Hangu IDPs camp blast leaves 8 dead Airstrikes, gunfight kill 21 militants in NWA TARIQ SAEED PESHAWAR—Twin blasts one at the IDPs camp
Obama: US underestimated rise of IS WASHINGTON—The United States has underestimated the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, President
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Today’s issue of Pakistan Observer carries a 4-Page Special Report on Tribute to the Large Taxpayers—Part 1.
Altaf raises temperature
political
................................................ Modi is perhaps unaware of Zarb-e-Azb ................................................ Indian courts’ zero tolerance for corrupts
See Page 04
LAHORE: PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressing a public rally on Sunday.
Lahore rally ‘referendum’ against govt: Imran
Meeting with Hurriyat leaders probably mistimed: Sartaj
I devoted 18 years to awoken the nation Escapes another fall from stage Next rallies in Mianwali, Multan
NEW YORK—Responding to the recent breakdown of a scheduled meeting between Indo-Pak foreign secretaries, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that the timing of Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit’s meeting with Hurriyat leader Shabir Shah was ‘perhaps not right’. At the same time, Aziz said the timing of India’s message expressing reservations against
MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan has said that by grace of Allah Almighty Pakistani nation is awaken to raise voice against the discrimination of their rights by ruling elite class and the credit goes to his party to show masses the true face of democracy and reject the monarchy in the name of democracy.
Addressing a gathering of PTI supporters attended by tens of thousands activists at Minare-Pakistan on Sunday, Imran Khan said that he has been struggling to awake the nation for 18 years and now he was delighted to see that the nation has finally woken up. He thanked to Allah Almighty for massive turn out in PTI’s Lahore meeting and reiterated
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in Hangu and the other targeting a passenger coach in Kohat on Sunday left at least eight people dead and more than seventeen others seriously wounded. Five were critically wounded. In a deadly explosion inside the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in the Hangu resulted in the killing of eight people and injuring around a dozen others. The explosive device, was planted in a motor bike parked inside the IDPs camp The bomb explosion occurred inside Mohammad Khawaja IDPs camp bazaar where the tribesmen from Orakzai Agency were residing. Deputy Superintendent of Police Hangu Falak Nawaz said that the explosion was caused by a remote controlled improvised explosive device. The law enforcement agencies immediately cordoned off the area and the rescue teams rushed
the blast victims to the District Headquarters Hospital Hangu where the medics declared four people dead while later four more succumbed to their injuries taking the death toll to eight. An emergency was declared in the hospital and the doctors provided treatment to the wounded persons of whom few continued to be in critical condition. In yet another explosion in Kohat on Sunday morning left as many as five people wounded seriously. The roadside explosion was carried out with the help of an improvised Explosive Device that hit a passenger coach at Hangu road. “Five people were injured in a roadside bomb blast near Banda Parachagaan at Hangu Road on Sunday”. The Police said that the blast occurred when a passenger coach hit the device. The coach was also damaged badly. The injured were immediately dispatched to the DHQ hospital Kohat for treatment where the doctors said the blast victims sustained critical injuries.
Bilawal apologizes to sympathizers for past mistakes I S L A M A B A D —The PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Sunday tendered an apology to the PPP sympathizers after being let down by the party for any reason. In an emphatic appeal to supporters on a social networking website, Bilawal admitted that the PPP had made mistakes in
the past. “To those whose heart beats with the PPP but feel let down for any reason; first of all, allow me to apologize personally for letting you down. We do not claim to be perfect, we acknowledge mistakes have been made in the past and
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Afghanistan to inaugurate new president today K ABUL —Afghanistan will host a grand presidential inauguration today, with former US-based academic Ashraf Ghani taking power as NATO troops end their 13-year war without defeating the Taliban insurgency. Ghani succeeds outgoing
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Illegal electricity connections detected at Imran’s residences: Kh Asif S IALKOT —Federal Minister for Water and Power, Khawaja Muhammad Asif Sunday said that the government had detected illegal electricity connections at the residences of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi installed at their residences in Bani Gala Islamabad, Zaman Park Lahore and Multan. He stated this while talking to the newsmen at his residence here this evening. He announced that the federal government would take necessary legal action against both PTI leaders for having illegal electricity
HANGU: Rescue workers shifting injured man to hospital after blast at IDPs’ Togh Sarai Camp.
KP, FATA students train in technical trade L A H O R E — Te c h n o l o g y
Democratic parties role sought for pulling country out of crisis H YDERABAD —Central President Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) Ayaz Latif Palejo Advocate has called upon all peace loving democratic political parties having positive thoughts to come forward and play their due role in bringing the country out from the crisis. In a statement he urged the government should set priorities of addressing the basic issues of the common people. He called upon the political parties to serve the country and democracy instead of damaging the public property. He said that the people of Sindh rendered sacrifices for the democracy, integrity and solidarity of the country. The government should serve the people of the country particularly the common man of Sindh and provide them relief through effective policies, he added. **** The district administration Hyderabad has decided make submission of Polio Vaccination Certificates obligatory prior to grant of admissions
15 students, care-taker injured as wall falls down
to children in educational institutions of the district, with the aim to motivate parents to get their children vaccinated against Polio. The decision to this effect was made in the meeting of Polio Eradication Committee Hyderabad which met here evening which was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Fayyaz Ahmed Jatoi. The Deputy Commissioner who reviewed the arrangements of threeday Polio Eradication Campaign being started from September 29 in all the four talukas of the district, emphasised the need of formulating a comprehensive strategy to motivate the parents to extend their cooperation to vaccination teams in administering AntiPolio drops to the children of under five years age. The vaccinators are performing their duties for the national cause and all-out efforts will be made to provide them required facilities as well as adequate security in sensitive areas during Polio Eradication Campaign, he maintained. The Deputy Commissioner directed
that after completion of vaccination campaign, a survey should be conducted in schools of Hyderabad to ascertain through a Proforma from the students whether vaccinators had reached their areas or not for vaccination. He said that in the past Polio Eradication Campaigns, complaints were received that officers concerned carried out the entire campaign on telephone instead to visiting the areas. He warned them to refrain the concerned from such practice and ensure coverage of required targets by visiting in the field. The Deputy Commissioner informed that he himself will pay surprise visits during the campaign and if any one is found absent from duty, strict action will be taken against that person. District Focal Person on Polio Masood Jaffry informed the meeting that during Polio Eradication Campaign, a total of 2,97,044 children of under five years age will be vaccinated against Polio through 827 mobile vaccination teams as well as 96 fixed points and 21 transit points of the district.—APP
12-year abducted boy recovered, handed over to parents
KHANEWAL —Police recovered the an ab- handed over to its parents. The parents of the boy thanked the DPO MUZAFFARGARH—About 15 ducted boy from Vehari and handed over students and care- taker of seminary sustained injuries as its wall fell down near at GT Road in Sheher Sultan some 60 KM away from Muzaffargarh. Ploce said on Sunday that the construction work at Madarassa Taleem-ul-Quran north Eid Gah was in progress and the students were busy in study near the wall. Suddenly, the wall of the madarasa fell down on the students. As a result, care-taker Qari Ataullah and the 15 students of seminary including Asad, Zubair, Abass, Arshad, Naeem, Waqar, Waqas, Nadeem, Nadeem and others sustained injuries. The condition of one student namely Talha was critical. On receiving the information, the local people and police reached at the spot and took part in the relief work.—APP
5.5 magnitude quake jolts Peshawar I SLAMABAD —An earthquake, measuring 5.5 on Richter scale, jolted different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa early Sunday’s wee hours. According to the Meteorological Office, the tremors were felt in Peshawar, Mardan, Malakand, Shangla and adjacent areas. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan.—APP
to its parents here on Sunday. According to police sources, Rab Nawaz, resident of village 58/10-R Khanewal, had submitted an application with DPO Khanewal that an outlaw Nazeer Musalli had allegedly abducted his 12-year old son Muhammad Ikram when he was coming to home after work from Jehanian. DPO Ayaz Saleem ordered the SHO Sadar Khanewal to recover the abducted boy and also arrest the accused. The SHO constituted a team and the team arrested the accused Nazeer Musalli. During investigation the accused revealed that he had sent the abducted boy to Vehari. The police team raided the house owned by Abass Amir and Waqar Amir of Vehari and recovered the abducted boy and
Khanewal for recovery of their son from the kidnappers. DPO Khanewal has also issued orders for giving commendatory certificate and cash prize to sub-inspector Sadar police station Khanewal Rasheed Ahmad over the recovery of boy. It was earlier reported from Faisalabad that police recovered a minor girl after eight years of her abduction from City Tandlianwala police limits. In the meantime, an unidentified woman snatched Amina from her elder sister and fled. Few days back, Maryam had came to Chak No.607-GB Joiyan Khichian where she saw a woman along with a minor girl, to which, she informed police. Police arrested the woman. Further investigation was underway.—APP
Upgradation & Skill Development Company (TUSDEC) has trained a pool of 1,325 students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in demand-driven technical trades with an aim to support gainful income generation opportunities. The students completed their training in the first phase of six-month duration under the European Union (EU) sponsored project of Supporting TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) sector in Pakistan, said the TUSDEC spokesperson here Sunday. He said, the TUSDEC is striving to increase the access of 1,2000 KP/FATA residents to TVET programmes through garnering support from the private sector in market driven traditional and nontraditional trades for sustainable livelihood prospects. He added that trades were deduced as a result of a panoptic baseline assessment study and stakeholders’ dictum for social equity and regional prosperity. In pursuance of the project objective, the TUSDEC has engaged 25 training institutes from KP and FATA to commence six month duration training programmes. These associates have trained a pool of 1,325 students in Electrician, Land Survey, AutoCad and Quantity Survey trades. Subsequent to the trainings, the students appeared in the examination conducted by TTB (Trade Testing Board) and the entire examination process was proctored by TUSDEC-EU and TTB team for transparency, he maintained. The spokesman said TUSDEC would substantiate economic participation of the graduates through fostering linkages with private sector for paid or self employability.—APP
Rama Festival to start in GB from Oct 11 I SLAMABAD —A three-day long traditional “Rama Festival” will start in Astore from October, 11 to promote tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). District administration sources said that Polo teams from Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer and Ghizer will take part in the polo competition, said a press release issued here on Sunday. They said that on the special directives of Chief Minister, GB other events of the festival had been canceled due to devastating floods in the country. The event is organized every year aimed at to proLANDIKOTAL: People seen busy in buying and selling sacrificial animals ahead of Eid mote tourism in the reat main cattle market. gion.—APP
connections. The minister said that having several electricity connections (more than one connection) at a spot at a same place was illegal. He said that the federal government had detected three each illegally installed electricity connections at the residences of Pakistan TahreekInsaf Chairman Imran Khan at Bani Gala Islamabad and Zaman Park Lahore and Shah Mehmood Qureshi had eight electricity connections illegally installed at his Multan residence. He said that the government had
planned a strategy to take necessary legal action against both Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi for possessing illegal electricity connections at a spot at a same place from tomorrow (Monday, Sept 29). He said that the military’s Zarbi-Azb operation was meeting with the great success, as the network of the terrorists was being uprooted rapidly. Khawaja Asif revealed that Imran Khan was making the masses fool by telling them false stories every day.—APP
PIA pre-Hajj operation concludes AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—PIA accomplished the Pre- Hajj operations of transporting more than 55,000 intending Pilgrims from seven cities of Pakistan to the holy land of Saudi Arabia today.The post Hajj operation of bringing back Hajjis from Saudi Arabia will commence from 08 October 2014 and conclude on November 8, 2014. The national carrier lifted more than 43000 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia through 109 Special Hajj flights while approximately 12,000 travelled through PIA regular scheduled flights around 85% punctuality. PIA operated 14 flights from Karachi and carried 61,00 intending pilgrims, 14 flights from Islamabad with 64,00 pilgrims,
17 flights from Lahore with 9,000 pilgrims, 21 flights from Peshawar with 66,00 pilgrims, 28 flights from Quetta with 10,000 pilgrims, 12 flights from Multan with 4,000 pilgrims, and 3 flights from Sialkot with 15,00 intending pilgrims. Chairman PIA Muhammad Ali Gardezi and Managing Director PIA, Shah Nawaz Rehman in a joint statement congratulated PIA employees for successful completion of Pre- Hajj operation and instructed all departments to work with the same zeal in making the airline’s Post Hajj operation of returning Hajjis successful. They said this year too PIA pre-hajj operation completed with its own Boeing 777’s and 747’s aircrafts and no aircraft was hired on lease for hajj operation.
ABBOTTABAD: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prof Muhammad Ibrahim Khan speaks during a seminar.
Rs2808m FATA dev scheme on cards STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—The Additional Chief Secretary FATA Arbab Mohammad Arif while unfolding a number of new developmental schemes in the Federally Administered Tribal areas, has directed the concerned authorities to expedite work on the ongoing schemes and ensure their timely completion. Presiding over a meeting of FATA Working Development Party (FWDP) at FATA secretariat the other day, the ACS FATA said that on the special directives of the Governor Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan as many as 38 new developmental schemes have been sanctioned in the Annual Development Program 2014-15 with the estimated cost of 2808.553 million rupees, says a handout issued by the Directorate of Information FATA. These schemes include Communication, Public Health, Irrigation, Fisheries and Forestry etc. Besides, new projects worth Rs 105 million have also been sanctioned in the sports sector in order to promote healthy activities in the Tribal areas. Likewise, a number of new schemes in the Health, Education and Rural development are on the cards in order to enhance the living standard of the tribal folk. A number of new schemes amounting to Rs. 3060.153 also came under consideration in the FWDP meeting which will be discussed threadbare in the nest meeting of then FATA working group.Arbab Arif expressed the optimism that these projects would go long way in bringing considerable improvement in the socio-economic development of the tribal areas adding the promotion of economic activities and restoration of the Infra-structure in the tribal belt was the top priority of the government that wanted to bring revolutionary changes in the lives of tribal people by ensuring best educational facilities and job opportunities to them. The ACS FATA also hailed the untiring efforts and sacrifices of the Security forces as well as the political Authorities in the restoration of peace in the region saying it has resulted in batter maintenance of Law and Order in the Tribal areas as it was pre-requisite for initiating developmental projects enabling the militancy-hit tribal belt come at par with the developed areas of the country.
Sacrificial animals prices sky-rocketing BASHIR AHMAD RAHMANI HAFIZABAD—Prices of sacrificial animals particularly goats and lambs were skyrocketing this year and most of the people opt to share in the joint sacrifice of calves and cows. The prices have been increased by 25 to 50 percent as compared to the prices of last year as the traditional lambs of Sargodha, Mianwali and other districts have not yet reached the local cattle market due to flood. Most of the religious organisations and NGOs have announced Rs. 7,500/- to 8,500/- for joint sacrifice and most of the citizens have preferred to opt joint sacrifice. **** District Officer (Coordination) Mushtaq Ahmad Sipra has warned the Arhtis (commission agents) and retailers that zero tolerance would be shown towards those found fleecing the consumers. While reviewing the auction process of different vegetables and fruits in the Sabzi Mandi here today, he said that the auction procedure should be made more transparent.
New police force for KP airport security PESHAWAR—Kyber Paktunkhwa (KP) gov- Katlang police station. ernment has announced to make new police force for the security of Peshawar airport, media reported. According to the report the decision has been taken in the wake continuous attack on Peshawar airport. The new police force will be deployed in 10 kilometer limits of the airport. The mail task on the force would be to provide security to airport and make sure security and protection of planes. Locals would be recruited for the new police force. Mardan: Local police has registered case against seven protesters including an army cop for allegedly blocking road in front of deputy inspector general of police Mardan region office. Sources added that last Friday an 11 year old boy named Mohammad Asad Shah student of fifth grade resident of Mian Khan was killed in firing incident in the limits of
CHAMAN: Fire fighters struggling to extinguish fire erupted in petrol shops at By-Pass Road.
Extensive rehab programme for flood-hit people on anvil Compensation pay merits before Eid generation plan for the flood victims. Under the plan, 30-day labour work opportunity would be provided to at least one willing worker from each household to enable women and men earn livelihood for the family without compromising dignity, he added. The short term plan, he said, would create about 89,000 jobs at the doorsteps of flood affected people, which would improve the natural resource base for sustainable livelihood. Besides helping the flood victims, he said the rehabilitation of public infrastruc-
people before Eid. Presiding over a meeting here on Sunday, Commissioner said that all arrangements were being made to provide compensation amount to the flood hit people transparently. He said that according to the policy of Punjab government administration would start giving first instalments from October. He said that 17 centres have been set up across the district to distribute amount among the people. Jhang: The mission of the Punjab chief minister for complete rehabilitation of flood affectees will be completed at every cost in the district. These views were expressed by provincial Ministers Malik Nadim Kamran and Yawer Zaman at a meeting on Sunday. They said all possible resources would be used for the mission and coordination with GILGIT—A Chinese delegation called on ister said bilateral relations between Pa- elected representatives would Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Syed kistan and China will further strengthen produce good results. The with the passage of time. He said Chi- provincial ministers reviewed Mehdi Shah in Gilgit on Sunday. The delegation brought a consign- nese investors would be welcomed and arrangements and facilities ment of relief items for the flood affectees offered incentives for investment in Hy- being provided at relief camps. The DCO told the meeting dro power, Mineral and tourism sectors.— of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. that coordination among revSpeaking on the occasion, the Chief Min- Online enue staff, Agriculture department, Bank of Punjab, Nadra Semi-Arid Economics,” said the provin- ture was responsibility of the government. and other departments for distribution cial gvernment had devised a policy to Muzaffargarh: Commissioner DG of financial assistance to affectees had overcome the loss caused by the floods. Khan Muhammad Saqib Aziz said that been completed. He said financial asTalking to APP, he said the gov- the first installment of compensation sistance would be provided to affectees ernment had made an employment amount would be given to flood hit at their nearest relief camp.—APP
ISLAMABAD—The Punjab government will launch a comprehensive programme for the rehabilitation of people and infrastructre in flood-hit areas. According to Dr Mahmood Khalid Qamar, Senior Chief of Planning and Development Department, Punjab, the programme included tree plantation around the villages, desiltation of water courses, deworming and vaccination of animals and rehabilitation of graveyards/ Eidgahs. Dr Mahmood Khalid Qamar, who was in the Capital to attend a workshop/seminar “Pathways to Resilience in
Chinese delegation brings relief items for flood affectees
Imran, Qadri struggling for survival Dasti to launch struggle for South Punjab province M ULTAN —Member National Assembly (MNA) Jamshaid Dasti said that the political parties, staging sit-ins in Islamabad were only struggling for
sion. Jamshaid Dasti also announced to launch struggle for South Punjab province. He added that he would ini-
Talking to PTV, he said the country suffered great economic loss due to the prolonged protests besides several heads of states including China, Sri-Lanka and Maldives canceled their visits to Pakistan because of the prevailing political situation. He said that all the problems should be resolved within the constitutional parameters, adding that Pakistan was not come into being as a result of any long march or sit-in. The minister said eleven political parties representing 308 members in the Parliament were on the same page to safeguard the Constitution and democracy, while the alone PTI with 34 members was staging sit-in for unconstitutional demands. He was of the view that the conspiracy behind the sitins has been exposed, which had the agenda to damage the national economy and damaging the country’s image MULTAN: Member National Assembly Jamshaid Dasti addressing a press conference abroad. on Sunday. Barjees said that the legislation regarding electoral retheir survival but the masses were tiate the move from a public meeting forms could be made only in the Parfacing numerous problems. Addressing a press conference on Oct-26 in DG Khan. Earlier, Fed- liament, for which a parliamentary here, MNA Jamshaid Dasti stated eral Minister for Kashmir Affairs and committee had also been constituted. Chaudhry Chairman of the committee Ishaq that although he participated in sit- Gilgit-Baltistan ins but was not part of core-commit- Muhammad Barjees Tahir said the Dar has time and again offered PTI chief tees of the protesting political par- ongoing sit-ins, being staged by Pa- Imran Khan for participating in proceedkistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) and Pa- ing of the committee meeting with posities. He stated that Imran Khan and kistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), caused tive and workable suggestion to bring Tahirul Qadiri’s stance to move to- Rs 1,000 billion loss to the national improvement in the existing election system, he maintained.—APP ward parliament was a wrong deci- economy.
Charging illegal cattle fee irksome RAZA NAQVI A TTOCK —General Public complaint over receiving illegal cattle fee under the garb of parking fee at so-called cattle mandi Railway ground Attock despite the fact that it has been banned by the Punjab government under chief Punjab directive that no any kind of cattle sale/purchase fee can be charged from the cattle traders or purchasers especially on the occasion of Eidul Azha . Number of local people have informed media persons that some influential people with the support of local ruling elements are charging huge cattle fee at the socalled cattle Mandi in Railway ground at Kamra road. While presenting the fee receipts as proof, they have informed that sharp minded people issuing receipts of parking-fee instead of cattle fee to hidden their such illegal practice and avoid of any legal action against them. Whereas the local administration have also kept mum over it despite knowing all such illegal practice, they regretted. Meanwhile a contractor Ayaz Khan has also disclosed to media that actually cattle-Mandi should be held at the designated area near Mirza village in the jurisdiction of Attock cantonment, but such influential people have forced the cattle- traders to shift themselves along with livestock at the same illegal place of railway ground on Sunday to hoodwink the general public under the garb of parking fee on the religious occasion of Eidul Azha.
41 held for profiteering F A I S A L A B A D —Assistant Commissioner (AC) City Shahrukh Niazi rounded up 36 shopkeepers on charges of profiteering and overcharging from different areas of the city. A spokesman for the city district government told here on Sunday that the AC City conducted surprised visits to various markets and bazaar and found 36 shopkeepers involved in profiteering and overcharging. Multan: Police have arrested five shopkeepers for selling commodities on high rates while 17 others held for illegally gas refiling here on Sunday. According to police sources, police raided at various parts of the city and arrested five shopkeepers including Sajid, Ali Zain, Faheem, Tanveer and Rafiq respectively by Bahauddin Zakariya, Gulgasht and City Shujabad police. Police have also arrested 17 other outlaws involved in illegally gas refiling and sale of petrol with out licence respectively from Shah Rukan-e-Alam, Alpa and Pak Gate police areas. Cases have been registered against them.—APP
The relatives and residents of the area brought his body to Mardan City and put it on the road outside deputy inspector general of police Mardan region office and blocked the road for several hours. Sources told that protesters also damaged the vehicle of station house officer (SHO) City police station and also gave threats to the police cops who were performing duty at that time. Sources added that police registered case against seven protesters including Zahir Shah constable at Baloch Regiment Center Mansahra, Asad Jamal Awan Nazim Shabab Milli Mardan, Mohammad Haroon Nazim IJT Abdul Wali Khan university, Ali Shah, Akhtar Saed, Waqar, Nawab Shah and Ghafoor under sections 506, 341, 186, 282, 290, 148 and 149 of Pakistan penal code (PPC).—Online
Hot, humid weather in most parts of country
Wattoo: PPP to support rigging commission
ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Sunday forecast mainly hot and humid weather in most parts of country during the next 24 hours, however, rainthunderstorm is expected at isolated places. According to Met Office, rain-thunderstorm associated with gusty winds is is expected at isolated places of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Kashmir, Gilgit- Baltistan, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Kohat, Peshawar, Malakand and Hazara divisions. The met office said a shallow westerly wave is prevailing over upper parts of the country whereas seasonal low lies over northwest Balochistan and adjoining areas. In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mainly hot and dry weather is likely in most parts of the provinces. Mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most parts of the Sindh and Balochistan provinces during the next 24 hours. However rain-thunderstorm is forcast at isolated places in Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan during the next 24 hours. Chief amount of rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours were in Lower Dir 32mm, Cherat 20mm, Peshawar 14mm, Malamjaba 6mm, Risalpur 5 mm, Saidu Sharif 4 mm, Muzaffarabad, Pattan and Dir 2mm. The Multan Met office Sunday forecast partly cloudy weather with chances of isolated thunder storm and light rain for the city and its suburbs during the next 24 hours.—APP
SIALKOT—Pakistan Peoples
Youth tortured to death by rivals
2 women among 3 killed C HAKWAL —Three people including two women were killed in firing over unknown dispute here on Sunday. Police said that the incident took place in Dhadial area of Chakwal where unidentified armed men barged into a residence and opened indiscriminate fire at the residents. As a result of firing Noor Asif, her daughter Khalida Bibi and a guest Fazl Hussain died on the spot. The attackers managed to flee from the scene after committing triple murder. The bodies were shifted to hospital and later handed over to heirs after medico-legal formalities. Police have registered a case against unknown murderers and started the investigation. Faisalabad: A youth was tortured to death by his rivals in City Tandlianwala police limits. According to police, Imran Ali of Chak No 421-GB was kidnapped by his rivals Ghulam Nabi etc and after severe torture the accused electrocuted the youth to death. The accused threw the body in crops and fled. Police registered a case and started investigation. A man was killed and four others were injured when a truck overturned in Sammundri police limits. According to police, the truck due to over speeding overturned on Faisalabad-Sammundri Road near Chak No.390-GB. As a result, Muhammad Saeed, who was travelling on the rooftop of the truck, died on the spot while Muhammad Younus, Asghar Ali, Mehmood and Ramzan were injured. They were shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital Sammundri. An one wheelie doer was killed in Peoples Colony police limits. According to police, Ali of New Nazimabad was doing wheelie on his motorcycle near Abdullah Pur underpass where his bike crashed into a car.—APP
Party (PPP) Punjab President Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo announced support to a judicial commission being formed by the government to probe election rigging. “We welcome the judicial commission. We support it. We will accept its decision either it is in favour of the PML-N government or against it,” he told a gathering of local PPP workers at a hotel. He said the PPP had always supported the supremacy of judiciary and democracy. “PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be make an important announcement before the media on October 18,” he added. Wattoo was visiting Sialkot as part of his party’s campaign to help flood-affected people. He said the PPP had started its re-organization at division, district, tehsil and union council level. About sit-ins and marches, he said the PPP would support democracy. He said the party had donated Rs20m for tents and sent 500 truckloads of ration to flood victims.—APP
Anti-polio drive starts L ARKANA —All arrangements have been finalised for the National Immunisation Campaign of Polio. More than 229330 children of Larkana district upto five years of age would be administered Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) during the three-day national polio campaign to be run from September 29 to October 02, 2014 to save them from the crippling disease of Polio. This was said by Executive District Officer (Health Services) Larkana Dr. Khalilullah Shaikh here on Sunday evening. He said the children upto five years of age would be administered oral polio vaccine (OPV) during the three days’ campaign. He said 720 mobile teams have been constituted which would visit all the areas including the remote, farflung areas of the district to accomplish the task.—APP
ABBOTTABAD: People shifting wood for home use in village Sajikot as they stock firewood before start of cold weather in the areas where natural gas is not available.
Altaf raises political temperature
MEDIA WATCH
Mission against IS
I
N a thunderous address to a mammoth gathering of MQM General Workers Convention on Saturday, Altaf Hussain accused the estab lishment of not letting him to work freely whenever he tries to reorganise his party and bring good people on the forefront. In a threatening tone, the MQM chief held the establishment responsible for present state of affairs and asked to tell him whether Urdu speaking are equal citizens of Pakistan or not. Overall tone and tenor of Altaf Hussain was that of defiance and threatening by saying that whenever he tries to bring good people on forefront, the establishment starts operating against MQM. He alleged that establishment have always tried to achieve minus-Altaf formula in MQM. Earlier too similar had been his style of doing politics yet this time he appears to be highly agitated for some reasons which one fails to understand because the MQM Supremo did not elaborate as to whom he wanted to remove from the party and to whom he wanted to induct. There should be no doubt that MQM is a major urban party in Sindh and its cadres are die hard supporter of Mr Altaf. Even those who lost their positions are still loyal to him and all the parliamentarians and Rabita Committee members tendered their resignations on his demand. He has been addressing meetings on daily basis and there is no restriction on his calls for observing strikes or sit ins as one witnessed a couple of days back. Though Mr Altaf referred to the breaking into PTV building and parliament lawn by PAT and PTI supporters and questioned whether they were charged for treason yet it is a known fact that cases have been registered against those who ransacked the PTV building as law is equal for every one. We would say that Altaf’s wudden warning has further raised the political temperature. The country on the whole is already witnessing protests, sit ins and hurling of accusations and the MQM’s chief’s outburst has given a new dimension to the situation. The exercise of options of street power and demonstration, one fears, could lead to civil war like situation as inimical forces are already working to divide the country on sectarian and ethnic basis. We would appeal leadership of all political parties and above all the government to take serious notice of horrible scenario that is emerging and find some out of box solutions to address the grievances of MQM and other parties to save the country from further chaos.
Modi is perhaps unaware of Zarb-e-Azb I
NDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the UN Gen eral Assembly has squarely put the blame on Pakistan for deadlock in bilateral negotiations and set the condition of what he called as terrorism free climate for resumption of negotiations. Leaders at the world body and in the South Asian Region had been expecting that Mr Modi would lay down a road map not only for his country but for the entire region to bring peace, stability and development for the poverty stricken masses, majority of whom lives in India, but the address reflects that he is persisting with the old Indian stance of putting entire blame on Pakistan. Perhaps Mr Modi has not been briefed by his foreign affairs advisors that Pakistan is in the midst of Zarb-e-Azb operation against terrorists in North Waziristan Agency which is said to be harbouring terrorists. Many terrorists have been killed, their command and control centre and stockpiles of weapons have been destroyed and during this process Pakistani officers and soldiers rendered supreme sacrifices. He should also understand that no country in the world has suffered as much as Pakistan financially and in terms of losses of lives due to terrorism and despite that blaming it to be harbouring terrorists is too much. Similarly the Indian Prime Minister said that raising disputes in the UN was not going to resolve the issue but we would ask him with all the respect that for what purpose the world body has been created if it is not mandated to address critical issues threatening world peace. He must be knowing that Kashmir issue is on the agenda of the UN and awaiting solution in line with the UN resolutions. One would appreciate that he invited the SAARC leaders at his inauguration but after that his government went contrary to the expectations like the cancellation of Foreign Secretary level talks with Pakistan. As a prime minister of the so-called world’s biggest democracy Mr Modi needs to understand that issues cannot be buried under the carpet for long and had to be resolved through negotiations. In this perspective Mr Modi’s address was devoid of reality and he should better consult his advisors before just reading the statements given by his foreign office Baboos.
Indian courts’ zero tolerance for corrupts
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Will ants inherit the earth? of all genres, at their own game. On refers to the world of insects that is all pervasive and ever present. If one goes by then the insects Khalid Saleem numbers will outnumber any or, in Email: binwakeel@yahoo.com deed, all other species put together by a fair margin. It is not only in the numHE world is full of mugs – bers game that insects excel. They of more varieties than one! also have exhibited a remarkable One would allude at this ability to overcome adversity of all time simply to the ones in which kinds. Take the example of the one can sip tea or coffee. What lowly cockroach. It is reputed to draws ones attention to this use- have survived a good three hunful receptacle is the delectable dred million years, which is quite variety of catchwords that one dis- a long innings even in geological covers inscribed on some such. terms. When the dinosaurs apWhat one found extremely apt and peared on the face of the earth, the amusing was: “The rat-race is cockroach was there to welcome over; the rats won!” How well put them. Subsequently, when the time and how apt; given the sorry state came for the big meteorite (or whatever) to strike the earth to sigof the world today. Come to think of it, rats of all nal the dinosaurs’ extinction, the genres were always ahead of the cockroach was around to wave pack in any case. The strength of good-bye. Now, that is survival! Man, of course, figures nothe rats lies in the fact that there are so many of them around today; where on the survival ladder. With they have always been plenty so far the course the world’s great leadas history can record. The name of ers are adopting, it is a moot point the game is survival. The rats have whether this blessed Planet, as we the survival instinct in their genes. know it, will survive their machiThe more get eliminated; the more nations for any extended period of they procreate. At the end of it all, time. Man appears to be bent upon there are invariably more rats than destroying himself and his own. It one started with. Goodness knows is such a pity that after such a long how long the rat race (no pun in- period of recorded history, man still tended) has survived all the heavy appears to be groping in the dark. odds stacked against it. The fact Rather than learn from past misremains that they have emerged as takes, man appears to be overly bent survivors. And they will continue upon repeating them. Man’s inhuto survive – and prosper – so long manity to man is the stuff of legends. Scientific knowledge that is as they retain their savvy. If survival is the name of the touted to be the bedrock of human game then there exists another civilization is utilized more in despecies that have and undoubt- vising newer and deadlier engines edly will continue to beat the rats, of destruction rather than amelio-
Friendly Fire
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HIEF Minister of Indian State of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalitha was taken into judicial custody in Bengaluru on Saturday after a special court sentenced her to four years in prison for corruption, dealing a huge blow to the charismatic former actor’s political career. Pronouncing his verdict on a legal battle the judge held Jayalalitha, 66, and three others guilty of amassing wealth disproportionate to known sources of income. The chief minister was fined Rs1 billion and she stands disqualified as a legislator. One must appreciate the Indian judicial system as the courts there do not drag on the cases and make immediate decisions with firmness on the basis of evidence and without caring about position enjoyed by the accused. In Pakistan, on the other hand cases are filed against politicians and bureaucrats on charges of massive corruption and in the beginning they get massive publicity. But after some time, all the high profile cases are put in the cold storage as we are witnessing in OGRA Chairman and other cases of corruption by political office holders. Jayalalithaa was moved to central jail where she underwent a preliminary health check at the jail hospital and put in the women’s barracks . The jail authorities did not accede to the request of Jayalalithaa that she be moved to a private hospital as she was feeling uneasy and was firmly told that she was a convict and the jail manual must be followed. We wish similar actions are taken by the Courts and the jail officials in Pakistan.
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rating the lot of mankind. The matter of survival appears to be the last thing on man’s mind. Gravitating now to the subject of our dissertation, ants appear to be in the optimum position to outdo – and outlive – all other species in numbers as well as diversification. Some years ago, Reuters had disseminated a most interesting report on the subject. It was quite a revelation. The report related to what was termed, tongue in cheek, as ‘ant-thology’. This ant-thology, the report informed the uninitiated, constituted the first complete database of the world’s eleven thousand known ant sub-species. The study in question brings to light additional facts of some interest. Among them are: a) Ants are the most common life form on earth; b) Though tiny, their combined weight is greater than that of the combined weight of all humans on the planet. Apart from the aforementioned, ants as a species exhibit several characteristics that set them apart as way ahead of most other species. Among these characteristics is the extraordinary division of responsibility, a seriousness of purpose and a strict disciplinary order of the highest order. What is more, the ants have a much more developed sense of tactics and strategy in their dealings amongst themselves and with other species than humankind ever did. It is these and allied qualities that set them apart and have enabled them to survive so long against fearful odds. Human beings have been waging a losing war against the ants for as long as one can remember. It requires no great intelligence to surmise as to which species is destined to outlive the other. The aforementioned notwith-
standing, one can hardly help noticing with regret that such studies of species such as ants are not leading to the desired conclusions. The anticipated impact on science and environment aside, are there any lessons that humankind is drawing from such insect behaviour? Are we, for instance, assimilating some of their good qualities particularly those that have ensured their survival over the centuries; their tendency to form cohesive, self-generating colonies, for one? Or, for that matter, their lovable habit of minding their own business, without treading on others’ toes, for another. What one needs to conclude from observing the lowly ant is that it hardly pays to throw one’s weight around. If anything, one should learn humility, tolerance and tenacity from this remarkable species of insects. But then, as mankind’s history is witness, it is futile to expect humans to be so humble as to stoop down to the level of lowly insects even if it was for their own good. The moral – if one were inclined to draw one – is that it would be in the interest of humankind to learn from such species as have not only mastered the art of survival but have actually prospered, at a time when others –ostensibly bigger and more powerful – have fallen by the wayside, unheralded and unsung. Survival - as a deep study of the experience of ants would make clear - depends less on strength and subterfuge and more on self-help and mutual tolerance. Should we not, then, learn from the ants before it is too late? Some hope! — The writer is a former ambassador and former assistant secretary general of OIC.
Future of Pak-Afghan ties Dr Muhammad Khan Email: drmk_edu@yahoo.com
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AKISTAN is a key Afghan neighbour and has been di rectly affected by all happenings in that war torn country, ever since 1970s. Whereas, these protracted internal dissensions and foreign invasions badly affected the people of Afghanistan, Pakistani society and its security was equally disadvantaged. The unrest and chaos we find in Pakistani society today has its beginning in Afghan war (1979-1989). Indeed, Pakistan and Afghanistan are two sovereign countries, but their people share a lot of commonalities and have blood relations even. In the history of both countries, Afghan masses have always been friendly and cooperative towards Pakistan and its people, but almost all Afghan rulers remained hostile to Pakistan. Following the footprints of his predecessors, the outgoing Afghan President, Hamid Karazai has not only maintained the Afghan traditions, but also tried to become more conspicuous in his enmity with the State of Pakistan. So much so, he accused Pakistan for the continuation of unrest in Afghanistan, where he ruled for long thirteen years. In a way, Hamid Karazai, tried to put blame of his failure on Pakistan, rather accepting his misgoveranance after prolong rule. In his farewell speech, Karazai said, “Today, I tell you again that the war in Afghanistan is not our war, but imposed on us and we are the victims. No peace will arrive unless the US or Pakistan want it.” This was in fact, a very unrealistic explanation for the continued unrest and infighting in that
country, where as an absolute ruler, Karazai even could not visit 30% of Afghan territory in thirteen years. Pakistani FO rejected this allegation of Karazai; the US response was quite severe. As per Cunningham, a US official, “It makes me kind of sad. His remarks, which were uncalled for, do a disservice to the American people and dishonor the sacrifices made by Americans here.” United States may have to pursue its strategic objectives, while being in that country, since its invasion is well planned, deliberate and overwhelmed by its strategic interests and furthermore, it came all the way from thousands of miles away. Pakistan is the immediate neighbour and has been facing the fallouts of all problems; domestic as well as, foreign. Therefore, Kazazai, while leaving the Presidential palace should have been realistic and unbiased. Indeed, Pakistan has always been in the forefront to share the pains of Afghan people making sincere efforts to resolve Afghan conundrum. It was always Afghan leadership driven by the agendas of foreign powers and enemies of Pakistan, which shown signs of mistrust and skepticism towards Pakistan. While towing the Indian lines, the outgoing President Hamid Karzai has openly accused Islamabad for sponsoring terrorist attacks in Kabul, while interacting with US Secretary of State John Kerry. In fact, this speaks volumes of Karzai’s negative mind-set and prejudiced approach towards Pakistan. He not only brazenly pointed fingers towards Pakistani spy agency “Inter-Services Intelligence” (ISI) but also asserted that he will not accept US arguments that it had no influence “over countries that support terrorism,” rebuking that US refusal to go
after ISI could result into further hurting US relations with Afghanistan. He left no stone unturned in implicating ISI in terrorist attacks duly claimed by Taliban. People like Karzai forget that Pakistan accommodated three million Afghan refugees for more than three decades, which created many security and economic challenges for the country. It is still accommodating over 2.6 million Afghan refugees. Pakistan rendered all out support to Afghan led re-conciliation process; either in Doha, Qatar or else within Afghanistan. It released Taliban prisoners on Afghan Govt’s request; conducted wide range military operations to root out terrorist safe havens from its soil; followed a policy of non favouritism and supported Afghanistan in socio-economic fields. Despite the positive endeavours, Afghan Governments has shown a lukewarm response and continuing with the blame game and anti Pakistan propaganda. Sequel to the start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Afghan authorities have intensified their propaganda against Pak Army and ISI for supporting insurgency, selective operations and cross border attacks in Afghanistan. The narrative not only scapegoats Pakistan for all Afghan failures but also portrays Pakistan’s security forces and intelligence agencies in bad light. After all, these Afghan accusations are baseless and are directed to divert the attention of Afghan masses from core domestic political, economic and security issues. On its part, Afghan Govt and its spying network is supporting TTP and Baloch Sub Nationalist elements on its soil. In fact, Afghanistan has become a hub of terrorism by providing space not only to terrorists but also to hostile intelligence agencies including Indian
RAW to implement their nefarious agendas by abetting instability and terrorism in Pakistan. Since India has a strong influence over Afghan Government, its spying network and media, therefore, Afghan Government and officials have no independent opinion and their key state institutions are hostage to Indian advisors. Indian RAW has strong nexus with Afghan security and intelligence agencies. Indian diplomatic missions act as hub of hostile intelligence activities. Over the years, Afghan Government has promoted corruption and created internal unrest through poor rule of law. Besides, Kabul has become a hub; the biggest contributor of global drug production and smuggling. Despite Pakistani requests, Kabul is not implementing border control mechanisms as agreed upon, thus allowing terrorist into Pakistani territory, who attack military posts along Pak-Afghan border as well as target the peaceful people, living near border. Since the new Afghan Government will be in placed in next few days, therefore, it is imperative for the new rulers to follow a non-antagonistic policy towards Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan is a strength for Afghanistan and its people. Thousands of Afghan people still cross over the Pak-Afghan border each day to earn their bread in Pakistan. For them, Pakistan is second home and Islamabad has always positively responded to meet the needs of Afghan masses. It is therefore important that, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah; the new guards at Kabul, should leave a side the grimy legacy of Hamid Karazai and take a new, constructive and unbiased start in their relationship with Pakistan. — The writer is Islamabad-based analyst of International Relations.
NCE again, Britain is go ing to war. Since the inva sion of Afghanistan in 2001, the UK has been involved in military action in the Islamic world almost without respite. And now we are engaged in an international effort to defeat the Islamic State (IS) – albeit only in Iraq. The task will not be a simple one and Britain may find its mission creeping into Syria. A sensible spirit of caution was reflected in the debate that took place the other day in Parliament. The case for intervention in Iraq was put eloquently by the Prime Minister: IS is unquestionably evil and a threat to the UK; the motion discussed by the House of Commons dealt exclusively with action in Iraq, a democratic country that has asked for outside support; and the military operation will be limited to air strikes. Support for Mr Cameron’s argument was notably bipartisan. The Conservative Rory Stewart, a man with personal experience of the region, argued that air strikes had already proved successful at pushing the IS extremists back. Labour’s Frank Dobson, meanwhile, charged that IS uses rape and murder as weapons – suggesting that they cannot be negotiated with and will only understand force. A consensus emerged that the military operation will potentially be long and, in the words of Richard Ottaway, the Conservative chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, will be “messy”. Of course, there were speeches in opposition by those understandably worried about repeating the mistakes of the 2003 Iraq war. And arguably the most affecting statements were made by MPs who were emotionally torn by the decision. The Conservative Sir Edward Leigh appeared in his speech almost to reject the motion only to finish by saying that, on the grounds of the humanitarian crisis involved, he felt compelled to support it. Labour’s Peter Hain said that he regretted having supported the 2003 adventure, adding that he felt Britain had gone to war “on a lie”. But this time, the action was justified. Mr Hain made the important point that IS is also based in Syria, and that “the blunt truth is that simply allowing IS to retreat across an invisible border” is no answer. Indeed, many MPs obviously wanted to discuss the possibility of joining the US air strikes on targets in Syria but were prevented by the narrow nature of the motion before them. It seems that Mr Cameron decided not to ask for support for action in Syria for fear that Ed Miliband would oppose it. Labour’s leader said that he would prefer to take action in Syria only with a United Nations mandate – something very unlikely to be achieved. It is hard to understand how someone can support destroying IS in one country yet be reluctant to do so in another. Action in Syria is necessary for destroying IS – and, therefore, is something Britain will have to consider. So, too, is the challenge of cutting off the finance that has made the Islamist advance possible. Troublingly, some of the Arab members of the coalition have been allegedly associated indirectly or otherwise with the sponsorship of terrorism. The Emir of Qatar has been forced to deny that his country finances terrorists in Syria – although he conceded that Qatari and Western definitions of terrorism might differ. The oil-rich state has now passed a law to regulate charities better in an apparent effort to stymie the flow of funds. But diplomats must continue to put pressure on Qatar to ensure its allegiance is unreserved. Indeed, this whole, bold effort will involve a mix of might, diplomacy and carefully plotted politics. Some commentators have suggested that it was wrong to hold a debate in the Commons that had the potential to limit action, but at least it means that we have fully discussed and properly understand what is immediately going to happen and the rationale for it. Part of the problem with the 2003 invasion was that Tony Blair was essentially given a blank cheque. This time, cooler heads should prevail and the nature of the mission be thought through and articulated. Hopefully, it will contribute to the destruction of IS. After all, it is a uniquely hateful group that terrorises the innocent and has brought the West back to Iraq – despite its troubled history there. — The Telegraph
An injury is much sooner forgotten than an insult. Earl of Chesterfield English statesman
Democracy, corruption & governance Voice of the People elected over and over again and election campaigns are held as Sajjad Shaukat rituals. Unfortunately, voters, become trading pawns in the Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com hands of politicians who regard elections as windows of business opening to plunder naO doubt, favorite system of tional wealth through all possible governance in the Western means of corruption whose result is countries is democracy. By poor governance. using their legitimate right of vote, Most of the elected representatives people participate in political process, in National Assembly and Senate and elect their own representatives to hardly make any worthwhile contrigovern them. Thus, they give man- bution, as they remain absent during date by authorizing the elected mem- active sessions of Parliament. Therebers to hold public offices and make fore, sessions of the lower and upper legitimate decisions to run the affairs houses are adjourned due to lack of of state. And, the elected representa- quorum, and the process of essentially tives remain accountable for their required legislation remains blank and actions, while, the system of electoral weary. Resultantly, the voters’ aspirademocracy also empowers the vot- tions turn into hopeless ordeal, dejecers to take away the powers of the tion and despondency. elected members, if they fall short of It is notable that various malpopular aspirations—good gover- practices such as horse-trading, nance and so on. nepotism, bribery, illegal obligations In case of Pakistan’s version of and other forms of corruption are democracy, it has the same system of very common among our politicians. representatives according to the con- In fact, the elite group of elected stitution, but the elected representa- members uses powers of their pubtives grossly violate the public man- lic offices to advance their personal date for obtaining their selfish and interests including engagement in materialistic gains. These represen- politics of Thana and Kuchhery (Potatives, virtually shatter all hopes of lice and Court), earnestly seeking alvoters by neglecting their social prob- lotment of development and discrelems, financial difficulties and psy- tion funds and timely steps of sycochological distress. Promises made phancy to please the top party leadduring election campaign are quickly ers. Thus, they promote their perforgotten, while perks of public of- sonal interests, and show total calfices are fully enjoyed. Irony of the lousness towards torment of their fate is that same elite group gets voters. It is our misfortune that ram-
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pant corruption in the country has infected the entire edifice of national institutions. Political leadership is busy in power grabbing process, while the poor suffer under hard environment where healthy food, clean drinking water, respectable shelter, justice, education and health care facilities are almost non-existent. In this regard, the ordeal of poor in Pakistan can well be anticipated by prevailing un-employment, poor living and health conditions, price hike, social injustice, contempt for merit, promoting cronyism, and poor law and order situation. Regrettably, the concerned ministers remain busy in settling scores against their political rivals, using floor of Parliament and media channels. Most of their time is spent on preparing fierce speeches to level fresh tirades of accusations and counter allegations. The poor voters remain bewildered as protesting groups, PAT and PTI make noises in sit-ins, at Islamabad, pointing out corruption of subsequent rulers of the PPP and the present ones of the PML (N). While, ruling elite and their associates in opposition benches of Parliament have termed the protests as unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic. Besides, political leaders enraged outbursts, filled with allegations and counter accusations. Some of them, especially of the PPP and PML (N) have shamefully tried their best to drag the Armed Forces into political turmoil. They have brazenly accused Pak
Army and country’s prime intelligence agency, ISI (without any evidence) for orchestrating the prevailing political impasse which was created by the politicians themselves. In fact, under the cover of democracy, some politicians of the government and the opposition parties are diverting the attention of the general masses from those articles of the constitution, which are mentioned in the ‘Principles of Policy.’ These articles clearly mention that people would provide with justice, gap between the rich and the poor would be reduced, and poverty would be eradicated in the country. However, our politicians and the subsequent governments failed in delivering good governance to the people in accordance with the constitution. Now, the right hour has come that the political leadership must conduct introspective analysis of their style of governance, and must develop a desire to fight the menace of corruption through accountability and transparency. The aim should be to put the house in order. Nevertheless, rampant corruption in Pakistan is posing a very serious threat to the state as well the true democracy. It has become a significant obstacle towards development, and adversely impacting the good governance and rule of law, culminating in poor governance. —The writer is Lahore-based freelance columnist.
Reviewing our priorities Taj Nabi Khan Email:dnkhan672@gmail.com
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ONE are the days, when a single bread earner could feed his entire family and bear all of their expenses. With every passing day, the people wished nothing, but to look back at the past, to the good old days, and get nostalgic about it. It also makes them to accuse the every coming day that brings nothing but a bunch of new problems – inflation, corruption, illiteracy, law and order situation, human rights violation, unemployment, energy crisis and so on. In Pakistan, it is common to take one step forward and two backward. We have learnt a unique lesson in the last 68 years of our journey that how to make rotation in a circle. And the country has never been made able to
come out of this vicious circle. The system served but only the rich and elite class. For the poor and working class, life has been made a mounting journey that is getting tough and challenging with each passing day. And each step of the journey makes the burden of life from heavy to heavier. The poor standard of public sector education has given boast to the mushroom growth of private schools, colleges, universities and academies. One the other, the poor healthcare facility in public sector hospitals has given birth to a number of private hospitals and clinics. Who can get best education and better healthcare facility? Of course, those people who can afford the expenses. The real issues and their root causes are not only left unaddressed but very often ignored. The issues usually remain the same unless it affect a huge population or make a big economic, social or environmental loss to
the country or its people. The decision to uproot militancy from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) came but after making a huge human and economic loss to the country. Similarly, the problem of energy crisis would get resolved after the industrial sector gets fully shifted to the neighboring countries. What we are waiting for and for how long false promises would work and deceive the nation. The system could not change unless the priorities are changed. The multiple education systems produce nothing but folk holding diverse mindsets that are repugnant to peaceful co-existence. The stay and accommodation of Punjab police for more than a month in different colleges of the federal capital show that how much attention is being paid and priority is given to education system in Pakistan. The order of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to vacate the educational intuitions from the police personnel has
also been ignored. If the police officials and law executing authorities break the law, then what can we expect from common people? And who will come to execute the law. It is the failures to implement the laws that leading the country to mismanagement, law and order situation, and rampant corruption. Instead resolving the issues, it has been made more complicated in talk shows and debates – facilitating public and safeguarding human rights, had turned to become an unaccomplished task in Pakistan. Speaking too much, holding debate, criticizing everyone and everything, has made almost everyone a critic and a political analyst - a hallmark of the nation. Acting too little or playing no role at all to improve the system but of course had got the right to speak against everything. — The writer is a Islamabad based journalist, freelance columnist.
Views From Abroad
IS & Syria: Western hypocrisies support extremism Nick Cohen
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FTER the military corrupted the English language with “collateral damage”, I’d like to introduce the equally dainty and equally misleading “collateral benefit”. I hope you like the smooth way the euphemism oozes from the lips; the imperceptible subtlety with which it shuffles off responsibility. The phrase implies, without being so crude as to say so out loud, that the west does not intend mass murderers to benefit from its wars any more than it intends civilians to die in its air strikes. If when the accountants of violence make their reckoning, the dictators are as triumphant as the civilians are dead, that is no concern of ours. Bashar Assad is now enjoying the collateral benefits of western foreign policy. It is not that he, and by extension Iran and Hezbollah, is our formal ally. We still have our standards, after all. If their power is strengthened, and the bombing and slaughtering of civilians continues, we regret it, naturally. These are unintended side-effects no one can expect
us to control. Human suffering is not a competition. You can’t measure mounds of corpses and reserve your criticism for the highest. Yet when Barack Obama addressed the UN, he did not even glance at the mountain of bodies in Syria. He described the war crimes of Islamic State, but did not once say that clerical fascism had been nurtured by the bloodier war Assad had launched against the Syrian version of the Arab spring. Between 2011, when peaceful demonstrators demanded the removal of a Ba’athist dictatorship that has tyrannised Syria since 1963, and April this year, the UN said that 191,000 people had been killed – the figure is “probably an underestimate”, it added. About nine million Syrians have fled their homes. To comprehend the catastrophe the Assad regime has brought, you must imagine an apocalyptic Britain where the entire population of London – and then some – run for their lives. Assad has launched chemical weapons attacks on the suburbs of his own capital. The gallant Syrian air force has dropped incendiary bombs on school playgrounds. Uncounted thousands, including relief workers, lawyers and doctors, have disappeared into his
prisons where their jailers have beaten, mutilated and raped them. Obama might have thrown every condemnation he threw at Islamic State at the Assad regime. Both have “terrorised all whom they come across” in Syria. Both have subjected “mothers, sisters and daughters to rape as a weapon of war”. Both “have gunned down innocent children”. But while Obama said Islamic State had shocked “the conscience of the world”, he could not manage one word about Assad. I accept that the conscience of the world is as flexible as an iPhone. And I have mentioned before how Mr Obama’s bends with the wind. But his behaviour, and that of the wider west, remains extraordinary. We are going to war against a barbaric enemy, but no one is talking about the barbarism that helped create it. That air strikes against Assad’s enemies must strengthen his chances of survival is not a fit subject for discussion. Assad does not care. He knows he is winning, whatever the president’s motives. Ali Haidar, his “minister for national reconciliation”, purred like the Queen on hearing the result of the Scottish referendum when he described the US attacks on
Islamic State targets. “What has happened so far is proceeding in the right direction in terms of informing the Syrian government and by not targeting Syrian military installations.” I am not disputing the need to confront Islamic State. Militant Islam will drive the Christians and Zoroastrians out of Iraq like the Jews before them. The Kurds, who could be our truest friends in the region, may suffer yet more massacres. But just as the west won’t recognise the right of the Kurds to self-determination, so it won’t accept that you cannot fight Islamic State in Syria without offering hope to those who oppose Assad. Instead it carries on propagating the authentically orientalist lie that Syrians are either Ba’athists or Islamists, and there is no alternative to tyranny. A great evil has been done to Syria. I cannot see how any western project against Islamic State can prosper until the “conscience of the world” provides redress by saying it will not tolerate the continuation of the Assad regime. At present, however, the world won’t even acknowledge evil’s existence. We must expect evil in return. — Courtesy: The Observer
Tyranny still exists..!
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YRANNY still exists and I still remember that drive through Kentucky when suddenly my eye was caught by miles and miles of stonewalls alongside the road, “Built by slaves!” said my brother and I stared at the walls. “Stop the car!” I whispered and as I looked at those flat stones placed roughly one on top of the other I heard faintly through the ages; sounds of singing: Agonized, harrowing, painful, it
pierced through my soul tearing me apart with the sadness the words and tunes carried! I could picture the poor blacks carrying stone after stone, placing them one above the other, stumbling, falling, getting up again as the whip of the white overseer cracked on their backs. And through it all they sang; songs of hope, of an escape through death! Yesterday I heard those songs again and same tears that filled my eyes in Kentucky spilled down my cheeks. She, Eleanor Valkenburg, sang powerfully well and there wasn’t a soul in the hall who didn’t feel the agony the negro spirituals evoked. “Sometimes,” she sang, “I feel like a motherless child!” I thought of poor child carrying
those heavy stones more than a hundred years ago, looking up and crying, wondering what she had done to have become a beast of burden, when she could see white children playing carefree, she had to labor in the sun, drenched with sweat and shielded only by the way she placed the stone on her aching shoulder. And when she lurched under the weight, the overseer’s whip set her straight! As the car started again that day in Kentucky I thanked God slavery was now dead at least in America, but tyranny reigns! Tyranny: Where cruel, brutal kings and dictators army and police force countrymen and subjects into acts that make them less than animals. Where a man slogs whole day still doesn’t have enough
to feed family and himself! Tyranny: Where words spoken to wrong ears means death, where justice depends on money in wallet or whose son you are. Still, in different parts of the world such tyranny reigns and whips of a different kind are cracked as walls of other material more severe and harsh than stone, are built. Such needs to be broken down. The world needs men like Abe Lincoln and Gandhi to stand and fight! The world needs you! So that a different song comes from our children; a song of a peace within from a peace outside: Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me..! —Email:bobsbantergmail.com
Women education in Pakistan TASSAWAR ALI
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akistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. The picture of educational conditions is grim in Pakistan. More than 40npercent girls never enrol in school; the situation is especially alarming in rural areas due social and cultural obstacles. If we compare provincials status of women education in Pakistan KPK and Balochistan women are severely by cultural constraints and prejudices. They are involved in productive, reproductive and community work for 14-16 hours in these provinces women literacy rate stand between 15 percent and 25 percent .As well as northern tribal areas the education of girls strictly prohibited on religious grounds. Those girls who go schools their attendance rate is primary and secondary and post-secondary schools are lower than boys. This is the gross misinterpretation of Islam. Our constitution also emphasizes on the proper deliverance of women rights, so that they can be properly streamlined. Unfortunately it has been observed that women in Pakistan are having a massive exposure to violence, unemployment, etc. Women in Pakistan constitute 51% of the population bust still we are not in a position to facilitate such a massive work force with education, employment, basic rights etc. The international community celebrates the International women day, to ignite the spirit of women rights, worldwide. They formulate different policies and make them practical, so that the women of their country can be properly streamlined. On this International women day, I would like to emphasize, that our women are a great asset for us, and it is very important that they must be equipped with their rights, that are given to them by our religion and constitution. Pakistan is signatory of (CEDAW) The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination. Adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. —Islamabad
People sink into despair HASHIM ABRO There is splendour and gaiety among the perpetual ruling class and grinding misery, adversity and abject poverty among toiling masses in this country. People are sinking into despair and despondency in Sindh province. Our rulers always use their power and authority badly. They treat the people for their convenience. They use the national exchequer for personal gains and family businesses; they defray the expenses of government. They raise money by laying heavy taxes on the people, and on the people alone; the ruling class and their touts hesitate to pay the taxes. There is a very great injustice in this country which is plain to all men but who cares. Thinking minds in this country see all these evils, and warn those in the corridors of power and politics that such cruel treatment would end in dreadful troubles. —Islamabad
Gen Beg: A game changer! MUKHTAR AHMED I have found it amazing, that a person like Gen Beg, while expressing his views in a recent interview to a private TV channel, termed Imran and Qadri as foreign agents and accused US, UK, Canada and Iran for hatching conspiracies to destabilise Pakistan. First of all, why is our media so interested to interview people whose, credibility itself is doubtful, as is Gen Beg’s. Second is the question why we need foreign hands to destabilise Pakistan as we ourselves are self -sufficient in this field and our track record in this context is more than outstanding. Third is the fact that the particular allegations levelled by the worthy Gen are bit outdated and after the denial of such baseless allegations by all concerned, there was no need to repeat them once again. To put the record straight, US Pentagon spokesperson has twice assured Nawaz Sharif of US desire to strengthen democracy in Pakistan. Gen Beg talked against Gen Musharraf accusing him of being on the same team as Imran and Qadri which is unfair. Having been a Chief of the Pakistan Army he should not pass such remarks against another Chief of the same army which is tantamount to acknowledging that he himself, being an ex-Chief is also prone to such acts or it must have been an attempt to vent his anger against Musharraf for not asking Gen Beg to join the team. Frankly speaking, Gen Beg should realise that he is too old to play such games. Being COAS in 1988 is a long time ago. He does not have the same intellect, wisdom or vision as he had earlier and most of his statements are self-contradictory. Saying he finds it strange why Nawaz is not taking a tough action against Dharna shows that one, Gen Beg does not remember how deep NS is stuck due to the Model Town massacre and second he wants that army should again be brought in to control a political situation. Gen Beg himself, has been politicking when in service. When PPP won elections in 1988, the government was reluctant to hand over power to PPP but with some back door preconditions the ground was cleared and took the oath of Prime Minister of Pakistan. He remained arrogant of the Prime Minister, refusing to follow protocol when meeting or receiving Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed at GHQ. Finally, his appearance in a private TV channel that has been maligning army’s role in country’s politics and also undermining existing government policy in relation with India is not at all understandable. As
so many other retired army chiefs it would have been appropriate that he remained quiet which would also have been in his own interest. His rise to Chief of Pakistan Army was an act of destiny resulting through the air crash which caused the death of Gen Zia. We have short memories but history cannot change. His role in politics needs no explanation; Asghar Khan’s case explains everything. His active manipulation of political affairs being COAS tarnished the image of the highly professional army. He may still have a soft corner for Nawaz Sharif due to Asghar Khan’s case but time has changed and facts are known so he should also change. After retirement he launched his own party under the banner of “Friends” so called think tank alleged to be financed by Younas Habib of Mehran Bank. Asghar Khan’s case was against him as ex army chief distributing money to politicians to unseat Benazir Bhutto. As ex COAS he is suggesting PM to order army to clear the D- chowk area naturally that would mean to resort to firing but Gen Reheel knows that in all probabilities if troops refuse to fire as we witnessed in the past when three Brigadiers of Pakistan army refused to open fire on the crowd in Lahore in anti Bhutto campaign. It was unfair on the part of Gen Beg to say that conspirators wanted the army to intervene and take over but Gen Raheel foiled the conspiracy. Gen Beg should realise the ground realities and for a change speak the truth and render some valuable advice to Nawaz to treat the Dharna issue not a conspiracy but improve upon his governance and accept election reforms and audit of entire election as now ample proofs of rigging have surfaced that there was mass rigging in 2013 elections. What we are witnessing today in Pakistan, to some it may appear to be a conspiracy to remove Nawaz but the fact of the matter is that entire lower middle and middle class as well as a large portion of upper middle class has started a movement against the status quo dynastic politics that shall be buried for all times to come as happened in India. Let us give due credit to Imran and Qadri who have had the courage to stand up and wake the sleeping nation and reminded them of their rights as guaranteed in the constitution of Pakistan, that is much referred and quoted but not implemented. Gen Beg on the other hand, retired as a four star general must uphold the dignity of his rank and avoid dragging himself in the political feud. —Via email
Islam and communism FARWA HASSAN This is with reference to “Vilified ideology” by Farrukh Aziz Ansari, published on 24th of September. I was surprised to see Mr. Farrukh trying to reconcile communism and socialism with Islam, which is equal to firing at the sun. The writer has very skilfully tried to portray a positive picture of communism/ socialism without making any single mention of the evils and ills originating, if communism be employed. The concept of classless society in itself wrong, because classes in society have existed and will continue to exist because naturally all human beings differ significantly in intelligence, wisdom, capacity to work, etc., so to say they should equally share wealth, income, resources and possessions, is itself a great injustice. The writer said there is no connection between Atheism and Communism. The answer is, I think, yes and no, because communism if meant to be an economic system, as he himself pointed out is somewhat farther from atheism —but not entirely— and if by communism is not meant an economic system, it is synonymous to atheism. Now let’s come to the first point where we take communism as an economic pattern. The basic principle of communism is “Matter” which physically exists and
anything beyond this or of metaphysical nature is either non existent or if it exists it is superfluous. It has no scope beyond the satisfaction of food, clothing and sexual desires. So again it is against the principles of Islam where spirituality not materialism makes a difference. Now as for the poverty and other issues of economic nature, Islam offers the best solution to all these problems faced by men. Concentration of wealth, slavery, and exploitation of the poor are in fact among the most heinous crimes in Islam itself. We better embrace our own unique ideals of Islam rather can rushing towards the odd utopian philosophies of the western philosophers is a word of suggestion I will like to give to the writer and to all the Muslims. —Via email
LMC’s pathetic performance IFTEKHAR A KHAN While the provincial civic bodies – LDA – LMC are busy decorating main roads and boulevards of Lahore city, the roads in suburbs face criminal neglect of the administration. About five hundred meters ahead of the motorway overhead bridge on Multan road a metalled road, which leads to village Dina Nath, is submerged in slimy black water from the overflowing sewage drain. As if encroachment on the road was not troublesome enough for the pedestrians and other road users, now they have to wade through the sewage water. Punjab government has successfully managed to control dengue fever by eradicating the dengue mosquito in the parks and affluent areas of the city but the suburbs cry out for its attention. The static water as result of the overflowing sewage drain poses serious health hazards to the residents of the locality, which is now an important industrial and commercial area on the Multan road. —Lahore
Kashmir issue and the UN AZHAR THIRAJ Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly, here and blamed India for “another missed opportunity” to address outstanding issues by cancelling the Foreign Secretary-level talks. Asserting that a “veil” cannot be drawn over the “core” issue of Kashmir, he said Pakistan is ready to work for resolution of this problem through negotiations. “The core issue of Jammu and Kashmir has to be resolved. This is the responsibility of the international community. We cannot draw a veil on the issue of Kashmir, until it is addressed in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sharif told the gathering. India had called off the Foreign Secretary-level talks in August after Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit met Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders in New Delhi, ignoring India’s warning not to meet the separatist leaders. I think, this was a real presentation of Kashmir conflict presented by Pakistan PM. Obviously, this is a conscious effort for peace in region. I think, the UN follows a dual policy about Muslim World. This dual face of UN is harmful for international peace. The time has come to resolve Kashmir issue. —Lahore
DISCLAIMER THE articles, columns and letters are published on these pages in good faith. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net
Mistrust of police corrodes America: Obama WASHINGTON—The widespread mistrust of law enforcement that was exposed by the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man in Missouri exists in too many other communities and is having a corrosive effect on the nation, particularly on its children, President Barack Obama says. He blames the feeling of wariness on persistent racial disparities in the administration of justice. Obama said these misgivings only serve to harm communities that are most in need of effective law enforcement. “It makes folks who are victimized by crime and need strong policing reluctant to go to the police because they may not trust them,” he said Saturday night in an address at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual awards dinner. “And the worst part of it is it scars the hearts of our children,” Obama said, adding that it leads some youngsters to unnecessarily fear people who do not look like them and others to constantly feel under suspicion no matter what they do. “That is not the society we want,” he said.
“It’s not the society that our children deserve.” Obama addressed the Aug. 9 shooting of 18year-old Michael Brown carefully but firmly, saying his death and the raw emotion it produced had reawakened the country to the fact that “a gulf of mistrust” exists between residents and police in too many communities. The shooting sparked days of violent protests and racial unrest in the predominantly black St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. The police officer who shot Brown was white. “Too many young men of color feel targeted by law enforcement - guilty of walking while black or driving while black, judged by stereotypes that fuel fear and resentment and hopelessness,” said Obama, who has spoken of enduring similar treatment as a younger man. He said significant racial disparities remain in the enforcement of law, from drug sentencing to application of the death penalty, and that a majority of Americans think the justice system treats people of different races unequally. Obama opened his remarks by praising Attorney General Eric Holder as a great friend and
faithful public servant. The president announced Holder’s resignation this week after nearly six years as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer. Holder attended the dinner and received a standing ovation. He will stay on the job until the Senate confirms a successor. “We will miss him badly,” Obama said. Holder visited Ferguson after the shooting to help ease tensions, and the Justice Department is investigating whether Brown’s civil rights were violated. There was more gun violence Saturday night in Ferguson when a police officer investigating suspicious activity at a closed community center was shot in the arm. The wounded officer is expected to survive and the police were looking for two suspects early Sunday. Authorities said they didn’t believe the shooting was related to demonstrations that were taking place at about the same time to protest the killing of Brown. At the dinner, Obama also announced the addition of a “community challenge” to My Brother’s Keeper, a public-private partnership
he launched earlier this year to help improve the lives of young minority men. Communities across the U.S. will be challenged to adopt strategies to help all young people succeed from the cradle through college and to a career. Obama said government cannot play the primary role in the lives of children but it “can bring folks together” to make a difference for them. Helping girls of color deal with inequality is also important, he said, and part of the continuing mission of the White House Council on Women and Girls. The effort has involved his wife, Michelle, the mother of their 13- and 16year-old daughters. ‘Obama noted that black girls are more likely than their white peers to be suspended, jailed and physically harassed, and that black women struggle daily with “biases that perpetuate oppressive standards for how they’re supposed to look and how they’re supposed to act.” “I’ve got a vested interest in making sure that our daughters have the same opportunities as boys do,” he said.—AP
N. Korea to field mobile long-range missile
Philippines UN peacekeepers to guard pope’s visit
WASHINGTON—North
M ANILA —The Philippines
Korea’s military is taking steps to field a road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile that could threaten the United States, the head of American forces in the Pacific says. While North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hasn’t yet deployed such a missile, “he’s showing us the signs that he’s trying to get there,” said Adm. Samuel Locklear, who offered new insight into the steps the isolated nation is taking to field its KN-08 missile. Locklear discussed North Korean developments in a wideranging Bloomberg Government interview Thursday that included the shift of US military assets toward the Asia-Pacific region, relations with Vietnam, the search for the missing Malaysian airliner and China’s military modernization. The missile, which isn’t operational yet and is designed to be transported on roads, threatens to change relations between the United States and a nation once feared primarily for its conventional military and fixed long-range intercontinental missiles such as the Taepo-Dong-2, Locklear said. Locating mobile missiles is more difficult than keeping an eye on fixed launching sites and requires constant surveillance and efforts to distinguish real weapons from mock-ups, he said. “Road-mobile systems” decrease the “amount of time you have to deal with it, particularly if you want to deal with it before they launch it,” Locklear said, referring to the potential for a preemptive strike on a known missile site. Asked how close North Korea is to fielding an operational road-mobile missile, Locklear said it’s “hard for us to get an exact assessment of that.” The US has only seen what may be dummy versions of the missiles, along with increased activity around the sites where they would be housed, he said. “So we watch it very, very carefully and it’s kind of just on an upward trajectory of the things that over time can give us concern,” he said. North Korea’s conventional military is in decline, Locklear said. Locklear also said the nation’s increasing isolation and poverty are causes for concern. “It is, in my view — among all the security challenges in the world — it’s the most dangerous if it goes poorly,” he said. In North Korea “you’ve got a country” that has put “pictures of mushroom clouds over New York City and Washington,” Locklear said. Locklear said he’s concerned that the world “is so tired and worn” out over North Korea’s cycles of provoking the US and its allies with missile launches and other military actions that it becomes “anesthetized.—AN
Syrian refugees wait behind a barb wire barricade at the Syrian-Turkish border near Sanliurfa, Turkey, on Sunday.
Mubarak verdict postponed CAIRO—An Egyptian court postponed to sidered it a victory to see Mubarak behind “We feel like our rights have been lost.” Nov. 29 its verdict on whether former president Hosni Mubarak ordered the killing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that ended his three-decade rule. Before adjourning the hearing on Saturday, the judge said he and members of the prosecution team had not finished reviewing all the evidence in the case, which amounted to 160,000 pages. A TV screen in the courtroom showed thousands of documents related to the case piled up in folders and bound with string. Mubarak, his interior minister Habib alAdly and six other senior security officers are accused of ordering the killings of more than 800 protesters, sowing chaos and creating a security vacuum during the 18-day revolt. They deny the charges. The former strongman and Adly were both sentenced to life in prison in 2012 after being convicted in the case but an appeals court subsequently ordered a retrial. Many Egyptians who lived through his autocracy and crony capitalism con-
bars. His overthrow led to Egypt’s first free leadership election but the winner, Mohamed Mursi, was ousted last year by the army and some Mubarak-era figures have since been released, raising fears among activists that the old regime was regaining influence. Mubarak, 86, arrived at the court in a medical helicopter and was wheeled off the back on a stretcher surrounded by police clutching rifles. He appeared with fellow defendants in a courtroom cage, looking pale and glum and wearing sunglasses. Outside the court at the Cairo police academy, his supporters gathered, carrying pictures of the former airforce commander and chanting slogans demanding his release. Families of those killed by security forces during the uprising came to protest. “This delay comes in preparation for the clearing of Mubarak,” said one woman whose son died during the street revolt.
Highlighting how polarised Egyptian society has become, fights broke out between Mubarak supporters and relatives of the deceased. Police broke up the fight and arrested two people. The political demise of Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood at the hands of the military means voices more sympathetic to Mubarak are now being heard. Mubarak told the court last month that he had not ordered the killing of protesters and said history would vindicate him. Adly and other Mubarak-era officials have also had their testimonies broadcast in recent weeks, giving them a platform to rebuild their reputations with the public. Mubarak is unlikely to be freed, however. Though he has been given bail in this case, he is already serving a separate three-year sentence for embezzlement at a military hospital in the upscale Maadi district of Cairo. The court ordered that Adly remain in custody pending the verdict.—Reuters
Over 30 believed dead at Nippon volcano TOKYO—Rescue workers have found 30 or more people unconscious and believed to be dead near the peak of an erupting volcano in central Japan, local government and police said Sunday. Nagano prefecture posted on its website that about 30 people had heart and lung failure, the customary way for Japanese authorities to describe a body until police doctors can examine it. At least four of the victims were being brought down from Mount Ontake on Sunday afternoon, one day after the volcano erupted. A Nagano police official described the number of unconscious people as more than 30. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly. Mount Ontake in central Japan erupted shortly before noon Saturday, spewing large white plumes of gas and ash high into the sky and blanketing the surrounding area in ash. The mountain is a popular climbing destination, and at least 250 people were initially trapped on the slopes, though most made their way down by Saturday night. Before the unconscious victims were found, Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency said that 45 people had been reported missing. The exact location of the bodies and their identities were not immediately known. Keita Ushimaru, an official in nearby Kiso town, said that Nagano crisis management officials had informed the town that at least four people with heart and lung failure were being brought down to the town, and that there were others in the same condition. The journey was expected to take about three hours.
Rescue workers were also trying to help injured people and others who had been stranded on the mountain overnight, many taking refuge in mountain lodges. Some were unable to descend on their own, or unwilling to take the risk. Military helicopters plucked seven people off the mountainside earlier Sunday, and workers were helping others make their way down the slopes. One woman was being carried on a stretcher, and a man with a broken arm was walking down. Seven people were picked up in three helicopter trips, said Defense Ministry official Toshihiko Muraki. All are conscious and can walk, though details of their conditions were unclear, he said. Japanese television footage showed a soldier descending from a helicopter to an ash-covered slope, helping latch on a man and then the two of them being pulled up. The Self-Defense Force, as Japan’s military is called, has deployed seven helicopters and 250 troops. Police and fire departments are also taking part in the rescue effort. A large plume, a mixture of white and gray, continued to rise from the ash-covered summit of 3,067-meter (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake on Sunday, visible from the nearby village of Otaki. A convoy of red fire trucks, sirens blaring, and rescue workers on foot headed past barriers into the restricted zone around the mountain. Shinichi Shimohara, who works at a shrine at the foot of the mountain, said he was on his way up Saturday morning when he heard a loud noise that sounded like strong winds.—AP
has assigned a thousand-strong force of its United Nations peacekeepers to help guard Pope Francis when he visits Asia’s main Catholic outpost next January, the military said Sunday. The papal security force will include more than 300 soldiers who were withdrawn from the UN-administered Golan Heights buffer zone after the unit fought off an attack by Syrian rebels last month. “We believe that their exposure and experience in peacekeeping operations in Syria will be beneficial toward the successful security of Pope Francis’s papal visit to the Philippines,” said a statement quoting military chief General Gregorio Catapang. Two battalions of Filipino UN peacekeepers, including those withdrawn from the Golan Heights as well as those who had been training to replace them, will join a policeled security detail for the pope, he added. A Filipino battalion comprises about 500 soldiers. The Philippines earlier announced it would not replace its Golan Heights troops due to the worsening security there. The local Catholic church leadership said Pope Francis will be in the Philippines from January 15-19 and will visit the survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left about 7,300 people dead across the central Philippines in November last year. Philippine politicians have said Filipino Islamic militants, some of who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State jihadists fighting in Iraq and Syria, could pose a threat during the papal visit. The Philippine government has said there are no known links between the two groups, and that the Filipino militants are merely associating themselves with the jihadists to elevate their profile and for financial gain.—AN
Mobiles cleared for use on Europe flights BERLIN—Passengers on European airlines may soon be able to use portable electronics including cell phones and tablet computers any time during flights, under new safety guidelines issued. The Cologne-based European Aviation Safety Agency said that starting immediately, European airlines can, at their own discretion, allow passengers to leave electronics on the entire flight, without the putting them into “airplane mode.” “We’re basically opening the door where, in theory, you’ll be able to continue making your phone call through the gate throughout the flight.— AN
Subcontinent Connections YU LINTAO
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N what the media described as “riverfront diplomacy,” visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi caught international attention as they took a riverbank stroll on September 17 in Gujarat. Wearing a traditional Indian vest presented to him by Modi, Xi, who was on his first state visit to India, talked with his host while they sat side by side on a swing chair as they visited a riverside park development project in Modi’s hometown. Gujarat was the first leg of Xi’s three-day tour of India from September 17 to 19, following his visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka that began on September 14. Pakistan was also on Xi’s original itinerary, but the Chinese For-
eign Ministry announced on September 6 that the two countries had agreed to postpone the arrangement due to political unrest in Pakistan. As China and India are currently the two most populous countries and two largest emerging economies in the world, observers said that Xi’s visit will upgrade the full-range bilateral engagement to forge a closer development partnership despite their border disputes. Meanwhile, they added that Xi’s South Asia trip embodies China’s efforts for the continued perfection of its diplomacy with neighboring countries. Professor Jiang Jingkui, Director of the Center of South Asian Studies at Peking University, said that South Asia is a key part of China’s peripheral diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness.
During interviews with the press ahead of Xi’s arrival in India, Modi coined a new terminology to describe the potential of India-China relationship as “INCH (India and China) toward MILES (Millennium of Exceptional Synergy).” He said that every inch the two countries cover can rewrite history of humanity and every mile will go a long way in making this planet a better place. Similarly, Xi has also stressed that if the “Chinese Dragon” and the “Indian Elephant” coexist harmoniously and realize peaceful, cooperative development, it will benefit 2.5 billion people in the two nations as well as those in other developing countries, and will have far-reaching effects in the region and the world as a whole. Though there are widely known border disputes between the two coun-
tries, the top leaders of the two sides attach more importance to what bilateral cooperation could bring to both. Chinese observers believe as China and India share similar national conditions and the same development goals, their common interests far outweigh their differences. For the common goal of economic development, the two countries need each other mutually, Jiang said. Jiang held that as China and India are respectively a global manufacturer and a major service provider, the mutual complementarity of the two economies provides great potential for them to jointly boost cooperation in trade, investment, financial services and new and high technologies. — Courtesy: Beijing Review
Why is Asia so quiet on the ISIS front? JEREMY AU YONG, RACHEL CHANG
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SIA’S role in the battle against ISIS is increasingly com ing into question as governments in the region continue to sit on the sidelines of the fight. Not a single Southeast Asian country is part of the United States-led coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria militant group, and Asean has thus far been silent on it. China is also staying out of the fray despite concerted courting by Washington, with experts saying Beijing will not join the coalition because it sees greater advantage in being a passive bystander. Southeast Asian leaders who have spoken so far at the ongoing United Nations summit in New York - a meeting that has been dominated by the ISIS threat - have also largely steered clear of addressing the issue.All this stands in stark contrast to how involved militants in the region have been in the ISIS saga so far. The Abu Sayyaf rebel group in the Philippines has threatened to kill two German hostages if Germany does not withdraw support for the US campaign, and the Pentagon estimates that some 1,000 ISIS foreign fighters come from the Asia Pacific. Observers cite a variety of reasons for the Asian reticence - from pressing domestic issues to a reluctance among leaders of some Muslim states to take actions that might spark retaliation from domestic radical groups. “The Asian states are preoccupied with so many thorny problems of their own, and they may be worried about retaliation by radical groups. The situation at home in several states is sensitive because of the Muslim populations,” said Professor Jerome Cohen from the Council on Foreign Relations. Outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is cited as among those determined to stay on the sidelines. As the leader of the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation and one with aspirations for regional leadership, he had raised hopes that his UN speech might articulate his country’s stand on ISIS. Instead, experts felt, he gave a largely uninspiring speech focused on big power relations and Asean unity. “He continues to be insecure about how he is portrayed by the small but vocal extremist community back home, some - though not all - who are sympathetic to ISIS,” said Dr Joseph Liow, the Lee Kuan Yew chair in South-east Asia Studies at New York-based think-tank Brookings Institution. He adds that many Southeast Asian states might also be taking a wait-and-see approach to the US possibly being drawn back into another eventual quagmire. “After what happened with Iraq, I suppose their caution is understandable,” he said. As for China, while its interests as a major importer of Iraqi oil and a declared target of the radical group are closely aligned with Washington’s, China will not join the coalition as it suits its purpose better to stay out of the fray, say experts. “China does not want to alienate the radical anti-Western groups in the region, and it also is not unhappy to see the US failing to get a clean retreat from the region,” said Professor Joseph Cheng from the City University of Hong Kong. “If the US can withdraw completely from the Middle East as it wanted to, it can deploy more of its resources to the Asia Pacific to rebalance the rise of China.” Still, China has taken a supportive tone towards the US’ anti-ISIS efforts - Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the UN Security Council on Wednesday voted in favour of a US-sponsored resolution to bind countries to stop their citizens from going abroad to join terrorist groups. —Courtesy: ANN
NGOs Shouldn’t Suffer in Sanction War GILBERT DOCTOROW
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EDIA coverage of the U.S. and EU sanctions against Russia as punishment for its annexation of Crimea and alleged designs on southeastern Ukraine focuses on the impact on business. What started out as pin pricks directed at Kremlin insiders has evolved into prohibitions affecting key economic sectors that promise to do serious damage to both sides. Years of investment in people and industry are now at jeopardy, justifying the media attention. But the impact of worsening relations on civil society has gone largely unnoticed. Relations in this sphere, even before the current crisis, were shaky. The passage of the U.S. Magnitsky Act in December 2012, which sanctioned various Russian officials tied to the death of whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, drew an asymmetrical response from the Russians. This asymmetrical response first became evident in summer 2013, when state relations dipped to new lows over Russia’s granting of asylum to Edward Snowden. Relations worsened even further with the Dima Yakovlev Law of September 2013, which ended more than two decades of large-scale adoptions of Russian children by Americans. While these various attacks and counterattacks may have scored political points in Washington and Moscow respectively, they have significantly harmed the ongoing, positive work of countless NGOs. And, given the worsening relations between the U.S. and Russia, this work is getting harder by the day. Not surprisingly, at the recent World U.S.-Russia Forum, the cause of U.S. adoptions was represented at the highest level, by the national chair of a key American NGO that has long facilitated the adoption process. There was also a good number of salt-of-the-earth Americans present at the conference, including the chairwoman of a citizens’ initiative that has sent 6,000 Russian students to internships with private entrepreneurs across the U.S. These NGOs have tirelessly worked for decades to build bridges between Russia and the U.S., facilitating exchanges that brought many thousands of ordinary Russians to the U.S. and ordinary Americans to Russia. All of these dedicated and idealistic people have their eyes open and know the weaknesses of Russian society; none is a dupe of Putin. But what they all have in common now is a very adverse climate back in the U.S. for their activities. Not only has administrative support from U.S. agencies been withdrawn, but the information war has poisoned the atmosphere in which they operate. But as today’s political environment shows few signs of improving, it is important to move past the finger-pointing of Alexander Herzen’s “Who Is Guilty” and take up Nikolai Chernyshevsky’s challenge of “What Is to Be Done?” This year, the forum ended its deliberations with a unanimous vote in support of re-creating the premiere platform for detente from the period of 1974 to 1992, the American Committee on East-West Accord. The added value of that body will be to help dampen the information war by challenging the lies coming from all sides involved. It will arrange neutral platforms for genuine debate of the key issues determining state-to-state relations, most immediately the sanctions policy and the expansion of NATO to Ukraine and Georgia. Such public debates by responsible and authoritative spokesmen for the respective sides have been sorely missing from the start of the present crisis, though they are a precondition for informed and high-quality policymaking. And without more nuanced policymaking, the low-level but deeply effective work of NGOs on both sides could easily be just the latest casualty of the sanction war. —Courtesy: MT. [Gilbert Doctorow is the founder of the European chapter of the Committee on East-West Accord]
Karachi operation fails to remove prejudice among citizens AAMIR MAJEED KARACHI—Although the federal and provincial governments as well as the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are trying their best to eradicate ethnic prejudice from the minds of Karachi’s residents, people are still seemingly unprepared to surmount the fear that has been built up over decades. This month marks a year since LEAs launched an operation against criminals in the metropolitan city on the directives of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shariff to bring the law and order situation under control and ensure fearless movement of the citizens. However, despite the number of people arrested and drugs seized during the operation conducted in almost every nook and cranny of the metropolis, it has been observed that the action has failed to win over the residents. Eid-ul Azha is a religious event during which Muslims sacrifice animals to obtain countless blessings of Allah Almighty, but the denizens of Karachi are finding it difficult to arrange a sacrificial animal for fulfilling the obligation because of restricted movement. The residents avoid visiting big cattle markets because of fear. They
Bilawal warns MQM against PTI-like politics KARACHI—Pakistan People’s Party Patron-in-Chief Bilawal Bhotto Zardari has warned Muttahida Qaumi Movement against indulging in politics of agitation like Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf. “These long-drawn-out protest sit-ins have marred Pakistan’s image around the world. MQM is urged not to take after the agitative ways of PTI”, the young politician said in a statement issued here. Bilawal’s statement came on the coattails of Altaf’s announcement to stage a PTI-like sit-in for the sake of safeguarding democracy. The PPP leader also came down hard on PTI for allegedly dragging army into politics. “PTI’s calling military to its rescue should not become a justificatory precedent for others especially MQM”, Bilawal said.—Online
Afghanistan releases Pakistani journalist I SLAMABAD —The Afghan government on Sunday released Karachi-based Pakistani journalist Faizullah Khan who had been arrested in Afghanistan a few months ago. He was arrested in April when he crossed the Pak-Afghan border while reporting from Tribal Areas. An Afghan court has sentenced him to four years of imprisonment. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid has congratulated the family of Faizullah on his release. He said the government believes in freedom of media. He said they are grateful of the Afghan government for the release of Faizullah. The Minister said the government will extend every possible assistance to the journalists for performing their duties. Pakistan’s Ambassador in Afghanistan confirmed to media that an order had been issued to release Faizullah. He said that the released journalist was expected to spend Eid with his family.—INP
PR rules out PM’s resignation From Back Page “We think that a society should resolve its conflict through dialogue and talks. We don’t want to promote a culture, where 10 to 15 people are planted to spoil rallies of rival groups.” To a question, he said that Pakistan belongs to Pakistanis and these are our cities. Earlier, PTI’s supporters chanted ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogans in the presence of Perviaz Rashid. Pervez Resheed silently heard the slogans of public, who gathered for his welcome at airport.—Online
prefer small markets that are encroached in roundabouts of their respective town. They are ready to pay more to sellers in small markets but not ready to put their lives at risk for buying animals at cheaper rates in big cattle markets. Asia’s biggest cattle market at Super Highway, cattle market in Malir known as Bakra Piri and a relatively less popular market in Shah Latif Town were the only three cattle markets where residents belonging to every ethnic group visit to purchase sacrificial animal on the eve of Eid-ul Azha. As the fear developed in the minds of residents, few people took advantage of the situation and arranged small markets in every nook and corner of the metropolis and charging more money against this facility. A visit of the city’s over cattle markets disclosed that the ethnic lines in the metropolis have become so visible that people are avoiding to visit cattle markets that are established in other ethnic areas. The assurance of security by the administrator of the small cattle markets is attracting number of visitors who are also ready to pay more for the sacrificial animals. Asia’s biggest cattle market at Super Highway is located in a area which is symbol of terror for every resident
living in the metropolis as the market is situated opposite to Haji Yousuf Khan Sahab Goth, which is also known as Faqeera Goth. It was reported that many Taliban during operation in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK) infiltrated and settled in Haji Yousuf Khan Sahab Goth. Not only this, law enforcers conducted raids and claimed to have arrested key Taliban leaders from this area. If you visit city’s biggest cattle market at Super Highway, then you may see number of small cattle markets on the way. The only thing in these markets, which is attracting the visitors is security. People in large numbers visiting these markets small markets to buy sacrificial animals even at higher rates. Now come to another cattle market in Malir which is also known as Bakra Piri. A Few years back, this market was famous for sale of sacrificial animals at much lower rates. However, the market is situated in Bloch-dominated area so people are avoiding visiting this market after witnessing law and order situation of Lyari. Not only this, a number of ethnic clashes were reported from this area from time to time. Taking advantage of this situation, a number of cattle markets were established in Malir Town to facilitate people of every eth-
nic group. To facilitate elites in the city, the administration of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has established a cattle market in Defence Phase-II to facilitate residents of DHA and Clifton. The administration of DHA Cattle Market has installed billboards in the town to inform the residents that management of the town has set up a market where it had made special security arrangements. It was also announced that the market management had installed surveillance cameras inside or outside market to keep an eye over any suspected activity. Like other ethnic groups, Baloch have set up a cattle market in Lyari. A large number of Balochi-speakers are visiting the market for buying sacrificial animals. “We cannot visit to buy animals from markets that are established outside the town as people look at us with pity,” a visitor to Lyari cattle market said. “The residents of the city assume every Baloch as activist of gang war which is wrong,” he noted. “We (Baloch) preferred to buy animals from Lyari Cattle Market as we cannot explain to everyone that every Baloch living in Lyari is not associated with gang war,” he added.
Lahore rally ‘referendum’ From Page 1 his stance that he would not call off sit-in at Islamabad without getting resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The PTI chief said democracy in Pakistan is grabbed by some political families who have been taking turns in power and during their rules kept all concentration over shifting plundered money abroad instead of serving the poor masses that elected them for their representation in assemblies to resolve problems faced by them. He said, “PTI movement began with a single point about election’s probe. I have been saying since day one that we will take to streets after exercising all legal options. I have come to this conclusion that Pakistan’s law is a hurdle in dispensation of justice. We cannot get justice through a proper forum.” Chairman PTI said that wherever members of Nawaz Sharif family went, ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogan them. He challenged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to assemble only ten percent of PTI’s Lahore crowd, he would end his agitation. “Time is over for rulers, who have been taking turns for 40 years,” he said. He said the Supreme Court would take up Ishaq Khakwani’s petition seeking disqualification of Prime Minister for lying. Nawaz denied having any agreement with Musharraf for seven years, Khan added. He again alleged that returning officers had played central role in rigging the elections. “Who was controlling the return-
ing officers? Mir Jafar of Pakistan’s democracy, the former Chief Justice.” “In principle, this election should be annulled as Election Commission has not yet uploaded Farm 14 on its website.” “I demand that ECP upload Farm 14 on website. I am sure that ECP has rigged the elections along with Iftikhar Chaudhry.” He quoted former NADRA chief Tariq Malik saying that the whole system was deliberately sabotaged to hide rigging. “I want to ask PM why he is afraid of opening just four constituencies for probe… Unless I get justice, incumbent government will not be able to perform,” he said. The PTI chief said that there can be no impartial inquiry under sitting PM. Whoever stole people’s mandate, they would be sent to jails so that nobody is able to rig elections in the future.” He outlined his priorities after coming into power. The PTI government would bring a uniform education system across Pakistan to end the growing disparity. “We will introduce a system of humanity through massive reforms,” Khan said. Imran Khan termed his Lahore rally a ‘referendum’ against the government. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should delay his resignation so that PTI’s movement can have enough time to penetrate every house. He said the rulers thought PTI will end its sit-in protest soon but the sit-in movement has created a ‘world record’ by
stretching the sit-in for as long as fortyfive days. He said when Dr Aafia Siddiqui was handed over to the United States, he raised voice to ‘awaken’ the nation. Imran Khan said that all the political parties have joined hands to protect the looted money and not the democracy. He said the real faces of those who made speeches at Parliament’s joint session have been exposed. “Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are fooling the nation together”, he alleged. “I kept saying these two are like brothers from inside and are only staging fight as a show off but no one listened.” Khan added that he would apologise if his rigging allegations were proven wrong. Khan announced that the party’s next rally would be held in Mianwali on Thursday, followed by Multan. Earlier, when Imran Khan reached the rally venue, his car could not make its way due to the massive crowd. This led Khan to walk up the stage while he was surrounded by a large number of supporters and leaders. The supporters also tried to follow him up on the stage. PTI chief started waving to the crowd after reaching the stage but was shaken by the push as party leader Aleem Khan fell down because of imbalance. Imran Khan turned to the workers and looked furious but then the cheering crowd cheered him up as well.
India suspicious as Chinese submarine docks in Sri Lanka NEW DELHI—The docking of a Chinese This was just ahead of Chinese President need to protect its sea lanes for critical submarine in Colombo on a long-range deployment patrol earlier this month is yet another indicator of the ever-increasing forays of the People’s Liberation ArmyNavy (PLA-N) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Indian media reported on Sunday. The PLA-N is fast transforming from a “green-water” force used to operating close to its own shores into a potent “bluewater” force, one with “long legs”. Though the Indian Navy has been tracking the increased activity of Chinese warships in the IOR, including submarines quietly on the prowl in the Bay of Bengal, this is a rare instance of a PLA-N submarine openly berthing in the region that India considers its “own strategic backyard”. The diesel-electric Type 039 “Songclass” was at the Colombo International Container Terminal, which has been funded by China, from September 7 to 14.
Xi Jingping’s visit to Sri Lanka, which along with Maldives has shown enthusiasm for China’s new Maritime Silk Route plan in the IOR. The Chinese government, on its part, said the submarine had only made a replenishment stopover in Sri Lanka on way to the Gulf of Aden for escort and antipiracy operations, as was the “common practice” for navies around the world. But China is also testing the new Modi government’s resolve both on the land boundaries, which clearly came through during the 16-day troop faceoff at Chumar in eastern Ladakh coinciding with Xi’s visit here, as well as in the IOR, as earlier reported by TOI. China’s forging of extensive maritime links with eastern Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia, among others, is primarily related to its
energy needs. But it’s equally true that it’s slowly but steadily amounting to a “strategic encirclement” of India. Acknowledging that the presence of Chinese warships is on the increase in the IOR, Navy chief Admiral Robin Dhowan this week said, “We continuously monitor them, see what are their deployments, and what challenges they can pose for us...IOR is our area of operations...Our warships, submarines and aircraft are always ready to face any challenge.” That may well be true but insiders fear India’s already stark military asymmetry with China only seems to be expanding all the time. India, for instance, has just 13 ageing diesel-electric submarines, only half of them operational at any given time, and a single nuclear-powered submarine, without any strategic missiles, on lease from Russia. China, in sharp contrast, has 51 conventional and five nuclear submarines.—Online
Obama: US underestimated
FIA captures gateway
From Page 1
LAHORE—FIA team on Sunday conducted raid in Joher Town and captured a gateway of 64 lines besides recovering 150 activated new sims. According to a FIA spokesman, it was done on intelligence attained by FIA itself. This is the 7th successful raid in three days.—APP
Obama said during an interview, to be broadcast Sunday night, in which he also acknowledged the Iraqi army’s inability to successfully tackle the threat. According to excerpts from Sunday’s “60 Minutes” on CBS, presenter Steve Kroft referred to comments by James Clapper, the director of national intelligence, in which he said, “We overestimated the ability and the will of our allies, the Iraqi Army, to fight.” “That’s true. That’s absolutely true,” Obama said. “Jim Clapper has acknowledged that I think they underestimated what had been taking place in Syria.” Obama blamed the ongoing turmoil in Syria for the rise of the Islamic State, also known as ISIL. “Essentially what happened with ISIL was that you had al-Qaeda in Iraq, which was a vicious group, but our Marines were able to quash with the help of Sunni tribes. They went back underground. But over the past couple of years, during the chaos of the Syrian civil war, where essentially you have huge swaths of the country that are completely ungoverned, they were
able to reconstitute themselves and take advantage of that chaos,” he said. “And so this became ground zero for jihadists around the world.” The president made clear the intentions of the campaign against the Islamic State. “We just have to push them back, and shrink their space, and go after their command and control, and their capacity, and their weapons, and their fueling, and cut off their financing, and work to eliminate the flow of foreign fighters,” he said. Acknowledging that the Islamic State has been “very savvy in terms of their social media,” Obama said it is important to recognize that “part of our solution here is going to be military” but added that he hopes for a political settlement in the future. “What we also have to do is we have to come up with political solutions in Iraq and Syria in particular, but in the Middle East generally, that arise in an accommodation between Sunni and Shia populations that right now are the biggest cause of conflict, not just in the Middle East, but in the world,” he said.—AP
Chinese President eager to visit Pakistan soon: Wang NEW YORK—Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here with Pakistan’s top national security and foreign affairs adviser, Sartaj Aziz, to discuss relations between their two countries and major international issues of common concern. Wang said China is looking forward to Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s attendance at the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Informal Meeting in Beijing in November, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping is also eager to pay a visit to Pakistan at an early date to promote further development of relations between the two countries. China is willing to bring into full play the role of the China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Corridor to lead economic development in Pakistan and give priority to the construction of infrastructure for transportation and energy and industrial parks in the country, so that Pakistan can enjoy real benefits, Wang stressed at the meeting with Aziz on the side-
lines of the annual high-level debate of the U.N. General Assembly. The two sides need to strengthen coordination and cooperation in law enforcement and security, while the Chinese side supports Pakistan’s quest to become a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Aziz said that both the Pakistani government and people are sincerely looking forward to Xi’s visit to the country at an early date, which will add powerful impetus to the growth of PakistanChina relations. Pakistan stands firmly with China on its core interest and issues of major concern, and appreciates China’s support for Pakistan’s quest to become a SCO member, he said. Pakistan is also willing to work with China to build the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, so that peoples of both countries can benefit from it, Aziz said. The two officials also exchanged views on issues of common concern such as the Afghanistan situation and reached broad consensus. —INP
Meeting with Hurriyat From Page 1 the meeting was ‘not right’ either. While talking about the meeting between Basit and the Hurriyat Leader, in an interview given to an Indian news channel, Aziz said that, “This has been a regular practice for the last 30 years and there was nothing new in it.” He added that “in this case perhaps the timing was not totally right because substantial discussions on Kashmir were yet to start. This meeting on August 24 (Foreign Secretary level meeting between India and Pakistan) was to declare the agenda and so on so forth.” Aziz further said “I think if the request (from India) had come earlier, about the timing not being right, probably it could have been consid-
ered. But, in this case the message came at a time when one Hurriyat leader was already in Pakistan’s high commission (in New Delhi); hence there was nothing to respond.” The PM’s adviser also called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to express willingness to hold bilateral talks with Pakistan during his maiden United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) address as ‘encouraging’. A week prior to the scheduled meeting between Indo-Pak foreign secretaries, India called off the bilateral talks following criticism of Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit meeting with Hurriyat leader Shabir Shah.—Agencies
Bilawal apologizes From Page 1 are committed to reforming and re-earning your trust,” he said on Twitter. “In the interim period, if you are considering supporting another political party, please choose wisely. Do not punish Pakistan or its democracy for my shortcomings. Please do not support anti-democratic parties or political parties who appease extremism,” he said. Bilawal said that Pakistan has enough right wing, dictatorship-loving and TTP-appeasing political parties. “If you are frustrated with the party, I would like to suggest more productive ways to do legitimate opposition. The PPP is a democratic party and all internal dissent is welcome,” he said. He said that the best way to influence the PPP party policy was to join it, and bring change to both the party and the country from within.
“If party policy is unacceptable to you, and you are considering joining another party, I would suggest joining pro-democracy and propeople political parties in Pakistan,” he said. Bilawal said the PPP welcomes and encourages other left wing political parties to join the political process. “In fact, if any former sympathizers are looking to attend a political event today I would suggest attending the AWP Congress in Islamabad. No one can claim to have once supported SZAB or SMBB but today support either dictatorship or extremism,” he said “I look forward both to earning your trust and proving that the Pakistan People’s Party is the only party that can deliver us a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Pakistan,” he added.—INP
Hangu IDPs camp blast From Page 1 The Police cordoned off the area and the security forces are also reported to have kicked off search operation in the area to net the culprits who, as usual, remained at large. In the meanwhile, the KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has strongly condemned the terror blast at Hangu that claimed precious human lives and many injured. He has also announced compensation for the martyred and injured under Shuhadaa Package. The chief minister announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each for the killed and Rs 2 lac each for injured in the terror incident. AFP adds: Meanwhile, at least 21 militants were killed in airstrikes and a gunfight in restive northwestern tribal areas, officials said Sunday. The air attacks were carried out on five insurgent hideouts in the Shawal area of North Waziristan overnight, a military statement said. “In precise aerial strikes five terrorists hideouts were destroyed and 15 terrorists including foreigners were killed in Shawal area of North Waziristan Agency,” it said. Separately, at least six militants were killed early Sunday in a gunfight that erupted after they attacked a paramilitary checkpoint in a tribal area bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
The gunfight took place at the Ghundi checkpoint in the Khyber tribal district which is a gateway for NATO supplies to Afghanistan. “A group of about 30 militants attacked the Ghundi checkpost early Sunday, but security forces had prior information about it and were well prepared,” a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “At least six militants were killed in the gunfight and the attacking militants were forced to flee,” the official said, adding there no casualties among security forces. At least two suspected militants were killed and one injured when drones fired missiles at a compound in Karezai Pal, Wana, South Waziristan Agency on Sunday. “A US drone fired two missiles at a vehicle and at least two militants were killed and one was wounded,” a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “The militants had just parked their vehicle outside the main gate of a compound and had asked for drinking water from inside. Just when they were drinking water standing on the road, drones fired two missiles.” Their identities were not known but initial information indicated that they were not locals, the official added.
Shahbaz regularizes 52,000 lady otherwise there will be a bloody revolution. He said that there is a need to set up a society which is based on justice. Revolution cannot be brought about by hating and ignoring the poor. He said an artificial crisis was created which has caused irreparable loss to economy. He made an appeal to people that there is still time and collective efforts should be made for progress and development of the country. He said that those staging sit-ins
From Back Page should quit negative politics He said the gulf between rich and poor is expanding. On the one side elite avails of all facilities on the other hand poor people are spending a miserable life. He said that naïve elements should immediately reconsider their attitude and steps be taken to remove this increasing gulf. God forbid. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the efforts of
lady health workers with regard to dengue, polio, mother and child healthcare and eradication of other epidemic diseases are commendable. The Chief Minister directed Advisor Health and Secretary Health to arrange a programme of coordinated training for lady health workers. He said asked lady health workers work for pay attention to flood hit areas and play their role for eradication of epidemic diseases and mother and child health there.
Afghanistan to inaugurate President Hamid Karzai after a threemonth standoff over disputed election results that fuelled the insurgency and worsened Afghanistan’s dire economic outlook. The ceremony will be the country’s first democratic transfer of power — a benchmark seen by international donors as a key legacy of the costly military and civilian intervention since the fall of the
From Page 1 Taliban in 2001. Abdullah will also be inaugurated on Monday as chief executive, a new role similar to a prime minister, in a government structure far different to Karzai’s allpowerful presidency. Both Ghani and Abdullah are moder-
ate, pro-Western leaders who have vowed to push ahead with the patchy social and infrastructure progress since 2001, but the country still faces a major threat from Taliban militants. Only 33 NATO bases are still active, down from a peak of 800 — leaving local security forces to battle the Taliban with less and less help.—INP
PTCL office fire disrupts phone, internet services Four floors of the PTCL Exchange in Lahore completely gutted L AHORE —The fire that broke out in Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited exchange building early Sunday couldn’t be brought under control. Four floors of the office have completely burnt down. According to PTCL authorities, 45,000 telephone lines have been affected. As a result, telecommunication services have been suspended.
Cameron considered resigning over Scotland LONDON —British Prime Minister David Cameron thought about resigning if Scotland voted to leave the United Kingdom, he said in an interview out Sunday. Cameron told The Sun newspaper he “absolutely” considered quitting but in the end decided it would have been the wrong thing to do. Scottish residents voted by 55 percent to 45 percent on September 18 to remain in the UK rather than becoming a separate state. “I thought about resigning because I care so passionately about this issue,” Cameron said. “If the vote had been for Scotland to have left the UK, I genuinely would have been heartbroken. I would have felt winded and wounded.—AFP
US AG Eric Holder quits WASHINGTON —Attorney
General Eric Holder, the first African-American to be the nation’s top cop, announced today that he is resigning. President Obama made the official announcement at the White House alongside Holder at the White House on Sunday afternoon. “Through it all he’s shown a deep and abiding fidelity to one of our cherished ideals as a people and that is equal justice under the law,” Obama said. Speaking in the East Room of the White House, the president praised Holder for doing a “superb job,” ticking off his impressive work to root out corruption and fight violent crime, lower the incarceration rate and protect civil rights. —Agencies
LAHORE: Rescue workers busy in extinguishing fire that engulfed PTCL building.
US expands airstrikes against Islamic State militants S ANLIURFA, Turkey — Airstrikes likely carried out by a U.S.-led coalition struck an oil refinery in Syria held by the Islamic State group Sunday, a witness said, shaking buildings and sending flames shooting into the air near the Turkish border. Explosions lit the sky “for two hours” at the refinery in the northern Syrian town of Tel Abyad around 2:30 a.m. local time (2330 GMT Saturday), local businessman Mehmet Ozer said. “Our building was shaking and we saw fire, some 60 meters (65 yards) high, coming from the refinery,” said Ozer, who lives in the nearby Turkish town of Akcakale. U.S. Central Command, which is overseeing the operation against the Islamic State group, did not immediately comment on the strikes. A U.S.-led coalition has been
Qadri allows workers to go home on Oct 4 ISLAMABAD—Chairman Pakistan Awami Tehreek Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri has given green signal to workers for departing on October 4 to their homes. A high official has assured to implement several demands of PAT. Sources told the federal government has assured to accept all the demands of Awami Tehreek. A high official has accepted the responsibility for the approval of PAT’s demands, government will give 2,000 buses and other facilities for sending the PAT workers back to their homes and all the registered cases against Chairman and workers of PAT will be withdraw.—Online
targeting oil installations controlled by the militants, aiming to crippling the Islamic State group’s finances, estimated to earn some $3 million a day. The United States and five Arab allies launched an aerial campaign against Islamic State fighters Tuesday with the aim of rolling back and ultimately crushing the extremist group, which has created a proto-state spanning the Syria-Iraq border. In seizing territory, the Islamic State group has chased out tens of thousands of Syrians and Iraqis who belong to minority groups and has imposed their harsh interpretation of Islamic law on residents, including whipping and chopping off the hands of criminals. The Islamic State group has held Syrian activists and international aid workers and journalists captive, and most recently
beheaded a British aid worker and two American journalists. Some European countries also are contributing to the U.S.’ efforts in targeting the Islamic State group in Iraq, including France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Britain. The coalition’s efforts to strike at oil refineries is expected to be a long, slow task as most of the refineries held by the Islamic State group are small and scattered across their territory. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that at least 13 civilians have been killed so far in coalition strikes. Overall, some 190,000 people have been killed in Syria’s war, and nearly one-half of the country’s pre-war population of 23 million people has been displaced.—AP
Shahbaz regularizes 52,000 lady health workers Salary for October to be paid in next grade SALIM AHMAD L AHORE —Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has taken a bold step by regularizing services of 52 thousand lady health workers, lady health supervisors, drivers and other staff in the province. He announced to give these officials the salary for the month of October in the next grade. At a function here Sunday, he gave letters of regularization to lady health workers, lady health supervisors and other staff and felicitated them. Addressing the function, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said it is a day of happiness as a longstanding demand of lady health workers and lady health
supervisors has been fulfilled and now they will be able to perform their duties with more confidence and peace of mind. He said these officials will also avail others official benefits and privileges. The Chief Minister said, Punjab government has evolved a revolutionary programme for empowerment of youth, provision of job opportunities to them and development and prosperity of the masses. He said that solution of problems and resolving of crisis is a collective responsibility. He said that the only way to achieve the goal of national progress and prosperity is to rise above personal interests and differences and work for stability of the country. He said that equitable distribution of resources will have to be ensured
Continued on Page 7
PR rules out PM’s resignation amid ‘Go Nawaz Go’ slogans
The fire broke out at the 4th floor of the PTCL building situated at the Egerton Road in Lahore on early Sunday morning which quickly spread to other areas of the building. Firefighters and rescue teams from all over the city reached the spot and brought the fire under control after hectic efforts of three hours. The initial reports said that the fire was caused by short circuit. However, despite several efforts by the firefighters and rescue team, the fire again erupted resulting in completely damaging the four floors of
the office. PTCL and internet service have been suspended in the city. Moreover, the emergency helpline 15, Rescue 1122, Edhi, Airport and Railway telephone service has also been disrupted. According to PTCL authorities, 45,000 telephone lines and 25,000 internet connections have been affected because of the incident. Work is underway in order to temporarily restore the service by connecting the affected telephone lines with the Garden Town Exchange but the process can take up to 10 hours.
LAHORE—Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Pervaiz Rashid insisted that elections would he held after five years after the completion of existing government term. Speaking to media persons at Lahore airport on Sunday, Rashid ruled out any possibility of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s resignation. “The prime minister was elected through ballot for five years. He will not resign at somebody’s behest,” he said. Continued on Page 7
Only key to success is hard work: Zahid Malik Seminaries enable students to stand on their own feet ASHRAF ANSARI I SLAMABAD—Mr. Zahid Malik, Editor-inChief, Pakistan Observer, has urged the seminaries to give a serious look to the demands of the day and expose their students to today’s world for their betterment in the days to come. Mr. Malik, who is also Chairman, Nazriya Pakistan Council, Islamabad, was addressing a Welcome Party for new entrants to the Jamia Ghausia Rizvia, a prominent educational institution of the capital. He appreciated the fabulous role being played by the seminaries of Pakistan which are rightly believed to be the biggest education network of Pakistan. In the perspective of Government’s total indifference towards one of the fundamental responsibilities of imparting education, these seminaries have come to the rescue of the lower and middle class people of Pakistan, he added. Mr. Malik said that the NPC too was
Published by: Zahid Malik from Ali Akbar House Markaz G-8, Islamabad and printed by Gauhar Zahid Malik at Al Umar Printers
engaged in bringing the school-less children to the educational institutions and as of now more than ten thousand students have been benefitted under the Council’s Taleem Network Programme. He paid compliments to the principal, Jamia Ghausia Rizvia Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal Jalali, who, he said, was very committed and dedicated educationist and reformer. Mr. Malik urged the students to work hard and earn their place in the practical life. “Only key to success is hard work,” he emphasized and narrated a number of instances of success stories of self-made people. Prof. Jalali in his address presented overview of the Jamia. He said the Jamia and other institutions of its network are committed to promoting education in the framework of the Holy Quran and noble example of the Holy Prophet ( PBUH). Religious scholars of Potohar region graced the function. Maulana Fateh Khan led collective dua
Cycle, swim and dance to keep heart ailments at bay
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NDIANS have a genetic tendency to de velop heart ailments, with increased occurances at a young age; yet many are unaware of the risk and repurcussions of the condition. Health experts suggest dance, walking, cycling and swimming as measures to keep cardiovascular conditions at bay. “More active life style is the best form of preventive correction to avoid cardiac ailments. It is highly recommended to do 150 minutes of physical activity each week to help prevent heart disease,” Neeraj Bhalla, senior consultant and director cardiology at the BLK Super Speciality Hospital, said . Walking, cycling, dancing or swimming - activities that use larger muscles at low resistance - are good aerobic exercises. But it all depends on individual needs and reciprocation of body, he added. He said that the most important thing is to lead a least stressful, but active and healthy life. “It is true that Indians have a genetic predisposition to developing heart diseases and it occurs in them at a much younger age,” Gunjan Kapoor, director of interventional cardiology at Noida’s Jaypee Hospital, said. “It has also been seen that Indians who have migrated to different countries like the US, Britain and other countries, as also Africa, continue have higher incidence of heart disease compared to natives of that
country,” Kapoor added. Bhalla said many studies have indicated that people of Indian subcontinent origin are not only more prone to cardiovascular diseases (CAD) but also prone to diabetes - one of CAD’s causes. According to statistics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in India - accounting for estimated 2.25 million deaths. And it has been estimated that by 2015 the number will rise to 2.94 million. Experts agree that despite such alarming figures, Indians still remain unaware about the condition and its effects. Anil Bansal, chief cardiologist at Ghaziabad’s Columbia Asia Hospital, said there is also a “sense of ignorance in the minds of the people”. He added that education is the “only key to bridge the gap between awareness and knowledge” about cardiovascular diseases. “We need to make people aware that with some modifications in their lifestyle they can prevent heart diseases. People need to be encouraged to opt for preventive healthcare and avoid visiting a doctor only in the emergency situations,” Bansal told said. Srikanth K.V., senior consultant for interventional cardiology at Bangalore’s Narayana Health City, suggested that awareness drives should be designed according to the target group being focused on. “If we are talking about young children, then they should be given adequate education at the school level itself.
IESCO sets up one window operation to facilitate consumers ISLAMABAD—The Islamabad Electric Sup- case of any compliant unattended, they ply Company (IESCO) has established One Window Operation Centers in five circles of its region to redress complaints promptly and to avoid any difficulty to the customers. Officials sources told APP here that one Window Operation centers were set up in all customer Services Offices, Subdivisions and Circles, so that customer complaints like correction of electricity bills and other compliant could be redressed under one roof. The IESCO appealed to its valuable consumers to contact their nearest offices for redressal of any compliant. In
Campaign launched in Capital to avoid dengue outbreak STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—District Health Department has launched a campaign to avoid dengue outbreak in the city and assigned task to the special teams for destroying mosquito breeding places. The spokesman of the district administration told reporter that the campaign has been started in the rural areas of the Federal Capital and sanitary inspectors and lady health workers have been asked for adding Temphos 1% graules in stagnant rain water and ponds. He said it will help to destroy and eliminate the mosquito breeding cycle, thereby killing the mosquito at its larval stage in the current high transmission season.
ISLAMABAD —On the directions of Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Maroof Afzal, the authority has celebrated World Tourism Day. In this connection an event was organized by Sports Culture and Tourism Directorate at Pak China Friendship Centre here with collaboration of Alpine Club. Federal Secretary for Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage, Muhammad Azam was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
I S L A M A B A D —Capital Development Authority (CDA) would plant 0.3 million saplings during the ongoing monsoon tree plantation drive throughout Islamabad. Member Environment, Syed Mustafain Kazmi said this while addressing the participants of a ceremony held in connection with Monsoon Tree
ated from September onwards that would last till the end of Dengue Fever season in December. In this phase, a close collaboration and liaison has been developed with six hospitals of Islamabad. The Dengue Fever Control Cell is maintaining an active surveillance in the area to carry out an immediate targeted response by tracking patients with the active disease to carry out all necessary preventive and control measures against dengue fever. Patients travel history, contact, tracing and identification of high risk areas are also main activities during this third phase. Data analysis is the continuos activity in this phase, he added.
STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD—Nomad Center and Art Gallery organized the first short film festival by screening 12 films selected after a thorough process. The makers of short films and documentaries were also awarded certificates and cash awards. The organizers of the award had invited entries of films in two categories: “Experienced” for those who had participated in a festival earlier, and “Amateurs” who had never participated before. The theme of the films was left open to ensure maximum participation. Two cash awards were announced in each category. Twelve films qualified for screening, eight in the “Experienced” and four in the “Amateur” categories.
should contact Riaz Qadeer Bukhari Additional D.G Customer Services Cell on 0331-5210365 and Land line No:0519252915 and Waheed Akram Manager Customer Services and Marketing Cell No:0331-5210351. They said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has also instructed IESCO Officials to redress the consumers complaints promptly and no laxity would be tolerated in this regard. In case of any negligence regarding customer complaints, strict action would be taken against the concerned IESCO officials, ISLAMABAD —There are 24 they said.—APP Slum localities (Kachi Abadi) established in Islamabad in which 10 are registered while 14 were established illegally, according to report of CDA. While only 3 of them were demolished through operation by CDA so far. Moreover 1106 operations He highlighted the existing potential of were held till now against illeTourism in Pakistan particularly demand and gal constructions and slum attraction of Sufi music and Gandhara trealocalities since July 2013 to sures in international market. The Executive May 2014. According to reDirector General CDA Training Academy, the port presented before National Director General Sports, Culture & Tourism, Assembly slum localities of CDA, the President Alpine Club and the ChairIslamabad including Railway person SASSI University Islamabad also exline, H-11/4, Margalla Town pressed their views and suggestions about and Sector H-10 have been dethe promotion of tourism. A Photographic molished so far.—Online Exhibition by Mr Karaar Haidri about Tourist Attractions in Pakistan was also inaugurated on the occassion.
14 unregistered slums exist in Capital
0.3 m saplings to be planted during monsoon drive S TAFF REPORTER
Najeeb Durrani said that sanitary inspectors and the Lady Health Workers have been advised to identify active breeding sites by making extensive visits in the villages,
bazaars and congested areas where the rain water had acculmulated. He said the people would be advised to avoid solid waste collection inside and around houses to prevent dengue mosquitoes from laying eggs. Solid waste plays an important role as the rain water gets accumulated in the trash that attracts female mosquitoes to lay their eggs in large numbers, he added. Staff of union councils have been directed to dispose of the solid waste quickly. Hospital based surveillance has been started in the Health Department during the current third phase of dengue outbreak management through epidemic response initi-
Nomad Gallery organizes short film festival
CDA celebrates world Tourism Day STAFF REPORTER
In-charge District Dengue Control and Surveillance Cell, ICT, Dr.
Plantation Drive at Islamabad Convent School, in sector F-8/4. He said CDA is utilizing its all available resources to maintain the green character of Islamabad and to further beautify it on modern lines in Cooperation with residents who play a pivotal role in tree plantation drives. He said on the direction of Chairman CDA Maroof Afzal a comprehensive strategy is being evolved.
Policemen showing cash and weapons recovered from dacoits who are seen handcuffed at Waris Khan police Station.
Students and working women facing accommodation problems I SLAMABAD —Residents, bachelors, students and working women are are facing residential problems due to acute shortage of accommodation facilities in the capital city. The private institutions should have their own accomodation system on reasonable rent, so that the accomodation problems could be avoided, said Yawar Bukhari, a media worker at Zero Point. “ Estate office should formulate a mechanism so that accomodation for government and private sectors could be available on merit”, he added. Rafi Hussain, said that more hostels could provide relief to bachelors who come here from distant areas of the country in search of jobs and education. He said he lived in a single room in Sector G 6/2 and said the main cause of accommodation shortage was the lack of bachelor hostels and proper housing schemes.
Muhammad Shoaib, a student of NUST university said that rents of rooms and houses had surged in the last few years due to the unprecedented influx of students and job seekers in the twin cities. “I am paying Rs 8,000 for a single unfurnished room and the owner raises rent, 10 percent every year,” he added. He further said that due to non-availability of proper hostel facilities, he had to live in a small room, It is quite difficult for a student to find a reasonable living place at affordable rates in the capital,” he said. “In the past five years, I have changed my residence many times due to the ill attitude of landlords or lack of basic facilities,” he added. Zainab Ali, an employee of a semigovernment organisation. said that private hostels had been charging Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,000 for a single bed accommoda-
tion adding that these hostels had no proper cleanliness system. “I am residing in a small room of a private hostel with three other girls due to paucity of hostels for girls in the twin cities,” said Zainab. Sadia Mushtaq another working women said “We pay Rs 7,000 per head to the hostel management who provide two time meals and breakfast. “There was no proper arrangement for cleanliness and the substandard food was being provided” she added. She appealed to the authorities concerned to take steps for setting up new girls hostels in the twin cities because the existing hostel facilities were not sufficient to the ever-increasing women working class. Hussain Abbasi, a property dealer, said that bachelors were facing many problems in finding accommodation as owners preferred to rent out houses to families.—APP
Mohtasib resolves 13-year old pension case STAFF REPORTER I S L A M A B A D —The effort by the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) became fruitful when a retired employee of an electric company was able to get his pension after about 13 years. Abdul Ghafoor, an employee from
Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO),was retired as SSO-I on December 31, 2001 after attaining the age of superannuation but even after about 13 years laps, he could not get his pensionary benefits, said a press release. He filed an application against the HESCO on September 25, 2013, upon
which the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) summoned the responsible in the HESCO. After due course of proceedings, the retired HESCO employee Abdul Ghafoor was paid a cheque of his pension and commutation and the case was closed down after the satisfaction of complainant.
President IIUI hosts dinner for board members STAFF REPORTER I S L A M A B A D —President International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) Dr. Ahmed Yousif AlDraiweesh has hosted a dinner in honour of the newly appointed members of Board of Trustees (BoT) and Board of Governors (BoG) of the university. The dinner was also attended by the ambas-
President IIUI Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh posing for a group photo during a dinner hosted by him in the honour of new BoG, BoT members.
sadors, diplomats including Jassim M. Al-Khaldi, Charge d’ Affairs, Charge d’ Affairs, Embassy of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, other diplomats of various countries, Rector IIUI Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Vice President Academics Dr. Muhammad Bashir Khan, Director General AF&P Gulzar Ahmed Khwaja and key university officials. On the occasion Dr. Al-Draiweesh felicitated
the newly appointed BoT and BoG members and hoped their induction in the worthy boards would be proved as vital for university progress, a press release said on Sunday. The president IIUI also thanked government, specially Chancellor Syed Mamnoon Hussain and Dr. Sulaiman Abdullah Abalkhail for trust in his leadership and for appointing him university president
for further four years. Dr. Al-Draiweesh reiterated his resolve that he would devote himself to make IIUI an exemplary leading educational institution of the world. The president IIUI urged the Muslims to refrain from violence and work for dissemination of peace, adding that Islam is religion of peace and brotherhood. Rector IIUI appreciated
the role of President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain and Dr. Sulaiman Abdullah Abalkhail in the univarsity’s progress. He also lauded the efforts of Dr. Al-Draiweesh and felicitated him for being nominated for Tamghai-Imtiaz. He added that IIUI would keep working to provide ideal educational milieu environment to students of Muslims Ummah.
Top position holders in different exams awarded medals, prizes Fajar Zohr Asr
05:20 01:30 04:45
Meghrab at Sunset Isha 08:00 Brothers in Islam establish regular prayers & charity
September 30 CENTRE for International Strategic Studies (CISS) will hold a One Day Conference on ‘Security in Cyber Space: Implications and Challenges’ on Tuesday, September 30,2014 at 9:30 a.m in Marquee Hall, Marriott Hotel. October 17 AN exhibition of artworks by six talented young women artists in ongoing at Satrang Gallery Serena Hotel till October 17. “Through the Looking Glass” by Annem Zaidi Cyra Ali, Faryal Ahsan, Sara Pagganwala, scheherzade Junejo, and Zahra Malkani.
WASA launches crack down against defaulters for non-payment STAFF REPORTER R AWALPINDI —Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has started the crack down against non payers in Rawalpindi. Decision has been taken to receive bills from defaulters, special teams have been set up which are launching effective operations along with a special magistrate and Police. From different hotels and service stations 5 motors have been confiscated, notices have been issued to 25 and challans have been issued to 7 while their connections have been disconnected. WASA has advised to the defaulters to pay their bills immediately because those defaulters who will approach WASA themselves they will get facilities like installments while the defaulters who have been caught by the teams of WASA, they have to pay fines according to the law so the defaulters who want to escape themselves from such action should contact WASA Revenue Directorate.
STAFF REPORTER RAWALPINDI—Federal Government Educational Institutions, Cantt, Regional Office Rawalpindi has arranged here Emblem distribution ceremony for the top position holders of Primary, Middle and SSC- I level students at FG Technical High School Tariqabad. The ceremony was presided over by the GSO - I FGEIs (C/G) Rawalpindi Region, Lt Col Najam us Saqib. GSO-2 FGEIs Regional Office Rawalpindi, Major Naveed, Principals of the institutions Khalid Mehmood Kayani, Muhammad Afzal Tahir, teachers and stu-
dents of Rawalpindi region were also present on the occasion. In the Primary Standard Scholarship Examination 2014, the first prize was awarded to Muhammad Afsar Yaqoob of FG Model Primary School Abid Majeed Road for securing 406 marks out of 450, second to Aimen Sharif of FG Boys High School Jhelum for obtaining 403 Markds, third to Duaa Fatima of FG Girls Public High School Abbottabad for securing 401 marks. In the Middle Standard Scholarship Examination 2014, the first prize was awarded to Laraib Mehak of FG Girls High School COD Kala Jhelum for securing 578 marks out of 600, second to Samiya
Raheem of FG Girls Public High School Abottabad for obtaining 552 Markds, third to Saman Laraib of FG Girls High School Misrial Road Rawalpindi for securing 545 marks. In the SSC - I Examination 2014 (Science Group Girls) conducted by FBISE Islamabad, the first prize was awarded to Natasha Saleem of FG Girls Public School Lalazar Rawalpindi for securing 514 marks out of 525, second to Ayesha Siddique of FG Girls Public School Lalazar for obtaining 505 Marks, third to Arroba Siddiqui of FG Quaid i Azam Public School (2nd Shift) Chaklala Rawalpindi for securing 504 marks.
In the SSC - I Examination 2014 (Arts Group Girls) conducted by FBISE Islamabad, the first prize was awarded to Nayyab Abbas of FG Girls High School Misrial Road Rawalpindi for securing 448 marks out of 525, second to Ramaisa Malik of FG Girls High School Misrial Road for obtaining 446 Marks, third to Rimsha Ghafoor of FG Sir Syed Girls Secondary School Rawalpindi for securing 443 marks. In the SSC - I Examination 2014 (Science Group Boys) conducted by FBISE Islamabad, the first prize was awarded to Danish Ali of FG Sir Syed Boys Secondary School Sir Syed Road Rawalpindi for securing 501 marks out of 525, second to
Muhammad Mubashar Rafique of FG Public School (2nd Shift) CMT & SD Golra for obtaining 499 Marks, third to Muhammad Saad Malik of FG Sir Syed Boys Secondary School Rawalpindi for securing 492 marks. The chief guest in his address emphasised that heads of all institutions must ensure the quality education. “It is only the teachers, who are icons of knowledge and can motivate and train students by polishing their skills,” he said. He congratulated the students who won the emblems and certificates. Later, the chief guest distributed prizes and merit certificates among the position holders.
CTP educating citizens to ensure safety of road users STAFF REPORTER RAWALPINDI —City Traffic Police (CTP) Rawalpindi under a traffic awareness campaign educating the citizens about lane/line, zebra crossing, traffic rules and road safety. According to Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi, Shoaib Khurram Janbaz, the motorists, under the campaign, are being given tips on daily basis about lane/line discipline, traffic rules and road safety. The CTO, in a statement, said awareness banners had been displayed at all important intersections while pamphlets were also distributed among
the roads users. The motorists should follow traffic rules, he said adding, the campaign was started to acquaint people with traffic laws while inculcating a better traffic sense among them. He said the CTP was making efforts to maintain traffic discipline in the city and involving the community in eliminating traffic violations. Mobile Education Unit of CTP was arranging special briefing sessions on road safety at important roads and other public places in the city, he added. In order to make the campaign more effective and meaningful traffic wardens and officers have been issued special instructions, he said.
No relaxation for sluggish and corrupt police officers: SSP STAFF R EPORTER ISLAMABAD—Renewing the commitment to root out the menace of corruption and make Islamabad police more service oriented, SSP Islamabad Asmat Ullah Junejo said here that no one within the department would be allowed to do any kind of embezzlement and only those following the policy of zero tolerance would survive. The SSP said a policy of zero tolerance against corruption would be pursued as this menace is a real threat for good performance. He said corrupt elements and black sheep within the police department would be identified and to be dismissed from the services. Policemen bringing bad name to the department would not be tolerated and they would have to face disciplinary action in case of any corrupt practices. Islamabad Police, he said, had started an accountability system to monitor performance of the police officials and also awarded punishment to several officers for dereliction of
duties, negligence, poor investigation, absence and involvement in corruption. The SSP said that accountability system helps in improving the performance of any department and working of the staff can be easily judged through it. He said that such accountability system would continue in future and those performing well would be encouraged. Those policemen having bad reputation about performance would not be given any important assignment and any one indulged in corrupt practices would be purged from the police force, he maintained. Junejo also directed to make the force more service oriented and people friendly. He said friendly police ecology would be inculcated in the force and FIRs to be registered on merit and without any delay. The SSP directed to register FIRs of cheques dishonor after having a double check of these matters. He also asked to have a vigilant eye against suspects and enhance checking as well as patrolling measures for effective policing.
Seven Shisha smokers arrested RAWALPINDI —Police have arrested seven and Waqar. Police also recovered hookahs and Shisha smokers from the area of New Town Police Station. According to spokesman of Rawalpindi police, New Town Police acting on a tip-off conducted a raid at a Shisha center and arrested seven shisha smokers namely accused Nasir, Iqbal, Ahsan Ahmed, Suleman, Qasim, Usama
other items being used for Shisha smoking. Rawalpindi police, under special operation launched on the orders of Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Akhtar Umar Hayat and CPO Hamyoun Bashir Tarar, took action against Shisha centers and the Shisha smokers are being sent behind the bars, he said.—APP
Today last day for admissions at AIOU ISLAMABAD—Last date for submission tember 30. the admission forms with late fee charges from Matric to Ph.D level programs of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) for the Semester Autumn, 2014 is September 30, the date will not be extended further at any case. The late fee charges are Rs100 for matriculation, Rs200 for PTC, intermediate and graduation, and Rs500 for bachelor of education and master’s programmes, this was announced by Director Admissions, Syed Zia-ul-Hasnain. AIOU, he said has informed all the countrywide branches of Bank Al-Falah, Habib Bank Ltd, First Women Bank and Allied Bank and at the nominated branches of National Bank of Pakistan and Muslim Commercial Bank to receive the admissions’ form with late fee charges till Sep-
AIOU has set-up points for sale of admission forms at its main campus in Islamabad and at its 44-Regional Campuses and 122-Coordinating Offices across the country in order to facilitate the students at their door-steps. Ph.D, MS/M.Phil, M.Sc (Statistics), COL (MBA/MPA) and LLM/MS Shari’ah have been offered on merit basis, all those interested for admissions in these programs should send their admission form directly to their concerned departments without admission fee according to the procedures laid down in the prospectus, he added. There will be no requirement of NTSGAT (General/Subject) for admission in Ph.D and MS/M.Phil programs, however entry test will be conducted by the concerned
department. Continuing admission forms have already been dispatched to all the continuing students, however, if somehow any of student has not received the said admission form, he/she can download the same from the AIOU website www.aiou.edu.pk and deposit in any designated bank branch with late fee charges till September 30. Further detail about admissions for the Semester Autumn, 2014 can be obtained from Information Management Unit, Admission Department at Ph. No.0519057151, information about Teacher Training Programmes on 051-9057426, Secondary Programmes on 051-9057431, Higher Secondary on 051-9057432, Bachelor Programmes on 051-9057435 while for further information of the Postgraduate Programmes on 051-9057422.—Online
Pedestrians face inconvenience due to encroachments by shopkeepers on both sides of the road in Mochi Bazaar.
Tahseen Fawad MPA is giving motorcycle as an award to a student who got top position in SSC Board exam.
Musical Night arranged at RAC RAWALPINDI—Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) has arranged a emony. musical night on launching ceremony of young singer Muhammad Ishfaq Sagar’s music album “Ranjha”. Federal Ombudsman, Khushdil Khan Malik was chief guest on the occassion. District Zakat Officer, Bahadur Sher Qaisrani, Naheed Manzoor and Resident Director RAC Waqar Ahmed were also present. The young singers Sagar Khan, Mohsin Pasha, Waqas Sati, Kareem Khan, Adnan Raza and others performed in the cer-
Addressing on the occasion, Federal Ombudsman Khushdil Khan Malik said that the youth was participating in positive activities and serving in every walk of life. Naheed Manzoor said that RAC provided entertainment with morality and thought provoking. Resident Director RAC, Waqar Ahmed congratulated Sagar Khan on launching of his first music album and said that it is the basic aim of Rawalpindi Arts Council to provide platform to talented youth.—APP
AC visits Sasta bazaars to check quality, prices of food items STAFF REPORTER RAWALPINDI—Assistant Commissioner City, Qurat-ul Ain on Sunday raided at Sunday Sasta Bazaars to check quality and prices of food items. She visited Sunday Sasta Bazaars at Committee Chowk and Haideri Chowk, set up by Punjab government and checked, quality and prices of daily use items particularly edibles.
She expressed dissatisfaction over the quality of flour being sold in the Sasta Bazaars and directed the suppliers to improve quality. AC also checked the quality of vegetable, fruits and other items and directed the administration to ensure provision of quality items. She directed the shopkeepers to display price lists at prominent places at the stalls. She said that no one would be al-
lowed to cheat the public. She said that no compromise would be made on the quality of food items and maximum relief would be provided to the consumers. The AC also visited Commercial Market bazaar and checked prices of food items. She expressed her resolve to continue surprise checks to monitor prices in Sasta Bazaars and open market.
International seminar on Nuclear Non–Proliferation being held today MIAN ARSHAD ISLAMABAD—An international seminar titled “Nuclear Non- Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament: Contemporary Challenges and Prospects” will be held today (Monday). The seminar is being organized by the Centre for Pakistan and Gulf Studies (CPGS).in collaboration with German Foundation Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and it will bring experts together experts to discuss the policy recommendations on the
said topic. Former Interior Minister Senator Rehman Malik would be the key note speaker on this occasion. Lt Gen (retd) Syed Muhammad Owais, Lt Gen (retd) Agha Umar Farooq and Ambassador Munawar Bhatti will be key speakers. Meanwhile, CPGS President Senator Sehar Kamran would present an overview of the report compiled by the organization on the said subject. Senator Sehar Kamran, speaking about the report, said that progressive erosion of
international arms control and non-proliferation structures was worrisome and the seminar explored some of the reasons behind this international trend. The recommendations by CPGS, she noted, provides key suggestions for promoting global peace and security. The 181 page report on the international seminar held on May 7 this year documents the proceedings of the seminar and provides the recommendations framed by CPGS on the basis of the presentations and discussions at the seminar.
Vendors displaying decorative stuff for sacrificial animals at Animal Market in Federal Capital.
Modi disparaged at New York NEW YORK—Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and representatives of some Kashmiri separatist groups were Sunday involved in a war of words outside the UN headquarters. As Modi arrived for his first address to the UN General Assembly, a large number of Indian-Americans gathered outside the UN headquarters to welcome him. The crowd, comprising almost equal number of men and women, carried placards with messages like ‘New York loves Modi’, ‘America loves Modi’ and chanted ‘Modi Modi’ slogans. But soon representatives of some Kashmiri separatist groups shouting anti-India slogans arrived at the scene carrying banners. Protesters belonging to seven groups, including All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front and All Parties Hurriyat Conference, handed out flyers to the media of a letter adISLAMABAD: AJK PML-N President Raja Farooq Haider addressing a Press Conference here on Sunday.
Puppet minister faces people’s wrath S RINAGAR —In occupied Kashmir, pro-India National Conference General Secretary, Ali Mohammad Sagar, had to face peoples’ wrath in Srinagar against the administration’s failure to redress the miseries of the flood victims.Raising slogans against dearth of relief and proper accommodation for the flood affectees, the youth surrounded, Ali Mohammad Sagar, who is also a senior minister in the Umar Abdullah’s puppet cabinet when he was busy taking stock of the situation in the city. They complained the inaction of the administration in the face of the flood catastrophe.The youth expressed their dismay over the regime’s performance during the recent floods.— KMS
Local volunteers start post-flood clean-up DHOODGANGA, IHK—With the civic authorities crippled by the recent floods, volunteer groups here have started their own clean-up drive in the Kashmir Valley. Nissar Ahmad Dar and Mehrajuddin Ganiae are leading an initiative to clean the Doodhganga stream of the garbage dumped by floods at three bridges within a span of 600 metres. “We waited for two weeks for the government agencies to come and clear the silt from the roads and garbage from the Doodhganga but then decided to do it on our own,” Dar said as he and his colleagues were bringing up logs stuck under the bridge near Bone and Joint Hospital Barzullah. Dar said the volunteers from his area had earlier cleared the silt from the interiors of Barzullah and some adjoining areas to make the roads motorable. “One thing this adversity has taught us is that we cannot wait for the government to do everything for us. There are two reasons for that – first, the concerned official needs approval from his superior for everything and second is funding as it takes time to get it sanctioned. So wherever possible we will do things ourselves,” he said. Dar and his volunteers said they were hoping that the civic authorities will take urgent steps to deal with problem of encroachment and other issues. “There are encroachments on the banks of Doodhganga and some canals, which acted of outlets for flood water.—KD
Flood victims protest against authorities’ apathy MAISUMA,IHK—In occupied Kashmir, a num- tered our areas and the authorities do not seem to ber of people, mostly women, blocked many arterial roads in protest against the authorities’ apathy towards the sufferings of the flood-affected people of the territory. Dozens of residents, mostly women, hailing from Maisuma and Koker Bazaar localities near Lal Chowk blocked the Budshah Bridge in protest against the failure of the authorities to dewater the areas.“Most of the houses in Maisuma have become unsafe for living and the affected people are not sure when they can start reconstruction works,” Saleema, one of the women protestors, said. “It has been 21 days since flood water en-
be bothered,” she said. Shabbir Ahmad, who owns a shop in Budshah Chowk, said while dozens of heavy duty pumps were installed in Rajbagh and Jawahar Nagar area for dewatering, only few fire tenders were used for draining out water from the commercial hub of Kashmir. The blockade of the arterial bridge snapped traffic movement between north and south parts of the city. Similar protests were also held at Bemina and Qamarwari area where the residents, besides seeking faster dewatering, were also seeking relief material like blankets, ration and medicines.—KMS
UN urged to fulfill obligations on Kashmir LAL CHOWK, IHK—In occupied Kashmir, lib- ment criticized India for blocking relief comeration leaders, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Shabbir Ahmad Shah have called upon the United Nations to put pressure on India to allow international humanitarian aid inside the flood-affected territory. The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the international community’s failure in immediate response to the devastation was an outcome of the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir. It is high time, he pointed out, that the UN should fulfill its obligation towards resolving the Kashmir dispute.Hurriyet Conference Jammu and Kashmir leader, Shabbir Ahmad Shah in a state-
ing from outside the territory, terming it as the great injustice to the flood victims. On the other hand, dozens of residents, mostly women, hailing from Maisuma and Koker Bazaar areas of Srinagar blocked roads at Lal Chowk to protest against the authorities’ apathy towards the sufferings of the flood victims. Hurriyet leaders and organizations including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Zafar Akbar Butt, Javed Ahmad Mir, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Tehreek-e-Hurriyet and Jamaat-e-Islami continued their relief activities across the territory.—KMS
JKPM hails Pakistan’s Kashmir stance JAMMU—The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples sense of delight and hope by the common Movement (JKPM) has hailed the speech of Pakistan Prime Minister, Mohammad Nawaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) reiterating his country’s unflinching support and commitment to the Kashmir cause.APHC leader and the JKPM Senior Vice Chairman Mir Shahid Saleem in a statement issued in Jammu said in the hour of crisis when the people of Kashmir are trying to come to terms with the unprecedented destruction caused by the devastating floods, Nawaz Sharief’s speech at the UN was being received with a great
Kashmiris. He said that Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support to people of Kashmir had always been an important cornerstone for the just freedom struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the United Nations had miserably failed to get its Kashmir resolutions implemented. The JKPM leader called upon the world powers gathered at the UN to put pressure on India for peaceful and permanent resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiris.—KMS
Nayeem seeks world help for Kashmir rebuilding SRINAGAR—In occupied Kashmir, Hurriyet leader tion of the flood and found hundreds of residential and the Jammu and Kashmir National Front (JKNF) Chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan has appealed the world community to help rehabilitate the flood-hit people of Kashmir. Nayeem Khan was heading a delegation, which visited dozens of flood-affected villages in Sumbal tehsil. He witnessed the destruc-
houses in shambles. The same number of the residential houses has suffered partially damage. Moreover, the devastating flood has destroyed crops. Nayeem Khan stressed speedy rehabilitation of the affected people keeping in view the coming winters.—KMS
Zamruda concerned about plight of Kashmiri detainees
dressed to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “The people of Kashmiri origin settled in the US have come to your door today to voice their outrage over the honour extended by the UN to Narendra Modi,” the letter said. The groups also lambasted Modi for the 2002 Gujarat riots and even raised the issue of cancellation of Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan have been involved in a war of words after New Delhi cancelled the Foreign Secretarylevel meeting last month after Pakistan’s envoy in India met Kashmiri separatists ahead of the talks. “Modi abruptly called off the peace talks with Pakistan throwing the region into turmoil,” the letter by the groups said. The groups sought the intervention of Ban to end the current stalemate in the sub-continent.
“You have the responsibility to secure for the Kashmiri people their inalienable right to self-determination as mandated by the Security Council resolution,” the letter said. What started as a support rally for Modi soon turned into a war of words between his supporters and representatives of some Kashmiri separatist groups as they shouted slogans against each other. The representatives of the Kashmiri separatist groups shouted anti-India slogans. Police barricaded the two groups and stood between them to avoid a clash. Both the groups were standing opposite to each other. The representatives of the Kashmiri separatist groups, included women and children. They carried placards that read: “Justice for Kashmiris” and “We want freedom of Kashmir.” Heavy police deployment and barricading was seen at the UN Building. —KD
JKSM organises free medical camp in Srinagar
S R I N A G A R —In occupied CHANDORA, IHK—In occupied Kashmir, the possible. Kashmir, the Chairperson of Kashmir Tehreek-eKhawateen, Zamruda Habib, has expressed concern over the plight of illegally detained Hurriyet leaders and activists and has demanded their immediate release. Zamruda Habib in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the authorities had made the lives of detainees at Central Jail, Mattan, miserable, where the inmates were subjected to mental and physical torture. She deplored that the detainees were kept without food and water for days. As a result, she added, some inmates including Tariq Ahmad Shah, Pir Muhammad Ashraf, Mubarak Ahmad Wani, Sabzar Ahmad Pala, Nisar Ahmad Dar, Tajammul-ul-Islam, Ghulam Nabi Mir and Mir Zahoor Ahmad were observing hunger strike in protest against the callous attitude of the authorities. Zamruda Habib demanded stern action against the jail in-charge and appealed to the world human rights bodies to take cognizance of the miserable plight of the Kashmiri detainees.—KMS
India rejects Kashmir plebiscite call U NITED N ATIONS —India has strongly rebutted as “untenable” the remarks on Kashmir by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the UN General Assembly.India exercised its right of reply on the floor of the UNGA to rebut Pakistan’s statement. “I would like to bring to the notice of this august House that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have peacefully chosen their destiny in accordance with the universally accepted democratic principles and practices and they continue to do so. We, therefore, reject in their entirety the untenable comments of the distinguished delegate of Pakistan,” Abhishek Singh, first secretary in the Indian mission to the UN said. Sharif had in his address at the UNGA said that the “core issue” of Jammu and Kashmir has to be resolved and pushed for a plebiscite in the state. He also blamed India for the calling off of bilateral foreign secretary level talks last month.—KO
Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement (JKSM), today, organized a free medical camp outside party headquarters in Srinagar for flood-affected people. Doctors, who voluntarily examined the patients, distributed free medicines among them and were provided necessary information about the water-born diseases. On the occasion, the party Chairman, Zafar Akbar Butt appealed the international community to assist the flood affectees of Kashmir on humanitarian grounds, as the local resources were too meager to meet the challenge of rehabilitating flood victims. He said that flood had devastated thousands of residential houses in Kashmir. He said that business, agriculture, horticulture and tourism sectors of the territory had too receive a setback due to floods and without help from international community the rehabilitation of affected Kashmiris was im-
Zafar Akbar Butt said that the authorities had failed even after the passage of 21 days to de-water the submerged areas of the city. He termed it deliberate attempt and said that on the directives of New Delhi the puppet administration were not helping the flood victims. He demanded immediate de-watering of submerged areas of city and appealed the international community and OIC to help Kashmiri people in overcoming the waterborn diseases as the flood affected Kashmiri people fear outbreak of diseases Meanwhile, he paid rich tributes to Mohammad Hussian on his sad demise. He said that deceased was a pious soul, freedom lover and hence had played a vital role in the ongoing freedom struggle. He visited the residence of the deceased at Mithun Chanpora and expressed sympathy and solidarity with his family.—KMS
Blocking relief inhuman act, HR violation: Shabir Shah SRINAGAR —In occupied Kashmir, Hurriyet the same territory. Even in this hour of criConference Jammu and Kashmir leader and Chairman of Democratic Freedom Party, Shabbir Ahmad Shah has criticised the move by Indian authorities to block the relief from Muzaffarabad, terming it as the great injustice to the flood victims. Shabbir Ahmad Shah in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, said, “Becoming hurdle in such a humanitarian initiative is a grave human rights violation over which international human rights groups should take cognizance.” He said stopping the people of a same State from helping each other is inhuman and unfair act. “The Line of Control is nothing but a fake line drawn to divide the people of
sis, India resorts to political vengeance by indulging in human rights violations in Kashmir,” he pointed out. Shabbir Ahmad Shah said the floods have caused immense loss to valley’s economy and India and its authorities are doing nothing. “Still, when help comes from outside, the Indian government becomes the first impediment to its way. This is a sheer injustice; totally inhuman, undemocratic act and a grave human rights violation,” he added. Meanwhile, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, while continuing his relief work today visited Srinagar’s Bemina, Tengpora, Qamarwari, Parimpora, HMT and Raj Bagh areas.—KMS
Yasin Malik visited flood- hit area of Srinagar, Suthrashahi and distributed relief goods among the affected people.
Kashmir floods: when Palpur residents changed river Jhelum’s course IESHAN WANI
M
UHAMMAD Ibrahim sat on the embank ments of Jhelum in Srinagar’s Palpur watching his hutment in the river’s catchment area submerged. He says on September 6, this year, when the otherwise ‘silent river’ had swelled and was unleashing furry, he had only managed to bring out few valuables from his home. Ibrahim in his seventies says he has never seen the Jhelum so ‘angry’. By the evening of September 6, the Jhelum had submerged a paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force camp and scores of hutments in the catchment area. “We were on the bund all day and the water had entered Qamarwari on the opposite
side on Saturday evening,” he says. Living close to Jhelum, the residents had seen floods before. Ibrahim even remembers the floods in 1969, but says the one that devastated Kashmir in the first ten days of September this year was unprecedented. The dwellers of the hutments took refuge in the houses divided by the bigger embankment of the river. But during the night, as they stood at the embankment monitoring water levels, the Jhelum broke the banks at three places and gushing waters inundated the rest of the area in no time. “Water started moving in fast and the ground floors of our houses were submerged in about 30 minutes,” says Abdul Khaliq. It was at this point that Ibrahim along with about thousand residents decided to achieve the
‘impossible’. The mission was to change Jhelum’s course. The agrarian community in the Srinagar’s suburbs set out with spades, axes and other tools they could get their hands on. “We are mostly agriculturists here and each household had tools,” says Ibrahim, who cultivates chilly on the river banks. Owing to construction of houses in the area, there was availability of sand and gravel. “We chopped poplar trees and carved out 12 feetlong logs,” says Khaliq. The challenge was to shove in these logs into the ground where Jhelum had broken the embankments. Khaliq says it was not possible for only humans to do so as the water was gushing. The residents say that a local who owns a backhoe came in handy. “We used the backhoe to shove in
the logs while hundreds of men and women were creating sand and gravel bags,” Ibrahim says. As the residents were working to close the embankment they say government forces made repeated attempts to blast the bund but they took out axes and 12-bore guns and thwarted their attempts. “They (government forces) came at least thrice as they wanted to save their installations,” Ibrahim remarks. The alleged attempts by the forces made the task more herculean. “But we stood our ground and among the people who were making sand bags some were deputed to guard the bund that leads to Ganderbal district,” Khaliq says. By the dawn, the residents had collected
over 5000 sand bags and changed Jhelums course at three places. “The river had taken away at least 10-12 feet of the bund at three places and without the wood logs the sand and gravel bags couldn’t have contained it,” Ibrahim remarks. By Monday afternoon, motorcycles were moving on the bund, he adds with a smile. A flood and irrigation department official told Kashmir Dispatch that if the residents would not have contained Jhelum, flood waters would have submerged the entire Old City where from locals launched major relief and rescue operations for people in submerged parts. —Courtesy: Kashmir Dispatch
Alliance to create enabling environment for small traders L AHORE —PIAF-Founder Alliance will create a better working environment for small traders to enable them to play their due role to boost economy. Alliance leader Sheikh Muhammad Fayyaz Ahmed who is also general secretary Hafeez center, said in a statement here on Saturday. He said after wining the elections it was a responsibility of the alliance to work for all of the small traders without any indiscrimination or political affiliation. “Small traders are back bone of national economy they have reiterated their trust in PIAF-Founder Alliance through their vote and the alliance will do its duty to protect their interests”, he said. He said the alliance will need cooperation from the small traders to prepare workable proposals for forwarding them to the concerned authorities.—APP
Experts call for better use of bank cash assets R IYADH — A group of financial experts have called for better use of the accumulated cash assets of local Saudi banks, the media said. Cash assets of local banks reportedly grew by 73.1 percent to SR4.24 trillion ($1.13 trillion) by the end of last August, compared to SR2.46 trillion in August 2009, according to data released by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). The cash growth in Saudi banks reflects the decrease of lending in the said period whereas the inflated real estate prices have also minimized demand for property loans, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. Experts said the Kingdom maintains a variety of options to take advantage of increased cash assets in the banks on one hand, and avoid growing rates of inflation, on the other. For its part, SAMA has begun taking a series of new measures in order to improve lending and funding systems, the paper said. The greater the increase of cash assets, the more the inflation and the higher the commodity prices, Fadhl Abu Ainain, financial and banking expert, said. He called on the Ministry of Finance and SAMA to seriously tackle the issue of increased cash assets in the face of inflation and to find better ways of benefiting from accumulated cash assets in order to promote more development in the country. For his part, financial expert Fahad Al-Mishari said the property fund portfolio in Saudi banks had witnessed a remarkable drop since the end of 2011. The inflated real estate prices and the Ministry of Housing’s plans to allow citizens to own housing units were the major reasons for decline in property lending rates during the past two years, he said.—Agencies
Clean water and access to food are some of the simplest things that we can take for granted each and every day. In places like Africa, these can be some of the hardest resources to attain if you live in a rural area. —Peter Welch
PML-N policies put country on way to economic progress L AHORE —Federal Minis- out efforts to make the fore- the mandate of people and ter for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal Saturday said that comprehensive economic policies of the PML-N have put the country on the way to progress, prosperity and economic development. Addressing the 11th annual environment excellence awards 2014 ceremony at a local hotel, he said the government has develop the economic road map, adding that today Pakistan stands at 45th position among the international economies of the world and the country would stand among top economies in world due to effective economic policies of government. He said that government was making day and night efforts to utilize the available resources effectively to provide more employment opportunities to the youth and equip them with modern education. The Minister said that government was making all
cast system more effective, improvement in infrastructure, counter natural disasters and calamities and others to facilitate the people. He said that government with cooperation of China has initiated energy projects of 16,000 megawatt to overcome energy crisis, adding that Dasu Dam, Dayamir Bhasha Dam and a number of others were indications of government’s firm commitment to resolve the crisis. He urged the participants to engage environmental friendly practices to reduce the environmental damage and use those methods and procedures which decrease effects of industrial waste on environment. Later, talking to media, Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan Tehrik-e- Insaf (PTI) should end its sit in and contribute in strengthening national economic, development process and flood relief activities, adding that Imran Khan should respect
play a role of opposition for the betterment of people. To a question, he said that dialogue process with Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) was in progress but there was deadlock in dialouge with PTI, adding that there was no reason to create disturbance in the country as the country was already facing flood devastation. The minister said that it was need to hold economic long march instead of political long march, adding that all political parties should come forward to end polio virus, impart education to youth and eliminate terrorism and extremism from the country. He said that a parliamentary committee had been constituted for electoral reforms but the PTI did not take part in the proceedings of the committee, adding that the politics of “Go, Go” must be ended and issues must be resolved through dialouges.—APP
Sugar may get cheaper unlike ‘breakfast club’
Japan core inflation slows
Saudi visitors top Dubai tourism rankings
T OKYO —Japan’s annual
RIYADH—In the last few years, tourism by on the King Fahd Causeway for those livSaudis in the UAE has grown in strength, and with it relations between the two countries, since Saudi tourists have proven to be a main player in boosting the UAE economy. The main attraction remains Dubai, but in recent years Saudi visitors have also been exploring other destinations in the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi and Ras Al-Khaimah, who have been working on the touristic strategy of their cities. According to a tourist agency in the UAE, Saudi Arabia topped the source markets with 1,128,757 visitors to Dubai, while the number of Saudi visitors to Abu Dhabi was 70,765 in 2013. Traveling to the UAE has become easy for Saudis. Making the 5 flight hours’ journey to Central Europe or 12 flight hours’ journey to North America creates a financial burden on mid-income Saudis, who make up a substantial proportion of the country’s population. “In my days, we used to be able to travel once a year”, says Amal N., 45, a Saudi businesswoman now living in Dubai. With the liberalization of the tourism and travel regulations through the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) — among them open sky policies - establishment of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiques in 2000 (SCTA) and licensing more travel agencies, the Saudi middle class is using the opportunity to travel more. One popular destination was and is neighboring Bahrain — a quick 25 min drive
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal speaks during the 11th Annual Environment Excellence Awards 2014 ceremony, in Lahore.
ing in Alkhobar. Also Lebanon, Egypt and Syria have been popular destinations since the late 1950s, often due to family members studying there and family ties. However, the political unrest in these countries has made Dubai a safer more attractive destination for Saudi Arabian travelers. “Dubai is obviously a beneficiary of that,” an official in the hotel business in Dubai, told Arab News. There are no specific times when for Saudi tourists visit Dubai. The city is not more than 3 hours away from most destinations in Saudi Arabia, and, therefore, is a popular destination throughout the year. Some visitors like to come on weekend for short breaks. “My 5 kids from different age groups prefer Dubai over Europe; it offers everything although they are different age groups and they enjoy their time here,” said Amani S., 40. “Since 2 years, I have been coming in the summer, even though the weather is very hot, but the services and entertainment offered to us as a family make everything possible.” Saudis visit Dubai during the summer holidays — Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. They also come during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and Gitex Shopper. Shopping is almost the top priority for the majority of visitors from Saudi Arabia. And, in return, retailers have seen strong business from them. A CEO of a worldwide consumer electronics retailer said that Saudi buyers account for between 4 and 5 percent of the annual turnover. —Agencies
Federal Minister for Commerce, Engr Khurram Dastgir Khan addressing the annual ceremony of Pakistan Electric Fan Manufacturers Association.
core consumer inflation eased in August in another sign that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) could eventually be forced to take additional easing steps to meet its two per cent price goal sometime next fiscal year. But there is virtually no chance for more easing at the BoJ’s next meeting ending on October 7, although central bankers are sure to debate the BOJ’s next “tankan” business survey, which is forecast to show a weakening in sentiment due to a sales tax hike in April. Lacklustre inflation and sentiment, combined with recent weakness in consumer spending and exports, could also force the government to compile a stimulus package to see the economy through a second sales tax hike scheduled for next year. “The BoJ will have to ease policy next year, because inflation will not accelerate again,” said Takuji Aida, chief economist at Societe Generale Securities. “The second sales tax hike has already been passed as a law, but the government will implement a large stimulus package.”Core consumer prices, which include oil products but exclude fresh food, rose 3.1 per cent in August from a year earlier, less than the median estimate for a 3.2 per cent annual gain and following a 3.3 per cent annual rise in July. The BoJ estimates that the sales tax rise, which was implemented in April, added 1.7 percentage point to Japan’s annual consumer inflation in April and two points from May onwards. Excluding the sales tax hike, annual core inflation slowed to 1.1 per cent in August from 1.3 per cent in July.—Agencies
NEW YORK—Sugar prices may soften over market-focused bank believed the negative the course of this year, breaking ranks with the rest of the commodity market’s “Breakfast Club” of corn, wheat, soybeans and cocoa, which surged to multi-month and alltime highs as dry weather ravaged crop Standard Chartered cut quarterly price forecasts for benchmark sugar prices after concerns receded over supply from Brazil, but warned upside risks remained for 2013 The bank lowered its average sugar price forecasts to 21 U.S. cents a pound for the third quarter, from 23 cents previously and 22 cents a pound for the fourth quarter from 24 cents. It estimates the 2012 annual average at 22 cents from 23 cents earlier. Raw sugar futures traded on the IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) made their biggest two-day tumble in three months, with dealers focused on a global surplus of the sweetener and on the progress of the harvest in Brazil. ICE October raw sugar (Intercontinental Exchange US: SBCV1) futures fell 0.48 cents, or 2.5 percent, to end at 18.96 cents a pound, drifting towards a two-year low of 18.81 cents touched on September 6. The move lower extends the previous session’s losses, causing the contract to drop 5.3 percent in the past two days, the biggest two-day fall since June 22. “We recognize that sugar’s support near 18-20 cents a pound appears vulnerable, partly due to the depreciation of the Brazilian real,” wrote Abah Ofon, Senior Soft Commodity Analyst at Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore. In May, analysts at the emerging
trend in the sugar market at the time would be short-lived due to supply problems reported from Brazil, the world’s top producer of the sweetener. Standard Chartered recommended long positions, or bullish bets, in October 2012 ICE sugar contract in anticipation of a rebound towards the 25-28 cents a pound level Initially, the market did move higher reflecting uncertainty over the outlook for Brazilian production in the second quarter. “Heavy rains adversely delayed crushing and dented the sucrose content of the cane,” Standard Chartered’s Ofon said. “This created bottlenecks in the supply chain at a time when output from that region is usually buoyant.” But Brazil’s supply picture has changed for the better since then, offering the prospect of some relief in prices and prompting Standard Chartered to revise their price forecasts. “Since mid-July, the pace of cane crushing has been brisk, and in third quarter 2012, it exceeded the historic average. This, in addition to expectations of higher cane volume and a moderately larger sugar output in Brazil, has alleviated market fears of a supply squeeze,” the bank said Yet despite bearish developments, “the market still needs to price for risk as output remains uncertain in a number of key trading countries, including China, India and Thailand...our 2012 and 2013 forecasts are still 8 percent and 19 percent higher than the implied futures curve, respectively, underpinning our view that the market is still too bearish,” Ofon wrote.—DNA
Nike approves $8 billion share repurchase program LONDON—Nike Inc is beefing up its capacity to use its cash to purchase its own shares, with the board of the world’s largest sportswear maker approving an $8 billion buyback program. The new $8 billion four-year repurchase program for Nike’s class B stock will follow the company’s current $5 billion buyback plan once that program is completed during the second quarter of fiscal 2013, Nike said.“Over the past 10 years, Nike has re-
turned $10 billion to shareholders through the repurchase of more than 167 million shares,” Chief Executive Mark Parker said in a statement, adding that share buybacks are a prudent use of Nike’s cash. Nike has a market value of $44 billion based on its closing share price of $97.66 and its 453.87 million shares outstanding. Another U.S. company, CVS Caremark, also announced a big $6 billion share buyback program.—DNA
AEG sale sparks interest in media firms, private equity may top $6 billion NEW YORK—Billionaire Phil Anschutz’s sports and entertainment business AEG is sparking interest from a range of media firms and private equity firms, including Liberty Media Corp, Guggenheim Partners LLC, Thomas H. Lee Partners LP, Bain Capital LLC and Colony Capital LLC, in a deal that could fetch more than $6 billion, sources said. Anschutz, who is in his mid-70s, launched an auction of Anschutz Entertainment Group, as he looks for a partner to take on the company that owns some 100 entertainment venues globally and sports assets that include the L.A. Galaxy soccer team, possibly best known for star David Beckham, and a stake in the L.A. Lakers basketball team. Sources familiar with AEG’s assets said the company could fetch between $6 billion and $8 billion in a sale. Another source said AEG has asked for at least $7 billion. AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke declined to confirm the price tag but said a deal would be in the multibillion dollar range.
“The Dodgers were supposedly going to be sold for a billion dollars,” said Leiweke, referring to the $2 billion acquisition of the L.A. baseball team by a Guggenheim Partners-led group earlier this year. “We will get a premium because you don’t find those kinds of real estate developments anywhere else. This is more unique than the Dodgers. “When we started on this path 15 years ago with Anschutz, he made it very clear at the time that this is about an equity play,” Leiweke added. “He is not a man that has a huge ego. This has never been about toys; this has always been about business.” Blackstone Advisory Partners, AEG’s investment banker, intends to begin contacting potential bidders over the next few weeks. The firm is compiling a list of potential buyers, which include sovereign funds, private equity, large pension funds and strategic partners, but some have already said they would be interested, according to people with knowledge of the process.
Given the size of the business and the diverse portfolio, sources familiar with potential buyers’ thinking said, some parties could be compelled to break AEG into separate units. That would result in a holding company for the sports assets including the Los Angeles Kings hockey team and another holding real estate that includes its London 02 entertainment district. Guggenheim, which recently bought Dick Clark Productions in addition to its Dodgers acquisition, could express interest. So, too, could Colony Capital, the Los Angeles-based private equity fund whose assets include the Miramax film studio. A spokeswoman for Guggenheim declined to comment. A Colony spokeswoman was not available for comment. John Malone’s Liberty Media is also considered a logical bidder, although if Liberty participates in the sale, it would likely be in concert with private equity, said one source familiar with the situation. Liberty owns a 21 percent stake in Live Nation Entertainment Inc, a rival
concert promoter to AEG, and would likely need regulatory approval. Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL) and Bain also have preliminary interest in AEG although the valuation expectation could be hard for a private equity firm to meet, sources familiar with the situation said. If they decide to bid, the private equity firms are likely to seek a partner, they said. Representatives for Bain and THL declined to comment Once the sale of AEG is kicked off, it will be treated as a classic two-step M&A sale process, where initial indications of interest will be taken from prospective buyers, leading to more serious contenders. The company hopes to wrap up a deal by the first part of next year. The auction is expected to be closely watched by the city of Los Angeles, where AEG is planning to build a $1.2 billion football stadium and convention center, called Farmers Field. AEG won approval from a Los Angeles planning commission for the stadium on September 13, a key milestone for a project that
is expected to create an estimated 23,000 jobs Leiweke said the sale of AEG would not impact the development and construction of Farmers Field. Signaling its intention to finish the project would help allay fears among National Football League teams that might want to relocate to Los Angeles. The stadium needs a team to be the anchor tenant to help it service $228.7 million in low-interest bonds “I have the commitment from them that this won’t affect plans for an NFL team to return to Los Angeles in the near future,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a statement. Councilwoman Jan Perry, whose district would include the new stadium, said she has been assured that a new owner would honor commitments AEG has made. “The stadium will go ahead, with no public money and 23,000 jobs,” she said, although she added that she would have to see whatever agreement AEG signs with the new owners. “We’re taking it day by day,” she said.—DNA
Currency
Selling
Buying
USA
102.60
102.40
UK
167.34
167.01
Euro
130.77
130.52
Canada
92.32
92.14
Switzerland
108.35
108.14
Australia
90.08
89.90
Sweden
14.24
14.21
Japan
0.9418
0.9400
Norway
16.03
16.00
Singapore
80.76
80.60
Denmark
17.57
17.54
Saudi Arabia 27.36
27.30
Hong Kong
13.23
13.20
Kuwait
356.56
355.86
Malaysia
31.46
31.40
Newzealand
81.35
81.19
Qatar
28.18
28.12
UAE
27.93
27.88
Kr. Won
0.0984
0.0982
Thailand
3.175
3.169
Austria targets 5bn euros in tax relief to boost growth V IENNA —Austria aims to put together a tax relief package worth at least 5 billion euros ($6.3 billion) next year, which could promote growth in a sluggish economy without boosting deficits and debt, officials said on Saturday. The Social Democrats (SPO) and their conservative People’s Party (OVP) coalition partners agreed on hitting that sum in talks due to wrap up by early 2015, but put off exact details on income tax cuts amid differences over how to finance them. The SPO had lobbied for more ambitious tax cuts to be financed in part via new wealth taxes, anathema to the OVP, whose leader Michael Spindelegger quit in August complaining of lack of support from his own party. SPO Chancellor Werner Faymann told reporters after a two-day cabinet meeting in the Alpine resort of Schladming that the 5 billion euro target was a minimum. “We are looking to see if a bigger sum is possible,” he said.—Agencies
Emirates NBD Properties showcases iconic projects D UBAI —Emirates NBD Properties featured its Control Tower, a commercial and business center strategically located in Business Park, near Green Community Motor City and Dubai Autodrome. Projects by Emirates NBD Properties featured at this year’s edition of Cityscape Global included Limestone House in Dubai International Financial Centre in addition to Terrace Apartments, Windsor Crescent Townhouses and Control Tower — all three projects located in Motor City. — Supplied photo Dubai — Emirates NBD Properties, a wholly owned subsidiary of Emirates NBD Group, showcased its award winning real estate portfolio at Cityscape Global 2014, the world’s largest networking exhibition and conference on property development. Projects by Emirates NBD Properties featured at this year’s edition of Cityscape Global included Limestone House in Dubai International Financial Centre; in addition to Terrace Apartments, Windsor Crescent Townhouses and Control Tower — all three projects located in Motor City. Limestone House, located adjacent to the Gate Precinct-Gate Boulevard District of DIFC offers its residents exceptional living space and amenities in a truly magnificent structure. Situated in Motor City, Windsor Crescent Townhouses and Terrace Apartments offer residents a unique blend of privacy and community living. The stunning residential projects are designed to emulate nature’s finest features to cultivate a healthy and nurturing environment, in an enviable location of beautifully landscaped parks, tranquil lakes and family-friendly facilities.—Agencies
China world’s biggest car consumer, producer I SLAMABAD —More than 24 million vehicles will be sold this year in the world’s largest auto market, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has forecast. China’s vehicle output is also expected to top 24 million units this year, which will account for a quarter of the world’s total production and make the country the world’s biggest car producer, said CAAM Vice President Dong Yang.
According to the CAAM, 21.98 million vehicles were sold in China in 2013, up 13.87 percent year on year. Output last year stood at 22.12 million units, up 14.76 percent, Xinhua reported . In the January-August period, both sales and output topped 15 million units, even though the growth rates moderated to 7.67 percent and 8.61 percent, respectively. During an exhibition in Beijing
showcasing joint ventures between Chinese and foreign car companies, Dong said that such cooperation has made enormous contributions to China’s auto industry, helping it to foster talent and master advanced manufacturing technologies. China will use this joint-venture experience to build home grown brands, while deepening cooperation with foreign firms in research and development, he added.—APP
Preparing for oil market fluctuations W ASHINGTON —The recent country report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was upbeat about the Kingdom’s economy pointing out that the main risk facing this economy is the fluctuation of the global oil market and that diversification remains the main challenge facing the Kingdom’s economic planners. It reiterated its previous verdict that Saudi Arabia has one of the best performing economies among the G-20 and that is attributed mainly to the continuous high oil prices, high government spending, an active private sector all supported with carefully designed fiscal policies that kept inflation at bay. However, the drop in oil market to its lowest level in more than 14 months that prompted the Kingdom and other oil producers to trim their output is a clear demonstration of what the IMF warned of. The unique nature of oil is that it is still a commodity affected by sup-
ply and demand and in this particular case producers don’t have control on the other end of the chain: consumption. Over the years, Riyadh has developed an oil strategy that took into consideration both its role as the world main residual supplier and at the same time work toward adding value to the crude it exports. That explains why the Kingdom worked on securing supplies through a comprehensive strategy of investing heavily to tap its oil reserves to enable it produce up to 12.5 million barrels per day (bpd) and maintain between 1-2 million bpd in spare capacity in case supplies were cut for one reason or another as has been demonstrated several times in the past. Along with providing secured supplies, the Kingdom developed two main outlets through the Gulf and the Red Sea export terminals in addition to the Sumed pipeline.—Agencies
IGATEX Pakistan 2014 to start from 21st October LAHORE—The 8th International Garment, Textile & Leather Machinery and Accessories Exhibition and Conference (IGATEX) Pakistan is scheduled from 21st to 24th October 2014 at Expo Centre, Lahore. It is an international event recognized for its quality of exhibitors and visitors. IGATEX Pakistan 2014 introduces high level machinery, equipments and accessories which provide business opportunities and add value to our exports and hence, will increase the product worth that will positively effect on economic well being of Pakistan. The event is known to not only introduce newest expertise, but also improvise trade benefits and increase foreign investments and spending through business visits by international delegates. This year IGATEX Pakistan will feature over 550 exhibitors from 35 countries including China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Turkey, Taiwan and Switzerland etc. This is highest number of exhibitors participating at an exhibition in Pakistan. The event is expected to host record visitor ship for any business event in Pakistan engaging textile industry professionals from related
industries to witness the modernized and state-of-the-art textile machinery exhibited by leading market players from diverse regions. ICADEX Pakistan - The 2nd International Chemical and Dyes Exhibition & Conference is being organized in conjunction with IGATEX Pakistan to maximize the exhibitor and visitor experience. Since its inception in 2002, the event has played a pivotal role in the development of textile industry, by introducing efficient machinery to local manufacturers. IGATEX Pakistan 2014 is a leading show with strategic partners such as Textile Machinery Manufacturer’s and Supplier’s Association of Pakistan (TEXMAP), All Pakistan Textile Manufacturers Association (APTMA), Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and Pakistan Textile Journal (PTJ) etc. IGATEX Pakistan is organized by FAKT Exhibitions (Private) Limited. The event facilitates the textile industry by creating business opportunities by significantly providing networking opportunities.— Online
PIMCO, DoubleLine, TCW big winners from Fed’s QE3 assault NEW YORK—The Federal Reserve’s move to stimulate the economy by buying mortgage securities is proving to be manna from heaven for three of the biggest players in the bond fund business: Pacific Investment Management Company, DoubleLine Capital and TCW. The three investment firms all manage mutual funds that loaded up on mortgagebacked securities well before the Fed announced that it would start buying $40 billion in government-backed mortgage debt each month until there’s a sharp improvement in the job market. With U.S. Treasury yields at extraordinary low levels, bond investors like TCW, PIMCO and DoubleLine have migrated toward mortgage-backed securities as those securities not only provide higher yields but they perform well when interest rates are stable. It is TCW’s flagship fund that is outperforming the ones managed by PIMCO co-founder Bill Gross and DoubleLine founder Jeffrey Gundlach - the two money managers seen as the reigning kings of the bond investing world. The $7.4 billion TCW Total Return Bond Fund, which has more than 80 percent of its assets invested in mortgage-
backed securities, is up 10.68 percent for the year. The TCW fund is besting the 8.61 percent year-to-date return for the $272.5 billion PIMCO Total Return Fund - the world’s biggest bond fund - and the 7.89 percent return posted by the $32 billion DoubleLine Total Return Bond Fund In the week since the Fed’s announcement of new round of bond buying, known as quantitative easing, Lipper reports that the TCW fund has gained 0.59 percent, while PIMCO has gained 0.565 percent and DoubleLine 0.53 percent. Bond industry experts say the funds that may generate the best returns are ones with heavy exposure to so-called “private label” mortgage-backed securities, as opposed to mortgage debt backed by government-sponsored mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These private label mortgage securities have no government guarantee of principal repayment, which distinguishes them from mortgage securities supported by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The mortgages that back private label securities do not have the support of the government and as a result carry default risk, also called credit risk, a hazard absent in securities
BoA cutting 16,000 jobs by year end in cost-plan acceleration: WSJ W ASHINNGTON —Bank of America Corp the financial crisis, largely due to mortgage(BAC) is planning to cut 16,000 jobs by year end as it speeds up a company-wide costcutting initiative amid declining revenues, the Wall Street Journal reported. The job cuts would put the second-largest U.S. bank a year ahead of schedule in eliminating 30,000 jobs under a program called Project New BAC. The job cuts could shrink the bank’s workforce below that of rivals JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) and Wells Fargo & Co (WFC). The reductions were outlined in a document given to top management, the Journal reported. Since taking the helm in 2010, Chief Executive Brian Moynihan has been working to streamline and reduce risk at a company that has lagged rivals in recovering from
related losses. Bank of America spokesman Larry Di Rita declined to comment. The bank had 275,460 employees at the end of the second quarter. Under Project New BAC, Bank of America has said it planned to eliminate $5 billion in annual expenses and 30,000 jobs by the end of 2013, largely through cuts in consumer and technology areas. A second phase is expected to eliminate $3 billion in annual expenses by mid-2015 by making undisclosed cuts in capital markets, commercial banking and wealth management areas. In the second quarter, cost savings from the first phase were running at an annual pace of $970 million, behind a goal of $1 billion, the Journal said, citing the document.—DNA
German 2014 economic growth could be lower than forecast
Chairman, Board of Directors, German National Electronic Research Centre, DESY, Prof Dr. Helmut Dosch and a team of Scientists briefing Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, Syed Hasan Javed during his visit to the centre near Hamburg. DESY, one of world ‘s leading centres for the investigation of the structure of matter, will welcome Pakistani Scientists to DESY facilities for their research works.
B ERLIN ,
Germany— Germany’s economy could grow less in 2014 than the 1.8 percent predicted by the government, but it still remains in good shape compared to its EU partners, the economy minister said Sunday. Sigmar Gabriel, economy minister of Europe’s top economy, told Deutschlandfunk radio that the Ukraine crisis had hit the investment climate and not just for those companies with direct trade ties with Russia. “It can be that in the end the growth figures are still a bit below our forecast of 1.8 percent,” Gabriel said according to a published version of the interview. “Nevertheless Germany will still have, in terms of a European comparison, markedly good economic activity,” he said, adding the labour market was “robust”. In April the government said the German economy was set to grow by 1.8 percent this year.—AFP
LAHORE: Women buying jeweller from a stall at Shadman Sunday Bazaar.
China industrial profits fall in August in latest weak data S H A N G H A I —China’s industrial profits fell 0.6 percent in August from a year earlier, reversing from July’s 13.5 percent annual rise, the government said on Saturday, the latest in a series of weak data from the world’s second-largest economy. Industrial companies made profits of 3.83 trillion yuan between January and August, 10 percent higher than the same period last year. China’s National Bureau of Statistics did not give a reason for the August decline. The monthly decline adds to recent weak figures that have fuelled fears that China is at risk of a sharp slowdown if it does not make fresh stimulus measures. China’s factory output grew at its weakest pace in nearly six years in August while growth in other key sectors such as retail sales and imports also cooled. China’s economy has had a difficult time this year as a slowdown in the housing market weighs on economy activity. This was further exacerbated by unsteady foreign demand which dragged on exports, factory output and domestic investment.—Agencies
Experts call for better use of bank cash assets RIYADH—A group of financial experts have called for better use of the accumulated cash assets of local Saudi banks, the media said. Cash assets of local banks reportedly grew by 73.1 percent to SR4.24 trillion ($1.13 trillion) by the end of last August, compared to SR2.46 trillion in August 2009, according to data released by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency. The cash growth in Saudi banks reflects the decrease of lending in the said period whereas the inflated real estate prices have also minimized demand for property loans, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.—Agencies
KARACHI: Former Judge Lahore High Court Justie (Retd) Raja Shafqat Abbasi speaks during a workshop on Inter Governmental Relations organized by Forum of Federations at a local hotel. Dr Syed Jaffer Ahmad of Pakistan Study Centre Karachi University, Advisor Forum of Federations Dr Leslie Seidle, Prof Roberta Ryan from Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government and program Manger forum of Federations Canada Phillip Gonzalez, are also seen sitting on the stage.
Shoppers flood GITEX halls to look at latest gadgets SHOPPING FRENZY—Thousands of eager shoppers queued outside the Dubai World Trade Centre Saturday morning, awaiting the official opening of GITEX Shopper 2014, conducted by Helal Saeed Almarri, director general, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre. Described as the largest and most popular consumer IT and electronics show in the Middle East, GITEX Shopper runs until Oct. 4. Excitement was high as shoppers flooded the halls on the opening day, eager to take advantage of the 30,000 products and latest deals on smartphones, digital cameras, HD TVs, tablets and a broad spectrum of the latest electronic gadgets.
The fun festival atmosphere saw visitors enjoying live music and entertainment, interactive product trials and a host of incredible giveaways. A wide choice of casual dining options added to a great day out for the family. “Thanks to the commitment of the best brands and biggest retailers in the region, we are expecting another incredibly busy and successful show,” said Trixie LohMirmand, SVP, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). “There is no better place to find the widest range of the latest technology, and we believe visitors will be delighted with what’s on offer this week.” Mahesh Chotrani, assistant vice president of Jacky’s Electronics, sees GITEX Shopper as an im-
portant platform for engaging with and delighting their customers: “Our ‘Dreambox: Shop, Unlock, Win’ promotion, in partnership with Hisense, invites visitors to participate in an interactive raffle to win 4K Ultra-HD and LED TVs every hour of the show. We are also giving away two MINI Coopers, which will be displayed at our stands along with exclusive bundle offers and discounts that are bigger than ever. Among the products that will be highlighted at the show are the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which are also available in all our stores. There will also be exclusive offers across the UHD and 4K LED TVs in big screen sizes ranging from 65-inch, 75-inch and above.”—Agencies
DP releases more units on demand DUBAI—Real estate developer, Dubai Prop- performance and ongoing sales successes to erties, or DP, has issued a performance summary showing delivery of 36,000 residential units, 2.8million sqft of office space and over 1.2 million sqft of retail space to the market across key areas of Dubai.The developer said that strong investor demand for new residential projects has pushed many of its new developments to sellout success and prompted the release of additional units in some projects. From luxury waterfront apartments in the creek-side Manazel Al Khor and Dubai Wharf developments, to family villas in Mudon, ready-to-live apartments in Remraam and downtown living in Maram Residences, DP says it will continue to focus on the development of a growing portfolio of residential, mixed-use and hospitality projects to create opportunities for Dubai’s real estate investors and residents. DP attributes its recent
the variety of property choices it offers consumers along with dedicated initiatives to improve the customer experience including competitive financial packages, early online sales registration, reducing response times to customer queries and transparent communication with investors. Mohammed Al Habbai, chief officer for Urban Planning and Infrastructure at Dubai Properties Group, said: “From design and development to sales and handovers, DP’s has consistantly delivered projects that create real estate opportunities for Dubai’s end-users and investors. Our recent market performance and new launches at Cityscape are both testament to the success of this approach, and we will continue to support Dubai’s growing real estate industry by launching new projects that provide strong investment opportunities across every sector.—Agencies
CLT20: Hurricanes clinch semi-final spot beaten 39 kept the reins of the chase firmly with Hurricanes on a sluggish pitch. Given their recent run of high scores and relative knowledge of the conditions in Mohali, Tridents captain Rayad Emrit had hoped his side would not struggle too much on a new pitch. However, the tinges of green on the track did not make the ball come on to the bat faster. B e n Hilfenhaus found Malik ..................... 3-0-20-0 some early swing Laughlin ............ 3.4-0-22-0 to work in his Doherty ................ 4-0-27-4 favour and both Hobart Hurricanes in- he and Doug nings: Bollinger mixed Dunk b Mayers ............... 0 up length and fullPaine lbw b Hosein ....... 18 pitched deliveries Blizzard c McKenzie with the occab Munaweera ................. 21 sional short ball, Malik not out ................. 39 and that brought TR Birt b Hosein ............. 9 them early wickWells not out ................. 23 ets. Bollinger disExtras: (w 6, nb 1) ............ 7 missed Neil Total: (4 wickets) ......... 117 McKenzie and Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-32, 3- Hilfenhaus, carry54, 4-71 ing over his form Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W from the last game, Mayers ................... 1-0-9-1 finished with 2 for Rampaul ................ 4-0-25-0 14, getting rid of Nurse .................... 3-0-16-0 Raymon Reifer Munaweera .......... 2-0-11-1 and the in-form Hosein .................. 4-0-25-2 D i l s h a n Emrit ................... 2.2-0-19-0 Munaweera off Holder ................... 2-0-12-0 successive balls.
M OHALI—Another disciplined effort from Hobart Hurricanes’ bowlers put the side in the Champions League T20 semi-finals, with a six-wicket win over Barbados Tridents. Tridents’ score of 113 was the lowest by a side batting first in a full game in this Champions League and although they fought back well with the ball, Shoaib Malik’s un-
SCOREBOARD Barbados Tridents innings: Munaweera c Blizzard b Hilfenhaus .................. 18 McKenzie b Bollinger ..... 0 Reifer b Hilfenhaus ......... 6 Carter b Doherty ........... 42 Franklin b Doherty ........ 12 Holder c Laughlin b Doherty ......................... 5 Hosein c Shoaib Malik b Bollinger ...................... 12 Nurse lbw b Doherty ...... 1 Mayers not out ............... 5 Emrit run out .................... 2 Rampaul run out .............. 5 Extras: (lb 1, w 4) ............. 5 Total: (all out) .............. 113 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-26, 326, 4-48, 5-70, 6-89, 7-99, 8101, 9-104, 10-113 Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Hilfenhaus ............ 4-1-14-2 Bollinger ............... 4-0-27-2 Gulbis ...................... 1-0-2-0
Bilawal Bhutto greets women cricket team
Hafeez reported for suspect action M O H A L I —Lahore Lions offspinner T20 match against Dolphins in Bangalore Mohammad Hafeez has been reported for
KARACHI—Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairperson, Pakistan Peoples Party has congratulated the Pakistani women cricket team on winning Asian Games Women’s Twenty20 Cricket gold medal after beating determined Bangladesh. In a statement on Sunday he said growing participation of women in sports and their outstanding performance in national and international events was a very encouraging sign for the country. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated each and every player and also the non playing members of Pakistani women cricket team including the Captain Sana Mir, Manager Ayesha Asher and Pakistan Cricket Board women’s wing chairperson Bushra Aitezaz on retaining gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games.—APP
The slower bowlers then built on that platform, capitalising on the fact that the ball appeared to come a touch slower off the pitch. Xavier Doherty struck with the first ball he bowled, getting rid of James Franklin, and as the scoring rate was stifled, Tridents had just Jonathan Carter in the middle to steer the innings. The batsman, who had struck a brisk century in his last match, had a quiet start before opening up to cart sixes and fours off Malik, Doherty and Bollinger in successive overs. Doherty, however, got his wicket as the innings moved into its last phase, draining all momentum. Had Carter stayed at the crease for a little longer, Tridents would have had a more competitive total to defend but the bowlers fought scrappily despite the low score. Hurricanes’ reply, by any stretch, was not a smooth batting effort but Tridents contributed to their own problems by dropping chances. Aiden Blizzard had two reprieves off an accurate Ravi Rampaul while Tim Paine had one and had those been taken, the target of 114 would have looked tougher for the Australian side. In the midst of this, Malik’s innings stood out for his composure and skill at maneuvering the ball. The risky shots were eschewed, but he found the singles and twos easily, eventually closing the match with successive fours in the 19th over.—AFP
a suspect bowling action by the umpires, following the team’s Champions League
on Saturday evening. Dolphins offspinner Prenelan Subrayen was also reported. Under Champions League T20 guidelines, both players could request for an official assessment from the BCCI’s suspect bowling action committee. For now, while they can continue to play for their teams without assessment, they have been placed on the tournament’s ‘warning list’ as per its rules. If they are reported again, while still on the warning list, the players will be suspended from bowling in the tournament - and in any cricket organised by the BCCI - until their actions are cleared. Being reported in the Champions League T20 has no impact on a bowler’s participation in international cricket. The reports were made by umpires Kumar Dharamsena, Vineet Kulkarni and Anil Chaudhary, who had officiated in the Dolphins-Lions match. Both bowlers had opened the bowling for their sides and gone on to bowl a full quota of four overs. While Hafeez claimed 2 for 18 as Lions successfully defended 164, Subrayen did not pick up wicket while conceding 39 runs. Earlier Lions’ Adnan Rasool, another offspinner, had also been reported. He has continued to turn out for his team.—AFP
Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto smashes marathon world record B ERLIN —Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto smashed the world record in the Berlin Marathon on Sunday as he made history by becoming the first man to break the 2hr 03min barrier. His lightning fast run of 2hr 02min 57sec was the second year running that the record had been broken in Berlin, the previous best being 26
BERLIN: Dennis Kimetto from Kenya Marathon on Sunday. seconds slower — the 2:03.23 set over the same course last year by compatriot Wilson Kipsang. The performance by the 30-yearold, a former farmer from western Kenya’s high-altitude Rift Valley region, delivered a new benchmark in human endurance and cemented the Kenyans’ total dominance of international road racing.
“As the race went on, I saw I could do it, I’m delighted to have won,” the modest Kimetto said after making history and nudging world leading times close to the two-hour barrier. Kimetto, the pre-race favourite, was part of a seven-man breakaway group after 20km, which included fel-
Ethiopia’s Abera Kuma a long way back in third in 2:05.56. Kimetto hails from the town of Eldoret — a part of the country that has produced some of the most dominant distance runners in history and is emerging as the world’s training capital. He was working as a farmer in an impoverished rural area before he took up running in his mid-20s, joining the training group of Geoffrey Mutai — a Boston, Berlin and two-time New York marathon champion and the former holder of the unofficial world best, a 2:03.02 set in Boston. His first major win came in Nairobi’s Half Marathon in 2011, and he went on to finish second behind his training partner Mutai in the Berlin Marathon in 2012. His 2:04.16 was the fastest marathon debut in history, and notable as he is one of a new breed of Kenyan road racers who do not have a track pedigree. In 2013 he won the Tokyo Marathon, setting a course record of 2:06.50, and then the 2013 Chicago Marathon in a course record of 2:03.45 — where holds his national flag after winning the Berlin he also beat Emmanuel Mutai into second place. In the women’s race, low-Kenyans Emmanuel Mutai and Tirfi Tsegaye led an Ethiopia 1-2, winGeoffrey Kamworor. ning in 2:20.18 from Feyse Tadese But Kimetto shook off Mutai four (2:20.27) — failing to break the 2:20 kilometres from home and crossed the barrier and still a way off the 2:15.25 line in record time over what is re- set by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe in garded as the world’s fastest mara- London in 2003. thon course. Mutai finished second, Shalane Flanagan of the United also inside the previous record time Statges was third in 2:21.14, a perwith a run of 2:03.13 — illustrating sonal best but short of the American the depth of Kenya’s talent. record.—AFP
MOHALI: James Franklin was bowled by Xavier Doherty during Barbados Tridents vs Hobart Hurricanes, Champions League T20 match on Sunday.
Umar was unbelievable: Robbie Frylinck ISLAMABAD—Robbie Frylinck who smashed 63 runs off 27 balls against Lahore Lions in the league match of the Champions League T20 (CLT20 ) 2014 has come out in admiration of Lahore Lions batsman Umar Akmal. “In this format, if you slip up even for two overs, the game changes completely. Umar Akmal was unbelievable. He is a worldclass player and we have seen him do it at the highest stage.We may have slipped up for a couple of overs, but I think we could have done better with the bat. We fell short there,” said Frylinck in an interview with clt20.com. Frylinck celebrated his 30th birthday on the same day when his team lost to Lahore Lions. His brave knock took the Dolphins close but couldn’t save them from a defeat. “I don’t know how good a birthday present it is since the team lost. Had we won, it would have been a different story. I am happy personally, coming with that kind of performance but it doesn’t matter as the team lost.” Frylinck came out to bat when Dolphins were struggling at 79 for 6 and were just 12 runs away when the match ended. “I don’t think I had much time to put the brakes on and build an innings when we needed 13 runs an over. I just decided that I am not going down without a fight. If I can go hammer and tongs, it can get closer. We did get close but it was a very tough second-last over where I missed a few. But yes, I just had to go for it.”—APP
Golf: Fujita claims Asia Pacific title T OKYO —Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita claimed the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship title with a brilliant final round five-under-par 66 on Sunday as overnight leader Liang Wenchong crumbled. The 45-year-old 2012 Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit winner won the co-sanctioned Asian Tour title by two shots after signing off for a six-under total of 278 at Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Tokyo. Fujita dropped his only shot of the round on the par-four 17th but recovered well to birdie the last and seal his 18th win on the Japan Tour ahead of Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat (67), Jason Knutzon (68) of United States and South Korean S.K. Ho (69) in tied second. “This win is especially rewarding as it was against a top field that includes players from the Asian Tour,” Fujita told reporters. “That birdie on 18 was important as it gave me some breathing space especially with all the players chasing me down.—APP
Chitral, Mardan, Peshawar, Swat reach Right to Play Soccer semi-finals P ESHAWAR —Swat, Chitral, Mardan and netted a fine goal through field attempt. host Peshawar reached to the semi-finals of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Play Inter-District Football Championship being played here at Sumbal Khan Football ground, Qayyum Sports Complex on Sunday. In the last quarter-finals DFA Swat defeated DFA Dir by 4-0 in a one-sided affair and confirmed its place for the semi-finals. Now DFA Mardan will take on skillful Chitral team in first semi-final and Peshawar will face Swat in the second semi-final. The final will be played on September 30, 2014 at 5.00 p.m. In the last quarter-final both DFA Swat and Dir played well but overall Swat dominated the proceedings and did not give much room to Dir to strike back. Right winger Waseem guided Swat to take an early lead in the 6th minute when he
The goal injected new vigor in the rank of Swat who got the position of the ball by making some more attacking moves as a result it was in the 17th minute when Kamal slammed in another goal to make the tally 2-0. Dir players on the other hands tried their hard to reduce the margin but due to tight marking Dir forwards were unable to do so and thus the first-half was ended in favour of Swat at 2-0. It was the second session in which midfielder Tariq and center striker Sami Ullah scored two more goals in the 54th and 69th minute to make the tally 4-0. Thus Swat won the match by 4-0 and moved into the semifinals. Abdur Rehman, Ikram Ullah and Abid supervised the match while Qazi Muhammad Asif acted as match commissioner.—APP
Japan’s Nishikori triumphs in Malaysian Open KUALA LUMPUR—Japan’s new tennis star
Meanwhile, World number four Maria Kei Nishikori clinched the Malaysian Open Sharapova powered through her opening on Sunday after taming France’s Julien match at the $5.4 million China Open on Sunday, joining second seed Simona Halep Benneteau in two tightly fought sets. The top seed, the first Asian man to and Angelique Kerber of Germany in the reach a Grand Slam singles final at the US second round. Open this month, beat the fourth seeded Benneteau 76 (7/4), 6-4. He is now the first Asian to win the Malaysia tournament. The showdown at a packed Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur got off to a cracking start. Benneteau took an early hold of the tie to lead 3-1, but Nishikori showed resilience, powering back to draw level before going on to clinch the first set 7-6 (7/ 4), including two sublime back-hand volley winners at full stretch. A single break in the second set proved enough for the world number eight to seal the match, boosting his chances of reaching the World Tour Finals in London in November. The pupil of American tennis star-turned-coach Michael Chang said he did not have it easy against Benneteau, who finished as runner-up for the third consecutive year. Benneteau has also now reached 10 tour finals without winning one. KUALA LUMPUR: Kei Nishikori of Japan celebrates af“It was really tough. ter beating France’s Julien Benneteau in the men’s singles (Benneteau) was aggres- final at the Malaysian Open on Sunday. sive, but I was waiting for The Russian eased past Estonia’s Kaia my opportunity, and when he got tired in the last game I took my chances and am Kanepi 6-4, 6-1 in her opening match of the tournament, while Romanian Halep also won happy it paid off,” Nishikori said. “It wasn’t my best tennis, but I’m really convincingly against Czech player Barbora happy to come away with the win in this Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-4. World number eight Kerber, meanwhile, tough game.” Nishikori said he was looking forward took three sets to overcome Casey to playing in Japan after the strong sup- Dellacqua of Australia 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Halep, who has risen from 11th to 2nd port he received in Malaysia. “It’s really an honour to have won this in the WTA rankings since the start of the tournament. It’s not even in my country and year, faces Chinese wildcard Zhu Lin in the so many people showed up,” he said. “I next round, while Kerber will meet Zayina want to do well in my next tournament in Diyas of Kazakstan. Sharapova, meanwhile, will be confronting a player in high spirits Japan after this.” He next plays in the Japan Open, which when she comes up against world number 34 Elina Svitolina.—AFP starts in Tokyo on Monday.
S Korea beat Japan to reach football semis INCHEON (South Korea)—Japan’s bid that we wanted to repeat as champi- games in all competitions with an atto defend the Asian Games title came to an end in the quarterfinals after losing 1-0 to hosts South Korea on Sunday. Japan paid the price of youth and inexperience against its archrival as captain Ryota Oshima gave away a late penalty, which his Korean counterpart Jang Hyun-soo converted to send Lee Kwang-jong’s side into Tuesday’s semifinal against Thailand, which beat Jordan 2-0 earlier. North Korea defeated the United Arab Emirates 1-0 and will meet Iraq in the other semifinal. Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 3-0. Japan coach Makoto Teguramori picked an under-21 side for these games while South Korea — whose players will be exempt from military service if they win a gold medal — have gone all in with an under-23 team including three overage players. “I didn’t want him crossing back inside so I went for it,” Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Oshima said. “We knew we would have to persevere but we did want to go on the attack at some point.“We’ve been saying ourselves
ons. So if you ask us how we feel about this, all I can say is that we failed.” The match appeared destined for extra time but in the 86th minute Oshima jumped on Lee Jong-ho’s back while challenging for a high ball inside the box, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Teguramori said Japan should have run down the clock to invite the additional 30 minutes, when high-octane Korea would have slowed down, giving his team a better chance of winning. “This is really tough to swallow,” Teguramori said. “Considering how much time was left, we probably should have waited a few more minutes and then our time would have come. “Korea would’ve run out of steam in extra time. But this under-21 team is still learning; we came to this tournament with the team we have because we are thinking about the Rio Olympics. “You can only figure out how to win games like this by actually playing in them. I think we learned more from today’s game alone than three of our other games put together.” Before the biggest crowd of these
tendance of 43,221, the traditional rivals put on an intense display right from the start. Hard-pressing Korea allowed Japan very little time on the ball, taking full advantage of being older and stronger than the young Samurai Blue. Yet while the hosts produced the better moments, they struggled to keep their shots down in the face of a resilient Japanese defense and actually had fewer attempts on goal than Japan. Until Jang’s penalty, Lee Yong-jae’s angled shot in the 28th minute, cleared off the line by defender Takuya Iwanami, was South Korea’s only shot on target. Teguramori said the sellout crowd at the Munhak World Cup Stadium was definitely a factor. Japan had been playing in front of near-empty stadiums until Sunday. “Their supporters deserve part of the credit for the win,” Teguramori said. “But our team tends to try to play pretty, neat football but today they were throwing themselves in the line of fire. I was happy to see them getting down and dirty for once.”—AFP INCHEON: Qatar’s Femi Ogunode celebrates after winning gold on Sunday.
Disqualified Bahrain runner regains gold Zhou sets clean, jerk world record, wins gold
I NCHEON (South Korea)—Bahrain’s away in tears on Saturday when her dis- tion. Ruth Jebet regained her Asian Games steeplechase gold Sunday after a battle over her disqualification for stepping inside the track, an Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) official said. OCA games director Haidar Farman told AFP that 17-year-old Jebet had been reinstated as winner after a review and new medal ceremony would be organised for Sunday. The Kenya-born runner was led
qualification was announced to the stadium as she was waiting to collect her gold. She easily won the race in an Asian Games record time. The dramatic reversal came after frantic meetings between Asian Athletics Association (AAA) officials and delegates from Bahrain, China and India. China’s Li Zhenzhu came second and Lalita Babar of India was third. They stood to gain from Jebet’s disqualifica-
“The jury reviewed all of the protests by the three Olympic committees and they confirmed that there was no violation of the rules and the gold medal will be given again to Bahrain runner Ruth Jebet,” Farman told AFP. An athletics official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the review had decided that Jebet’s error had not hindered any other runner and did not influence the result—AFP
INCHEON (South Korea)— Chinese weightlifter Zhou Lulu set a clean and jerk world record of 192 kilograms to win gold in the women’s +75kg category at the Asian Games on Friday. Zhou added 2kg to Russian Tatiana Kashirna’s previous mark set last year in Poland.
The London Olympics champion also hoisted 142kg in the snatch component to record an overall lift of 334kg but seemed completely underwhelmed at becoming the Asian Games champion. “Nothing special about it,” she said, her world record barely meriting a
mention. Zhou preferred to focus on the negatives. “I don’t feel like I performed well in the snatch,” she added of her lift which set a new Asian Games record. Kazakhstan’s Mariya Grabovetskaya took the silver with a total lift of 302kg while Thailand’s Chitchanok
Pulsabsakul lifted 292kg for the bronze at the Moonlight Festival Garden Weightlifting Venue. He lifted 186kg in the snatch on his first go, then failed twice at 191, before lifting 217kg in his first clean and jerk attempt and failing with this final two.—Agencies
Cycle, swim and dance to keep heart ailments at bay
I
NDIANS have a genetic tendency to de velop heart ailments, with increased occurances at a young age; yet many are unaware of the risk and repurcussions of the condition. Health experts suggest dance, walking, cycling and swimming as measures to keep cardiovascular conditions at bay. “More active life style is the best form of preventive correction to avoid cardiac ailments. It is highly recommended to do 150 minutes of physical activity each week to help prevent heart disease,” Neeraj Bhalla, senior consultant and director cardiology at the BLK Super Speciality Hospital, said . Walking, cycling, dancing or swimming - activities that use larger muscles at low resistance - are good aerobic exercises. But it all depends on individual needs and reciprocation of body, he added. He said that the most important thing is to lead a least stressful, but active and healthy life. “It is true that Indians have a genetic predisposition to developing heart diseases and it occurs in them at a much younger age,” Gunjan Kapoor, director of interventional cardiology at Noida’s Jaypee Hospital, said. “It has also been seen that Indians who have migrated to different countries like the US, Britain and other countries, as also Africa, continue have higher incidence of heart disease compared to natives of that country,” Kapoor added. Bhalla said many studies have indicated that people of Indian subcontinent origin are not only more prone to cardiovascular diseases (CAD) but also prone to diabe-
tes - one of CAD’s causes. According to statistics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in India - accounting for estimated 2.25 million deaths. And it has been estimated that by 2015 the number will rise to 2.94 million. Experts agree that despite such alarming figures, Indians still remain unaware about the condition and its effects. Anil Bansal, chief cardiologist at Ghaziabad’s Columbia Asia Hospital, said there is also a “sense of ignorance in the minds of the people”. He added that education is the “only key to bridge the gap between awareness and knowledge” about cardiovascular diseases. “We need to make people aware that with some modifications in their lifestyle they can prevent heart diseases. People need to be encouraged to opt for preventive healthcare and avoid visiting a doctor only in the emergency situations,” Bansal told said. Srikanth K.V., senior consultant for interventional cardiology at Bangalore’s Narayana Health City, suggested that awareness drives should be designed according to the target group being focused on. “If we are talking about young children, then they should be given adequate education at the school level itself. For young adults, social media can be a good option; while for the working population, offices can take certain steps like avoiding snack vending machines and organising camps. Anganwadi workers too can play an essential role,” Srikanth said.
Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah inquiring about the health of injured SSP SIU Farooq Awan at a private hospital.
Qaim lays foundation stone of 200-bed Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—A 200-bed Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit will be constructed National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) Karachi with an estimated cost of Rs1800 million with the full financial assistance of government of Sindh and the project will be completed within two years. In this regard, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Qaim Ali Shah had laid the foundation stone for this extension project in a simple but an august ceremony held at a local hotel late Saturday night. Sindh Secretary for Health Iqbal Husain Durrani, Dr Zafarullah of College of Physician and Surgeons of Pakistan and Executive Administrative officer (NICVD) Dr Hameedullah Malik also spoke on occasion. Special Assistant to CM Sindh Waqar Mehdi and Siddiqui Abu Bhai accompanied the
Group photograph of Dr Abdul Mailk Baloch CM Balochistan Faisal Zahid Malik Editor Pakistan Observer, Dr Jabbar Khattak Secretary General CPNE and Aamer Mahmood Chairman Event Committee on Meet the Editors at local hotel.—PO photo by Sultan Chaki
Labour Conference demands end of privatization process STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Balouchistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik said Balochistan government was the first, which had supported land reforms in Supreme Court of Pakistan’s case. Government departments should implement labour laws in the province in letter and spirit. The first-ever provincial tripartite labour conference after 18th amendment would be held in Quetta in Balochistan in last week of October this current year. National Party would fulfil all the commitments made in its 2013 Election Manifesto. He nominated his Advisor Dr Kaiser Bengali as a focal person to organize the provincial tripartite labour conference. He was speaking as Chief Guest at a 3-day Sindh Labour Conference, which was jointly organized by an Organising Committee initiated by Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research at Gulshan-e-Maymar Sunday. Senior journalist I. A. Rahman presided over the last session of the conference. The 3-day Sindh Conference laid its de-
Chief Minister Sindh. Addressing the ceremony and annual symposium as chief guest, the CM lauded the services of NICVD for catering the increasing demand of diagnosis, management and prevention of cardiovascular diseases not only province of Sindh but of entire Pakistan. He said that if the institute would be placed under full administrative control of Sindh government, the later would then take extraordinary measures for equipping this institute with modern facilities beyond the expectations of people and medical fraternity. He said that education and health sectors were among the top most priority of provincial government. “In spite of financial constraints and limited resources Sindh government had increased the budgetary allocation three fold for health sector” he added. He said that more than Rs14 billion had been
earmarked for health sector in present financial year 2014-15. He said that Sindh government was establishing new hospitals at district and Taluka level while Rural Health Centers (RHCs), Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Dispensers were being equipped with required modern facilities so that people could be provided best possible medical services at their doorsteps. He said though Sindh government had taken various steps to improve the health sector but there was always room for improvement which was being focused by provincial government. The CM said that there was alarming drought condition in Tharparkar area and doctors were unwilling to perform their duties there but Sindh government tired to attract them by enhancing salary packages and providing other incentives. Resultantly “along with male doctors more than 17 female doc-
tors were providing their services to the downtrodden people of Tharparkar and adjacent areas” he said. Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that the addition of a separate Pediatric Cardiac Surgery unit in NICVD will be milestone for treatment of heart related diseases among children and people of entire country will get benefited. Executive Director and Chairman Academic Faculty NICVD Prof. Khan Shah Zaman in his welcome address thanked the CM for his keen interest in establishment of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery unit in NICVD. Prof. Zaman said that this scientific programme focuses not only to the need of Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons, but it has lot to offer the Paediatricians, General Physicians and Family Physicians, and that will Surely help them to improve clinical practice and will translate in better patient care.
Residents furious over opening of wine shop near mosque STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Residents of Shah
Faisal Colony had taken to street mands for an end of privatization process to in condemnation to establishprovide universal social security protection to ment of a wine shop in a Musall workers and to provide equal right of the lim residential colony, Al-Falah collective bargaining to all the labour, ensuring tripartite mechanism for making all labour laws and implement all the international labour conventions, which Pakistan has already ratified. Speaking on the occasion, I. A. Rahman of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) deplored that the situation of collective bargaining for labour was deplorable in Pakistan. The labour and peasants are excluded from many rights and their own trade unions movement has weakened over the years. He asked the industrial workers to help the agriculture and rural workers in making their unions. Earlier, in the morning the senior economist and former Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Hafeez A. Pasha said it was a sad that majority of the workers were unorganised in Pakistan. The ILO report indicated that only one percent of Pakistani labour was organized in the trade unions.
Society in Shah Faisal Colony Sunday. The residents staged a sit-in at Shama Shopping Centre in Shah Faisal Colony and demanded Sindh government to take immediate action against those that issued license of wine
shop owners to establish a wine shop in Muslim-dominated residential colony. While addressing the protestors, notable of the locality said the wine shop was located in close vicinity of a mosque,
which might provoke the religious sentiments of the Muslim inhabitants of the area and the authorities concerned would be responsible for any untoward law and order situation. The speakers said the open-
ing of a wine shop in close vicinity of a mosque would not only lead to severe repercussions but the future of the younger generation would also be ruined amid fast declining state of moral restrictions.
Gang of fake currency dealers purchasing sacrificial animals arrested KARACHI—Police unearthed a gang of four persons from cattle market of Sohrab Goth here on Saturday night who were purchasing sacrificial animals with fake currency. These included currency notes of Rs5,000 and Rs1000. Police
said the accused were using fake currency in the darkness of night. The arrested persons told the police that fake currency note printing factory is located in Peshawar from where one lakh fake currency notes can be obtained on payment of Rs 10,000
genuine notes. It is worth mentioning that large number of fake currency notes is in circulation in different parts of the country and being used after making them look like old notes.—INP
Five thousand candidates appear in SSUET Entry Test KARACHI—As many as 5000 candi- ments of the authorities concerned. Hassan Rizvi pointed out that keeping dates appeared in the Pre-admission entry test for the bachelors degree programs announced by Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology for the academic year 2015 held at Karachi Expo Centre. A large number of candidates from Gilgit, Biltistan and Azad Kashmir besides other parts of the four provinces appeared in the test. Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology, Engr. Muhammad Adil Usman, visited the examination centre and appraised arrange-
Speaking on the occasion, Engr. Muhammad Adil Usman said that Sir Syed University prepares future leaders to succeed in the competitive world of professionals with their extra ordinary skill and outstanding ability. The university has established itself as a globally recognized destination for academic excellence. With career-focused education, SSUET prides itself for having the best and brightest faculty to commit to the highest global standards. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Syed Jawaid
the new emerging trends; the university has introduced Electrical Engineering Department from the new academic year. The university has already started three new programs. Software engineering, Architecture and Bio informatics, to meet the growing market demands. Results will be announced in the month of December that may be checked on SSUET Notice Board and also at the university’s website www.ssuet.edu.pk Classes for new batch 2015 will start from 3rd week of January.—Online
Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh Sajjad Saleem Hotiana, Fiscal Auditor of the State of Bahia, Brazil, Fatima Guerreiro, Director Pakistan Study Centre, Karachi University Prof. Dr. Syed Jaffar Ahmed, Senior Advisor Forum of Federations Dr. Leslie Seidle, Program Manager Forum of Federation, Canada, Phillip Gonzalez, National Program Manger Forum of Federations, Emmanuel Khurshid and other Senior Federal and Provincial Government Officers during a Workshop for Federal and Provincial Representatives on “Consolidating Democratic Devolution” organized by Forum of Federation.
Cycle, swim and dance to keep heart ailments at bay
I
NDIANS have a genetic tendency to de velop heart ailments, with increased occurances at a young age; yet many are unaware of the risk and repurcussions of the condition. Health experts suggest dance, walking, cycling and swimming as measures to keep cardiovascular conditions at bay. “More active life style is the best form of preventive correction to avoid cardiac ailments. It is highly recommended to do 150 minutes of physical activity each week to help prevent heart disease,” Neeraj Bhalla, senior consultant and director cardiology at the BLK Super Speciality Hospital, said . Walking, cycling, dancing or swimming - activities that use larger muscles at low resistance - are good aerobic exercises. But it all depends on individual needs and reciprocation of body, he added. He said that the most important thing is to lead a least stressful, but active and healthy life. “It is true that Indians have a genetic predisposition to developing heart diseases and it occurs in them at a much younger age,” Gunjan Kapoor, director of interventional cardiology at Noida’s Jaypee Hospital, said. “It has also been seen that Indians who have migrated to different countries like the US, Britain and other countries, as also Africa, continue have higher incidence of heart disease compared to natives of that country,” Kapoor added. Bhalla said many studies have indicated that people of Indian subcontinent origin are not only more prone to cardiovascular diseases (CAD) but also prone to diabe-
tes - one of CAD’s causes. According to statistics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in India - accounting for estimated 2.25 million deaths. And it has been estimated that by 2015 the number will rise to 2.94 million. Experts agree that despite such alarming figures, Indians still remain unaware about the condition and its effects. Anil Bansal, chief cardiologist at Ghaziabad’s Columbia Asia Hospital, said there is also a “sense of ignorance in the minds of the people”. He added that education is the “only key to bridge the gap between awareness and knowledge” about cardiovascular diseases. “We need to make people aware that with some modifications in their lifestyle they can prevent heart diseases. People need to be encouraged to opt for preventive healthcare and avoid visiting a doctor only in the emergency situations,” Bansal told said. Srikanth K.V., senior consultant for interventional cardiology at Bangalore’s Narayana Health City, suggested that awareness drives should be designed according to the target group being focused on. “If we are talking about young children, then they should be given adequate education at the school level itself. For young adults, social media can be a good option; while for the working population, offices can take certain steps like avoiding snack vending machines and organising camps. Anganwadi workers too can play an essential role,” Srikanth said.
Govt giving priority to provide clean drinking water: Governor
Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar awarding the winners during the 11th Annual Environment Excellence WarGods 2014 ceremony.
L A H O R E —Punjab
Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said here that the main objective of the government was to provide clean drinking water to the people. Addressing the 11th annual environment excellence awards 2014 ceremony at a local hotel, the Governor said that about 0.1 million children admitted in the Children Hos-
FIA captures gateway of 64 lines
Customers selecting clothes from a stall at Shadman Sunday bazaar because they are available at a cheaper rates as compared to the market.
Commonman cannot be left at the mercy of profiteers: Shahbaz STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Price Control here Sunday which reviewed in detail supply and demand of essential items and their prices. Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that common man cannot be left at the mercy of profiteers. He warned that no leniency would be shown to the profiteers. The Chief Minister ordered to arrest those involved in overcharging indiscriminately and added that the interest of people is dearer and no one will be allowed to exploit them. He said that Agriculture Department should evolve a strategy according to the demand and supply of pulses and vegetables. Shahbaz Sharif said that he wants results instead of lip service. He said that a com-
LAHORE—FIA team on Sunday conducted raid in Joher Town and captured a gateway of 64 lines besides recovering 150 activated new sims. According to a FIA spokesman, it was done on intelligence attained by FIA itself. This is the 7th successful raid in three days.—APP
LLB result LAHORE—Punjab University Examinations Department on Saturday declared LLB Part-III Annual Examination 2014 result showing a pass percentage of 60.48 percent.—APP
prehensive strategy should be evolved for protecting the interests of small farmers and Agriculture Extension should be mobilized and activated. The Chief Minister directed that all necessary steps should be taken to keep the prices of essential items at reasonable level. He said that a realistic plan should be evolved for increasing the production of vegetables and pulses. Shahbaz Sharif while expressing his displeasure to the concerned officials for not taking satisfactory steps directed that planning should be made keeping in view the future requirements according to the demand and supply. Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin, MPA Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary, Secretary Finance, Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Industry, Secretary Information and concerned officials attended the meeting.
pital Lahore due to Diarrhea which was an alarming situation. He said that about 40 years ago the water was less polluted than the current situation and now the industrial waste and sewerage water polluted the rivers of the country, adding that comprehensive planning was needed to end water pollution. The Gover-
nor said that the country could stand among the lists of developed countries if all political parties could work together for next five years. He said that the overseas Pakistani send about Rs 25 billion global remittance, adding that it was responsibility of the government to facilitate them and provide them fundamental rights.—APP
DCOs directed to ensure provision of items at fixed rates LAHORE—Provincial Minister for Food Bilal Yasin has directed DCOs throughout the province to ensure provision of essential items in abundance at fixed rates. Presiding over a high level meeting of Cabinet Committee on Price Control at Civil Secretariat here he said watchful eye should be kept on prices of edibles in the flood-affected areas and action be taken against profiteers and hoarders. Bilal Yasin said officers of administration, police, market committee and other concerned departments should remain
present in vegetables and fruits markets. He said that he will personally pay surprise visits to check presence of officers in different markets and stern disciplinary action would be taken against the absent officers. The Punjab government will spare no effort in providing daily use items in abundance to citizens at affordable rates, he added. He directed the DCOs to take administrative measures to control prices of daily use items in their areas after receding floodwater.—APP
‘Gutka, cigarettes have 80 pc share in oral diseases’ LAHORE—Environment pollution and septum (DNS), fracture nose, sinus infec- complications and oral cancer while cigalow socio- economic condition causing ENT diseases while gutka, betel nuts, cigarettes have 80 percent contribution in oral disease in country. This was stated by a renowned ENT specialist and Head of ENT unit II of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) Prof Sami Mumtaz in an exclusive talk with APP here on Sunday. He said nasal polyps, deviated nasal
tions, tonsillitis, adenoids, change of voice were common throat problems while ear complaints were discharging ears, acute chronic ear diseases, deafness, vertigo, fungal infections of ear, allergy, deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, vertigo and hearing loss were common diseases in our society. He said Paan gutka, betel nuts and cigarettes were contributing factors in voice box
rettes have 70 to 80 percent contribution in all oral diseases. He was of his views that cold drinks, hot food and excessive use of chilies in food might cause of throat and stomach problems. To a question about children, he said hearing loss in children due to middle ear infection while throat infection, change in voices and tonsils were more prevalent in adults.—APP
White meat fulfils 50pc protein needs of countrymen LAHORE—Despite low rate of poultry meat higher rates of poultry feed and one day chick are impediments in the growth of poultry industry while white meat fulfilling fifty percent poultry needs in country. Chairman Pakistan Broiler Farmers Association (PBFA) Rana Abdul Sattar said this while talking to APP on Sunday. He was of his views that protein through white meat was an inexpensive source as compared to red meat. He said
50 percent protein needs of the countrymen being met by the white meat which is low price and cholesrol free source of protein. Responding a question, he said the cost of one-day old chick comes only Rs 20 per bird but the companies are supplying in Rs.45 to 50 per bird to farmers. He said feed rate was very high but quality was not up to the mark. Due to these reasons, the broiler meat is being supplied on high rates to the Pakistani. He said that Price Control
Committee doing good job and is the only body to control the high prices of feed and chicks. Answering a question, Chairman of the association said that around 30,000 poultry farms had been closed down due to the problems mentioned above in Punjab . Responding another question, PBFA leader said that poultry contributed six percent of the total 12 percent share of livestock in the national Gross Domestic Production (GDP).—APP
Fire fightrers struggling to extinguish fire which erupted in PTCL Bulding at Edgerton Road.