularly that of the seas Pakistanis.

PML-N has been hurling accusaNawaz said that those over- tions against the President of Paseas Pakistanis who want to in- kistan that tend to inevitably drag vest in industrial zones in their the President into political controhomeland would be given relax- versy. ation in various taxes and duties.

The President, on the other He assured the delegation hand, is severely handicapped that property of overseas Pakistani would be protected from ‘Qabza’ groups. He also pledged steps to bring overseas Pakistanis into the country’s economic mainstream.—INP face off is taking place. No official word was forthcoming on the flag meeting.

India raised From Page 1 the issue with China last week sonal physician will also accom- and summoned Ambassador Wei pany him in the journey. Gover- Wei to South Block. The MEA nor Sindh Ishratul Ibad Khan and joint secretary who heads the Chief Minister Justice (Retired) joint working mechanism to deal Zahid Qurban Alvi will receive with boundary issues from the the prime minister on the arrival Indian side spoke to his Chinese at the Jinnah International airport counterpart and emphasised the Karachi. The programme of the need to resolve the issue.

However, the Chinese forprime minister has been finalized as he will be visiting the tomb of eign ministry spokesperson Hua father of the nation Quid-e-Azam Chunying said on Monday that Muhammad Ali Jinnah immedi- “China’s frontier troops have ately after his arrival in the city been abiding by theLAC agreed by the two countries... (and) paon Thursday.

He will pay his respect at the trolling on China’s side of LAC”.

QuAid’s Mazar and ink his impression in the visitor’s book. The prime minister will have an overnight stay in Karachi and will return on the following day.The PM will chair high level meeting of the officials including some memIRFAN ALIGI bers of the provincial cabinet on the second day of his visit.

KARACHI—The country was Federal Interior Minister heading fast toward the change Malik Habib Khan is likely to across the board and it was the accompany the prime minister as national obligation of the masses the law and order situation in the to sanely react to the forthcomcity would be discussed on Fri- ing challenges especially the day in Karachi. Prime Minister elections that were meant to put Khoso, who has already visited the country on the track of his home province Balochistan progress and prosperity if the last week, would be visiting masses would elect the nominees Lahore and Peshawar next week, of the Muttahida Qaumi Movethe sources said.—Online ment (MQM) because the later had for the last 25 years served the humanity and sent educated and talented youth to assemblies From Page 1 and Senate.

This was stated by former were strengthened by them.The people did not leave him alone City Nazim Syed Mustafa in the past in difficult times and Kamal, who is also a Senator inspired the nation with their from the MQM and active memunity and gave him the courage ber of the MQM Co-ordination and determination, he said add- Committee while talking to a ing that he was confident that the large gathering of the people, nation would not disappoint him supporters and sympathisers of the MQM at a meeting in eleceven today.

He appealed to the MQM toral constituency NA-253 workers and haq parast people to Wednesday.

The MQM Chief Altaf take the election campaign of the Hussain had during his stay in the MQM in their hands and inform the people about injustices being country and even when he was forced to live abroad in exile done against the MQM. He said that he wanted to tell gained nothing for his own benthe enemies that the determina- efit but produced the youth from tion of the MQM remained un- the lower socio-income segments shaken, and the people were full of the society to rise for the enof vigour and energy. He said that lightenment, service to the huthe MQM had made a pledge to manity and the country.

Unfortunately, the MQM had the Almighty Allah that they would not let the blood of the always been a victim of the political grudges, personal biases martyrs go wasted. and utter discrimination and was time and again punished for raining the depressed and struggle for transforming the country into a truly welfare state as per the vision of the founder of Pakistan GUANTANMO BAY—US mili- Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Senator Kamal said that the tary official has reported that four of the inmates on hunger ongoing wave of terrorism strike at the Guantanamo mili- against the MQM in particular tary prison and torture camp are was in fact a conspiracy to saboin critical condition and have tage the elections and to deprive been transferred to the prison’s the nation of their constitutional rights of forming a government hospital.

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel and enter into the new ear of House also announced on Tues- progress and prosperity.

He said that the threats were day that 17 out of the 84 inmates currently on hunger mounting with the passage of strike at the notorious prison fa- every moment and the perpetracility are being forced-fed tors were after the masses and through the nose to prevent fur- their leaders but the citizens of ther deterioration of their health the city had proved they were eager for the peace and tranquilconditions.—Agencies.

tails, two explosive devices planted alongside the road in Kalachi area of Peshawar went off at the time provincial assembly candidate Israr Khan and his guard were passing by the scene but they remained unhurt.

In yet another incident in the Sirki Gate area of Peshawar, a suspicious blast took place near a house leaving four people injured. The incident caused damage to several houses. Police reached the scene of blast and collecting the evidences started the investigation.

Meanwhile, police foiled another attempt of terrorism in Peshawar by defusing a remotecontrolled bomb planted under a security officer’s car.

Officials said the Bomb Disposal Squad was called at Peshawar’s Hayatabad area after receiving a tip off that explosive material has been fixed under a car which is being used by a se-

curity official. The BDS successfully defused the bomb weighted about 3 kg, foiling another bid of terrorism.

It may be mentioned here that a surge in the incidents of targeting elections candidates is on the rise in the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and other parts of the country to degrade the election process.

Moreover, Peshawar has been the center of terrorist activities recently, calling tougher and prompt action against those responsible.

Four people including a woman were wounded in a cracker blast that took place on Wednesday morning in Swat.

Sources said rescue teams rushed to the scene and the injured are being shifted to the Madyan Civil Hospital. Blasts also took place in D.I. Khan and Jacobabad on Wednesday but no casualties were reported.—INP

CEC asked to take note

PML-N to support

From Page 1 because out of deference to the Court observations he cannot react to these accusations by employing befitting political jargon.

The spokesperson further stated that furthermore, the President was the spouse of former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and the son-in-law of the first directly elected Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Direct personal criticism of the President during the campaign while

the President himself is severely handicapped to respond to them is denying level playing field to the Party that is contesting elections using the slogans and images of Shaheed Bhuttos.

He told the CEC to kindly look into this and issue directions to the political parties particularly the PML-N leadership to desist from partisan political attacks against the person of the President of Pakistan.

China asks India to pull

Khoso visits

From Page 1 Sources quoted by Times of India said New delhi may be working the diplomatic hotlines with Beijing, but parallels are already being drawn between the ongoing 10-day military standoff in Ladakh and the Sumdorong Chu incident of 1986-87, which required “a major show of force and resolve” to settle matters amicably.

With “no breakthrough” being achieved in the second flag meeting between the Indian and Chinese armies held on Tuesday, the Indian defence establishment and military operations directorate here went into a hurdle to discuss “various options”, including

further troop reinforcements to the region, till late in the evening.

The Army may well deploy additional troops in the region if there is no de-escalation over the next few days.

“The flag meeting, held at Spanggur gap between Daulat Beg Oldie and Chushul, lasted for around five hours. Our side was led by a brigadier, Chinese had a senior colonel. We told them this intrusion was simply unacceptable. But they accused us of aggressive patrolling. There was no concrete outcome, much like the first flag meeting on April 18,” said a source.—INP

MQM to bring change in country Brazilian Embassy admissions for with power of vote: Mustafa studies in Brazil

Altaf asks

4 Gitmo inmates in critical condition

ity and despite countless conspiracies to divide the people on sectarian grounds, the people had remained united under the leadership of the MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, whose struggle for keeping the sects united with live and let live slogan had worked magic. Senator Kamal, however, urged the people and the candidates that they should stay cautious and keep an eagle’s eye in their surrounding as the terrorists always emerged from narrow alleys on earth.

He said that the MQM had the potential to give stunning results with the everlasting support of loyal workers, ambitious supporters and people of the city that knew it was the MQM that had in recent past built the city to a state of world modern city.

He said that the MQM had proved that not a single incident of target killing occurred when the interior ministry was with the lawmaker of the MQM. It was the MQM Mayor that had under the theme of ;IO Own Karachi’ brought all ethnic entities on one platform and job and business opportunities were open for all on merit.

Senator Kamal said that it was the MQM that introduced signal free corridors concept, solution of people to people disputes at grass root level, extended education and health facilities to the rural outskirts and villages in remote interior Sindh and induced foreign direct investment.

He hoped that the people of the country, as they had judged the MQM in past for its astounding performances. would again elect the nominees of the MQM Chief Altaf Hussain for equal rights of education, health, jobs, and above all eradication of all forms of injustices, tyrannies, loot and corruption from the country. The MQM was a welldisciplined political party and would march toward the goal of prosperity for the nation.

He invited the extremist groups to listen to the MQM Chief Altaf Husain for laying off arms and enter into the struggle for transforming the country a welfare state according to Quide Azam’s visions and thoughts of Allama Iqbal.

STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD —Pakistani students that are finishing their college can apply for an opportunity of having their University studies done in Brazil, with tuition costs covered by the Brazilian Government, through the Program for Exchange Students – Undergraduate (PEC-G).

This programme has been in place for more than thirty years in Brazil, and Pakistan has been part of it since 2012. Currently, more than 3,000 students from developing countries are in Brazil through the Programme, 2 of them from Pakistan.

The applicants can choose any field of study in any of the more than 60 universities that take part in PEC-G, which include some of the best higher education institutions in the developing world.

Applications can be made at the Embassy of Brazil in Islamabad until the 28th of June.

Detailed requirements for candidates and indicative lists of universities and courses are available at the Embassy’s website www.embassyofbrazil.com.pk.

APUC interfaith moot today STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —All Pakistan Ulema Council is conducting an interfaith and inter-harmony conference in Islamabad today, says a press release.

Nearly 27 different religious and political parties would be participating in the conference through their leadership and representatives.

The main objective of the conference is to bring people from all sects within Islam and people belonging to minorities closer through highlighting overlapping features among all the sects and religions.

The conference would give an official Islamic decree on the right of women to vote.

Sarfraz wants PCB to appoint Mohsin as batting coach ISLAMABAD —Former cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should appoint former chief selector Mohsin Hassan Khan as the batting coach in order to put the team on the right track.

Talking to APP on Wednesday, Sarfraz Nawaz said the national team has performed very well under Mohsin and therefore he should be called in again for the job.

“Though he (Mohsin) hasn’t applied for the coaching job but there are some things that need to be done

for the betterment of cricket.

I believe if PCB appoints him as the coach, the team will come back on the right track they were on before,” he said.

Under Mohsin’s feat Pakistan whitewashed England last year in the historic test series. “PCB chairman Ch. Zaka Ashraf should keep aside his grudges with Mohsin and appoint him as coach,” he said.

Talking about the Champions Trophy to be held in England next month, Sarfraz said, “With the ICC Champions Trophy just around the

corner, I don’t know why the PCB chairman and selectors have delayed in naming the final squad which was the need of the hour,” he said.

“The final squad should have been named up till now, so that the players could go through thorough and tough training,” he said adding that Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and Imran Farhat should be dropped from the final squad as they are out of form and are just occupying extra space in the team which can be given to other talented performing players.

Pakistan team is placed

Football: Suarez accepts FA bite charge

L ONDON —Liverpool striker of any ban imposed by the Luis Suarez has accepted a violent conduct charge from the FA after biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in Sunday’s Premier League draw at Anfield.

However, the Uruguayan is ready to contest the length

FA. “Luis Suarez has today accepted a charge of violent conduct,” read a statement released by the FA. “However, Suarez has denied the FA’s claim that the standard punishment of

three matches is clearly insufficient for this offence.

“The incident was not seen by the match officials and has therefore been retrospectively reviewed.”

Suarez sunk his teeth into Ivanovic’s right arm during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Anfield in the Premier League.

On Monday, he was fined

by Liverpool following the incident and asked that the money be donated to the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

Suarez has a long list of previous misdemeanours even before joining Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011 and it is not the first time he has been in trouble for biting.

In November 2010, Suarez was banned for seven matches and dubbed the ‘Cannibal of Ajax’ after biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal.

In December 2011, he was banned for eight matches and fined #40,000 ($60,000) after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester

Swat to face Peshawar in KP Inter-Region Badminton final P ESHAWAR —Swat

and Peshawar took berth into the final of the Khyber Pakthunkhwa Inter-Region Boys Under-17 Badminton Championship being played at Makan Bagh Sports Complex Hall, Swat on Wednesday.

In the first semi-final Swat stunned strong Bannu by 3-2 in the thrilling encounter. In the first singles Shoaib Raiz of Bannu defeated Faraz of Swat by 3-2. Faraz of Swat took the first two sets by 1921 and 22-24 but failed to click in the three consecutive sets won by Shoaib Riaz, an ex-Under-16 Champion. The score was 21-19, 21-17 and 21-19. Both Shoaib Raiz and Faraz exhibited excellent dis-

play of cross-court smashes and overhead smashes which were largely enjoyed by the jam-packed cheering spectators.

Faraz has better chance to win the singles after taking 2-0 lead, but Shoaib Riaz staged a strong come back and defeated Faraz 3-2. It was in the doubles when Shoaib Riaz and Majid overpowered Faisal and Nisar in the marathon five sets battle. Shoaib Riaz and Majid won the first two sets by 27-25, 24-22 but failed to click in the third and four sets won by Faisal and Nisar at 19-21 and 18-21.

Both Shoaib Riaz and Majid were looked tired in the doubles but it was the last

and decisive set in which Shoaib Riaz and Majid beat Nisar and Faisal by 21-18. It was in the reverse singles when Nisar beat tired Majid by 3-0, the score was 21-19, 21-17 and 21-18.

In the reverse doubles Nisar and Faisal defeated Shoaib Riaz and Majid by 30, the score was 21-17, 21-19 and 21-19. Bannu have just two players in the semi-finals. Three of the Bannu players were over aged and ousted in the scrutiny.

The final of the Championship will play between Peshawar and Swat. It was for the first time that Swat reached to the final of the Inter-Region Badminton.—APP

under Group B of the tournament and as per schedule; it will play against their cricket rivals India, South Africa and West Indies.

Talking about the training camp for fast bowlers organised by the PCB under former captain and fast bowler Wasim Akram, Sarfraz said it would have been better if PCB would had attached Wasim with the Under-16 and Under-18 lot of fast bowlers, as it is the age where we get a handful of talented players rather then assisting the senior bowlers.—APP

Butt ready for anti-corruption rehab LAHORE—Pakistan’s former captain Salman Butt said Wednesday he had offered to take part in anti-corruption rehab a week after an international court threw out his appeal against a spot-fixing ban.

The 28-year-old, along with team-mates Mohammad

MUNICH: Bayern Munich’s players celebrate after the end of the match.

Pak U-14 football team beat Turkmenistan L AHORE —Pakistani Youth footballers showed their professional skills and outclassed Turkmenistan 6-0 in AFC U-14 Championship (Qualifiers) match at Samen Al Aemeh Stadium, Mashad, Iran on Wednesday.

According to information made available here Striker Muhammad Shahid gave Pakistan the first goal in the 4th minute of the game. In the 25th minute Striker Junaid Ahmed doubled the lead followed by 30th minute goal by defender Saif Ali. Pakistan dumped their

ever struggling opponents with further addition of goals and striker Majid Khan hit the lime light by slamming two goals in space of four minutes in the 32nd and 35th minutes.

Pakistan Striker Muhammad Shahid completed the tally in the dying stages to the play as the green shirts achieved a decent result in their opening tie of the event.

This match was equally important for Turkmenistan whose team has already played a draw against Kyrgyzstan.

Though

Turkmenistan team is consider a favorite team but was bulldozed in this match by a better planning and offensive strategy of the Pakistani team under the expert coaching.

Meanwhile, President PFF,Faisal Saleh Hayat and Secretary, Ahmad Yar Lodhi have praised the performance of the team against Turkmenistan and wished it luck in its coming matches.

Pakistan U-14 team now play their next games against Kyrgyzstan on April 26, rival India April 28 and hosts Iran on April 29.—APP

Sajjad determined to make his mark in Asian Snooker Asif and Mohammad Aamer, was banned for contriving deliberate no-balls for cash during the 2010 Lord’s Test against England.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2011 banned Butt for 10 years, with five suspended on the condition that he commits no further offences and takes part in a programme of anti-corruption education.

Asif received a seven year ban with two suspended while Aamer got five years.

The trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed were jailed by a British court in November 2011. All three players were released last year. Butt appealed to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sports for a reduction in his five-year ban but his application was rejected.

Butt met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials late Tuesday to discuss his rehabilitation programme. “I have offered my availability for the rehabilitation and whenever the PCB wanted me to appear I will be ready,” Butt told AFP.

K A R A C H I —Former Asian determined to make my expectations of my supchampionship finalist Muhammad Sajjad was targeting the title in 29th edition of continental competition which explode into action here at Sheraton Hotel Hall from April 27.

“Luck eluded me in 2010 in Thailand. But I am

Preston University ‘Sports Gala’ concludes SPORTS REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The week-long

festivity “Spring Splash 2013” organized by Preston University came to a conclusion with a grand prize distribution ceremony held at the Shalimar Cricket Ground, Islamabad.

The winners of the interuniversity T-20 Cricket, Badminton, Table Tennis and Football competitions were awarded prizes, said a press release.

Teams of the winning universities in all the four tournaments received trophies and prizes from legendary test cricketer, Majid Khan who graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

In his brief address on the occasion, chief guest, legendary test cricketer Majid Khan at the outset congratulated the winners of all the sports events.

He immensely lauded the talent of the young students who excelled in the games in which they participated and won 1st and 2nd positions.

Eulogizing the initiative of Preston University to organize inter- university sports and other competitions every year, Mr. Majid Khan said that it was truly an admirable contribution that the university was towards building the talents of the students in extra curricular activities which are no less important than education.

He expressed In the male T-20 Cricket championship, after a tough competition Federal Urdu University, Islamabad beat Air UniverISLAMABAD: Winners of T-20 cricket, badminton, table tennis and football with chief guest, former Pakistan test sity, Islamabad in the finals cricketer Majid Khan and senior management of Preston University during Spring Splash 2013 at the university.— to win the trophy of the competition.

PO Photo by Sultan Bashir

mark in my home territory,” 29-year-old Sajjad, who will be featuring in his fourth Asian championship, remarked.

“I can not forget losing in the final of Asian event in 2010.It was big disappointment for me”, he said.

He said he had really worked hard to achieve my goals. “I Know it will be big challenge.But ready and prepared to do something good for the country,” he said.

Sargodha-based Sajjad said being a host country expectations would be high.

“I will try to come up to the

porter and well-wishers,” he said.

He said his old coach Bilal Mughal, who runs a snooker club in Sargodha was imparting training to him and now Naveed Kapadia is working hard with us in national training camp.

Muhammad Sajjad said long potting had been his problem and was working on it to improve his game.

It had always been great honour to represent your country. My mission is to bring glory and honour to the best of my abilities.—APP

Bayern crush Barca with dynamic 4-goal show M UNICH—Barcelona, who have changed the face of the game in recent years, were handed a footballing lesson when they were crushed 4-0 by Bayern Munich in an extraordinary Champions League semi-final first leg.

The Catalans, winners of the trophy in 2009 and 2011, had no answer to Bayern’s power, speed, pressing and resolute defence as they slumped to their heaviest defeat for almost six years and matched their worst result in European competition.

The victory was so comprehensive the 68,000 crowd at the Allianz Arena may have wondered whether they were witnessing the end of an era as the all-conquering visitors were ripped apart in the second half.

Thomas Mueller was the architect, scoring the first and last goals and setting up the second for Mario Gomez as the Bavarians, already crowned Bundesliga champions, continued an astonishing season that could yet yield a treble.

“We played fantastically today,” Bayern chairman KarlHeinz Rummenigge told reporters. “I have never experienced a night like this and I have been around for quite some time.

“I think we all saw Messi was not fully fit. We have a very good chance now of reaching the final.” World Player of the Year Messi, returning from a hamstring injury, made little impact up front for Barca while midfield duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta lacked their usual cutting edge.—AFP

We too celebrate our birthdays on this day, say India’s two former players BIPIN DANI OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT M UMBAI —India’s former right handed off-spinner M. Venkataramana turned 7 when Sachin Tendulkar was born on April 24 in 1973. He doesn’t remember how he celebrated his seventh birthday, but now feels proud in seeing world’s cricketing God Sachin Tendulkar also cutting the cake on this day.

“I don’t mind my birthday being overshadowed

by Sachin Tendulkar ’s”, the 47-year-old Hyderabad-born M. Venkataramana said from Chennai.

M a r g a s h a y a m Venkataramana played his only Test (against West Indies in April 1989) before Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut against Pakistan six months later.

“I have no regrets on not being able to score any run in my international cricket (he also played one ODI, failing to score there too), but am unlucky to have played with the icon”, he said.

“Me and Sachin Tendulkar were members of India’s touring team to New Zealand in 1989-90. I could only play a few side-games with him on that tour. Our tour ended before our joint birthday”, Venkataramana added.

“I have met Sachin Tendulkar on few occasions.

The recent being when he was in Chennai during Test match against Australia”.

“I have never exchanged birthday wishes with the master-blaster and don’t know really whether Sachin Tendulkar is aware about the coincidence of my birthday falling on the same day”.

“It will be a quiet celebration but will not miss watching Sachin Tendulkar’s IPL game today”, he signed off, but not before adding, “It is great to share my day with Sachin”.

Sachin Tendulkar is also sharing his birthday with former India stumper, MSK Prasad.

“We don’t only share the common birthday but there are quite a few other common things between us”, he says proudly. “Our wives are doctors. Sachin’s wife, Anjali is

a paediatrician (to look after two children, daughter Sara and son Arjun, she has not been doing medical practice), while my wife, Prashanthi is a non-clinical doctor. She is MD in Biochemistry”.

The name of MSK Prasad’s daughter is Anjali, which is incidentally the name of Sachin’s wife. Explaining, he says, “no, it was not decided to keep my daughter’s name after legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s wife name, but our family is a great devotee of Lord Hanuman and you know Hanuman’s mother was Anjani. Interestingly, Anjaneya in our mother tongue too, MSK Prasad concluded.

“Like Sachin, we also do lot of charity work in rural areas. Right now also, I am on my way to some villages in Andhra Pradesh to give lectures on the game to some boys and play with them”, he signed off.

The ICC umpire, Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka), also born on this day, refused to offer comments. He is in India officiating in the IPL matches.

4 dead, 69 injured in Afghan quake

Legendary singer Shamshad Begum dies at 94 MUMBAI—Legendary singer

Shamshad Begum, one of the first playback singers in the film industry and voice beJ A L A L A B A D —An earth- 2005, most on the Pakistan hind hit songs like ‘Mere Piya quake centered in side. —Reuters Afghanistan’s east killed at least four people and injured almost 70, after wet weather weakened the country’s traditional mud-brick homes, officials said on Wednesday.

The 5.7 magnitude quake was felt as far away as the STAFF REPORTER Indian capital of New Delhi, the latest in a string of trem- I S L A M A B A D —Earthquake ors to shake Asia this tremors were felt across Pakistan including Parachinar month.

Agency, The quake was 40 miles Mohmand deep with an epicenter 11 km Shabqadar, Swat, Peshawar, (seven miles) from Mehtar Islamabad, Chiniot and Gaye Rangoon’, ‘Kabhi Aar Lam, the capital of Lahore.

According to the US Kabhi Paar’ and ‘Kajra Afghanistan’s eastern province of Laghman, according Geological Survey, the earth- Mohabbat Wala’, died at her to the U.S. Geological quake measured 6.2 on the Mumbai residence. She was Richter scale with its epicen- 94. “She was not keeping Survey’s website.

Initial reports from offi- ter in Southeastern Afghani- well for past few months and cials in neighboring stan. Following the tremors, was admitted to the hospital.

Nangarhar and Kunar prov- citizens rushed to open She passed away on Tuesinces said four people had spaces fearing for their safety. day night. The funeral was a been killed, with the death No loss of life has been re- solemn affair with a few toll expected to rise. Sixty- ported. Tremors were also felt friends present,” Begum’s daughter Usha said.—INP in Afghanistan and India. nine people were injured.

Hundreds of homes collapsed across Kunar, the provincial governor ’s spokesman, Wasifullah Wasifi, said. Wednesday saw steady rain across most of Afghanistan, which would have weakened the traditional mud-brick homes many Afghans live in, said the deputy chief of Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. The agency did not yet have casualty figures, he said.

Buildings swayed in New Delhi and people ran into the street in the disputed northern region of Kashmir, where an earthquake killed about 75,000 people in

Earthquake tremors felt across Pakistan

Traders Alliance joins PTI MULTAN—Chairman Traders Alliance Pakistan Khwaja Mohammad Shafique along with hundreds of traders joined Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf in the presence of PTI president Javed Hashmi and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi here on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, Khawaja Shafique said that traders community had been remained loyal to PML-N for last few years but PML-N failed to deliver any sort of relief to traders as well as general masses. He informed that five thousands traders from across the country would arrange lunch in honour of Imran Khan in Lahore.—APP

Use voting rights judiciously S WAT —The Central Vice President of PML-N and Party candidate for NA-30, Ameer Muqam Tuesday said that Pakistan emerged on the world map owing to efforts of PML-N and only the leadership of this political force is capable to steer country out of crisis. He expressed these views in a ceremony held at Sanghota to welcome new party entrants. He said the party who created Pakistan would lead the country towards the course of progress and prosperity. —APP

3 kids succumb to measles L AHORE —The

caretaker Punjab government and provincial health authorities have failed to curb the spread of the measles epidemic as three more children died of the disease Wednesday mounting death toll in Punjab to 61.

According to details, two minor girls who were undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital and Children Hospital of Lahore breathed their last on early Wednesday morning. It should be mentioned that 61 children have died of measles in various areas of Punjab. —INP

Steps needed to curb malaria HYDERABAD—Director Malaria Control Sindh, Naheed Jamali Wednesday said that effective measures are required to contol malaria which is now knocking at an alarming stage. He said this while talking to this scribe in connection with the World Malaria Day, to be observed in Hyderabad on Thursday like other parts of the world.

She said that Malaria Eradication Programme was started in Pakistan in 1961 and in the Province of Sindh during 1963. During eradication period due to support of foreign aid, she informed that cent percent houses were sprayed throughout the country she said.

ALEPPO: This undated image provided by Aleppo Media Center shows the minaret of a famed 12th century Umayyad mosque which was destroyed by the shelling on Wednesday.

China provided nukes weapons designs to Pakistan: CIA

Syrian landmark mosque minaret destroyed BEIRUT —The minaret of a famed 12th century Sunni

W ASHINGTON —In the late 1963. “This allegation has sive package of proven mosque in the northern Syr1970s, Central Intelligence Agency had information that China might have provided a fairly comprehensive package of proven nuclear weapons design information to Pakistan, a recently declassified document has revealed.

According to recently declassified CIA data, obtained by the National Security Archive under the Freedom of Information Act, the CIA had evidence suggesting close Pakistan-China nuclear cooperation, to the point of facilitating a nuclear weapons capability, although the intelligence community saw this as possibly a special case based on an alliance that had existed since

Govt requests SC to move all Musharraf cases to a single place

come up before, for example in a State Department document and in major news stories but this is the first time the CIA has released some of its own information,” according to the set of two documents obtained by the National Security Archive.

“The estimate highlights some of the main developments, including “verbal consent (in 1974) to help Pakistan develop a ‘nuclear blast’ capability”, “hedged and conditional commitment” in 1976 to provide nuclear weapons technology, and unspecified excised information that raised the “possibility that China has provided a fairly comprehen-

Efforts on to provide relief to masses in loadshedding: CM SALIM AHMED

L AHORE —All Pakistan ISLAMABAD—The caretaker Newspapers Society officefederal government has requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan to transfer all the cases against former president General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf to a single place keeping in view the surmounting security threats facing the former president.

According to sources, the federal government wrote a letter to the apex court pleading that there are immense security threats involved in Musharraf’s transportation to and from different courts.—INP

nuclear weapon design information,” the NSA said.

“Even without Chinese help, the Pakistanis could develop a nuclear weapon, but access to Chinese weapons design and test data might be crucial in establishing Islamabad’s confidence in an untested weapons capability,” said a 1983 national intelligence estimate of the CIA, which is heavily excised.

The exchanges may not have been one-way and the reference to Chinese “involvement” in Pakistan’s uranium enrichment programme probably refers to gas centrifuge technology, which Pakistan shared with the Chinese, it noted.—Online

bearers and members Executive Committee led by President APNS Sarmad Ali called on Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi at Chief Minister ’s Secretariat here today.

Difficulties being faced by newspaper industry, peaceful and transparent conduct of elections and load-shedding problem was discussed on the occasion.

Various proposals to provide relief to the people facing load-shedding were also discussed in the meeting.

Secretary Information Amjad Hussain was also present on the occasion.

Talking to APNS delegation, the Chief Minister Najam Sethi said that people are facing a number of problems due to load-shedding, however sincere efforts are being made to provide relief to the masses.

He said that power crisis is a national issue and can be resolved only by adopting a national approach.

He said that the burden of load-shedding will have to be shared and decisions made for the solution of this problem by keeping national interest uppermost.

ian city ofAleppo was destroyed Wednesday in shelling leaving the once-soaring stone tower a pile of rubble and twisted metal scattered in the tiled courtyard.

President Bashar Assad’s regime and antigovernment activists traded blame for the attack against the Umayyad mosque, which occurred in the heart Aleppo’s walled Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was the second time in just over a week that a historic Sunni mosque in Syria has been seriously damaged. Mosques served as a launching pad for antigovernment protests in the early days of the Syrian uprising, and many have been targeted.—AP

Britain fears new wave of recession L ONDON —Recession may just be a word. But in Britain it may become a habit — and a dangerous one at that.

It’s possible that official figures on first quarter economic growth, to be released Thursday, could show the country is back in recession, and tension is building.

Although economists on average expect growth of 0.1 percent on the quarter, they warn it would take the smallest statistical variation to put the figure in negative territory. That would place the country in recession, typically defined as two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.”—AP

Conspiracies to defer polls won’t bear fruit: Zardari IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—President Asif Ali Zardari said that there were some frustrated elements in the society that wanted to sabotage the process of elections in the country. However, the vested interests of such frustrated elements would never bear fruits. The President reiterated his resolve for holding the forthcoming general elections in the country on time and said that the government would take all necessary measures for the safety of the people before, during and after the elections.

The President said this while in a meeting with Sindh Governor dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan at the Governor house Wednesday.

S i n d h Governor on the occasion brief the President on the law and order in the metropolis.

The President said that the provisioning of safe environment to the citizens and ensuring the secdurity of every single man and woman was the top priority of the government, which would never be allowed to be compromised.

The caretaker governments, Election Commission of Pakistan and law enforcement agencies and institutions responsible for citizens’ safety should devise a consolidated strategy to ensure peace and tranquility and safety of the citizens and for holding of elections in a peaceful environment, he said. He directed the governor and authorities concerned to take steps for the improvement in law and order situation in the city and accelerate the pace of targeted operations against the terrorists, hardened criminals and outlaws in the city.

Mehreen first Pakistani woman to serve Australian parliament SYDNEY—Mehreen Farooqi, a Pakistani-born migrant, is set to become the first Muslim woman to serve in Australian parliament.

It may be mentioned that Mehreen Farooqi, an environmental engineer, was selected by the New South Wales Greens to fill a vacancy in the upper house of the state legislature.

She migrated from Pakistan with her family in 1992.

The university academic was selected by a postal ballot of party members, from a field of seven in a contest in which only women could run.

Farooqi will take up her position in July, when she will become the first female Muslim in any of Australia’s state, territory or federal parliaments.—INP

Govt has no funds for vaccine against epidemics; unable to clear UNICEF dues of $65m I SLAMABAD —While epi- for immunization. Funds are Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and Procurement demic diseases like measles and polio have taken an alarming situation with daily deaths of small children, the federal government is facing the dilemma of funding to purchase vaccines as no funds have been provided in the budget of the current year and for the next year.

Highly reliable sources told INP here on Wednesday that the federal government owes $65 million to the UNICEF for the vaccines already procured through it from international sources

not being provided for the payment and priority committee which is involved in the preparation of budget has made no allocations for this vital health programme for the year 2013-14.

The inter-ministerial meeting convened by InterProvincial Coordination Ministry on Tuesday discussed the alarming epidemic spread including deaths due to measles and other diseases in the light of the report prepared by the Federal Ombudsman.

All the provinces and

FATA representatives agreed that procurement of vaccine, which is required in big numbers should be done by the federal government directly through UNICEF. They were told that the vaccines procured through the UNICEF costs Rs23.5 per dose while the ongoing system of procurement through open tenders which was introduced in the past to benefit the importers cost Rs45 per dose. They said that EPI rules already provide exemption in certain cases and if needed Public

Regularity Authority provision could be invoked to enable direct purchase of vaccine through UNICEF. It was agreed to approach the PPA to issue a fresh exemption for vaccines procurement because it involves lives of millions of children as well as price and quality of the vaccine. A redeeming feature was that the Global Alliance Vaccine Immunization (GAVI) has assured in a meeting with the Federal Ombudsman to extend an assistance of upto $30 mil- KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari talking to Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad lion. —INP Khan during a meeting at Governor House.

Non-disease virus kills breast cancer cells in lab

A

VIRUS that infects humans with out causing disease kills breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) College of Medicine in the US, tested an unaltered form of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) on three different human breast cancer types representing different stages of cancer and found it targeted all of them. They hope by uncovering the pathways the virus uses to trigger cancer cell death, their work will lead to new targets for anti-cancer drugs. A paper on this work appeared recently in the journal Molecular Cancer.

In earlier studies, the team also showed that AAV2 promotes cell death in cervical cancer cells infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).

Cells have different ways of dying.

When a healthy cell gets damaged, or starts behaving in an abnormal way, this normally triggers production of proteins that cause apoptosis or cell suicide: part of this process also involves switching off proteins that trigger cell division. The problem with cancer cells is that apoptosis fails, and the proteins that regulate cell division and proliferation stay switched on, so abnormal cells continue to multiply and create new abnormal cells and that is how tumors develop.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world and the main cause of cancer-related death in women.

First author Dr Samina Alam, research associate in microbiology and immunology at Penn State, told the press in a statement released on Thursday that breast cancer is also “complex to treat”.

Senior investigator Dr Craig Meyers, professor of microbiology and immunology at Penn State, explained why: “Because it has multiple stages, you can’t treat all the women the same.

Currently, treatment of breast cancer is dependent on multiple factors such as hormone-dependency, invasiveness and metastases, drug resistance and potential toxicities.”

However, he went on to say that in their study, they showed that “AAV2, as a single entity, targets all different grades of breast cancer”.

He and his team believe that AAV2 is switching back on the apoptosis pathways that were switched off in the cancer cells.For their study they used lab tissue cultures of cancer cells and found AAV2 killed 100% of them within seven days, with most of the cell death proteins activated on day five.In another experiment, working with cancer cells from an aggressive form of breast cancer, they found the virus took three weeks to kill the cells.

ISLAMABAD: Family members belonging to unprivileged class are carrying bundles of dry branches for domestic use.

Shops, restaurants to close by 11pm R AWALPINDI —The Punjab government has given orders to close down all hotels, shops and wedding halls at 11pm due to the severe power crisis.

In order to cope with looming power crisis, Punjab government has strictly banned the use of air condition in all government offices before 11 am and has ordered to conserve electricity by shutting off additional power supplies.

All monthly bills of government offices would be strictly checked at the end of month.

Punjab govt has also ordered the closure of wedding halls by 10:00 pm and shops and restaurants by 11:00pm.

Strict action would be taken against all those who would try to violate the law.—Online

23 outlaws arrested ISLAMABAD: Farhana Azeem, Advisor Floral Art Society Islamabad briefs particiR AWALPINDI —Police on pants during Floral Art Competition.

Wednesday arrested 23 outlaws from different areas of the city and seized 489 grams charras, 65 bottles of liquor and four pistols and a stolen car from them. According to a police spokesman, Waris April 25 Khan police arrested Sohail and recovered 40 bottles of ALLAMA Iqbal Open Uniliquor. R.A. Bazaar police versity has scheduled its held Fayyaz for having five final exams of MS, M.Phil dia to provide correct and liquor bottles while Shahid CITY REPORTER and Ph.D Programmes for due coverage to political parthe Semester Autumn, 2012 I SLAMABAD —A General ties. There should be no ex- was netted with three liquor from 25th April, 2013 simul- Council meeting of Press ternal interference by any bottles.

Race Course police aptaneously.

Council of Pakistan (PCP) quarter to ensure better role prehended Irfan and recovwas held under the chairman- of media. ered 10 bottles of liquor. Civil ***** He said that state agen- line police sent behind the ship of Raja M. Shafqat Khan THE COMSATS Institute Abbassi. cies should provide fool- bars Khursheed as five liquor of Information TechnolMedia commission report proof security to the media bottles were recovered from ogy will hold a one-day and election guidelines in so that it could discharge its seminar on Development five languages were reviewed responsibility in an efficient him.—APP in Pakistan and Women- in the meeting. manner.

Inclusive Strategies on The meeting also enPCP Chairman said that a Thursday besides an ex- committee had been formed dorsed the previous hibition of women entre- comprising Wamiq A Zubari, meeting’s agenda and preneurs here.

Syed Fasih Iqbal, Ghulam stressed that complaint Nabi Mughal and Bachal mechanism should be effecApril 30 Laghari to set up PCP re- tive.

STAFF REPORTER Mujeeb-ur-Rehman gional office at Karachi “MOTHER & Child whereas another committee Shami, Nasir Zaidi, Yasmeen Health Week” will start in had also been formed headed Rehman, Zia Shahid, Ayesha I SLAMABAD —Dr. Ayub Rawalpindi Districts till by Fasih Iqbal to redress the Ikram, Bachal Laghari, Iqbal Sabir’s booklet “Nazriya-IApril 30 and massive problems of journalists of Jaffery, Siddiq Baloch, Pakistan” can be placed at par with any voluminous awareness would be dis- Quetta.

Wamiq A. Zubari, Ghulam book on this subject due to seminated among the Abbassi said that it was Nabi Mughal attended the its highly appreciable conmasses about the health the responsibility of the me- meeting. tents and sequence of its of mother and child. chapters which portray the real spirit of Pakistan movement as well as the suggestions it carries out to introduce the best suitable education system for the country to safeguard its ideological barriers.

ISLAMABAD—Land mafia is ous areas as well.

They sell out plot with These remarks were made active in the illegal sale of plots in Saidpur with impu- the area equivalent to two by eminent Pakistani scholar nity in connivance with cor- rooms at the rate of Rs 50000 and educationist of internarupt elements of Capital De- while the large sized plots are tional repute Dr. Anwar Dil, in velopment Authority being sold out at the rates his presidential address, durranging between Rs 100000 ing the monthly literary sitting (CDA). of Nuqta-I-Nazar arranged by Land mafia has been to Rs 200000.

The citizens have de- the Nazriya-I-Pakistan Coungiven free hand by CDA to such an extent that earlier it manded high ups of CDA to cil at Aiwan-I-Quaid, wherein used to occupy the tract of stop this illegal business of the literati of twin cities reland adjacent to their rooms plots besides initiating action viewed the booklet in detail. by constructing a room over against the corrupt officials Those who attended the there illegally. Now they have found involved in this unlaw- event included Dr. Ehsan started selling the mountain- ful transaction.—Online

Election 2013

PCP for foolproof security to media

PM stops recruitment in Islamabad Police CITY REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister (PM), Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has directed interior ministry to stop the recruitment process of 2700 new police officials in the Islamabad Police.

Reliable sources said that the PM decided to leave the matter of recruitment to new government to be installed after general elections.

The caretaker interior

minister Malik Muhammad Habib Khan had announced to induct 2700 police personnel in Islamabad police while the interior secretary had also directed the concerned quarters to advertise the posts.

Meanwhile, summary regarding the funds was sent to finance ministry but the ministry in return informed PM regarding the financial hurdles and non-availability

Minister for establishing art and craft schools ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Integration Shahzada Jamal Nazir has suggested to establish art and craft schools under public and private partnership in order to promote heritage of the country. The minister expressed these views while speaking at a meeting on projects, goals and activities of Lok Virsa here.

He said there is a need of sponsorship and marketing access to the crafts for the revival and uplift of the crafts.

He said roads, streets and other popular places should also be named after the artisans in order to pay homage to their skills.

He directed the authorities concerned to take all

possible steps for the revival and promotion of heritage and stressed on the need to strengthen the roots of culture in order to project the true identity of the country.

The minister appreciated Lok Virsa for its efforts to create harmony among the federating units by holding national and community based activities and projects, adding it serves as the only show-window on magnificent living cultural heritage of the country.

Executive Director Lok Virsa Khalid Javaid informed the minister that a road has already been named after folk singer Tufail Niazi which is leading in front of his house.—APP

of funds. Keeping in view the financial crunch, Khoso directed the interior ministry to stop the new recruitment till the establishment of new government.

It is pertinent to mention that the caretaker interior minister had announced the recruitment to beef up the security in federal capital ahead of the coming polls but the PM stopped it due to lack of funds.

Pak, Thai relations to be strengthened ISLAMABAD—Chairman Senate Nayyer Hussain Bokhari has said that Pakistan accords high priority to its relations with all countries of South East Asian region particularly Thailand “We want to further strengthen our relations in different spheres including legislature, trade and tourism”, he said. He was expressing these views in a meeting with Thailand’s Senate delegation led by President Mr. Nikom Wairatpanich at parliament house here.

It is pertinent to mention here that Thailand’s Senate delegation is on three-day visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Chairman Senate and will have important meetings including that with the President, Asif Ali Zardari.—NNI

Textbooks of PTB not available in market R AWALPINDI —Despite start of new academic session, text books of various subjects are still unavailable to students of private and government schools.

The authorities concerned have failed to address shortage of textbooks.

The new academic year has started from April 1 but many textbooks of Punjab Textbook Board are still not available in the market, causing immense problems for the students of government and private schools. The students and their parents are complaining non-availability of most prescribed books published by the Punjab Textbook Board (PTB).

The parents say since PTB books are not available and they are being forced to buy expensive books printed by private publishers since some teachers have started fining the children for not bringing the books.

Muhammad Altaf, father of a fifth grade student, said that he had purchased some books of 2012 editions for his son, but now his teachers have been telling him to buy the 2013 editions, most of which he said, were not available in the market.

Another parent, complained that every year the Punjab Textbook Board delayed publication of one or two books. But this year, he said, most books were not available.—APP

Intellectuals discuss book ‘Nazriya-i-Pakistan’

Illegal plots selling goes unchecked

Akhter, as Chief Guest, Muzaffar Mehmood Qureshi, Prof. JalilAali, Dr. Maqsood Jafri, the author Dr. AyubSabir,, Manzar Naqvi, Asghar Abid,

Shamim Ikramul Haq, Afshan Abbasi, Yawar Azeem, Ali Qambar and Anjum Khaleeq, the host.

The two hours discussion

brought out that the booklet “Nazriya-i-Paksitan” was capable of answering many questions as to why a country like Pakistan was lacking

behind the expected degree of achievements and prosperity while it was blessed with the best of resources and potentially strong manpower in every field.

The meeting was of the unanimous view that the only reason of our failure as a progressive country was that we have forgotten the values, our religion as well as the leaders of Pakistan movement like Quaid-IAzam and Allama Iqbal, have set for us to lead our lives as true Muslims and patriotic Pakistanis. We can still have the renaissanceas we see a shining dawn approaching in the shape of our younger generation which is showing an unconditional love for the motherland, the gathering maintained.

It was summed up that Dr. Ayub‘s book would go ISLAMABAD: Participants of discussion on the book Nazariya-e-Pakistan at Aiwan-e- a long way in making us Quaid. Dr Anwar Dil, Dr Ahsan Akbar, Muzaffar Mehmood Qureshi, Prof Jalil, Manzar think about the fundamenNaqvi, Dr Masood Jaffery and author of the book are seen in the picture.—PO photo by tal objectives of the PakiSultan Bashir stan movement.

Nishat Power posts Rs.2.06 b profit ISLAMABAD —The Nishat Power Limited on Wednesday announced the profit of Rs.2.06 billion for the period ended on March 31, 2013, registering an increase of 44.69 per cent against Rs.1.42 billion in the same period of the last year. The profit of the company was increased due to a surge in sales and a decline in finance cost. The sales of the company stood at Rs.18.58 billion for nine months of current year, witnessing an increase of 18.44 per cent against Rs.15.69 billion in the same period of the last year. In the same way, the finance cost of company had shown a decrease of 27.27 per cent from Rs.2.18 billion to Rs.1.71 billion during the period under view. The earning per share (EPS) had witnessed a surge from Rs.4.02 in the period of last year to Rs.5.82 EPS in the current year.—APP

LSE down by 14.13 points LAHORE—Bearish trend prevailed in Lahore Stock Exchange on Tuesday as it shed 14.13 points, following the LSE-25 index opened with 4012.87 and closed at 4027.00 points. The market’s overall situation, however, corresponded to an upward trend as it remained at 2.041 million shares to close against previous turnover of 892,400 shares, showing an upward move of 1.149 million shares. While, out of the total 100 active scrips 36 moved up, 12 shed values and 52 remined equal. Engro Corporation Limited, Shakarganj Mills Limited and Engro Foods Limited were major gainers of the day by recording increase in their per share value by Rs 5.41, Rs 1.05 and Re 0.98 respectively. Nishat Mills Limited, Pakistan State Oil Company Limited and Pakistan National Shipping lost their per share value by Rs 2.95, Rs 2.00 and Rs 1.90 respectively. The Volume Leader of the day included Byco Petroleum Pakistan with 569,000 shares, Silk Bank Limited (Saudi) with 360,000 shares and Maple Leaf Cement Factory with 219,500 shares.—APP

Conversion rates KARACHI—The following rates will be applicable for conversion into rupees of Foreign Currency Deposits, Dollar Bearer Certificates, Foreign Currency Bearer Certificates, Special U.S. Dollar Bonds and profits thereon by all banks and for providing Forward Cover on Foreign Currency Deposits (excluding F.E. 25 deposits) by the State Bank on April 25, 2013. The rates are U.S. Dollar Rs 98.4026, Japanese Yen Rs 0.9882, Pound Sterling Rs 150.3494 and Euro 128.0710.—APP

The first one gets the oyster the second gets the shell.

—Andrew Carnegie

SAARC Chambers to broaden weal co-operation ISLAMABAD—Vice President of have revealed that South Asia SAARC CCI has fully sup-

ported the government-industry partnership and remained engaged in dialogue with governments of the SAARC region.

He added that recent developments and parleys between Indo-Pak would benefit and help normalization of relations between the two nuclear states. He noted that if all SAARC member countries pool and harness their indigenous resources it would improve socio economic conditions of their re- EPZA Chairman Muhammad Saadat S Cheema briefing Federal Minister for Industry and Production Shahzada Ahsan Ashraf Sheikh. spective people.

He highlighted that SCCI was established in 1985 with main agenda to promote regional and economic co-opcan be visualized to become the work in this regard.

STAFF REPORTER eration in South Asia. a regional hub serving incomChairman EPZA, Mr. STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Establishment of ing and out going commer- Saadat S. Cheema informed KARACHI—Bank Alfalah has Export Processing Zone in cial traffic of Middle East, the Federal Minister that posted a healthy profit be- Gwadar can prove instrumen- Central Asian Republics and Gawadar is already on the fore tax of Rs. 1.527 billion for tal in bringing substantial for- Gulf countries. It will attract top priority of his team. He the first quarter ended eign and local investment trade from over twenty coun- mentioned that the land March 31, 2013, a commend- through economic and trade tries including Srilanka, which has been allocated for able achievement consider- activity. When fully func- Bangladesh, Oman, UAE, EPZA in Gwadar is far from proved an interim cash divi- increased by Rs 0.6 billion to ing the challenging macro- tional, it has the potential to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and the port, we therefore reSTAFF REPORTER dend of 20%, i.e., Rs.2.00 per reach Rs 1.0 billion in Q1’13. economic landscape and the benefit many neighbouring Iran. Keeping such profile of quest for its re-allocation K ARACHI —United Bank share. Despite falling marProvisions reduced by declining interest rates envi- and landlocked countries. trade in perspective it is natu- near the port as otherwise This was observed by ral to plan establishment of Export Processing Zone in Limited (UBL), one of gins and severe spread com- Rs182 million compared to ronment.

Shahzada Ahsan Ashraf an Export Processing Zone in Gawadar will become a Profit after tax for the first Pakistan’s largest private pression, the bank was able the corresponding period last Gwadar on priority basis. lesser attractive business banks with nearly 1,300 do- to enhance its fee income and year and this has resulted in quarter was recorded at Rs. Shaikh, Minister for IndusThe Federal Minister as- proposition for the invesan improvement in the Bank’s 1.011 billion and earnings per tries and Production during mestic branches, announced lower provisions. share were reported at Rs. his visit to Export Processing sured Chairman EPZA and tors. By moving close to the Non-interest income in coverage ratio. its results for the first quarAdministrative expenses 0.75. The bank has managed Zones Authority in Karachi. his team that the Ministry will port we may well become a ter 2013 on Tuesday, April 23, Q1’13 saw an increase of 17% While emphasizing the extend all out support for es- country specific export pro2013. The bank registered a to Rs. 5.1 billion. Fees and reduced by 1% over the pre- to increase its non mark-up importance of Gawadar, the tablishment of an Export Pro- cessing zone, keeping in income by 27% to Rs. 1.864 profit after tax of Rs. 4.9 bil- commissions grew by 23% to vious quarter. Compared to cessing Zone in Gawadar perspective the significant lion for Q1’13 in its consoli- Rs2.7 billion, mainly attribut- the first quarter of 2012, ex- billion in the first quarter Federal Minister said that and instructed EPZA Chair- Chinese investment in the importance of this port ended March 31, 2013 comdated results, which repre- able to increase in remit- penses increased by Rs 674 man to immediately speed up Gawadar Port. sents a 2% growth over the tances, branchless banking million to Rs 6.7 billion, par- pared to the corresponding is strategic in nature and it same period last year. This income, improved general tially due to the full impact of period last year. Revenue for translates into earnings per banking fees and cross-sell the 2012 branch expansion, the first quarter was reported share of Rs. 3.82 (March 2012: of bancassurance. Dividend rupee devaluation on over- at Rs. 5.688 billion, a decline Rs. 3.97). The Board of Di- income increased by Rs 0.4 seas expenses and an increase from Rs. 6.108 billion reported rectors in their meeting held billion to Rs 0.5 billion in in variable costs driven by in the corresponding period on April 23, 2013 also ap- Q1’13, whilst capital gains higher commission earnings. last year mainly attributable to pressure on net interest STAFF REPORTER curities & Exchange CommisTARIQ KHATTAK income due to lower interest sion of Pakistan (SECP), rates in the current quarter. I SLAMABAD —A delegation NCCPL and CDC. Mr. Niazi LAHORE—Samsung ElectronTotal assets increased to explained that after its ics Co., Ltd and Ufone have Rs. 544.724 billion at March 31, from Afghan International demutualization on August joined hands to launch Bank visited Islamabad Stock 2013 as compared to Rs. 27, 2012, the ISE is in search Samsung Galaxy S4 in Pakistan.

536.467 billion at year end Exchange (ISE). The delega- of a strategic investor for sale The MOU signing ceremony tion apprized that although 2012, further strengthening money market was function- of 40% shares available with between both the companies bank’s financial position. ing under the umbrella of Af- it on behalf of members of the was held at the Pearl Continenghan Central Bank, however, Exchange. He said that after tal Hotel Lahore. Among the the country has yet to have floatation of further 20% telecom operators, Ufone shall a stock market as well as se- shares to public at large, the be the co-launch partner for curities regulator. The partici- shareholding of the ISE shall Samsung Galaxy S4 in Pakistan With a range of pants were therefore inter- be diversified. The particiested to know about the pants were informed that the Smartphones launched every functioning of stock market demutualization has helped year, Samsung has attained LAHORE—Pakistan Agricul- and investment procedures. ISE to improve its gover- immense popularity all over the world. As a latest addition to Mr. Waris Niazi Deputy nance. tural Storage & Services CorReplying to various ques- the Galaxy Series Smartphones, poration (PASSCO) an- General Manager ISE gave a nounced its Wheat Procure- detailed presentation on se- tions of the participants, Mr. Samsung Galaxy S4 offers exment Policy 2013 for purchas- curities market and invest- Usman Rashid Head of In- citing possibilities for “consuming 1.6 million wheat across the ment procedures. The partici- vestor Relation of ISE in- ers on the go” and has been country. The policy statement pants were briefed about the formed that Pakistani market becoming increasingly popular securities laws, functioning has been 3rd in world with ever since it was unveiled in ZONG and NADRA signed an agreement through which NADRA will be using ZONG’s was made by Col Tanveer USA on March 14, 2013 . Beof stock markets, roe of Se- 33% return.

Hussain, General Manager voice services on the allocated short code 7000 for Centralized Call Centre. This call centre sides receiving a tremendous will be used for providing assistance to general public for different queries. Picture shows Commercial PASSCO while response from consumers ZONG’s CEO Fan Yunjun shaking hands with Muhammad Tariq Malik, Chairman NADRA. addressing a press conference worldwide, the Samsung Galhere at the PASSCO office on axy S4 reached 10 million preWednesday. G.M Field Brig orders in the first two weeks Rashid was also present on the after it was announced last occasion. Col Tanveer said month. The innovative new that the department had comdevice is the most eagerly pleted all the arrangements for awaited device in Pakistan. procurement of wheat this year Ufone too, shall soon be initiChief Executive, Standard to their specific needs.”

STAFF REPORTER and a total of 218 purchasing ating pre-booking of Samsung Chartered Pakistan said, The Asset Triple A centres had been set up in 21 Galaxy S4 for the all the KARACHI —Standard Char- “The Best Structured Trade Awards are Asia’s defining tehsils of Pakistan and main Samsung Smartphone enthusitered was recently Finance House award re- recognition for excellence in aim was to facilitate small growasts. recognised as the Best Struc- flects the Bank’s commitment the industry. Into their sec- ers.

Speaking at the event Farid tured Trade Finance provider towards innovation and is a ond decade, the perception He told media that Ullah Jan, head of mobile phone in Pakistan by Asset Triple A testament to the exceptional and appreciation of The PASSCO would start distribbusiness at SEPAK said, “In Country Award 2013. This performance that the Bank Triple A’s has gone from uting bags on Thursday today’s age staying connected award is recognition of Stan- has achieved across its busi- strength to strength. while wheat receiving proceon the go is an essential. The The Bank was competing dure would be started on May dard Chartered’s superior ness in the country. Banks Samsung Galaxy S4, being a real have an essential role in sowith some of the largest lostructuring and distribution 1,to be completed in six life companion, goes a step capabilities, and reinforces its ciety and thereby we actively cal players in the Banking weeks. He said that eight ahead in providing the most dominant leadership position invest in innovative prod- Industry and has won this bags would be given for one advanced user experience that LAHORE: John Park, Managing Director Samsung and ucts and services to provide award on the basis of its com- acre while no wheat grower in Wholesale Banking.

Commenting on the rec- our clients with world class petence and commitment to would be given more than 200 Akbar Khan, Chief Marketing Officer at Ufone exchang- makes consumers’ life richer, simpler and more fun”. ing the MoU at the launch of Samsung Galaxy S 4. ognition Mohsin A. Nathani, financial solutions that cater the customers. bags at one time. —APP SCCI Pakistan chapter Iftikhar Ali Malik on Wednesday said that the SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) could play a pivotal role in broadening economic co-operation for the benefit of people of the region. Talking to APP after attending SAARC CCI assembly and returning from Kathmandu, leader of Pakistan delegation said.

He cited that intra-regional trade figures for South Asian were disappointing as these constitutes only 1.4 percent of the total world imports and 1.2 percent of exports,whereas merchandise trade was only 27.9 percent of GDP, the lowest in the world. He said that World Development Indicators

houses 1.4 billion world’s population,thus representing a large workforce, tremendous business and investment opportunities. Although South Asia has significantly reduced import tariffs, the cost of trading across its borders is one of the highest in the world, regretted Malik.A number of non-tariff barriers have been identified which hamper trade and increase cost, he added.

He said that SCCI, an apex organisation of SAARC and a representative of the private sector has worked to create awareness of regional integration through various activities in the region and beyond.

Iftikhar Ali Malik said that

Bank Alfalah posts handsome profit

Gwadar vital for Pak economy

UBL’s consolidated assets cross Rs1 trillion in Q1

Delegation of Afghan int’l bank visits ISE

Samsung, Ufone to launch Samsung Galaxy S 4

PASSCO announces wheat procurement policy

Standard Chartered recognised as ‘Best Structured Trade Finance Provider’

Post tax profit of PSO for FY13 increases by 3.8% STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —The Board of Management of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) convened on Tuesday at PSO House to review the company’s performance for the first nine months of FY13 from July, 2012 to March, 2013.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ahsan Bashir and members in attendance were Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig.

Mr. Mohammad Naeem Malik, Mr. Malik Naseem Hussain Lawbar, Mr. Raja Hameed Ahmed Saleem, Mr.

Muhammad Azam and Mr. Naeem Y. Mir-CEO&MD, PSO. In the period under review, PSO’s revenues rose to Rs 930 billion as compared to Rs 862 billion in the corresponding period last year, representing a growth of 7.8 %. After tax earnings also witnessed significant improvement and increased to Rs. 9.31 billion in the period under review in comparison to Rs. 8.97 billion during the corresponding period last year representing an increase of 3.8 %.

During this time period,

industry volumes for Black Oil remained stable while White Oil grew by 1% reflecting an increase in Mogas consumption of 16%. PSO’s share of the MOGAS segment also grew to 50.9% in comparison to 49.6% while the HSD market share increased to 57.6% against 54.8% last year. Once again, your Company also continued to hold onto the lions share of the market with its share in the White Oil segment growing to 56.0% of the overall market while its share in the Black Oil segment stood at

74.7%, thereby contributing to a total market share of 64.3%.

Living up to its role as the nation’s leading Public Sector Company; PSO has inaugurated the first of its kind Fortified Medical Center at PSO House. Also during this period, PSO formally inaugurated the first street under its unique CSR Street Program in Thatta, Sindh.

Recently, in April PSO has taken further steps along the path of becoming an integrated energy company and building a self-re-

liant energy chain by signing various strategic agreements. This has included signing a MoU with Engro PowerGen Limited (EPL) to review the technical and economical feasibility of the Thar coal project. Additionally a second MoU has been signed with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) for the establishment of a state-of-the-art oil refinery with a capacity of 40,000 barrels per day in District Kohat - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PSO has also initiated a number of new and innovative marketing

projects to project its image.

With this in mind, the Company has inaugurated the first of its kind “Diesel Square” in Karachi and plans to replicate this project in multiple cities nationwide.

Another first for PSO has been the inauguration of the world’s first “Community Owned Station” in Gujrat which shall help bring about a social revolution at a grass roots level by distributing the station’s profit amongst local area stakeholders.

At the meeting, the

Board appreciated the Company management’s efforts on behalf of the shareholders as well as the employees and the general public.

At the same time, the Board expressed increasing concern over the balance of receivables, including price differential claims, which stood at over Rs 142.8 billion as on March 31, 2013.

They observed that the financial costs of this debt coupled with the continuously increasing receivables from the power sector continued to hurt the overall profitability of the com-

pany and directed efforts to be made to reduce the impact of the burdening financial costs through constant pursuit for recovery of receivables from the power sector entities as well as from the Government of Pakistan. Keeping in view the financial constraints the Board did not approve any dividends for the period under review.

The Company management thanked the members of the BoM for their direction and pledged to act on their instructions for the future benefit of the shareholders.

USA

98.30

98.10

UK

149.75

149.44

EURO

128.53

128.27

Canada

95.90

95.71

Switzerland

105.45

105.23

Australia

101.26

101.05

Sweden

15.06

15.03

Japan

0.9849

0.9829

Norway

16.93

16.89

Singapore

79.42

79.26

Denmark

17.24

17.20

Omani Riyal

255.00

245.00

Saudi Arabia

26.21

26.16

Hong Kong

12.66

12.64

Kuwait

344.96

344.26

Malaysia

32.33

32.26

Newzeland

84.99

82.83

Qatar

27.00

26.71

UAE

26.76

26.71

KR WON

0.0877

0.0875

Thailand

3.432

3.425

KARACHI—Following were the bullion rates in major cities yesterday.

KARACHI: Gold Tezab Silver Tezabi

47400.00 788.57

MULTAN: Gold Tezabi (24-Ct) 50420.00 Gold 22 Ct 46010.00 SilverTezabi 895.00 Silver Thobi 815.00

First Pakistani biological product accepted at ICVH STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—For the first time ever a Pakistan manufactured biological product’s clinical trial was accepted and presented at the prestigious ICVH and having the dual distinction of being presented earlier at EASL (European Association of Liver Diseases) conference 2012.

Getz Pharma presented latest clinical data on Unipeg (Pegylated Interferon) at the International Conference on Viral Hepatitis (ICVH) 2013 held recently at New York, USA. The World famous Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) jointly sponsored The International Conference on Viral Hepatitis 2013. It was held at the New York Academy of Medicine in New York City from April 24-26, 2013.

The conference was co-chaired by Professor Douglas T. Dieterich, MD (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA) and Professor Mark R. Nelson, MD (Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, England).

Dr. Saleem Qureshi, Co-Investigator EUROP Trial from KRL Hospital Islamabad presented Getz Pharma’s Clinical Trial findings titled “A MULTICENTER EVALUATION OF PEGYLATED INTERFERON (UNIPEG) FOR RESPONSE IN PAKISTANI POPULATION (EUROP)” at the conference which was well received by the audience & faculty at the ICVH 2013.

The abstract was also published in the ICVH 2013 program & abstract book.

Oil up in Asia S INGAPORE —Oil prices rose slightly in Asia Wednesday on cautious hopes of a rise in energy demand in the United States, analysts said. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, added 21 cents to $89.39 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for June delivery gained 17 cents to $100.48 in mid-morning trade.

“There is an underlying growth-in-demand prospect with the upcoming US stockpiles data.

This is fuelling positive sentiment and balancing generally softer economic data,” Jason Hughes, head of sales trading at CMC Markets in Singapore, told AFP. Later Wednesday, the US Department of Energy (DoE) will publish its report on crude reserves in the country for the week ending April 19.—AFP

US investors keen in Pak energy sector AMANULLAH KHAN

seeking joint ventures and bilateral trade promotion during the visit. He said that the lowest volume of FDI (foreign direct investment) from USA to Pakistan during the recent years was not due to any particular reason but it was due to economic crisis world over that also affected USA. He said that it was a misconception that USA has stopped FDI to Pakistan in recent times and should not be taken negatively. He said that the biggest challenge for UPBC is to present Pakistan positively among the Us investors as media especially CNN and Fox TV are showing much against Pakistan now a days.

He said that UPBC is not a branch of US government and that working independently. He suggested having dialogue between the two fo-

rums on political and economic issues. He said that by K ARACHI —US companies and large it was a responsibility of the business comhave shown interest in inmunity of the two countries vesting in energy sector of to promote bilateral trade. He Pakistan considering the said that he is very much amgreat potential in power, oil bitious to boost trade and inand gas sector, said Chairvestment between the two man US-Pakistan Business sides. “We want to do busiCouncil (UPBC) Miles Young ness with Pakistan because here at Federation of Pakistan it is a country of future”, Chambers of Commerce and Young said adding that deIndustry (FPCCI) today. spite the fact that security is The head of visiting delthe main concern here US inegation from USA, said that vestors and energy crisis is US companies including GE, another issue here but the Shell and other companies UPBC is committed to Pakiare already initiated their stan. Executive Director, ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Housing and Works Dr. Younis Soomro chairing the meeting of National Conprojects in Pakistan. He said UBBC, Esperanza Gomez said struction Limited. that UPBC is quite concerned on the occasion that Pakistani about ongoing energy crisis exporters should avail GSP in Pakistan and keen to refacility offered by US governsolve it. He said that UPBC ment and the UPBC is ready represents major multinaassist Pakistani exporters in tional companies of USA in utilizing this facility of preferPakistan and the delegation ential tariff on many items. is on fact-finding mission, I SLAMABAD —Procurement STAFF REPORTER of wheat in Punjab will start on May 1 for maintaining L AHORE —Samsung Elecstocks along with strategic tronics is a global leader and reserves to meet domestic award-winning innovator in requirements of the country.

Telecommunications and The federal government has Digital Technologies. Reapproved procurement of cently, Samsung Pakistan arabout 7.91 million tons wheat warrants of all the accused per- Nazim Aziz, Mohammad Iqbal ranged an exciting and funSTAFF REPORTER as a bumper crop is expected sons. and Muhammad Mubashir filled outdoor recreational in the country this year, said ISLAMABAD—The Securities The list of accused in- Hameed Dagia activity celebration, in which Chief Agriculture Policy Inand Exchange Commission of cludes JS Global Capital Ltd The analysis of KSE trad- all Samsung employees were stitute Abdul Rauf Chaudhry Pakistan has filed a criminal (JSGCL), Jahangir Siddiqui & ing data disclosed that during invited to participate and one which will translate into while talking to APP here on STAFF REPORTER complaint in the competent Co. Ltd (JSCL), Jahangir 73 trading sessions between have delightful experiences. convenience for the general Wednesday.

Court of Law against six com- Siddiqui & Sons Ltd, Jahangir 2.4.2007 to 13.7.2007, there were This celebration is named The provincial food deK ARACHI —Pakistan State public. panies and seventeen individu- Siddiqui Securities Services unusual hikes in trading volume “Great Working Place” Seen in the picture are partments and the Pakistan als involved in manipulation of Ltd, JS Investments Ltd (JSIL), and price of the ANL share. (GWP) activity at Oasis Aqua Oil (PSO) and Habib Bank ANL share price and volume Aziz Fidahussain & Co. Ltd, Said data reflected an abnormal resort and is held on a 5th Limited (HBL) have signed (from left to right) Mr. Naeem Agriculture Storage and Serthrough means which consti- Saad Saeed Farooqui, average daily trading volume of April to promote Team-Build- an agreement for the deploy- Y. Mir, CEO & MD- PSO and vices Corporation (PASSCO) tute acts, practices or omissions Mehboob Ali Kalyar, 3.5 million shares reaching the ing opportunities among the ment of ATM’s at PSO retail Mr. Nauman Dar, President have been given the task to procure wheat from the growand CEO - HBL. that operated as a fraud, deceit Muhammad Sadiq Patni, Shazia peak of 10.8 million shares on Samsung staff. It helps the outlets nationwide.

Also in the picture are ers at official fixed rate of Rs This agreement between in terms of Section 17(e)(ii) to Sadiq, Syed Nizam Shah, 20-4-2007. The average daily hard-working, passionate (v) of the Securities and Ex- Humayun Shaikh, Alia Sheraz trading volume during the said and innovative employees to the nation’s leading Energy (from left to right) Mr. Arif 1,250 per 40 kg, he added.

Wheat harvesting is in change Ordinance, 1969. The Monoo, Amna Humayun period reflected an increase of relax and cheer with numer- Company and the country’s Nasib GM Marketing SerHonorable Court of III Addi- Shaikh, Nasreen Shaikh, 2.3 million shares (i.e. 65%) as ous outdoor fun activities for largest private sector bank vices - PSO and Mr. Faiq full swing in Sindh where its tional Sessions Judge Karachi Ahmed Shaikh, Muhammad compared to its average trad- participants of varying ages. promises to be a mutually Sadiq - Head Payment Ser- procurement started on April 15 and is expected to conSouth, vide Order dated April Riaz, Muhammad Ijaz, Irfan ing volume of 1.2 million shares An interactive meeting for beneficial partnership and vices - HBL. tinue till end of next month, 22, 2013, has issued bailable Aziz, Saba Irfan Aziz, Zehra for the preceding 12 months. operational deliberations he said. He said that the Food was also held on that funDepartment Punjab would filled day to enhance the Around 200 applications procure about 4.5 million STAFF REPORTER team-building skills of the were received from universi- tons, Sidnh 1.3 million tons, employees.

ISLAMABAD—Dr. Adil Khan ties and research institutions Khyber Pukhtunkhwa 0.4 Miankhel, Senior Economic from all over Pakistan and million tons and Balochistan Advisor at the Competition around the world. After the 0.11 million tons wheat.

Abdul Rauf said that the Commission of Pakistan second round of reviews by (CCP), has won a highly the RAC members, 33 pro- Punjab Government would competitive research grant posals were shortlisted and start distributing bags from award during the second presented at a conference April 25 and procurement round of Call for Proposals titled “Second Research from May 1 while the KP under the ‘Pakistan Strategy Competitive Grants Confer- would initiate its campaign STAFF REPORTER Support Program’ (PSSP) ence” on February 8-10, 2013 by mid of next month as harvesting would take some administered by Interna- in Islamabad.

I S L A M A B A D — w i - t r i b e , tional Food Policy Research Taking the presentations time in the province due to Pakistan’s No. 1 broadband Institute (IFPRI), Washing- into account, the Research weather conditions. The provider for quality of service ton DC. Advisory Committee after PASSCO has set up 200 cenbrings forth another promoA call for proposals for consultations with its mem- ters across the country for tional offer to further enrich the second round of Com- bers, finalized the selection procuring wheat, he added.

Fifteen tehsils of Punjab customer’s experience. The lat- petitive Grants focused on of 20 applicants (an accepest offer called ‘Double Volume’ “Policy Research to Support tance rate of 10%) and the have been selected and diis targeted towards 1st time Sustained Officials of ICAP, DAGP, and CGA pictured after signing MoU at Islamabad.

Economic Award ceremony was held vided in nine zones including subscribers of the 1Mbps Ba- Growth” was made in August on April 19, 2013 in Hafiz Abad, Pakpatan, Bahwal sic package.

2012. A Research Advisory Islamabad. The Commission Nagar, Veharri, Khanawal, The ‘Double Volume’ Committee (RAC) compris- has termed it an academic Lodhran, Layya, Alipur and promotional offer will in- ing of leading national and achievement on part of Dr. Muzaffargarh and centers have also been established in Tariq from Bhakar, Muhammad Bhawalnagr, Shahid Maqbool crease the current 12 GB international academics and Miankhel and a matter of Khanpur tehsil of Rahimyar STAFF REPORTER Siddique from Taxila, from Lahore, Muhammad Nasir download volume of the 1 researchers evaluated the prestige for Competition Khan district, he added.—APP Basic package to 24 GB grant proposals.

Commission of Pakistan.

LAHORE —The Twenty lucky Muhammad Imran from from Gujranwala and Abdul Mbps for a period of 2 months withwinners of the ‘ShahCar Offer Sahiwal, Muhammad Tariq from Satar from Sheikhupura.

Speaking at the press con- out any additional costs. The 2013’ launched by Ufone ear- Okara, Shahzad Anjum from offer is valid from April to lier this year have been an- Lahore, Muhammad Asghar ference Salman Wassay, Chief May, 2013 and is only for nounced. The lucky Ufone cus- from Kasur, Kashif Iqbal from Commercial Officer Ufone said new subscribers of the tomers who have won a Toyota Hyderabad, Shahid Akhtar from that “Ufone has always been 1Mbps Basic package.

Corolla each are : Abdul Sattar Kasur, Muhammad Buta from in the lead to offer attractive and Excluding the Nishtarabad, Noor ul Qamar meaningful promotional offers from Karachi, Muhammad transitioned accounts to the Khalid Jameel from Mirpur, from Swabi, Rashida kausor to its customers. In the past, 30 1Mbps Basic package, wipetition in Kazakhstan and Mr. Qadir said that we STAFF REPORTER Abdul Jabar from Lahore, from Karachi, Muhammad customers have benefitted tribers who have purchased others were also present on could not afford to ignore Mohammad Ishaq Naeem from Hassan Tariq from Lahore, from the two previous Ufone the package (before the ISLAMABAD—Secretary Min- the occasion. Dr. Zafar Iqbal education in this era of Ahmedpur Sial, Muhammad Shafique al Rehman from ShahCar offers. Ufone under its ShahCar offer is working in a launch of the promo) in the istry of Information Technol- Qadir said that those who are globalisation and competinumber of ways to change the month of April will automati- ogy and Telecom Dr. Zafar promoting quality education tion where all countries are Iqbal Qadir of Wednesday in Pakistan are our best bringing trade barriers down. lives of the people involved and cally get double volume.

This offer is in line with said quality education and friends as it is linked to sus- Economically successful these 50 winners in almost two years is a true example of that”. wi-tribe’s recently intro- economic prosperity are tainable development of countries will hold competitive and comparative advanWassay added, “Today we duced packages which are linked together. Education economy and the society.

He said that innovation tages over other economies are giving away a brand new designed to meet customer’s system plays most important Toyota Corolla to 20 lucky diverse online requirements. role in rise and fall of nations of Bashir could trigger green and he hope that Pakistan Ufone customers, this is a ba- These reiterate wi-tribe’s as it is related to the overall revolution in the country will be among one of the leadsic necessity and cannot be stance as a company at the economic performance, he therefore he will be provided ing economic powers in the all necessary encouragement global marketplace, he said. afforded by many. Ufone forefront of understanding said.

The Secretary said that Secretary IT said this by the government. Pakithrough this scheme has estab- its customer’s needs and exlished a credible prize scheme ceeding them, while enhanc- which talking to Vice Chair- stani youth are highly Turkey are tied in religious man of PakTurk Schools blessed as they have sur- and cultural bonds while for its customers that is trusted ing their experience.

Turgut Puyan. Waleed prised the world repeatedly, PakTurk has strengthening far and wide in Pakistan.”

Bashir, a class ninth student especially in the field of IT, bilateral relations by promotfrom Balochistan who the government official re- ing affordable quality education in Pakistan. bagged gold medal in a com- marked.

Samsung employees enjoy good experience

PSO, HBL ink deal

Wheat procurement to start in Punjab on May 1

Complaint against Cos involved in shares price manipulation

CCP official wins award

wi-tribe offers double volume to new subscribers

Winner of Car Offer revealed

Education linked with economic prosperity

Draft pharmaceutical industry cost accounting records order approved STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (the “Commission”) has approved draft Pharmaceutical Industry (Cost Accounting Records) Order, 2013 (the “Order”) to facilitate maintenance of records by the companies engaged in the production, processing and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals products. Pharmaceutical companies are required to maintain such cost accounting records including all particulars relating to utilization of material, labour or other inputs of items of cost to determine total product cost.

The notification is being

published for the information of all parties likely to be affected thereby. The draft will become effective thirty days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Any objections or suggestions which may be received from any person in respect of the said draft before the expiry of the said date will be considered by the Commission.

Cost Audit practice was adopted in the Sub-Continent in 1967 and today a number of industries are following this practice. In Pakistan, “Cost Audit Rules” are applicable to five industries i.e.

Cement, Sugar, Vegetable Ghee, Chemical Fertilizer, Synthetic and Rayon.

The Commission consid-

ers that maintenance of the cost accounting record and cost audit reporting is necessary to foster efficiency and promote sustainable growth. The primary advantage of maintaining cost accounting record as prescribed by the Commission in pharmaceutical industry is to determine accurate product cost, which will provide the following advantages: It will enable a company to measure the efficiency of its manufacturing processes and to make improvements. By comparing valuable cost data a company can identify sources of loss or waste through inefficiencies and develop appropriate controls to prevent such a loss in the future.

Pakistan tycoons urged to explore US market SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—US Economic Officer Matan Meyer has said that Pakistani businessmen should explore American market that offers huge opportunities in all sectors of the economy. The US Economic Officer was talking to Chairman PIAF Malik Tahir Javaid here on Wednesday. PIAF Executive Member Sheikh Muhammad Irfan was also present during the meeting that continued for well over an hour. He said that the United States would continue to support democratic process in Pakistan and would welcome and cooperate whosoever makes government as a resul of upcoming elections ISLAMABAD: Federal Secretary IT and Telecom Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir with Waleed Basheer who won Gold Medal in global computer competition. at national level.

p

Non-disease virus kills breast cancer cells in lab

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VIRUS that infects humans with out causing disease kills breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) College of Medicine in the US, tested an unaltered form of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) on three different human breast cancer types representing different stages of cancer and found it targeted all of them. They hope by uncovering the pathways the virus uses to trigger cancer cell death, their work will lead to new targets for anti-cancer drugs. A paper on this work appeared recently in the journal Molecular Cancer.

In earlier studies, the team also showed that AAV2 promotes cell death in cervical cancer cells infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).

Cells have different ways of dying.

When a healthy cell gets damaged, or starts behaving in an abnormal way, this normally triggers production of proteins that cause apoptosis or cell suicide: part of this process also involves switching off proteins that trigger cell division. The problem with cancer cells is that apoptosis fails, and the proteins that regulate cell division and proliferation stay switched on, so abnormal cells continue to multiply and create new abnormal cells and that is how tumors develop.

Breast cancer is the most common can-

cer in the world and the main cause of cancer-related death in women.

First author Dr Samina Alam, research associate in microbiology and immunology at Penn State, told the press in a statement released on Thursday that breast cancer is also “complex to treat”.

Senior investigator Dr Craig Meyers, professor of microbiology and immunology at Penn State, explained why: “Because it has multiple stages, you can’t treat all the women the same. Currently, treatment of breast cancer is dependent on multiple factors such as hormone-dependency, invasiveness and metastases, drug resistance and potential toxicities.”

However, he went on to say that in their study, they showed that “AAV2, as a single entity, targets all different grades of breast cancer”.

He and his team believe that AAV2 is switching back on the apoptosis pathways that were switched off in the cancer cells.

For their study they used lab tissue cultures of cancer cells and found AAV2 killed 100% of them within seven days, with most of the cell death proteins activated on day five.In another experiment, working with cancer cells from an aggressive form of breast cancer, they found the virus took three weeks to kill the cells.

KARACHI: Rangers personnel patrolling on roads of the port city in order to maintain law and order.

Chinese diplomat calls on CS SATFF REPORTER K ARACHI — Chinese acting Consul General Jian Zing Jian Wednesday called on Sindh Chief Secretary (CS) Muhammad Ijaz Choudhry.

The CS welcomed the Chinese diplomat, who intended to have a courtesy call. The bilateral affairs were discussed in the meeting.

The CS noted that an academy of Chinese language was under construction, which would be extended throughout Sindh Province.

Chinese diplomat and CS also exchanged viewed about the cultural, agricultural, industrial, and power/energy based affairs, which were based on the mutual interest.

The task of Pak-Chinese friendship was also discussed.

FPCCI observes Earth Day SATFF REPORTER KARACHI: CEO Dolmen Group, Brad Gee presenting keys to winner of Dolmen shopping Festival, Nazeer Shah. Aamir Dar, Mohsin Ali are also seen in the picture.—PO photo by Sultan Chaki K ARACHI —Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry celebrated Earth Day by planting trees at Federation House, Karachi.

FPCCI acting President Shaheen Ilyas Sarwana, while speaking on the occasion emphasized the need for addressing a workshop on cials and personnel. The work- a pollution-free environment STAFF REPORTER bonded labour jointly shop also reviewed steps for and said that it was only posK ARACHI — Bonded labour organised by international the initiation of standard op- sible when people from all was a crime and cognizable to Labour Organisation and erating procedures regarding walks of life join hands to crePolice. However, Police per- Sindh Police held at a local implementation of law that ate a pollution-free environsonnel took the issue of hotel in the city Wednesday. governed the issues of ment in order to create a bonded labour as dispute due The 3-day workshop from bonded labour. healthy atmosphere for the to lack of awareness to the law. April 22-24 was initiated on He told the workshop that people.

Police had to take the matter in special directives of Sindh po- Police Training Module was He also suggested to all light of law as a crime cogni- lice Inspector General Shahid being upgraded, which would industrialists to make plantazable to Police and should help Nadeem Baloch. More than 35 include special subjects in the tion in their factories and eneradicate the nuisance of Police Training Instructors curriculum of Police Training sure that all wastage from bonded labour. Police high of- from Police Training Schools such as bonded labour, human their production is disposed ficials had to work on the and Colleges attended. trafficking and human rights. off properly so that a clean theme of creating awareness The workshop discussed Former IGP Ghulam environment was provided to among the Police personnel. and reviewed in details the le- Shabbir Shaikh, Human rights the nation.

This was stated by the gal and social aspects of the trainer Iqbal Detho, ILO repreHe further stated that the additional Inspector General of issue of bonded labour and sentative in Pakistan Bin theme of this year’s Earth Police (IGP), Sindh (Training) was a step forward to create Yamin and others also ad- Day was the “Face of Climate Ghulam Qadir Thebo while awareness among Police offi- dressed.

Change” and Pakistan was one of the countries which is most affected by global warming and climate change.

He said that our country had continuously faced an irregular pattern of rain over the past few years, which has deteriorated our infrastructure. At this time, there was a need to rehabilitate the environment through natural resources management and removal of greenhouse gases.

He said that the celebration of Earth Day reminded us of our responsibility to take necessary steps for the preservation of the earth, nature and to fight against those elements working towards the degradation of the ecosystem.

He further said that FPCCI has a Standing Committee on Environment, which would be further activated to achieve its aims and KARACHI: A view of Jashan-e-Baharan Family Festival at Park Towers.—PO photo objectives.

Bonded labour cognizable to police crime: Thebo

Politicians criticised for not including Special Education needs in manifestos KARACHI — Ashba Kamran, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Association for Difficulties in Learning (PADIL) has criticized the mainstream political parties for not including the Special Education Needs (SEN) in their manifestos.

She said that the SEN are meant for the children facing learning disabilities due to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and such other brain

relating processes.

Resultantly, these children are tagged as slow learners and majority of them fall under the category of dropouts due to their incapacity of pace with the mainstream education system.

“But it is a matter of grave concern that not a single political party has given any place to the children with learning disabilities in their manifestos. It suggests how serious our political leadership towards our upcoming generations is”, she added.

It is only the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, which has mentioned in its manifesto that jobs will be given to special children, she said.

But still it lacks the concept of SEN, which is quite embarrassing for a large number of parents expecting something good out of the political leadership, she said, adding especially, it nothing but a big a disappointment so far as the manifestos of the PMLN and the PPP are concerned.—NNI

Homage paid to late ZA Nizami K ARACHI — Speakers belonging to various walks of life paid rich tributes to late SSUET Chancellor Engr Z.A. Nizami for his services and highlighted various facets of his life as a world class town planner, educationist and as a poors loving human being, at a condolence meeting.

The meeting was organized by Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association of which Mr Nizami was President and Aligarh Institute of Technology at the Convocation Ground.

Gen Moinuddin Haider said the name of Mr Nizami will always be remembered because of the service he done for the development of Karachi and specially the establishment of an engineering university of international standard.

He pointed out that after the creation of Pakistan , the Aligarhians with their talent and vision steered Pakistan to the path of progress and name of Mr Nizami will remain on the top.

He recalled Mr Nizami’s meetings with him for the acquisition of 200 acres of land where he wanted to establish

bigger SSUET’s campus.

He called for continued growth of the tree planted by Mr Nizami for propagation of engineering education so that the university could continue to meet the ever changing world standards in various fields of engineering.

Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqi, recalled Nizami’s association with his father and later with him and said he is the one for whom condolence meetings are being organized by scores of organizations across Pakistan highlighting his vision, greatness and various facets of his fascinating life.—APP

Envoys designate present credentials to President IRFAN ALIGI K A R A C H I — Ambassadors

(designate) of Tajikistan, Philippines, Morocco, Slovak Republic, Malawi, Chile and the High Commissioner (designate) of South Africa, Wednesday presented their credential to President Asif Ali Zardari at a special ceremony held at Governor House Karachi today.

The Ambassadors and High Commissioner, after presenting their credentials separately called on the President and discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest. The President while felicitating the newly appointed ambassadors expressed the hope that they will work for further strengthening the existing ties of their respective countries with Pakistan.

The envoys who presented their credentials included Mpendulo Kumalo, High Commissioner designate of South Africa, Sherali Jononov, ambassador designate of Tajikistan, Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. Ambassador designate of Philippines , Mohamed Mustapha Salahdine, ambassador designate of Morocco, Jan Bory, ambassador designate of Slovak Republic(Non Resident), Younas Abdul Karim, ambassador designate of Malawi (Non Resident) and Jean Paul KARACHI: Coffin of a worker of MQM who died in bomb blast at People’s Chowrangi Tarud, ambassador designate yesterday being taken to graveyard.—PO photo. of Chile (Non Resident).

PMA for action against PMDC STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and College of Family Medicine Pakistan (CFMP) raised objection on very first day on Feb 2, 2013 regarding Pakistan Medical and dental Council (PMDC) elections and seats for General Practitioners of Pakistan, which was not according to number of General Practitioners.

That is 132000 General Practitioners/ Family Physicians in Pakistan and they need proper representation in PMDC as one representa-

tive for one Province was not enough to represent large number of family doctors in Pakistan.

When advertisement of PMDC appeared in press on Mar 3, 2013 in the press, a letter was addressed by college of family medicine Pakistan to PMDC administrator Islamabad, PMDC President Islamabad as well as to PMDC Secretary.

It again addressed a letter to PMDC regarding PMDC elections for allowing a surgeon namely Dr Syed Razi Muhammad to contest elections on seat of General

Practitioner and these sent to Dr Raja Amjad Mehmood administrator PMDC that this seat was supposed for general practitioners and would not be acceptable to general practitioners of Pakistan, especially regarding Province of Sindh.

This the PMA stated in a press conference held Wednesday at PMA office in the city. Dr Aziz Khan Tank, Secretary General, College of Family Medicine Pakistan, Dr. Mirza Ali Azhar, Secretary General PMA Centre, Dr S.M.Qaisar Sajjad, Treasurer PMA Centre, Dr Idrees Adhi,

President PMA Karachi and Dr Qazi M. Wasiq, General Secretary PMA Karachi jointly addressed the press conference.

Meanwhile, the PMA said that the delegation of general practitioners met the administrator of PMDC at Islamabad an requested him to clarify the position of general practitioners, who represented two-third of the entire medical profession as being primary caretaker. The PMA said that it was essential that their representation should be properly decided.

HPV vaccine not linked to autoimmune disorders, study

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TWO-year study of nearly 190,000 girls and women, finds that Gardasil, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine made by Merck & Co, does not trigger autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The results are published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Study lead author Dr Chun Chao, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation in Pasadena, California, said in a statement released on Friday, that: “This kind of safety information may help parents with vaccination decisions.”

“These findings offer some assurance that among a large and generalizable female population, no safety signal for autoimmune conditions was found following HPV4 vaccination in routine clinical use,” said Chao.

Gardasil is a “quadrivalent” vaccine because it helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In girls and young women age 9 to 26, it targets 2 types that cause about 75% of cervical cancers, and 2 other types that cause 90% of cases of genital warts.

The vaccine, which is given as three injections over six months, also helps protect boys and men age 9 to 26 against 90% of cases of genital warts.

Genital warts is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, where it infects about 6.2 million people every year. It can also lead to cervical cancer in women.

Gardasil received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2006.

But a longstanding concern about links with autoimmune disorders has surrounded the vaccine, and many parents won’t let their children be vaccinated because of this.

However, Chao and fellow co-investigators from Kaiser Permanente told the press “most speculated associations have stemmed from case reports that have not been confirmed by large, controlled epidemiologic studies”, and their investigation “presents findings from a well-designed, post-licensure safety study of the vaccine on a large, ethnically diverse population”.

For the study, Chao and colleagues used electronic health records of 189,629 girls and women age 9 to 26 years in California. The participants had been followed for six months after receiving each dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in 2006-2008.

They found no increase in any of 16 autoimmune disorders in the vaccinated population compared to a matched population of non-vaccinated girls and women.

AJK PM meets Sethi SALIM AHMED L AHORE —Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Ch. Abdul Majeed called on Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi at Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Holding of general elections and matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.

Talking to Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, the Chief Minister Najam Sethi said that information technology is being fully utilized for ensuring peaceful and fair elections in Punjab and Punjab Election Monitoring System has been formulated with the help of information technology for monitoring the election process.

He said that citizens can register their complaints on special hotline regarding election process and a mechanism has also been devised for addressing such complaints. He said that monitoring of entire election process has been ensured from the level of polling station under the modern monitoring system. He said that Punjab Election Monitoring System is a comprehensive and most effective system and will play an effective role in holding of peaceful, transparent and impartial elections.

Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Ch. Abdul Majeed said that Punjab government has taken an important step by formulating modern monitoring system for ensuring holding of elections in a free and transparent manner.

Move against non-cooperatives in anti-dengue campaign STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —District Coordi-

LAHORE: Lawyers are protesting against Income Tax Officer outside Aiwan-e-Adl.

LHC notices rape of mother of three children MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—The Lahore High Court on Wednesday took notice of the news published in a section of press regarding rape of a mother of three children at Shahkot. District & Sessions Judge, Nankana Sahib has been directed to probe into the matter and submit a detailed report regarding steps taken by the local police along with his own comments.

According to details, victim submitted an application with Police Station City Shahkot. She alleged that she was sleeping at home with her family. Accused Ali Raza alias

Bhola with his three armed men including Khalil etc. jumped the wall and entered her house. They made her family hostage and locked them in one room. She was dragged to other room forcefully where accused Ali Raza sexually harassed her while his accomplices kept guard in the courtyard threatening the inmates to keep mum.

Affected woman said when she reached police station for lodging FIR, police officials get annoyed for reporting the incident at Police Helpline 15 and they did not register case. She also alleged that Lady Doctor of Govt.

Hospital Shahkot connived

with the accused and not issued medical report despite repeated visits by the victim.

While on the other hand, the accused persons threatened the affected family for serious consequences. The victim woman had appealed the Chief justice of the Pakistan for taking Suo-Moto notice of the incident. She also claimed that if the culprits were not brought to book, she will commit suicide along with her children.

LHC Complaint Cell took serious notice of the news and directed the concerned D&SJ to look into the matter and submit report within a week positively.

Ex-Nazims, Naibs enter PTI fold STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Some 67 exnazims and naib-nazims from various union councils of the provincial metropolis met Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and announced to join the party.

Speaking on the occasion here at a local hotel Wednesday, the ex-Nazims said that they had decided to join PTI since it is the only party which has introduced clear-cut stance of the local government election in the country and believed in transferring powers to the masses at the grass-root level.

Those who joined the party-folds are: Afeef Siddiqui (UC-107), Mehr Mohammad

Shabeer (UC-103), Mohammad Azmat Ch. (UC-104), CH. Iftikhar Yousaf (UC-06 ), Hamid Hussain Khan (UC-08), Malik M.Sadiq (UC-130), Tahir Islam (UC-31), Tasnim Shafi(UC32),Asif Hussain Butt(UC-54), Naeem Mughal(UC-3), Dr.Muhammad Nasir(UC-76), Mian Maqsood Naib-Nazim (UC-76), Asif Ali Babar (UC63), Malik Nadeem Awan (UC141), Naeem Haider Butt(UC10), Ch. Abdul Jabbar(UC-34), Qaiser Raza Rana (UC-131), Haji M. Riaz(UC-131), Khurshid Anwar Naib-Nazim (UC-84), Ch. Khalid Mahmood (UC-1), M. Abid Mustafa (UC1), Muhammad Azeem bhatti(UC-1), Muhammad M. Asghar(UC-16), Javaid Iqbal Bhatti (UC-137), Rai Amjad Javaid (UC-137), Amjad Khan (UC-134), Colonel (Retd) Tahir

Kardar (UC-127), Waris Mahmood (UC-129), Hafiz Rizwan (UC-75), Ch. Javed Tariq (UC75), Junaid Butt (UC25), Mehar Moid Waseem (UC35), Mian Rashid Iqbal (UC68), Zulfqar Mahmood NaibNazim (UC-68), Haji Tariq Feroz (UC-79), Zulfqar Ali Mauj (UC60), Malik Babar Awan (UC136), Malik Nadeem Liaqat (UC-141), Javed Iqbal Bhatti (UC-137), Malik Mudassar (UC-121), Maqdood Ahmad Mora(UC-65), Shahid Munir(UC-86), Ch. Waheed Akhtar (UC-165), Tahir Altaf (UC- 106), Akram ul Haq(UC106), Ch. Mohammad Ashraf Naib-Nazim (Garden Town), Waheed Abrar Gill NN (UC105), Amjad Ali Union Council President PPP (UC-65),Mian Adil Rasheed (UC-94), Arshad Dogar (UC-112).

nation Officer (DCO) Lahore Mr. Rizwan Mehboob has directed all the officers concerned of City District Government Lahore to lunch a massive and comprehensive campaign against non-cooperates in anti dengue campaign and FIR should be lodged against responsible and their premises should also be sealed.

Rizwan Mehboob expressed these views while chairing a meeting in connection with anti dengue drive at Town Hall on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioners, Town Administrators, Health Department officials, PHA officials, Town Municipal officers, Council officers, Entomologist and others. Official of Health Department briefed DCO, Lahore that weekly meetings are being arranged at town levels and the performance of employees are being inspected continuously.

Retired employees thank PIA Chairman STAFF REPORTER LAHORE —PIA Retired Employees Association’s Chairman, Mr.Zulfiqar Ali, President, Syed Tahir Hasan, Senior Vice President, Mr. Lateef Siddiqui and Secretary General Mohammad Younus Kakakhel thanked the Chairman PIA Lt.General (R) Asif Yaseen Malik, Managing Director Capt.

Junaid Younus and all well wishers for increasing the pension of PIA existing pensioners and widows. It was due to the interest shown by Chairman who fulfilled his commitment with the PIAREA office bearers and his declarations on different occasions.

They also congratulated the beneficiaries. It was made possible because of sincere efforts of PIAREA and retirees continued peaceful and unified struggle.

LAHORE: Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Ch. Abdul Majeed meeting Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi on Wednesday.

PML-N to implement public welfare agenda STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Pakistan Muslim League – N will introduce social and economic reforms soon after coming into power.

Industrial clusters, Information Technology & Software, Garments & Cottage cities will be established across the country.

PML-N will also introduce a mechanism to stop brain drain, flight of capital and industrial units shifting to the other countries.

“Power projects will be completed in record time like Metro bus project that was completed in just 11 months.”

These views were expressed by the PML-N NA 123 candidate Pervez Malik while talking to a 16-member delegation of businessmen here on Wednesday.

Pervez Malik said that corruption was the mother of all ills, malpractices and misgovernance had de-

stroyed the social fabric of the country. He said that during the 5-year tenure, PPP government, under the patronage of Zardari, promoted poverty by exhausting the national resources.

He said that PML-N was the only party that has a clear vision of a progressive Pakistan and other parties were doing the politics of hollow slogans. He lamented at this juncture when the country was facing load shedding, PPP was utilizing million rupees a day to promulgate its so called achievements that have never took place ever.

He said that PPP was responsible for severe energy crisis that has crippled the living of Pakistani nation, industrial activities while high inflation, unemployment and poverty had brought society to its knees.

He said that work on new power projects will be expedite to ensure provision of

uninterrupted electricity and gas supply to the industrial sector while PML-N will not discriminate with any province as it believes on national sovereignty.

Pervez Malik said that all those factors will be abolished that were impeding the growth.

All national resources will be exploited for development of the country. He said that fiscal deficit will be reduced by cutting the non development expenditures.

PML-N will also introduce complexity-free tax regime.

He said that planned industrial clusters, IT & Software and Cottage cities will not only generate million new jobs but will also help strengthening financial position of the country.

He urged the business community in particular and public in general to strengthen PML-N hands for the implementation of public welfare agenda.

141 fresh measles cases reported LAHORE—Over 9400 cases of measles have so far been reported from Punjab during the last five months with addition of 141 new cases during the last 24 hours.

According to health department officials, 54 deaths have so far been reported, including one from Children hospital on Wednesday, mostly deaths occured from Lahore, Gujranwala, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Kasur districts.

During the last 24 hours, around 54 cases of measles were reported from Lahore’s hospitals only. Meanwhile, Director EPI Dr.Tanveer Ahmed said that on investigation, it was found out that majority of deaths in Lahore were caused due to severe pneumonia and delay in reaching hospitals. However, Dr.Tanveer said that in all the hospitals of Lahore measles vaccination was available in ample quantity and patients were being treated free of cost. —APP

Quetta Express resumes operation OBSERVER REPORT L AHORE —Pakistan Rail-

LAHORE: A vendor arranging the clay made pitchers and different other items to attract the customers at his shop.

Dilkash Lahore Project stopped by caretakers O BSERVER R EPORT L A H O R E —The caretaker government in Punjab has stopped the Dilkash Lahore Project (DLP), while the project Convener Noor-ul-Amin Mengal, former District Coordination Officer (DCO), had also been made as OSD. According to sources, DLP was launched by former Chief Minister for the beautification and restoration of historical and heritage buildings of the city of Lahore. The government had made Justice (Retd) Khalilur Rehman Ramday as chairman of the project.

The government had earmarked an amount of Rs 100 million for DLP and

given the task for the restoration of three old buildings situated on The Mall including Shahdin Building, Dinga Singh Building and Ghulam Rasool Building.

The government had also fixed a period of four months (December 2012 to March 2013) for the completion of this project.

But due to process of awarding the contracts and late start of construction work the project could not be complete in time.

Sources revealed that caretaker government had frozen the funds allocate for ongoing projects last month soon after taking over the charge, while the contractor firm was also not taking interest for complet-

ing the work due to forthcoming general elections.

The sources said that no meeting in connection with DLP has been held during the past one month. A meeting was scheduled in April for reviewing the ongoing construction work but it has also been cancelled without any reason.

Dr Ajaz Anwar Voice Chairman of DLP and former Director Art Gallery, National College of Arts, while commenting on the project, said that DLP was a political stunt.

“I requested former chief minister not to fix the specific period for this project but he refused and directed to complete this project within three months”.

ways (PR) will restore Quttta bound Quetta Express from today (Thursday). General Manager (operations) Muhammad Junaid Qureshi will inaugurate the train at Lahore railway station. Railways had suspended the operation of Quetta Express in 2010 due to lack of locomotives.

According to new schedule this train will now depart from Lahore at 5.00 pm and reach at Quetta the next day at 4.30 pm, while it will depart from Quetta at 10.00 am and arrive at Lahore at 9.30 am.

Maqsood-un-Nabi, Chief Operation Officer (COPS) of Pakistan Railways told Pakistan Observer that Quetta Express would run from Lahore via Faisalabad, Shoorkot and Khanewal. The department has changed the route over the demand of passengers because Jaffar Express was already running via Lahore, Sahiwal and Khanewal.