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C 4.
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By-polls 2013: No real interest, but some real ballots
to 6. Terrorism be rooted out 7. through talks or force: Nawaz
8.
EDITORIAL
ontents
9.
White elephant: ECC fails to decide fate of Steel Mills
The Economic Genocide of Karachi
By-election: 32 percent turnout in NA-48
The situation in Karachi is primarily due to the machinations of political parties and due to their non-chalant attitude towards Karachi. This metropolis was called The City of Lights. This appellation was cherished with devout pride by the denizens of Karachi. What happened that today it is the City of Blood, the City of Darkness, and the City of Chaos?
New road linking Gwadar to China approved Two more Pak soldiers killed by Indian firing at LoC
So, can there be a U-turn by the political parties to seriously and earnestly endeavor to bring peace? Will they listen to the “signals” emanating out of the meeting of the Formation Commanders in GHQ? Will they seriously take cognizance of the daily killings and the mayhem in Karachi? The political parties are basically fighting to maintain their turf. These parties have protectors of strong and dominant players in gun-running, land-grabbing, and drugs-marketing. The income from these activities is phenomenal and also provides power and importance. At the same time, where on the one hand, an ethno-political party has a mesmerizing control over Karachi, then on the other hand, the other parties are striving to get a foothold in the City’s political arena and to wrest seats from the control of this ethno-political party. This has naturally brought about a harsh reaction resulting in a brutal law and order situation culminating in daily deaths in double figures.
parties to 11. Pakistan 10. Opp host D-8 reject POL price hike
12. Musharraf
indicted in Benazir Bhutto murder case
Sindh 14. Assembly
passes local govt bill
Do the politicians really want to bring about a peaceful and livable environment in this city? The task is onerous and the journey difficult. But, if there is a will there is a way. The first and foremost step to be taken is that all party flags, posters, graffiti, and slogans must be eliminated and wiped out from the city. Secondly, there would be no display of arms at political meetings nor would the politicos move around with armed escorts. Thirdly, laundering what is of prime importance is that the political parties must keep at bay their hardcore militants and must ensure 13. TDAP that political patronage is not accorded to militants arrested by the law-enforcing agencies. case: FIA
moot on energy: Sartaj
finds proof of money transfer to foreign accounts Purging the 15. watchdog: FIA declares 62
of its officials ‘corrupt’
week 17. 16. Last of President Zardari’s term
Lack of employment opportunities is one major reason for the despondency and for the escalation in the crime PM Nawaz says rates. A massive, fast-track program must be initiated by the government to introduce projects such as low-cost housing in this country. This would directly spur up activity in 45 industries and provide jobs for millions. This consensus is the only viable initiative for reducing unemployment and attacking extremism, terrorism, and crimes. required over
Karachi situation
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Jawaid Riaz, Editor
There have been so-called De-weaponization campaigns and at the same time clarion calls for ridding this City of arms. It is easier said than done. Thousands of arms licenses are being issued on political grounds by the Home Department. The Interior Minister reveals that sophisticated Israeli arms have found their way into Karachi. The solution is however possible. Enact a Federal law making illegal arms a crime punishable by life imprisonment. Then make sure that once a culprit is arrested, that person must be sentenced if found guilty and if there is political pressure on the law enforcers, the name of the politician pulling rank must be forwarded to the Prime Minister for taking action against that politician. Meantime, an amnesty may be declared for those possessing illegal arms. This is a tall order but efforts must be continuously made in this matter.
Armughan Asar, Queens, NY Mashood Ahsan, Saint Louis, MO Najeeb Ali Kidwai, Canada Rashid khan, Springfield, MA Shahid Alam, Dallas, TX Shahid Khan, London, UK Suhail Ahmed, Houston, TX Zafar Khursheed, Denville, NJ Zulikha Wahid Washington, DC
Therefore, it is high time all leaders of political parties must seriously, for once, have a two-day All Parties Conference to deliberate and agree on a three-point agenda: 1. Economy 2. Law and Order 3. Code of Conduct This would be the Charter of Peace. This would be guaranteed and monitored by the Armed Forces, by the Judiciary, and by the Business Community. Jawaid riaz
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4 August - 2013
By-polls 2013:
No real interest, but some real ballots
FAISALABAD / THATTA / ISLAMABAD: There seemed to be very little interest in the by-elections on Thursday as there were reports of a low turnout in polling stations across the country.
NEWS one constituency,” a Presiding Officer at an F-10 polling station, who requested anonymity, said. “Byelections not only waste the state’s resources, but the low voter turnout also means that essentially only a few people elect the next representative.” In Lahore, polling was relatively smooth. Elections at one national assembly and three provincial assembly constituencies concluded peacefully at the appointed time of 5 pm. The Acting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice Tassaduq Jilani visited polling stations and expressed satisfaction at the way polling was being conducted. However, the turnout, too, was relatively low.
Some people in Karachi’s constituencies up for polls such as Quaidabad did not even know Political parties and candidates there were by-elections taking failed to mobilise voters in the fed- place. Only one election office of eral capital as the city witnessed a political party could be spotted its first-ever by-election at one of in the area. its two National Assembly constituencies.
According to unofficial estimates, the turnout in NA-48’s 260 polling stations hovered around 30 per cent – just around half of the 59.5 per cent turnout polled in the constituency on general elections on May 11. Recalling her experience of the general elections, Zovia Arshad, a voter, said last time her polling station was jam-packed and resembled a fish market. “It seems more like a graveyard today”. Another voter, Raniya Khan, who cast her ballot at a polling station in F-7, said the only thing she liked this time around was finding a parking spot close to the polling station. “There was a lot of enthusiasm last time. We believed we would be contributing towards a change. But today was just a formality, a duty in fact as a citizen of Pakistan,” she said. “Our politicians should think about contesting from only
for casting fake ballots at Thatta’s polling station of NA-237. As the Election Commission of Pakistan had given magistrate powers to army officials in electoral constituencies, Major Sajjad gave six-month sentence to SHO Abdul Majeed and a three-month sentence each to constables Ghulam Hussain and Ghulam Nabi for the fake ballots.
PML-N, PTI retain position despite setbacks
The policemen were caught in the wrongdoing at a polling station in Public School, Makli. After the verdict, the police officers were locked up in the sub-jail at Makli police station. In Karachi, an assistant presiding officer and a polling agent were apprehended allegedly for casting bogus votes in a polling station in Shah Waliullah Nagar, Orangi Town. Pakistan army personnel caught the assistant presiding officer, Mohammad Bilal, and the polling agent, Mohammad Naveed, at a private school in PS-95. The accused were later handed over to the Rangers for questioning. The Lahore High Court had also set up control rooms in different constituencies to address election-related complaints. One such complaint was received at Gawalmandi Circular in PP142, where PTI candidate Malik Waqar Ahmad reported that a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Syed Mukhtar Hussain Shah, went to his hometown and opened a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) election office, forcing people to give votes to the party.
Meanwhile, at NA-83’s polling station No.94 in Faisalabad, PTI workers chanted slogans complaining that their supporters were Meanwhile, Thatta polling stations not allowed to cast their votes by too saw a low turnout and enthu- PML-N supporters. The police ofsiasm of reporters. PML-N MNA ficers on duty at the polling staMarvi Memon tweeted, “Low turn- tion also supported the PML-N, out this first half of the morning in they alleged. Thatta NA-237 as per on-ground reports.” At the end of the day, The PTI supporters also accused there was an average turnout of PML-N candidate Mian Abdul 35 per cent of registered voters in Mannan himself and his workers Thatta. In Sanghar and Mirpurkhas, of manhandling those who voted there was a turnout of 40 and 45 for PTI. per cent of registered voters, reThere were no reports of rigging spectively. or fighting between rival political Fake voters caught groups in NA-48 and some polling staff members thought the An army official has sentenced military presence was responsible three policemen including a SHO for the discipline. to up to six months imprisonment
ISLAMABAD: Despite setbacks in the biggest by-polls in the country’s history, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the two main rivals in the contest, made some gains, according to unofficial results. The PTI lost on both seats vacated by Imran Khan after the May 11 general elections. In NA-1 Peshawar the PTI candidate Gul Badshah lost to Ghulam Ahmad Bilour of the Awami National Party, while in NA-71 Mianwali, the PTI’s
Malik Wahid lost to the PML-N’s Obaidullah Shadikhel. However, in a keenly contested fight in NA-48 Islamabad, the PTI candidate Asad Umar defeated PML-N’s Ashraf Gujjar.In another important contest in PP-247 Rajanpur, the PML-N lost the seat vacated by Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to the PTI. In Sindh, the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) won the seats vacated.The ruling PML-N secured five, PPP three, PTI two, while the MQM, PkMAP and ANP bagged one seat each in the National Assembly, ac-
continued....
5 August - 2013
cording tounofficial results, with the turn-out remaining low compared to the May 11 polls.
NEWS hammad Ajmal Cheema (PTI) with 19,875 votes. PP-118 (Mandi Bahauddin-III): Akhtar Abbas Bosal of PML-N got 31,305 and Liaqat Ali Ranjha of PTI 17,292 votes. PP-123 (Sialkot-III): Khawaja Muhammad Mansha of the PML-N secured 21,869, and Muhammad Dawood Khan of PTI 6,979 votes. PP142 (Lahore-VI): Khawaja Salman Rafiq of PML-N received 14,513 votes followed by Waqar Ahmed of PTI with 3,683 votes.
of the PPP had got 15,102 votes while Dr Zafar Kamali (MQM) had received 14,868 votes till the filing of this report in a very close contest. PS-95 (Karachi-VII): Muhammad Hussain Khan of the MQM got 47,274 votes against Muhammad Jameel Zia of the PPP with 1,254 votes. PS-103 (Karachi-XV): Muhammad Abdul Rauf Siddiqui of the MQM got 24,938 votes, while Sultan Ahmed of the PTI was runner up with 2,684 votes.
declared winner by securing 38,695 votes. His opponent Syed Zakir Hussain, who was also an independent candidate, obtained 12,522 votes. PK-80 Bannu: Azam Durrani of the JUI-F won the election by securing 23,529 votes. His opponent Malik Adnan Wazir of the PTI got 19,504 votes.
NA-5 Nowshera: Dr Imran Khattak, son-in-law of Chief Minister KhyKP Assembly: PK-23 (Mardan-I): ber Pakhtunkhwa Parvez Khattak, Ahmed Khan (ANP) got 13,077 was leading with 47,821 votes. votes, while Syed Umer Farooq His opponent Daud Khan Khattak (PTI) got 12,005 votes. PK-42 of the ANP secured 27,341 votes, The Election Commission asked according to unofficial results from the concerned returning officers to PP-150 (Lahore-XIV): Mehr Wa- (Hangu-I): Shah Faisal Khan (Inde- 236 polling stations. hold back the result of NA-5 (Now- jid Azeem of the PTI got 10,302 pendent) 34,932, Syed Hasni (Inshera) and NA-27 (Lakki Marwat), while the PML-N’s Mian Marghoob dependent) 12,909. NA-27 Lakki Marwat: On the diwhere re-polling will be held in nine Ahmed got 8,299 votes. PP-193 PK-70 (Bannu-I): Azam Khan Dur- rectives of the Peshawar High polling stations each of these con- (Okara-IX): Khurram Jehangir Wat- rani (JUI-F) 23,501, Malik Adnan Court, the Election Commission stituencies after reports poured in too of the PPP secured 41,426 Khan of PTI 19,531 votes. announced re-polling on nine that women voters were barred votes while Noor-ul-Amin Wattoo women polling stations. The deciof the PML-N secured 25,459 Tauseef-ur-Rahman adds from sion was taken due to low polling from casting their votes. votes. PP-210 (Lodhran-IV): M Peshawar: Though the PTI faced turnout at women’s polling staBy and large, the by-elections Zubair Khan (PML-N) got 36,778, defeat in the important NA-1 Pe- tions. Till the filing of this report, were conducted in a peaceful and and Syed Khursheed Khan (PTI) shawar, it retained NA-13 Swabi-II according to unofficial results, Col smooth manner. At the eleventh came second at 12,206. PP-217 and was leading on NA-5 Now- (retd) Ameerullah of the PTI had hour, polling was postponed in (Khanewal-VI): Rana Babar (PML- shera-1 and NA-27 Lakki Marwat secured 29,559 votes while his Tank, due to security reasons.As as the by-elections in Khyber opponent Attaur Rahman, brother per the unofficial results, the PPP’s Pakhtunkhwa passed in a of Maulana Fazlur Rehman of the Shazia Marri, who made her way peaceful manner. JUI-F, had got 21,768 votes. to the NA on a reserved seat after the general elections, appeared In NA-1, Ghulam Ahclearly leading against PML-F’s mad Bilour of the AwaKhuda Bakhsh Dars from NA-235 mi National Party (ANP) (Sanghar/Umerkot). secured 37,710 votes against 25,930 votes of PML-N’s Muhammad Shafqat Gul Badshah of the PTI. Hayat appeared heading for a sure victory in NA-68, PML-N’s Shahid N) won 49,469 votes, while Maq- NA-13 Swabi II: Aqibullah Khan, Bhatti in NA-103, Shazia Mubashir sood Alam (PTI) received 22,832. brother of Asad Qaiser, Speaker of the PML-N in NA-129, Ghulam Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly (DG Khan-IV): Ali and provincial president of PTI, Noor Rabbani Khar of the PPP in PP-243 NA-177 against Jamshed Dasti’s Khan (PTI) 22,493, and Sardar won the seat. According to unofbrother Javed Khan, PPP’s Sham- Ahsamuddin (PML-N) 18,635. PP- ficial results Aqibullah got 44,328 ISLAMABAD: sunnisa Memon in NA-237, Ali 247 (Rajanpur-I): Ali Raza (PTI) got votes while Maulana Attaul Haq Rashid of the MQM in NA-254 and 45,594 votes, while Abdul Qadir Darweesh of the JUI-F secured The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) retained its National Assembly Abdul Kahar of the PkMAP in NA- Khan (PML-N) received 34,597. 32,831 votes. seat from the federal capital and 262. the PTI made further inroads PP-254 (Muzaffargarh-IV): Hamid Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Mardan: On Pk-23 Mardan-I Ahin Punjab by winning from PP-247 Nawaz (PML-N) 7,482, Irshad (PML-N) added another seat to mad Bahadar Khan of ANP won Rajanpur on a seat vacated by Ahmed Khan (PPP) 6,517. the elections with a narrow margin their provincial assembly tally from Mian Shahbaz Sharif. of 412 votes. He defeated Omar Rawalpindi district in the August PP-289 (RY Khan-V): Farooq Khan of the PTI. Ahmad 22 by-elections. Punjab Assembly: Raees Mahmood Bahadar secured 13,606 votes PP-51 (Faisalabad(PML-N) 28,611, while Omar Farooq obtained PTI’s Asad Umar successfully deI): Azad Ali of the Mian Muhammad fended the seat vacated by PTI PML-N was lead12,869 votes. Aslam Advocate President Javed Hashmi in the ing with 36,628 (PPP) 23,270. general elections. Umar received PK-27 Mardan-V: Jamshed votes against MuMohmand, an independent can- 48,073 votes — according to the PP-292 (R Khan-VIII): didate and brother of slain MPA Election Commission of Pakistan Makhdoom Syed Ali Ak- Imran Mohmand, won the elec- (ECP) — to defeat PML-N’s candibar (PPP) 42,207, Maulvi tion. According to unofficial results, date Ashraf Gujjar whose support Tariq Chohan (PML-N) 30,964. Jamshed Mohmand secured from NA-48 voters totaled 41,186 Sindh Assembly: PS-12 (Shikar- 37,133 votes while Fazl Rabbani votes. pur-II): Abid Hussain (PPP) got of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) got The overall voter turnout in the NA13,187 and was leading against 10,177 votes. 48 by-elections stood at 32.11 per Amir Ali Jatoi (Independent). (Mir- PK-40 Hangu: Shah Faisal, broth- cent, with 94,257 votes polled out purkhas-I): Abdul Syed Qureshi er of slain MPA Farid Khan was of a registered 293,525 votes.
By-election: 32 percent turnout in NA-48 by-election
6 August - 2013
NEWS
Terrorism to be rooted out through talks or force: Nawaz
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that he wanted to eliminate terrorism in the country whether through dialogue or with the full might of state institutions. In his first address to the nation on television and radio after assuming power, the prime minister expressed the resolve of the government to eliminate the menace of terrorism, improve the economy, address the power crisis and pursue good neighbourly relations with all countries of the region, including India, for regional peace and prosperity. Nawaz Shairf said, “Pakistan is today facing serious challenges like terrorism endangering the very survival of the country and the worst kind of loadshedding that has paralysed the economy. The very foundations of the country have been shaken due to maladministration, rampant corruption in every sphere and inefficiency of the last fourteen years that has brought national institutions like PIA, Pakistan Steel, Railways, Wapda and others to the verge of virtual collapse. These institutions are inflicting huge losses of Rs5 billion annually to the national exchequer.” He said that the national debt which stood at just Rs3,000 billion in June 1990 had now soared to Rs14,500 billion. The prime minister said one could gauge the insensitivity of the previous regime and the level of corruption from two instances of Nandipur and Neelum-Jhelum power projects. Their execution was either obstructed or criminally delayed leading to massive increase in the cost and delay in their completion at a time when the country badly needed electricity.
is a national issue and jugular vein of Pakistan and resolution of the problem is as dear to him as other Pakistanis. He however said, “We will have to keep in the mind that we cannot achieve any target withThe premier recounted the out strengthening economy of the measures taken by the country.” He said that alongside present government to Kashmir issue, they would have overcome the electricity cri- to pay attention to strengthen the sis. He said despite finan- national economy, resolve the incial constraints, the govern- ternal and external problems and ment arranged retirement tackle power crisis and terrorism. of circular debt worth Rs480 billion as a result of He said Pakistan and India would which electricity generation have to join their heads together had increased by 1700MW. so that they could address the He said that another factor common issues like poverty and of loadshedding was mas- ignorance. He said, “History bears sive theft of electricity and testimony to the fact that progress gas ranging between Rs150 bil- and development of a nation is lion to Rs250 billion annually and deeply linked to cordial relations therefore, the government had with neighbours. Therefore, we launched an aggressive campaign want good relations with all neighagainst power and gas theft and bours including India.” the campaign would continue with He said that he had always wantfull resolve. ed good relations with India and Nawaz Sharif said that a consen- people supported his contention sus national energy policy had during recent elections. He said been approved with the input both the countries should realise from the provinces which was an that instead of wasting their enerimportant milestone in efforts to gies and resources on wars, they overcome the electricity crisis. He should wage war against poverty, said that long term measures were ignorance and disease. He said, also being initiated to lessen the “Nation is fully prepared to defend electricity shortage and soon coal- the motherland along with its valbased power plants with aggre- iant armed forces.” gate capacity of 6600MW would be inaugurated at Gaddani, fol- The Prime Minister said, “We will lowed by establishment of plants have to pursue a strategy on Afat Thar. He expressed the con- ghanistan that highlights bright fidence that the menace of load- face of the country in the comity of shedding would be over during the nations.” constitutional tenure of the PML-N He said that the government had a government. clear cut position on drone attacks Referring to terrorism, the prime which are in violation of Pakistan’s minister said the government was sovereignty and this was directly determined to tackle the problem communicated to US Secretary either through dialogue or with full of State John Kerry urging him to might of the state and all state in- stop these attacks. He said the Un stitutions were on the same page Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the issue. He said the govern- had also expressed concern over ment had more than one options killing of peaceful civilians in these to tackle the problem but wisdom attacks. demanded that there was no loss The prime minister said that the of innocent lives. He invited those situation in Balochistan was of treading the path of terrorism to concern for every Pakistani as indialogue to end the vicious cycle nocent Pakistanis were being tarof bloodshed. geted by the killers. He said this Nawaz Sharif said that it was time state of affair could not be allowed for bold review of the country’s for- to persist and the federal governeign policy as without it the scant ment would provide all resources national resources could not be and support to the elected provinexploited for the good of the poor cial government for restoration of and progress and prosperity of peace and progress and developthe country. He said his dream to ment of Balochistan. He pointed make Pakistan an Asian tiger was out that PML-N was in a position to form its own government in the deeply linked to this factor. province but it sacrificed its right The prime minister said, “Kashmir to form the government for the
sake of the province and Pakistan. He said the federal government also supported PPP government in Sindh and PTI government in KP so that they could resolve the problems of the country together. He however said there should not be corruption, maladministration and murder of merit and transparency and in that case the government would take notice of the situation. He said the situation in Karachi was also worrisome and hoped that the provincial government would take result-oriented measures to eliminate lawlessness forever in a city which is nerve centre of the national economy. He said that he wanted development of Karachi and initiation of projects like underground metro to resolve the problems of its people. Mian Nawaz Sharif invited investors to come forward to help restore economy and put Pakistan on the path of progress and prosperity. He said Pakistan and China had agreed to work together to undertake a number of projects for the development of the country. Under Kashghar-Gwadar economic corridor, highway would be constructed and in the second phase Railway line would be laid and the project would change destiny of the region, he said.The prime minister said he had a vision to extend motorways and communication links not only to Kabul but also to Central Asia and South Asian region. He said there would be no room for corrupt and inactive officers in the administrative machinery. Nawaz Sharif said, “Pakistan is passing through a challenging phase and we will have to take difficult and important decisions.” He assured the nation that his government would not do any politics on the issues of economy, elimination of terrorism and resolution of the energy crisis. He invited the youth to play their role in rebuilding of Pakistan and said his government would soon announce details of the programme prepared for welfare of the youth.The prime Minister said, “It is his desire that there should be more than one income earning individual in every family and employment opportunities reach to every home.” Mian Nawaz Sharif announced that the government had prepared a low-cost housing scheme for low income families. He said under
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7 August - 2013
NEWS
Iran-Pakistan project:
the scheme millions of shelter less people belonging to all the provinces would become owners of houses with modern facilities within the next five years. Details of the scheme would be announced in October this year. The prime minister said his government was also alive to the problems being faced by the minorities and issues relating to empowerment of women. He urged the people to give their input for resolution of the problems in education, health and water sectors.
las with Mansehra through the Babusar Top. The prime minister directed that this route should be developed on priority basis and a tunnel should be made across the He appealed to the nation to come Babusar Top, making it accessible forward and generously provide throughout the year. He directed assistance to their flood affected that this route should be conbrethren. He said the federal gov- nected with Muzaffarabad through ernment was ready to offer every a road from Balakot to Garhi possible support to mitigate their Habibullah. “The distances must be reduced by building connectsufferings. ing bridges and tunnels by using The prime minister said, “The chal- the latest technologies and equiplenges are great but their determi- ment,” he added. nation is even greater to overcome them and lead Pakistan to the He also directed to prepare a feapath of progress and prosperity.” sibility for constructing a road beHe said he was confident that the tween Hawalian and Islamabad to country of Allama Iqbal and Quaid- provide a shorter route to comi-Azam was about to enter in a muters from Gilgit, Mansehra and Abbottabad. Hestressed the need bright era. for mitigating the environmental impacts during the construction of these roads.
New road
linking Gwadar to
China approved ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday, during a high-level meeting while giving approval to a new road linking Gwadar with China, said that the Pak-China Economic Corridor was the future of the country as it will connect Pakistan with China and Central Asian countries, making it a hub of transit trade in the region.
The meeting also approved the construction of MuzafarabadMirpur Road, which will reduce the distance between the two cities to 150 kms and give Mirpur a direct access to G T Road at Dina. The prime minister was told that the alignment for the Lahore-Karachi Motorway will start from Babo Sabo Interchange on the M-2 passing through Khanewal, Multan, Sukkur, Khair Pur and Dadu.
He also directed to provide interconnectivity and linkages between the Pakistan Economic Corridor, Indus Highway, Motorways and He approved the proposed align- Grand Trunk Road to provide an ment of the Pak-China Trade Cor- impetus to the economic activities ridor, with directions to further eval- in the country and easier travel fauate the proposal in terms of time cilities to commuters. and cost efficiency.He was given a detailed briefing on the alignment Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for of the economic corridor starting Finance, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for from the Khunjerab Pass and end- Planning and Development, Pering at Gwadar and Lahore-Karachi vez Rashid, Minister for Information and Broadcasting and NationMotorway. al Heritage, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, The meeting also discussed an Minister for Railways and Tariq alternative and a shorter route Fatmi, Special Assistant to Prime along the KKH, connecting Chi- Minister attended the meeting.
Pakistan section of pipeline to miss deadline
of IP project, it had conveyed that funds collected through Gas Infrastructure Development Cess shall be utilised for the same coupled with ES $500 million financing provided by Iran. The house was informed that the pipeline will start from an onshore gas processing facility at Assaluyeh in Iran, traversing a distance of 1,150 km up to the IranPakistan border, which will be built and operated by Iran. Iran has already completed a 900-kilometre portion of 56-inch diameter pipeline from Assaluyeh to Iran Shehr.
ISLAMABAD: With a deadline looming, the government on Monday told the National Assembly that it will take two years to complete Pakistan’s section of the IranPakistan (IP) gas pipeline project.
The remaining 250 kilometre portion up to the Pakistan border is still under design and is expected to be completed in two years time.
To another question, Jam Kamal Khan informed the house that the government is planning to accelerMinister of State for Petroleum ate the exploration of natural gas and Natural Resources Jam Ka- in different parts of the country mal Khan, while responding to and related areas will be provided questions by All Pakistan Mus- special incentives to overcome the lim League chief Sheikh Rashid gas shortage in the country. The Ahmed, told the lower house of minister of state said that thirty-six parliament that it might take an- exploration licenses, through open other 24 months to complete the competitive bidding, were issued project. to various petroleum companies for exploration of oil and gas in the According to the details, when country during the last five years. Pakistan signed the Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Iran, both sides were required to complete the respective work by December 2014. The two countries also agreed to “take or pay” the contractual volume, gas supply or purchase shortfalls and termination of the contract by either side, except for the reason of ‘force majure’.
Reconstitution of NSC
approved
In a written reply, the minister said the GSPA also stipulates penalties on shortfall in supply or purchase of the gas within the contractual framework (mechanism) agreed. On the termination of the contract before the term of the GSPA (25 years), the terminating party will have to pay Book Value of the other party’s pipeline, except for the reasons of the termination due to force majure.
ISLAMABAD: The much-awaited meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) on Thursday decided to revive the National Security Committee (NSC) and reconstitute the DCC into the Cabinet Committee on National To another question, he said that Security (CCNS). It also made a as per the latest decision of the conditional peace offer to the milicabinet, regarding funds allocation to meet financial obligations tants that a dialogue would only be
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8 August - 2013
NEWS
held if they disarmed, otherwise work to comprehensively upgrade force would be used against them. its bilateral relations with Afghanistan in all dimensions. The Cabinet’s Defence Committee met with Prime Minister Nawaz The DCC received a briefing on the Sharif in the chair and was attend- situation along the Line of Control ed by Interior Minister Chaudhry (LoC) and took note of the conNisar Ali Khan, Prime Minister’s tinued violations of the ceasefire. Adviser on National Security and Pakistan’s policy of restraint and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Finance responsibility was highlighted. Minister Ishaq Dar, Chairman Joint The committee condemned in Chiefs of Staff Committee and the the strongest terms the unprothree services chiefs. voked firing in the Shaqma sector which resulted in the martyrdom of The meeting also decided to re- Army Captain Sarfraz and offered vive the defunct National Security Fateha for the martyred captain. It Council to deal with the security was strongly emphasised that the challenges being faced by the ceasefire should be maintained in country. This was the first DCC letter and spirit. All military and dipmeeting since the new govern- lomatic channels should be used ment took office in June 2013. The to prevent ceasefire violations. It agenda included matters relating was emphasised that Pakistan will to national security. also continue to seek a dialogue In his opening remarks, the prime and resolution of all outstanding minister highlighted that Pakistan issues with India peacefully. was facing formidable challenges domestically while far-reaching developments were taking place in the region. The DCC provided the platform to deliberate on these issues and craft an appropriate response.
between the elected government and the establishment. Political and military observers believe that the CCNS would lend legitimacy and approval to the national decisions, both at home and abroad, and would ensure security against traditional and non-traditional challenges and would serve well in the interest of civil-military relations.
White elephant: ECC fails to decide fate of Steel Mills
The CCNS would be the new nomenclature of the National Security Council (NSC), which had func- I S L A M A B A D : tioned during the era of General The government Pervez Musharraf. couldn’t decide The need for the CCNS was felt as whether to sell Pakistan is faced with a host of se- the Pakistan Steel Presentations were made by the curity issues, from defence to in- Mills (PSM) or to Adviser to the Prime Minister on ternal security, and socio-political pump more money National Security and Foreign Af- to economic involving internal and into the white elephant fairs, foreign secretary and Direc- external players. It was being felt for fear of backlash from the tor General Military Operations that no single individual, institu- main opposition Pakistan Peoples (DGMO). tion or stakeholder can handle the Party (PPP). During the meeting, the reconstitution of the DCC into the Cabinet Committee on National Security (CCNS) was approved. The CCNS will be chaired by the prime minister and will include ministers of foreign affairs, defence, interior and finance, the CJCSC and chiefs of staff of Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force. The committee will focus on the national security agenda with an aim to formulate a national security policy that will become the guiding framework for its subsidiary policies — defence policy, foreign policy, internal security policy and other policies affecting the national security. In the context of regional peace and stability, the DCC deliberated in detail on the evolving situation in Afghanistan. It was emphasised that a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s vital interest and would contribute positively to peace and security as well as progress and prosperity in the region. Pakistan will fully support the international community’s efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Pakistan will also
wide-ranging security issues facing the state. Recognising that consultative process always pays the democratic states to take the right kind of decisions at right time, it was thought that the CCNS is an appropriate forum for the purpose. The decision taken by the government to establish the CCNS is a leap towards democratic transformation of Pakistan. The idea of formation of the National Security Council was conceived in 1969 and it remained in place till 1971. Later, former President Pervez Musharraf also formed the NSC that worked between 2004 till 2008. However, it is for the first time that a democratic government itself has taken up the case to involve all stakeholders in the consultative national process from the forum of NSC. Decisions from the forum of NSC would greatly support the democratic government because of prior input and institutional agreement of all stakeholders and remove any misunderstanding
able to political parties, according to Board of Investment officials. Apart from that, the ECC also decided to lift a ban on gold import from next month and approved a new import policy, carrying stringent conditions aimed at discouraging the commodity’s smuggling to India. The ban was imposed after the ECC witnessed an abnormal increase in gold imports.
According to the new policy, which will be effective September 1, the quantity of gold importable by a single party has been capped at 25kg on a revolvThe Economic Coordination Com- ing basis. The importer has been mittee – the top decision-making made responsible to export the body on economic matters – imported gold in the form of valuefailed to take a decision after the added gold jewellery within four PPP threatened to mobilise a months, as against the previous huge protest if the PSM was sold. limit of six months. The PPP has been blamed for the bankruptcy of the once profitable It will be mandatory to have a contract notarized from the foreign enterprise. country’s legal authorities and The ECC gave the ministries of fi- then the same would also need nance and industries and the PSM to be duly attested by Pakistan’s management three options and mission in that country. Earlier, the 72 hours to agree on one of them. foreign buyers entrusted and sent The options are 1.) to liquidate the gold to Pakistani exporters on the PSM, 2.) to give it a Rs27 billion basis of a plain paper contract. bailout package, 3.) or to privatise The government has also inthe enterprise. creased the ratio of value-addition According to officials, the finance in all gold products. The governministry has refused to pump ment has also banned selling of more money into the PSM, argu- gold, imported under the scheme, ing that over Rs50 billion given in the domestic market. In case to the enterprise over the last 12 of violation, the importers will face years couldn’t make a difference. penalties. The ECC directed the industries ministry to seek the Privatisation Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Commission’s advice on the matter. Dar, who chaired the ECC meeting, said the new scheme for re-export The Russians have recently shown of gold would not be applicable to interest in the PSM and want to those who have imported gold or turn it around according to their are authorised to import under the model, which may not be accept- existing scheme.
9 August - 2013
Two more Pak soldiers killed
NEWS
by Indian firing at LoC
ISLAMABAD / MIRPUR: Unprovoked Indian firing on Thursday killed another two Pakistan Army soldiers and wounded at least two civilians including a woman and a child along the border dividing the disputed territory of Kashmir, in the second such incident within two days. cent incidents, also expressed Pakistani government’s desire to Pakistani soldiers were killed “due engage with India in a constructo Indian troops unprovoked firing tive dialogue process, aimed at at the LoC on Thursday,” Paki- reducing tensions and restoring stani officials said, adding, “Indian peace and tranquility along the troops resorted to unprovoked fir- Line of Control. In this regard, he ing at the LoC in Rakhchakri sec- proposed that senior officials from tor near Rawlakot at 1150 hours the foreign ministries and militaries Thursday.” could meet to discuss ways and On the other hand an Indian army means to strengthen and expand officer said that Indian troops had the existing military and political responded after receiving gunfire mechanisms to ensure implemenfrom Pakistani soldiers, and the tation on the ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit. exchange lasted three hours.
parked-vehicles were damaged, besides loss of at least 10 cattle heads due to the unprovoked Indian firing. The DC said morale of the population of the firing-hit areas close to the LoC was high despite the increased incidents of the unprovoked firing by India across the LoC. He said the local civil administration was taking steps to shift the people of the areas falling directly in the firing range to the safer places. Masudur Rehman said at least 35 families of local population had been re-located from the firing-hit forward villages to the nearby safer places as precautionary measures. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT adds: The United States Thursday stepped up its call for a dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying American diplomats in Islamabad and New Delhi are in touch with the respective governments over the Kashmir tensions that have persisted for weeks. “We remain concerned about violence along the line of control,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said when a Pakistani journalist drew her attention to reports about unprovoked Indian shelling that killed one army officer and two of its soldiers in different sectors.
He spoke on condition of anonym- The ceasefire violations have also damaged at least 26 houses, beity in line with military policy. sides killing a number of cattle in various firing-hit forward villages in Nikayal sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the past one week, “We are certainly aware of these reports,” she said. official sources said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Thursday lodged strong protest with India over the killing of its soldiers, as a result of indiscriminate firing by the Indian army in Rawalakot sector. Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani called Indian High Commissioner Dr TCA Raghavan to the Foreign Office Thursday and conveyed Pakistan’s serious concern over the continued and unwarranted ceasefire violations by the Indian army resulting in loss of precious human lives. He also called upon the government of India to respect the ceasefire agreement and desist from such acts, which have the potential of further escalating the tension. Foreign Secretary Jilani, while conveying concern over the re-
“India resorted to unprovoked firing targeting the populous area of Balakot close to the Line of Control in Nikayal sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir overnight which resulted in severe injuries to two civilians including a woman and a child,” Ch Muhammad Ayub, Assistant Commissioner Nikayal told The Nation over telephone Thursday afternoon.
India agrees to provide Quaid’s August 1947 speech recordings ISLAMABAD: India has agreed to hand over copies of the two important speech-recordings of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to Pakistan. The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation had requested for the recordings of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s famous August 11, 1947 address to Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly, which he delivered in Karachi. In an interview, Director General All India Radio Leeladhar Mandloi said the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has given a green signal for handing over the recordings to Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.
Arabs urge UN, world to take ‘deterrent’ steps on Syria
“We understand that the governments of India and Pakistan are in contact. We continue to encourage further dialogue.
Referring to the efforts of American diplomats in Islamabad and New Delhi, Psaki said, “We have a very robust US presence in both of those countries and I know they remain in contact with leaders on a range of issues.” The spokesperson would not speculate on the reasons behind India’ aggressive posture, when pointed out “The Indian forces fired shells, withthat despite Pakistan’s emphaout any provocation, targeting the sis on peace and restraint, India civilians in various forward villages continues firing across the Line of in Nikayal sector Wednesday night Control. and the firing was continuing intermittently till last reports came in “I don’t want to speculate on fuThursday evening,” Deputy Comis- ture. We certainly hope that they sioner Kotli Masudur Rehman told will engage in dialogue, and, of this scribe. Giving details of the course they have played important damage done following the week- roles in the process in Afghanistan long unprovoked firing by the In- as well and we are hopeful that will dian troops from across the LoC continue,” she remarked, when in Nikayal and Tattapani sectors asked about fears that a persistin Kotli district, the deputy com- ing standoff in Kashmir could see missioner said at least 13 civilians a spillover of Pakistani-Indian tenwere injured, 26 houses and two sions into Afghanistan.
CAIRO: Arab League foreign ministers on Sunday urged the United Nations and the international community to take “deterrent” action against the Syrian regime over an alleged chemical attack. “The United Nations and the international community are called upon to assume their responsibilities in line with the UN Charter and international law by taking the necessary deterrent measures” following the August 21 suspected chemical attack, they said in a statement. The ministers, meeting in Cairo, said the Syrian regime was “responsible” for the attack which the United States says killed hundreds of people in an attack by the regime with the use of sarin gas.
10 August - 2013
Opp parties reject POL price hike
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHI: Different opposition parties and religious groups have rejected the recent increase in prices of petroleum products, declaring it an antipeople act of the PML-N government. In a statement issued form Islamabad‚ PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that his party will protest in and outside the national assembly against the decision.
NEWS unending protest drive if it would not reverse its decision. They claimed the government was following the IMF dictates. A Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) Sindh lawmaker said the PML-N government, which came to power with promise providing relief, was in fact doing injustice to them. He said the POL price hike would lead to more inflation and he demanded the government immediately withdraw the decision. Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Coordination Committee issued a condemnatory statement in Karachi, saying that people were already badly affected by inflation, unemployment and terrorism. They are unable to make both ends meet because of ongoing crisis. This price increase would further increase their hardships, the statement said.People were expecting that the government would not increase the prices of basic commodities and provide relief to people in prices of petroleum products and electricity and gas tariff, but the government steps indicate that their expectations would not be fulfilled, the statement added. The committee demanded of the prime minister take back this anti-people decision.
“If the critics have such a formula, they could share it with the government which would implement it,” he remarked.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, told The Express Tribune that a delegation will meet the premier at 6.30 pm at Governor House where they The minister said changes in pe- will brief him on how the business troleum prices were linked to the community is suffering because of international market and prices the rampant extortion and crime in within the country had to be ad- the city. “We just want peace. It is justed in accordance with chang- at the discretion of the government es of prices at international level. to call army or mobilise the police He said had the governments in and Rangers (instead).” the past focused on strengthening There seems to be consensus on the economy, purchasing power what needs to be done. “Nearly of the people would have been all the major political parties have much higher today. He expressed opposed the role of the army in the hope that with the implemen- dealing with the Karachi situation. tation of the economic projects by Looking at the proposals submitthe present government, purchas- ted by the Sindh government and ing power of the people would be intelligence agencies, the operation increased and prices stabilised. will be kicked off by the police and The minister said the government desired to facilitate people in every possible way that is why it was providing electricity to consumers at the rates much lower than actual cost of production and paying annual subsidy of Rs 170 billion.
Rangers,” a home department official said.
The government has also invited Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar to attend the meeting. MQM had called for Karachi to be administered under the army and is the only political He hoped that with complete focus on rebuilding the economy, party that wants the army involved. the government would be able to All eyes are on this meeting, which achieve a visible improvement in is likely to result in important decistandard of life of the general public. sions regarding the city’s law and
PPP described it as an ‘injustice’ to the poor while the MQM said the policies of new government were no different than the outgoing PPP-led regime. ANP also condemned the government decision and JI said it was contrary to the rosy promises made by the Jamaat-e-Islami chief Syed MuPML-N in its election campaign. nawar Hasan and Secretary GenPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman, eral Liaqat Baloch strongly con“Repeated price hikes continue to demned the continuous raise in the burden the ordinary citizens while POL prices. They said the PML-N most of the rich continue to evade in its election manifesto had promtheir responsibility of paying their ised prosperity to the people but taxes. The government has failed, its policies during the last three or deliberately chosen not to, wid- months had worsened their plight. en the direct tax net; and instead They termed the latest raise in the has chosen to target the salaried POL prices as mini budget and and poor of the Land by placing a demanded its withdrawal. spiralling burden of indirect taxes Talking to the media men after adon them.” dressing a seminar on the Egypt Imran Khan said the PTI would be situation, Munawar said the massdevising a strategy to protest such es should be prepared for a fresh anti-people price hikes both in the wave of inflation as he urged them parliament and outside. “It was un- to come on roads with the JI workacceptable to have the poor bear ers to protest against this ‘state KARACHI: the burden of the state expenses tyranny’. In the special cabinet meeting now while the rich are kept outside the rescheduled for Wednesday, offiCriticism uncalled for: Pervaiz tax ambit,” he maintained. cials believe that the federal cabinet PTI Punjab chapter held a protest INP adds: Federal Information might give a nod to a ‘targeted or demonstration against the POL Minister Pervaiz Rashid, who is surgical operation’ in Karachi. price increase in front of Lahore also spokesman for the governThe meeting will be chaired by Press Club on Sunday. Ijaz Chaud- ment, said here Sunday that critiPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is hary, party’s provincial president cism regarding increase in petroto arrive in Karachi today (Tuesday) announced to hold similar protests leum prices was totally uncalled for to have meetings with the business at all the district headquarters of as there was no formula to provide community and other stakeholders. Punjab today (Monday). PTI lead- petrol to consumers at a rate lower ers warned the government of an than the purchase price. Muhammad Haroon Agar, the
Violence in Karachi:
Prime minister to listen to businessmen’s perspective
order situation. According to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the next three days are crucial for Karachi. Talking to the media at the Mazar-e-Quaid on Monday, he said, “The incumbent government has realised that without controlling Karachi’s law and order situation, the country cannot flourish. These three days will not only be important for Karachi, but the entire country.” Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said, “Sindh government has decided to make a law against target killing and extortion. The cabinet meeting will be briefed about this law under which extortion cases would be registered under the anti-terrorism act.” Nuts and bolts of the operation The police department has submitted a report to the home department regarding the number of targeted killings, extortion cases and subsequent violence. “The report demarcates more than 40 sensitive areas where a targeted operation can be conducted,” a police official told The Express Tribune. “Authorities have directed us to submit a summary of Rs10 billion.
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11 August - 2013
NEWS
The amount will be sought from the federal government for the latest technology, including a video surveillance system. This will likely be taken up at the meeting.”
vival’ was a high priority of the government and suggested that member countries could take initiatives in cooperation in capacity building, transfer of technology, transfer of capital and labour, energy and food Meanwhile, other officials said that security, Islamic banking, and Halal a high-level coordination commit- sector development. tee, include police, interior ministry and intelligence officials, will be Of importance is the presence of the formed to oversee the operation, D-8 Secretary-General Dr Seyed Ali officials said. Muhammad Mousavi.Sartaj Aziz, in a meeting with Mousavi, proposed ways to accelerate implementation of trade and visa agreements and expressed the hope that the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement will be implemented soon.
Pakistan to host D-8
moot on energy: Sartaj
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day meeting, Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, said Pakistan was in the process of organising the first meeting of the D-8 Energy Forum in Islamabad. The D-8 is a multilateral group of eight emerging economies of the Muslim world that represents Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. It hopes to increase the current $150 billion intra-D-8 trade to $500 billion by 2018. The spokesman at the Foreign Office in a statement said that Sartaj Aziz also urged the organisation to initiate the phase of “substantive cooperation by operationalising the agreements related to removing barriers in trade and business, particularly the Preferential Trade Agreement”. Pakistan says that it joined the D-8 in June 1997 since ‘economic re-
situation in Karachi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over Monday’s meeting where attendees included army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, ISI chief Lt Gen Muhammad Zaheerul Islam, Interior Minister Nisar and Special Assistant to the prime minister on foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi.
Nawaz directed him to finalise proposals for Wednesday’s federal cabinet meeting to be held in Karachi so that a comprehensive strategy could be worked out for the city. He also asked heads of the intelligence agencies to come up with detailed reports on the situation.
According to sources, Gen Kayani assured the premier that if requested, the army was ready to assist the civil administration in restoring peace in Karachi. He added that if the army was requisitioned, it would make sure that an operation was conducted without any politiThe review of D-8 agreements relat- cal consideration, sources told The ing to facilitation of trade and busi- Express Tribune. ness among the member countries is on the agenda of the meeting. However, Gen Kayani, according Pakistan has ratified all agreements to sources, said that the governincluding the Preferential Trade ment should evolve a consensus Agreement (PTA), which is likely to first before launching an operation. be operationalised during the chair- The Muttahida Qaumi Movement manship of Pakistan. (MQM), the main opposition party
Security huddle:
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged the commissioners of D-8 Organisation to evolve a mechanism of cooperation in the energy sector.
light for the operation.
Government to evolve consensus on Karachi operation
in Sindh, has called for handing over Karachi to army – a demand not acceptable to other political groups, including the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party in the province.
Invitation to MQM cancelled
to join cabinet meeting on Karachi situation
KARACHI: The invitation to the Muttahaida Quami Movement (MQM) to attend the special session of the federal cabinet has been withdrawn. Member of MQM Rabita Committee, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the invitation to Dr Farooq Sattar had been withdrawn through a section officer.
Siddiqui added that the provincial government had failed to mainThe prime minister told the meeting tain law and order in the city. “The participants that the federal gov- hopes of the people of Karachi ernment would extend every possi- have been trampled upon by withble help to the Sindh administration drawing the invitation.” to restore order in the violencewrecked metropolis. He added that an All Parties Conference (APC) had been called by “The prime minister will take the po- the provincial leadership of the litical parties into confidence over PML-N, which was sending a nonthe Karachi situation and seek their serious message. “The APC will not support at Wednesday’s meeting generate any results and shows of the federal cabinet,” an official that the federal government has no privy to the meeting told The Ex- interest in Karachi.” press Tribune. “Whatever decision we take would be in the best na- According to Siddiqui, despite restional interest, and every institution ervations senior party members ISLAMABAD: While violence con- would be expected to render its Haider Abbaz Rizvi and Babar tinues unabated in the commercial role,” the official quoted Nawaz as Ghauri would be attending the conhub of the country, a high-level se- telling the huddle. ference. curity huddle on Monday weighed the options available to the govern- According to a statement issued “We did not expect the federal ment to restore order in the trou- by the Prime Minister’s Office, the government to be pressurised on meeting discussed issues pertain- this matter. Pakistan needs strong bled megacity of Karachi. ing to national security, including leadership which does not scuThe meeting concurred that a the internal and external threats munb under pressure.” broad-based consensus has to faced by the country. The premier be evolved among the stakehold- reaffirmed his commitment to uti- Siddiqui added that the MQM had ers in Karachi before launching any lise all resources to ensure national 85 percent of the mandate in Kara‘surgical operation’ against target- security, terming it a topmost prior- chi and parties with no representation in the city had been invited to killers, extortionists and criminals in ity of his administration. the APC. the city. Hours before the meeting, Interior Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Minister Chaudhry Nisar briefed the MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar had said last week that the government prime minister on the overall law been invited to attend the seshas already sketched the blueprint and order situation in the country sion on directives of Prime Minister of a ‘targeted operation’. A meet- and presented a report on the se- Nawaz Sharif. It was expected that ing of the federal cabinet, which curity situation in Karachi. Accord- the federal cabinet would hear the has been rescheduled for Wednes- ing to sources, the report blames stance of the MQM seeking the deday, is expected to give the green the intelligence failure for the woeful ployment of army in Karachi.
12 August - 2013
Musharraf indicted in Benazir Bhutto murder case
NEWS along the main road leading to the court as well as on rooftops as M u s h a r r a f ’s car arrived.
gard to the registration of the FIR.
investigations must be arrested even if they are from within the To this, Justice Qureshi remarked MQM. The party will never have an that failure to register a case de- objection to such a move, Sattar spite the court’s orders was tan- went on to say. tamount to contempt of court.The bench ordered SHO of Aabpara Sattar said his party’s chief is inOn August police station to register a case nocent. 6, the court against the former president on delayed the the spot on the court’s premises British police took away Hussain’s widely expect- and to provide the court with a computer, money and other things from his house in London but have ed indictment copy of the lodged FIR. not issued any receipt for the items because it was too Haroon Rasheed had earlier filed a confiscated, lamented Sattar. dangerous for Musharraf petition against Musharraf for his A court in Rawalpindi has formal- to attend the proceedings due to involvement in the killing of his fa- The MQM MNA also spoke about ly indicted former military dicta- threats to his life. ther and grandmother during the his party’s good relations with the tor Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday Lal Masjid operation.The court media, saying that the party had with the murder of former premier had directed the SHO to appear no animosity with any anchorperBenazir Bhutto who was assassibefore the court on September 2 son. The MQM had learnt that nated in 2007. in response to the contempt ap- anchorperson Jasmine Manzoor wanted to lambast the party in a plication. bid to boost ratings, Sattar said, adding that it was unfair to the party.
Murder case of Ghazi Abdul Rasheed registered against Musharraf
“He should be tried,” the public prosecutor, Mohammad Azhar, told reporters after a brief hearing during which the three charges of murder, conspiracy to murder and facilitation of murder were read out to Musharraf. The indictment of the army chief who seized power in a 1999 coup is an unprecedented event in a country ruled by the military for half of its 66-year history. Musharraf, who made no public remarks during his appearance, denied all the charges against him, a lawyer from his defence team told Reuters. Journalists were not allowed in the court room for the hearing which lasted just about 20 minutes. “All the cases against Musharraf are fabricated. He denied all the charges,” said Afshan Adil, the lawyer. The next hearing was set for August 27.
Imran Farooq case: Sattar pleads for MQM chief’s innocence
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad police on Monday registered a case against former president Pervez Musharraf over the alleged murder of Ghazi Abdul Rasheed and his mother during the Lal Masjid military operation. The FIR was registered under Section 302 and 109.A single member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi resumed hearing of the contempt plea filed by Haroon Rashid Ghazi, the son of former Imam of Lal Masjid Abdul Rashid Ghazi, against police for non-registration of FIR against Musharraf.
The former minister went on to invite Manzoor to discuss if she had any issues in particular with the party’s functioning, urging that anti-MQM propaganda must not be aired in the media since negative perceptions about Karachi’s largest party will push the party to the wall, politically.
Attack on Mengal’s house: case registered
LAHORE: MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar repeated his party’s claims that MQM chief has only one property with proper documentation, in an interview on Tuesday in the Express News show, ‘To the point’. Former deputy convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Sattar reiterated that Altaf Hussain has no source of income, since the party chief has devoted himself to public service. He cannot confirm about any other property owned by Hussain, Sattar added.
During the course of the hearing, Tariq Asad, counsel for the petiBhutto was killed in a gun and tioner, apprised the bench that suicide bomb attack after an elec- he approached the police station tion rally, weeks after she returned concerned after the court’s decito Pakistan from years in self-im- sion; however, both the SHO and In the interview with Shahzeb the SSP refused to register the Khanzada, Sattar said the MQM posed exile. case. has been cooperating with the British police to arrest the culprits The government at the time blamed Tehreek-e-Taliban militants and He argued that a legal notice was behind Dr Imran Farooq’s murder Musharraf has said he warned her also sent to the police officers in the UK. concerned by the petitioner, but of the danger she faced. no action was taken and no reply The black sheep that have been Hundreds of police were deployed was received from them with re- pinpointed during the course of
QUETTA: Police on Sunday registered a case against unidentified people for attacking Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal’s house in the Railway Housing Society. On Saturday night, two handgrenades were hurled into Sardar Mengal’s house that landed and exploded in the courtyard. The attack did not cause any casualty or major damage to the structure. However, windowpanes were smashed because of the impact of the explosion that rocked the entire area. “Two hand-grenades exploded in-
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13 August - 2013
NEWS
TDAP laundering case: FIA finds Sardar Mengal or his family were not present in the house at the time proof of money of the attack. Only watchman was transfer to foreign there who escaped unhurt. Talking to reporters on Sunday, Sar- accounts side the house,” police officials said, adding that windowpanes were smashed in the attack.
sister and his joint account in UK, FIA officials also said that Farhan is and his brother’s account in USA. also a UK citizen and has been living in Britain for the last one year. FIA authorities also said that Jonejo Therefore, the FIA has contacted has purchased property in the UK their counterparts in the UK, inwith this money. He also paid off a cluding Serious Organised Crimes loan of Rs20 million for a house he Agency (SOCA) and Homeland Sebought in DHA, Karachi. curity. Faqeer Muhammad explained that this kind of step-by-step money Jonejo’s assets in Pakistan are dar Mengal said that such “cracker KARACHI: laundering is called layering. The worth more than Rs160 million, acblasts cannot scare us. I have no In a major breakthrough, the Fed- case against Farhan, he said, is the cording to the FIA. enmity with anybody.” eral Investigation Agency found first of its kind in the country. By using such tactics the elements evidence of billions of rupees being not happy over the Balochistan Na- transferred to accounts abroad that tional Party’s decision to take part could prove that Trade Developin parliamentary politics wanted ment Authority of Pakistan officials to give some message, he said in laundered money. Islamabad, August 30: shif Bashir, recorded his statement a reference to forces that are opin the anti-terrorism court of Judge posed to adopting peaceful ways Farhan Jonejo, director to the for- The opposition Pakistan People’s mer minister for industries and Party on Thursday appointed for- Chaudhry Habib-ur-Rehman. of achieving rights. trade, allegedly transferred Rs250 mer Punjab Governor and leading The court indicted Musharraf on “We are very much in politics to million of corruption money through lawyer Latif Khan Khosa as its adprotect the rights of Baloch people hawala and hundi, which are illegal vocate in the Benazir Bhutto mur- August 21 on three charges, including criminal conspiracy and abetand would not run away from the methods of transferring money. der case. ting the murder of former premier field,” Sardar Mengal said. Khosa submitted his advocacy liBhutto, who was assassinated by All his assets in Pakistan and cense and contacted the anti-tera suicide attacker after addressing The BNP-M leader said he would abroad have been frozen. rorism court hearing the case for an election rally in Rawalpindi on not compromise on the rights of Balochistan and its people and FIA’s Karachi Crime Circle is inves- copies of previous proceedings. December 27, 2007. tigating major irregularities in grantwould continue raising his voice for ing freight subsidies to fake claims The formal trial of former President Musharraf’s regime had blamed the them. by the TDAP amounting to Rs5 Pervez?Musharraf on the charge of banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan billion. The evidence collected ear- involvement in the 2007 assassina- for the attack. Musharraf claimed lier shows that billions of rupees in tion of Bhutto began on August 27. he had warned Bhutto of the dansubsidy were given to fake compa- One witness, police constable Ka- gers she faced. nies during the previous Pakistan Peoples Party-led government.
PPP appoints lawyer for Benazir Bhutto murder case
Non-bailable arrest warrants of Uzair, Baba Ladla issued again
Three cases have been registered and TDAP former director Javed Anwar Khan and project manager Mirchoo Mal Kathri, and auditors have been arrested. FIA also found that members of the former government were involved in the fraud. Faqeer Muhammad, Crime Circle’s deputy director, told The Express Tribune that the transfer of money by Jonejo was unearthed recently and it is a breakthrough in the case
KARACHI: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday again issued non-bailable arrest warrants of Uzair Baloch, Baba Ladla and Taj Muhammad alias Taju in triple-mur- Farhan is a grade-18 government der case including that of Arshad officer and he was appointed on Pappu. deputation in the federal ministry According to details, ATC gave of industries and trade, where he these orders while hearing triple- worked as director to the minister murder case including that of Ar- from 2009 to 2012. shad Pappu.
According to officials, he used his During proceedings, the investigat- position to pressurise the higher ofing officer sought time for arresting ficers to approve the fake claims of the accused and giving an adver- freight subsidy and also continued to receive kickbacks through his tisement in newspapers. front man. On this, the ATC issued nonbailable arrest warrants of Uzair FIA claims that Farhan the Rs250 Baloch, Baba Ladla, Taj Muham- million to his bank account in Dubai. mad alias Taju and other fugitives The money was later transferred to and adjourned the hearing till Sep- his mother’s account in Switzerland, two of his wife’s accounts plus his tember 12.
14 August - 2013
Sindh Assembly passes local govt bill
KARACHI: Amid severe criticism from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the Sindh Assembly on Monday passed into law the Sindh Local Government Bill 2013. The ruling Pakistan People’s Party, as expected, was able to get the support of the opposition’s legislators belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Despite criticism, the MQM lawmakers did not observe a walkout from the House on the occasion of adoption of the bill but their walkout came a few moments later when all of a sudden Sindh Law Minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro, under supplementary order of the day, introduced the Sindh Universities Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013. Leader of the Opposition in the House Faisal Sabzwari told newsmen they did not know what sort of legislation the government was trying to introduce in the House. The session, chaired by Speaker Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, continued for more than four hours without any recess. The speaker gave around two hours to the lawmakers to debate the bill. Later, it was passed through clause-by-clause reading of the bill, which also included an amendment proposed by Shehryar Mahar of the PML-F whose two amendments to the bill on holding of local bodies’ election on a non-party basis and authorising the Election Commission of Pakistan to delimit the constituencies for local government elections were rejected. Only one of his proposed amendments regarding deletion of a section of the bill was adopted with majority vote.
NEWS Sindh Senior Minister Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, who presented the Local Government Bill-2013, informed the House that it was probably the first time in the history of Sindh Assembly that the bill was introduced after due consideration, deliberation, and after holding dialogue with the concerned political parties whether they had representation in the House or not.
He said the present legislation for local bodies would give opportunity to the government to divide and rule the masses.Khawaja Izharul Hasan of MQM said that since the municipal governance of Karachi had been managed under the local bodies’ system of 1979, law and order situation and civic structure of the city had been adversely affected and there had been no respite for the concerned citizens.
He said the proposed legislation for local government should be sent to a bi-partisan committee for consideration and proposing amendments to the bill.Imtiaz Nisar Khuhro conceded that the Sheikh of PML (F) said that keepbill contained many features of the ing in view the demands of the local bodies system of 1979. He concerned MQM lawmakers, the said prior to the local bodies or- proposed legislation could be dinance 1979, a local bodies sys- handed over to a special committem had been introduced during tee of the House for proper conthe era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that siderations and further improving had also envisaged a Metropolitan the bill. Corporation in Karachi and other Faisal Sabzwari said that MQM Karachi and other municipal insti- rejects the proposed local bodies’ tutions similar to the local govern- legislation, as it did not envisage ment system of 1979. full-fledged empowered local government system.He said the ConBut Khuhro said in the present legstitution calls for setting up of local islation the people’s representation has been increased, especially the governments with due financial, seats reserved in local bodies for administrative and political powrepresentatives of women, minori- ers as major municipal institutions should have the authority to preties, labourers and farmers. pare and adopt their own budgets. He said that local bodies system of 1979 had already been under He said the municipal agencies, practice in the province and its re- which would be established under imposition did not cause any se- the proposed bill, would not be rious setback or threat to normal able to do much to resolve civic isfunctioning of civic and municipal sues, as they would be powerless. governance in towns and cities of He said the metropolitan corporaSindh. tions should have the authority to To another point raised by an collect motor vehicle and property MQM’s lawmaker, Khuhro said tax to improve their financial standthat PPP as a political party had ing.He said the PPP by proposing participated in all local bodies’ this legislation has deviated from elections in the country except the its own agenda, manifesto and vione held in 1983 when the Move- sion of its martyred leader Benazir ment for Restoration of Democra- Bhutto who had wished effective cy of which the People’s Party was and empowered local bodies system. a part, had decided to stay away from the local bodies’ polls. The session of Sindh Assembly, Earlier, MQM’s parliamentary lead- which was later prorogued on the er Syed Sardar Ahmed said the orders of Sindh Governor, also adproposed bill was erroneous in opted the Sindh Universities Laws nature as it did not properly state (Amendment) Bill 2013 and the the reasons and objectives for pre- Sindh High Density Development senting the legislation for consid- Board (Amendment) Ordinance 2013. eration of the House. He said that Article 140-A of the The Sindh Universities Laws Constitution had provision for set- (Amendment) Bill 2013 authorises ting up local governments in the the chief minister to appoint vice country while fresh legislation was chancellors in the universities.Earonly envisaged for setting up local lier, the House expressed its deep bodies that too under the system concern over the recent deaths introduced during the era of mili- caused by consuming locally tary ruler General Ziaul Haq. brewed liquor.
Two top nominees for NAB post reject offers
ISLAMABAD: Two reputed personalities of the country’s judiciary and civilian bureaucracy, Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas and Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed, have conveyed to the prime minister and leader of the opposition their clear “No” to accept the high-profile post of chairman NAB even if any of them emerges as a consensus candidate — a rare show of character Baghwandas declined to accept the job through a person-specific amendment in the law recently proposed to pave the way for his appointment. Zaheer said that he could not accept the job of chairman NAB because of his reservations over the NAB law as its dual role of investigator and prosecutor. Impressed with Kh Zaheer’s character, his repute, talent and expertise, Pirme Minister Nawaz Sharif has decided to get him inducted into his core team of advisers as Special Assistant to the PM. The notification is expected to be issued anytime. Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas, who according to recent media reports was being appointed as chairman NAB by amending the FPSC laws blocking his appointment, has conveyed to both, Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and the Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah, that he would not be available for the job even if the law was amended to pave the way for his appointment.
continued....
Rana Bhagwandas also told the authorities that even otherwise as a matter of principle he did not support person-specific amendments in the law. The FPSC laws bar future appointment for its retired chairman and members. Because of the repute and standing of Rana Bhagwandas, the government and opposition were considering amending the law to get this legal bar quashed for Bhagwandas. Sources said that Bhagwandas had advised Khursheed Shah to consider appointing Justice (retd) Raza Khan as Chairman NAB. Shah had proposed the names of Baghwandas and Raza Khan for the office of Chairman NAB whereas the prime minister’s nominees were Khawaja Zaheer and Justice (retd) Rehmat Hussain Jaffari. Rana Bhagwandas was also contacted by the government but here too he conveyed his unambiguous “No” to accept the job. On the other side, Khawaja Zaheer, the sources said, formally wrote to the prime minister to convey his inability to accept the job. Zaheer lamented that firstly he was never consulted by anyone before forwarding his name for the office of chairman NAB. He said he does not want to accept the job even if he emerges as a consensus candidate because he has reservations to certain aspects of the NAB law. He added that as a matter of principle, he does not agree with the NAB playing the role of investigator and prosecutor simultaneously. Kh Zaheer believes that the accountability law of 1996-97 was much better than the present one. He is also of the view that ideally the job of investigation and prosecution be separated and both should not work as part of one body.
NEWS
Purging the watchdog: FIA declares 62 of its officials ‘corrupt’
of them was a known source of in- After doubting credibility of Rizcome for their seniors. wan Aslam who hails from Zafar Gondal’s hometown Mandi BaThe list of alleged corrupt officials hauddin, the FIA had separated included three FIA officers Afzal him from EOBI investigations and Khan Niazi (inspector), Amanullah transferred him from Islamabad to Khan (ASI) and Sajid Munir (FC) Quetta. who allegedly helped an Afghan national get aboard a UK bound Sajid Akram (deputy director) has flight last month. been transferred from the AHTC to zonal office Islamabad. Aslam The Afghan national reportedly Zeb (assistant director) has been travelled on Pakistani passport transferred from the FIA immigrafrom the BBIA Islamabad to London and was caught by UK airport tion Peshawar Airport to C&I cell authority and sent back to Islam- FIA headquarter Islamabad. abad airport.
Talking to the EIC, the FIA Director The gang of these three FIA offi- General Saud Mirza said the insticials allegedly got the Afghan na- tution would be purged of corrupt tional cleared from the BBIA Islam- elements. abad airport on his return and later “To achieve this objective an Interit helped him run away to avoid nal Accountability Cell (IAC) has alarrest. After media reports, Interior ready been established under suminister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, pervision of a grade 19 officer. The took notice of the incident and orIAC will investigate all the cases of dered inquiry against the gang becorruption and take strict action sides suspending all three officials against those who will be found involved in the case. involved in dirty activities like corISLAMABAD: The Federal Investiruption,” he added. The list also included Rizwan gation Agency (FIA) has listed its 62 officials as “corrupt” and imme- Aslam, a grade 16 official, who has “The IAC has been set up to take diately removed them from their been accused of damaging facts the corrupt elements to task and assignments, a source said on of the Rs44 billion Employees Old everyone alleged “corrupt” will be Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) Sunday. investigated by the IAC,” Mirza fraud to protect its main accused said. The copy of an official document Zafar Gondal. available to Express Investigation Cell (EIC) suggests that majority of alleged “corrupt” officials were found involved in serious crimes DESIGN • PRINT • SIGNS like facilitating human smuggling and damaging facts during investigations of high profile mega frauds cases.
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The “corrupt” officials of other departments have been surrendered to their parent departments and while regular employees will be served notices to face internal probe. A senior official said a serious question mark had been raised over the credibility of the FIA as an organisation in the recent years.
Kh Zaheer, who had retired in 2005 but despite repeated offers never accepted any re-employment, is now being appointed as Special “Many FIA officials with tainted Assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz credibility were posted at lucrative Sharif. positions by the PPP government and their involvement in corrupt With Rana Bhagwandas and Kh practices damaged the credibilZaheer not interested in becoming ity of the department,” the official the chairman NAB, now Justice said. (retd) Raza Khan and Justice (retd) Rehmat Jaffari are in the race for According to the official, most of the post that is crucial to check the alleged corrupt officials of the corruption and bad governance FIA were enjoying their assignin the country.There is, however, a ments at lucrative posts like Anti possibility that the prime minister Human Smuggling Cell (AHSC) and leader of the opposition may and immigration office at Benazir discuss some new names for the Bhutto International Airport (BBIA), office of the chairman NAB. Islamabad for years and each one
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16 August - 2013
Last week of President Zardari’s term starts from today
ISLAMABAD, The president house would see a change from the next Monday as the incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari is only the guest of one week in the presidency. According to media reports President Asif Ali Zardari would be departed with honor for the first time in the history of the country after completing five years of his constitutional term. The invitation letters have been issued from primer house for luncheon on September 5 hosted by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in honor of President Asif Ali Zardari. Parliamentary leaders of Pakistan People Party (PPP) including parliamentary leaders of other coalition parties, Chief Ministers, Governors and Federal Ministers are being invited in the farewell ceremony. The farewell ceremonies would be conducted in the ensuing week in the honor of departing president from the prime minister and the opposition leaders in National Assembly and Senate. The departing president would host reception in the honor of prime minister and the federal cabinet. Newly-elected President Syed Mamnoon Hussain would expectedly attend the luncheon given by President Zardari in honor of PM Nawaz Sharif and other cabinet members. Opposition Leader in NA Sayed Khurshid Ahmad Shah and Chaudhry Ahtazaz Ahsan would give farewell party on September 4 in honor President Zardari in the Parliament House. Nawaz Sharif
NEWS is also expected to attend the lun- Giving a Policy Statement in Nacheon hosted by opposition lead- tional Assembly on Friday, the Advisor focused on Pakistan’s relaers in honor of Asif Zardari. tions with Afghanistan, India and A farewell ceremony would be held United States and in honor of president on September 5 by prime minister. In the last voiced Pakistan’s stance on ongoof the week Asif Ali Zardari would ing strife in Syria. give luncheon in honor of Nawaz Sharif and the federal cabinet. Asif He reiterated Pakistan’s stance of Ali Zardari would leave the presi- non-interference and commitment dent house on September 8. On to continue role in regional peace September 9 newly-elected Presi- having cordial relations with neighdent Mamnoon Hussain would boring countries. take oath as President of the State. “Afghanistan is important for PakiNawaz Sharif has started prepara- stan and we always desired peace tions regarding departure of Asif and smooth transition over there,” Ali Zardari. He would be officially Aziz remarked. presented guard of honor at the presidency. The red carpets would “Afghanistan is passing through also be laid for the laid and Paki- two pronged transition; military stan army contingent would pres- transition and political transition ent guard of honor to president. and its peaceful culmination is important for us.” A democratic journey is in progress towards anther destination In this regard he mentioned withwhen Asif Ali Zardari would be drawal of US and NATO troops as departed with honor after com- well as presidential election in Afpleting his five years term. It is an ghanistan next year. addition of a good philosophy in the democratic journey as power “These changes will be challengtransition has been transformed in ing. If smooth transition is not the democratic way. The inmate reached, it will result in civil war of president house is changing which is also not in our benefit.” with respect as it is happening for About Pak-India relations, the Adthe first time in the history of the visor mentioned to dialogue procountry that a new president has cess of 1999 and 2004 that he been elected whereas ceremonies said was hampered due to military are going on in honor of departing takeover of 1999 in Pakistan and president. Of course new demo- Mumbai incident of 2008. “But, we cratic traditions and values are a have again started back channel good omen for the democracy in diplomacy for composite dialogue. the journey of democracy. Both the Premiers also contacted
Pakistan wants peaceful solution to Syria crisis
ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that Pakistan wants a solution to the Syra crisis through peaceful means.
twice on phone.” He added the escalation at Line of Control affected this process as India had been changing stance on the incident on LoC and did not accept Pakistan’s offers for joint investigation as well as through UNMOGIP. Pakistan had also offered to strengthen the DGMOs contact and abide by the ceasefire accord of 2003.
tional community to pay heed to these problems. They need to understand ground realities between the two nuclear powers of the region,” he said. Speaking on Pak-US relations, he said, relationship between the two countries has been going up and down on the see-saw of warmth and stalemate. When the United States needs us they bring warmth to relations. But, when their purpose is served, they start giving cold response. In this regard, he mentioned different era of changing dimensions of bilateral relations, but stated, “our government successfully made US Secretary of State John Kerry to believe that Pak-US relations could not be seen through the Afghan lens.” He said both the countries have formed six working groups to complete the task for better relations. “We expect strategic dialogue next year and a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US President in New York next month. Our priority of relations with United States is trade and not the aid.” On drone attacks, he said, UN Secretary General during his visit to Pakistan had acknowledged out stance and the US authorities will also be asked next month to stop drone attacks. Discussing the ongoing strife in Syria, the Advisor said Pakistan is concerned of this wave in Muslim countries that has cost the lives of over 100,000 military personnel and civilians in Syria alone during last two years. “As the US is preparing for aerial strikes within Syria, Pakistan believes that it will make the situation more concerning.”
On the issue of using chemical But, he regretted the contradic- weapons by the Syrian establishtions in India’s viewpoint as well as ment, he said, Pakistan does not lack of unanimity and said, India support use of chemical weaprepeatedly claimed that Kashmir is ons but thinks that report of the a bilateral issue despite that there UN Mission already present in the are numerous UN resolutions on country should be waited. Kashmir to settle the issue acSartaj said Pakistan’s stand on cording to aspirations of Kashmiri Syria is based on principles of inpeople. ternational law and UN Charter to “Even if Pakistan tried to resolve respect territorial integrity of Syria; the issue bilaterally, what was the the policy of non military or otherprogress. We did not receive an wise intervention and interference; encouraging response from India. settlement of dispute; and transiIs it not responsibility of interna- tion or transfer of power through .
17 August - 2013
PM Nawaz says consensus required over Karachi situation
KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday asked representatives of political parties in Sindh to provide guidance and valuable input to improve the law and order situation in the port city.
NEWS of load shedding, bringing an end to lawlessness and law and order are concerned, I will not do politics,” he emphasised and asked the political parties to extend their cooperation in the greater national interest. The prime minister stressed the importance of Karachi and the need to reach a consensus to resolve the law and order situation in the city. “Different recommendations over how to control the law and order situation in Karachi are under review.”
ST Sunni Tehreek’s (ST) Sarwat Ijaz Qadri called for the sacking of SHOs appointed on political basis.
ties. The interior minister said the first meeting of the committee would be called as soon as he returns to Islamabad.
The interior minister also pointed out the existence of over 4 million The PPP announced its support unregistered mobile phone SIMs, for the prime ministers initiatives which he said were a major help with Taj Haider calling for deweap- for terrorists and criminals in carryonization and providing protection ing out their activities. He said celto witnesses. lular companies would be forced PPP leader, Abdul Qadir Patel to follow clear cut guidelines to called for the inclusion of MQM- ensure the sale of SIMs without Haqiqi in the dialogue process. He proper registration. also said that Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah should be given a free hand.
PPP
Nisar says Karachi He maintained when Karachi was ‘operation’ to start peaceful, it would benefit the coming generations and the mothers in two days would have no fear for their school
KARACHI: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan anAt the start of the meeting, the Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, nounced Wednesday that the prime minister said the federal Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Min- paramilitary Rangers force would government was ready to assist all ister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar start a targeted operation against provincial governments in tackling Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq criminal gangs and terrorists in Kaany situation, including law and Dar, Information Minister Pervaiz rachi in the next “one to two days”. order, as it respected the public Rashid and leaders from Muttahida Quami Movement, Pakistan A committee led by the provincial mandate enjoyed by them. Peoples Party, Awami National chief minister would “manage, adThe prime minister said Pakistan Party, Jammat-i-Islami and oth- minister and control” the operation, was confronted with a host of is- ers were also present during the he said, however he emphasised on calling it a targeted action or sues like terrorism and load shed- meeting. “exercise” rather than an operation. ding. He stressed that political MQM parties should stand firm to face MQM leader, Haider Abbas Rizvi The interior minister, flanked by these challenges. said strict action should be taken Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad He underlined the need for use against criminals regardless of their and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, of maximum power to overcome affiliations. Rizvi added that a mul- was speaking to media representhese challenges. “An investor tifaceted strategy was required to tatives following a special session cannot invest when there is an is- tackle the law and order situation of the federal cabinet in Karachi sue of law and order situation and in the city. “The killing of innocent chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz under such conditions how can people in Karachi is the murder of Sharif to formulate a strategy to restore peace in the provincial capiwe tread the path of progress and our mandate.” tal. prosperity and expect growth.” MQM leader, Babar Ghauri called Prime Minister Sharif emphasised for a targeted operation in the city Nisar said targeted action would that peace and economic growth and the need to protect innocent be taken against criminals incitizens. Speaking to the media volved in “the four heinous crimes were interlinked. after the meeting, Sattar said that of target-killing, kidnapping, extorAbout the situation in Karachi, the people of Karachi were disap- tion and terrorism”. the Prime Minister observed that pointed over the decision to withsomeone was demanding for draw Farooq Sattar’s invitation He said the prime minister had held detailed meeting with top bringing in the military to control from the cabinet meeting. government officials and heads of the situation, others were pressing JI law enforcement authorities, and it forth for targeted operation while Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader, Muwas decided at the cabinet meetsomebody was asking for deployhammad Hussain Mehanti said ing that the Rangers force would ment of Rangers. that his party for the last five years be given special prosecution powAddressing the representatives of had been excluded from talks re- ers to aid them in acting against political parties, he reminded them garding the law and order situation the miscreants. that some among them had pow- in Karachi. “Neither the police or erful public mandate and it was the Rangers are stopping the people A smaller operational committee, headed by DG Rangers Sindh Majpolicy of the federal government from dying in the city.” Gen Rizwan Akhtar and compristo respect their due mandate. “I’m ing the Inspector General of Police not a Prime Minister of Pakistan ANP Muslim League but belong to the ANP leader, Shahi Syed said no and representatives of intelligence whole country. So far as the devel- police officer in the city wanted to agencies, would meet almost daily to monitor the operational activiopment of the country and issues perform their duties. going children.
PTI willing to give substantive input over Karachi peace: Imran Khan ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf chairman Imran Khan announced on Tuesday that his party is ready to give substantive proposals for creating peace in Karachi if the government is seriously resolved towards cleansing the port city of criminal elements. “PTI stands committed to working for peace and order in Karachi with all forces committed to achieving this end,” said the PTI chief. “Leave aside political party compulsions and tackle all burning problems with determination.” Khan said Karachi has bled for over two decades, and criticised successive governments for having neither the capability nor the political will to resolve these issues. “Time has come to address these problems through a fresh and revolutionary approach,” he observed. Some of the proposals PTI is known to suggest are the depoliticisation of police and the extermination of militant wings bred by political parties. Imran Khan also said that PTI was unable to participate in the meeting on Karachi’s security chaired by the Prime Minister because the party’s leadership was never informed of the meeting officially. Hence, the party could not send over its delegates.
18 August - 2013
Pakistan win third ODI and series against Zimbabwe
SPORTS
Pakistan seek Test revival against Zimbabwe Asia Cup: ‘We have lost The Pakistan Test our identity’ squad will show a diftional Cricket Council Test Championship, and we will put in all our efforts to win.”
HARARE: Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 108 runs in the third and final One-day International to take the three-match series 2-1 here at the Harare Sports Club ground on Saturday. After being sent into bat by Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor, Pakistan made 260 for six in 50 overs and then their spinners bowled Zimbabwe out for 152 in 40 overs. Off-break bowlers Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman grabbed two wickets each while leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took one wicket.
KARACHI: Pakistan were on a high after securing a Test series whitewash against the then top ranked England side 18 months ago in the UAE. However, back-to-back losses in the following rubbers have pushed Misbahul Haq’s men on the backfoot in the longer version as they seek to regain winning ways in Zimbabwe.
The first Test starts today in Harare. The Pakistan captain is hoping to bounce back from a 3-0 series upset at the hands of the Proteas in South Africa at the start of the year. Only Malcolm Waller provided Before the humiliating defeat, they some resistance, coming at numlost 1-0 while touring Sri Lanka ber six and was the last man to last year. be out for a valuable 48 with four boundaries. The last time when Pakistan toured Among others, three batsmen Zimbabwe in 2011, they defeated scored in the twenties while the re- the home team 3-0 in the Test semaining batsmen could not reach ries, and Misbah seemed upbeat about his team’s prospects in this the double-figures. run too. Earlier, Misbah-ul-Haq led from the front to take Pakistan to a “Our Test side is well settled,” said the captain ahead of the first game. competitive total. He was the mainstay of the batting as usual scoring 67 off 85 balls with 6 fours while opener Ahmed Shehzad made 54 off 85 balls. Umar Amin (33 off 25 balls) and Sarfraz Ahmed (22 off 13 balls) tried to accelerate towards the end. Mohammad Hafeez who had retired hurt earlier with a hamstring injury, came to bat again after Sarfraz’s dismissal and remained not out for 26. Pace bowler Tendai Chatara was the pick of the Zimbabwe attack picking up three for 48.
“Yes, the last series was a difficult one as we faced tough conditions in South Africa. But, I am hopeful our Test batting line-up will perform well this time.”
ferent structure, with former captain Younus Khan, Azhar Ali and Adnan Akmal making returns. Khurram Manzoor is also likely to make a comeback after three years, while other team players include Wahab Riaz, Faisal Iqbal, and Rahat Ali. Zimbabwe’s turmoil continues
KARACHI: Pakistan, once the most successful side in the history Zimbabwe’s squad was not anof hockey’s World Cup, failed to nounced until yesterday afternoon, qualify for next year’s edition folas the series remained in doubt lowing a 2-1 defeat to South Kodue to threats of a boycott from rea in their Asia Cup semi-final in the Zimbabwe players’ union over Ipoh, Malaysia yesterday. non-payment of salaries. The four-time World Cup champiHome team coach Andy Waller ons had entered the Asia Cup desfeared that the issue may affect perately needing the title to book the morale of his players, even if their place for the 2014 global the series are played. tournament in The Hague, Netherlands. Waller also raised concerns over the absence of key-bowler Kyle Pakistan got off to a good start Jarvis, who retired before the Paki- in the Asian event, winning all stan series, and spinner Graeme their group matches in which they Cremer. scored 24 goals and conceded just one. “The main concern I have is the However, they looked off-colour in bowling side,” said Waller. the decisive match as they faced Afridi, Anwar return their first major test against South Korea where penalty-corners were All-rounder Shahid Afridi and fastin focus. The first-half saw Mohambowler Anwar Ali returned after mad Imran’s side giving an even featuring in the Twenty20 and fight to their opponents. However, One-Day International (ODI) series they conceded a goal in the 31st against Zimbabwe. minute on a penalty-corner. While Afridi decided against speak- South Korea then doubled their ing to the media, Anwar termed lead in another penalty-corner, six his experience beneficial. minutes into the second-half.
If the visitors triumph, it will also be a respite for Pakistan’s head coach Dav Whatmore, under whom the “I didn’t get chance a chance to team lost both the previous series. play in the ODIs, but the expeIt has made the coach determined rience of playing the Twenty20 to pull out all stops for his team’s matches was useful,” the fastbowler told reporters at the Karasuccess in the Test format. chi airport. “Winning Tests is vital since it’s an important format,” stated What- “I have gained confidence and look more. “This series is crucial be- forward to getting a chance to play cause of the start of the Interna- in the South Africa tour.”
Pakistan missed a couple of chances before Imran finally succeeded on a 46th minute penaltycorner, his third direct attempt to reduce the lead. The team failed to build on the goal and missed a few more chances, allowing the Koreans to walk away with a 2-1 win. The result effec-
continued....
19 August - 2013 tively knocked Pakistan out of the World Cup qualification. In all, the green-shirts earned five penalty corners but there was no variation as they made direct attempts in all the chances.
SPORTS
Latif to prove claims on Indian bookie
Olympians rue ‘heartbreaking moment’ Meanwhile, the hockey legends who had been a part of the national team when they were on peak were appalled at the fiasco.“Once we were primarily known for our hockey, but now we have lost that identity,” Olympian Qamar Zia told KARACHI: Former captain Rashid The Express Tribune while lamentLatif will meet Pakistan Cricket ing the loss. Board (PCB) officials today to “I never thought we will see this prove his claims regarding Indian day. I am shattered over the cur- bookmaker Anu Bhatt. rent state of affairs.” An official close to the board’s leAnother Olympian Samiullah Khan gal advisory confirmed the meet– famously known as the ‘Flying ing was fixed for today in Lahore. Horse’ – also expressed his dejec- “The board has sought its legal counsels to assess the evidence tion. that will prove his statements in “It is heart-breaking to witness the media,” said the official hockey at its lowest ebb,” he said, simultaneously asking the current Latif claims that the India bookPakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) maker, named as a key figure by officials and team management to the England and Wales Cricket Board in Danish Kaneria’s spot-fixresign. ing case, was the PCB’s guest in “They had four years to raise the 2005-06 when England and India game but they failed. In fact, the toured Pakistan. The PCB rejectsport declined further. The top ed his claims and issued a notice PHF officials should step down to after Latif remained adamant on give competent people a chance. his stance. “The Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games will be held [next year] in which a better set-up can start the repair work.” Commenting on the match, Samiullah said Pakistan lost in the secondhalf and wasted chances that cost them a crucial win. Butt optimistic about future Meanwhile, former captain Rehan Butt lashed out at coach Tahir Zaman for the loss but was careful not to direct any criticism at the PHF.
“We are expecting solid evidence, like hotel bills and an air ticket. The PCB adopts a zero tolerance policy towards corruption and will reach to the bottom of the matter.”
Serena downs Stephens to book place in quarters
“It definitely felt like a bigger match because Sloane is such a great player, but I had to stay focused in the moment,” said Serena.
NEW YORK CITY: Defending champion Serena Williams won her much-anticipated US Open showdown with Sloane Stephens on Sunday while Li Na avenged a painful loss in Rome to join the world number one in the last-eight.
In another match, top seed Novak Djokovic also reached the last 16 with a 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 win over world number 95 Joao Sousa. In other matches, Tomas Berdych eased past French 31st seed Julien Benneteau, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 and Stanislas Wawrinka got past unseeded Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (1/7), 7-6 (9/7).
Vonn back on piste after “She’s number one for a reason,” said Stephens. “She played pretty horror crash well. She did a lot of things well.” Stephens said she was simply outplayed by the world’s best.
PORTILLO - American speed queen Lindsey Vonn has had a successful return to the piste, seven months after her horror crash at the World Ski Championships. The Olympic gold medallist and fourAlso booking a quarter-final time World Cup overall champion matchup were Chinese fifth-seed took to the slopes at a two-week Li, who comfortably beat Serbian US training camp in the Chilean ninth-seed Jelena Jankovic 6-3, resort of Portillo. Vonn suffered a 6-0, and Russian 24th seed Ekat- torn anterior cruciate ligament and erina Makarova, who upset Polish torn medial collateral ligament in third-seed Agnieszka Radwanska her right knee and a fractured tibial plateau in a crash in her opening 6-4, 6-4. race at the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Schladming, Men’s top seeds turn up heat Austria, in February. “I’ve crashed In the men’s singles event, defend- a lot in my career and I’m just geting champion Andy Murray and ting back up as fast as I can,” said 2001 winner Lleyton Hewitt made Vonn. “Unfortunately it’s taken me light of the heavy, humid New York seven months to get back up this conditions on Sunday to breeze time but I was really excited to get into the US Open last 16. back out there.”
Serena booked a quarter-final against Spanish 18th seed Carla Suarez Navarro, who upset German eighth seed Angelique Kerber 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).
Third-seeded Murray, who ended his country’s 76-year wait for a Grand Slam men’s champion when he won his maiden major title in New York last year, eased past Germany’s world number 49 Florian Mayer, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2. “I think I need to start my matches quicker than I have been doing,” said the 26-year-old. “I am not that fast out of the blocks. But once I got going I was striking the ball cleanly.” Murray, the reigning Olympic and Wimbledon champion, will next face Uzbekistan’s world number 65 Denis Istomin, who put out Italian 20th seed Andreas Seppi, 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 3-6, 6-1.
“There was no planning,” he said. “The penalty-corners were the decisive factor in which we failed. We didn’t dare an indirect attempt on five opportunities which indicates the coach’s failure. “Definitely, it’s a sad day for hockey lovers but PHF should not be blamed as they brought in the best coach who unfortunately didn’t deliver. I wouldn’t say that our future is dark; many talented youngsters are getting ready for the international stage,” said Butt, who also coaches the national U16 team.
Serena defeated US 15th seed Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-1 to reach the US Open quarter-finals, winning eight of the last nine games in avenging a loss that ousted her from the 2013 Australian Open.
Meanwhile, Hewitt reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 30th time with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 win over Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy. “It’s always great to come back to New York,” said Hewitt. “I have played some of my best tennis here.”
Rafael Nadal back in Spain Davis Cup team MADRID - Rafael Nadal is rejoining Spain’s Davis Cup team for their play-off against Ukraine from September 13-15 in Madrid after a long absence caused by a knee injury. Nadal, a 12-time Grand Slam champion, has won nine titles since returning in February from a seven-month injury layoff. Alongside the 27-year-old, countrymen Tommy Robredo and Fernando Verdasco are also returning to the Davis Cup side, the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation said Monday. “Rafael Nadal is returning to the team after being absent for the last five playoffs because of a serious knee injury that kept him off the courts for seven months last year,” the federation said in a statement. Nadal last played with the Davis Cup team in the final held in Seville in December 2011 when Spain won their fifth title, beating Argentina 3-1
20 August - 2013
Wasim Akram ties knot with Shaniera Thompson
SHOWBIZ
Pakistani movie “WAAR” is set to hit the screen on 6th September 2013
Waar, whose first look promo was been released about 2 years back, had to face a lot of difficulties in its post-production phases resulted in numerous delays in the release . This effort of Bilal Lashari would be a rebirth of Pakistani cinema. So finally the wait is almost over. One of the most foreseen movies in the history of Pakistani cinema is going to hit the theatres very soon.
‘Chennai Express’ Box Office Collection: SRK Starrer Maintains Steady Pace, Earns
The supreme projected Pakistani movie ever ‘WAAR’ will be released on 6th September worldwide. The theatrical trailer of the movie is out now. Watch it and support Pakistani productions. Director Rohit Shetty’s film “Chennai Express” continues to rake in collections at the box office in its fourth week of theatrical run. The family entertainer, which has been declared an all-time blockbuster, has earned ₹223.33 crore nett since the time it was released in India.
Over 222 Crore in India
Mahira Khan to work with Ranvir Singh
Nikah ceremony took place in Lahore in a small family gathering where only family members were The plot of movie has been inpresent due to illness of Wasim’s spired by the war on terror in Pakistan and its effects on the world, father. but with a stylized interpretation. “I married Shaniera in Lahore last Rana has penned a script that week in a simple ceremony and finds a new and refreshing angle this is the start of a new life for to explore war and terrorism. me, my wife and for my kids,” Wasim told AFP. Akram announced Lashari also worked as assistant his engagement with Shaniera director for Shoaib Mansoor during Thompson, a former public rela- the filming of Khuda Kay Liye. Waar tions consultant, 2 months back. (to strike) is an action/thriller and 47 years old Wasim Akram’s first drama film. This English-language wife Huma Wasim died in 2009 film has been shot at various locaafter multiple organ failure. Wasim tions in and outside of Pakistan, has two sons from his first mar- from Lahore, to the beautiful hills riage. Wasim left-arm fast bowler of Islamabad and the breathtaking proposed Thompson on bended Swat Valley, where a major military operation was launched two years knee last month. ago. Some parts of the film have Wasim said Thompson had adapt- also been shot in Istanbul, Turkey. ed to Islam and is learning Urdu. “She has embraced Islam and is With some crew and technical learning our language. She has support from Hollywood, this is been close to my sons and they definitely going to be a huge reform a very good bond,” said Wa- lease in the region sim of his two sons from his first Bilal Lashari has directed some marriage. spectacular music videos for Atif Wasim played 104 Tests and 356 Aslam, Jal and Mekaal Hasan one-day internationals for Paki- Band entered into the film making stan in a career lasting from 1984 amphitheater with an even iconto 2003. Shaniera came to Paki- ic cast of the movie. It includes stan couple of days ahead of Eid Shaan Shahid, Shamoon Abbasi, to celebrate the occasion with Ayesha Khan,Meesha Shafi, Ali Wasim and his family and to get Azmat and many others. adapted to the country’s traditions. Pakistani film industry has been Wasim said that Shinera will settle facing a vile phase as the industry in Pakistan. A grand reception will is fundamentally dead. Now young, be held in September or Novem- talented Bilal Lashari expected to make it big with his Waar. ber according to sources.
The collections of the film in the fourth week were pretty much in the same range as earlier weeks. On its fourth Monday it raked in ₹56 lakh and on Tuesday it raked in ₹51 lakh. “#ChennaiExpress [Week 4] Fri 81 lacs, Sat 1.14 cr, Sun 1.89 cr, Mon 56 lacs, Tue 51 lacs. Grand total: ₹223.33 cr. All Time Blockbuster,” trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted.
Recently Mahira has been offered the Yash Raj Film that casts Ranveer Singh as the co-star. It would remain a rumor or reality, no one knows only time will reveal this fact. Mahira had been in India for last couple of weeks for many purposes and it is proclaimed the two will probably perform a film together. Mahira Khan in her 16, made her first appearance as a VJ. She was seen on the screen in the ARY Digital Drama Neeyat firstly. Then she did Shoaib Mansoor’s mega hit movie Bol In the year 2011 and received appreciation for her acting. Along her acting Mahira Khan from time to time also gave her appearance on ramp. Fawad Afzal Khan and Mahira emerged as the beautiful talented actor and actress after the Humsafar serial got popularity locally and internationally. Chitchat flare up after it was perceived that Fawad Khan, the dashing deva of Pakistani drama industry would cast against the young Bollywood actress, Alia Bhatt- the disco girl, the daughter of the famous film producer Mahesh Bhatt.
The collections of the Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer has dipped in its fourth week due to less number of screens and new releases. However, the film maintained good speed and raked in more than ₹220 crore, which no Bollywood film has fetched till now. The film will not touch the ₹250 crore mark in the domestic market, but has now set a new target for other films. The film might finish its box office run in India after the fourth week as two films - “Zanjeer” and “Shuddh Desi Romance”, are set to release on 6 September. The film’s director is riding high after the blockbuster success of “Chennai Express”. In an interview to India Today, Rohit thanked Shah Rukh for the success of the film. “I think you need to be a great human being like Shah Rukh Khan to do that. Very rarely a person does that be it an actor or a producer or whoever. I think he is brilliant. He is a great human being. As a producer he knew we were making a high budget film. Never was there a discussion between him and me about ‘Rohit you need to take care,” he said.
21 August- 2013 October 1948 - 16 August 1997
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s 16th death anniversary being observed
By: Syed Tariq Abrar A renowned Pakistani musician, was primarily a singer of Qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufis. He possessed an extraordinary range of vocal abilities. and could perform at a high level of intensity for several hours. Extending the 600-year old Qawwali tradition of his family, Khan is widely credited with introducing Qawwali music to international audiences. He is popularly known as “Shahenshah-e-Qawwali”, meaning “The King of Kings of Qawwali”.
Born in Faisalabad, Pakistan, Khan had his first public performance at age of 16, at his father’s chelum. He became the head of the family qawwali party in 1971. He was signed by Oriental Star Agencies, Birmingham, England, in the early 1980s. Khan went on to release movie scores and albums in Europe, India, Japan, Pakistan, and the U.S.A. He engaged in collaborations and experiments with Western artists, becoming a well-known world music artist. He toured extensively, performing in over 40 countries.
Art & Literature chehlum, which took place forty days after his father’s death. In 1971, after the death of Mubarak Ali Khan, Khan became the official leader of the family Qawwali party and the party became known as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mujahid Mubarak Ali Khan & Party. Khan’s first public performance as the leader of the Qawwali party was at a studio recording broadcast as part of an annual music festival organised by Radio Pakistan, known as Jashn-e-Baharan. Khan sang mainly in Urdu and Punjabi and occasionally in Persian, Braj Bhasha and Hindi. His first major hit in Pakistan was the song Haq Ali Ali, which was performed in a traditional style and with traditional instrumentation. The song featured restrained use of Khan’s sargam improvisations. In 1979, Khan married his first cousin, Naheed (the daughter of Fateh Ali Khan’s brother, Salamat Ali Khan); they had one daughter, Nida.
Early in his career, Khan was signed up by Oriental Star Agencies in the U.K. to their Star Cassette Label. OSA sponsored regular concert tours by Khan to the U.K. from the early ‘80s onwards, and released He was the fifth child and first son much of this live material on casof Fateh Ali Khan, a musicologist, sette, CD, videotape and DVD. vocalist, instrumentalist, and Qaw- In the summer of 1985, Khan perwal. Khan’s family, which included formed at the World of Music, Arts four older sisters and a younger and Dance (WOMAD) festival in brother, Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, London. He performed in Paris grew up in central Faisalabad. Ini- in 1985 and 1988. He first visited tially, his father did not want Khan Japan in 1987, at the invitation of to follow the family’s vocation. He the Japan Foundation. He also perhad his heart set on Khan choosing formed at the 5th Asian Traditional a much more respectable career Performing Art Festival in Japan. path and becoming a doctor, because he felt Qawwali artists had In the 1992–93 academic year, low social status. However, Khan Khan was a Visiting Artist in the showed such an aptitude for, and Ethnomusicology department at interest in, Qawwali that his father the University of Washington, Sefinally relented. attle, Washington, United States. Khan began by learning to play tabla alongside his father before progressing to learnRaag Vidya and Bol Bandish. He then went on to learn to sing within the classical framework of khayal. Khan’s training with his father was cut short when his father died in 1964, leaving Khan’s paternal uncles, Mubarak Ali Khan and Salamat Ali Khan, to complete his training. His first performance was at a traditional graveside ceremony for his father, known as
Khan teamed with Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ in 1985, with Canadian musician Michael Brook on the albums Mustt Mustt (1990) and Night Song (1996), and with Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder in 1995 on two songs for the soundtrack to Dead Man Walking. One of these songs (“The Long Road”) was re-used on the soundtrack for Eat Pray Love in 2010. Khan also contributed to the
argued Kasauti should never have been discontinued and lamented that in this day and age individuals like Quresh Pur and Hasan Shaheed Mirza could not be found beKhan contributed the song “Gu- cause the corporate sector would rus of Peace” to the album Vande not allow them to prosper. Mataram, composed by A. R. Rahman, and released to celebrate the Voiceover artists Shahabuddin 50th anniversary of India’s indepen- Shahab said although he had dence. Rahman, who was a big fan known both Quresh Pur and Hasan of Khan could not do further songs Shaeed Mirza, his relationship with with him. As a tribute, Rahman later them was of a formal nature. He released an album titled Gurus of was junior to both of them and Peace, which featured “Allah Hoo” had great regard for them. He said by Khan. Rahman’s 2007 song once when he sought Hasan Sha“Tere Bina” was also done as a trib- heed Mirza’s opinion on the current crop of TV presenters he remarked, ute to Khan. “These days fake people (khota Khan was taken ill with kidney and sikka chal raha hai) have taken over liver failure on 11 August 1997 in which is why I have decided to save London, England, while on the way my reputation and sit in a corner to Los Angeles USA in order to re- quietly.” Shahab also mentioned ceive a kidney transplant. He died how once Quresh Pur taught him of a sudden cardiac arrest at Crom- the finer points of Persian pronunwell Hospital, London, on Saturday, ciation. 16 August 1997, aged 48 Actor Fahmid Ahmed Khan, who was one of the very few men who attended Quresh Pur’s funeral, said throughout his life Quresh Pur never left his house situated in Nazimabad’s Muslim League Quarters. After he retired from PTV he tried to build a stairway for which he wanted KARACHI, Aug 29: to consult with a releWhen scholar and vant person. Mr Khan celebrity TV host called up a civil engiQuresh Pur died neer for the purpose. on Aug 5, there When that engineer were hardly a inquired Quresh Pur dozen people who as to why he had not attended his funeral. spent money on making But on Wednesday a stairway earlier when he evening the Manzar Akbeing a celebrity must’ve earned bar Hall at the Arts Council it in a big amount, the scholar replied Karachi, where a condolence referhe did not buy cement and bricks ence for Quresh Pur and voiceover from the money he earned; instead artist Hasan Shaheed Mirza (who he had bought books which could passed away on Aug 3) was being be housed by cement and bricks. held, cut a different picture. Mr Khan also mentioned the fact There were quite a few television that when Quresh Pur died, a TV and radio fraternity representatives channel ran the news of his passwho turned up to pay tribute to ing away accompanied by Obaidulthe two eminent individuals. Some lah Beg’s picture. They didn’t even even claimed they had learned a recognise his face. great deal from the two illustrious Prof Sahar Ansari went down men. memory lane and told the attendTV producer M. Zaheer Khan said ees about a place in Karachi where he had known Quresh Pur since people like Quresh Pur, Jaun Elia 1968. It was Saleem Gilani who in- used to hang out. He praised troduced Quresh Pur, Obaidullah Quresh Pur’s extraordinary comBeg and Iftikhar Arif to Aslam Azhar mand over the Persian language and presented the idea for the quiz and said one of Iran’s foremost show ‘Kasauti’ that later catapulted writers had praised the way he the three Kasauti regulars to fame. (Quresh Pur) spoke Persian. He reInitially, the programme was re- marked, “Bodies breathe their last, corded, but later it was aired live. It but not voices.” acquired unprecedented popularity, so much so that people would Khalid Zafar, Ibrahim Khan, Bakhtiar telephone PTV offices with such Ahmed, Qaiser Naqi Imam and frequency that it damaged PTV friends and family members of both telephone exchange, he said. He the deceased men also spoke. soundtrack of Natural Born Killers. He composed the music for the 1994 film Bandit Queen in collaboration with Roger White.
Tribute paid to Quresh Pur, Hasan Shaheed Mirza
22 August- 2013
Skin Care In Monsoon
Beauty Tips-Horoscope People with oily skin have to suffer a lot during monsoon season. The oil secretion and sweat are deposited on skin and skin is more prone to bacteria and dirt and results in blackheads, whiteheads, breakouts and painful pimples. Use oil control cleanser that controls the oil secretion and cleanse the pores. To retain pH of your skin apply alcohol free toner. For oily skin make a mixture of oil and rose water and you can use any oil of your choice. Apply this mixture as a moisturizer on your skin and then rinse off with cold water after ten minutes.
After bearing extreme heat of the sun, tans, sweat and sunburns, monsoon comes as a sign of relief. Every season has its own pros and cons and it is up to us to embrace it and make the best use of it. Monsoon is a season of freshness and in the enjoyment of rains beauty tips are forgotten for sometimes. In intermittent rains, you may feel some easiness with your skin. Though rain drops are sign of relief and bring smile on face of everyone, it also brings skin related problems like greasy skin, rashes, acne, itching and so on. Monsoon is the time when we are in utmost need to take care of your skin. It is equally important to take care of your skin as you do in every season. It has proven that little changes in your skin care regimen can have a positive impact on your skin during monsoon season. Here I share simplified skin care tips that will help you to glow throughout the season. For your skin care the first and most important step is to cleanse your face daily with a soap free cleanser and also make use of gentle scrub according to your skin type. It is vital to apply scrub once in a day to get rid of dead cells. Use face wash which has natural fruits extracts and free from controversial chemicals. After washing your face always use a toner each time to close the pores and restore your skin’s pH balance. During monsoon, people have dry skin may experience more dryness in their skin because wetting in the rain have a dehydrating effect on skin. For dry skin, cleanse your skin with a facewash which is soap free as it does not dry out skin. You can also make atoner in your home by adding few drops of honey in two tablespoon of milk. It hydrates your skin. For dry skin, crush almonds and mix it with honey to make paste. Massage this paste on your face for about five minutes and then rinse off it with warm water.
Walking in rainy water can lead to various types of fungal infections which can affect your nails and toes. Always wash your feet and keep them dry and clean. Make sure that your feet are dry when you are wearing shoes. Though it is raining, it does not mean to reduce the consumption of water and drink 8 to 10 glass of water regularly. Your skin is thirstier than you in all seasons.
Chemicals In Cosmetics Tied To Thyroid Problems
Cosmetics have become important part of fashion and life. Many people come in contact with various chemicals everyday when they may try to look organically beautiful and gorgeous. Cosmetics contain a large number of chemicals. Chemicals are added in cosmetics products for many reasons like for adding flavors and also for their preservation for long time. A common chemical found on cosmetic products may be dangerous for users. Many studies have revealed that exposure to chemicals which are used to make cosmetics products can cause changes in thyroid function. Cosmetics are manufactured by using chemicals like perflourinated chemicals (PFCs) and exposure to such chemicals cause changes in thyroid functions. These chemicals breakdown slowly and take time to leave the body.
These chemicals not only harm thyroid glands of men but also affect women. Women are more prone to such chemicals as they use cosAugust 23 metics in their daily life. Researchers also found that PFCs also increase September 22 the risks of mild hypothyroidism in women. The hypothyroidism occurs when there is a less production of hormones by thyroid glands. This lacking of hormones can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, cold feeling, mental depression, dry skin and hair, constipation and menstrual irregularities. After these researches manufacturers and users both are alert now and avoid cosmetics which contain such type of chemicals. As people say that there is no compromise with skin. Many manufacturer companies are now not using these chemicals as these chemicals can linger in the body for up to four years. These chemicals remain a concern because they stay Career and Money in the body for extended period You’ve got the motivation to go afwhich may have long term effects ter your professional goals the first on human health. half of the year. With generous JuPFCs chemicals are also disrupt piter in your House of Public Recendocrine system that can mimic ognition through June 25th, lucky estrogen level in a human body and breaks come your way. Keep a redisrupts its natural hormone levels. ally open mind as to what’s posThis disruption can lead to many sible rather than limiting your view health problems especially in wom- of what you are capable of achieven. The hormone systems in a body ing. The last two weeks of May are of human being are so delicate that a very activated period for your they can be destroy by tiny dose of career, a time when you can really hormone disrupting chemicals like shine at work. When your planePFCs. PFCs exposure to women tary ruler, messenger Mercury, enters this sector of your chart on the raises risks of hypothyroidism. 15th, your career mojo skyrockIn the study published in Endocrine ets. The 24th then brings a Lunar society’s Journal of Clinical Endo- Eclipse that highlights how your crinology and Metabolism, Lin and work really nourishes you. And his fellow researchers analyzed data on the 27th there’s an especially from 1,181 participants in 2007- expansive day where it seems 2008a and 2009-2010 National like all attention is turned upon health and nutrition Examination you. That’s the day when Jupiter Survey (NHANES). According to unites with Mercury. This should this study they found that the parbring you the acknowledgement ticipants who had higher levels of and recognition—and maybe certain types of PFCs in their blood even the promotion-you deserve. such as perflourooctonoate (PFOA), perflourooctane sulfonate (PFOS) As for finances, innovative ideas and perflourohexane sulfonate (PF- for joint ventures continue this HXS) showed increased levels of year with revolutionary Uranus thyroid hormones triiodothyronin still traveling through your House (T3) and thyroxin (T4). If you see in of Shared Resources. As Mercury the history, there was no such dis- traverses through your House of ease like hypothyroidism in women. Money September 9th through Though the level of hypothyroidism 29th it ushers in a period when is characterized as mild but it has you’re really focused on your filong tern effects. nances. It’s a great time to create a budget or refine one you already By utilizing various types of cosmetic products, the risks of thyroid have. Also, if you owe someproblems are increasing day by day. one money, or they owe it to you, A large number of people can be af- touch base to check in and talk fected by such types of chemicals. about the payback plan. This can So when you go to buy any product help to allay tensions that could you must be wise in choosing the potentially mount on October 18th products. You must consider com- when a Lunar Eclipses highlights your financial sectors. position before deciding to buy.
Virgo
23 August - 2013