Bridge mag international december,2014 by creative point

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PTI should call off protest: Dar

Imran vows to shut down Lahore, Karachi

Contents

‘2014 worst year for PAT workers’

Edi t o r i a l

A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY Pakistan is still in the State Of Denial

16th December 2014 when Pakistan was remembering the tragedy of loss of its eastern wing, another tragedy took place. The terrorist attack by the Taliban on the Army Public School, Peshawar claimed the lives of at least 141 people, a large majority of whom were young students in grades 1-10. Several other people suffered severe injuries as well.

Pakistan has suffered many gruesome terrorist attacks during last 13 years but this one was unique and it has been dubbed as mini 9/11 for Pakistan. Apparently, this attack brought all the political parties of Pakistan on same page and it was unanimously agreed to form an action plan to root out terrorism from Pakistan. But still Pakistani nation at large is in a state of denial about the real cause and perpetrators of terrorism. All major political and religious leaders of Pakistan openly declared that terrorists have nothing to do with religion of Islam and that terrorism has no religion.Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the organization which claimed responsibility for the attack has waged Jihad against Pakistani state for their demand of implementing Shariah. In the presence of a number of evidences, denying the religious denomination of the terrorists and declaring them to be uncircumcised infidels is nothing but a further proof of the state of denial. This will not only prevent from solving the issue but it will further exacerbate the matter as the real cause of terrorism, i.e. religious indoctrination, is denied.

Madrassas are still the primary breeding ground of religious extremism and militancy in Pakistan. Irrespective of who is running these seminaries and what their motives are, it cannot be denied that root cause of terrorism in Pakistan is unchecked network of thousands of seminaries in Pakistan. When government expressed its intentions to regulate these seminaries, religious establishment reacted aggressively. They termed any attempt to bring religious seminaries under the law a threat to Islam. Playing the Islam card is a favorite past time of the clergyman and their most commonly used method of survival. While the state’s complacency is expressed by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali’s statement in which he came to the rescue of seminaries by saying that only 10% of the seminaries are part of the problem and the rest are just imparting religious education. Former Interior Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has also defended the seminaries by rejecting the notion that seminaries have any role in terrorism. When the government of Pakistan is sympathetic to the source of the problem then how it can possibly be resolved? Moreover, the common citizens of Pakistan are also in a state of denial about the terrorists. The national discourse on terrorism is that it is related to the waar in Afghanistan and that all the terrorists are foreign saboteurs who disguise as Muslims. Many educated Muslims can be seen arguing to defend this discourse. The public discourse on terrorism is shaped by right wing columnists, conservative politicians and the clergymen who have enormous influence on the opinions of common Pakistanis. How can it be expected from Pakistanis to rationally understand this whole issue when one of the most popular evangelist in the country, instead of condemning the terrorists, explains the Peshawar school incident as an expression of the wrath of God? Such an attitude lies at the core of whole issue of Talibanization because without getting a clear popular support of the people, it is not possible to defeat the threat of terrorism.Under the charismatic and sagacious leadership of Jinnah, the Muslims of the sub-continent were able to get a separate homeland where they could live in accordance with the tenets of Islam.

If truth be told, the root cause of terrorism in Pakistan is the policy of using jihad to achieve foreign policy objectives. In order to execute this policy, a conservative agenda has been pushed in the mainstream of Pakistan for last three decades. As a result the intellectual and political discourse in Pakistan has continuously drifted to the rightwing. Due to ignorance and lack of awareness, an average Pakistani citizen is gullible and vulnerable to accept any agenda as plain truth. As long as such state of denial continues, no action plan, military courts or collective political effort can eradicate the menace of terrorism. Incidents like Peshawar school massacre will create a short lived uproar and when the dust settles, everything will be back to normal again.

22 sports

Abid Ali Syed Andleeb Jawaid Baseer Naveed Madah Jawaid Dr.Naseem Shekhani Dr.Naveen Aman Dr. Tanveer Imam Tariq Khawaja Special correspondent from Pakistan Syed Tariq Abrar

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Events in the year 2014 in Pakistan.

EDITORIAL BOARD

No words can begin to describe this unprecedented crime against humanity. No person or religion can justify such a barbarous act of terrorism. We, as Pakistanis, must get out of our houses and unite against terrorism and extremism in order to eliminate it from our country. Jawaid riaz

Abdul Aziz Memmon, Karachi, Pakistan Abdul Waheed Jamal, Karachi, Pakistan Dr. Azfar Malik, St. Louis, MO Ghulam Mustafa Majeed, Bahrain Dr. Hadi Zadi, St. Louis, MO Hassan Mahmood Jafri, Karachi, Pakistan Mark Asim, New York City, NY Mubbashir Aslam, Canada Dr. Naseem Shekhani, St. Louis, MO Dr. Naveen Aman, Chicago, IL Syed Ashiq Raza, Karachi, Pakistan Syed Mazhar Alam, Naperville, IL Tariq Khawaja Dr. Tausif Ahmed Khan, Karachi, Pakistan Art Director : Syed Tariq Abrar ( Pakistan ) Design by : Seema Niazi (Pakistan) 011 + 92 + 333 3270755

4 December - 2014

NEWS

Return of Afghan refugees be ensured, says Nawaz

Asghar, a Muslim from Edinburgh, was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death in January for committing blasphemy.In September, his lawyers said he had been shot and wounded in jail by a prison guard in Rawalpindi, next to Islamabad. “The PM raised the Asghar case,” said Cameron’s spokeswoman.

The Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained the most affected areas of the country where 3,768 and 3,236 people died from 2008 to 2012. In all, 7,315 and 8,726 people were injured in the Fata and KP in five years. During this period, 974 people were killed and 3,061 injured 1,347 wounded in Sindh, 1,124 people lost their lives and 3,770 sustained injuries in Balochistan, 14 died and 66 injured in Azad Kashmir, 128 were killed and 334 injured in Islamabad while 60 were killed and 84 sustained injuries in Gilgit-Baltistan during these five years.

“Our focus at the moment is making sure he gets the right level of treatment and that the case is handled in the right way, given his particular situation.” Asghar had previously been detained under the mental health act in Britain and diagnosed with paraONDON: Prime Minister Later Afghan President Ashraf noid schizophrenia, according to Nawaz Sharif on Friday said Ghani also joined the two leaders. documents his lawyers supplied Maryam said Pakistan has been that immediate and effective Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah victim of terrorism for over 10 to Reuters. steps should be taken for the Abdullah was also present on the years. She said extremist groups repatriation of Afghan refugees occasion.The leaders expressed have been active throughout the from Pakistan. their resolve to work together for country with their own ideology The prime minister expressed a stable, prosperous and peaceand motives. She said compensathese views during a breakfast ful Afghanistan which would have tion is being provided to the vicmeeting with British Prime Min- a salutary impact on the entire tims of terrorism under different ister David Cameron held here on region. packages. Friday morning.During the meetIn the backdrop of the recently Maryam while replying another ing, David Cameron expressed held London Conference on Afquestion informed the House that the resolve that the region would ghanistan regional situation with there is a proposal under considnot be left alone in the changing particular reference to Afghanieration of the ICT administration scenario and the UK would take stan was discussed and committo establish a new hospital along measures for regional stability ments made in the Conference with diagnostic laboratory in ruand prosperity. were reiterated. ral areas of Islamabad. Nawaz Sharif said that a stable, Adviser to Prime Minister SarShe said the PC-1 of the project prosperous and democratic Aftaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM titled “Establishment of Islamghanistan was in Pakistan’s best Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan abad General Hospital at Tarlai, interest and said it looked forHigh Commissioner to UK Syed Islamabad” at an estimated cost ward to forging a cooperative Ibne Abbas were also present of over Rs1.9 billion has been relationship with the Afghan naduring the meeting.Prime Minisprepared and submitted to the tional unity government. ter Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Planning and Development DiviUpon arrival at the 10 Downing Friday also met Prince of Wales sion for approval of Central DeStreet, British Prime Minister Da- Prince Charles at Clarence House velopment Working Party. vid Cameron received the prime here.The prime minister appreciShe told the House that Nationminister. During the meeting, bi- ated the personal interest he had al Alien Registration Authority lateral relations, matters of mutu- been taking in the rehabilitation of flood-affected people of Pakistan. (Nara) has registered a total of al interest and the regional situaSLAMABAD: The government 14,369 aliens from January 2008 tion came under discussion. informed the National AssemMeanwhile, British Prime Ministo August 2014 without biobly on Friday that Pakistan had The prime minister appreciated ter David Cameron asked his Pakmetrics. After merger of Nara in the UK’s assistance for Pakistan’s istani counterpart Nawaz Sharif suffered a loss of 50,000 pre- Nadra a total of 3,952 aliens were social sector development, par- on Friday to ensure a British man cious lives of civilians and law registered along with biometrics ticularly in health and education. jailed for blasphemy is treated enforcement agencies personnel from August 21 to November 26 He invited investments by British fairly and that his history of men- besides the loss of around 80 bil- this year. lion dollars in the decade-long entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s en- tal health is taken into account. war on terror. To a supplementary question, she ergy sector. Cameron raised the case of The Parliamentary Secretary for said permanent Nadra chairman Prime Minister Cameron, appre- 70-year-old Muhammad Asghar Interior, Maryam Aurangzeb, in- would be appointed soon, adding ciating Pakistan’s sacrifices in the during a meeting in London with formed the National Assembly that short listing of candidates fight against terrorism, stated Prime Minister Sharif, the British during the Question-Hour that had already been done in this rethat Pakistan has suffered more leader’s spokeswoman told re9,639 people lost their lives in gard. than any other support to Paki- porters, saying more junior govstan in its efforts to root out the ernment officials had previously five years while 24,699 others Maryam said several policy steps sustained injuries. raised the same matter. menace of terrorism. have been taken for controlling continued...

50,000 lives, $80 bn lost to terror war, NA told

5 December - 2014

NEWS

and improving law and order situation in the country. She said the federal government has imposed ban on issuance of arms licences. She said the government has prepared a new policy for strengthening internal security and to improve law and order in the country and implementation of the policy is in hand.

Judicial Commission with members from the ISI and IB. Dar further said that the Judicial Commission could also be constituted under the Constitution of 1956. He added that formation of the JC through an ordinance would not resolve the issues. The JC itself could include the ISI and IB men, he maintained.

APP adds: Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House that the government’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were successful and the Fund approved the last tranche.

Ishaq Dar urged the PTI chief Imran Khan to sit on the negotiation table and said the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) would leave the government if the commission proved ‘election rigging’.

He said the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is striving for a uniform rate of sales tax on all commodities and efforts are being made to eliminate concessionary regimes. He said standard rate of sales tax is 17 percent.The secretary said it is not the mandate of the federal government to make any modification in the NFC Award on its own.

PTI should call off protest: Dar

On the other hand, PTI Vice President Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that nobody from the government had contacted his party for dialogue, saying that they were getting the news of dialogue from here and there. “I don’t feel the government wants talks with the PTI,” Shah Mehmood added.

MQM not to allow PTI shut Karachi on 18th

SLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar on Friday said that the Pakistan SLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Movement (MQM) will not Khan should postpone the proposed protest as talks with the allow anyone to disrupt busiPTI might be resumed on Sunday ness activities in Karachi on 18th of this month or any other day (today). since it wouldn’t be fair to deTalking to newsmen here, the prive the people of their livelifederal minister said that the diahood for someone’s personal logue process could be initiated grudges or point scoring. from Sunday if the PTI wanted it adding that the Imran Khan-led In a brief chat with The News, political party had demanded a MQM Parliamentary Group

leader in the National Assembly Abdul Rashid Godail said that Karachi cannot be paralysed by the PTI. Interestingly, ties between the MQM and the Sindh ruler PPP have suddenly improved considerably and the development will also become source of dissuasion for the PTI. The PTI was hopeful about mustering support of the MQM for its so-called Plan C in Karachi but new trends prevailing in the MQM have dashed the hopes of Khan and the PTI, the political sources said.

Resolution of Kashmir, Palestine issues vital for peace: Rana Tanveer

In the meanwhile, Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar has impressed upon the PTI and its leader Imran Khan to halt his agitation and especially withHEIKHUPURA: Federal Mindraw his call for shutting down ister for Defence Production the big cities and country in the wake of government’s intention Rana Tanveer Hussain on Sunday said the resolution of the Kashfor resumption of talks. mir and Palestine issues was He expressed these views during necessary for durable peace and his brief interaction with media stability in the region. here on Friday evening. Khan had earlier made commitment pub- Talking to media persons, he said licly that he would call off his agi- that the government was determined to eliminate terrorism, tation once the announcement is adding that it was the responsimade for resumption of dialogue bility of every institution of the with the government. The sourcstate to ensure national security. es said that the final decision pertaining to the talks with the PTI The minister said the Pakistan would be taken by Prime Minister Army was eliminating terrorism Nawaz Sharif after his return from and defending the country, and it London who is likely to come will continue to fight against terback in the wee hours today (Sat- rorism. He said Pakistan wanted urday). Prime Minister Nawaz has good relations with neighbouring planned to consult leaders of the countries, including India. About parliamentary groups before tak- the International Defence Exhibiing any ultimate decision in this tion and Seminar (IDEAS) 2014, Rana Tanveer said objectives of regard. the exhibition had been achieved He will also consult chief nego- which had projected a positive tiator of the government team image of the country in the world. Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar He said the defence exhibition and other ministers concerned had received high appreciation on the occasion, the sources said. from the other countries, which The political observers aren’t would have long-lasting effects. prepared to attach any significance with the threat of so-called The minister added that defence plan ‘D’ of Imran Khan since he experts of the country had introduced equipment of moddoesn’t have any more tricks in ern technology in the exhibition his bag. He has played best of while many countries had shown his cards during the course of his interest in purchasing the latest first three ‘plans’ and incidentally equipment from Pakistan.He said they all prove to be failure. He that Pakistan would purchase the has been hurling hollow threats latest fighting aircraft from Rusafter every of his failed step so far, sia and submarines from China to they pointed out. strengthen its defence.

6 December - 2014

NEWS

Protest, talks can’t go side by side: Nawaz

SLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the protest by the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) and talks cannot go side by side.

the stance that the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the judicial commission have been released in the notification dated August 13, 2014, in which it has been stated that the judicial commission will He added the government would probe those incidents and causes felicitate the masses next month as a consequence of which the with a further reduction in the electoral results were changed to price of petrol.The prime ministhe benefit of a particular polititer held a meeting with Federal cal party or a person. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday. The issue of Sources are of the view if the PTI negotiations with the PTI was does not clarify its thinking on among the subjects discussed the matter of talks, the governduring the meeting. ment will not take initiative on it.Meanwhile, talking to media The government has given a clear persons here, Federal Finance message that prior to negotiaMinister Ishaq Dar said that the tions, the PTI will have to make government was sincere with rethe environment favourable for gard to holding talks with the PTI. talks.Talking to this corresponHe said that decision related to dent, Federal Interior Minister the negotiations would be made Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the after the statement of Imran government believed that Imran Khan in Faisalabad. Khan could enjoy his protest but then talks would be held. Dar said that they had asked the PTI to call off its Faisalabad show Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was also and hold talks on Sunday because present during the meeting of the the government wanted to reChinese delegation with the presolve problems sincerely through mier.The prime minister will hold talks, but now the decisions a consultative session on Monday would be made after Imran’s about talks with the PTI after restatements in Faisalabad. turning from Lahore, in which the overall political situation will be He said the government did not reviewed. object to a judicial commission that was formed within the limits The government is also confrontof the Constitution.The finance ed with the problem that the minister said that international PTI’s leadership seems to have no observers termed the 2013 elecconsensus on the issue of talks tions fair. He added that the PTI and holds conflicting views on based his protest on rigging althe subject. Imran Khan, for exlegations, and this was impacting ample, holds one opinion while the national economy negatively. Shah Mehmood Qureshi holds INP adds: Later Prime Minister the opposite view.should be takNawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief en forward by talking on the rules Minister Shahbaz Sharif had a and regulations of the proposed meeting in Raiwind, Lahore on judicial commission. Sunday. The prime minister said However, the government holds that Imran Khan is promoting

politics of agitation whereas we The PTI chief said he had no obdon’t want to indulge in it. PML-N jection to the appointment of workers believe in peace, he said. Sardar Raza Khan as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) but The meeting took place in Jati insisted on appointment of four Umra in the Raiwind area of La- new members of the Election hore where Nawaz Sharif and Commission. Shahbaz Sharif discussed the protest rally of Pakistan Tehreek-e- He said the government should Insaf (PTI) being held in Faisalabad. constitute the judicial commission to probe rigging in 2013 genPM affirmed that PML-N work- eral elections so that the probers have been advised to remain lems could be sorted out.“The peaceful and hence, will not par- PML-N and PPP under a deal got ticipate in politics of agitation appointed the four Election Comor violence.He also remarked mission members, who failed to that nobody would be given the conduct rigging-free polls that right to take law into their hands. runs contrary to their mandate,” However, action would be taken he asserted and called for their against the violators. replacement to make future elections uncontroversial.

We won’t return to NA even if polls found not rigged: Imran

He claimed that oil prices had plunged by 38 per cent on the international market while instead of giving relief to consumers the government had increased power tariff.Imran noted that 40 per cent electricity was produced by oil and therefore its tariff must have been reduced accordingly but it was not done. He said petrol and diesel prices had come down due to pressure of their protest and sit-in.

Imran alleged that instead of controlling power theft, loadshedding and corruption, the rulers had found it an easy way to increase power tariff, which had dented Pakistan’s efforts to even compete with India and BanglaSLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek- desh in exports.He claimed that e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran they had the street power to shut Khan on Sunday said the PTI’s Pakistan and could have easily decision not to return to the in- paralysed Islamabad on Novemcumbent National Assembly was ber 30, as people had turned up irreversible even if the proposed in huge numbers at the PTI rally. judicial commission found the About resumption of talks with 2013 polls free of rigging. the government, Imran claimed Talking to the media at his Bani that the terms of reference (ToRs) Gala residence here, Imran exof the proposed commission was pressed his determination to the only point left undecided keep pressure on the government when the government suspendand urged the people of Faisalaed deliberations after pressure bad to pour onto the streets for on it lessened. the protection of their rights. Imran contended that within 48 However, Federal Minister for Inhours, ToRs could be decided formation and Broadcasting Senif the government was serious ator Pervaiz Rashid said business in formation of the commission activities would remain normal but they knew what its findings in Faisalabad on Monday (today) would be.About the rigging evias the PTI protest would not be dence, he said it lay in polling able to affect them in any way. He bags, as on the polling day he lay said Imran wanted the politics of in the hospital bed. He also insistchaos and anarchy. ed on the audit of form-14 and 15

continued...

7 December - 2014 to find out exactly what was done. The PTI chief claimed the government had agreed to constitute commission and include ISI, MI, IB and FIA in the joint investigation team and said they had related document with them. He alleged the PPP and PML-N had been pursuing the politics of deal and during the last six years the burden of loan on each Pakistani had increased from Rs35,000 to Rs90,000, as their governments had obtained massive loans, indulged in corruption and failed to deliver. The outcome of PPP and PMLN policies, he charged, was that the rulers had become wealthier while the masses get poorer.“Both the parties have been doing friendly opposition to each other and got appointed a man of their choice as the NAB chief, who has not taken up any major corruption scandal against them,” he pointed out.

NEWS He alleged that Imran was telling a lie with regard to the four NA constituencies, as the election tribunals were already hearing the alleged rigging cases.

and Abid Sher Ali for the killing of his worker and violence in Faisalabad. Imran claimed PM Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had a meeting in Raiwind. He pointed out that “If the PTI considers national insti- Hamza Shahbaz Sharif had told tutions as biased then it should the administration that legs of answer why the international their opponents would be broken. community having nothing to do with Pakistan’s politics declared Speaking at the PTI’s sit-in here afMay 11, 2013 general election ter returning from Faisalabad, he as the most transparent in Paki- alleged both Rana Sanaullah and Abid Sher were horrible culprits. stan’s history?” The information minister said He alleged what the government Imran Khan’s nefarious designs had done by using bullets and stood exposed before the nation. Gullu Butts on the masses was He said the PTI chief wanted to not resorted to even by the worst create chaos in the country by dictator in Pakistan.

holding unconstitutional protests “All this was done under a wellconceived planning,” he claimed. and sit-ins. Imran was confident that by De“Imran is doing the politics of violence and agitation,” he added. cember 15, the results of NAHe said the PTI’s unconstitution- 122 constituency would be anal sit-ins and all plans had failed nounced and pledged that those but he was not ready to accept it. behind the electoral rigging He urged Imran Khan to fight his would be held accountable and case by operating within the con- put behind the bars. “By the time, stitutional limits. He said only the the electoral fraud would be unHe ruled out the possibility of ballot paper had the power to veiled, I shall be in Lahore for our free and transparent elections if change the destiny of the country. peaceful agitation,” he said. only two parties decided about The PTI chief said he was eagerly the Election Commission mem- Pervaiz Rashid said the PTI chief waiting for his visit to Karachi and bers and called for consultations had lost both his memory and Lahore to show to the rulers how of all parties for appointment of temper because after failing in neutral umpires from the provinces. achieving his objectives.Responding to a question, the information Imran conceded that they had minister said nobody would be awarded tickets to many inca- allowed to shut down Faisalabad pable persons and assured that it and take the law into own hands. would not be repeated in future. PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said if the government was serious in talks it would have to ask its information minister and some other leaders to play cool.

these cities would be paralysed. He claimed their ongoing movement had gained strength and said the rulers were mistaken if they thought that by using force and violence, they could intimidate them.Imran said that only through free, fair and transparent election, a new Pakistan could be made.

Chinese team calls on COAS

AWALPINDI: State Councillor and Minister for Public Security, the People’s Republic of China, Guo Shengekun called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif at his office here on Sunday. During the meeting, issues of mutual interest, regional security

Imran vows to shut down Lahore, Karachi

He said if the government wanted to resume talks, Ishaq Dar should telephone them to inform about the date and place of meeting.Meanwhile, Sardar Bahadur Khan of PML-Q, Niaz Khan of PML-N and Saif-ud-Din Khosa of PPP joined the PTI. INP adds: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid said Imran Khan himself was the main hindrance to the formation of judicial commission to probe the alleged rigging in 2013 general election.

SLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan, on Monday night vowed to shut down both Karachi and Lahore as, according to him, the government had tried to spread terror in Faisalabad through violence on peaceful Addressing a news conference protesters. here, the minister said Imran kept changing his stance on rigging. He blamed both Rana Sanaullah continued...

8 December - 2014

NEWS

and measures to enhance bilater- Murtaza Javed Abbasi prorogued al defence and security collabora- the session. tion were discussed, said an ISPR Urging the prime minister to repress release issued here. sume the dialogue with the PTI, Guo Shengekun and other mem- Khursheed also warned Imran bers of the Chinese delegation saying that if he thought he could were briefed about the prevalent grab power through agitation, he situation in the region.The Chi- was mistaken as it was only posnese dignitaries acknowledged sible through the power of the Pakistan’s efforts towards fight- vote and not agitation. ing terrorism and regional stability and appreciated the successes “Imran Khan should revisit his achieved in the ongoing opera- politics and come to parliament, which is the right forum to raise tion Zarb-e-Azb. the issue,” he added. He said it was a wrong assumption that the politics of agitation had weakened the government.

Country to go back 50 years if democracy gets hurt: Khursheed

“It’s the State of Pakistan that has fallen victim to such kind of politics. If the current situation continues, then the country will go 50 years back and only the poor people of the country will be the losers. Our green passport is losing its value,” he added. The opposition leader said the situation that emerged in Faisalabad on Monday was serious, as the workers of PTI and PMLN were facing each other, which was a dangerous trend.“When I met the prime minister, I advised him to start a dialogue with the PTI. He assured me that he will do it after his return from London,” he said.

He said dialogue was the only SLAMABAD: Violence between way out of the ongoing political the ruling PML-N and PTI crisis. After three wars with India, workers in Faisalabad echoed in he said, the dialogue process was the National Assembly on Mon- started.“When two countries setday, as the Leader of the Opposi- tle their issues through dialogue, tion Syed Khursheed Shah urged what keeps these two political Prime Minister Muhammad parties from sitting together and Nawaz Sharif to come forward finding solutions to their political and revive the talks with the agi- problems?” tating PTI to resolve the political Khursheed said the internally crisis that has been gripping the displaced persons (IDPs) were country for the last 14 months. not getting the attention of the

“To control the situation and to find a political solution to the situation is the government’s responsibility and it’s time that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif himself comes forward to start the dialogue. If violence continues, it will have dangerous consequences for the State of Pakistan,” he said while speaking in the National Assembly just before Deputy Speaker

government due to the ongoing wrangling between the two political parties. He offered to facilitate the dialogue.

Earlier, on a point of order, Parliamentary Secretary for National Food Security and Research Rajab Ali Baloch alleged that the PTI workers had forcefully sealed a school and tortured students and teaching staff in Tandlianwala near Faisalabad.

Malala receives Nobel Peace Prize Pakistan rejects Indian allegations

SLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday rejected as “baseless” criticism from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs that terrorists from Pakistan were behind the recent attacks in the Indian held Kashmir that saw several security forces taken out. Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that Pakistan had taken a “serious note of these remarks” adding that in fact Pakistan has been in the forefront of combating terrorism and was also its biggest victim.

Malala intends to return to Pakistan next year

SLO: Pakistan’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai said that she intends to return to Pakistan next year.

“On the contrary, if any evidence of mainstreaming of terrorism in India was needed, one only had to look at the perpetrators of the Samjhota “God willing I will return to PakiExpress terrorist attack and its mas- stan very soon,” she said. terminds,” she pointed out. “Next year when my GCSE exams Hitting out at India, the spokes- finish God willing I will most cerperson blamed it for failing to tainly return,” Malala said during implement the UN Security the interview in Oslo. Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. “Pakistan takes its “Winning the peace prize is a great obligations under the UN Secu- honour for me and the country… rity Council mandate very seri- this award is for all the children ously,” she reminded New Delhi. who raise their voice for their Pakistan also rejected as “equally rights,” she said. baseless” the allegations and ef- Malala stated that the prize monforts to malign Pakistan by impli- ey from the award will be spent in cating it in the recent attacks in Pakistan on children’s education. the Indian-occupied Kashmir. “I want to start by helping my “The recent verdict of court mar- hometown Swat and Shangla tial on fake encounter of 2010 where there is a need for secondexposes the hollowness of Indian ary schools,” she said. infiltration claims. The violence in IHK is the result of decades of She was 15 when a Taliban gunrepressive Indian policies and im- man shot her in the head as she position of sham elections in the travelled on a school bus in reoccupied Kashmir, an exercise sponse to her campaign for girls’ in futility,” the spokesperson re- education. minded New Delhi. Although her injuries almost India has to understand, she killed her, she recovered after beadded, that the people of Jammu ing flown for extensive surgery in and Kashmir would accept noth- Birmingham, central England. ing short of their right to self-determination, promised to them She has been based in England by the United Nation’s Security with her family ever since, conCouncil and accepted by India tinuing both her education and and the international community. activism.

9 December - 2014

‘2014 worst year for PAT workers’

NEWS

PTI calls for countrywide day of mourning after activist killed in Faisalabad

AHORE: The Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) issued on Friday a report about violence, killing and arrest of political workers in the outgoing year 2014.

Monday’s violence has complicated an already tense political situation with both sides blaming the other for the current impasse.

“The PML-N workers in Faisalabad were charged up by their local leadership, especially Rana Sanaullah, two days prior to the PTI protest. No party leader in PTI chairman Imran Khan ad- Lahore is supposed to do so,” he dressed a large crowd of work- said. ers and supporters gathered at D-Type Colony in Faisalabad to A PTI activist was killed and a few protest the killing of PTI worker others were injured when workers Haq Nawaz. of PML-N allegedly opened fire on them in Faisalabad on Dec 8. “We will not let Haq Nawaz’s sacrifice go to waste,” said Imran, who “Although the hawks in the PML-N was speaking from a makeshift like Pervaiz Rashid, Saad Rafique, stage on the roof of a vehicle. Abid Sher Ali and Rana Sanaul“I will go to Lahore, Karachi. Nawaz lah are against giving a freehand Sharif, you have always used the to the PTI to put up a successful police to oppress the people. We show in Lahore, Prime Minister will free this country from these Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif do not want any clash between oppressive rulers,” he said. the PML-N and PTI workers,” he said.

Sharifs for ‘avoiding’ face-off between PML-N, PTI tomorrow

“It was the worst year as from June 17 to Aug 31 over 25,000 AISALABAD: Violent clashes PAT workers faced state violence erupted between supportand were kept in illegal confineers of the Pakistan Tehreek-iment,” the report says. Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim “At least 4,000 workers had to League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Faisalface unfounded and false cases abad on Monday, ahead of Imran Khan’s call for a ‘shutdown’ of and thousands of workers faced the city. the worst kind of torture by the The PTI has called for a day of state in 12 prisons.” mourning on Tuesday in protest It said police killed 14 PAT work- against the killing of a party workers in Model Town and injured er in the clashes. over 100, while no independent investigation has been conducted Khan vowed to party supporters that the death of Haq Nawaz, into the incident. “would not go to waste” while he The report prepared under the strongly condemned the PML-N supervision of seven lawyers government of Prime Minister states PAT workers were impris- Nawaz Sharif. oned across Punjab in false cases AHORE: In an apparent bid against them. Due to the lack of Following the deadly clashes in Faisto avoid repetition of a Faisspace in jails, workers were kept alabad today, the PTI has also called off talks with the government. alabad-like situation, the PMLin police mobiles for over 18 hours without any food or medi- Khan had earlier promised that N leadership has asked party cal treatment. the strike in Faisalabad would be MNAs, MPAs and officer-bearers from Lahore to stop its workers All sorts of measures were taken the first of a series to target mafrom coming out on roads on to stop journalists from reporting jor cities in the country after leadMonday, when the PTI will be police brutalities. “(Their) cam- ing a months-long demonstration holding its protest in the city. eras were broken and false cases in Islamabad that shut down the city and sparked clashes. “I don’t want repeat of Faisalawere framed against them.” The party has demanded the bad incident. Make sure no party The report adds 40 false casprime minister’s resignation over worker is on road to have a facees were registered against PAT their accusation of fraud in the off with the PTI (activists) on Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri and May 2013 election that brought Monday,” a senior PML-N leader the government failed to present quoted Chief Minister Shahbaz him to power. challan of the Model Town inciSharif as having directed to the He says the party’s Plan C is to dent in the court of law. party lawmakers and office-bearbuild pressure on the governers from Lahore here on Saturday. “The irony is that no progress on ment because they wanted acthe FIR the PAT got registered has countability, adding that all par- The PML-N leader told Dawn that been made and to date no inves- ties unanimously agreed that the party leadership was not haptigation has been initiated on its rigging had taken place during py the way the PTI protest was basis.” the May 2013 election. handled in Faisalabad.

The PML-N leader further said the hawks had also suggested to the Sharif brothers that the Punjab government should use police to deal with the PTI protest as giving a freehand to Imran Khan would reflect government’s “weakness”. “However, the chief minister, contrary to the suggestion, is pondering deployment of unarmed police to deal with the PTI protest,” he said. Another PML-N insider said the chief minister had even warned the Lahore party chapter againt sending the party activists in the guise of traders to record their “protest” against the PTI on Monday. “Learning a lesson from Model Town, Lahore and Faisalabad incidents the chief minister is very careful in handling the PTI’s Lahore protest,” he said. Interestingly, Rana Sanaullah, acting as de facto Punjab law minister till Dec 8, is not even consulted by the chief minister with regard to the government’s strategy to deal with the protest. Mr Sanaullah was on the forefront to finalise plans to deal with the Nov 30 PTI rally in Islamabad. While the police have been told to act if the PTI tries to forcibly shut down the markets, Imram Khan has already made it clear that his party’s protest would be peaceful like that of its Karachi show on Dec 12.

10 December - 2014

NEWS

MQM not to let PM, Punjab ministers enter Sindh: Altaf

in the party,” Altaf said, adding that he wanted one educated person from every MQM sector to be part of the Rabita Committee.

He also hit out at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Inter-Services Intelligence and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif over the killing of the party worker.

ARACHI: In a hard-hitting speech at the party’s headquarters Nine Zero on Wednesday, Chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain warned the Punjab government that none of its ministers would be allowed to enter Sindh if the killing of MQM workers in the Punjab was not stopped. He was addressing an emergency meeting of MQM workers here on Wednesday, which was convened to condemn the murder of the party’s Sialkot vice president, Bao Mohammed Anwar.

Altaf said that more than 400 MQM workers and supporters had been killed in the last two years. He said that he always advised his workers to show patience and trust in God’s justice. He said that though he had had an option to advise his people to retaliate against aggression, yet he had suggested to them to show patience.

The MQM chief rhetorically asked the party workers if they would hold a protest rally for the slain MQM worker while expressing disappointment over the Rabita Committee. He claimed that the “Why haven’t the culprits been arcommittee had sold parks and rested yet?” Altaf asked He said that the MQM senators, streets to make money. MNAs and MPAs were getting while claiming that many MQM workers had been killed and that “I don’t want this Rabita Commit- high salaries but they did not pay his party was near a stage where tee. I want brave people who are anything to the Muttahida Qaumi it would resort to taking revenge not afraid of giving their lives, and Fund. Those who had grade 17 or not those who sell their people’s 18 jobs, cars and houses had foras well. land.” Altaf asked the large gath- gotten the party and its workers. “If the killings don’t stop, then no ering of workers if they were Altaf said that he was living in the chief minister or adviser from the ready to give their lives for the UK for the last two-and-a-half dePunjab will be able to enter Sindh,” party. cades where he was booked in the MQM chief warned. various cases, and even if the UK He also hit out at Prime Minister Altaf also hit out at the media for Nawaz Sharif, the Inter-Services government sentenced him to life giving coverage day and night to Intelligence and Punjab Chief in prison, it could not change his the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stance. Minister Shahbaz Sharif over the chief, Imran Khan. “Imran Khan killing of the party worker. He said that after having been has been talking about shutting down Karachi and launching civil “Why haven’t the culprits been ar- disappointed by the Coordination Committee, he contacted the disobedience. If I had said the rested yet?” Altaf asked workers of the MQM sectors, units same thing, I would have been declared a traitor and hanged,” the while claiming that many MQM and the party’s women’s wing to workers had been killed and that carry on the business of the party. MQM chief said. his party was near a stage where Altaf, nevertheless, condemned He said that it had also happened it would resort to taking revenge the death of the PTI worker who in 1992 “when the entire central as well. was shot dead in Faisalabad. He committee became part of the also warned the Pakistan Army, “If the killings don’t stop, then no conspiracy of the establishment”, the ISI and the Rangers to refrain chief minister or adviser from the and even then the workers of the from marginalising the Mohajirs Punjab will be able to enter Sindh,” MQM’s sectors and units had supthe MQM chief warned. or there would be retaliation. ported him.

Expressing his disappointment over the indifferent attitude of the Rabita Committee and saying that they had failed to react appropriately to the killing of the MQM office-bearer in Sialkot, Al- KARACHI: In a hard-hitting speech taf said the Rabita Committee “can at the party’s headquarters Nine Zero on Wednesday, Chief of the go home and continue sleeping”. Muttahida Qaumi Movement Al“Workers are complaining that taf Hussain warned the Punjab there is a high level of favouritism government that none of its minin the party,” Altaf said, adding isters would be allowed to enter that he wanted one educated per- Sindh if the killing of MQM workson from every MQM sector to be ers in the Punjab was not stopped. part of the Rabita Committee. He was addressing an emergency The MQM chief rhetorically asked meeting of MQM workers here on the party workers if they would Wednesday, which was convened hold a protest rally for the slain to condemn the murder of the MQM worker while expressing party’s Sialkot vice president, Bao disappointment over the Rabita Mohammed Anwar. Committee. He claimed that the committee had sold parks and Expressing his disappointment over the indifferent attitude of streets to make money. the Rabita Committee and say“I don’t want this Rabita Commit- ing that they had failed to react tee. I want brave people who are appropriately to the killing of the not afraid of giving their lives, and MQM office-bearer in Sialkot, Alnot those who sell their people’s taf said the Rabita Committee “can land.” Altaf asked the large gather- go home and continue sleeping”. ing of workers if they were ready “Workers are complaining that to give their lives for the party. there is a high level of favouritism

Altaf also hit out at the media for giving coverage day and night to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, Imran Khan. “Imran Khan has been talking about shutting down Karachi and launching civil disobedience. If I had said the same thing, I would have been declared a traitor and hanged,” the MQM chief said.

He said that the army, ISI and the Rangers could kill him, but he would not bow down and would prefer to face any hardship. Altaf said that he did have feelings of grief over the killing of PTI worker Haq Nawaz in Faisalabad and would demand of the government to arrest his murderers. He said that for the last 48 hours, all the TV channels kept commenting on Haq Nawaz’s death, but no one ever commented on the killing of hundreds of MQM workers.

Altaf, nevertheless, condemned the death of the PTI worker who was shot dead in Faisalabad. He also warned the Pakistan Army, the ISI and the Rangers to refrain from marginalising the Mohajirs He said that on Tuesday night, MQM Sialkot vice president, Bao or there would be retaliation. Muhammad Anwar, was killed in The MQM chief demanded of a terrorist attack. He said that he the UK government to return his was killed in the presence of popassport even if it continued with lice, and yet the murderers successfully fled from the spot. its investigations against him. He said that he wanted to embrace martyrdom among his workers and companions during the struggle for his people.

Altaf said that MQM MNA Tahira Asif was also murdered in a targeted-killing in Lahore but her murderers had not been arrested yet.

continued...

11 December - 2014

He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the IGP and DIG of Punjab were responsible for protecting the lives and properties of the people.

NEWS

party discipline. He was earlier a member of the Central Information Committee. Hussain also banned the entry of members of the previous committee to the MQM headquarters, Nine zero. He also issued directives that none of the parliamentarians would attend any functions nor would they be allowed to visit the party headquarters.

He criticised TV channels for not telecasting the news of the death of Bao Muhammad Anwar and said that if a PTI worker had been killed, all the TV channels and talk- Qamar Mansoor took charge of shows would have started debat- the party affairs along with his ing the incident. three advisers. They would, howHe said the MQM was the third ever, continue to be members of largest party in the country with the party.

seven representatives in the Sen- Strict instructions were also isate, 25 in the National Assembly sued to the members that they and 51 in the Sindh Assembly. should confine themselves to their residences and any violation Addressing the owners of TV chan- of the directives would cause their nels, the MQM chief said that they expulsion from the party. pursued money in their greed. He said that if the TV channels did not Our correspondent from Sialkot pay an appropriate attention to adds: Three unidentified bike ridthe MQM, then the people would ers late on Tuesday night shot prosecute them accordingly. He dead MQM district vice president said that everyone blames him in Bao Muhammad Anwar and intheir talk-shows, saying that Altaf jured his two employees outside Hussain said this and that, but no- his fast food restaurant on the body wanted to depict the true Shahabpura Road. picture. He said that army and The injured — Saghir and Younis Rangers personnel should arrest — were shifted to a local hospicriminals but they should pres- tal, while the police registered a ent them in the courts and let the case against the assassins on the courts decide their fate. complaint of Muhammad Shabbir, Meanwhile, reacting over the Rabita Committee members’ callous attitude towards the killing of the Sialkot office-bearer, the MQM chief Altaf Hussain has dissolved the party’s Coordination Committee and announced a three-member interim set-up with Qamar Mansoor as acting chief of Pakistan, and Arshad Hussain acting chief of the London Secretariat

the brother of the deceased, and started an investigation.

After the incident, the MQM workers on Wednesday staged protests and sit-ins at the Sublime Chowk and various parts of Sialkot city to lodge a protest against the brutal murder of Bao Muhammad Anwar. Party leaders, including Ch Abid Gujjar, termed it a target killing and terrorism. They demanded the immediate arrest of the killGhazi Salahuddin, Dr Nusrat and ers and exemplary punishment for Aslam Afridi were appointed as In- them. terim Advisers to the MQM chief. The outraged MQM activists kept Qamar Mansoor was suspended traffic blocked for several hours by in the month of July for violating placing the dead body of the slain

MQM leader on the Shahabpura law enforcers were conducting Road, besides, burning tyres on raids to track down the culprits. several inter-city roads in Sialkot. “The CM is himself monitoring The protesting MQM activists progress in the case,” the stateholding banners and placards ment said, as the chief minister were chanting anti-government sought a report from the DPO. slogans. They were also wearing He ordered a thorough investigablack armbands. They demanded tion and to ensure the arrest of the immediate arrest of the killers. the accused. He also expressed The locals told The News that the deep sense of sorrow and grief for incident could be an outcome of the bereaved family. some enmity and ruled out the The chief minister also announced possibility of terrorism or target financial assistance of Rs2 million killing. for Anwar’s family and said the Later on Wednesday, Anwar was Punjab government would also laid to rest after funeral prayers provide free education and health attended by a large number of facilities to the children and family. people, including PML-N lawmakActivists of the Muttahida Qaumi ers and MQM leaders. Movement staged a demonstraAltaf Hussain issued a statement, tion outside the press club on in which he warned the federal Wednesday to condemn the bruand Punjab governments would tal killing of MQM office-bearer be responsible for the outpouring Bao Anwar. of public emotions. The MQM workers, led by South But speaking to a private news Punjab President Mirza Furqan channel, he thanked Chief Minis- Mughal, shouted slogans against ter Shahbaz Sharif for taking no- the Punjab government for its failtice of the killing. ure to control the law and order in On the other hand, police on the the province. They held the governdirectives of Shahbaz had begun ment responsible for the incident. a manhunt to arrest the killers. They also threatened to stage demA statement said special police onstrations across the province if teams had been constituted and the killers were not arrested.

12 December - 2014

NEWS

‘We are protecting children from polio at the cost of our lives’

“We always try to make sure polio drops are administered to every child,” Nasima Bibi, who has been partaking in the campaign for the and chanted slogans against the past three years, told media. assailants and against the law en- During the campaign, some parforcement agencies for their fail- ents pass humiliating remarks at ure to provide protection. the immunisation volunteers and

“Unknown men had also warned us not to take part in the anti-polio campaign,” Fauzia Malik, one of the protesting health workers told nedia. Most of the women partaking in the anti-polio campaign come from poverty-stricken families UETTA: In their struggle to protect children from the and have been administering the crippling disease, female im- vaccine to children below the munisation workers have faced age of five years. They are paid the brunt of attacks aimed at po- a nominal amount of each day’s lio teams in Balochistan. Threats work but most of the female voland intimidation have been a unteers and LHWs complain that constant in their lives and the the health department adopts recent killings of polio workers delaying tactics when it comes to in the southwestern province payment. have invoked a deep sense of in- “Daily they are supposed to pay security among the female vol- us 250 rupees and we receive this unteers and lady health workers. amount after three months,” Sa-

“We are protecting children from polio at the cost of our lives,” Sabeeha Begum, 38, a lady health worker in Quetta told Dawn. Sabeeha has participated in almost all anti-polio campaigns in Quetta and has been engaged in the campaign for over a decade. On November 26, gunmen killed four polio workers, including three women, in the Eastern Bypass area of Quetta. The attack took place in the provincial capital in broad daylight and despite tall claims of tight security on part of the government.

beeha Begum, who is a mother to four daughters and a son, complains.

Polio workers, male and female, have always been escorted by police and Levies personnel in Quetta and other towns of Balochistan during vaccination campaigns. However, in spite of the tight security, they still come under attack.

The recent attack that claimed four lives had a far-reaching impact on the overall anti-polio campaign in the province. According to sources in the Balochistan Health Department, the number “Our lives are at risk because it is of female volunteers in Sariab an extremely dangerous job,” Sa- and other troubled areas of Quetta significantly dropped after the beeha Begum said. incident. Polio teams have been attacked in the Quetta, Pishin and Loralai dis- “Female volunteers refused to be tricts of Balochistan in the recent part of the campaign after the killpast. And while eradication of po- ings,” a source in the Balochistan lio appears to be a challenge for Health Department said. the concerned quarters, women remain at the forefront in the bat- “There are threats looming against us everywhere during the camtle against the crippling disease. paign,” Humera Javed, a polio The latest murders of polio work- volunteer whose brother, also a ers in Quetta were followed soon health worker, was killed during after by an announcement of a the campaign on November 26, boycott of the anti-polio cam- told media. paign in Balochistan by Lady The female workers are always Health Workers (LHW). The LHWs veiled so that the parents cannot staged a protest demonstration raise objections over their attire outside the Quetta Press Club during the campaign.

chistan, with Killa Abdullah, the district sharing a border with Afghanistan, faring the worst with 22 cases that year.

So far this year, 17 cases of polio have been reported from Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. With this figure from the Unicef, the provincial government has anhealth workers. nounced an emergency to eradi“You cannot imagine the humilia- cate the virus and the success of tion we face daily and during the its campaign depends on Lady administration of our work,” said Health Workers who play an imSadia Ahmed, a polio volunteer. portant role in administering polio Refusal on part of parents remains drops to children. one of the underlying reasons be- “We are aware of the dangers and hind the increase in polio cases in the meager amount being paid to Balochistan and it is believed that female workers,” Rehmat Baloch, most of the victims in polio cases the Balochistan Health Minister are minor girls. said. Baloch said daily wages of the LHWs would be increased and “I get ignored and humiliated on efforts would be made to guard a daily basis,” said a crippled Niathem during future campaigns. mat Bibi, a polio victim in Balochistan’s Killa Abdullah district. However, lady health workers enBibi was married three years back gaged in the anti-polio campaign and is now a mother of one. appear to be unsatisfied with the officials’ assurances. Bibi, however, refused to be photographed because of strict tribal “Masked assailants suddenly come system. and attack our colleagues, what is During 2011, 73 cases of polio the government doing?” lamented virus were reported from Balo- Humera.

PM Nawaz appoints Dr Maleeha Lodhi as Permanent Representative to UN

She has also served as a member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Affairs (2001-2005). She has taught at the London School of Economics and Political Science, has been a Fellow at the Institute of Politics, Harvard University, as well as an international scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Centre, Washington, DC.

SLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday appointed journalist-turned-diplomat Dr Maleeha Lodhi as Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations based in New York.

She is a member of the National Defence University’s Senate and a member of the advisory council of the London-based International Institute of Strategic Affairs.

Dr Lodhi has also remained editor of leading English dailies in the “Dr Lodhi will assume her respon- country. sibilities in February 2015,” a ForShe is the recipient of the presieign Office statement said. dential award Hilal-e-Imtiaz for Previously, Lodhi has twice served public service. as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States (1993-1996 and She will replace incumbent Am1999-2002) and as Pakistan’s High bassador Masood Khan whose Commissioner to the United King- contract will expire in February 2015. dom (2003-2008).

13 December - 2014

NEWS

MQM coordination body gets nine new members

No chance of mid-term elections, says Jamaat

appointed Qamar Mansoor and Arshad Hussain as heads of the committee in Karachi and London, respectively. According to an MQM statement issued on Friday, Kaiful Wara, Advocate Arif Khan and Gulfaraz Khan Khattak — for Karachi — and Imbisat Malik, Dr Salim Danish, Dr Ayub Shaikh, Qasim Ali Raza, Mustafa Azizabadi and ARACHI: The Muttahida Qa- Izhar Ahmed Khan — for London umi Movement on Friday in- — have been included as new ducted nine new members into members in the coordination its coordination committee. committee. On Wednesday, MQM chief Altaf Hussain sacked the 36-mem- It said Mr Hussain also endorsed ber coordination committee and the new members of the committee.

Altaf Hussain directs action against land grabbers abad, calling them ‘intolerable’, the MQM chief said that there is no place for land grabbers in the party. He alleged that land grabbers included some influential leaders who had the backing of agencies and police. He directed Sindh governor to take legal action against the culARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi prits regardless of their associaMovement (MQM) chief Al- tion. taf Hussain on Sunday said that On the occasion, the MQM chief land grabbers must be taken said that party members misusto task and instructed action ing perks from towns, be it free against them. petrol or unofficial use of official In a telephonic address to sec- cars, must mend their ways or tor and unit in-charges’ in Aziz- else they would be asked to resign.

PTI offers to withdraw countrywide shutdown call Speaking during a press conference at his residence in Bani Gala, the PTI chairman said that his party would withdraw its shutdown call if the judicial commission was constituted. “The countrywide shutdown call will be withdrawn if the judicial commission is setup,” he said.

Imran Khan also apologised to the people of Lahore for difficulties they may face during Monday’s shutdown, saying that it was necessary for bringing about change in the country.

SLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreeki-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran khan on Sunday offered to withdraw his party’s call for a countrywide shutdown if the government set a date for the formation “No-one forced the people of Karaof judicial commission to look chi to shut-down… they did it out into alleged rigging during the of their own will,” he said. 2013 General Elections.

He said the JI had decided to pay special attention to the issues and problems being faced by farmers in the country. He regretted that major political parties ignored the plight of rural population. “Nobody talks about the risks and exploitation attached to the farming sector; we will focus on SLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami improving the condition of those Secretary General Liaquat dependent on agriculture,” he Baloch has ruled out the possibil- added. ity of mid-term elections in the Mr Baloch said the JI was in concountry in near future. tact with Majlis Wahdatul Musli“As a matter of fact there is no meen and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islamprovision of mid-term elections in Fazl for an alliance in the next the Constitution,” Mr Baloch said elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. while talking to journalists here. Jamaat-i-Islami believes in democ- “The local chapter of PML-N has racy and will continue to support already approached us in this reall efforts to strengthen demo- gard,” he added. cratic institutions in the country, Answering a question about the he said. fate of talks between the PML-N Mr Baloch said the JI would hold government and the protesting a massive public meeting in Ka- Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the JI rachi on Dec 25 and with that a leader said flexibility was needed mass contact campaign would be to make the process successful. If launched. both sides failed to show flexibil“We will announce the future ity there would not be any chance course of action of the party at of success in talks, he added. the rally.”

14 December - 2014

NEWS

Militant siege of Peshawar school ends, 141 killed Condemnations poured in from across the globe including all major political leaders and notables in the country. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif also condemned the assault and rushed to Peshawar to show their support for the victims and the troops partaking in the operation to clear the school of terrorists.

ESHAWAR: Pakistani officials say the siege at an army-run school on Warsak road school is over, while authorities continued a sweep of the area.

At least 141 people, most of them children (132), died when Taliban gunmen attacked the school in the morning. The overwhelming majority of the victims were students at the school, which has children and teenagers in grades 1-10.

death that was approaching me,” Salman added further. The Army Public School is attended by boys and girls from both military and civilian backgrounds. As his father, a shopkeeper, comforted him in his blood-soaked bed, Salman recalled: “The men left after some time and I stayed there for a few minutes. Then I tried to get up but fell to the ground because of my wounds. When I crawled to the next room, it was horrible. I saw the dead body of our office assistant on fire,” he said.

Three-day mourning was also announced by the federal govern- “She was sitting on the chair with ment. blood dripping from her body as she burned,” Salman added. As darkness fell on the area, officials said they had cleared the It was not immediately clear how school of militants. “The opera- the female employee’s body tion is completed,” said Bilal Ah- caught fire, though her remains mad Faizi, the head of the state- were also later seen by an AFP rerun rescue organisation, speaking porter in a hospital mortuary. to reporters after leaving the Salman, who said he also saw the school area. body of a soldier who worked at the school, crawled behind a door to hide and then lost consciousness.

‘I saw death so close’: student recalls Peshawar school carnage

“When I woke up I was lying on gunmen wearing paramilitary the hospital bed,” he added. uniforms burst in. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan “Someone screamed at us to get has claimed responsibility for the down and hide below the desks,” attack as retaliation for a major he said, adding that the gunmen military offensive in the region, shouted “Allahu akbar” (God is saying its militants had been orgreatest) before opening fire. dered to shoot older students.

ESHAWAR: A teenage survivor of Tuesday’s Taliban attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, described how he played dead after being shot in both legs by insurgents hunting down students to kill.

“Then one of them shouted: ‘There are so many children beneath the benches, go and get them’,” Salman told AFP.

Terrorists had no intention of taking hostages: ISPR Bajwa described an assault that seemed designed purely to terrorize the children rather than take anyone hostage to further the militant group’s aims.

“I saw a pair of big black boots coming towards me, this guy was probably hunting for students hiding beneath the benches.”

“Their sole purpose, it seems, was Salman said he felt searing pain to kill those innocent kids. That’s as he was shot in both his legs what they did,” he said. just below the knee. He decided Militants rampaged through the to play dead, adding: “I folded my He briefed the media with details army-run school in Khyber Pak- tie and pushed it into my mouth about the attack carried out by htunkhwa’s capital and killed at so that I wouldn’t scream. The least 130 people, most of them man with big boots kept on lookESHAWAR: The terrorists terrorists on a Peshawar school children, in one of the bloodiest ing for students and pumping who attacked a school in and said that 141 people were attacks in Pakistan. bullets into their bodies. I lay as Peshawar, had ‘no intention’ of killed in the atrocity. taking hostages, rather they The dead included 132 children Speaking from his bed in the still as I could and closed my eyes, wished to kill as many people as and 9 staff members of the school. trauma ward of the city’s Lady waiting to get shot again,” he said. possible. Reading Hospital, Salman*, 16, “My body was shivering. I saw The DG ISPR said that 1099 chilsaid he and his classmates were death so close and I will never This was said by DG ISPR Asim dren were registered at the in a careers-guidance session in forget the black boots approach- Bajwa during a media briefing in school and that 960 people were the school auditorium when four ing me. I felt as though it was Peshawar on Tuesday night. rescued from the location.

15 December - 2014

NEWS

We stand by Pakistan in war against terror: world leaders

SLAMABAD: World leaders including United States President Barack Obama Tuesday strongly condemning the deadly attack at the Army Public School, Peshawar, said that they were determined to assist Pakistan in the war against terrorists. US President Barack Obama condemned the Taliban raid and promised that America would stand by the country in its struggle against violent extremism.“By targeting students and teachers in this heinous attack, terrorists have once again shown their depravity,” he said after the attack.

over the loss of innocent lives in the terrorist attack.

brutality. No grievance can excuse such horror.“Schools must be safe and secure learning spaces. Getting an education is every child’s right. Going to school should not French President Francois Holbe an act of bravery.” lande condemned what he deBan expressed UN support for the scribed as a “vile” attack at PeshaPakistani government’s efforts war school.“No words can express to fight terrorism and extremism, the ignominy of such an attack and urged Islamabad to make ev- against children in their school,” ery effort to track down those re- Hollande said in a statement. sponsible for the carnage. The president said that France “supported the government of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism” and expressed solidarity with the victims and their parents. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan phoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Peshawar Army Public School. He condoled over the loss of preBritish Prime Minister David Cam- cious lives and prayed for the deeron said he was ‘deeply shocked’ parted souls. over the terrorist assault.In a message posted on Twitter, the British premier said, “The news from Pakistan is deeply shocking. It’s horrifying that children are being killed simply for going to school.”

“We stand with the people of Pakistan, and reiterate the commitment of the US to support the government of Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and Opposition Leader Ed Miliband extremism and to promote peace said his thoughts were with those and stability in the region,” the US affected by the attack.Former president said. UK minister Baroness Warsi condemned the attack and said that Pakistan could only deal with terrorists if its national agencies coordinated together to stop terrorism.

United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said at the start of a UN Security Council meeting, “It is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenceMoreover, China expressed proless children while they learn.” found condolences to the de“The hearts of the world go out to ceased and sincere sympathy to the parents and families who have the injured and families of the delost loved ones.”Ban began his ceased.China opposes all forms address to a council meeting on of terrorism and will continue to peacekeeping with the statement render firm support to the govcondemning what he termed the ernment and people of Pakistan “blood-curdling attack” in Pakistan. in its fight against terrorism and its unremitting efforts in main“I condemn this heinous attack in taining national stability and sethe strongest possible terms,” he curity of the people. said. “No cause can justify such

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and condemned the brutal act of terrorism in Peshawar where hundreds of school kids were killed. He expressed his deepest feelings for the families who lost their children and said he would be happy if he could do anything for those who lost their love ones.

German Foreign Minister FrankWalter Steinmeier said in a statement he condemned the “criminal attack in the strongest terms.” “The hostage-taking and murder of children exceeds in its cruel cowardice all that Pakistan, stricken by years of terror and violence, has known before.”“We mourn with the people of Pakistan the victims of this bloody terrorist attack. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. For the many injured we wish speedy recoveries.” Meanwhile, a statement issued from the presidential palace in Kabul quotes President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani as saying, “Killing innocent and harmless kids is an act against Islam and humanity. I strongly condemned the brutal act of the terrorists.” The statement adds that the president prayed for the victims.On behalf of the American people, US Ambassador Richard Olson extended the deepest sympathies and condolences to families of the victims.

The US strongly condemns senseless and inhumane attacks on innocent students and educators, and stands in solidarity with the

people of Pakistan, and all those who fight the menace of terrorism. Few have suffered more Afghanistan’s National Security at the hands of terrorists and Adviser Hanif Atmar telephoned extremists than the people of Adviser to Prime Minister on Na- Pakistan, he said.That is why it tional Security and Foreign Affairs remains essential for the US and Sartaj Aziz and conveyed deep Pakistan to continue to work tocondolences from the govern- gether to secure regional peace ment and people of Afghanistan and stability.

16 December - 2014

NEWS

Imran calls off protests, condemns barbaric attack

SLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Following the barbaric terrorist attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has shelved its plans for a countrywide demonstration against the government on Dec 18. The party also called off a round of negotiations with the government, which was scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan, whose party heads the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announced three days of mourning in the province. He also said that the federal government had his complete support on dealing with terrorism. “We have already supported the government [in the past] and will continue to support it in the future,” he said. In a statement issued from PTI headquarters, Mr Khan urged all political parties to shun their differences and said it was time for the whole nation to stand united. “The time has come to move on from only condemning such incidents and announcing monetary assistance to the bereaved families,” he said. Condemning the “barbaric” incident in the strongest possible terms, Mr Khan asked all his followers to pray for the souls of the departed and the swift recovery of all those injured. He also called upon party members to donate blood for those in hospital. Mr Khan said that the federal and provincial governments would have to stand with the armed forces to eliminate terrorism and extremism from the country.

provincial governments, should decide together how we’re going to win this war against terrorism,” he told journalists during an emergency visit to Peshawar.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani assured General Raheel Sharif that Afghan soil will not be allowed for terrorist activities against Pakistan and any signature found in While a security operation to this regard will be immediately clear the school of militants was eliminated, the ISPR said. Afghan still in progress, the PTI chief ar- President said Afghanistan stands rived in Peshawar alongside party with the people of Pakistan in leaders including Shah Mehmood their hour of grief. Qureshi, Jahangir Tareen, Shireen Mazari, Asad Umar and Dr Arif Alvi. General Raheel also met the International Security Assistance He told reporters that funeral Force (Isaf) commander General prayers for the deceased will be Joseph Dunford, who condemned offered in absentia at D-Chowk – the attack on the Army Public the site of PTI’s sit-n in Islamabad School in Peshawar and assured – on Wednesday. Gen Raheel of complete cooperation in countering terrorism and He said that he had assured Prime in security related matters. Minister Nawaz Sharif of his complete support in the fight to end General Raheel also sought Katerrorism when the latter visited bul’s help in order to extradite the him in hospital following his fall Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan chief from a stage ahead of last year’s Mullah Fazlullah, who is wanted elections. for terrorism cases in Pakistan.A day earlier, it had emerged that a He also said that the nephew of Taliban commander Umar Naray his provincial general secretary, had masterminded the Peshawar Khalid Masood, had also been attack from Afghanistan. injured in the brazen attack and that one of their party workers “His communications have been intercepted, which helped securiwas missing. ty agencies in tracing out his location and whereabouts, which was urgently shared not only with the Afghan Army but also with Nato forces,” a security source said.

Gen Raheel dashes to Kabul

SLAMABAD: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General RaSpeaking to reporters in Pesha- heel Sharif, on Wednesday had an war, he called on his opponents emergency visit to Afghanistan to avoid using this tragedy for po- where he held separate meetings litical point-scoring and criticising with Afghan President Ashraf the provincial government, as the Ghani, Isaf commander General incident was a failure on the part John F Campbell and top Afghan military and political leadership of all stakeholders. in Kabul on Wednesday. “Everyone; political parties, security forces and the federal and According to media reports, the

Pakistan PM chairs All Parties Conference in Peshawar today

COAS told the Afghan leadership that terrorists were using the Afghan soil to carry out attacks on Pakistan.The army chief shared classified intelligence details with the Afghan officials and told them that the mastermind behind the Peshawar attack, who was from Afghanistan, was giving directives to terrorists.

SLAMABAD: The Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif scheduled to hold session of All Parties’ Conference (APC) in terror-hit Peshawar on Wednesday. PM Nawaz Sharif would chair an All Parties’ Conference (APC) at Governor House in the provincial capital more than 140 people mostly students were killed in Taliban carnage yesterday. APC session has been organized to finalise strategies for antiterrorism and essential action to remove terrorists from the country. Security measures of national buildings, education institutions will also be reviewed in the meeting.

The DG Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar also accompanied General Raheel.Earlier, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday left for Kabul on Following the appalling Peshawar a special visit and returned to Pe- attack carried out by Taliban inshawar the same day. surgents, Prime Minister declared that war on terror would continue After his return from Kabul, General Raheel Sharif called on till elimination of all terrorists. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Following the appalling Peshawar Peshawar on Wednesday and attack carried out by Taliban inbriefed him about his visit and surgents, Prime Minister declared discussions with Afghan Presithat war on terror would contindent Ashraf Ghani and ISAF Comue till elimination of all terrorists mander General John F Campbell. with the massive public support. General Raheel Sharif also shared PM Nawaz also said that Zarb-edetails about the terrorist group Azb operation entered into a deciinvolved in the attack with Prime sive phase against terrorism. Minister Nawaz Sharif.

17 December - 2014

NEWS

Rare show of unity: Leaders vow to avenge Peshawar massacre

ESHAWAR: Setting aside their political differences, Pakistan’s political leadership on Wednesday vowed to avenge the dastardly massacre of 148 people at the Peshawar school and eliminate every single terrorist ‘without discrimination’. “We have decided to draft a national plan of action against terrorists and act upon it immediately,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said while reading out decisions taken at a meeting of heads of all parliamentary parties at the Governor’s House in Peshawar. “We have unanimously decided that a committee under Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will prepare a national plan of action against terrorism and present its report to the national leadership within seven days,” he announced. “This plan will be presented before the people of Pakistan after the approval of the political leadership.” The committee will comprise members from all parliamentary parties and representatives from the armed forces and intelligence agencies.

Backing the decision to launch full-scale offensives against militants in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency, the prime minister said, “We have all seen the results of dialogue with the Taliban. We could not achieve anything through dialogue and then the Karachi airport was attacked.”

The prime minister, who was sitting next to the PTI chief, thanked the latter for attending the meeting. “I’m thankful to Imran Khan for attending this meeting and I’ve invited him over for tea,” he said, adding that “all issues can be resolved through dialogue in a democracy.”

Paka, Lodhran; Ikhlas Ahmed alias Roosi of Haripur; Ghulam Sarwar of Bari Ziarat, Rawalpindi; and Rashid Mehmood alias Teepu of Syed Pura Road, Rawalpindi. They had been detained in the high security barracks of the central jail and brought to the district jail at midnight.

Nawaz also said that he had written to the chief justice of regard- There was a virtual curfew-like ing the formation of a judicial situation in areas around and between the two prisons and even commission. army and police personnel were In response to this, however, Im- kept off the road for several hours. ran said, “Our differences are not about our egos, they are about Relatives of the executed men were at the jail to take their bodpoll rigging.” ies to native towns. “The nation has to unite because the military cannot win this war alone,” he said, adding that he would fully back the government in the fight against terrorism.

He reiterated his government’s The PTI chief added that he would resolve to carry out the ongoing go directly to his container from operations against terrorists with his conference to offer funeral ‘a clear mind and determination’. prayers in absentia for the victims. At the same time, Nawaz stressed At that point, Nawaz remarked in the need for taking stern action a lighter vein that he had to “visit against militants across the coun- the injured children at the hospitry and not just in the tribal areas. tal otherwise I would have gone to the container with Imran.” “Operation Zarb-e-Azb is continuing successfully but we need to draft a plan of action to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the whole country.”

Quaid e Azam’s 138th birth anniversary being observed today

Four hanged in Faisalabad jail

He added that although the operation had yielded positive results, some militants had fled to Afghanistan. “We want peace not only in Pakistan but in Afghanistan as well. We want peace in the whole region,” the PM said.

ARACHI: Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s, Father of the nation, 138 birth anniversary is being celebrated on December 25 (today) with respect and dignity.

Nawaz admitted that the prosecution of arrested militants was a AISALABAD: Another four big challenge. “There should not militants convicted of their “We announce that there will be be any space for hardcore terror- involvement in an attack on forno differentiation between ‘good’ ists to escape punishment.” mer president Pervez Musharraf and ‘bad’ Taliban. We also rewere executed in the district solve to continue the war against Regarding the decision to lift the jail here on Sunday afternoon, terrorism till the last terrorist is moratorium on the death penbringing the number of terroreliminated from the country,” the alty in terrorism cases, the prime ists sent to the gallows over the premier added. minister said, “If terrorists are past three days to six. not punished, then who will be Prime Minister Nawaz termed punished?”Nawaz, Imran shake On Friday, Aqeel alias Dr Usman the murder of students and staff- hands and Arshad, both from Rawalers at the Army Public School and pindi, were hanged. These were College in Peshawar “a cowardly At the news briefing held after the first hangings after the lifting move by terrorists on the run as the meeting of heads of all parlia- of a moratorium on executions by a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.” mentary parties, Premier Nawaz Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) the wake of the Peshawar school “We express deep grief over the Chairman Imran Khan engaged attack. Peshawar tragedy. This violence in a rare handshake as a gesture has no match in the history of of unity following the Peshawar Those hanged on Sunday were Pakistan,” he said. Zubair Ahmed alias Tuseef of Krore tragedy.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on 25th December 1876 and he was also Pakistan’s first Governor General. In 1913, he joined the Muslim League which had been formed to stand up for the rights of Indian Muslims and he became its president in 1916. Today is a national holiday. Electronic media etc television and radio channels will air especial documentaries related to the father of nation’s sayings and quotes. On his tomb, change of the guards ceremony was also held in Karachi in which Pakistan Military Academy Kakul’s guards took charge of the security of the tomb and special prayers were sought to God.

1818December - 2014 March - 2014

NEWS

7th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto

Zardari cautions against misuse of military courts

PTI General Secretary Jahangir Tareen. The government side did not issue any statement about the proceedings of the meeting. However, PTI spokesperson Dr Shireen Mazari said in a brief press release, “The PTI and government teams resumed their negotiations this morning. While some progress was made, there was no agreement on the outstanding core issues.”

ARHI KHUDA BAKHSH: The Peoples Party will give its assent to any law on military courts only after getting an assurance that it would not be misused against politicians and other civilians, former president Asif Zardari said on Saturday. Speaking at a gathering in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto on the seventh death anniversary of Benazir, he warned against turning the proposed courts into an instrument to hound politicians. “The courts should not be used to put Asif Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif behind bars,” Mr Zardari said. Without naming retired General Pervez Musharraf, he said had he carried out an operation after the Oct 2007 attack on Ms Bhutto’s caravan in Karachi, there would have been no carnage of schoolchildren in Peshawar. He was very critical of Pervez Musharraf’s political activities, saying that if “anyone is behind him”, he should come out in the open.

It further said, “Both teams have decided to go back to their respective leadership and update to-Zardari, he accused his oppothem on the present status benents of floating “baseless stofore meeting again on Tuesday”. ries”. Later, Mr Tareen talking to me“But they should understand that dia personnel at Bani Gala, the PPP is used to such tactics,” the residence of PTI Chairman Imran former president said. Turning to Khan, said the party chief had Makhdoom Amin Fahim, he said already shown enough flexibility he (Makhdoom) had neither beand now the ball was in the govtrayed PPP in the past nor would ernment’s court. he do so in future. Sources from the two sides said Mr Zardari said Benazir Bhutto that neither the government nor had thought it “fit that I should the PTI was willing to move even lead the party”. “I want to be buran inch on the issue of definition ied in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto of rigging. and anyone who leads PPP will be buried here. Garhi Khuda Bakhsh symbolises our ideology and philosophy.” The former president said PPP would never forsake the poor and always struggle for their rights.

Govt, PTI still at odds over ‘core issues’

“If the army wants him (Musharraf) to do politics, it should make it clear.” Mr Zardari recalled that in 1991 Benazir Bhutto advocated separation of the resistance in Kashmir from the Afghan war, but “unfortunately no one paid heed to her”.

SLAMABAD: The government and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) again failed on Saturday Mr Zardari said his party wanted to reach an agreement on the to strengthen democracy. “We Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the want to consolidate democracy judicial commission likely to be so that our future generations set up to look into alleged rigging in last year’s elections. could live peacefully,” he said.

Alluding to reported differences Avoiding media glare, the two between him and Bilawal Bhut- sides met at the residence of

The PTI is of the view that if rigging on the selected number of seats which the proposed judicial commission will investigate is proven then the government should go home. The government on its part insists that cases of rigging should only be dealt with at constituency to constituency level. “The government is open for reelection on as many number of seats as probed by the commission if it finds out that election on these constituencies were marred by rigging,” a federal minister told Dawn. And similarly, if the PTI could prove that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had manipulated election results with the help of a former chief justice and officials of Election Commission of Pakistan “we are willing to go home”, the minister said.

19 December - 2014

NEWS

Fire destroys market in Karachi

Fire in Lahore market kills 13

ARACHI: Scores of residential AHORE: A huge fire ravaged flats, shops and stores were a three-storey building housgutted in a fierce blaze that rav- ing a watch market in Anarkali aged the city’s congested Timber Bazaar here on Monday evening, Market late on Saturday night. leaving 13 people dead. Three multi-storey buildings housing the storehouses, shops and residential apartments were completely destroyed and as many buildings severely damaged in the fire, which broke out at around 1.20am.

Dozens of watch shops and warehouses in Alkarim Market, near Lohari Gate, were gutted in the blaze. The administration ordered closure of adjacent shopping centres after the tragedy.

The Sindh government has constituted a committee to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the losses caused to properties. The body comprises the Karachi commissioner and the KMC administrator. It will submit its report within a week.

that the fire apparently broke out in a shop selling cells and batteries used in watches. However, he added, an investigation would determine the exact cause of fire.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz The blaze was brought under con- Sharif ordered an inquiry into the trol after frantic efforts lasting 12 incident and sought a report from hours, according to fire brigade the district administration. chief Ihtishamuddin. According to Rescue 1122 and poHe said the fire initially broke out lice, most of the casualties took in two shops, but it spread rap- place because of a single entryidly, engulfing all adjacent shops exit door and the absence of fireand residential buildings. Twenty- fighting equipment in the building. eight fire-fighters and reinforcements from Navy, KPT, DHA and City SP Asad Sarfaraz said the cantonments were called in to ex- three-storey building had no tinguish the blaze, he said, adding emergency exit and fire-fighting that congested and narrow lanes equipment, adding that majority obstructed the fire-fighting ef- of the victims died of suffocation. forts. All the residents were safely Rescue 1122 spokesman Jam Saevacuated. jjad quoted witnesses as saying

Uzair Baloch caught in Dubai

ARACHI: Uzair Baloch, an alleged leader of one of the gangs operating in crime-infested Lyari, was arrested in Dubai by the Interpol on Monday while he was crossing into the United Arab Emirates from Oman by road, police authorities here confirmed.

day, but with sketchy details and unconfirmed reports. Later, in the evening police officials seconded the arrest report, citing family sources of the alleged gang leader. But they added that they were Television channels broke the still in touch with the federal govnews regarding arrest of Uzair ernment and the authorities conBaloch during the first half of the cerned for custody of Baloch.

He said the fire was brought under ing, followed by the blaze which control after frantic efforts lasting engulfed the entire building in a about two hours. few minutes. Soon all emergency “Some sparks occurred in the main services arrived at the scene and electricity wire on the building’s took part in fire-fighting,” said ground floor, leading to a huge Sakhawat Ali.

fire near the entrance. One of the Ambulances of Rescue 1122, Edhi cell shops first caught fire which and others took the dead and inquickly spread to other shops,”jured to Mayo Hospital. Accordsaid Mohammad Ishaq, a watch ing to sources in Mayo Hospital, shop owner who escaped unhurt. nine bodies and six injured were brought to the hospital, where He said the victims were trapped four of the injured succumbed to inside the building as there was their injuries. Provincial ministers only one door for entry and exit. Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman and Mohammad Asadullah, a shop- Bilal Yasin and the health secrekeeper in Khalid Centre, an ad- tary reached the site and superjoining newly built building, said vised relief activities.

he had heard the sound of sparks The chief minister constituted a before the fire. “We used our own special committee to investigate fire-fighting equipment before the cause of fire and assess the the arrival of fire-fighters, but it losses caused to properties for did not help. The cause of fire ap- compensation. peared to be short-circuiting in some electricity wires,” he added. The committee, headed by MNA Pervaiz Malik, comprises provinHe said a woman customer and cial ministers Bilal Yasin, Mujtaba a son of the Alkarim Watch Mar- Shuja-ur-Rehman, the health secket Association’s president were retary, commissioner and DCO of among the dead. Lahore, Rescue 1122 director gen“I was sitting at my garments shop eral, city police chief, Lesco chief outside the Alkarim Market at and traders’ representatives. The about 5.15pm when I saw a huge committee will submit its initial smoke arising out of the build- report within 24 hours.

20 December - 2014

SHOWBIZ

I congratulated Kangana for “Queen”, Ranbir for “Barfi!” and Alia for “Highway”: Anushka

‘Sadqay Tumhare’ review: A tale of heartfelt, simple romance

o far, Sadqay Tumhare has been a pleasant stroll down memory lane. If anyone has a yearning for a not so distant past, without mobile phones and computers, when handwritten letters were treasured and ‘designer’ meant the local tailor then Sadqay Tumhare is worth watching.

nushka Sharma has often praised other B’Town celebs for their performance and also the good work they are doing. But, the actress feels that these things are never written about as it is exciting to read negative things.

Produced by Momina Duraid, Humayun Saeed and Tariq Shah, Sadqay Tumhare has all the hallmarks of a big budget serial: on location shootings, authentic, colourful wardrobes of the cast, great lighting and the beautiful people required to keep the audience interested.

Director Ehteshamuddin has manEven more intriguing is the fact aged to weave a beautiful atmothat this is famed writer Khalil sphere of nostalgia and family ties ur Rehman Qamar’s personal life around this drama. The scenes story and, in a recent interview, are all colourful and bright and the characters, engaging. Even he revealed: “Ek scene aisa nahin hai jo drame the side characters like Fayaz (Muke khatir add kiya gaya ho (There karram Kaleem) and Dr Maqsood is no scene that has been added (Shamil Khan) who plays Khalil’s distant cousin and friend, have for the sake of the drama).” been given good lines and hold Highlights our interest in their scenes. Dr Though Khalil ur Rehman Qa- Maqsood in particular has some mar’s script is usually the star of fantastic dialogues and is a pleaany drama he writes, this time sure to watch on screen. the mantle lays firmly on Mahira Maqsood advises Khalil: Khan’s shoulders. “Mohabbat sey ajazi seekh, ghaMahira’s Shanno is the heart and roor na seekh. Khuda ki taraf dekh, soul of this drama; innocent and Khala ki taraf naa dekh. Jissey mobeautiful, headstrong, but car- habbat ho jati hai na beta, woh is ing, no one can fail to love her. tarha nahi milti jaisey thujay subMahira’s acting gives depth and ha ka nashta mil jata hai. Duaon se charm to a character which Khalil milti hai… ur Rehman sahib has obviously written with much love and detail. Despite a few minor flaws, this is a drama that provides great enterThis is Adnan Malik’s first outing tainment and should be on everyas an actor and he has proved to one’s watch list. be a good match for Mahira on screen. They share some excellent chemistry and for the most part

I would be blessed if my career shapes up like Aishwarya Rai’s, says Deepika

“I get very excited when I see a good performance because it’s like an inspiration. I felt that last with Kangana’s performance in Queen (2014). I think she was fantastic in the film, I called her to say that! Vikas (Bahl) had shown me portions of the film a year before it released, and I was so impressed. I really liked Alia in Highway and even told her about it. I would even tell Ranbir that he was damn good in Barfi! ... but all that’s never ¬written about, because it’s not so interesting to read positive things. It’s more exciting to read negative things like actresses fighting and ¬people eepika Padukone turned 29 hating each other,” Anushka told on January 5. Initially in her Hindustan Times. career, the critics labelled her as “And people must be thinking, ‘wooden’, but she did not get dis‘Oh yeh bhi jhooth hoga’. People appointed with this, instead she don’t realise that to get this far bounced back. The actress was in life, you have to have a lot of tagged as the ‘Golden Girl’ of ¬passion for what you do. And I B’Town after she gave five backlove it when I see someone do- to-back hits – “Cocktail”, “Race ing the same thing so well,” she 2”, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, “Chennai Express” and “Goliyon added. Anushka is currently in Australia Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela”. She with her beau Virat Kohli. After even broke the myth that modthe super success of “PK”, she will els can’t become good actors.

he carries Khalil’s role with all the swagger written into it.

a myth that exists in the country about models not being good actors. It is high time that we realise it is all a fallacy. Of all the names you mentioned, I definitely look up to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as a strong role model and the fact that she had always been my inspiration is not hidden. I have loved her from the childhood days, watching and admiring her advertisements, her Miss India triumph and everything else. If by God’s grace, my career shapes up even 1% of what Aish did with her work, I would be blessed.”

“Plus, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Juhi chawla has proven the myth wrong time and again,” the “Break Ke Baad” actress added. In 2014, Deepika was seen in movies like “Finding Fanny” and “Happy New Year”. Her 2015 releases include “Piku”, “Tamasha” and “Bajirao Mastani”.

We wish Deepika a very Happy Birthday and hope she gets to next be seen in “NH10”, “Bombay Talking about that, in an inter- wear the ‘Golden Girl’ crown over view she said, “Well, there is still and over again. Velvet” and “Dil Dhadakne Do”.

Dance Kahani Upcoming Pakistani Movie

yed Omer, the Director and the Writer of the Dance Kahani Upcoming Pakistani Movie Releasing in 2015, has higher expectations out of it. One of the very unique ideas being experienced in Pakistani film industry, this is going to be a feast for the dance lovers. In a society where dancing and singing is a still a bit odd for many families, this is certainly going to be a challenge to make a dance based movie. The Dance Kahani Upcoming Pakistani Movie was previously named the Dance Diaries. The cast of Dance Kahani film includes the faces of Madeleine Hanna, Alamdar Khan and Vernin U’chong. The official trailer of the movie has already been released and the Dance Kahani release date would soon be announced.

21 December - 2014

January 9 4-year-old boy Aitizaz Hassan in northern Pakistan is killed stopping a suicide bomber at the main gate of his school but saves the lives of all of his schoolmates gathered for their morning assembly.

January 10 A car suicide-bomb was blasted by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan near the car of a senior police officer Chaudhry Aslam Khan, in which Khan was killed with two others

February 17 Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan say they have killed 23 captured Pakistani security force members

March 3 Young men with guns open fire at a local court in Islamabad, resulting in at least 11 deaths and 22 injuries.

NEWS

March 31 A Pakistani court charges former President Pervez Musharraf with high treason in relation to the imposition of the emergency rule in 2007.

June 17 Clashes in Lahore between the Punjab Police and Pakistan Awami Tehreek activists results in several protesters being killed by police gunfire

November 2 More than 60 people were killed and more than 110 people were injured in a suicide attack on the Pakistan side of the Wagah border.

April 27 1st ARY Film Awards took place at Golf Club, DHA Phase VIII, Karachi, Sindh.

August 13 The process of Long March and Sit-In started by PTI and PAT

November 11 58 people are killed in a bus crash in the Sukkur District in Sindh province.

Events in the year 2014 in Pakistan.

May 7 An alleged American FBI agent is arrested for carrying ammunition while trying to board a flight, which is in violation of their anti-terror laws.

June 9 Jinnah International Airport attack

September 6 Heavy monsoon rains and flash floods leave over 200 people dead across India and Pakistan.

October 10 Activist Malala Yousufzai becomes just the second P akistani to win Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle to voice girls right to education.

December 16 Peshawar school attack. at least 141, including 132 children and nine employees, with most of five hundred students evacuated. The shooting ends with all seven gunmen dead.

December 17 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf end their sit-in after 126 days, after Peshawar school attack.

22 December - 2014

by : Jawaid Riaz

Military Courts: a Temporary Fix

akistanâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s latest decision to appoint the military courts and involving them in the state affairsis a temporary and ineffective solution for the problems in tho country.

Military courts are an one-man show that will do nothing to help the democratic state of tho nation. As a metter of fact the military courts are not new in the history of Pakistan: many countries have set up these courts for a specific purpose at a particular time in their history, so in Pakistan. when there is martial law it makes sense to have these courts. Where is the logic in ignoring tho paliament. law enforcement agencies and judiciary establishments? This will only shake the poblicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faith in these institutions.

NEWS end up simply punishing the criminals. without any strategy.Palristanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s judiciary has long suffered without much power or faith from civilians. Judges have faces everything from bribes to death threats against family members for their decisions. This cannot be remedied simply by appointing a General. he too may face the same trials. unless the entire system is corrected. The very objcctive of seeing the military courts as a solution to the problem of terrorism in Pakistan is questionable. In fact the civilian government. by passing the relevant Bills in the Parliament has democratically elevated the problem as a solution. instead of investigating and destroying the roots of terrorism. the military courts will now deal with the legal process. The Military cannot replace democratic governance the purpose of the military is to engage. combat, and destroy the threats not to deal with them legally.

Nawaz Sharif has made a decision that sets back the democracy of Pakistan. His close advisors and cabinet members are sympathetic to the Taliban, so they are shirking the duty and responsibility to target the criminals. By politicizing the military he has displaced Military Courts only higliglt the the legal process. which effecfailure of mainstream gover- tively abdicates the responsibility nance: not only the domocrati- of the Parliament. Military has to cally elected government. po- be used as a strategy in fighting litical parties. but also the entire terrorism at the ground level. but judicial process. Pakistan does not not as a legal institution to try and need military courts to deal with convict. terrorism. and not trial by regular courts. it is important for the Military Courts can never be a pergovernment to reevaluate and manent solution to the terrorist develop criteria for the judiciary. threats to Pakistan. The Military Setting up of military courts mean should be used as a last resource an indirect acceptance of the in- to carry out operations to destroy ability of legal institutions to try the root of these militant and terterrorism and terrorists. The is- rorist groups. The punishment for sue is not limited to the courage a few terrorists will not profide of the individuals or officials in the any long-term fix. courtroom in ensuring a proper trial. but also include the ability of concerned security officials to make a proper case and present credible evidence following a thorough investigation.

The setting up of military courts also means abdication of authority by the democratically elected government to the military. Both the governments- PMI and the previous ppp were reluctant to take decisive actions against the militants. The military courts will

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