e-Paper March 30, 2013

Sindh cabinet oath-taking today Business leaders to be part of new team IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—The caretaker cabinet of Sindh would take oath today. The cabinet would consist of 18 members of which 2 would be advisors to the caretaker CM Justice (Retd) Kurban Alvi, Pa-

Sardar Yasin

Khalid Tawwab Pakistan-origin Malik kistan Observer has reliably activists learnt. However, the number and of the proposed members ‘brutally raped’ names of the cabinet was not yet certain. in Libya According to sources, none

TRIPOLI—Libya’s deputy

of the member would be from prime minister says prothe the lists that the Muttahida government militiamen are Qaumi Movement and the Pasuspected of having raped three kistan People’s party had earlier British female activists of suggested to the caretaker CM. Pakistani origin in the eastern city of Benghazi.

According to the report, Libya’s deupty PM Awsad alBarassi said the women were part of an overland aid convoy bound for Gaza. They were traveling with two male companions when they were kidnapped Tuesday on their MUZAFFAR ALI way to the Benghazi airport after deciding return to Britain.

According to another report LAHORE—Deadlock on seat-toby news agency AFP, two seat adjustment between Pakistan British women of Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Continued on Page 6 Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) persisted on Friday.

According to sources, Jamaat Islami leadership did not agree over seat-to-seat adjustment with the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaaf in Punjab and on Thursday night JI delegation led by Liaqat Baloch met PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz in Raiwind and tried to thrash out a viable accord ISLAMABAD—The Higher on seat to seat adjustment with Education Commissioner PML-N. Reportedly, a powerful (HEC) has told the Election faction in the ranks of JI is vocifCommission of Pakistan that 189 degrees of Parliamentarians have yet to be verified as they have failed to provide their certificates to the ECP and HEC despite passage of 2½ years.

In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim, the Chairman of the Higher IRFAN ALIGI Education Commission Dr. Javaid R. Laghari pointed out KARACHI—Sindh High Court that the former ParliamentarFriday granted 15-day extension ians failed to submit the in bail before arrest to the All Pacertificates despite clear kistan Muslim League (APML) instructions that failure to chief and former President Gen verification of their degrees (Retd) Pervez Musharraf. within 15 days, their degrees According to details, will be treated as fake and Musharraf had along with his atcriminal proceedings will be torneys and a large number of initiated against them.

The letter said in addition, APML workers arrived at the cases of 19 Parliamentarians are SHC and appeared in the court.

The SHC accepted his appeal for Continued on Page 6 the extension of bail period for further 15 days.

The former General appeared in the court to seek extension in bail before arrests period in cases registered against him during his self-exile period

The sources, however, claimed that the following would be part of the cabinet along with two advisors. They could be Shabbar Zaidi (of NED University), Khalid Tawwab (of FPCCI), Khalid Lateef (of Zakat Council), Abdul Qadir Chohan, Shokaib Qureshi, Nawab Qalbe Hassan Lahori, Sardar Khan G h o t o , Mehmood Mandvi wala, Iqbal Mian Zahid D a w o o d Hussain P a k w a l a ( F l o u r miller), Raees Ghulam Hussain Jaskani, N K Lohani, Dr Junaid Shah and Sardar Yaseen Malik.

Eminent drama writer Noor Ul Huda Shah and eminent social worker Anees Haroon would also be part of the cabinet.

Haroon Farooqui (of KCCI) and Mian Zahid Hussain (of

Commandant FC narrowly escapes TARIQ SAEED PESHAWAR—The heartless terrorists once again managed to intrude into the red zone in Peshawar cantonment and carried out a suicide explosion targeting the convoy of commandant FC near a heavily guarded military check post that left at least 12 people dead and more than two dozen others seriously injured.

A woman, a minor girl and a FC Jawaan are among the dead while those injured also include number of men in uniform. The commandant FC escaped the attack narrowly as his vehicles had crossed the check post seconds before the explosion though his vehicle received minor damagers. According to some reports the chief of the Para-military force also received minor bruises and was taken too closed

by Combined Military Hospital (CMH).

The militants have been managing to pierce through the tight security arrangements in the provincial metropolis for the last few months as the terrorist’s attack at the heavily guarded office of the Political Agent Khyber

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Seat adjustment

Saying farewell to PTI, JI turns side to PML-N

Unverified degrees: HEC seeks orders from ECP

erously supporting the electoral alliance with PML-N in upcoming general elections and this faction, so it is said, led by JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch, Hafiz Salman Butt, Amirul Azeem and Fareed Paracha while another faction led by some hardliners still supporting to forge electoral alliance with PTI on the ground that Imran is more trustworthy entity than Mian Nawaz Sharif.

The sources claim that JI was demanding three seats of National Assembly especially those where Liaqat Baloch, Fareed Paracha and Hafiz Salman Butt

SC orders vote right to overseas Pakistanis ISLAMABAD—Supreme Court

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Musharraf gets 15-day extension in BBA period Shoe hurled at ex-President

Aftab Sultan appointed Punjab IG STAFF REPORTER Lahore—The federal

government has appointed Aftab Sultan, senior officer of grade 22, as Inspector General Police (IGP) Punjab.

A notification for the appointment of Aftab Sultan as IG Punjab has also been issued here Friday.

Aftab Sultan is presently working as Commandant National Police Academy.

He served as additional IG Finance and Welfare Punjab for several years before his promotion to grade-22 and

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and the cases pertained to the murders of former Pakistani slain

CMs asked to create conducive environment for elections

Premier and chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party

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Imran, Sethi discuss polls in Punjab STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi and Pakistan Tehrik-i- Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan Friday discussed the over all situation of Punjab in run up to the May 11 polls.

Khan was accompanied by the PTI leaders Javed Hashmi, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Naeem-ul-Haq and Jahangir Khan Tareen during the meeting with the caretaker CM, held in Islamabad.

Sethi thanked the PTI chairman for his support and trust in him. The seasoned journalist said

that he will take all necessary steps to ensure free and fair elections in the province.

The PTI chief said that future of Pakistan depends on fairness and transparency in the upcoming general elections in the country.

Sethi said that the caretaker setup would address all reservations of political parties and will try to live up to their trust and expectations. He also sought cooperation of the political parties for holding transparent elections.

The interim CM said that he would appoint individuals with good repute to the caretaker cabi-

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12 killed in suicide attack on FC convoy

ISLAMABAD—Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi, Chief Minister Sindh Zahid Qurban Alvi, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Justice (Retd) Tariq Parvez and Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Ghous Buksh Barozai met Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso at Prime Minister’s House Friday evening.

In the hour-long meeting, they discussed threadbare various issues relating to the forthcoming general elections.

Speaking to the chief ministers, Prime Minister Khoso said that the government was committed to timely, peaceful, free and fair elections in the country.

“General elections are sacred trust of the people of Pakistan and we have to conduct it in an impartial and transparent manner,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said that the provincial chief ministers have an important role in creating a conducive environment so that the people of Pakistan can exercise their right to choose freely.

He assured the chief ministers that the federal government would provide all possible resources to the provinces to facili-

tate the Election Commission of Pakistan in holding general elections in the country.

Khoso said that he expected the government servants and officials to remain impartial and in case of complaints strict action will be taken against them.

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(SC) has ordered a joint fool proof mechanism be evolved for granting right to vote to overseas Pakistanis till April 1 and warned officers found responsible will be sent packing home if this is not done.

This order was issued by a special bench of SC headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry during the hearing of case Friday. The court was told that secretary IT was not present in the special meeting held under Attorney General (AG) Irfan Qadir , therefore, final shape could not be given to arrangements.

The court showed a stern reaction over it and remarked “ internal conflict in different ministries particularly ministry of IT is beyond comprehension. During the course of hearing Afnan Karim Kundi said “ we can develop and provide soft ware within three days if we are allowed.

CJP directed chairman NADRA to extend help in working out mechanism. Better soft ware can be got developed by

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agency in the cantonment area in Peshawar last month had led to the killing of at least eight people including four men in uniform and serious injuries to ten others.

The assistant Political Agent Khyber agency had also succumbed to his injuries in the attack that made mockery of all the security arrangements in the red zone.

Likewise a group of miscreants had attacked the Bacha Khan airport Peshawar, situated in a highly sensitive area with rock-

Picture on Back Page ets and other sophisticated weapons and managed to enter the Airport in December last as the bloody clashes between the security forces and the trouble makers, that continued for more than 15 hours, resulted in killing of at least 5 people and serious injuries to over forty others.

“At least 12 persons including two women were killed while 25 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives vest near the Commandant FC vehicle; as the convoy slowed down to pass through a barricaded check post on Fakhar-e-

Alam road in Sadar area Friday”.

The security officials said adding a security personal also succumbed to his injuries while four others sustained injuries. The suicide bomber, as the eye witness and security officials said, approached the vehicle of Abdul Majeed Marwat, Commandant FC, as it slowed down to pass through a check post. However, the commandant FC remained safe in the explosion though his official vehicle was also damaged partially.

However, a security official said Abdul Majeed Marwat, commander of the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary for Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province, survived the attack and was taken to a military hospital with “minor scratches”.

The security forces rushed to the site of the blast and immediately cordoned off the area while the rescueworkers shiftedthe injured and the dead to Lady Reading Hospital where a state of emergency was declared. The doctors at the city’s major hospital pronounced 12 people including a woman and a minor girl as well as security personal dead. 25

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PML-N was ‘top priority’ for seat adjustment: Fazl No alliance with JI on cards STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazlur Rehman faction) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that though Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) was their top priority for seat adjustments, it did not work out.

Addressing the media representatives here on Friday at airport in Lahore, the JUI-F chief said that he is not scheduled to meet the Sharif brothers in the upcoming days, but if it were to happen he did not see a problem with it.

Speaking about Chaudhary Nisar, Rehman said “He is a brother to me, we have no differences.” The JUI-F chief also clarified that there were no plans of seat adjustments with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Talking about the present interim setup in the country, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said people should not make interim governments controversial by criticiz-

ing them since they were installed for a short period only for the purpose of holding free and fair elections so let them discharge their duties uninterrupted. He said the elected federal and provincial governments took so much time to finalize the names of the caretaker Prime Minister and chief ministers of all the provinces and now the interim governments would have to induct ministers to run day to day affairs so the burden of the responsibilities fell on the shoulders of caretaker heads for materializing the plan of fair and transparent elections.

Answering a question about Asghar Khan Case, he said he was not in a position to comment on this issue since it was the duty of the Election Commission and Election Tribunals to decide whether those politicians who allegedly took money from ISI to maneuver elections of 1990 in their favor fall under article 62 and 63 or not. “This is nei-

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Justice (Retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso in a meeting with chief ministers Najam Sethi, Zahid Qurban Alvi, Justice (Retd) Tariq Pervez and Ghaus Buksh Barozai at PM House.

3 dead, three hurt in rivals firing

PAF Academy convocation held

Dr M Rasul Jan, Vice and overall best performance Best Avionics System Design RISALPUR—Convocation CerKHAIRPUR—Three villagers emonies of No 130 General Duty Chancellor Peshawar Univer- in academics for 130 General was awarded to Pilot Officer were shot dead while three others were hurt in firing by two rival groups near Khairpur on Friday noon.

According to details, a clash broke out owing to an old enmity between two rival groups of Gopang community in village Alam Khan Gopang near Police Training Centre here in the jurisdiction of B-section police station.

Both the groups fired upon each other with sophisticated weapons resulting in the death of two villagers Ghous Bux Gopang and Riaz Ali Gopang alias Rajhan Gopang on the spot.

Annother villager Asghar Ali Gopang, who was injured later died in Civil Hospital.

Three other villagers including Sajid Ali Gopang were injured and shifted to Civil Hospital for treatment.

On receipt of information a big contingent of police was deployed in the area of clash. The situation is now under control. The bodies were handed over to their relatives after medico-legal formalities. The cause of incident is stated to be an old enmity between two groups of Gopang community, said SHO B-section police, Khairpur.—APP

Worker submits nomination papers for NA-96 GUJRANWALA—A sales man of Private company submitted his nomination papers to contest upcoming general elections from NA-96 Gujranwala under the spirit of public welfare here on Friday.

According to details, a worker Malik Shabrez Abbas along with his supporters was riding a bicycle presented himself before District Returning Officer (DRO) as a candidate for NA-96 and filed his nomination papers and kicked off his election campaign.—APP

Lawyers to protest in front of SC S ARGODHA —District Bar Association President Syed Tayyab Sherazi has said lawyers from Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan will stage a sit-in in front of the Supreme Court on April 3 to press for their demand of LHC benches in the divisions.

This decision was taken in a lawyers’ convention in which a large number of lawyers participated from the divisions, he said in a statement here Friday. He said their struggle would continue till the establishment of LHC benches in the divisions as it was the basic right of people to get speedy justice on their doorsteps. He said their strike in the district would continue till the establishment of the bench.—APP

(Pilot) and 74 Engineering Course were held at Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur, said a release of PAF. Dr M Rasul Jan, Vice Chancellor Peshawar University and Lieutenant General Muhammad Asghar, Rector National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), were the Chief Guests at the occasions respectively.

sity, who was chief guest at No 130 General Duty (Pilot) convocation ceremony congratulated the graduating officers and awarded degrees in the discipline of Bachelor of Science. Pilot Officer Fahad Qazi received all the three trophies for securing first position in humanities subjects, best performance in Aero-Sciences subjects

Duty (Pilot) course.

Lieutenant General Muhammad Asghar, Rector National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) awarded merit certificates and medals to the distinction holders of 74 Engineering Course.

Merit certificate for Best Aerospace Vehicle Design was awarded to Pilot Officer Asad Iqbal, while merit certificate for

Rohail Tahir.

Rector ’s Gold Medal (RGM) for Best Project in Aerospace Engineering was awarded to Pilot Officer Ehraz Ali. Rector’s Gold Medal for Best Project in Avionics Engineering was awarded to Pilot Officer Taimoor Ahmed.

Whereas, President’s Gold Medals for standing first in Aerospace.—APP

Power supply to 2 PR stations suspended SHER GONDAL MANDI BAHAUDDIN—Wapda has disconnected electricity supply of Mandi Bahauddin and Malikwal railway stations for not clearing outstanding bills amounting to Rs 2 million. ***** A thirty-year-old man namely Asif, resident of Bekho Mor in Police Station Qadirabad, committed suicide by swallowing poisonous tablets. The man was depressed over tight financial position of his family, the villagers say. ***** SHO Police Station Ranmal, Ijaz Warraich has been suspended over registering a false case of land possession. Reportedly he registered a fake case against 10 persons including four students. DPO Taimur has ordered inquiry for preparing charge sheet against the SHO.

75pc rural Balochistan faces total deprivation QUETTA—Rural parts of the Balochistan that comprises about 75 percent of total area of the province is deprived of even basic amenities of life causing mass migration to the provincial capital, said Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Development Mohammad Aslam Shakir Baloch here on Friday. Addressing at a tripartite dialogue between the representatives of government, media and civil society here at local hotel, he deplored, “there was no comparison of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan with an ordinary city of a Punjab in terms of development and communication infrastructure.

“People of the rural areas are yet to receive the outcome of development funds being spent on their welfare in the rural parts of Balochistan,” ACS maintained. Referring the role of media in highlighting plights

of the masses in such areas, he said media is playing pivotal role in this connection; however, wholehearted measures are still required to outreach those living with least amenities of life.

Giving details of the uplift schemes launched in Balochistan, Mr Shakir Baloch said under the PSDP for fiscal year 2012-13, Rs 36 billion was being spent in various schemes. More than 40 percent has been allocated for the communication development, 9 percent for water and irrigation sector and over 10 percent for the uplift of education sector,” he noted.

Senior Journalist and President Quetta Press Club, Mr Salim Shahid contended that while living in its realm, media remained main critic of government and others responsible for negligence in development.—APP

Shahzada Aman to contest from Lukto constituency GUL HAMAAD FAROOQI

Shah Khaleefa of Ismaili communities stressed his followers to support Amanur Rehman and cast their vote in his favour. Haji Manzoor Qadir, General Secretary of Trade union, Chitral, said that they should elect honest and sincere candidate to work for development of the area and not to those did nothing except of enhancing their bank balance.

Shahzada Amanur Rehman announced to contest election as an independent candidate from PF-89. He said that that he entered the politics to serve the people and have no personal interest. He said that elected representatives had been cheating them for many years adding that people’s problems were still unresolved. He also presented his manifesto and

said that road of this valley will be constructed on priority basis. As well as road to Shahsaleem, Karimagbad, Arkari valley will also be constructed. He said that if he were elected from this constituency he would promote education in the valley as well as to upgrade hydro power house for Chitral town.

He said, “I will upgrade hospital of Garamchishma and establish colleges and schools in the valley. Mir Ajab Shah, Mehtab Alam, Subadar Shahbaz, Qurban Baig, Khush Muhammad and Rehmatullah Khateeb of Jamia Masjid Garamchishma also spoke on the occasion.

A large number of people from the entire valley assured to support him and to cast their vote in favor of Shahzada Amanur Rehman.

C HITRAL —Residents of RISALPUR: Dr M Rasul Jan, Vice Chancellor Peshawar University, along with faculty members and students at Lutkoh native constituency of former provincial Minister convocation ceremony held at Pakistan Air Force Academy.

Saleem Khan have rejected former parliamentarians and termed them a complete failure in resolutin of public problems. Addressing a public meeting at Garamchishma the speakers said that Provincial Minister Saleem Khan remained member of provincial cabinet but he BASHIR AHMAD RAHMANI badly failed to blacktop road pected candidates of PPP Mehmood Soomro, hundreds linking his native town. The Faryal Talpur, while PML-N of supporters filed nomination HAFIZABAD—With a view to speakers said that Royal famNAZIR SIYAL candidates Sardar Mumtaz Ali papers in Larkana. Several ensure free, fair and transpar- ily of Chitral always served L A R K A N A — M u t t a h i d a Bhutto and Ameer Bux other local political leaders of ent elections and to prevent the people and they would Qaumi Movement and PPP Bhutto will contest for the different parties and indepen- any kind of rigging, the Elec- never forget their sacrifices veteran political leaders filed constituencies, sources told. dent candidates filed their tion Commission of Pakistan especially Shahzada Amanur their nomination papers lead- While, MQM also an- nomination papers and they has constituted 370 Secret Rehman donated his land ing big processions of sup- nounced their majority can- all started their political cam- Monitoring Teams in the free of cost for link road of porters and started campaign didates over all the constitu- paign on the occasion. country including 143 in the Cheerweel village. **** here in Larkana and Kamber- encies in Larkana and filed Punjab, it is official learnt On this occasion Taimor Meanwhile, a meeting was here on Friday.

Shahdadkot. According to their nomination papers by the details, several indepen- the candidates, the candi- held to review the arrangeBesides, the ECP would dent and veteran political dates on different constitu- ments of Election 2013, par- introduce Polls Management leaders including Dr. Safdar encies including NA-204, ticularly the security issues in System for ensuring anAbbasi and his brother Haji NA-205, NA-207 and also different parts here on Friday. nouncement of correct reMunwer Ali along with PS-35, PS-36, PS-37, PS-38, On the occasion, Deputy sults of election.

Commissioner Larkana and Moazam Abbasi in a huge PS-41 sources declared.

Meanwhile, the authoriOn Thursday and Friday, Convener Coordination Com- ties here were finalizing esrally reached Larkana and Kamber-Shahddadkot con- the former speaker Sindh As- mittee for district general elec- tablishment of 471 polling cerned courts/returning Of- sembly Nisar Khuhro, JUI tion 2013 along with SSP stations in the district for ficers and filed their nomina- leader and former senator Dr. Larkana, Rangers officials, all holding elections for three PA tion papers on the occasion. Khalid Mehmood Soomro federal and provincial leaders and two NA seats.

NA-204 and PS-37 ex- along with his sons Nasir of the Larkana. ***** Believe it or not but it is a bare fact that there were 617 Proclaimed Offenders in the district who could not Workshop on National Ahmed Bukhsh Lehri, Fed- be rounded up by the disMUZAFFAR ALI Food and Nutrition Security eral Secretary for Ministry of trict police despite several L A H O R E —A prominent Policy held here at a local National Food Security and campaigns were launched economist and former Fi- hotel. The workshop was Research (MNF&R), said by it in the past. It is believed nance Minister Salman organized jointly by MNF & that Pakistan can signifi- that most of the POs inShah on Friday said that R, Punjab government, cantly move forward to solve volved in heinous crimes public-private partnership Four Brothers Pakistan, national food and nutritional had taken shelter with the is very important in the de- Seed Organization Pakistan security problems of millions feudal-cum-politicians and of Pakistani households by since the announcement of velopment of agricultural and Kanzo Seed.

Salman Shah said food is formulating and adopting ra- election schedule these sector and the government is striving to involve pri- the basic right of every citi- tional agriculture and na- criminals were actively parvate sector while giving zen and government is en- tional food policies. He said ticipating in the election them maximum facilities. He suring necessary steps to the government gives high campaigns of their respec- FAISALABAD: PPP Leader Raja Riaz Ahmad submitting nomination papers for the was addressing a two day fulfill the need of nutritious priority to achieving food tive “masters”. The police upcoming elections. should ponder on this issue.

Consultative Provincial food to every individual. security in the country.

MQM, PPP leaders submit nomination papers in Larkana

370 secret election monitoring teams formed

Workshop on food safety & security held

13 candidates file nomination papers for NA-34 M. HALEEM ASAD TIMERGARA—Thirteen

FAISALABAD: Students performing tableau during Sports day at local college.

candidates from different political parties and independent submitted nomination papers for NA-34 Dir Lower while nine for PK-94, three for PK-95, two for PK96 and five for PK-97 on Friday, official sources said.

According to sources Sahibzada Yaqub Khan and Maulana Asadullah of the JI, Farid Khan Yousafzai and Shafiur Rahman of the PML-N, Azam Khan of the ANP, Qazi Fazlullah and Maulana Gul Rahim of the JUI-F, Aurang Zeb and Rahmatullah of the PPP, Rahimullah of the Tehrik Tahaffuz Pakistan, Muhammad Umar of the QWP and Zahir Shah independent submitted nomination papers for NA-34 Dir Lower.

Similarly Muzaffar Syed of the JI, Muhammad Ayub of the ANP, Mahmood Zeb

of the PPP, Farooq Iqbal of the PML-N, Qazi Ayazud Din of the JUI-F, Muhammad Rashid advocate of the PTI, independent Muhammad Ibrahim, Alam Zeb Utmani and Syed Azizullah Shah submitted papers for PK-94.

Former senior provincial minister Sirajul Haq and leader of the JI, former provincial minister Haji Hidayatullah of the ANP and Rahmatullah of the PPP, submitted nomination papers for PK-95.

Likewise Saeed Gul of the JI, Muhammad Zamin of the PPP and Naeem Jan of the ANP submitted papers for PK-96 while Hussain Shah Yousafzai of the ANP, Bakht Baidar Khan of the QWP, Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan of the JUI-F, Syed Sultanat Yar of the JI and Shahab Khan of the PkMAP submitted their nomination papers for PK-97.

The PPP dissidents Ibrahim Khan on Friday

again announced that he would contest election for PK-94 as an independent candidate.

Addressing a party gathering at the PPP district office Balambat he said that workers had not been satisfied with the party decision of awarding ticket for NA-34 and PK-94.

Earlier workers of the PPP took him to Timergara from his home at Talash in a vehicular procession while hoisting party flags. Former union council nazims Jehan Bahadar, Muhammad Israr Khan, former PPP district president Aurang Zeb and others also spoke on the occasion. Later Ibrahim submitted nomination papers for PK-94 as an independent. ***** One Inayat Bahadar, a resident of Ouch has complained that his visa for Saudi Arabia was expired due to delay in getting his passport from the

Islamabad office. Talking to local journalists at Chakdara on Friday he said that he had applied for getting urgent passport in February this year. He said that he waited for his passport till March 20 but to no avail.

“I contacted the passport office at Islamabad through a sitting senator and frequently visited the office for four days,” he said, adding that his visa expired on March, 26. “I got my passport on March 27 at Timergara but by then it was for nothing,” he said.

He said that hundreds of people like him had been waiting for their passports but to negligence and inefficiency of the staff and interior ministry they were at stake. Inayat appealed to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and caretaker prime minister to take notice of the issue and resolve it amicably.

Bukhari Ex-Minister to contest NA-145 DEPALPUR—Former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Samsam Bukhari submitted his nomination papers to contest general election from NA-145 Okara here Friday. According to EC sources, the nominated candidate of Pakistan People’s Party PPP Syed Samsam Bukhari has filed his candidature in the office District Returning Officer Okara. While the other contestants Syed Ali Husnain Naqvi Divisional President PTI, Gulzar Subtain Shah and Syed Aashiq Hussain Shah PML-N have also launche campaign to contest from same constituency of National Assembly. Vehari20 candidates submitted their nomination papers for two seats of National Assembly and three constituencies of Provincial Assembly to contest in the forthcoming general election 2013 here Friday. According to EC sources, for NA168 Syed Sajid Mehdi PML-N, Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Kharal independent and for NA-169 Hafiz Abdullah Malik independent, Rana Ghias ud Din and former Federal Minister Tehmeena Daultana have submitted their nomination papers. For PP-234 Malik Sarfraz Ahmad, Imran Khan Daultana PML-N, SherBaz Khan, Shehzad Ali PPP, Ayub Khan PTI. For PP-235 Abdul Akbar Bhatti, Khalid Mehmood Chohan PTI, Iftekhar Ahmad as independent candidate. For PP-236 Saqib Khurshid PML-N, Adnan Rana PTI and some other candidates have filed their nomination papers in the office of District Returning Officer Malik Liaqat Ali Langrial.—APP

CM lauds role of Fatimid Foundation Staff Reporter

Tribals urge ECP for increasing women polling stations in Dir M HALEEM ASAD TIMERGARA—Local leaders of political parties and social activists have demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to increase number of women polling stations in Dir Lower so that women voting could be ensured. According to official sources the number of total registered voters in Dir Lower is 5,04,091 out of which 2,97,766 were men and 2,06,325 were women. The ECP has set up 308 (6 for women, 6 for men, 296 combined) polling stations in Dir Lower, an official of the Election office told on contact.

He said that six separate polling stations had been set up for women while at296 combined stations lady staff would be appointed accordingly.

However, expressing concern on these polling stations the JI Dir Lower amir Maulana Asadullah said that people would feel reluctant to send women to combined stations for voting. He said that women would not be barred from voting but it was the responsibility of the government and the ECP to set up at least one polling station for women in each union council of the district. Similarly Shahid Mehmood of the JUIF, Ibrahim Khan of the PPP and Muhammad Umar of the QWP also demanded increase in women polling stations.

They said that if the ECP wanted women of Dir to take active part in voting it should increase the number of polling stations for

women. Also social activists Akbar Khan and Amir Zad Gul while talking to this reporter said that setting up of only six stations for female voters in Dir Lower showed that ECP was not committed for it. They also demanded increase in its number. They said women of Dir Lower had hopes to get their right to vote for the first time but the arrangements of the ECP had disappointed them as they would not dare to cast votes in combined polling stations.

There are 34 union councils falling in the national assembly constituency NA 34 Dir Lower and four provincial assembly seats PK 94, PK 95, PK 96 and PK 97. According to the latest report of the ECP local

office the number of registered voters in PK 94 is 129553 (77258 male and 52295 female), in PK 95 127096 (79816 male and 47280 female), in PK 96 is 116009 (66777 male and 49232 female) and in PK 97 is 131433 (73915 male and 57518 female). ***** The Jamaat-i-Islami candidates for national and provincial assembly have submitted their nomination papers, official sources said.

Sources said that sahibzada Yaqub Khan and Maulana Asadullah submitted their nomination papers for NA-34, Muzafar Syed and Malik Sher Bahadar for PK-94, Sirajul Haq and Izazul Mulk Afkari for PK-95, Saeed Gul for PK-96 and Syed Sultanat Yar advocate for PK-97.

Election zeal muscles up, nominations mounting

BASHIR AHMAD RAHMANI Ali Awan (PPP) have filed Mangat, more old and die- yet nominated District Presi- HYDERABAD: Relatives of late Umar Daraz hold a protheir nomination papers to hard activists were planning dent in his place and directed test against non-arrest of his killers.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Justice (R) Tariq HAFIZABAD—Election fever contest election from PP-105, to abandon the party shortly. the Senior Vice President

P ESHAWAR—Caretaker Chief Minister

Pervez Khan has said that the role of Fatimid Foundation in provision of free medical treatment and blood transfusion facility to the needy and poor patients of thalassaemia has been commendable.

He was talking to a three member delegation of Fatimid Foundation headed by the Chairmen of the foundation and ex-federal minister for interior Lt. General (r) Moinuddin Haider who called on him at his office on Friday. Mr. Khalid Sultan, Head of Fatimid Foundation Peshawar chapter and Col (R ) Afzal, Administrator Fatimid Foundation Peshawar were other two members of the delegation. Lt. General (R ) Mooinuddin Haider congratulated the Chief Minister for taking charge of his new office as caretaker Chief Minister and said that caretaker setup was installed in the province without any controversy which he termed as good political tradition of the province. Giving detail about the Fatimid Foundation, Lt Gen (r) Mooinuddin Haider told that the foundation was the largest one of blood transfusion in the whole country having its eight centers across Pakistan which provide free service of blood transfusion to the needy and poor patients of thalassaemia. He further informed that the expenses of the foundation were born by charities and grant-in-aid of the government. He requested the chief minister to increase the grant-in-aid of the provincial government being given to the foundation keeping in view the current situation of price hike. He also requested the CM to provide a suitable piece of state land to the foundation for erecting its building. The Chief Minister assured the delegation of all possible support from the provincial government.

has gripped all sections of society and political parties have started their campaigns which are gaining momentum by the passage of time.

Besides, PML (N), PML (Q), JI, JUI (F), Sunni Tehrik and PTI; MQM, Awami Muslim League, All Pakistan Muslim League and Wahdat-ulMuslameen have jumped into the election arena and have started their campaign and even filed their nomination papers to contest elections from different constituencies in the district.

Muhammad Ashraf Khokhar (MQM), Zawar Qamar (Whadat-ulMuslameen), Malik Shoukat

Jahan Khan Tarar (MQM) has filed his nomination paper to contest election from PP-106, Mian Intasar Hussain Bhatti (PML (N)) has filed his nomination paper to contest election from PP-107, Malik Muhammad Ilyas (Independent) and Malik Nasir Ayub Awan (MQM) have filed their nomination papers for NA-102 and Mian Shahid Hussain Bhatti (PML (N)) for NA-103.

Due to large scale resignations tendered by city, tehsil PPP and PYO due to arbitrary decision of the party high command in awarding ticket for PP-105 to non-partyman Khizar Hayat

Meanwhile, the Punjab PPP high command has appointed Akhtar Hussain Butt as PPP City President in place of Zulfiqar Ali Chand Bhoon who has resigned from primary membership of the party Wednesday to protest against ignoring the old party workers and prefering to award party ticket for PP-105 to a capitalist, who had never been member of the PPP. Earlier, District President PPP Malik Fayyaz Ahmad Awan (outgoing MPA), who and his family had long association with the PPP since 1977, had also resign from the PPP and joined PML (N). The PPP high command has not

P.M. Safdar Kharal (who is a close relation of Ch. Mehdi Bhatti) to work as Acting President of the District, which has also disturbed the activists.

According to informed sources, the PPP high command was approaching a powerful lady of Tarar clan belonging to old political family of Kolo Tarar and close relation of outgoing MNA Saira Afzal Tarar to contest election against Saira from NA-102 on PPP ticket. If PPP succeeded to persuade the lady to contest election, the polling scenario would be changed altogether in the district.

ANF seizes 246.3 kgs heroin, 563 kg charas OBSERVER REPORT

Minister advises civil servants to be more active Staff Reporter

S UKKUR —Anti Narcotics Force in two different operations recovered huge quantity of narcotics in Karachi and Sukkur. As per detail, Anti Narcotics Force Karachi received information that some International drug traffickers brought huge quantity of Heroin from Afghanistan and will try to smuggle it abroad from Karachi Sea port. On this information, Anti Narcotics Force checked a suspected container bearing registration No. MSCU-5664652 at International Container Terminal Port Qasim Karachi. During the search of the container, 246.300 Kgs of fine quality of Heroin recovered.

The recovered Heroin was concealed in 123x cartons of towels. The container was destined to Toronto, Canada. Timely operation of Anti Narcotics Force foiled the plan of smugglers to smuggle huge quantity of narcotics abroad. FIR against the unknown accused has been registered and further investigation is in progress.

In another operation, Anti Narcotics Force Karachi in a successful operation foiled an attempt to smuggle 563 kgs of Chars and 1.5 kgs of opium from a Toyota Hilux Vigo registration No. CS-8258 at Sukkur. According to the details ANF received information that large quantity of chars will be smuggled into Sind from tribal area. On the information, a nakabandi was arranged at National Highway near old toll plaza Rohri.

New rains spell to start next week I SLAMABAD —Pakistan Me- Faisalabad 25 and Multan 26C. teorological Department (PMD) has indicated chances of another rain spell in Upper Punjab, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir from the start of April. An official of PMD told APP that isolated rain is likely during the first week of the next month especially from April 1-3 in the upper areas of the country and turn the weather pleasant.

According to the synoptic situation, continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. Mainly dry weather is expected in most parts of Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The highest maximum temperatures recorded during the last 24 hours were Mirpurkhas 36 C, Chorr and Badin 32 C. The maximum temperatures were recorded as Islamabad 24 C, Lahore 27, Karachi 30, Peshawar 30, Quetta 15, Skardu 20, Murree 15, Muzaffarabad 19, Gilgit 27,

P ESHAWA R —Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Environment, Sports, Tourism, Revenue and State, Samin Jan Babr has urged all government employees to discharge their duties faithfully to improve the positive image of the government offices towards nation. He expressed these views while attending a presentation on Forest Development Corporation (FDC) here on Friday. Secretary Environment Muhammad Adil Khan, Managing Director FDC Gul Q UETTA —Activities at the Muhammad, General Manager Finance Arshad Afridi, Gen- CHINIOT: PPP candidate NA-86 Chiniot-1 Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah submitting his nomioffices of Election Commiseral Manager Operation Abdurashid Awan and other con- nation papers for forthcoming general elections 2013. sion Balochistan triggered cerned officials were present in the meeting. MD, Forest after a large number of canDevelopment Corporation Gul Muhammad, briefed the didates of all political parties minister about the major achievements, background, infrahave started visiting EC to get structure and functions of the organization in detailed. He and submit their nomination was informed that 1070 kilometer roads and 26 bridges forms. Official sources in the have been constructed for access to the forest. 1098 perEC Balochistan told APP sons have been trained under Human Resource Develophere on Friday that candiment Training Program conducted by FDC. MD briefed semblies elections cannot be religious minorities on issue of NAZIR SIYAL dates along with allies have the minister that a sum of Rs. 10432.91 million has been claimed fair and transparent reserved seats in parliament been visiting all offices of EC paid on account of royalty and duty to Forest Department. LARKANA—The notification when one part of these houses when there was petition in SC Balochistan including of appointment of returning is elected by votes and one to hold election 2013 under ArQuetta, Kalat, Turbat, Utility store opens at BZU officers for reserved seats of part is selected by some Mus- ticle 226 of constitution of IsNasirabad, Qila Abdullah, M U LTA N —Vice Chancellor (VC), minorities and women for elec- lim parties leaders,” said Nazir lamic Republic of Pakistan but Zhob, Loralai, Pishin Dera Bahauddin Zakariya University BZU), tion 2013 are unconstitu- Bhatti. The PCC chief said that the Chief Justice did not listen Bugti, Kohlu and others and Prof Dr Khawaja Alqama opened first tional, said Chief of Pakistan in our country “Might is Right” to it nor Chief Election Comgetting or submitting their ever branch of utility store at the cam- Christian Congress Dr. Nazir in every field of life weather missioner took any notice of nomination forms. pus on Friday. The VC also visited the S Bhatti. Dr. Nazir S Bhatti these are higher courts or so- numerous memorandums pre“Our staff at our all offices store and termed it a good addition to said “There is no one-man called democratic elections sented to him. in the province has been workthe campus, said a press release issued one-vote practice on 10 re- because we believed that Chief Pakistan Christian Coning day and night in order to here. Briefing on the occasion, Zonal served seats for minorities Justice of Supreme Court of gress demands one-man onetimely complete the task that Manager USC, Imran Gillani said that and 60 reserved seats of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar vote on all 342 seats of Nawas given to them regarding the faculty and staffers of BZU would women which is true spirit of Mohammad Chaudry and Jus- tional Assembly of Pakistan giving and collecting nominabe able to buy commodities of every democracy then what’s need tice (Rtd.) Farkhar-U-Din G. and Provincial Assemblies. tion forms”, they said. They day life from the store at control rates. Present on the to appoint Returning officers Ibrahim as Chief Election Com- Nazir Bhatti said that there is further said that the prominent occasion were, Regional Manger USC, Chaudhry Abdul to conduct elections like 272 missioner of Pakistan will still time for Election Commispoliticians who got nominaWaheed, Director University State, Prof Dr Farooq Zain, general seats which will be struck down unconstitutional sion of Pakistan to hold election forms include Maulana Chairman Cafeteria Committee, Prof Dr Abid, Registrar filled by one-man one-vote” election practices in holding tions on reserved seats for Aataullah Lango of Jamiat Malik Munir Hussain and others. It is pertinent to mention “The National Assembly transparent and fair elections minorities under Dual Voting Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Asghar here that establishment of utility store was a demand of of Pakistan and Provincial As- but they have disappointed Right unless it is too late.

Khan Achakzai of Awami Nathe faculty and other employees since long. Meanwhile University of Sargodha (UoS) has achieved the membership of “Talloires Network International America”. According to a spokesperson, the university will now be better known through administrative, educational, research and social points of view at international level. “Talloires Network International America” encourages cooperation and coordination among universities with community service, Union Councils and Twelve ter defeating Zafar Ali Shah.

STAFF REPORTER he added. The second death anniversary of renowned edurural union councils of The 1985 Assembly lasted for cationist, writer and intellectual Dr. Nabi Bux Baloch will P ESHAWAR —The Nation Peshawar metropolis. Tradi- three years as it was dissolved be observed on April 5. Sindhi Language Authority in colConstituency tionally this seat has never on May 29, 1988 by Gen Zia laboration with Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation Assembly of the Heritage of Sindh has organised a one day remem- NA-I Peshawar-1 that wit- been monopolized by a single dismissing the government of brance lecture programme in this connection on April 5 at nessed historic electoral political entity as it has been PM Muhammad Khan Junejo.

Shaikh Ayaz Auditorium, Arts Faculty, University of Sindh. bouts among the heavy- won by the PPP, ANP, MMA In the 1988 general elections Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Dr. Nazir Mughal will weights in the past, will wit- and PML in the past. In 1977 NA-1 Peshawar-1 seat was preside over the programme while writer Amar Jalil will ness yet another tough con- the Peshawar seat was won won by Aftab Ahmad Khan deliver a lecture. A Pre-Symposium Workshop on ‘Liver test in 2013 elections as PTI by PML stalwart Yusaf Sherpao defeating ANP’s Transplant’ was held on Thursday in the Department of Chief Imran Khan has chal- Khattak. However the then Ghulam Bilour. However Mr. Information technology Liaquat University of Medical and lenged the four times winner opposition parties at that time Sherpao vacated the seat afHealth Sciences Jamshoro. According to university Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour. gathered under the umbrella ter he opted for the provincial spokesman, the workshop was largely attended and the The electoral scenario in the of PNA and rejected the elec- assembly and become chief participants also shared online with the doctors around constituency has changed toral result of 1977 elections minister. Haji Bilour won the the province in continuation of Distant Learning after Imran Khan’s decision and as such this fiasco ended seat in the by-election in 1988 Programme initiated recently by the university manage- to contest from NA-1 throw- up with the imposition of mar- with support of PPP. In the elections of 1990 ment. Addressing to participants, eminent Gastroenterolo- ing a serious challenge to tial law by Gen Zia-ul-Haq. In the party less election, surprisingly Haji Bilour deBilour, and other candidates gist Prof. Sadiq Memon informed that liver transplant when done for the right reasons, at the right time and by the of the PPP, PML (N), JI and conducted during the tenure feated Benazir Bhutto from of Gen Zia in 1985, the PML this seat that became a blow right people can be a boon of life, However most of the JUI (F).

The constituency com- stalwart late Younas Elahi for the PPP workers in the patients are unprepared for this major undertaking and PESHAWAR: Activists of PML-N hold a demonstration in prises around thirteen Urban Sethi emerged victorious af- area. tend to get carried away by inadequate.—APP

Appointment of ROs for minorities, women reserved seats unconstitutional: Nazir

The pollen count in Islamabad was recorded as 6,713 per cubic meter. The rainfall recorded during last 24 hours was R.Y Khan 41 mm, Khanpur 38,

Barkhan 21, Garidupatta 12, Bhakkar and Kakul 06, Bahawalpur 05, Chakwal and Rawalakot 04, Parachinar 03, T.T Singh, Kohat, Kotli, Noorpur Thal, Lahore, Quetta and D.I Khan 02 mm.

The Met Office here on Friday predicted dry weather for Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) during next 24 hours. According to Met Office here, continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country, which means the weather is expected to remain dry.—APP

Nominations being submitted in Balochistan tional Party, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri of Pakistan Muslim League-N, Haji Abdul Sattar Kakar of ANP, Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Agha Hassan Baloch of Balochistan National PartyMengal, Akhtar Hussain Lango of BNP-M, Hashim Khan Panezai of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar of PkMAP, Movli Khuda’ay Dost of JUIF, Mir Zafrullah Zehri of BNPAwami and Hafiz Fazal Muhammad of JUI-N. Other candidates who received their nomination forms include Gul Muhammad of Jamhoori Watan Party, Maulana Muhammad Yunus Lehri of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan, Mir Ali Akbar of BNPA, Mir Zahoor Khosa and Mir Saleem Khosa. The five candidates who submitted their nomination forms include Ghulam Muhammad Gola, Jamil Ahmed, Abdul Ghanni Khosa, Saifuddin Lashari and Lal Bakhsh Khosa.—APP

Peshawarites expect tough electoral duel between Bilour, Imran in NA-1

support of their demands.

Rescinded contracts of Pervez Ashraf

MEDIA WATCH

Europe must remember Bosnian Serb savagery

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HE Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued contempt of court no tice to former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf under article 204 of the Constitution for writing a letter to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary on the issue of rental power projects scam. He has been asked to appear in person in two weeks to explain his attempt to interfere and influence the court by suggesting constitution of a commission on the issue of RPPs. In a related development, Islamabad High Court has issued orders for cancellation of development contracts worth five billion rupees in the constituency of the former PM in Gujjar Khan.

Rescinding of contracts that former Prime Minister had awarded by diverting staggering amounts from other areas and development schemes to brighten his prospects for re-election from Gujjar Khan is a welcome development but we firmly believe that the issue should have been addressed much earlier by the all-powerful Election Commission and even now, because of legal constraints, the court has not addressed all aspects of the controversy.

The very move of using discretionary powers to divert huge funds from other heads and areas to his own constituency constituted glaring violation of the code of conduct issued by the ECP and therefore, mere re-tendering would not suffice. The question also arises why the ECP slept over the issue when a lot of hue and cry was made by different segments of the society in this regard. It seems despite its empowerment, the Commission is unable to take notice of breaches of various sorts and make either previous or present administrations to comply with the code. Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab is adamant to reshuffle the entire bureaucracy of the province in a week and even after taking notice of his statement by the ECP, he maintains that he would do so in consultation with the CEC. Bulk transfers stood banned and one is constrained to ask why reshuffle must take place in Punjab and not in other provinces as well where Governments of choice have been installed through mutual accommodation. There should be level playing field in all the four provinces and in Islamabad to make the electoral process truly transparent, otherwise the credibility of the caretakers would be questionable and also the ability of the Commission to take notice of tilts and favourtism. Similarly, as the present set up is almost hundred percent continuation of the previous regime because cronies are still heading various organizations, lifting of ban on recruitment could result in stuffing of these institutions with loyalists of some particular parties. The Commission should ponder over all these issues and take remedial measures.

Chinese deep interest in energy sector D

EPUTY Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy has declared that his country was committed to invest heavily in Pakistan’s energy and other sectors to improve lives of people. Speaking at a function in Islamabad he pointed out that China is already working on 120 projects in Pakistan with around a quarter related to energy.

This is, indeed, good news for load-shedding stricken people of Pakistan, who are experiencing worst kind of power outages even during this period of least demand for electricity. Chinese interest to invest in our power sector is significant in that it would not only help mitigate sufferings of the people and accelerate the pace of economic development but time-tested friend is also providing timely assistance and cooperation to get priority rights for use of water under Indus Basin Treaty. The case in point is strategically important Neelum-Jhelum where Chinese firm and engineers are busy completing the project at fast pace. It is also worth mentioning that China is the only country of the world that is cooperating with Pakistan in nuclear power despite pressure and opposition from Western countries that are extending all kinds of assistance to India to sharpen its nuclear teeth but are not ready to extend energy-deficient Pakistan cooperation in nuclear energy. Chinese cooperation is also important because Beijing has a track record of delivering in different sectors. It was because of its valuable assistance that Pakistan was able to realize its dream of second deep seaport at Gwadar and the onus is again on Beijing to operationalise the port after five years of failure by the Port of Singapore Authority. We believe that Pakistan could overcome its energy crisis much earlier than expected if Chinese were meaningfully associated in exploitation of coals reserves, building of water reservoirs and utilization of solar and wind power.

Afghanistan cannot change neighbour A

FGHANISTAN seems to be in provocative mode as it is not only not acknowledging the valuable cooperation that Pakistan has all along extended for restoration of peace in that country but is also opting for measures that could raise tensions between the two countries whose destiny is surely shared. Its announcement to go for national reconciliation without Pakistan and cancellation of a visit by military delegation are reflective of short-sighted approach of policy-makers in Kabul.

It is, however, appreciable that Pakistan has decided not to be influenced by rhetoric of President Karzai and some of his colleagues whose politics revolve around Pakistan-bashing alone. The new but vibrant spokesman of Foreign Office Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve to continue to follow the policy of restraint and dialogue. Pakistan has repeatedly said that peace in Afghanistan was crucial not only for Afghans but for people of Pakistan as well, as we cannot change our neighbours but this point is not well taken by the other side. Pakistan is demonstrating extra-ordinary perseverance and restraint vis-à-vis its relations with Afghanistan in the face of continued presence of TTP safe havens in that country especially in Kunar and Nooristan. There are also credible reports that India too was misusing its presence in Afghanistan for anti-Pakistan activities especially for destabilization of Balochistan. The situation, therefore, demands that the two countries should remain engaged to resolve their differences and remove each other’s apprehensions and misgivings.

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Hope amidst gloom & despair News & Views

broke 12 records, followed by a triumph of setting a world record of singing the national ansimultaneously in a Mohammad Jamil them massive gathering of Email: mjamil1938@hotmail.com 42813 people. Two talented youths Qamar Rizwan and Daniel Gill akistan finds itself in the tossed a football on their heads for midst of despair; the people nonstop four minutes and forty six entangled in an unending seconds and managed to enroll their struggle for survival, as there ap- names in Guinness Book of Records. pear to be no integrating forces, no An intelligent little 12-year girl unified meaning and no vision to Mehak Gul arranged all pieces in just lead us out of the blind alley. There 45 seconds on chessboard and made is despondency and frustration all a new world record while over due to deteriorating law and Muhammad Saddi Ahmad pulled a order situation, load shedding, un- truck up to 43 meters to enroll his employment and runaway inflation. name successfully in Guinness Book Yet, there is something to cheer up of Records. Apart from other world and to be proud of, as Pakistani records, the largest human picture youth brimming with vitality have was jointly made by 1,934 youths. recently made scores of Guinness Later on the same evening, twenty World Records during Punjab four thousand and two hundred Youth Festival in Lahore in Octo- youths made a largest human flag ber 2012 and again in March 2013. and created history by grabbing anThe world leading daily the Wash- other Guinness World Record.

On the other hand, the World ington Post has highlighted and appreciated the passion and talent Economic Forum (WEF) released its of Pakistani youth. Juan Forero on annual Young Global Leaders March 27, 2013 wrote: “It seems (YGL) list of 2013 that included four Pakistan has become a world- Pakistani achievers among the 199 record-creating machine, with the young leaders from 70 countries. coordinated effort reaping an im- According to a news release by pressive 23 world records over the WEF, “the YGL class of 2013 is past year. This month, the contes- composed of honourees from all sectants came together in the eastern tors of society, with 50% from busicity of Lahore for the annual Punjab ness and 50% from arts and culture, Youth Festival to show their talent academia, civil society, government, in athletics, but others in downright media and non-profits; 42% are women”. The YGL 2013 honourees quirky displays”.

In October 2012, Ahmed Bodla from Pakistan include political figset a new world record for kicking ure Maryam Nawaz, documentary 617 times in three minutes, and was filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, observed by the Guinness World founder Pakistan Innovation FounRecord team. Athletes and partici- dation Athar Osama and journalist pants from different cities had gath- Shehrbano Taseer. Obaid-Chinoy is ered at Lahore Expo Centre and an Emmy and Oscar award-winning

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Pakistani-Canadian journalist and documentary film-maker who works towards raising awareness about women’s issues and rights in Pakistan. Her documentary, “Saving Face” received global recognition since its release in 2012.

There is also a ray hope that in the forthcoming elections on 11th May, people in general and youth in particular will cast their votes in favor of honest candidates irrespective of caste and bradari, as the present crop of leaders have failed to deliver to the masses. Our economic crisis is the result of continuous plunder and mismanagement of resources by the unscrupulous pack of leaders whose life’s ambition is to acquire power and wealth at the cost of Pakistan’s sovereignty. How can we claim to be a free and sovereign nation when the basic economic decisions are dictated by international lenders? The answer is not simple when so much damage has been done to the polity, economy and social fabric of the country. On one hand, Pakistan faces, fiscal deficit, trade deficit and current account deficit; and on the other hand a great majority of its people is living below the poverty line. Volumes have been written on causes of the multifaceted crisis Pakistan is facing but no serious effort seems to have been made as to what should be done to overcome this crisis.

Unfortunately, our economic managers and ‘financial wizards’ always find it convenient to approach the IMF for loans with harsh conditionalities such as selling prime national assets in the name of privatization; increasing indirect taxes like value-added tax to the chagrin of poor masses, increasing electricity tariff and development levy on petroleum products to further add to their woes. Such exercise tends

to increase cost of production, fuels inflation and makes lives of people more difficult rather miserable. They do not realize that in most countries the IMF’s loan with conditions has proved a recipe for disaster, and Pakistan would not be an exception. The situation today is that people are agitating on the streets not only for electricity loadshedding but also against increase in its tariff and ever-rising prices of essential commodities. The storm is gathering, and there could be massive protests and demonstrations, but the partisans are oblivious to the dangers ahead.

Anyhow, there are two ways to deal with the present dismal situation. The first one is begging and cajoling the US and the West for a moratorium for repayment of loan installments and interest thereon for five years. The other one is respectable way i.e. Pakistan should learn to live within its means; there should be zero-tolerance for corruption, and meritocracy should be the buzzword. Pakistan’s problems and woes have multiplied due to its participation in Afghan war in 1980s when the Soviets had occupied Afghanistan. Then once again, Pakistan was coerced into joining the war on terror after 9/11 terror attacks. Anyhow, it is the responsibility of the leadership to convince ‘owners’ of the IMF that the major part of Pakistan’s debt has been accumulated due to deteriorating law and order situation, terrorism and suicide attacks after joining the war on terror. It is hoped that the elected government, that will come up after May 11 elections, would take measures to extricate Pakistan from the morass it is in.

—The writer is Lahore-based senior journalist.

The Pakistan political palette Yasmeen Ali

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he Pakistan political palette is dotted with multi hues. Par ties that have been there, seen it, done all, the wannabes waiting for their turn, individuals who have returned from yonder wanting to grab a part of the action. You name it, Pakistan has it.

The trailer promises an action packed thriller. Grab your bag of pop corns everyone!

First there are the traditional arch rivals: PPP and PML-N. The five years of PPP governance have been marred by increase in terrorism, inflation, energy crisis. There are charges of widespread corruption. Whereas it is true that PPP could have improved upon its governance, it is also true that after the 18th Amendment- a number of issues laid at the federation door were the responsibility of the provincial governments. PML-N and MQM cannot today, legitimately claim to oppose PPP after having governed their respective provinces/areas for the term. They were as much a part of the overall government as was PPP. Faraz Khan posting in Express Tribune Blogs published 11th Feb 2013 shares that according to the Punjab government, 30 billion rupees were spent on the Lahore Metro Bus Service.

Overall the entire allocated money for Punjab infrastructure development is Rs63 billion which means that 50% or half of the development budget of Punjab was spent in Lahore. This excludes the cost of the underpasses and overhead bridges built in Lahore. No smaller energy generation plants were set up although Punjab is

badly hit by power cuts, destroying businesses and disrupting normal life.

Under MQM’s tutelage, Karachi burned for five years. It continues burning today. Karachi is the hub of multiethnic people. The demographic makeup of the city has changed over the past few years, leading many to believe that the ongoing violence is a turf war being fought between MQM & ANP. Former Interior Minister Rehman Malik places target killed people in past five years at 1.363(Published 7 Sept 2012:Express Tribune). By any common sense standards this is a highly under estimated account.

It will be pertinent to note here that Karachi was under MQM Mayorship from 2005 till2010.Delimitation of constituencies is seen as a negative by MQM – which will be at a defensive position and might lose some constituencies, though it will remain the majority party of the Karachi.

Bringing in the new colors of the Political Palette is the PTI. The supporters of PTI are enthusiastic about the chances of their party in the forthcoming elections. Some over exuberant even claim a clean sweep. Brig. Farooq Hameed Khan® in an article published in a local newspaper states, “While October 30 kindled the candle of hope for Pakistan’s future, March 23 lighted the flame of a ‘Naya Pakistan’. On both occasions, Imran Khan displayed vision of a statesman and a national leader.” PTI has made an electoral alliance with JIa step that makes sense since PTI lacks rural grounding and is restricted to urban areas only. It may stand to gain by this alliance. However, others point towards lack of any policies by PTI to bring about

the much touted ‘Naya Pakistan.’

They also claim PTI lacks a wellknit team of people to achieve the claim. Induction of fall-outs of other parties, now close to the PTI Chief has not helped. That PTI will erode the vote bank of PML-N in Punjab owing to the latter’s bad governance is a foregone conclusion. To what degree they are able to harness their support and convert it into votes remains to be seen.

An unexpected entrant in the arena was Tahir-ul-Qadri, He claimed to “get rid of electoral dictatorship.” He raised questions about the integrity of the candidates in light of Article 62 and 63 of the Constitution. Mr Qadri insisted that before elections are held, a system must be put in place to probe the integrity of candidates. Since his party will not be contesting the forthcoming elections, some believe, his entry in the foray was aimed to build pressure in order to wean out the candidates who have failed to come up to the standards constitutionally laid down and flagrantly violated.

The side-dish is the re-entry of Former President General Pervez Musharraf. Columnist Cyril Almeida said Musharraf the politician today evokes the memory of Imran Khan from a decade ago: a high-wattage name, lots of media coverage, and absolutely no impact on the electorate.

This may or may not turn out to be true in light of the welcome received by him on his return to Pakistan. Notwithstanding the challenges, both legal and otherwise, his party will manage to cull some seats, if they contest.

Musharraf had declared the rally

by Tahir-ul-Qadri a success saying in unequivocal terms, ““I have

supported them from the beginning.” The three vote-cinching parties offer different goodies to the people. PML-N with its glossy manifesto, making wild promises- especially in relation to countering energy crisis-solutions suggested neither workable nor practical. PPP mainly banks on the Bhutto legacy and the fact that being the only national party, it has access to the Pakistani People. There are many populist promises thrown in, that work.

MQM, talks about everything under the sun from education, poverty alleviation & empowerment, health, urban development and so on. One may pose the question, as to why these were not acted upon in these five years- maybe a query for another day! Then there are the motley of smaller regional parties, smaller religious parties, the independents…all wanting a piece of the pie!

The million dollar question is: which way will the camel sit?

And no, the Army is not taking over. The facts are different: that the ‘electable’ will carry weight, electoral alliances will be cobbled together between the smaller/ newer parties with one aim: to oppose PPP. Will their joint seats succeed in forming the government? Who will head that alliance? PTI Chief? Will PTI lose on table failing to carry other winners with it? Or, will PPP succeed in proving itself to be the only nationalist party it states in its manifesto? With whom will PML-N and MQM throw in their lot? One would not undermine PPP’s negotiation abilities. One thing is clear. It will be a hung parliament with more cooks joining in to make the broth.

nyone who drove through rural Croatia and Bosnia in Yugoslavia in the 1980s would probably have been enchanted by this corner of Europe, with its lush green hills and orchards, its picturesque farmhouses and villages and its distinctive barn, mounted of pillars topped with shaped stones to stop mice and rats clambering up to eat the harvest.

Within a few years, this beautiful countryside and many of its town and cities, with their historic mosques and churches, would have been torn apart and no less than 100,000 of its inhabitants buried in the ground. What happened in the former Yugoslavia was a crime that brings shame, not simply on the petty warlords who oversaw the butchery, but upon the wider Europe, fat and comfortable in its prosperity and complacently believing that the savagery that had been visited on the continent by Hitler’s Nazis, half a century before, could never happen again.

Memories are long in the Balkans and forgiveness, perhaps understandably, is in short supply.

But at least when those who were responsible for some of the very worst crimes are found guilty and punished, there is some sort of satisfaction, some sort of closure.

Thus there will be a widespread welcome for the guilty verdicts and sentences handed down by the war crimes tribunal in The Hague on Wednesday. Mico Stanisic, the former interior minister in the Bosnian Serb republic and Stojan Zuplianin, a former police chief in Bosanska Krajina, were both convicted of crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, unlawful detention, ethnic cleansing and looting in Bosnia in 1992.

Each man was sentenced to 22 years in jail. In delivering their verdicts, the judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) said the two had taken part in a “joint criminal enterprise with the objective to permanently remove non-Serbs from the territory of a planned Serbian state.”

To look at the two men as they stood in the dock, it was hard to believe that they could have been responsible for such savagery.

Zuplianin, with his bushy white moustaches looks like a favorite uncle, not a mass killer. And he probably was a devoted family man, cherished by his young relatives. But then as the parade of Nazi killers from the death camps showed after the World War II, the face of the deepest evil is often notable for its banality, the sheer quality of being so commonplace. There can be no question that Zuplianin and Stanisic knew perfectly well that what they were doing in Bosnia in 1992 was a terrible crime. But they were driven on by the hatred so extreme, that they were able to throw aside decent human feelings and treat fellow human beings as vermin, to be abused and exterminated without pity.

The rest of Europe will doubtless be relieved that two more trials have been completed and as the list of prosecutions diminishes, it can try and put the appalling events in the former Yugoslavia behind it.

There remain however the two big cases, the prosecution of the former Bosnian Serb political leader Radovan Karadzic and his military commander Ratko Mladic over atrocities committed during the conflict, including the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. These are not men who simply carried out orders, with more or less enthusiasm.

These are two monsters who actually gave the orders, formulated the policy of ethnic cleansing, envisaged a greater Bosnian Serb state allied to Serbia proper, and having made their evil plan, willed the means, which involved the murder of tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children.

If the conviction and sentencing of these two individuals bring a degree of closure to Bosnians and Croatian, it should not permit European states to then brush the whole disgusting business under the carpet. After the defeat of Nazi Germany, the continent vowed very publicly to learn the lesson and draw closer together, into what has now become the European Union.—Arab News Nature abhors a vacuum.

Francois Rabelais —French satirist

Pakistan beyond 2014 concern is the effectiveness of Afghan National Security (ANSF). Partly, beRana Athar Javed Force cause the unprepared withEmail: ma_javed@hotmail.com drawal will weaken Afghan’s control over rough elements in ANSF, and partly the threat rritated by the US Afghan policy of civil war between the traditional and loss of credibility as partner warlords and the Taliban could furin peace, President Hamid Karzai ther burden the Pak-military and its managed to expose his temper, and security forces. Hence, assessing the thereby raising serious questions risks of further infiltration from the about a “real and sustainable” peace side of Afghanistan is vital for the seplan for Afghanistan. What puzzles curity of its Western borders. the regional powers including PakiOn the other hand, both Afghanistan is that withdrawal is predicted stan and the US need to resolve their and planned, but complex reality of internal rift over who is “really” the establishing peace is mostly driven chief sponsor of reconciliation by assumptions and one-sided deci- project. As the post-2014 fears of insions both by Afghanistan and the US. security are growing, the assurances Expecting that a comprehensive and excuses are too being propagated withdrawal is possible under highly by the US/Afghan governments. How contentious diplomatic conditions the “transformation phase” (2015means to damage the future of politi- 2024) will be supervised, and to cal transformation and transition in which extent economic and military Afghanistan. On the matter of recon- resources will be at Afghan ciliation with the Taliban, the “going government’s discretion are vital alone” stance of Afghanistan is purely sources of concern for regional parta threat rather than solution to peace ners. The problem in each of these in the region. Similarly, the US has arguments is the narrative of “lack of taken upon itself the task to define confidence in the country’s future stathe nature/composition of conflict be- bility, and the memory of the posttween Pashtun and Persian speakers Soviet era also constitute a driving of Afghanistan. Why, because US force of fear that pushes people of all recognition of the Taliban at this criti- classes to flee. It affects both Afghans cal stage will muster political support from rural areas exposed to Taliban for its plan to control major negotia- violence and qualified middle classes tion partner in the foreseeable future. from the business and political elites For Pakistan, the fundamental in Kabul.” The order with which cur-

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rent narrative is being debated is remarkably traditional both in terms of Afghan conflict and the consequences of “Great Games” of the world superpowers. Since the future stability in Afghanistan relates to how the Karzai government characterizes its original responsibility of building peaceful Afghanistan, disengagement and one-man-show would open more channels of diplomatic battles with the regional/international partners.

The US downplays the fact of Taliban/Pashtun dominance, and already went into mode of transformation, and thereby hints at insufficient interest in really striking a “peace deal” before the US withdrawal in 2014. For Pakistan, the military importance of such a scenario is crucial, and needs broader approach to deal with future threats, and thus taking initiatives along with international community to highlight the implications for regional instability.

On papers, negotiation & reconciliation are sought to show responsibility toward the Afghan nation, but decades-old-ideological convictions of different groups and lack of intense interest by the current Afghan government in people’s welfare demonstrate a very bleak reality. For this reason, Pakistan beyond 2014 needs a clear and concrete rules of engagement policy with Afghan government. The diplomatic dichotomy being displayed by Karzai government now would change the contextual

character of peace deal in future.

This reflection is in line with the argument that negative consequences of an ambiguous and complex withdrawal plan will directly impact the internal security situation of Pakistan. There have, of course, been some successful decisions of strategic importance taken by Pakistani government including the releasing key Taliban leaders and, supporting an Afghan-led peace plan.

To be concluded, Pakistan is facing a variety of unusually difficult security threats today, in some cases, unprecedented complexity (e.g. Balochistan). As the issues of internal security and activities of foreign sponsored networks of militants has grown, Pakistan’s ability to improvise and make decisions that “only” benefits Pakistan’s territorial integrity and stability appears to be tempered by regional powers. The potential security vacuum in the post-2014 largely depends upon the “control & support” system of the US because fear of collapse after withdrawal would create further insecurity for all the key players. Pakistan requires a comprehensive interactive/diplomatic communication initiative to convince the US and NATO, in order to protect its “own” security and economic interests.

—The author is a Denmark-based National Security Expert and Defence Analyst.

Is it Musharraf’s political Kargil? his tactical move to be counted as a political player.

Dr Ghayur Ayub Altaf Bhai who has many political eyes on his face and Email:turi555@hotmail.com matching ears on his head realised the consequences. He took it as Musharaf’s tactical en (Retd) Pervez Musharaf is move to enter MQM and push him to a commando trained by a one side later as part of strategic plan well-disciplined army. Against taking over the party leadership. He such background, he is known to have became active and made sure it did taken risks during his career. He makes not happen. To show his command tactical and strategic plans and ex- over the party he brought down two ecutes them accordingly. He does not important personalities of MQM to get discouraged if his tactical plan fails their knees- Dr Liaqat Hussain and and waits for proper time to strike at Mustafa Kamal. It happened both strategic level. Take Kargil episode for were close to Musharaf. example. In 1995 he put the plan and The former was thrown out of the presented it to the then PM Benazir party. Thus Altaf Bhai was successBhutto. It was turned down. He re- ful in obstructing his tactical move. treated it tactically but kept it alive stra- Being Musharaf, he let it go but held tegically for future. When the time to his strategic plan. According to came he executed it. That’s how his news coming out of London, he brain works. maintained his links with a few old When he was the most powerful guards of MQM such as (late) Dr leader heading Pakistan with four caps, Imran Farooq. Were those links part he shouldered MQM in political gusto of the strategy? Is it also part of that and made it the most powerful ally in strategy which landed him in PakiSindh controlling the economic hub stan? Keeping his Kargil episode in of Pakistan. During his tenure Mustafa mind it may not be surprising to link Kamal, the administrator of Karachi, it with that. Only this time he might was given a privileged reception when be planning to fight political Kargil he visited America; thanks to him. It on three fronts; to clear his name in was in those days when a news ap- court cases; to make inroads in peared in media that he might join MQM; and to isolate Nawaz Sharif.

MQM. He never rebutted it. This was How? Before going to Pakistan he

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went for ‘a politicised Umra’ and prior to that he apparently met Nawaz Sharif in Saudi Arabia with blessings of the West and Saudi Arabia. He knows he cannot put a dent in coming elections because against all his army training he has not prepared his party for the event. For him the election is part of tactical move through which he wants to be part of the democratic process to cleanse his ‘Khaki’ skin.

Some reports even suggest that a few western powers might be behind this intra-party turmoil. They are getting frustrated when they see Altaf Bhai bringing the country to a standstill with a blink of his eyes by closing its economic hub. They want to see a disabled Pakistan not a dead Pakistan. Using this strategy Musharaf knows an optimum pressure can be applied on Altaf Bhai from outside especially UK and US to step aside. He knows the consequences of resisting such pressure could be extremely damaging to Altaf Bhai. Rehman Malik might come handy playing important role for his own reasons. He is a crafty manoeuvrer in games such as this. At the same time using his links with the powerful agencies within the country, Musharaf can enhance this pressure.

On the third front, he is expecting that PML-N will win the coming elections without getting overall majority.

Knowing the type of electable Nawaz

Sharif has gathered around him, he foresees the future government led by PML-N will fail in its promises in the same way as the PPP government failed. In such a scenario Musharaf will work on tactical plans to bring all the Muslim league parties closer, downgrading PML-N as party and isolating Nawaz Sharif as leader. He knows the ‘moles’ within PML-N (he knows them from past experience) will support him in his plans. The armed forces might help Musharaf if Nawaz Sharif repeated identical role he played in previous two stints as PM. If his tactical and strategic plans succeeded Musharaf believes he will emerge one of the most powerful political leaders in coming four to five years if not earlier. He sees Imran Khan of PTI as modern Talibanised mouthpiece in the parliament and Tahir-ul-Qadri as moderate voice outside the parliament. He will project himself as a secular bridge between the two.

So here is Pervez Musharaf entering the politics of Pakistan as a civilian with a background training in tactical and strategic planning. He played this game in Kargil as an army general. Now he wants to play it in political field as a civilian leader. His success will be directly linked to the failure of Mr. Nawaz Sharif. The question is will NS give him reasons which will make.

Views From Abroad

More than a phone call!

Tom Plate

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estures do not always have to be empty ones. Inadvertently or not, they can reflect the reality of a mentality. Let us hope this is the case with the new-boy-on-thesuperpower-block: China’s leader Xi Jinping. What happened was that almost out of the blue – or more factually, in the instance of smog-locked Beijing, out of the capital’s soupy grey sky — the China new president placed a long-distance telephone call to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York. On first blush, that might not have seemed like such a big deal. In this Internet age, even long-distance phone calls are a dime a dozen. But there may be more here than meets the ear: The previous Chinese president – Hu Jintao – never once used

telephone diplomacy with Ban. And, even allowing for the fact that Hu seemed to have been an exceptionally emotionally reserved personality, at least in public, that was odd. Ban loves to be called – at any hour of the day or night — and, famously, is known to hate keeping any caller waiting. A head of state can call him any time. The former South Korean foreign minister believes it is his job to prioritise returning the call to trying to sleep. Yes, that is his way.

And so I think the new boss of China is off to a good start by calling Ban. After all, the United Nations is very important to China. It was a founding member and landed one of the five Security Council vetoes.

Over time that power has allowed its UN profile to approximate China’s rising importance — and to underscore its proclaimed willingness to play the peaceful multinational game.

In fact, other than the WTO (World

Trade Organisation), it’s hard to think of an international organisation more suited to China’s desire to show the world it really is a responsible team player. The UN is perfect for China.

What’s more, behind the scenes in New York, China and the United States work together more efficiently and professionally than we generally realise. Effective diplomacy is the product of an adult relationship, which, despite periodic public nastiness on both sides, Beijing and Washington usually display. The UN easily accommodates quiet bilateral diplomacy because so much goes on there – and it is in a city that (as we are told again and again) never sleeps.

So who knew why Hu never phoned the UN chief? After all, back in 2006, Beijing and Washington had agreed that the foreign minister of South Korea was a very good choice to replace Kofi Annan. There was no

rancor about this decision at all. So it couldn’t have been anything the matter with the Korean that upset Hu. Maybe there was something the matter with Hu. We will have to let future historians sort it all out. But one thing we know right now: Xi is no Hu. With his outgoing personality, he might even prove, for all we know, to be China’s answer to America’s Bill Clinton.

There may be more to this than atmospherics. Xi may be starting what we in the West would label a new charm offensive. Going back to the phone call: According to the UN, Xi went out of his way to tell Ban that government policy would emphasise internationalism not unilateralism. China, he suggested, was fully aware that a rising power had to assume responsibilities on the world stage. Xi apparently continued in this style for a bit of time. —Gulf News

Ma, said the Lil’ girl..!

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a, said the little girl, scam pering after her mother, as they walked back home from the mall they’d just visited, “What’s Good Friday?” “It’s the day Jesus died on the cross!” said the mother as she smiled at her daughter’s widening eyes, and knew what the next question would be.

“If Jesus died on the cross, how can we call that day, ‘good’ ma?” asked the child. “Do you remember that day, six months ago, when

we gave you a puppy?” asked the mother. “Yes, ma, and he cried and cried all night, and kept daddy awake with his whining and yelping!” “Yes my girl, and what did daddy say the next day?”

“He said if he heard another sound the next night he would throw the puppy out of the house!”

“Ah!” said the mother, “You remember that don’t you? And by that time you had grown to love your little puppy!” “I was so sad,” said the little daughter, “And I was wondering what to do, and then I came into your room, just before you were going to sleep!” “We were surprised to see you,” said her mother, “It was way past your bedtime, you were crying and daddy asked you what

was wrong!” “I told daddy, if the puppy cried that night, he could throw me and not the puppy out of the house!” “Yes,” said the mother, “Good Friday is just like that!”

“Jesus wanted to save a puppy?”

“Jesus wanted to save us!” smiled the mother, “Like your puppy’s disturbing sounds, we had made God angry with our wicked ways, and God would have had to punish us for all we had done, but then, instead Jesus came down to earth and took our punishment!” “Like how I told daddy I would take our little puppy’s punishment?”

“Yes,” said the mother, “But it wasn’t merely being thrown out of a house, he was beaten, and nailed to a cross, till he died!” “So it was good

for us, wasn’t it?” “Yes my child, just as it was good for the puppy that you decided to take it’s punishment, it was good for us people that Jesus decided to take our punishment. Today I can talk and walk with God despite my wickedness, bad habits, wrong ways because somebody else took the punishment for me!”

The girl and her mother walked home and the mother looked as the little puppy came running out of the house and jumped into her daughter’s arms, “She seems to be grateful to me mother!” “Yes my child, just as we should be grateful to Jesus for taking our punishment..!”

—Email: bobsbanter@gmail.com

Voice of the People Pros and cons of mobiles YASMEEN KANWAL Mobile phones were introduced for the convenience of people so that they can make contacts with their loved ones easily. That is why mobile device was invented but the use of mobile phones in our society refers to the negative aspect. Have you ever considered that Mobile Phone is a blessing or an evil? We have made it an evil instead of blessing. Misuse of mobile phone is very common now days. If you ask anyone whether he or she knows typing or some basic knowledge about computer, there are strong chances that the answer will be no. But if you ask about mobiles and their functionality, there are 90% chances of yes.

It’s very common that users can type the SMS even without looking at the mobile screen. It is also common in students that they use to type SMS while sitting on the backbenches. It’s not that difficult to develop this skill of typing SMS in just two or three weeks of a mobile use. The matter of concern is that why we always use things in a negative way. Why we always misuse the mobile phones and other technologies. A mobile phone could be a blessing if we use it for the purpose it was made.

Mobile is the major factor that is spoiling the youth. Mobile phones are increasing the unnecessary association between the boys and girls, which is morally wrong. In universities and colleges, the authorities should not ban the mobile phones but they should take necessary steps to make its use positive. The reason is beside negative usage, mobile phones have lots of benefits as well.

It is really a useful thing for those girls who are living away from their homes. We should take things positively and use them for their actual purposes. Try to avoid the conspiracies of the multinationals who have offered cheap calling rates to devastate our young community. Develop a positive thinking while using mobile phones to eliminate this evil from our society and to prevent the misuse of mobile phones.

—Karachi

Acting charge syndrome HASHIM ABRO Indeed, government and governmental institutions are “sine qua non’ to a well-performing society.

Sadly, since the genesis of this country we do not have a well-performing, professional, and non-partisan public service. The situation is extremely deplorable. I can say on authority that our past successive provincial rulers have not realized the importance and scope of effective public administration that is responsive, transparent and accountablefor the functioning of the nation.

That’s why, very crucial strategies to achieve the long avowed short – term and long- term targets have not been implemented in the province.

It is also a despicable fact that state institutions, in particular, at the federal level, are neither democratic, nor they use public resources efficiently, and not even provide effective public service delivery. It is also a known fact that there several maladies and menaces have upset the effective performance of the state organizations- one of those horrendous maladies is dual charge or acting charge to non-productive blue eyed ambitious officers. This acting charge culture in the federal and provincial organizations has adversely affected the organizations. Our public sector needs to nurture an organizational culture that is conducive to promote good governance and democratization in the country.

However, the Honorable Caretaker Prime Minister is requested to advise the President to appoint the permanent heads of different organizations such as Federal Ombudsman ( Wafaqi Mohatasib), Rector International Islamic University, Islamabad, such like other organizations, estimated to be more than two dozen which are facing myriad administrative and service delivery challenges at present, with dedicated, devoted and diligent persons from the neglected Sindh and Balochistan province, so as to enhance governance and service delivery.

—Islamabad

Attractive cigarette packets YASIR FEROZ Youngsters, especially college and university students nowadays are really being attracted by colorful cigarette packs and most of them buy cigarettes only because of elegant

Modern version of slavery SUMAIRA AHMED

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llow me to express my views about violence against women. It is a grim reality that violence against women exists even in this modern age of advancement and that it is frequently under-reported.

Many women never speak out due to the shame that they are somehow responsible for their victimisation. Today, 125 countries outlaw sexual harassment and 187 nations have ratified the convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

The international day for elimination of violence against women is observed on November 25 every year. Discussions on human rights often fail to acknowledge the unique concern of women around the globe particularly as they relate to subordination of and injustice against them. However, clearly, women’s rights are human rights in the world. Today, 80 percent of the world’s refugees are women and children. The UN high commissioner for human rights has aptly remarked, “Bonded labour and trafficking of women and children have become our modern-day versions of slavery.” According to estimates, more than one million children, mostly girls, are forced into prostitution every year. Something must be done about this.

—Via email

and vibrant packets which later on turn into high addiction. Last year, Australian High Court took the action; banned the printing of colorful cigarette packs and ordered companies to pack their cigarettes on white plain packet with simple logo which shortly proved to be a superior decision. Our high authorities should also take some serious steps to keep our precious youth away from bad habit of smoking.

—Karachi

Save the middle class SYED UMARULLAH HUSSAINI The Middle class has always been considered for the stability and growth of a Country. Nations with large Middle class populations find it easier to sustain good, democratic governance. Pakistan is now more urbanized with larger middle class than that of its neighbouring countries. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, most of Pakistan’s middle class – especially the “non-professional middle class” who have finished high school but did not attend college – are worse off than they were before. The biggest costs and heaviest damage of the recession have been inflicted on the people who we used to describe as being the “backbone of Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s strength as a democracy and a capitalist country has always been based on a strong, prosperous middle class. Middle class forms alliance with lower classes in order to demand an exclusive political system. It produces decisive voters in democracy. The Pakistan of today is a far less friendly place for the middle class than most Pakistanis might imagine. What middle class wants? They want education.

Average years of schooling age (1519) has not changed since 1990.

They want jobs. Unemployment is rising 10% per annum. Skilled people are migrating to other places.

They need space both physically and intellectually. They need to protect their savings.

I suggest significant national investments in innovation, education and job training – from government investments in start-up companies, to bigger tax breaks for research and development, to using “career academies” to better connect high school students with the adult world of work, with an emphasis on vocational training and apprenticeships for students who prefer not to go on to a four year college degree program.

In spite of the recent growth in Pakistan’s middle class, it is still not strong enough to seize power. However, with the recent growth of independent mass media and greater political activism, the Pakistani middle class has begun to exert more influence on how the nation is governed.

There is still hope for middle class in Pakistan. Although this recession has been brutal, however, the people who will have the most success in the economy of tomorrow are the ones who know how to grow, adapt and evolve.

—Karachi

Caretaker setup?

HASHIM ABRO Pakistan is at its crossroads of history. Our economy is in shambles.

Our law enforcement agencies have not maintained public order. Moral bankruptcy is alarmingly rising in our society. Knowledge, I mean schools and colleges are either inadequate or poorly staffed and with deplorable infrastructure. Guns and other weapons are abundant in our society. There are several laws and server penalties for drug–trafficking but those laws are not being applied to control the rise of drug –trafficking in the upper and lower Sindh, KPK, FATA and Balochistan. Hundreds of thousands of highly qualified including doctors and engineers, people have become drug addicts in my home districts Larkano and in other districts. Intolerant and extremist elements are pouring in from other parts of the country

in the districts of Sindh province bordering with Punjab and Balochistan province.

It seems that our politicians are in a deep slumber; hence, they are not doing anything to address the above mentioned dreadful issues. Our political leaders must get together for ensuring a perpetual peace, security and prosperity for our posterity. It is proposed that a New Social Order (NSO) should be evolved based upon the golden principle of truth, justice and fairplay. This would revolutionize the fate of this country. Let us not waste our precious resources over trifling and ego-clash under the circumstances when the fate and future of our country hangs in the balance. One wrong step can demon us and one right step can save us. The future of Pakistan rests on this choice. We must have to learn to ignore our petty interests and prejudices in order to rise to the occasion and to take the right decision.

—Islamabad

PM takes oath MUKHTAR AHMED The country has taken a sigh of relief on the selection of caretaker Prime Minister after detailed deliberations

by Election Commission of Pakistan.

President Zardari administered oath to him in simple but impressive ceremony. He is very simple and straightforward. In his first encounter with the media he was very frank when he said that he is unaware about the governors of the provinces of Pakistan except Balochistan, this simply reflects his neutrality and is not bothered which part governor is ruling the province. All the candidates for caretaker PM were known figures and have rendered value able services to the country. The selection of Justice retired Hazaar Khan Khoso is purely on merit, reservations expressed by certain political parties are not understandable at all, because the other two candidates fell short of the criteria as they were under age.

The caretaker Prime Minister has gigantic task before him to hold free fair and transparent elections, if he succeeds the country shall remember him as a great leader. But as a first step the PM should change all the heads of institutions having political linkage. The chief secretaries and IG’s must be replaced with non-political appointees. He should have smaller cabinet of technocrats instead of repeating past practice of inducting known faces. Good beginning always pays its dividends —Karachi

Ban unlicenced arms AKBAR KHAN Far too much water has found its way under the bridge, and the time has come when the bridge itself is under threat of being swept away.

Under the present perilous circumstances when the bridge has to be saved from collapse, where other measures are also imperative, a ban on unlicensed arms appears absolutely necessary. Arms have sabotaged peace, and people are scared of walking in the streets. Karachi appears to have been shut down and business activity almost paralysed.

The main cause of the paralysis is the presence of arms. It is time those who possessed arms laid these down. It is, therefore, time unlicensed arms were required to be laid down. The government would be justified in requiring holders of all unlicensed arms to lay them down at a stated place.

—Karachi

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

—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

Unverified degrees From Page 1 currently under litigation in various courts for verification of their degrees. The HEC Chairman said the Commission is ready to provide the status of degrees of these Parliamentarians to the Courts if so directed by the Courts.

The HEC sought further orders from the ECP and Supreme Court of Pakistan for the status of un-verified degrees (189) and of those under litigation (19).

(Total: 208). The letter also did not agree to ECP that declared 27 fake degrees as OK on its own.

It said the current status of fake degrees as provided by the HEC stands at 54 (out of 55, as only 1 degree which was earlier verified as fake by the University was later declared genuine by the University itself) (Annex-I).

The Chairman said the HEC stands by its earlier verification as referred to in its letter of 4th March, 2013 to the ECP that no fake degree holder has been cleared by the HEC, and to-date, the degrees of 54 Parliamentarians are fake.—INP

Imran, Sethi From Page 1 net. Meanwhile, addressing a separate press conference earlier today, Sethi said that directions of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would be fully implemented.

The caretaker CM said that he has complete backing of the election commission as far as reshuffle of bureaucracy is concerned in the province.

He was of the view that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, independent, constitutional and non-political caretaker governments have been established at the centre and the provinces.

Sethi said that he will be the first to quit if any attempt was made or any conspiracy was hatched to extend the tenure of the caretaker setup.

He said that five to six impartial personalities would become a part of the Punjab caretaker setup. He described law and order issue as the biggest problem.

Sethi said the threat of terrorism in the upcoming elections is very real and the Punjab government will do all it can to stop the subversive acts in the province. “I am 90 per cent sure that I will succeed in holding free and transparent elections,” he said.

The caretaker CM said the media will have a pivotal role to ensure the prime objective of free and fair elections in the country.

Pakistan-origin From Page 1 origin were accompanied by their father.

The women “were brutally raped in front of their father,” Awadh al-Barassi said on his Facebook page, condemning the “horrible act,” reported AFP. Al-Barassi told Libya alHurra TV late Thursday that he has met with the women and they are in “very bad shape.” Barassi also said the family was “in a very bad psychological state.”

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry condemned the incident and said Islamabad is in contact with Libyan authorities.

Britain’s Foreign Office said it is aware of an incident involving British nationals who were part of an aid convoy. It did not elaborate.

The women, accompanied by their father, were with the convoy destined for the Palestinian coastal enclave blockaded by Israel when it was blocked from leaving Libya and entering Egypt.—AP

COURT NOTICE In the Court of Azizullah Kalu Additional Session Judge Phalia.

Mohammad Afzal Vs NazeeraN Bibi etc.

Appeal Civil.

Memo.

Qamar Abbas S/o Mohammad Nawaz Caste Tarar , Umar Faraz S/o Ghulam Abbas Caste Tarar R/ o Phalia Ameer Tehsil Phalia Distt Mandi Bahauddin.

Whereas the services of above mentioned respondents is not possible through ordinary means, therefore, he is directed to attend this court personally or through his council on 9-4-13. Otherwise the ex party proceedings shall be taken against him.

Given under my hand and seal of the Court.

Sd/Additional Sessions Judge Phalia

Gwadar Port takeover by China blessing for Pakistan economy export purposes Hence the take over of Gwadar Port by China will generate a great deal of economic activity in this part of the world and that would have a simultaneous spill over for the economic growth of Pakistan.

China besides development of hinterland infrastructure around Gwadar will also be developing motorways and have already developed a dry port at SUST border. Chinese have also converted Shah rahe Resham by making it a 40 ft wide motor way which can two containers side by side for transportation. Apart from other things the western part of China is much closer to the access of oil and gas from Gwadar port, they can also lay a pipeline for conveying gas and oil from Gwadar Port. This will generate employment, and services sector in Pakistan and benefits to the people of Pakistan especially in Balochistan would be enormous and that would be opening of prosperity to Balochistan so far the most deprived province in the country.

He agreed that to carry out

From Back Page all these projects we need political stability, honest and dedicated leadership having direction in their minds to develop Pakistan rather than working for their own interests. There is a flow of economic benefits in Pakistan especially in Balochistan however this require capacity to explore and guide these economic flow for the benefit of the country, therefore we need a leadership having capacity to exploit plenty of economic resources to give a turn around to the economy of Pakistan. Economy is flowing like water in Pakistan the only thing required to grab this flow of economic opportunities. It is just like water if you would store the water you will not develop dams, you will be at the losing end.

Capt. Haleem Siddiqui currently more involved in some projects of national importance like Bulk handing cargo terminal at Port Qasim which will be exclusively hand coal to cater to the need of power generation, cement plants and other indus-

trial units. So far the capacity of Bulk Terminal Cargo was 8 million tons of coal but in view of growing demand as most of the power generating units are in line to use this terminal, the marine group has expanded the capacity from 8 million tons to 12 million tons.

He said that the forthcoming elections can be a turning point for the economy of the country if the people of this country used their common sense and elected a sincere leadership which is the need of the hour.

He foresees that Pakistan Muslim League (N) has the capacity to steer out the country of the troubled waters under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif who is all in all devoted for Pakistan. H e remarked that some people are talking about avoiding the tested people but they should remember that “ A known devil is better than the unknown devil” so instead of embarking for an adventure people should think in term of Pakistan and Pakistan alone which our identity, he remarked.

PML-N was ‘top priority’ for seat adjustment From Page 1 ther my problem nor the problem of your to decide the fate of the these alleged politicians in accordance with the articles 62 and 63. There are different institutions in Pakistan that have constitutional authority to declare whether a candidate is eligible for contesting elections or not,” he added.

Replying a query about the role of the establishment in the elections’ process, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the establishment used to meddle into political affairs of the elected government in the past; therefore, it had become controversial in Pakistan. “Whatever the case is but bare reality is establishment is a national institution and no one can deny this,” adding he said this was premature to predict about to whom the establishment was supporting because this was usually known

later. When he was asked about the expected number of participants coming to join JUI-F public gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan, Maulana claimed that it would be bigger public gathering than Imran Khan’s 23rd March public meeting and he said no one in a position right now to predict about this how whooping this gathering would be.

He said JUI-F always raised voice for the supremacy of Islam and Muslim Ummah in the parliament and people were very well aware of these efforts done by his party regardless of this whether they were the part of the government or the opposition.

“This is an enough credit that can compel people to cast their votes in favor of JUI-F in upcoming general elections,” he added. When he was asked that Mussarat Shaheen announced to

contest elections against him, he said now a journalist has become chief minister Punjab.

Showing his reaction at the incident of throwing a shoe at the former President of Pakistan General (R) Pervez Musharraf, he condemned this incident by saying that when one was in power he was flattered by the people and now he was out from the corridors of the power he was welcomed by throwing shoes at him. He said let the courts decide about Musharraf’s political fate.

Rehman is due to contest three seats – NA-24 (DI Khan), NA-25 (DI Khan-cum-Tank) and NA-27 (Lakki Marwat) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.

The Maulana’s brother, Maulana Lutfur Rehman, will run for two provincial assembly seats – PK66 (DI Khan-III) and PK-64 (DI Khan-I).

12 killed in suicide From Page 1 others including four FC personals were admitted for treatment.

According to SP Cantt, around 8 to 10 kilograms of explosives were used in the explosion, adding that, the suicide bomber approached its target on a bicycle. A number of shops on the busiest Fakhre Alam road were damaged while window panes of many plazas and building situated in the area were broken. “It was a suicide attack; the target was the FC commander”.

A police official said.

The Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Governor, Engineer Shaukatullah has strongly con-

demned the suicide attack at the convoy of the Commandant of Frontier Constabulary, Mr. Abdul Majeed Marwat and said that the elements involved in the heinous crime will no remain at large and would be brought to court of law.

Governor has also condemned remote controlled bomb attack at police mobile van in district Shangla.

The Governor paid rich tributes to the security forces for fulfilling their responsibilities with exemplary spirit of courage and devotion and further pointed out that their sacrifices will always be remembered with great re-

spect and honor. The Governor has also conveyed good wishes to Mr. Abdul Majeed on safety of his life in the tragic incident and further observed that such acts of cowardice could never deter us in our struggle to curb terrorism.

While expressing his heartfelt sympathies and solidarity with the members of the bereaved families, the Governor has also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and courage to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss with patience. He has also wished early recovery of the injured.

PPP welcomes BNP’s decision to contest polls

Bosnia: Man sentenced to 45 years for war crimes

SALIM AHMED

SARAJEVO—A court in Bosnia Prosecutor’s office. He said that on

Friday

convicted

a during the trial some of the 112

LAHORE—Former Governor Montenegrin man of multiple witnesses described the rape of Punjab and the Secretary General PPP, Latif Khosa, has said that the decision of the Nationalist Parties of Balochistan to take part in the forthcoming elections is heart- warming dividend of the continuity of the democratic process during the last five years.

It is exceptionally good news for the federation of Pakistan, democracy and the nation because ballot has truimphed over bullet, he said. He said that the PPP led former democratic government accorded top priority to the problems of the Balochistan province and took major initiatives like Aghaz-i-Haqooq-iBalochistan Package aimed at addressing the feelings of political and economic deprivation of the Baluchi people.

He recalled that the President Asef Ali Zardari , at the outset, tendered his heartfelt apology to the Baluchi people as they were subjected to hardships and injustices in the past. The bold gesture served as a healing touch on the wounds of the people of the province, he said. Mr.LatifKhosa said that it was due to the continuity of the democratic process in the country and the steps taken by the democratic government that, most probably, persuaded the Nationalist leaders to take part in the mainstream politics of the country as there was enabling environment and political will in the country for the redressal of their grievances.

counts of murder, torture, rape and looting during Bosnia’s 1992-95 war, and sentenced him to 45 years in prison — the highest sentence ever issued in the country.

Judge Zoran Bozic said that Veselin Vlahovic, killed 31 people, raped a number of Bosniak and Croat women and tortured and robbed non-Serb residents of a Sarajevo suburb while fighting for the Bosnian Serbs. Among other crimes, the judge described how Vlahovic cut the throats of two brothers in front of their mother, then killed her and raped the men’s wives.

“We are happy with the maximum sentence,” said Boris Grubisic, the spokesman for the

heavily pregnant women and mothers being raped in front of their children. Grubisic said that Vlahovic committed the crimes over several months. Although he received the maximum sentence, the prosecution still plans to appeal because he was acquitted on six counts.

Vlahovic’s layer Radivoje Lazarevic said he also will appeal the sentence because he believes that some of the 60 counts on which Vlahovic was convicted were not proven.

Vlahovic, 43, showed no reaction when the judge pronounced the verdict.“He asked if there were any Turks inside and if I had answered ‘yes’ I would have be alive,” she said.—AP

APNS annual general meeting today STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI — “ The Annual General Council of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society will meet today (Saturday), at 11:00 a.m. at APNS House, Karachi,” stated a press release of the APNS. Masood Hamid, Secretary General, All Pakistan Newspapers Society has announced that

the Annual General Council will discuss the conditions prevailing in the newspaper industry and take decisions to address the problems faced by the member publications.

The General Council will be attended by full members only and will finalize its recommendations on the issues pertaining to the Govt. – Press relations, press laws and the future of the industry.

SC orders vote right to overseas Pakistanis

Saying farewell to PTI, JI turns side to PML-N From Page 1

From Page 1

are contesting elections. Accord- and after this assurance PML-N ing to party sources, JI General may give fifteen seats to JI in Secretary Liaqat Baloch submit- Punjab. However, the sources ted his nomination papers for the said PML-N leadership also NA 126 while Mian Maqsood for working out a way if JI goes in NA 118, Amirul Azeem for NA opposite camp like PTI and in 122 and PP 127, Hafiz Salman that situation this could cause Butt for NA 120, Fareed Paracha PML(N) to lose number of sets for NA 122. But PML-N has not in a close three way fight enddecided yet to fulfill their de- ing up to PPP or PTI. mands except showing willingOn the other hand, Maulana ness to support Liaqat Baloch Fazlur Rehman, JUI-F chief, from NA 126. also arrived in Lahore on Friday The sources privy to this de- and apparently his tour in velopment told this scribe that Lahore is for Islam Zindahbad PML(N) and Jamat Islami (JI) Conference going to be held at are in talks to make a an alliance Minar-e-Pakistan but he claimed or seat adjustment in Punjab. “JI that he was in telephonic touch is demanding four seats for with Mian Nawaz Sharif and it Lahore whereas PML (N) has is in his top priority to hammer showed its willingness only giv- out an alliance with PML-N. ing in two seats.

According to PTI spokesThe sources said Jamat-e- man Shafqat Mehmood, the Islami’s strength is a myth since matter of seat adjustment with they used to have around 10,000 JI is still open and when he was votes in almost every constitu- asked JI also holding meeting ency in 1990’s, but the landscape with the leadership of Pakistan has changed a lot and they only Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLhave around 5000 in some places. N), he said it was up to JI lead“In rural areas, there is no guar- ership with whom they prefer antee that PML-N would get all to make alliance. However, he those votes, so under such cir- made it clear that PTI is clear cumstances, seats given to JI that if the JI is serious about would be a gift from PML-N,” seat adjustment with the PTI he added. there is absolutely no chance From Page 1 The sources further claimed for it to go for a similar adjustthat PML-N was also seeking ment with the PML-N anyselection as the Director guarantee from JI leadership that where in the country.

General Intelligence Bureau after elections JI would not apart On March 24, PTI chairman (DGIB) by the present govern- away from the alliance regard- Imran Khan and JI Amir Syed ment. Sultan, known for his im- less what the future would be Munawar Hassan met in Lahore peccable integrity, earned distinction when he prepared a voluminous report on the Bank of Punjab swindle on the orders of the Supreme Court.

From Page 1 After exhaustive work, his small team prepared 11200-word findings into the scandal and sub- KATI) would be the advisors. Pakistan Council, Karachi mitted it to the court in June 2011. The PPP, the MQM, the Awami Chapter is the chairman of He is known as professional and National Party and the Pakistan Hilton Pharma. He was apSunni Tehreek had earlier pro- pointed as the Chairman of honest police officer.

He was RPO Sargodha in posed Fida Hussain Dhakkan, PSO’s Board of Management, former president Pervez Lala Fazl Ur Rehman (former effective February 04, 2008.

He is well recognized naMusharraf’s tenure and had left KMC Administrator and Sindh the post over differences regard- Local Government Secretary) tionally for his long standing Zia Lunzar, Agha Wasi, General services in business, education ing the referendum.

(Retd) Malik Ehsan (former and social work. chief security officer of slain He has been decorated with PPP leader Benazir Bhutto and “Sitara-i-Imtiaz” by the GovernFrom Page 1 health Minister), Umer Abbas ment of Pakistan and has Jilani, Fauzia Jaffery, Dr Amjad worked as Special Assistant to and Nawab Akbar Khan Hussain, Shujaat Jakhrani, Bar- the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Bugti. The SHC had also di- rister Habib Ur Rehman, Shujaat with the status of Federal Minrected Musharraf not to leave Ali Baig (former education min- ister. He is also elected Sardar the country without prior per- ister in caretaker government of Malik community. mission from the court. The and husband of MQM women He has been actively concourt granted Musharraf ex- MNA Khushbakht Shujaat), tributing to health and educatension of ten days in one case Nadir Panjwani, Qazi Khalid ad- tion sector development and 15 days in two other cases. vocate, Muhammad Shahid through his association with The lawyer fraternity had Ghauri (leader Pakistan Sunni several educational and health severely reacted against the pres- Tehreek) and Pir Riaz Gul. institutions including universience of the former General However, the PPP, the MQM, ties, education foundation and Musharraf and chanted slogans the ANP and the PST had with- Hilal-e-Ahmer. against him. They demanded drawn the names they had proSardar Yasin Malik is accapital punishment for him. On posed due to open political af- tively involved in promotion and the other hand, a civilian hurled filiation with their respective strengthening of business links a shoe on to the former President, parties. between Pakistan and a number which did not reach him. The Sources had claimed that the of countries and will hopefully offender was arrested. oath taking ceremony would be prove instrumental in pulling out On the occasion of his arrival held at Sindh Governor House the economy from crisis. to the SHC, extra-high security on Saturday evening (today) and Khalid Tawwab was the semeasures were taken by the law the first meeting of the cabinet nior vice president of the Fedenforcement agencies. Newsmen would be convened the follow- eration of Pakistan Chamber of and lawyers were not allowed to ing day (Sunday).

Commerce and Industry , beenter the court room.

Sardar Yasin Malik, Khalid sides having a series of distincIt is pertinent to mention that Tawab and Mian Zahid Hussain, tions to his professional carrier the previous provincial govern- distinguished business leaders, including the President of ment had raised objections on have worked selflessly for the Karachi Chamber of Commerce Musharraf’s bail before arrest but cause of the national economy and Industry. the Sindh Attorney General had and are expected to add a new Another eye catching name on the day not raised objection chapter in their career by supple- from the business community is for the extension in his bail be- menting the efforts for holding Mian Zahid Hussain who is fore arrest period. fair and free elections in the known all over the country esIn a short conversation with province. pecially in the business circuls the newsmen, Musharraf said he Sardar M Yasin Malik who for this outstanding services for was satisfied with the decision of is also the Chairman, Nazriya the cause of trade and Industry. the SHC. GHQ by asking ministry of defence. CJP remarked “ we will not leave alone who are providing assistance to put the country on the way to progress. Extending the facility of casting vote to overseas Pakistanis is also their right and it is also responsibility of all other national institutions including Election Commission (EC) as well. We want they should also cast votes in the upcoming election. Set up polling stations in embassies and whosoever wills will come and cast his vote” The court ordered that strategy to cast votes in top ten countries be devised. Polling stations be established in embassies.

Law ministry, ministry of IT , EC and ministry of overseas Pakistanis should jointly work out methodology. The hearing of the case was adjourned till April, 1.—Online

Aftab Sultan appointed Punjab IG

Business leaders

Musharraf gets

CMs asked From Page 1

The chief ministers assured the Prime Minister that they were firming up arrangements to maintain law and order and ensuring that political parties and candidates could campaign and enlighten the people on their plans and programme.

The meeting was followed by a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister. —APP

Turkey, Israel to work out compensation A NKARA —Turkey’s deputy prime minister says Turkish and Israeli officials will meet next week to work out the amount of compensation to be paid to the victims of a raid on a Gazabound flotilla that killed eight Turks and a Turkish-American in 2010.

Israel apologized for the botched raid last week and agreed to compensate the injured and relatives of the dead.

Turkey accepted the apology but said it wanted to ensure the victims were compensated and Israel remained committed to the easing of restrictions of goods entering Gaza before restoring full diplomatic relations.

Bulent Arinc said Friday an Israeli delegation will travel to Turkey next week. —AP

and showed their willingness to forge an electoral alliance and a committee constituted from both sides was given assignment to thrash out a formula for seat to seat adjustment across the country. On this occasion, Imran Khan said like PTI, the JI has also been struggling since long for changing the fate of the masses and in this regard the PTI with late JI Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed fought for long for the noble cause.

Responding this, the JI Amir Munawar Hassan said that Imran Khan has given new hope, vision and courage to the nation, adding that their meeting was continuity of the previous dialogues between the parties. This committee failed to bring a uniformed approach in regard of seat adjustment formula in the general elections since both the parties were working on diverse election strategies.

The PTI leadership is interested in an unconditional countrywide support for its candidates while JI is keeping its option open for seat adjustments with other parties, including the PMLN. Khan has categorically told the JI leaders that if they are interested in seat adjustment with the PTI they will have to stop meeting the PML-N leadership but despite this, JI leadership was constantly in touch with PML-N leadership.

Contract of 86 top officials terminated From Back Page Bux Memon, Khan Muhammad Leghari, Muhammad Yousif Lakho, Ubaidullah Sangro, Madad Ali Arain, Muhammad Siddique Buriro, Muhammad Bux Lakho, Muhammad Ajmal Memon, Fayaz Hussain Chandio, Azizullah Chandio, Nizamuddin Sakhirani, Abdul Shakoor Qureshi, Syed Izhar Hussain, Liaquat Ali, Shah Muhammad Naich, Muhammad Hassan Jalbani, Bashir Ahmed Memon, Ghulam Hussain Dahar, Syed Imam Ali Shah and Sodhal Junejo.

Fake voters will go to jail: ECP STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Additional Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Afzal Khan said Friday that as many as 500 monitoring teams would monitor elections for the first time in the history of the country.

He said that those individuals who cast fake votes would be sent to jail.

Speaking during the training session of polling staff here, Khan said candidates who violated the election code of conduct would be disqualified.

According to Khan Rs 1.27 billion has been allocated for the 700,000 polling staff. He added that the use of weapons, money and interference of government officials would not be tolerated.

Bangladesh level Sri Lanka ODI series

BD clinch thriller to level ODI series against Sri Lanka P ALLEKELE (Sri Lanka)— Nasir Hossain hit an unbeaten 33 under pressure as Bangladesh levelled the oneday series against Sri Lanka 1-1 with a three-wicket win in the thrilling third and final match. Bangladesh, chasing a rain-revised target of 183 off 27 overs, won the day-night match with six balls to spare in Pallekele to register their fourth one-day victory

against Sri Lanka in 33 matches.

The tourists needed 17 to win off the last 12 deliveries, but Nasir eased the pressure when he smashed three fours in an over from seamer Thisara Perera before Sohag Gazi hit the winning boundary.

“It’s a huge win for us,” said Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim. “It was a challenge for us to do well

Sri Lanka innings: Perera b Mahmudullah . 56 Dilshan c Nasir b Shahadat ................... 125 Sangakkara b Razzak .... 48 Perera b Razzak ................ 4 Mathews b Razzak .......... 6 J. Mendis b Gazi .............. 5 D. Chandimal b Rahman . 0 L. Thirimanne not out ... 25 Kulasekara lbw b Razzak11 S. Senanayake b Razzak . 0 L. Malinga not out .......... 5 Extras: (lb2, nb1, w14) ... 17 Total: (for nine wickets) ....................... 302 Fall of wickets: 1-116, 2-203, 3-212, 4-228, 5-233, 6-238, 7263, 8-291, 9-291 Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Shahadat ............ 10-0-71-1 Rahman ............... 10-0-65-1 Gazi ...................... 10-1-52-1 Razzak ................. 10-0-62-5

Mahmudullah .... 10-0-50-1 Bangladesh innings: Anamul b Mathews ...... 40 Mohammad Ashraful lbw b Senanayake ................ 29 Jahurul Islam b Mathews26 Mushfiqur Rahim run out 9 Nasir Hossain not out .. 33 Mahmudullah lbw b Senanayake .................. 6 Mominul b Malinga ...... 11 Ziaur Rahman b Malinga 0 Sohag Gazi not out ......... 4 Extras: (b4, lb13, w9) ..... 26 Total: (for 7 wickets) ... 184 Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-97, 3119, 4-126, 5-144, 6-166, 7166.

Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Kulasekara ........... 4-1-29-0 Malinga ................ 6-0-29-2 Mathews .............. 5-0-39-2 Senanayake .......... 6-0-26-2 T. Perera ................ 5-0-44-0

Bolt to race 150m on Copacabana beach R IO DE J ANEIRO—Usain Bolt, the two-time reigning Olympic champion over 100 and 200m, will bid to better his world record over the rarelyraced distance of 150 metres on Rio de Janeiro’s famed Copacabana beach on Sunday.

The Jamaican sprint star set the world best of 14.35sec

over 150m at an exhibition race in Manchester in 2009, and will again race on a track laid over one of the world’s most iconic sandy beaches.

“It will be my first speed event of the season,” said the 26-yearold, who last year claimed an unprecedented second treble gold sprint showing at the London Olympics.—AFP

against big teams, so I am very happy with the effort.

We have not been in such situations before and that’s why the boys were panicking, but we pulled it off.”

Bangladesh began their chase on an impressive note when Anamul Haque (40) and Mohammad Ashraful (29) put on 77 for the opening wicket in 12.5 overs before completing the upset win in the penultimate over.

Sri Lanka won the first one-dayer by eight wickets in Hambantota, while the second match at the same venue was abandoned due to rain.

Tillakaratne Dilshan earlier scored a 128-ball 125 to help Sri Lanka post a challenging 302-9 in 50 overs. The in-form opener, who made an unbeaten 113 in the first match, hit 12 fours in his 16th oneday hundred. “We were disappointed as we had runs on the board.

The bowling let us down today. We batted brilliantly even though we lost our way in the middle,” said Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.

Dilshan, who reached his century with a single off leftarm spinner Abdur Razzak, was the seventh man out, caught by Nasir at midwicket off paceman Shahadat Hossain in the

47th over.

Razzak, who removed Nuwan Kulasekara and Sachithra Senanayake off successive balls in his last over, finished with 5-62, his fourth five-wicket haul. He also completed 200 wickets in one-day internationals.

Sri Lanka were reduced to 263-7 before Lahiru Thirimanne hit a 15-ball 25 not out late in the innings to help his side cross the 300-mark.

The hosts got off to a solid start after electing to bat as Dilshan and Kusal Perera (56) added 116 for the opening wicket.

Dilshan then put on 87 for the next wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (48), who completed 11,000 one-day runs during his 49-ball knock.

Perera started impressively as he lofted Shahadat over long-on for the first six of the match and then hit the same bowler for three fours in an over.

Playing his seventh onedayer, Perera fell after completing his maiden half-century as he was caught by Nasir at point while attempting to cut off-spinner Mohammad Mahmudullah.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will now play a one-off Twenty20 international in Pallekele on Sunday.—AFP

Tayyub clinches CAS National Jr Squash C’ship PESHAWAR —Tayyub Aslam of ZTBL won the trophy after shocking top seed Ali Bokhari of Punjab in the final of the 15th Chief of the Air Staff National Junior Squash Championship played here at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex on Friday.

Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan was the chief guest the final. AVM Northern Air Command M. Arif, Base Commander Peshawar Air Commodore Waseem Hussain, former World Champion Qamar Zaman, OC PAF Sports Control Board Wing Commander Ijaz Khan, officials, players and spectators were also present.

Tayyub despite being erratic in the whole proceedings stunned Ali in the marathon five sets battle lasted for 63 minutes. Tayyub, entered as second seed against top seed Ali, committed 11 errors by hitting the tin three times each in the first and second sets and five in the fifth sets, staged a strong comeback by winning the grant Championship, carried Rs 0.5m as prize money.

Ali Bokhari committed one error in first, second and

KANDY: Mushfiqur Rahim and Angelo Mathews with the trophy after Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI.

Misbah rules out quitting one-dayers L AHORE —Pakistan Captain Misbah ul Haq has said that he had instead decided to adopt a more aggressive and positive approach to batting after being criticised for his slow displays.

“I have discussed this with all my players and they all agreed that overall we all needed to be more positive while batting and put aside fears of losing our wicket,” Misbah said while talking to reporters.

“They have all pushed me to play more shots and be more positive. I have no intentions of returning to play T20s for Pakistan. I have changed my batting style because I believe I can continue to play ODIs which I don t want to quit now.”

Misbah, 38, who has been Pakistan s test captain since 2010 and ODI skipper since 2011, has come in for criticism in Pakistan for his batting and captaincy after his side were swamped 3-0 in the test series in South Africa and lost the one-day series 3-2.

“I have heard what the critics have had to say. It has fired me up and also made me reassess how I can play a more purposeful role for my team as a batsman and for myself,” he said.—Online

he made a comeback in the second he won by 11-6. Ali again took the lead by winning the set 9-11 but he managed his position, winning the remaining two sets 11-7, 11-4 to seal the fate of Ali at 3-2.—APP

RAWALPINDI: Students of Foundation University Medical College take part in various competitions during Sports Gala held at Pasban Sports Complex.

M IAMI —Five-time cham- Radwanska of Poland. pion Serena Williams wasted no time booking her berth in the WTA Miami final by steamrolling Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-3 to set up a title clash with third seed Maria Sharapova.

Russia’s Sharapova, a

Williams is bidding to become just the fourth woman in the modern era to win the same event six times, joining Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova.

Evert is the only player over the age of 30 to win the title,

Azarenka in 2011 and Radwanska last year, all in straight sets.

Not only is Sharapova trying to end her Florida frustration, she is trying to become only the third woman to win both major March events, Indian Wells and

four-time runner up in Miami, was equally dominant as the newly-crowned Indian Wells winner hammered Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-1 in the other semi-final on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Williams SPORTS REPORTER blasted 12 aces and won 83 R AWALPINDI —The annual percent of her first serves in sports gala of Foundation the 65-minute match against fourth seeded University Medical College the (FUMC) was held at Pasban Sports Complex Rawalpindi.

Rector, Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), Maj. Gen. Gul Muhammad HI(M) (Retd), was chief guest on the occasion. Principal FUMC, Maj. Gen. Dr. Nasim-ulMajeed HI(M) (Retd) was also present.

The events of the Gala L A H O R E —The executive included cricket, football, committee of Lahore City basketball, table tennis, 400- Cricket Association (LCCA) meter relay, 100-meter race, has been deprived of 60-meter race, spoon race, watching the matches of chatti race, 3-legged race and ongoing of Faysal Bank tug of war. Rector FUI dis- T20 Super Eight as there tributed the shields, trophies were not issued honorary and medals among the win- p a s s e s . ners of different competiIt is the first time that tions. passes were not issued to While addressing the the executive committee of gathering, Rector FUI said, the Lahore City Cricket As“the importance of sports sociation comprising 20and other co-curricular ac- member and instead only tivities cannot be over em- issued accreditation cards phasized. Besides providing to top four officials of body. the much needed physical The executive committee activity, these are also impor- members belonging to all tant for the personality de- the three affiliated zones velopment of the students.” here on Friday expressed He said, such events also their their disappointment play an important role in and said it was shocking breaking the monotony of that they were not issued exhaustive academic sched- passes or cards for watchules. ing the tournament.

He appreciated the stu“ It is unfortunate that dents for enthusiastically we cannot watch the participating in the sports matches of our own team gala. “I take this opportunity which is taking part in the to congratulate those who event in our own home won prizes in different com- town “,they said adding “ petitions. However, those The matches are being who could not secure a posi- played in front of an empty tion should not lose heart and stadium and no considerstrive hard to win next time”, ation was given to the exhe said. ecutive committee of the

doing so at the age of 31 years, two months in 1986.

Sharapova is in her fifth final in quest of her first Miami title. “It would mean so much to me,” Sharapova said.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova lost to Kim Clijsters in the 2005 Miami final, to Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2006, Victoria

Miami, in the same year.

Graf swept the pair in 1994 and 1996 and Clijsters did it in 2005.

Sharapova broke Jankovic three times in each set to win her 11th match in a row, ending matters after 63 minutes by breaking the Serb with a forehand winner.— AFP

FUMC sports gala concludes

fifth sets, otherwise he was so cool against his strong rival Tayyub. “It was full game points I have given to Ali Bokhari as I committed 11 errors,” Tayyab told APP in a post final talk. Tayyub lost the first set to Ali at 9-11 but

Sharapova, Williams to clash in Miami final

LCCA executive committee KPK Inter-Region Women Athletic deprived of watching to start today P T-20 tournament LCCA which includes the zonal presidents secretaries who are the main force to revive cricket at grassroots level “. They said it was a common practice in the past that the entire set up of the LCCA was given passes or issued accreditation cards by the the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) at the time of holding of a national or a national tournament in Lahore to acknowledge their services for the cause of cricket at early level.

They appealed to the Chairman, PCB, Chaudhary Zaka Ashraf to look into the matter and to take measures to address this issue. “ We are supplementing the ongoing efforts of PCB as far revival of cricket is concerned at grassroots level and the way we are being treated is quite painful “, they added. When contacted a spokesman of Lahore City Cricket Association said they will be taking up this matter with the Pakistan Cricket Board chief and they expect a favourable action in this regard.—APP

ESHAWA R —The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Region Women Athletic Championship will commence Saturday here at Qayyum Sports Complex under the aegis of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Sports (Women).

This was stated by Director Sports (Women Games) Rashida Ghaznavi while talking to APP on Friday. She said all the seven regions Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat, Malakand, Hazara, Mardan and host Peshawar will take part in the Championship. She said all arrangements in this connection have already been completed and hopefully the event will be organized in befitting manners.

She said a total of 14 women games would be organized out of which Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball and Cricket have completed while the athletic event will follow Khyber Pakhtunkhwa InterRegion Women Judo Championship from April 1-2 and Table Tennis event will be organized on April 3-4 here at Qayyum Sports Complex.

She said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Region Women Squash Championship will be organized in Abbottabad from April 6-7.—APP

Zardari complies court orders, LHC disposes of dual office case MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —Lahore

NAB Chairman files appeal ISLAMABAD—Chairman National Accountability Bureau Admiral retired Fasih Bukhari has filed intra-court appeal in the Supreme Court against indicting him in contempt of court case. He filed the appeal through his counsel Latif Khosa on Friday. The Supreme Court had earlier ruled on March 20 that the chargesheet against the Chairman NAB will be framed on the 2nd of next month.—Online

SC allows Wahida to contest poll ISLAMABAD—Supreme Court has allowed Wahida Shah to contest general elections suspending Election Commission (EC) decision whereby she was disqualified from participating in elections for two years. A 3-member bench of SC led by Justice Nasir ul Mulk issued these orders during the course of hearing of Wahida Shah petition on Friday.

Hashmat Habib advocate appeared on behalf of Wahida Shah. He took the plea that SC had given relief to Wahida Shah and Sindh High Court had also given decision in her favor. However EC had disqualified her after conducting the inquiry again. Now the elections are ahead and his client wants to participate in them therefore, she be allowed to contest election and EC decision be set aside, he prayed. Wahida Shah was declared disqualified by election commission from contesting elections for two years in Wahida Shah slapping case.—Online

SI, guard killed

High Court on Friday disposed of President’s dual offices case after federation’s lawyer apprised that there is no political activity going on in the presidency.

Earlier, the counsel for the Federation Waseem Sajjad informed the 5-member bench of the court, headed

by Chief Justice Omar Ata Bandial, that President Asif Ali Zardari has abandoned the office of co-chairperson of the party.

He also informed that no political activity is going on in the Aiwan-e-Sadr now.

Waseem Sajjad assured that the President will remain neutral and the Presidency will not be used for any poPESHAWAR: Security officials on high alert after a deadly suicide attack on the convoy of Commandant Frontier litical activity.

Constabulary on Fakhar-e-Alam Road in Cantonment area resulting in deaths of 12 persons and injuries to 25 The LHC Chief Justice including five FC personnel. said it was encouraging that President has abided by the Court’s decision and disposed of the case.

The Chief Justice said

UK extradites Pakistani student to US

L ONDON —A Pakistani stu- within dent Usman Ahzaz has been extradited from Britain to United States on the request of Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI). The FBI alleged that Ahzaz had “surreptitiously controlled” more than 100,000 protected computers (a “botnet”) without the owners’ knowledge. Previously, those computers had been infected with malicious software (“malware”), alleges the FBI in the court papers.

The FBI goes on to allege that in June 2010, Usman sold “installs” to an undercover FBI agent who paid the Pakistani student US$600 in return for his agreement to “surreptitiously install what he believed to be malicious computer code (provided by the undercover agent) onto the compromised computers

Appellant’s my extradition then that will botnet”. be end of my life.”

The FBI has alleged that The FBI alleged that the software provided to Ahzaz had hacked 100,000 Ahzaz was “indeed installed computers but were unable to on more than 100,000 comput- prove it in the High Court in ers” but no harm was caused London and the number was which shows that it was an therefore brought down to entrapment and the Pakistani 800 computers, which is also national was allured into the unproved. “Whenever I contrap. tacted the govt, I was told that “I have no idea what the they have written to someone Americans will do to me when but never told me who to.

I am there. I have no money They never visited me to afford a lawyer there. My when I was in prison. I was lawyers advised me to ask the treated like dirt. Pakistani ofgovernment of Pakistan to in- ficials didn’t respond to my tervene and ask the British lawyer’s request for help. It’s government to stop my extra- due to the failure of the Pakidition but the government of stani government that I will be Pakistan didn’t do anything extradited to the US to face for me. charges in American courts I would have liked to have even after nothing could be a fair trial in Pakistan. If the proven in London, for the government of Pakistan crimes I have never commitdoesn’t do anything to stop ted,” Ahzaz says.—Online

OGRA summary for POL price decrease

Contract of 86 top officials terminated

I SLAMABAD —The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has sent the summary seeking a decrease in the price of petroleum products to the Petroleum Ministry.

If the summary is approved the price of petroleum products will be decreased on April 1.

The price of petrol will decrease by Rs1.80, diesel by Rs1.45, Kerosene oil by Rs4.69 and light diesel by Rs4.93 per litre. The summary will be forwarded by the Petroleum Ministry to the Finance Ministry.

G ILGIT —A police official and his guard were killed in a drive-by shooting by some unidentified miscreants in Chilas in wee hours on Friday. According to the official sources, the sub-inspector was on his way from Tangir to Chilas on board a police van when some unknown saboteurs opened fire, killing the police official and his guard and injuring five others. The injured police personnel were shifted to a local hospital in Chilas.—Online G U J R A N WA L A —Jamaat-eIslami (JI) district Amir and candidate for NA-98 was injured in firing by unidentified HEC to remain men during election open on weekend armed campaign here on Friday.

I SLAMABAD —The AttestaPolice said JI leader Bilal tion and Accreditation Divi- Qudrat Butt was visiting votsion of Higher Education ers after Friday prayers in Qila Commission (HEC) Deedar Singh when armed Islamabad will remain open men opened fire and injured on March 30-31 to facilitate him seriously. —Agencies the candidates for verification of their degrees for 2013 general elections. The candidates are requested to visit HEC from 08:00 am to 10:00 pm. HEC has also instructed controller examination offices of universities in this re- B AGHDAD —Car bombs hit gard.—Online five Shi’ite mosques in Baghdad and the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk just afEunuchs to run ter prayers on Friday, killfor Multan seats ing 19 worshippers and inM ULTAN—Eunuchs also an- juring another 130. nounced to take part in elecTen years after the U.S. tions in two constituencies in- invasion that toppled cluding NA-151 and NA-152 Saddam Hussein, Iraq is against mainstream parties in still grappling with political NA-152. Nargis has an- turmoil and Sunni Islamist nounced to take part in elec- insurgents linked to al tions in NA-151 against Qaeda, who are stepping up former Minister Haji Skindar attacks on Shi’ite targets Hyat Bosan and son of former and security forces.

Friday’s blasts hit PM, Qadir Gilani.Yasmeen will contest polls against former Shi’ite mosques in southPML-N MNA Mahmood-ul- east and north Baghdad Hassan.—APP

JI candidate injured in firing

the

IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI —Sindh caretaker Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Zahid Kurban Alvi sacked 86 contractual employees on Saturday that were working in different public departments in BPS-18 to BPS-21.

These officials included Shams-ul-Haq Memon, Mir Hussain Ali, Syed Javed Ali Shah Bukhari, Mushtaq Ali Memon, Muhammad Laiq Zardari, Dr.Srichand Ochani, Feroz Akhtar Khan, Ghulam Abbas Baloch, Saindad Khan Solangi, Muhammad Iqbal Diwan, Zahid Junejo, Dr. Bux Ali Pitafi, Dr. (Capt) Ashique Ali Memon, Nazir Ahmed Chakrani, Abdul Malik Lakhmir, Haider Ali Navien, Muhammad Hanif Pathan, Mohammad Suleman Chandio, Prof. M.Saeed Siddiqui, Dr.Capt. Mukhtiar Ahmed Khwaja, Faiz Muhammad Khoso, Dr. Khursheed Anwar, Dr. Khalil Ahmed Shaikh and Ghulam Qadir Leghari, Sabhago Khan Jatoi, Syed Safdar Ali Shah, Dr. Noor-ul-Haque, Mukhtiar Ali Janvri, Khalid

Bombs at five Iraqi Shi’ite mosques kill 19 while another tore the front off a mosque in Kirkuk, an ethnically mixed city of Arabs, Kurds and Turkman 170 km (100 miles) north of the capital.

“We were listening to the cleric’s speech when we heard a very strong explosion. Glass scattered everywhere and the roof partially collapsed,” said Mohammed, a victim wounded in the Kirkuk blast, his shirt still covered in blood.

Police and health officials said the attacks in Baghdad killed 16.— Reuters

Haider Memon, Ali Muhammad Palijo, Muhammad Ahsanul Haq Leghari, Abdul Rasheed Mughal, Mehmood Hussain Baloch, Syed Ali Akber Shah, Muhammad Malik, Mahmood Hussain Baloch, Syed Ahsan Raza Jafery, Syed Abdul Qadir Shah, Ashfaque Ahmed Qadri, Allah Bachayo Memon, Khaliq Dino Mirani, Pir Bux Brohi, Ali Athar Khan, Mrs. Aftab Inayat, Qurban Hussain Khoso, Arshad Lal Junejo, Hidayatullah Memon, Aslam Ali, Khalil Ansari, Dr. Rafique Ahmed Kolachi, Muhammad Punjal Narejo, Dr. Moula Bux Jamali, Abdul Hayee Dhamrah, Dr. Nilofer Waheed, Rasheed Ahmed Khoso. Dr. Fahmida Imdad Awan, Khalid Hussain Mahar, Muhammad Usman Panhwar, Aftab Khanzada, Aftab Ahmed Soomro, Ahmed Pirzada, Hussain Bux Shaikh, Saeed Ahmed Sethar, Ghulam Akbar Memon, Nathu Ram, Ali Asghar Memon, Hafiz Muhammad

Continued on Page 6

March 31 last date for filing nominations

ISLAMABAD—Process of filing of Nomination Papers by the candidates for general elections continues throughout the country.

According to Media Reports, Sunday is the last day for filing the nomination papers under the revised Election Schedule.

Scrutiny of nomination papers would be made from 1st to 7th of next month and objections could be filed up to 10th of next month. Appeals against rejection of nomination papers could be filed from 8th to 10th of next month.

The Election Tribunals will decide the appeals by April 17. The candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nomination by April 18. Final list of candidates would be issued on 19th of next month.

Polling would be held on 11th of May as announced earlier.—Online

that relinquishing the office of the co-chairperson of the party by the President has established supremacy of the law and constitution.

It is pertinent to note here that during the last hearing, the court rejecting the assurance from President Asif Ali Zardari that he would not take part in political activities, said its ruling with respect to cessation of political activities in the Presidency was not being implemented.

The court asked the President to follow the court’s previous orders on dual offices, otherwise, the court would deliver verdict if the President did not desist from his involvement in politics.

Earlier on Sept 5, 2012, the bench had issued a fresh notice to President Zardari through his principal secretary and had sought a reply to the petition pleading contempt proceedings against him for not abiding a court order to

relinquish his political office.

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

The petitioner had also contended that the use of Presidency for political activities was illegal and tantamount to committing contempt of the court’s orders issued on May 12, 2011. He had also requested the court to issue a show-cause notice to the president and punish him under Contempt of Court Ordinance, 2003, read with Article 204 of the Constitution.

Iran, N Korea, Syria block UN arms trade treaty

U N I T E D N AT I O N S —In a major setback to the international community, Iran, North Korea and Syria blocked adoption of a UN treaty that aimed to regulate the $70 billion global arms trade for the first time.

Reports on Friday said that the three countries opposed the UN treaty, saying it fails to ban sales to terrorists. However, other nations refused to let the UN treaty die.

The treaty’s adoption required agreement by all 193 UN member states, but some countries said that they would ask SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to bring the final draft before the General Assembly for adoption as soon as possible.

Observers say that final draft on the global arms trade treaty could be brought as soon as Tuesday. “This is not failure,” British Ambassador Jo Adamson said. “Today is K IGALI —About 11,000 success deferred, and depeacekeepers may be ferred by not very long,” he needed in Mali to help curb threats posed by militant Islamists, UN chief Ban Kimoon has said. The peacekeepers may have to be backed up by a second force that will focus on combat operations, he said. France ISLAMABAD—Supreme Court sent troops to Mali in Janu- Chief Justice Iftikhar ary to wrest control of the Muhammad Chauhdry has dinorth from militant Islamists. rected police and Rangers to It aims to start withdrawing eliminate no-go-areas by exits 4,000-strong force next hausting all the resources month and hand over to an available in Karachi by the African force. time the apex court resume French troops, backed hearing Karachi unrest case in

by Malian and Chadian the city on April 4. forces, have been attacking “We are going to Karachi the militants in desert and to hear unrest case and all the mountain hide-outs after law enforcement agencies will they fled the major northern be responsible if they failed in cities, including Timbuktu implementing court orders,” and Gao. ‘Counter-terrorism’ the CJ remarked.

The Islamists have reThe orders came as fivesponded to the French-led member special bench of the campaign by launching guer- apex court headed by the CJ rilla-style attacks. A suicide took up the case regarding nobomber killed a Malian soldier go-areas in Karachi. at a checkpoint in Timbuktu The bench came down last week. —Africa News heavily on police officers say-

Ban: Mali needs 11,000 peacekeepers

added.For more than a decade, activists and some governments have been pushing for international rules to regulate the estimated $60 billion US global arms trade and try to keep illicit weapons out of the hands of terrorists, insurgent fighters and organized crime. After two weeks of intensive negotiations, many delegates had been optimistic that consensus was within reach, but Iran, North Korea and Syria announced they could not support the treaty.

Both Iran and North Korea are under UN arms embargoes over their nuclear programs, while Syria is in the third year of a conflict that has escalated to civil war. Amnesty International said all three countries “have abysmal human rights records having even used arms against their own citizens.”

This was the second attempt in eight months to get countries with very different interests behind an

CJ: Eliminate Karachi no-go-areas by April 4 ing that why police were unable to locate the areas when media could obtain credible information in this regard.

DIG West Zone Karachi Zafar Bukhari and SSP East Zone Amir Farooqui appeared before bench and claimed that the situation was improving in the city, home to at least 20 million people. Police officers claimed that there were no nogo-areas in the city instead criminals were holed up in some pockets of the metropolis where operations are also conducted.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain inquired whether people could independently move in Shanti Nagar area of Karachi while a Naval base was also located.—Agencies

Arms Trade Treaty. Hopes of reaching agreement were dashed in July when the U.S. said it needed more time to consider the proposed accord - a move quickly backed by Russia and China. In December, the U.N. General Assembly decided to hold a final conference and set Thursday as the deadline.

“UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is confident that the Arms Trade Treaty will come to pass and is encouraged by the shared determination to make this happen as soon as possible,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said. US deputy representative Dan Mahley said that the Washington supported the proposed treaty as “fair and balanced” and looked forward to its quick adoption by the General Assembly.

The UN Secretary-General did not immediately address the request but expressed deep disappointment at the failure to agree on a treaty text.—Online

150 killed in S Sudan battle with rebels J UBA —More

than 150 people have been killed in a battle between South Sudan’s army and insurgents in the eastern Jonglei state, officials said on Friday. The African country’s army earlier this month launched an offensive against rebels led by David Yau Yau in Jonglei where the government hopes to search for oil with the help of France’s Total.

Since winning independence from Sudan in July 2011, South Sudan has been struggling to impose its authority across vast swathes of territory bristling with weapons after decades of civil war with Khartoum.—Reuters

Gwadar Port takeover by China blessing for Pakistan economy: Haleem Siddiqui Interview

stan economy.

Talking to Pakistan Observer in an exclusive interCapt. Haleem Siddiqui K ARACHI —Capt Haleem view said that so far Gwadar Port is Siddiqui, Chairman Marine far away from economic hub Group of of Pakistan due to absence of Companies, infrastructure communication former minfacilities which are a prerequiister for wasite to for supporting the port ter and operations and a strong link power has with the rest of the economic described centers of the country. the pres“When I say the take over ence of of Gwadar Port by China is a China at blessing for the economy of Gwadar Pakistan it means that China Port as a blessing for Paki- has assured to develop hinter-

Amanullah Khan

land infrastructure to link the port with rest of the country.

When the hinterland is developed it will have a great spill over the economic activities that would be taken up by China for shipments of goods to and from Western part of China which is comparatively less developed when compared to Western China and China desires to develop its western part as well for which it will be using our Gwadar Port” Capt. Haleem Siddiqui who carries international reckoning in port and shipping expertise

besides running Pakistan’s most prestigious container terminal called Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) with the support of the World Bank and currently on the way of developing Pakistan’s first dirty cargo terminal at Port Qasim said that actually China needs Gwadar Port more than Pakistan to carry out its development plans in the Western China which is far away from Eastern coast and transportation of goods would be much costlier than what it would cost through Gwadar Port. So far

Western China is the most deprived part of that country because all the industrial developments have been taken place in the Eastern part of China which has well equipped import and export facilities. Even if the Chinese products transport to its eastern part through Gwadar Port it will be cheaper in terms of money and time consumption. So for the forthcoming industrialization in West of China would be in need of Gwadar port for import and

Continued on Page 6

Global Rise in type 1 diabetes may be linked to reduced exposure to pathogens

C

OUNTRIES with lower mortality from infectious disease exhibit higher rates of type 1 diabetes, according to a new study by Dr. A. Abela and Professor S. Fava of the University of Malta.

The findings, collating data from three major international studies and presented at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Harrogate UK, suggest that the as yet unexplained global rise in type 1 diabetes may be linked to reduced exposure to pathogens in early life, The Daily Mail reported.

Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system destroys the cells of the pancreas that release insulin, leaving the patient unable to control his own blood sugar.

It is estimated to affect around half a million children worldwide, increasing in incidence by an estimated 3% every year. This increase is well documented and is linked to the developed world, but is so far unexplained various theories put forward include the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, which suggests that encounters between the developing immune system and micro-organisms such as bacteria and parasites are part of human evolution and may therefore protect against the development of auto-immunity. The researchers investigated whether markers of infectious disease burden could be linked to the local incidence of type 1 diabetes. They used data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) DiaMond Project, WHO global burden of disease: 2004 update, and the Alexander Project, to correlate type 1 diabetes incidence by country with mortality

from infectious disease and bacterial antibiotic susceptibility (which indicates antibiotic use and thus exposure to bacterial infection).

Type 1 diabetes rates were highest in countries with low mortality from infectious disease. This was true for total mortality from infectious disease (r=-0.35, p=0.008), as well as deaths caused specifically by diarrhea, respiratory disease, tuberculosis, and infections and parasitic disease (all p0.05).

They also found type 1 diabetes rates are significantly associated with the local susceptibility of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae to all antibiotics studied.

This study suggests that there may be an association between type 1 diabetes rates and infectious disease burden. It is possible that the increasing global incidence of type 1 diabetes may be linked to lack of exposure to pathogens during early life. Whilst the data provide support for the hygiene hypothesis they do not prove it: the rise in type 1 diabetes rates is a complex problems and this study is of association only. Other potential contributing factors may show a similar geographical variation to infectious disease burden, as this is linked to the developed world.

The authors are keen to use further studies to identify other environmental factors which may predispose to type 1 diabetes.

Study leader Professor Stephen Fava, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta & Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Malta, said:

RAWALPINDI: Students in colourful dresses performing during Union Week of Government Degree College for Women, Murree Road.

Nepalese students delegation visits FJWU

RAWALPINDI—Eleven members students delegation from different universities of Nepal led by Prof. Dr. Subodh Sharma visited Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) here on Friday.

Registrar, Dr. Maryam Rub welcomed the delegation which is visiting the University to enhance up mutual ties and building better academic cooperation among the both countries.

Placement Officer, Ms. Humaira Saadia, briefed the delegation about the academic and research programs of the university and stressed on academic exchange programs.

She also briefed delegation about history, academic achievements and the recent developments at the University and informed the students about the RAWALPINDI: Kids buying sweet ice balls (Gola Ganda), which is the main attraction in education system of Pakistan hot days from a street vendor. including courses offered by FJWU University.

Deputy Registrar, Ms. Farzana Akhter, answered the different queries of the Nepalese students related to academics.—APP ISLAMABAD—Owing to weak arrangements and negligence of Islamabad Police, the citizens Ditta Najmi, office bearers of adhave lost valuables worth RAWALPINDI—Following the vertisers association, representadirectives of the Election ComRs27.5 million in 38 incidents tives of printers and publishers and of robberies, theft and frauds mission, City District Govern- officials of the Election Commisment Rawalpindi (CDGR) has during last 12 days. sion attended the meeting.It was The street crimes, car lifting prepared a strategy for the imple- decided to ban wall chalking commentation of ban on wall chalkand other anti-social activities pletely and banners, posters and continue unhindered in the fed- ing and banners, posters, stick- stickers etc of bigger size in the eral capital but the concerned ers and hoarding boards of big- district. According to the decision, and responsible officers of the ger than the allowed size.

The candidates violating the posters must be no bigger than 2x3 police are neither asked about feet, hoardings 3x5 feet, banners the situation nor any steps are ban may be disqualified.

3x9 feet and hand bill and stickThis was said in a meeting taken to activate them. ers must not be bigger than 6x9 presided over by DCO Resultantly, the police failed to inches.

Rawalpindi Saqib Zafar.

SP Headresolve even a single case.

Focal persons have been apquarters Rana Muhammad According to sources, 13 cars pointed in different towns of the were stolen in only two days, while Masood, Senior Administrative district who will inform the conthe IGP has been regularly giving Officer Aqeel Ahmed, AC City cerned authorities about any irstatements about police’s efficiency Fahad Waqar Azeem, Assistant regularity and violation.—INP in controlling the crimes.—INP Director Local Government Allah

Criminals on the loose

CDGR to curb wall chalking, posters

Treehouse graduation ceremony ter place to live.

CITY REPORTER The Dolphins (4-year olds) ISLAMABAD—The Treehouse presented a unique selection of Nursery and Kindergarten cel- inventions that have changed the ebrated its 10th Graduation ceremony attended in a large number by the parents of children ranging from the ages of 18 months to 5 years.

The youngest group, the Koalas (18 months to 2 years +), performed Old McDonald and Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes. The audience was left in awe of the little ones’ confidence and courage even though it was the children’s very first time on stage.

The Pandas (3 years +) walked the audience through the seasons in a year, and also introduced them to the valuable world. The highlight of the day people in the community, who was the Graduating class, Kanwork every day to make it a bet- garoos group (5-6 year olds).

They enthralled the audience tarians, scientists and others. with a glimpse into major events The show concluded with of the past, and the famous per- the Graduating class taking the sonalities that have changed the Treehouse oath and their final walk, making it a very proud moment for the parents.The administration had done a splendid job with the arrangements and the applause for the young and talented children lifted the spirits of old and young alike.

“The Treehouse has shaped my child into a confident, well mannered and knowledgeable boy. I will be eternally grateful to this school”, one of the happy, teary eyed parents commenting about her son who graduated from the Treehouse today.

Known as one of the best pre schools in Islamabad the course of history. They played Treehouse is owned and personfamous philosophers, conquer- ally managed by Naadiya K. ors, explorers, artists, humani- Manzur.

Fierce contest in Pindi NA-55 & 56 ISLAMABAD—As election campaign is gaining momentum, two constituencies of Rawalpindi NA-55 and NA-56 are becoming focus of attention for almost all political parties and the electorate.

Fierce contest is expected on these seats as Imran Khan, Sheikh Rashid, Ali Ahmad Kurd and former MNAs from the area are in the run.

Former President of Supreme Court Bar Association Ali Ahmad Kurd intends to contest elections from NA-55 besides two Balochistan constituencies of NA-250 and NA-259.

Kurd said he has emotional attachment with Rawalpindi as he remained in Adiala jail dur-

Pak, Hungarian artists to share ideas ISLAMABAD—Ambassador of Hungary Istvan Szabo Friday said artists of Hungary and Pakistan are ready to share their ideas, feelings and imagination about the contemporary world.

He was speaking at inauguration ceremony of the “Hungarian-Pakistani” exhibition at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA). The exhibition will continue till May 9.

The exhibition was organized in connection with 165th anniversary of Hungarian National Day and to pay tribute to young people who sacrified their lives in the revolution and war of Independence in 1848.

He said this experiment is a unique opportunity to convey the idea that art does not respect borders.—APP

China’s IEC team visits IIUI CITY REPORTER I SLAMABAD —A 12-member Chinese delegation of Xida Islamic Education College Honghe prefecture, Yunan province, headed by president of collage, Mohammad Hussain called on Professor Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al Draiweesh, President, International IIUI on Thursday and discussed issues pertaining to mutual interests.

Dr. Saeed ul Hassan Chishti, Project Director Institute of Professional Development was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ahmed Yousif Al Draiweesh said that the IIUI wanted to diversify its bilateral ties with Chinese educational institutions and in this regard MoUs would be signed for exchange of delegations of student and faculty members between the both countries.

ing movement for restoration of judges.

Replying to a question he said he will field his candidature as independent as he is not seeking ticket of any political party.

He said as against others, he also plans not to spend a penny on election campaign to show to the people that elections can be contested without pouring of money.

Leader of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said he would be contesting elections from both the constituencies on the basis of his past services to the people of Rawalpindi.

To a question he said the

evolving political situation in these constituencies was interesting as stalwarts of some parties intend to contest elections from here.

He, however, expressed the confidence that people would make a choice on the basis of performance. About decision of Ali Ahmad Kurd to field himself from NA-55, Sheikh Rashid said he is fully entitled to contest from anywhere.

Replying to another question he said so far Election Commission of Pakistan was doing well but fair elections would only be possible if bureaucratic reshuffle is made.—Online

Lawyers community condemns killing of senior advocate RAWALPINDI—Lawyers community here on Friday condemned killing of a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court Chaudhry M Khan and boycotted the court proceedings.

Talking to APP, Azhar Hameed advocate termed it a brutal act and demanded the early arrest of the killers.

He denounced the incident and said that lawyers are united.

He said that Chaudhry M Khan devoted his whole life for rule of law. It is mentioned that Chaudhry M Khan was shot dead on Thursday by the unidentified armed persons leaving to his home on his vehicle near Fauji Foundation Hospital.This latest incident of target killing took place in the jurisdiction of Morgah Police Stations area, while no arrest has been made so far.—APP

SBP injects Rs510b KARACHI—The State Bank of Pakistan on Friday injected Rs510 billion into the money market through a 7-day reverse repo to help ease liquidity crunch of the banking system.

In a statement, the central bank said it injected the amount at 9.01 percent per annum. The banks had offered bids worth Rs603.25 billion for the open market operation.—INP

Food insecurity by 2030 threatens Pakistan: Dr Clive STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Pakistan may face

national food insecurity by 2030, hence, there was a need for swift implementation of agri-biotech applications in the country in order to meet the food and fiber needs for the growing population, said speakers while addressing launch of international report Rating agency puts the titled “ISAAA Brief 44” which ASML at ‘A’ details global overview of the biotechnology application in deStaff Reporter KARACHI—After reviewing veloped and developing countries the legal documents, JCR-VIS including Pakistan.

Vice-chancellor GCU Prof Credit Rating Company Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-urLimited has finalized the Rahman chaired the launch cerrating of the Sukuk issue of emony of the international reAisha Steel Mills Limited port organized by the Pakistan (ASML) at ‘A’ (Single A).

Outlook on the assigned rating BiotechnologyInformation is ‘Stable’, said a release here Center (PABIC) at GCU InstiThursday. ASML has issued a tute of Industrial Biotechnol6-month Sukuk amounting to ogy.

Addressing the ceremony Rs 500 million. It is secured by way of joint first pari passu Pakistan Academy of Sciences General Secretary Prof Dr floating charge on all stocks, Anwar Nasim said if biotechnoraw materials, packaging logical advancements were not materials, finished goods, stock in trade and book debts.

Rating also derives comfort from the Letter of Comfort by the company’s primary sponsor, Arif Habib Corporation Limited.

used for meeting the challenges, a major national crisis was expected which might lead to food related riots in the country in near future.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Rahman urged the participants to identify the bottlenecks which were hindering the much need applications of biotechnology, despite genuine needs of the country.

Dr Clive James, the author of ISAAA Brief 44, in his recorded message to the audience said that, it was the great challenge to provide sufficient food to the growing population of the world. He said that Pakistani population would reach to 250 million by 2050. “Therefore, it is a need to design coherent policies work and grow the crops which need less water, less fertilizer and give more yields,” he added. Dr Clive James said that 2012 was the 17th year of the commercialization of biotech, crops and it was

encouraging that this year developing countries planted about 52% of the total global biotech crop.

Prof Dr Kausar Adullah Malik said in 30 biotech cropping countries, the area under biotech cultivation was steadily increasing that brought tremendous benefits to their national economies.

GCU Institute of Industrial Biotechnology Director Prof Dr Ikram-ul-Haq laid a stress on opening training centers for framers where they were briefed about the significance of genetically modified crops.

National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engi- Atif Bajwa, CEO, Bank Alfalah, Nadeem Naqvi, MD, KSE, Salim Raza, e-governor, SBP, Munir Kamal, Chairman, KSE, neering Director Prof Dr Sohail Ali Sultan, Group Head, Treasury and FI, Bank Alfalah and Ikram Ul-Majeed Sehgal, Director, Bank Alfalah along with Hameed emphasized the need of others. application of available biotechnological innovations as well as developing national capacity in this critically important field of agri-biotechnology.

Prof Dr Iqbal Chaudhary also addressed the lunching ceremony.

Pakistan seeks Hungarian support for inclusion in GSP Plus STAFF REPORTER

FBR launches taxpayers facilitation portal

Microsoft’s commitment Staff Reporter KARACHI—Microsoft Pakistan recently conducted DigiGirlz Camp 2013 to foster Information Technology related education among young women of Pakistan.

DigiGirlz is a Microsoft YouthSpark Program which isa signature platform to invest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education for young women and build a pipeline of future workers ready for the challenges of the global economy. The Microsoft DigiGirlz High Tech Camp was developed to provide girls with a better understanding of what a career in technology is all about. This exciting experience provides high school girls with opportunities to learn about careers in technology, talk with Microsoft employees about their life experiences, and enjoy hands-on computer and technology workshops. The camp includes experiential work with robotics, demonstrations of the use of simulation technology, experiences with technology like Windows 8 touchscreen slates, sessions on branding to teach the girls the importance of branding themselves the way they want to be known, speed networking sessions with Microsoft employees, Geoteaming Scavenger Hunt and many other unique experiences highlighting teamwork.

STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Friday officially launched its Taxpayers’ Facilitation Portal to facilitate the taxpayers of the country.

The portal would be accessible at FBR’s website:http:// www.fbr.gov.pk, according to the statement issued here by the board.

This major paradigm shift from an official website towards a Taxpayers’ Facilitation Web Portal is the initiative of FBR’s Chairman Ali Arshad Hakeem

who provided maximum online facilitation, guidance and help to the taxpayers in line with his best international practices.

All the information required by a taxpayer is minimally presented on the portal with the objective of making it more user-friendly.

The new interface is designed with the principle of categorization of information and its presentation in a simple but graceful manner with the sole objective of maximum taxpayer facilitation and easy access to required information.

For the facilitation of tax-

payers, all the links of online services provided by FBR are placed in a separate but easily visible section on the portal.

All the information and links provided earlier on the website are also accessible with more ease. For the ease of taxpayers, and if someone is more comfortable with the earlier layout of information, FBR’s previous website is also accessible from the same portal.

Taxpayers, stakeholders and general public are encouraged to give online feedback and suggestions through the same portal.

PSM needs revamping to become profitable institution IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—Pakistan Steel that had been operating at 82 percent of its total installed production capacity in June, 2008 faced a salient decline in its production operations and was only upto 19 percent in 2011-12.

In spite of the fact that Pakistan Steel got three bailout packages during this period from the Government, amounting to Rs.25 billion, there was no visible improvement. The main reason for this lack of any progress was that the bailout packages were received in installments, were inadequate and delayed. The same

thing happened when bailout package no 4 was sanctioned even through it was for an amount of Rs.14.6 billion. The first installment of this bailout package was received 4 months after the appointment of the present Chief Executive Officer and the benefits of this payment become apparent in November 2012 with the arrival of consignments of raw material.

As a result of this the production went upto 30 percent in March 2013. It may be noted that out of this final bailout package of Rs.14.6 billion, the Government set aside Rs.8.4 billion for payment of the markup on the earlier loans, for old

defaulted LC’s and settlement of overdue utility bills, and Rs.2.1 billion as mark-up of this 4th package, whereas only Rs.3.1 billion were allotted for the purchase of raw material, repairs, renovation etc. Even with this Rs.3 billion and NBP’s guarantee, the Management was able to substantially improve the production level of the steel mills.

The present CEO was the Chairman of Pakistan Steel in 2008; the organization was running in profit. Even now the steel mills can be restored to its former profitability if the Government takes upon itself the payment of the mark-up.

ISLAMABAD—The third round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Hungary was held in Budapest on March 27, 2013. Ms Ayesha Riyaz, Additional Secretary (Europe), Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Pakistan delegation and was accompanied by Ambassador Qasim Raza Muttaqi. The Hungarian side was headed by Mr. Szabolcs Takacs, Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hungary.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations, cooperation in multilateral forums as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Pakistan side expressed its appreciation of Hungary’s support in the EU for Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs) for Pakistan and also requested for Hungary’s continued support for market access to EU markets through inclusion in GSP plus.

Ms. Riyaz also called on Mr. Peter Sztaray, Deputy State Secretary for Security Policy and discussed strengthening Pakistan-Hungary relations, regional security matters and international issues of common interest.

Pakistan achieves export target of 0.2m tons kinno STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Pakistan has already achieved the current financial year’s export target of 0.2 million tons of kinno, while the export still continues. Russia emerged the biggest buyer, where 40 percent of Pakistan kinno was exported.

Pakistan Fruit Exporters Association’s chairman, Waheed Ahmad said that over 0.221 million tons of kinno worth $132.7 has thus far been exported. He said Free trade deal that the ministry of commerce alDUBAI—China, Japan and South lowed timely export of kinno that Korea are inching ahead with resulted in meeting the target. talks for a free trade zone that Besides Russia on the top, would rival the European Union Middle East, East Europe, and North America in economic Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Canada, heft. Despite the achievement of Sudan and Malaysia were the setting aside their often prominent buyers of Pakistan acrimonious relations to begin kinno during the current fiscal year. negotiations, progress will be Waheed Ahmad said that 80 slow. An agreement to start talks thousand tons of kinno could not took 10 years. After three days of be exported to Iran due US ban that meetings in Seoul that finished led to commercial banks failure to Thursday, South Korea said issue export form, while 11 days officials agreed to hold two more transport strike in the country also rounds of negotiations this year, Mir Javed Hashmat, acting Managing Director, Bank of Khyber, addressing 22nd Annual inflicted millions of dollar loss to with the second meeting to be General Meeting of Shareholders. kinno exporters. held in China either in June or July. Negotiations will cover goods, services and investment and might be extended to intellectual property rights and electronic commerce. Striking an optimistic tone on the first day of The National Bank of Paki- this development. The National statement, the loans disbursed STAFF REPORTER talks, Japan’s negotiator Koji can be divided into two catego- stan has converted its entire net- Bank of Pakistan (NBP) was Tsuruoka said the “integration of I SLAMABAD —Out of total ries - production and develop- work of 1294 branches online, incorporated in Pakistan under three economies which are very the bank said. the National Bank of Pakistan 1,294 domestic online ment. significant economies in this area branches, 875 are involved in Under the first category The Bank now has the larg- Ordinance, 1949. as well as globally will provide The bank is involved in catering the needs of farmers, loans are disbursed mainly for est number of online branches very fruitful results.—Agencies while offering complete range the procurement of seeds, pes- in Pakistan, exceeding any commercial banking and related of commercial banking ser- ticides, fertilizers and level- other bank operating in the services in Pakistan and has one ing land, whereas the second country. National bank of Pa- of the largest domestic branch vices to farmers.

“The NBP has disbursed category covers purchase of kistan currently enjoys widest networks consisting of 1294 Rs 45,789.5 million as agricul- tractors, agricultural imple- branch network in the country branches across Pakistan. It also ture credit among nearly ments and construction of and its services are available to has as well as 23 overseas 241,296 farmers during 2012 modern storage facilitates, Pakistanis living in far-flung branches and representative of“I am always doing that against a target of Rs 43,200 cattle farms and poultry farms and most difficult to reach ar- fices in 4 countries worldwide which I cannot do, in with unique footprint in South million”, a statement of the etc and providing running fi- eas. order that I may learn People living in such remote Asia, Central Asia and the Bank issued on Friday said. nance for catering day to day areas will benefit the most from Middle East. how to do it.”

According to the Bank’s requirements.

Despite difficult environment Bank Alfalah manages promising results Bank’s 5th TFC listed at KSE

AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—Atif Bajwa, CEO of Bank Alfalah has said: that Bank Alfalah’s key performance indicators were promising with impressive results and growth in an increasingly difficult environment during 2012.

Speaking at 21st AGM of Bank Alfalah here today the CEO said “as we progress through this year, we continue to pursue our core business strengths and positively tackle challenges, whilst remaining cognizant of and appropriately managing operating risk. We also remain focused on introducing innovative products to a diversified client base whilst continuously seeking to enhance customer experience.”

The meeting was chaired by Abdulla Khalil Al Mutawa and attended by other Board members including Khalid Mana Saeed Al Otaiba, Ikram Ul

Majeed Sehgal, Nadeem Iqbal Sheikh, and Atif Bajwa, CEO Bank Alfalah as well as the Bank’s shareholders.

The shareholders were informed that Bank Alfalah earned a profit before taxation of Rs. 6,783 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to Rs. 5,434 million in 2011, registering a significant improvement of 24.8 percent. The Bank’s deposits grew from last year by 14 percent to Rs. 457.119 Billion.

Total gross advances increased from Rs. 211.397 Billion to Rs. 248.346 Billion reflecting a year on year growth of 18 percent.

Net investments increased by 13.8 percent during the period under review. The overall Balance sheet growth has been 14.6 percent in 2012. The current Capital Adequacy Ratio is 12.67% for the year 2012.The Bank’s Islamic Banking Group has made strides right from inception and in 2012, generated

a profit before tax of Rs. 1,517 million for the year.

As we enter 2013, Bank Alfalah continues to operate through a network of 471 branches across 163 cities in Pakistan in order to provide consumers, corporations, institutions and governments with a broad spectrum of financial products and services, including corporate and investment banking, consumer banking and credit, securities brokerage, commercial, agricultural, Islamic and asset financing.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) has approved the application of the formal listing and quotation of Bank Alfalah Limited’s 5th issue of its rated, listed, unsecured and subordinated term finance certificates (TFCs), upon completion of all relevant listing requirements. The Karachi Stock Exchange also arranged a gong ceremony for the formal listing of this debt security.

National tourism expo commences IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—A 3-day Pakistan’s travel and tourism exhibition was opened at the Karachi Expo Centre Friday. Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Muhammad Haroon Agar inaugurated the exhibition.

The exhibition was mainly represented by the tour operators and official tourism sections of Egypt, Indonesia and Malaysia.

However, Pakistani tour operators and government representation was missing in the exhibition. The Chutti Show had organised the exhibition.

In his inaugural remarks, Agar said that it was an excellent beginning and the following event would attract more exhibitors including some from Pakistan. Egypt Tourism Director Dr Adel Al Masry said that the exhibition was a step ahead to facilitate the Pakistani people

with the information and attractive tourism sites in countries such as Egypt and other that had already been famous for their tremendous tourism-based opportunities.

Rossalis Adenan, Consul General of Indonesia also visited the show where an Indonesian stand was inviting visitors to discover the many scenic holiday spots in Indonesia. Tourism Malaysia was also present at the Chutti Show. Malaysia has become a popular destination among honeymooning couples as well as families. More than 10,000 Pakistanis have also opted for the Malaysia My Second Home program. Two prominent Hajj and Umrah service providers from Saudi Arabia, the Elaf Group and Dar Al Eiman are promoting their religious tourism packages both to travel agents and to the public.

The most interesting Paki-

stani stand was that of the Karachi Scuba Diving Club, which invited the adventurous to explore the depths of the sea bed a few kilometers off the coast of Karachi.

Besides the Consul General of Indonesia, the Consul General of Sri Lanka D W Jinadasa and the Vice Consul of Malaysia also visited the show.

Yahya Polani, Managing Director of Polani’s Group and the person assisting Dr Irfan Ahmad, Chief Organizer of Chutti Show in the management of the event was introducing the Chief Guest to the exhibitors.

Besides Haroon Agar, Nasir Mehmood and Shamim Firpo, both Vice Presidents of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce also visited the show.

Chutti Show is now open to the public and visitors can visit the show in Hall 3 of the Karachi Expo Centre between 11am and 7pm from March 29-31 2013.

Warid Telecom acquiring shares STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Wateen Telecom’s Board of Directors and Management were informed through an official communique that the company’s largest majority shareholder, Warid Telecom International LLC, UAE (WTI), is intending to acquire all of the issued ordinary shares held by the other

shareholders of the Company at a proposed purchase price of Rs. 4.50 (four and a half rupees) per ordinary share, and consequent de-listing from the Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad stock exchanges. WTI currently holds 54% of the total issued ordinary share capital of the Company.

“WTI’s buy-back of the shares reflects its strong commitment to

875 NBP online branches catering to needs of farmers As the world is talking about food security, Pakistan just can’t remain aloof. The country aimed at achieving food security that is not possible without addressing the issues faced by farmers. Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan economy and contributes around 21% to Pakistan’s GDP and directly supports three-quarters of the country’s population, employs half of the labor force and also contributes a large share in country’s total exports.

Pakistan has one of the

world’s largest man-made irrigation systems. It is among the top five largest cotton producing countries, 3rd largest herd of livestock and is the 5th largest producer of milk. It is 5th largest producer sugarcane and dates and 6th largest producer of mangoes and the largest producer of kinnows and enjoys significant share in global rice trade.

Realizing the importance of this segment, NBP gives an important position to agriculture sector and plays a pivotal role in agriculture financing.

Wateen and its local operations, and enables a restructuring,” said Mr David Burlison, a representative of WTI, in his communique to the Board of Wateen Telecom. He added that “WTI believes that the de-listing provides the shareholders with an exit from the business at a return of value which is in excess of that which they would receive on an orderly disposal of the business,” he added. The Company has conveyed its intention to the stock exchanges in Karachi, Lahore andIslamabad, as well the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan in accordance with the Voluntary De-Listing provisions under Regulation 30-A(i), and the Code of Corporate Governance set out in their respective Listing Regulations.

Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom, said, “Wateen Telecom has always been committed to Pakistan and the growth of the telecoms sector. The company’s Board of Directors will be reviewing this offer in its next meeting and will be appointing an independent committee of the Board of Directors to consider the offer further and to make a decision that is in the best interests of all shareholders.”

ROK market has potential to absorb 10,000 Pak workers: MD OEC USA

98.30

98.10

UK

149.50

149.20

EURO

126.10

125.85

Canada

96.76

96.55

Korea ready to welcome more workforce: Lim Worl-jae

Switzerland

103.58

103.37

LIAQAT TOOR

Australia

102.40

102.20

Sweden

15.09

15.05

Japan

1.0446

1.0425

Norway

16.85

16.81

Singapore

79.29

79.13

Denmark

16.91

16.88

Omani Riyal

255.00

245.00

Saudi Arabia

26.21

26.16

Hong Kong

12.66

12.16

Kuwait

344.55

343.85

Malaysia

31.83

31.76

Newzeland

82.22

82.06

Qatar

27.00

26.94

UAE

26.76

26.71

KR WON

0.0884

0.0882

Thailand

3.356

3.349

ISLAMABAD—Saeed Ahmed Shaikh, Managing Director of Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) has said South Korean market has potential to absorb ten thousand unskilled workers from Pakistan.

Briefing newsmen jointly with Lim Worl-jae, Director of EPS Centre in Pakistan on Thursday evening here in connection with a programme to create awareness among Pakistanis on employment opportunities in ROK and its legal demands, he said at present, unfortunately since January, 2008, only 3087 workers could be dispatched due to legal and proce-

dure snags.

The prime reason behind this slow dispatch is high number of illegal Pakistanis who stayed back on expiry of contract. As per Korean law, if rate of illegal workers from Pakistan is reduced to 10 % maximum, the quota of Islamabad will be increased, he said.

He said under the agreement signed between Pakistan and South Korea, a programme of Employment Permit System (EPS) was launched in 2007-8 to recruit Pak workforce through OEC. The programme is moving well, but if workers fully follow the Korean laws and come back to Pakistan on expiry of contract, more openings will

be available to dispatch workers to South Korea where they earn $ 1200-1400 per month with food and housing is provided by the employers.

In Pakistan, he said South Korea has established an online testing centre to ensure recruitment process on regular basis in a transparent manner.

During 2011-12 over 40,000 applications were received from job seekers. Out of them, 7940 were shortlisted to take entry test. 3,500 were qualified but only 574 could be dispatched to Korea. The qualifications for recruitment include matriculation with proficiency in Korean language.

Lim Worl-jae, Director of

Habib University kicks off with A, D level workshops Gold Tezab Silver Tezabi

48,642.00 810.00

STAFF REPORTER

48000.00 43890.00 830.00 800.00

NBP’s AGM held STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—National Bank of Pakistan held its 64th Annual General Meeting on Thursday March 28th, 2013.

The meeting was well attended by the shareholders with the presence of President & CEO, Dr. Asif A. Brohi and members Board, Mr. Shahid Aziz Siddiqui and Mr. Tariq Kirmani. The President NBP Dr. Asif A. Brohi highlighted the Bank’s performance during the year including the initiatives taken by the management as well as the challenges being faced. The President highlighted the fact that Central bank reduced its policy rate by 250 bps in 2012 making total reduction of 450 bps in the last 15 months. The State Bank of Pakistan increased the minimum profit rate on deposit from 5% to 6%. Due to these factors the bank’s interest margin like all other banks remained under pressure. This reduction was partially offset through volume growth and improving deposit mix. After tax profit stood at Rs. 16.2 billion, consequent to the adjustment in discount rate. Total assets of the bank increased to Rs.1.31trillion at the year end, up by 14% from year end 2011, an appreciable growth given the competition and growth in overall banking sector. The bank’s total deposits increased by Rs. 110 billion or 12%.

The President spoke of growth in bank’s deposit, advances and asset base explaining the bank’s focused strategy on increasing its CASA deposits, reduction of non-performing loans, growth in balance sheet size and expense management. The Financial Controller Mr. Aamir Sattar gave a detailed presentation on the financial performance of the bank as well as highlighting the performance of each business unit of the bank spelling out the achievements and the future strategies in that area. The president explained that during 2012 several major I.T. initiatives were undertaken including conversion of almost all the branches to the online network, expansion of ATM network, establishment of full fledge 24/7 call center .The benefits of the said I.T. initiatives coupled with ongoing I.T. improvement will be further explored in 2013 in the form of further market penetration, branch expansion and product development. A number of shareholders appreciated the efforts of Dr. Brohi and congratulated him on assuming the office of the President NBP. The President also highlighted the future initiatives that the bank is taking in terms of technology up gradation and the progress for implementation of ‘Core banking application.

The shareholders approved dividend payout of 70% cash dividend (Rs. 7.00/ - per share) and 15% Bonus shares as recommended in the Board of Director’s meeting held on February 25, 2013 making total payout of 97.2%.

sity kick started the first quarter of 2013 with numerous exciting workshops at O’ and A’ levels and Intermediate schools in Karachi. The sessions are an unorthodox twist on university information programs with fun filled thematic activities.

Each workshop entails student –centric, engaging presentations highlighting certain skills -creativity, teambuilding effective communication, leadership, and so on - that will help students in their transition from high school to a university. The workshops are also a great way to acclimatize potential students with Habib University’s philosophy, academic offerings, international faculty, state-of-theart campus facilities and a potentially vibrant student life.

Students showed keen inter-

est in a chance to study in a purpose-build, modern campus and were particularly enthusiastic about the idea of an engaging student life. “This is the only university I have come across that talks about acknowledging us as worthy contributors towards social change with practical possibilities, and it’s excit-

ing to know that I have such a dynamic option right here in Karachi for further studies!” said a student at Nixor College.

Habib University’s team will continue conducting these workshops and presentations throughout the month of March and April.

The University plans to announce admissions in the fall of this year.

Pak-China leadership more focussed on faster economic growth: Ambassador BEIJING—Pakistan’s Ambassa- nomic and trade cooperation. dor to China, Masood Khalid has said the political and strategic relations between Pakistan and China are robust and the leadership of the two countries is giving special focus on enhancing and strengthening bilateral economic and commercial cooperation, says a press release received here today from China.

The Ambassador said this while addressing a select group of prominent Chinese entrepreneurs here at the Pakistan Embassy.

The Ambassador said that friendship between Pakistan and China has consistently maintained an upward trajectory and grown from strength to strength over the last six decades and two countries have a robust architecture for eco-

He said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been signed that covers goods, services and investment. We have a Five Year Plan for economic and trade cooperation. Under the next five year plan, we have identified 36 projects worth US$ 14 billion which cover education, healthcare, water conservancy, agriculture, transport, energy, and environment, he added.

Ambassador Khalid said “A number of measures are being taken to increase the trade between our two countries. These measures include dispatch of Chinese purchase missions to Pakistan, encouragement of Pakistani traders and trade officials to participate in Chinese fairs and exhibitions, consideration of unilateral

trade concessions by China for Pakistan, second phase FTA negotiations for further trade liberalization, establishment of transborder economic zones, and increase in the number of entry points in China for Pakistan’s agriculture produce.”

Encouraging the Chinese investors to benefit from the opportunities available in Pakistan, the Ambassador said “There are vast opportunities of investment in energy, mining, agriculture, textiles, halal food and infrastructure sectors. We have special investment environment and incentives for our Chinese friends. We aim at creating multiple, trade-transport-energy corridors between Pakistan and China so that this region can be connected to South, West and Central Asia.”—INP

Punjab organizing mineral sector in accordance with high int’l practices STAFF REPORTER LAHORE —Michael Stanley, Lead Mining Specialist of the World Bank has said that Punjab was organizing its mineral sector in accordance with international best practices, which would accelerate mineral related growth in the province. He said that World Bank would continue to support sharing of knowledge and experiences.

He expressed these views while addressing a workshop on development of large-scale mining jointly organized by the Punjab Mines & Minerals Department and the World Bank in Lahore. The participants of the workshop included World Bank team from Sustainable Energy Department Oil, Gas and Mining Unit, Members of the academia, officers of the

Mines and Mineral Department, representatives of mines owners association from Punjab and Sindh including the speakers, Secretary Mines and Minerals, Punjab, Shahid Mahmood, Professor Nawaz Chaudhry, College of Earth and Environmental sciences, Punjab University, Michael Heydari, Mineral Economist, Marie Louise Vittelli, Legal and Regulatory Specialist, Ejaz Ahmad Khan, Secretary Coal and Energy, Sindh, Dr. Imran Ahmad Khan, Director General Geological Survey of Pakistan and Javed Ayub, Director Mineral Resources, AJK. Secretary Mines and Minerals Shahid Mehmood While Speaking on this occasion said that Punjab Government has taken a number of initiatives which include Resource Esti-

mation of coal according to international standards, Kalabagh iron ore utilization project for steel making and iron ore and associated metallic mineral exploration project for Chiniot – Rajoa. The Secretary also shared other efforts of the Department in establishing the Punjab Mineral Company, organizing exploration of minerals on scientific lines, revision of Punjab Mining Concession Rules and strengthening of the Punjab School of Mining at Katas.

Punjab Mineral Development Corporation has been galvanized and being given a role of facilitator in technical guidelines and provision of machinery/equipments to the miners. He said these efforts will encourage investment in the mineral sector.

PIJBC to work for Pak-India sustainable ties STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Pak-India joint business council (PIJBC) would contribute to the efforts for long term,sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship between the neighbour states. Noor Muhammad Kasuri one of the 15 member Council constituted by the Government of Pakistan, said this talking to media here on Friday.

He expressed confidence that the Council would play its role to facilitate the two states take future decisions while adopting a friendly approach towards each other. “It would

Global IT spending to reach $ 3.9tr in 2014 STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Worldwide In-

ISLAMABAD—Habib UniverGold Tezabi (24-Ct) Gold 22 Ct SilverTezabi Silver Thobi

EPS centre in Pakistan said some relief has been announced by the Korean Government for illegal workers. If a worker, who has worked for five years, can visit his home country for three months and again can join the same company without any test and limitation of age. He said Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka have already reduced rate of their illegal workers in Korea. They are enjoying double quota now. Pakistan can also earn this quota if it reduces illegal workers. EPS Centre in Pakistan is trying its best to send maximum Pakistanis to ROK to strengthen economic cooperation between both the countries.

also help both the sides to resolve the issues like expansion of Iran-Pak gas pipeline project to India”, he expressed with optimism. Noor M Kasuri, also chairman Pak India Business Council (PIBC),said people across the border have centuries old history of peaceful co-existence and time has come when both the countries chalk out 2550 years friendship plan.

He said both the countries should redress issues faced by them and expand their business, cultural and other relations. Advancement on gas projects to India, setting up of joint economic zones, industrial joint ventures,

infrastructual development, electricity supply and trade of cement, vegetables, other consumer goods can move ahead only under a sustainable friendship plan, he added.

Pakistan government recently nominated 15 members for the Pakistan-India Joint Business Council following a decision by the two countries to create the body to boost commerce and economic ties.The notification of members was issued by the commerce ministry in line with the decision earlier made by the commerce ministers of Pakistan and India last April.

formation Technology spending is projected to touch USD 3.91 trillion in 2014, driven by growth in spending on devices and enterprise software, research firm Gartner said.

This will be driven by the short-term boost on spending toward premium mobile phones, spending on PCs is expected to remain flat and that on printers is forecast to decline, IRNA News Agency reported.

The segment is expected to grow by 5.7 percent to touch USD 758 billion in 2014.

‘Although the United States did avoid the fiscal cliff, the subsequent sequestration, compounded by the rise of Cyprus’ debt burden, seems to have netted out any benefit, and the fragile business and consumer sentiment throughout much of the world continues,’ Gartner Managing Vice-President Richard Gordon said.

However, the new shocks are expected to be short-lived, and while they may cause some pauses in discretionary spending along the way, strategic IT initiatives will continue, he added.

China central bank head to spur reforms through tough waters BEIJING—Zhou Xiaochuan’s grey hair identifies the Chinese central bank chief as someone willing to do things a bit differently to the ranks of bureaucrats with dyed-black hair in Beijing’s other top organs of state - and the struggle he faces getting things done.

Zhou, who took control of the People’s Bank of China in 2002, is the architect of broad financial reforms that have spawned fledgling capital markets, liberalized some interest rates and broken the peg between China’s yuan and the U.S. dollar - a step along the path to turning it into a global currency on a par with the greenback.

But formidable challenges lie ahead as the country has entered a stage where big changes face push-back risks from vested interests, especially from state giants in key sectors.—Newswire

Training workshop for CCP’s enforcement team

KARACHI: National Forum For Environment and Health held 2nd CSR Business Award 2013. Award winners are from 43 organizations including Fazal Qadir Sheerani, President FPCCI.

Experts ask organizations to raise contribution to socio-economic dev STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —Former federal information minister Javed Jabbar has said that corporate organizations have started contribution in social development which is a good omen but they need to do more in this regard.

This he said while addressing at the 5th international summit on CSR 2013 organized by National Forum for Environment (NFEH) with the support of United Nations Environment Program, Karachi

chamber of commerce & Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan, at a local hotel.

Javed Jabbar said that corporate sector gives lot of jobs and also spending on education, health and training of people.

CSR should be linked to corporate fiscal responsibility and organizations should file their tax returns, he said.

FPCCI and other big organizations should make a statement that how much money corporate sector is contributing in social development.

Siemens University Day in GIK institute STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Siemens held an information session at Ghulam Ishaque Khan Institute of Science & Technology Swabi as part of a series of university visits across Pakistan to challenge the region’s brightest young minds to develop realworld solutions to real-world challenges as part of its Student Award 2013 competition.

The event was attended by a large number of students and faculty member. Mr.M.N. Arslan Head of HR at Siemens and Mr.Zia Zuberi Head Communications and Government affairs Siemens addressed the students The award tasks students with selecting one of four assignments and developing a practical and creative solution to it. The assignments, which are

defined by Siemens experts, address real-life challenges in the Middle East and Pakistan that will need to be tackled to support sustainable development in the region.

Out of four finalists, the frontrunner will be rewarded with a cash prize of USD25,000, followed by USD10,000 for each of the three runners-up and USD 1,500 for the winner of a people’s choice award. Submissions will be evaluated by a high-profile jury whose members contributed to sustainable initiatives around the Middle East and Pakistan.

In addition to University Days in Pakistan, Siemens plans to conduct several other visits across the Middle East region in countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, and Libya.

A low amount of money is being spent on social science research, which should be raised, he stressed. Jabbar said that Zulfikarabad project has been launched without conducting basic environment assessment. We pointed out authorities but they did not respond positively, he added.

“FBR has declared that 300 textile mills are not paying tax returns in due manner. Organizations must pay tax returns so as to ensure their contribution in social sector development, Javed Jabbar concluded.

ACCA celebrates achievement of its members MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—ACCA employers, Learning partners and workplace mentors gathered have to celebrate the achievement of more than 250 new members that had reached the ACCA membership landmark in 2012. The ceremony was held at Dome Hall, Royal Palm Lahore.

Many distinguished guests who were representing leading organizations and top employers in Pakistan including Crescent Bahuman, A.F. Ferguson, Ernst & Young Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder Chartered Accountants, Packages Limited, Coca-Cola Beverages Limited and Kansai Paint Co. Ltd and many others also attended the ceremony. The chief guest of the ceremony was Agha Zafar Abbas, Chief Executive Officer, Kansai Paint and the Keynote address was delivered by Salman Hafeez, Chief Financial Officer.

Weekly inflation increases by 0.49pc STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week ended on March 28 for the lowest income group up to Rs.8,000, registered increase of 0.49 per cent as compared to the previous week.

The SPI for the week under review in the above mentioned group was recorded at 187.94 points against 187.02 points registered in the previous week, according to provisional figures released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) here Friday.

The weekly SPI has been computed with base 20072008=100, covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups and com-

bined.

The SPI for the combined group increased by 0.49 per cent as it went up from 191.97 points in the previous week to 192.17 points in the week under review.

As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined group in the week under review witnessed increase of 6.13 percent.

As compared to the last week, the SPI for the income groups from Rs.8001- 12,000, 12,001-18,000, 18001-35,000 and above Rs.35,000 increased by 0.50 percent, 0.50 percent, 0.50 percent and 0.47 percent respectively.

During the week under review average prices of 13 items registered decrease, while that of

17 items increase with the remaining 23 items’ prices unchanged.

The items which registered decrease in their prices during the week under review included, tomato, egg (farm), potato, gram pulses (washed), wheat, red chillies powder, vegetable ghee (loose), mash pulses (washed), gur, L.P.G cylinder, masoor pulses (washed) and mustard oil.

The items which recorded increase in their average prices included onions, chicken (farm), sugar, bananas, long cloth, lawn, shirting, cooked dal (plate), energy savor, garlic, mutton, georgette, rice basmati (broken), beef cooked, beef (plate), moong pulse (washed) and cooking oil (tin).

STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD —The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), in collaboration with the Department for International Development’s (DFID) under its Investment Climate Facility of UK Specialists Expertise (IFUSE) Programme, conducted a 4-day capacity-building workshop for CCP’s enforcement staff.

IFUSE is an initiative of the DFID aiming to share specialist expertise from across UK Government Departments to support investment climate reform in DFID partner countries.

The workshop was conducted by two experts from the Office of Fair Trade (OFT), UK. Sarah Mills, case handler, and Christopher Whitcombe, Economic Advisor.

The aim of the workshop was to build capacity of the CCP’s enforcement staff in key enforcement areas i.e. bid rigging in public procurement and merger review analysis to enable them to learn from international best practice. Sarah Mills explained how to investigate bid rigging in public procurement contracts and enforcement tools to tackle cartels.

ISLAMABAD: CCP Chairperson, Rahat Kaunain Hassan with CCP Members and trainers of UK Office of Fair Trade.

Ambassador of Spain visits LSE SALIM AHMED LAHORE—The Ambassador of Spain, Mr Javier M. Carbajosa visited the Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE) to seek an insight on the Capital Market of Pakistan.

The MD/ CEO of the Lahore Stock Exchange, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Chaudhary along with his staff shared the structure and performance of the Capital Market of Pakistan. He appraised the Pakistan’s capital market by sharing the current market capitalization that is reported to be $ 44 billion contributing to 17% of the economy’s GDP with a strong faith to bring it back to US 210 Billion as reported back in year 2000. Mr.

Aftab underlined the factors such as the amount of wealth created in the economy through the trading of the shares is reported to be USD 33 billion. He also stated, considering the size of the GDP of the economy that is close to making USD 750 billion provided we document every little development taking place in the country.

MD- LSE, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Ch strongly expressed to establish a free trade between Pakistan and India that could yield mutual benefits and accelerate towards the economic development on both ends as Pakistan’s currency is half of the Indian Currency along with other features such as relatively low cost of production and la-

bor available in Pakistan that produces competitive prices in the international market. On the contrary, Pakistan can also benefit the Indian industry in particular to the automobile industry that is far more competitive and cheaper in India and can feed to the excessive demand of vehicles in Pakistan.

Salman Bukhari, LSE representative delivered a presentation on the performance of LSE in strengthening of the Capital Market Industry of Pakistan. He also highlighted the various initiatives taken in building a strong mechanism and infrastructure to bring maximum transparency in the trading system thereby, safe guarding the investor’s investment.

Global Rise in type 1 diabetes may be linked to reduced exposure to pathogens

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OUNTRIES with lower mortality from infectious disease exhibit higher rates of type 1 diabetes, according to a new study by Dr. A. Abela and Professor S. Fava of the University of Malta.

The findings, collating data from three major international studies and presented at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Harrogate UK, suggest that the as yet unexplained global rise in type 1 diabetes may be linked to reduced exposure to pathogens in early life, The Daily Mail reported.

Type 1 diabetes is caused when the immune system destroys the cells of the pancreas that release insulin, leaving the patient unable to control his own blood sugar.

It is estimated to affect around half a million children worldwide, increasing in incidence by an estimated 3% every year. This increase is well documented and is linked to the developed world, but is so far unexplained various theories put forward include the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, which suggests that encounters between the developing immune system and micro-organisms such as bacteria and parasites are part of human evolution and may therefore protect against the development of auto-immunity.

The researchers investigated whether markers of infectious disease burden could be linked to the local incidence of type 1 diabetes. They used data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) DiaMond Project, WHO global burden of disease: 2004 update, and the Alexander Project, to

correlate type 1 diabetes incidence by country with mortality from infectious disease and bacterial antibiotic susceptibility (which indicates antibiotic use and thus exposure to bacterial infection).

Type 1 diabetes rates were highest in countries with low mortality from infectious disease. This was true for total mortality from infectious disease (r=-0.35, p=0.008), as well as deaths caused specifically by diarrhea, respiratory disease, tuberculosis, and infections and parasitic disease (all p0.05).

They also found type 1 diabetes rates are significantly associated with the local susceptibility of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae to all antibiotics studied.

This study suggests that there may be an association between type 1 diabetes rates and infectious disease burden. It is possible that the increasing global incidence of type 1 diabetes may be linked to lack of exposure to pathogens during early life.

Whilst the data provide support for the hygiene hypothesis they do not prove it: the rise in type 1 diabetes rates is a complex problems and this study is of association only. Other potential contributing factors may show a similar geographical variation to infectious disease burden, as this is linked to the developed world.

The authors are keen to use further studies to identify other environmental factors which may predispose to type 1 diabetes.

Police, Rangers continue operations K ARACHI —Police

have taken into custody twenty suspects and recovered seven types of weapons from them in a search operation conducted at the Baldia Town, while the Rangers’ targeted operation was underway at Machchar Colony of Sohrab Goth on Friday here.

Rangers’ sources said that several suspects have been rounded up in their ongoing- targeted operation at Machchar Colony of Sohrab Goth, while in the late night targeted operation at Jut Line and Ibn-e-Sina Line of Lines Area some suspects were also taken into custody.

Meanwhile, three persons were taken into custody in a raid at a private laboratory near Civil Hospital Emergency, sources said.—Online

Garment factory blaze doused KARACHI—A major fire that broke out in a factory located in SITE area of the metropolis in the wee hours of Friday has been tamed by the firefighters after four hours.

According to the fire brigade official, eighteen fire brigades, two fire bowsers and one water snorkel along with dozens of firefighters took part in extinguishing the fire. Fire tenders from across the city were called in due to high-intensity fire. Fire fighting officials declared the fire as thirddegree inferno while its cause has not yet been ascertained.

All the workers present in the three-storey garment factory were successfully evacuated.—Online

Fine Art Pakistan Gallery holds paintings exhibition

KARACHI: Christians participating in a religious ceremony in connection with Good Friday at a church.

BASR of Karachi University approves conferment of degrees K ARACHI —The Board of Advanced Studies and Research (BASR) has approved the conferment of 15 Ph.D., one MS and six M.Phil. degrees. This was announced on Friday by Prof. Dr. Mansoor Ahmad, Registrar, University of Karachi.

He said that the BASR of Karachi University accorded approval to this effect at a meeting chaired by ViceChancellor Prof.

Dr. Muhammad Qaiser.

The M.Phil degrees would be awarded to Muhammad Naseer (Qur’ an & Sunnah), Khalid Hussain (Geology), Ms. Faiza Razi (Biochemistry), Muhammad Aslam (Pharmacology), Ms. Nasreen Begum ( ChemistryHEJ), Syed Zohaib Hussain (Pharmaceutics).

The Ph.D. degrees would be awarded to Ms. Qudsia Babar (Psychology), Iftikhar Ahmad Shahid (Usool-udDin), Ms. Fouzia Naz ( Mass Communication).—APP

Oxford University Press to hold Literature Festival AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—“Encouraged by the remarkable success of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) over the past four years, Oxford University Press has planned to hold the 1st Islamabad Literature Festival on April 30th to May 1st, 2013.” Ameena Saiyid OBE, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, and Founder/Director, Karachi and Islamabad Literature Festivals, announced at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club to introduce the Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF). She was accompanied by the KLF Cofounder, Asif Farrukhi.

Ameena Saiyid highlighted that the annual KLF is about the promotion of books and reading and of

enriching minds. “We want to leverage on the success of the four KLFs and take the festival to other parts of the country so that more people get an opportunity to celebrate the written word and be exposed to some of the finest Pakistani writers and their works.

Based on this idea, the ILF aims to provide the writers and people of North Pakistan a forum to interact, exchange ideas, and engage in dialogues, discussions, and readings” she said.

She further added that through such literature festivals, OUP intends to create an intellectual space in which the diversity and pluralism in Pakistan’s society is expressed by authors from traditions both within and beyond Pakistan’s borders.

K ARACHI —Fine Art Pakistan Gallery organised a painting exhibition of International renowned artists Khusro Sabzwari titled “Enlightenment of Soul” recently. At the exhibition, his 39 paintings were on display with five different themes including Sufism (Whirling Dervish Series), exotic trees and gardens, including the beauty of organic life closeups, beauty and colours of nature. Sabzwari is a selftaught artist with masters in civil engineering. The background in engineering proved to be an asset in understanding the development of textures and threedimensional perspectives of images on canvas.

Sabzwari said that he tried to touch new topic with new style as people were showing their keen interest in his new ideas and response were outstanding.

FAP Gallery has been a pioneer in preserving our art culture. It has played a vital role to bring forward the zeal of artists all over Pakistan.

Khusro Subzwari is a self-taught artist, with a master’s degree in Civil Engineering has been painting since 1972 when he was still in school.—NNI

KARACHI: Rangers personnel during targeted search operation in Jut Line, a neighbourhood of Jamshed Town.

KMC, DMCs failure to dispose of garbage prompts Alvi for stern action IRFAN ALIGI K ARACHI —The port city, Karachi had in recent few months faced many issues pertaining to lifting and disposal of the litter from streets.

The District Municipal Corporations (DMC) and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) had failed to perform diligently due to which the nook and cranny of the port city were converted into heaps of garbage that led to worsening the environmental and public health concerns.

The DMC and the KMC had already defined area of working, which they both failed to fulfill especially the DMCs stopped their sanitation operations on the pretext of lack of funds required for keeping the sanitation vehicles at work. However, the DMC were duly given the required funds for the purchase of diesel, which they had embezzled at a large scale.

The cumbersome situation presented an ugly and filthy look of the megapolis

Chutti Show at Karachi OBSERVER REPORT KARACHI —

Egyptian Tourism Department is taking part in Chutti Show at Exhibition hall No.3 at Karachi Expo Centre, in coordination with the organizer Irfan Ahmed.

The Tourism Expose was inaugurated on Friday and will continue till Sunday.

Egypt is keen to strengthen the tourism relationship with Pakistan in order to enhance the existing brotherly relations with Pakistani Tourism and other trade organization, says a press release of the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Islamabad.

Foundation stone laying of SHED Foundation’s Welfare Complex KARACHI—The foundation-

stone laying ceremony of the SHED Foundation’s welfare complex was performed here on Friday.

Prominent religious scholar,Allama Syed Shah Turab- ul- Haq was the chief guest. An official of the Foundation said that the welfare complex consists of five units.These,he added,would include diagnosis of the ailments of male patients suffering from neurological disorders, treatment and research of such diseases, orphanage, hostel for destitute children, a standard school for the children of parents from low income groups,a centre for the education and KARACHI: Atif Bajwah, CEO of Bank Al Falah addressing the 21st annual meeting of training of mentally retarded the bank. Nadeem Iqbal Sheikh, Ikram ul Majeed Sehgal, Khalid Mana Saeed and Al children as well as a care centre for the poor and elderly.—APP Atba Abdullah Khalil Al Matwa also seen in the picture.—PO photo by Sultan Chaki

and called for immediate interventions at the highest level of the government. The complaints that had gathered a lot through the publication of news and special features in the newspapers had prompted the caretaker Chief Minister to take the matter on priority and held the authorities answerable for the mess. In this regard, Sindh caretaker (CM) Justice (Retd) Zahid Kurban Alavi had Friday summoned the authorities concerned of the KMC and other relevant departments.

The caretaker CM directed the KMC Administrator Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi, who also held the post of Karachi Commissioner to make Karachi a clean city and all garbage should be lifted from various localities, streets and trade and commercial centers immediately. He said that Karachi was a cosmopolitan city, centre of business activities and providing jobs to people coming here from various parts of the country.

Sindh Secretary Local

Government Sindh Ali Ahmed Lund, Sindh Secretary Finance Sohail Rajput, Principal Secretary to CM Naveed Kamran Baloch, and Secretary Law Syed Ghulam Nabi Shah attended. Alvi said that the people of the city were suffering owing to dumped litter in huge quantity in nook and cranny, hence the KMC and relevant DMCs should kick off special initiatives for the lifting of the litter and garbage immediately and sewerage disposal system should be improved.

He made it clear that he wanted Karachi city a neat and clean or else drastic action would be taken against negligent, careless and violating persons. The caretaker CM also directed the Sindh Secretary Local Government to implement similar action in various towns, cites, union councils throughout the province and maintained that all had to work jointly and for the purpose of healthy and hygienic atmosphere, all out measures should be adopted.

He observed that it was observed that sweeping staff was dumping the litter in streets and corners that they had lifted from roads and this tendency would not be allowed. He said that transitional arrangements period might be allowed for 15-days so that day-to-day affairs of Local Government bodies were solved, while officers could be declared as administrators to run the working.

He further directed that Local Government department had to play important and positive role, as such the transition system should be completed within 15-days and no further extension of the given period would be allowed. He said that in case, the process was not implemented within 15-days; a fresh case with recommendations should be submitted before him. Earlier, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Finance, Commissioner Karachi/Administrator KMC and Secretary Law presented issues pertaining to local Government system.

Heavy loads on shoulders can cause nerve damage in the hands, fingers

T

RUDGING from place to place with heavy weights on our backs is an everyday reality, from schoolchildren toting textbooks in backpacks to firefighters and soldiers carrying occupational gear. Muscle and skeletal damage are very real concerns.

Now Tel Aviv University researchers say that nerve damage, specifically to the nerves that travel through the neck and shoulders to animate our hands and fingers, is also a serious risk.

Prof. Amit Gefen of TAU’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Prof. Yoram Epstein of TAU’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine, along with PhD student Amir Hadid and Dr. Nogah Shabshin of the Imaging Institute of the Assuta Medical Center, have determined that the pressure of heavy loads carried on the back have the potential to damage the soft tissues of the shoulder, causing microstructural damage to the nerves, Medical Health News Reported.

The result could be anything from simple irritation to diminished nerve capacity, ultimately limiting the muscles’ ability to respond to the brain’s signals, inhibiting movement of the hand and the dexterity of the fingers. In practice, this could impact functionality, reducing a worker ’s ability to operate machinery, compromise a soldiers’ shooting response time, or limiting a child’s writing or draw-

ing capacity. The research was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology and partially supported by a grant from TAU’s Nicholas and Elizabeth Slezak Super Center for Cardiac Research and Biomedical Engineering. Focusing their study on combat units in which soldiers must carry heavy backpacks, the researchers discovered that, in addition to complaining of discomfort or pain in their shoulders, soldiers also reported tickling sensations or numbness in the fingers.

Exploring this issue in a non-invasive manner, they used biomechanical analysis methods originally developed for investigating chronic wounds. The analyses show how mechanical loads, defined as the amount of force or deformation placed on a particular area of the body, were transferred beneath the skin to cause damage to tissue and internal organs.

Based on data collected by MRI, Profs. Gefen and Epstein developed anatomical computer models of the shoulders. These showed how pressure generated by the weight of a backpack load is distributed beneath the skin and transferred to the brachial plexus nerves.

The models also account for mechanical properties, such as the stiffness of shoulder tissues and the location of blood vessels and nerves in the sensitive areas which are prone to damage.

Senators visit Joseph Colony LAHORE —Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, Afrasiab Khattak, has said the Constitution ensures equal rights to people of different religions.

Talking to the media during his visit to Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh, on Friday, he said that all people were equal before the law and Islam gives a message of peace, tolerance and patience. He said that such incidents should not take place as they harm peace in society.

He said the committee would make recommendations and ensure that such incidents do not take place in future. Severe punishment will be awarded to the accused, he added.

He also paid tributes to the administration which tried its best to mantain peace and did not let the situation worsen.

Senators Farhatullah Babar and Mushahid Ullah Khan condemned the incident and said that steps should be taken for promotion of interfaith harmony.

Religious scholars can play an effective role in this regard, they added.

Senator Farhat Abbas, Badshahi Mosque Khateeb Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, Mufti Bilal Naqshbandi, Senator Kamran Michael and others were also present.—APP

Govt orders developments in LPCHS

LAHORE: A man selling traditional mirrors at a local bazaar in the provincial capital.

No compromise on law, order, fair & free polls: IG Aftab LAHORE—Newly posted In- hoped that all political parties, diction failing which strict acspector General of Police Punjab Aftab Sultan on Friday categorically announced that “No compromise on law and order and holding fair, free, and transparent general elections in the province”.

Inspector General Aftab Sultan, in his maiden exclusive interview with APP, underlining his priorities said that all out efforts will be made on top priority to maintain law and order across the province besides help conducting fair and impartial general polls without succumbing to pressure from any quarter.

He warned that “No one will be allowed to take law of land in his hand to achieve ulterior motives and create law and order situation and who so ever violates will face the music and wrath of law irrespective of social status”.

On the other hand, he

their supporters and candidates will strictly adhere to the code of conduct of Election Commission of Pakistan.

Aftab Sultan said that whole hearted and full fledged co-operation will be extended to the Election Commission for free polling in every nook and corner of the province.

He said police force will be deployed at all polling stations and wherever required the services of troops of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers will be acquired for assistance to the civil administration.

IG said that all Regional Police Officers, Capital City Police Officers and District Police Officers will be personally responsible for law and order in their respective juris-

tion will be taken against them.

“He always firmly believes on rule of law and supremacy of merit,” he said and added that during his tenure, he will make it sure that no injustice is done to any one as the all people are equal to him.

He said that divisional and district officers must also monitor the overall performance of their subordinates and those found guilty must never be spared.

About the standard of investigation, he said those found guilty of defective investigation will be dismissed from service within the ambit of law and police personnel showing negligence in discharge of their duty will be taken to task with iron hand.

LHC ups urgent cell for litigants, lawyers benefit STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Lahore

High Court, Lahore, has revamped urgent cell for the benefit of litigants and lawyers. It will be fully equipped with latest information technology and automation services meeting the requirements of modern era.

There will be an information counter for proper guidance of the new comers. Everyone will get token and seat number of the official for filling his/her petition. Facilitation of the aggrieved persons is the approach of the LHC behind the modernisation of

this Cell.

The Cell will serve as one window operation and all the facilities for the litigant public and lawyers will be provided under one roof. All kinds of cases i.e. Civil, Criminal, Constitutional, Writ petitions and appeals etc will be received over there and at the same time the objections, if any, will be got removed at the spot by the lawyers or concerned parties present there. In order to facilitate the litigants – the major stakeholders of system of Justice and lawyers community, abundance space with sitting arrangement has been provided.

LAHORE—The Punjab Government on Friday accorded administrative approval for development in “B” and “C’ blocks of Lahore Press Club Housing Society.

President LPC Arshad Ansari told APP that all out efforts are being made on top priority for early completion of all development works in all blocks so that allottees could build their homes without any loss of time.

He said that the Punjab government had also directed the District Co-ordination Officer, Lahore to acquire 516 kanal additional land for LPC Housing Society.

Secretary Lahore Press Club Zulfiqar Ali Mehto said here this evening that notification in this regard had already been issued which directed the DCO to acquire land at the rate of Rs 25000 per marla immediately for the construction of “F” block at LPC Housing Society to accommodate the left over members of the club.

LPC and other office bearers and club members thanked the Punjab government for taking personal interest for development.— APP

Court allows 2 candidates to contest polls LAHORE—The Lahore High Court on Friday provisionally allowed Asghar Malik to contest National Assembly elections from Faisalabad.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah also sought a reply from the Election Commission till April 2 on a plea filed by Asghar Malik challenging cancellation of his vote from Faisalabad.

Earlier, the petitioner ’s counsel submitted that the petitioner was a resident of Faisalabad and had remained an MPA from 2002 to 2008.

He submitted that the petitioner wanted to contest NA elections from Faisalabad but his name had been deleted from voter’s list.

He said the decision of the commission had no legal standing and was a violation of the right to participate in election. Therefore, directions should be issued to the Election Commission for correcting the record and allowing the petitioner to participate in elections, he added.—APP

LAHORE: Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, Afrasiab Khattak and Senators Farhatullah Babar visiting the Joseph Colony.

PPP welcomes BNP’s decision to contest polls SALIM AHMED LAHORE —Former Governor Punjab and the Secretary General PPP, Latif Khosa, has said that the decision of the Nationalist Parties of Balochistan to take part in the forthcoming elections is heart- warming dividend of the continuity of the democratic process during the last five years.

It is exceptionally good news for the federation of Pakistan, democracy and the nation because ballot has truimphed over bullet, he said. He said that the PPP led former democratic government accorded top priority to the problems of the Balochistan province and took major initiatives like Aghaz-i-Haqooq-iBalochistan Package aimed at addressing the feelings of political and economic deprivation of the Baluchi people.

He recalled that the President Asef Ali Zardari , at the outset, tendered his heartfelt apology to the Baluchi people as they were subjected to hardships and injustices in the past. The bold

Faisal’s plea for matric certificate disposed of LAHORE—The Lahore High Court Friday disposed of a petition filed by former Federal Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat for issuance of a duplicate matriculation certificate after assurance by the Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE), Lahore.

The single bench comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing the matter.

Earlier, BISE’s counsel appeared before the court and submitted that the Board had decided the representation of Faisal Saleh Hayat for a certificate. It has been decided that a certificate would be issued after submission of an affidavit by the petitioner, he added.

The court after hearing the arguments disposed of the matter.

On the last hearing, the court had ordered the BISE chairman to decide pending representation of the petitioner.

Faisal Saleh Hayat through a petition submitted that he had lost his duplicate certificate of the secondary education and requested the Board to issue him a copy.

He said despite a lapse of considerable time, the Board had neither issued the requested certificate nor decided his representation for the purpose.—APP

gesture served as a healing touch on the wounds of the people of the province, he said.

Mr.LatifKhosa said that it was due to the continuity of the democratic process in the country and the steps taken by the democratic government that, most probably, persuaded the Nationalist leaders to take part in the mainstream politics of the country as there was enabling environment and political will in the country for the redressal of their grievances.

He said that the political initiative of the President together with other major steps for the empowerment of the Baluchi people had paid rich dividends in the context of the process of national integration.

There is no substitute for the political settlement of the issues through negotiations because people take ownership of such arrange-

ments, and with that an era of peace commences on sustainable basis, he maintained.

The former Governor said that the National Finance Award, signed at Gowader, substantially increased the financial resources of the province which in turn accelerated the development process in the province to bring it at par with other provinces.

The Secretary General said that the strategic decisions taken by the democratic government regarding Gowader Port and Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project would create tens of thousands job opportunities for the Baloach youth which would bring prosperity and social development worthy of emulation.

He concluded that Balochistan province held promise for the prosperity of the country beyond any shadow of doubt.

12 criminals held LAHORE—Baghbanpura police claimed to have arrested 12 criminals during crackdown against drug pushers, proclaimed offenders and kite flyers and recovered narcotics besides kites and cords.

Police arrested a lady drug pusher Rukhsana alias ‘Maee Hajan’ and recovered one Kg heroin from her possession.

Police also arrested proclaimed offenders Imtiaz and Sohail and recovered two kg hashish and two drums liquor from them.

The police also arrested a swindler Abdul Qadeer Butt who involved in looting lakhs of rupees from innocent people.

Police also arrested eight persons and recovered kites and cords from their possession. The persons have been identified as Aqeel, Abdur Rehman, Waqas, Imran, Mudasar, Asif, Kashif and Naeem.

DIG Operation announced cash and commendatory certificates for the raiding team.—APP