The Frontier Post E-Paper 28 April, 2015

TUESDAY, april 28, 2015

A POST OF HOPE SPORTS Seniors should either step up or step down: Afridi

BUSINESS

FATA/BALOCHISTAN BISP chairperson inaugurates biometric disbursement centre PAGE B4

Taskforce soon to facilitate foreign investors: Dar

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Vol.XXX No. 293

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Lahore Edition

President asks diplomats to learn diplomacy

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hus-

sain on Monday said the field of diplomacy had become more complex with changing times and called upon the country's diplomats to abreast themselves with contemporary skills to effectively deal with challenges.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of 34th Special Diplomatic Course here at the Foreign Service Academy, the President said the nation expected from the Foreign Service officers to do their best for the country's progress and development.

President Mamnoon congratulated the young graduates of the Special Diplomatic Course and said this marked for them an end of the journey and beginning of a new one simultaneously.

He said technology had brought societies closer and added that the monetary policies of one country had huge impact on the people of other countries. He emphasized the importance of gaining expertise in economic diplomacy as well.

He said the diplomats must have realization about the global challenges and issues of strategic importance. The President said Foreign Service Academy was a premier learning institutions and had produced diplomats of high calibre.

He expressed satisfaction over the Academy's focus on research on global issues and languages, and congratulated the Director General and his team for

Kaaba imaam calls on Mamnoon ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hus-

sain on Monday said that Pakistan stands by Saudi Arabia and is committed to protect the sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques.

He was talking to Imam-e-Kaaba AlSheikh Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

The President stated that the people and government of Pakistan have the greatest regard for Saudi Arabia.

He said that a large Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia was playing the role of a bridge between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Imam-eKaaba Al-Sheikh Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi said that deep rooted relations between the two brotherly countries are based on strong foundations.

He stated that Pakistani people have great love for Harmain Sharefain and the Saudi government, adding, that nothing can change the cordial relations between the two brotherly countries.

Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi stated that the objectives of both countries are the same.—FP Monitoring

conducting training courses of highest standards with dedication.

The President asked the young graduates to meet everyone with open heart while discovering new continents and new vistas and promote Pakistan's culture and values. He urged upon the young diplomats to work selflessly for a stronger and brighter Pakistan.

The President mentioned the contribution of government of Netherlands for imparting training to the diplomats from Pakistan.

Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs called upon the graduates to adapt to the challenges in view of the changing regional alignment.

He stressed the importance of sophisticated diplomacy and said more and more diplomats were now specializing in economic diplomacy as well in view of the significance of economy for Pakistan.

Director General FSA Mohsin Razi in his welcome address highlighted the

salient features of the Academy and said the institution established in 1981 had immensely contributed in developing the diplomatic skills of Foreign Service officials.

He said the Foreign Service Academy as a training arm of Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a global outreach with a large number of our international alumni from 84 countries.

Later, the President distributed certificates and medals to the graduates of the 33rd and 34th Special Diplomatic Course.

The President also gave away memento shields to the representatives of collaborating partners of FSA including High Commission of United Kingdom, Brunei Darussalam, European Union and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Former ambassador to UN and China Masood Khan and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry were present. —FP Monitoring

Basic structure of the constitution must be protected: SC UMAR HASHMI ISLAMABAD: A full court 17-judge

bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, on Monday resumed the hearing on the petitions against 21st Constitutional Amendment under which the military courts have been established.

During the hearing the apex Court gave observation that the constitution has a basic structure which must be protected in any case.

Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan gave observation that though basic structure is not being protected through any provision of the Constitution but historically, it is established that Constitution has the basic structure which must be protected in any case.

Referring to the several constitutional amendments, Justice Ejaz said this shows the amendments were done time to time for the restoration of the basic structure.

During the hearing, the chief jus-

tice questioned how the parliamentary committee on judges’ appointment is violating the independence of the judiciary and if it does can a constitutional amendment be struck down?

Senior lawyer Hamid Khan, who is counsel for several bar associations, contended the parliamentary committee has not only violated the independence of judiciary but also opposed the separation of power as well.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said before the passage of 18th amendment the parliamentary committee, which was constituted to propose constitutional amendments, had admitted that the Constitution has a basic structure and they are working for its restoration.

However, he said on one side the parliamentarians were working for the restoration of basic structure but on the other hand they are being accused to violate it.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan will resume hearing of the case today.

Copenhagen: a Danish parliamentarian poses for a selfie with a new Danish citizen during the event organised to receive thousands of people, who have been granted citizenship. —Dna

New province only solution to issues: Altaf

LONDON: MQM Chief Altaf Hussain on

Monday said a consensus opinion is emerging from the people living in urban areas of Sindh that the creation of new province was necessary for the resolution of issues.

He said, ‘People say that the creation of a new province, whether it is called Karachi Province, Urban Province, Sindh One or Sindh Two, has become their destiny’.

Altaf Hussain said this while talking to the MQM Coordination Committee in London and Pakistan and members of different wings of the party at Nine Zero. Mr Hussain said, ‘People of urban Sindh, who have been ignored and discriminated against by successive Sindh governments for the past 67 years, are

saying that they should have a separate province. This demand has become the heart throb of people, whether Sindhis, Balochis, permanently settled Punjabis, Pakhtuns, Hazarewals, Seraiki, Gilgiti, Baltistani, or Kashmiris, who are living in urban Sindh.”

Mr Hussain asked the people to suggest good names for the new province as it is not the demand of the MQM. Hence people should suggest names for their province.

Mr Hussain said, “People think that the foundation for a separate province in Sindh was laid on the fateful day in 1973 when a 60 per cent quota for rural Sindh and 40 per cent quota for urban Sindh was reserved by the prejudiced rulers of Sindh.” —FP Monitoring

AC summons Zardari on May 5 RAWALPINDI: Former President and Co-Chairperson of Pakistan Peoples’ Party Asif Ali Zardari has been summoned to appear before the National Accountability Court here on May 5.

The summons were issued by the Accountability court of Khalid Mehmood Ranjha on Monday after re-opening of a corruption case against the former president according to which he had allegedly failed to submit the correct details of his wealth.

Reference against Zardari to this effect was filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Prosecutor General NAB Raja Khurram appeared before the court while Farooq H Naik represented the accused.

During the hearing Naik pleaded that the accused had not yet received the summons earlier issued by the court while he appeared before the court seeing news in the press. —FP Monitoring

Rigging evidence is in ballot bags: Imran

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

(PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Monday said that it would only take one week if a special investigation team reopens ballot bags to examine them for alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.

“The special investigation team, which is part of the ordinance and which the Supreme Court can form, it will only take one week for the SIT to check the ballot bags. All the evidence is present inside the ballot bags,” the PTI chairman told reporters after attending a session of the Judicial Commission probing the rigging allegations.

Imran claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) could not

have received seven million additional votes, and that the matter should be investigated.

The PTI chief reiterated his party's stance that over ten million excess ballot papers had been printed in the days preceding the May 2013 election.

Those responsible for ordering excess ballot papers to be printed will also be unmasked, he said. Imran claimed that it had already been proved that the 2013 elections were rigged since 21 parties had come before the judicial commission, and even Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said in a speech at Haripur that rigging took place in the elections.

Imran said the JC should also probe

the role of provincial election commissioners, who he claimed had been appointed after an undisclosed agreement between the political parties.

The PTI chairman claimed that the PML-N lawyer was attempting to influence the judicial commission's proceedings by trying to show that the judiciary was being targeted by the investigation. “Just because one judge committed one wrong does not mean the entire judiciary is complicit, just the way that if one army general commits a wrong means the entire army is blame. This is a plan to influence the judiciary and stop the investigation," he said. —FP Monitoring

Obama gave CIA flexibility for drone strikes in Pakistan NEW YORK: President Barack Obama "secretly" approved a waiver to the rules for the U.S. drone programme that gave the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) more flexibility in Pakistan than anywhere else to strike suspected militants, a major American newspaper reported Monday.

Citing current and former U.S. officials, The Wall Street Journal said the rules -- tightened in 2013 -- were designed to reduce the risk of civilian casualties. "Mr. Obama also required that proposed targets pose an imminent threat to the U.S. "but the waiver exempted the CIA from this standard in Pakistan," the report said.

Last week, the U.S. officials disclosed that two Western hostages, U.S. and Italian aid workers Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto, were killed on Jan. 15 by a U.S. drone strike aimed at al Qaeda militants in Pakistan. "If the exemption had not been in place for Pakistan,

the CIA might have been required to gather more intelligence before that strike," the Journal said.

According to the report, support for the drone programme remains strong across the U.S. government, but the killings have renewed a debate within the administration over whether the CIA should now be reined in or meet the tighter standards that apply to drone programmes outside of Pakistan.

Last week, President Obama apologized for the killings and took personal responsibility for the mistake. He called the operation, "fully consistent with the guidelines under which we conduct counterterrorism efforts in the region' without specifying what those guidelines are or how they differed from those applied in the rest of the world.

He also announced a review to ensure that such mistakes aren't repeated.

Current and former officials say many of the changes he called for in 2013

haven't been implemented or remain works in progress.

On its part, Pakistan has long objected to the use of lethal drone strikes in its tribal areas. In a statement, the Pakistani foreign office said, "The deaths of Weinstein and Lo Porto in a drone strike

demonstrate the risk and unintended consequences of the use of this technology that Pakistan has been highlighting for a long time".

"Having lost thousands of innocent civilians in the war against terrorism, Pakistan can fully understand this tragic loss and stands with the families of Weinstein and Lo Porto in this difficult time."

Details about the CIA's drone programme have been shrouded in official secrecy from its inception because it is covert, The Wall Street Journal pointed out. Seeking to maintain an effective national-security weapon in the face of opposition from within his own party, Obama in a 2013 speech at the National Defense University spelled out some rules governing drone strikes, which he codified in a, "presidential policy guidance" directive.

Among them were that the threat needed to be imminent and that the U.S.

had to have, "near-certainty" no civilians would be killed or injured.

Officials said the directive also included language aimed at curbing and eventually eliminating a particular type of drone strike in which the U.S. believes an individual is a militant, but doesn't know his identity.

These so-called "signature" strikes have been responsible for killing more al Qaeda leadership targets than strikes directly targeting high-value leaders, especially in Pakistan, the Journal said, citing current and former U.S. officials.

The Jan. 15 strike that killed Messrs. Weinstein and Lo Porto was a signature strike.

Under a classified addendum to the directive approved by President Obama, however, the CIA's drone programme in Pakistan was exempted from the "imminent threat" requirement; at least until U.S. forces completed their pullout from Afghanistan,

according to the report.

The exemption in the case of Pakistan means that the CIA can do signature strikes and more targeted drone attacks on militant leaders who have been identified without collecting specific evidence that the target poses an imminent threat to the U.S. Being part of the al Qaeda core in Pakistan is justification enough in the Obama administration's eyes, the Journal said.

The CIA still has to meet the near-certainty requirement to avoid civilian casualties in Pakistan, as it does everywhere else it operates, it said.

But a CIA spokesman declined to comment, the paper said.

The waiver gave the CIA more flexibility in Pakistan than anywhere else, including Yemen where both the CIA and the U.S. military conduct drone strikes, and Somalia, where the military has its own targeted killing campaign. —FP Monitoring

LAHORE

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LHC ACCEPTS PLEA BY IJAZ TO BECOME PARTY TO JC CASE

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has accepted the plea of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf’s (PTI’s) Ijaz Chaudhry to become a party in the case filed against the establishment of Judicial Commission (JC) which was formed to probe rigging in General Election 2013. During the hearing, the petitioner adopted the stance that the formation of JC is not against law as an ordinance was issued in this regard. He also said that the reason of JC’s establishment was to initiate a renewed investigation of rigging therefore; the court should allow the petitioner to become a party in the case. The court after hearing the argument issued a notice to federal government and summoned reply till April 29. –FP Monitoring

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TUESDAY

APRIL 28, 2015

TRAFFIC WARDEN INJURED RESISTING ROBBERY LAHORE: A traffic warden Fakhar Sultan on Monday sustained injuries in Mughalpura area of Lahore while resisting a robbery. The robbers came on motorbikes and tried to rob the warden, resisting which the officer was shot and injured by them. However, the bandits managed to flee the scene. Rescue tender arrived at the scene and took the traffic warden to the hospital whereas police started investigations into the incident. –FP Monitoring

Rs12b for 3 children’s hospitals: Mujtaba STAFF REPORT

a man gets a shave on the roadside that’s likely to cause hepatitis C as the razors might not be sterilised. —Mohsin Raza

Swoop on spurious medicines will continue: Shahbaz er medical care in the health facility

He said that the process of outsourc-

baz Sharif said that crackdown on the elements involved in production and sale of spurious medicines should be continued vigorously.

Addressing a meeting through video link at Civil Secretariat Monday, he directed that the factories producing spurious medicines be sealed while indiscriminate action should be taken against their owners.

He said that investment of billions of rupees is being made for the provision of modern health facilities to the masses.

He said that an effective monitoring system is of vital importance for ensuring that the common man should fully benefit from the heavy investment in health sector.

He said that commitment and hard work is essential for effective implementation of Health Sector Reforms Programme.

The meeting decided that all Provincial Ministers, Assembly Members, Chief Secretary, Provincial Secretaries, RPOs, DCOs and DPOs will adopt a rural or basic health center, on the pattern of school, and ensure availability of prop-

regular visits in this regard. The Chief Minister directed that a comprehensive plan regarding adoption of rural and basic health centers be presented in the next meeting.

The chief minister said that Punjab government is speedily implementing a health reforms programme for the improvement of medical facilities in government hospitals and rural and basic health centers and the reforms being introduced in the health sector are proving fruitful.

He said that provision of quality health facilities to the masses is the top priority of the government.

He said that targets have been fixed for the improvement of public health facilities and effective measures are being taken for their achievement so that the best treatment facilities could be made available to the citizens.

The chief minister said that all out resources will be provided for the betterment of public health facilities.

He said that institutional framework of all the steps taken for uplift of public health facilities is essential so that this programme could be continued smoothly.

be accelerated while medical equipment of all hospitals should be operational and there should not be any complaint in this regard. He said that nonuse of machinery worth millions of rupees is cruelty to ailing humanity.

The chief minister directed that a complete survey of medical equipment of hospitals be conducted and such a system be evolved under which the company supplying machinery to the hospitals should also be responsible for its maintenance.

He said that a conference should be arranged regarding appointment of medical officers in rural and basic health centers and doctors of private hospitals should also be invited in the conference for seeking their proposals.

The meeting also reviewed implementation of health sector reforms programme while Provincial Secretary Health Jawad Rafiq Malik gave a detailed briefing in this regard. Provincial Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Adviser on Health Kh. Salman Rafiq, Members Provincial Assembly, Chief Secretary, Secretary Information and concerned officers attended the meeting through

‘Improving mother-child health a must for healthy society’

LHC orders larger bench to hear PM’s disqualification plea

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shah- adopted by them as well as undertake ing of all drug testing laboratories should

STAFF REPORT

L AHO RE : The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered formation of a larger bench to hear a petition filed in 1991 that sought disqualification of the then premier Nawaz Sharif on grounds that he does not comply with Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

The case had been pending for decades after which the court has ordered that a larger bench be formed to hear the high-profile case, since according to law, cases involving highprofile individuals such as the prime minister require at least five or seven judges on the bench.

The unavailability of the required number of judges is why the petition has been pending for so long.

According to sources, there were a few occasions over the years when a larger bench was made, but then some judges

LAHORE: Minister for Law Excise & Taxation, Finance Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman has said that Rs 12 billion would be provided for construction 3-new children hospitals to provide state of the art healthcare facilities to the children.

Talking to various delegations, regarding Mother & Child Health Week, at his residence, he said that protective healthcare programmes would be continued to save the children from epidemic, communicable and non-communicable diseases.

He said that 7.5 lakh Pakistani children die of various diseases every year while a large number of children is crippled and by administering simple treatment through immunization we can save the precious lives.

Mujtaba said that government is using all available resources for providing better healthcare facilities to the people especially mother & child in the province and the priority areas of the targets are rural folk.

He said that skilled birth attendants,

Govt’s measures strengthening economy: CM

LA HORE: Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, S M Munir and Member National Assembly Pervaiz Malik called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that due to the solid measures taken by the government, the confidence of foreign investors has restored and the economy of the country is strengthening. He said that the agreements of investment of $46 billion made during the visit of Chinese president are of historic importance.

He said that various projects of power generation being set up with the cooperation of China will be operational by the end of 2017.

He said that a solid strategy has been adopted for the promotion of trade and economic activities in the province and special attention is being paid to the improvement of existing industrial estates and setting up of new industrial estates. opted out from hearing the case.

He said that the garments industry After the initial hearing of the case will strengthen with the completion of Monday, a two-member LHC bench re- Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park near moquested the chief justice for a larger torway. –FP Monitoring bench to hear the case that was filed by Ali Imran in 1991.

A few months ago, the Supreme Court had dismissed petitions seeking the disqualification of Prime Minister LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Nawaz Sharif.

Three identical petitions had been Monday granted post arrest bail to filed by PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shu- Zafar Iqbal Gondal, former chairman jaat Hussain, Advocate Gauhar Nawaz Employees Old-Age Benefits Instituand Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) tion (EOBI) in six different cases. The leader Ishaq Khakwani, arguing that court ordered the accused to submit Nawaz Sharif had lied on the floor of two sureties of Rs 1 million in each the National Assembly on the issue of case to avail the bail. Justice Ali Baqar arbitration by the army during the po- Najfi awarded the bail while accepting litical crisis in August last year, when the post-arrest bail applications of the the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek accused.

(PAT) had staged sit-ins in IslamThe court had reserved the verdict on abad. –FP Monitoring bail applications after hearing argu-

LAHORE: Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq has said that improving mother and child health is the basic requirement for creating a healthy society.

Inaugurating Mother and Child Health Week at Wahdat Colony Hospital, he said that prevention of diseases is possible through dissemination of awareness among the masses regarding principles of hygiene. He said that government is focusing on mother and child health programme for the achievement of millennium development goals.

Addl Director General Health Integrated Reproductive, Mother, Neonatal and Child Health (IRMNCH) Dr Ijaz Ahmad Sheikh, representatives of UNICEF Dr Naila, Dr Uzma, EDO Health Lahore Dr Zulfiqar Ali, DOH Dr Saeed Ahmad, Dr Sajjad, Dr Pervaiz Imtiaz, DrSohail and health workers attended the function.

Dr Ijaz Sheikh informed that the major killer of children are phenomena and diarrheairriah and the theme of the Mother and Child Health Week is to prevent Diarrhea.

He said that this week will continue till 2nd May during which 48 thousand lady health workers and other staff would carry health message door-to-door. Moreover, six million children would be given anti-worm tablets besides 0.8 million children would be inoculated vaccine.

He said that anti tetanus injections would be given to one million pregnant women. He said that lady health workers and lady health visitors would organize health education sessions in the villages and four million women would benefit from this educational activities.

He said that pregnant women would be advised to use balance diet during their pregnancy. Moreover, screening of malnourished children would also be University of health Sciences students protest for their demands, in front of Lahore press Club on Monday. —Zubair Mahfooz carried out.

LHVs and LHWs are being appointed at health centers because the MMR in LHWs covered area is 147/100,000 live births, compared 300 to 350/100,000 to uncovered areas, therefore, the LHWs, LHVs. He said that at present under five mortality rate present is 94/1000 and it will be reduced 45 till 2015(MDGs Target), new born mortality rate is 54/1000 and it would be reduced upto 25 by year 2015, whereas, infant mortality rate is 77/1000 which would be reduced 40. He told that maternal mortality ratio 350-500/100000 which would be reduced 140 uptill 2015. He told that 20 percent birth deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendant and this ratio would be increased more than 90 percent by 2015.

Mujtaba said that Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) aims at reducing morbidity, disabilities and mortality caused by vaccine preventable diseases and during the week, vaccination against debilitating dangerous minor ailments such as Polio, Tetanus, Measles, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis-B, Pneumonia and

Meningitis. He said that immunization of children against nine deadly diseases will be free of cost at hospitals, health centers and even by mobile teams.

He said that government has reserved Rs.2 billion to achieve the millennium development goals(MDGs) whereas government has also provided Rs.121.80 billion for health sector to provide the state-of-the-art healthcare facilities to the masses in the province.

Mujtaba said that purpose of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was reducing morbidity, disabilities and mortality caused by vaccine preventable diseases and by vaccinating all children below one year of age, in addition, all pregnant women are vaccinated against tetanus.

The minister said that in order to achieve the results of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the major focus is on protecting the health of people trough strengthening of Primary Health Care & Disease Preventive Programmes and Rs.1.80 billion are being spent for the launching of a healthcare facilities programme to mother and child.

Adviser wants anti-dengue steps to continue STAFF REPORT

LAHORE: Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq has said that dengue situation is under control in Punjab and no confirmed dengue patient has so far been reported.

Chairing Cabinet Committee meeting on dengue at Civil Secretariat Monday, he urged upon government departments that they should continue indoor and outdoor dengue surveillance activities as well as a vigorous awareness campaign should also be launched so that dengue could not transform into an epidemic in peak season.

Addl. Chief Secretary Syed Mubasher Raza, elected public representatives from Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Gujranwala, DCOs of Lahore and Sheikhupura and senior officers of all concerned Departments attended the meeting.

The officers gave presentations regarding anti-dengue activities carried out by their respective departments. It was informed that vigorous indoor and outdoor dengue and vector surveillance activities are being carried out in all sen-

sitive districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala and Multan.

DCO Lahore Muhammad Usman observed that quantity of dengue larvae from indoor has been substantially reduced.

He said that reported larvae are being destroyed through mechanical and chemical methods. Moreover, meetings of Town Emergency Response Committees (TERC) are being held on regular basis in which MPAs of concerned towns and all the representatives of government departments participate.

The meeting decided to hold TERC meeting twice a week.

Addl Chief Secretary Syed Mubasher Raza directed the officers to discharge their responsibilities according to the SOPs of dengue control.

He stressed upon the officers not to take anti dengue activities a routine job and special attention should be paid to this issue so that in peak season, dengue could not transform into an epidemic.

He said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief Secretary are deeply concerned about dengue and they are personally monitoring the situation.

Former EOBI chief gets bail in six cases ments of all parties. Earlier, defence counsel Azam Nazir Tarar submitted that Federal Investigation Agency had registered six different cases alleging that the accused approved purchase of six properties in Lahore at inflated prices which caused loss to the institution. He contended that the charges levelled against the accused were baseless and unjustified as no proof was available. He pleaded the court to grant benefit of bail to the accused.

However, a deputy attorney general and

EOBI counsel opposed the request and pleaded the court to dismiss the application. The court after hearing arguments of parties had reserved the verdict which was announced today. In September 2014, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had arrested Gondal after the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea.

Six cases have been registered against Gondal in Islamabad police stations, seven in Lahore and two in Karachi. So far, he has obtained bail from different courts. –APP

Roohi Bano attacked in Lahore LAHORE: Veteran TV drama actress Roohi Bano has been admitted in a hospital after being attacked with a ‘sharp object’ by unknown miscreant on Monday evening, police said.

According to police officials, the attack was carried out at Bano’s residence in Lahore’s Defence neighbourhood.

She has been shifted to Services Hospital, they added.

Police said that a search for the attacker has been launched as he escaped from the scene after the incident.

Later on, she arrived at Gulberg Police Station to lodge an FIR on the attack after conclusion of her treatment at Services Hospital. She was discharged from the hospital after being treated for wounds on the back of her ear.

The former great actress has been

leading a glum life in Lahore for a while and specially after the tragic death of her son in 2006 that has left the actress in a pool of sufferings.

The distressed actress had also been admitted to Fountain House for medical and psychological care in

NATIONAL

TUESDAY

APRIL 28, 2015

POLICE FILES CASE AGAINST TWO LAND GRABBERS

Council Patron-in-chief and Member National Assembly Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, while expressing extreme grief over the earthquake tragedy in Nepal, has said that the timely humanitarian aid sent to Nepal by the Pakistani government and Pakistan Army is a good sign. He was addressing the general body of Pakistan Hindu Council here at Hyderabad.

On the occasion, one-minute silence and special prayers were also held for the earthquake victims. The council members have shown confidence on the last six-month performance report and future strategy plan, present by the Secretary General Dr Deepak. In addition, amendments in the constitution were also approved, including increase in the number of seats for the council’s managing committee and fee structure. —DNA

Pak Army field hospitals providing support in Kathmandu ISLAMABAD: The National Dis-

aster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that Pakistan Army’s field hospitals and special search and rescue teams, transported through C 130 aircrafts and actively deployed in the suburbs of Kathmandu, are rendering effective rescue/relief support to the earthquake victims in Nepal. The second two sorties of C 130 are due to leave on April 27 (yesterday), but could not carry out its operation because of bad weather as well as heavy commercial air traffic at Kathmandu Airport, according to sources.

The aircrafts are scheduled to leave on April 28 (today) in the early morning carrying substantial relief goods, including tents, blankets and food items to support 4,000 persons. —FP Monitoring

KP demands special package for IDPs, Afghan refugees PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Finance Muzaffar Said has urged the federal government to increase the share of the province under the head of war on terror from one percent of the total divisible pool to three percent, including the special package for hosting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Afghan refugees.

Talking to reporters here in Civil Secretariat on Monday, the KP finance minister said that small provinces will form a united front and force the centre for securing their rights. —FP Monitoring

PTI failed to submit rigging proof: Anusha ISLAMABAD: Minister of State

for Information Technology Anusha Rehman said that PTI has failed to provide even a single piece of evidence before the Inquiry Commission to support its rigging elections against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) during 2013 general elections. She said this has greatly damaged PTI's credibility in public eyes.

Anusha Rehman expressed these views while talking to reporters outside the Supreme Court building on Monday. The minister said if the PTI had solid proofs regarding rigging in 2013 general elections then they would have put these before the Election Tribunals. —FP Monitoring

CHAGHI: Iranian security forces handed over 59 Pakistani nationals to Levies force on PakistanIran border in Taftan area of the district. Levies force said on Monday that these Pakistani workers were apprehended in Iran because they were living there without valid documents. The Levies force said that these deportees will be handed over to Federal Investigation Agency for further interrogation. —FP Monitoring

More rain forecast

BRIEF

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Hindu

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IRAN HANDS OVER 59 DEPORTEES TO PAKISTAN

FAISALABAD: A case has been filed against two suspects for grabbing a piece of land on bogus documents in Mureedwala on Monday. According to details, the plaintiff Sami-ur-Rehman argued that the suspects, namely Abdul Aleem and his accomplice, were trying to grab the land by forcing him to sign fake property papers. He further demanded the police to provide him security as he has been receiving continuous threats from the land grabbers. —DNA

Pakistani Hindus mourn Nepal earthquake tragedy

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Peshawar death toll reaches 44

PESHAWAR: At least 44 people were

killed and more than 200 wounded when a mini-cyclone, described by Met Office as the third worst in the country's history, struck Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Sunday.

A large number of victims of the deadly rainstorm included women and children as torrential rains lashed Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera and other areas of the province causing immense damage to houses and infrastructure.

Rescuers rushed victims to hospitals even when roads submerged in water hindered their operations. Ambulances and rescue vehicles found it difficult to enter into some areas since trees and electric poles littered the main roads.

Residents carried some of the injured on their backs to cars that were heading to hospitals. An emergency has been declared at all local hospitals in KP. Most of the victims were shifted to Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital. As the number of casualties kept increasing, the hospital could not cope with the influx of injured, due to which fresh arrivals were taken to the Khyber Teaching Hospital.

While extending his condolences on the loss of life and property due to the torrential rains, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved a package of Rs 500,000 for the family of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for each injured person.

The severe storm uprooted trees, destroyed billboards, and damaged power transmission lines, thus causing a blackout in many areas of the province.

Many areas were without power in parts

of Peshawar and Charsadda districts.

A huge shed at the toll plaza on the motorway was also torn away by the strong winds.

Met Office has forecast more showers in the next 24 hours.

Provincial Meteorological department Director Mushtaq Ali Shah said that the storm was a “mini- cyclone”.

He added that the cyclone had lost intensity, but heavy rainfall was likely in the province’s northern districts.

Pakistan typically experiences such rains during its monsoon season in June and July.

Rain, hail lash twin cities, flights suspended: Dark grey clouds eclipsed the morning sun in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday as heavy rain with thunder and lightning lashed the twin cities in the last 24 hours.

The Met department recorded 22 millimetres of rain in Islamabad and 7mm in Rawalpindi.

KP govt won’t abandon rainstorm victims, says CM: Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Pervaiz Khattak said on Monday that his government will help the victims of Sunday’s rainstorm in rebuilding their houses and will utilise all available resources for rehabilitation of the affecteed people.

Talking to reporters after visiting Lady Reading Hospital, where he inquired after health of the injured victims of the heavy torrential rain and storms that wreaked havoc in Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera districts, the CM said his government will abndon the affected people in this testing hour and will fa-

RawaLpinDi: Men and machines wade through rainwater accumulated on various roads after heavy rains lashed the city on Monday.—Fp Monitoring cilitate them in reconstruction of their destroyed properties.

The CM further said that he came the hospital to express solidarity with members of the affected families, while adding that directives have been issued for conducting a survey of the damaged and destroyed houses, along with dam-

Local Government polls

Christian woman candidate vows to fight for women’s rights SHEHZAD KHAN MINGORA: For the first time ever in Swat, a women belonging to the Christian community has decided to run for the slot of District Council seat in the upcoming Local Government (LG) elections.

Hina Patras, 25, is keen on fighting for the rights of minorities and humanity irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

“My heart simply sinks whenever I come across the poor and see miseries associated with them. They are also part of our society and need our help to deliver for them,” she said, adding that besides education lack of awareness was the major problem associated with women which has led them to face social inequalities and other grave problems.

She said living next to Muslims is not a problem because Christians do not face

any discrimination at the hands of Muslims but the major concern for us is the government which does not take the Christian community seriously.

“We have no proper church and graveyard in the area, despite higher education Christians are only considered fit for lower governmental jobs such as peon and sweeper. Hina said she realized that working amid the male-dominated society will not be an easy job but her parents encouraged her in her cause.

“Some sections in society tried to put pressure on me to give up the idea of contesting elections. They said politics is not women’s job but I will show them that women can do it better than men with people’s support and have a passion to serve humanity.

“Girls want me to struggle for establishing a playground and a women’s university for them. They also want

skills training schools in Swat,” she said, adding that I will mainly focus on violation of women’s rights in the area as domestic violence, underage marriages, issues of dowry, legal share in property, acid throwing affect me emotionally,” she vowed.

She said there are hundreds of women in Swat who have got higher education but they could not use it for any benefit, neither for themselves nor for others. They have put their degrees in boxes and shelves,” she said, adding that the degrees should be burnt if they are not of any use.

In her message to the nation, the Christian candidate said she is a citizen of Pakistan and will fight for women’s rights jointly with Muslim candidates. “A lone Patras can do nothing but we all women collectively can fight properly for our rights,” she said.

‘Imran running party childishly’ IFTIKHAR-UL-HASSAN MULTAN: Imran Khan is trying to run his party’s affairs in a childish and wrong way, the consequences of which will be witnessed in the next general elections, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, former leader of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) told journalists at his home on Monday.

“Imran is dealing with his party in a childish manner which will affect the PTI performance due to which his supporters may also change their mind. The party needs to change its mindset for the sake of the country.”

He said young people love Imran Khan despite his political mistakes, but they will distance themselves from the PTI if their leader fails to come up to their expectations.

The PTI chairman lacks tolerance and political wisdom due to which he is continuously facing failures and the PTI needs

to observe the current failure in the cantonment board elections. Veteran politician Makhdoom Hashmi said that the party will lose popularity if they continue same politics and a few party men of the party have trapped Imran Khan.

He claimed Imran Khan has insufficient evidences of voterigging. He added that the Judicial Commission has utmost importance and Imran Khan should avoid childish statements.

He advised PTI should present evidence before the Judicial Commission if they have enough rigging proofs.

Makhdoom Hashmi said that disbanding the interrogation of intra-party election by removing Justice (r) Wajiduddin was actually a big mistake on the part of Imran Khan.

Hashmi said he has sacrificed his seat to save the Constitution and democracy. He said his struggle was against the establishment which never wants that real democracy should flourish in the country.

aged government infrastructure.

CM Pervaiz confirmed that 45 people died and around 200 were injured due to rainstrom that hit the province on Sunday evening.

The CM said that after receiving reports of rain devastation, he visited the affected areas in Nowshera and per-

Parents, students protest school’s shifting

OUR CORRESPONDENT UPPER DIR: The residents of Shahoor

Mental village on Monday demanded of the government for the restoration of “Maktab Schools” system, as over 70 students quit their studies after shifting their school to for-off Dab village here. They said that about 280 students, boys and girls were enrolled in the school, from which about 70 students are ready to leave their studies owing to the shifting of school and difficult pathway.

The children’s parents including Malik Said Alam, Hamesh Gul, Ali Baz, Qazi Khan and others said that it was the government responsibility to provide education to the children.

They said that among 200 students were beneficiaries in the same area but when they shifted the school to another area now the student ratio was became to 70, 80, they further added to stop the discrimination with them.

They strongly condemn the education department decision of shifting the school from the village.

Strict action against illegal medical colleges on the cards

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical and

Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to take strict action against illegal medical and dental colleges operating across the country without taking approval from the council.

According to official sources, only those doctors who have acquired additional medical or dental postgraduate qualifications will be authorised to practice as specialists in their respective fields.

The registered medical or dental practitioners having only basic medical or dental qualification are not authorised to carry out specialised procedures and all doctors have been directed to display their PMDC registration certificate

prominently at the place of practice, they added. They officials said that PMDC will make surprise inspections to check the implementation of this decision. They said these measures have been taken in order to check quackery.

They also said that in future all the doctors having post-graduate degrees will be mentioned in their PMDC registration certificates along with their degree awarding and training institutions to maintain complete data of the specialist doctors.

Sources said the council has also decided that all post-graduate students will have to provide a transcript of their training to endorse professional education of the doctors and to ensure they have pro-

fessional knowledge of the specialty, and requisite skills to carry out procedures and medical ethics.

They said PMDC will also issue a license for practicing medicine for which all doctors will have to avail mandatory credit hours of Continuous Medical Education (CME) to stay updated with the new medical technologies and innovations.

The sources further said that all doctors using unregistered degrees or additional qualification of any specialty with their names which are not registered with PMDC will be dealt with strict disciplinary action.

Sources said all registered medical and dental practitioners have been ad-

sonally supervised the relief and rescue operations. Moreover, the CM said he believed that the best way to answer criticism from opponents is to carry out development works in KP. The CM directed doctors and hospital administration to provide best medical facilities to the injured. —FP Monitoring

vised to write only those medical or dental qualifications against their names which have been duly registered by the PMDC in their registration certificate on the board and prescription.

Moreover, the official sources said if any doctor is reported to have carried out any specialised procedures for which he or she do not have required additional qualification, he or she will be liable to be proceeded against per law which may result in suspension or cancellation of his or her license.

The sources said that the patients going for consultation with physicians or dentists have been advised to verify the medical or dental qualification of the doctor. —FP Monitoring

job oppoRtunity

One of our prestigious and valuable client (Public Sector Company under the administrative control of Federal Government) is seeking services of Public Relation Officer for its Regional Office, Lahore against reasonable fixed monthly salary.

Suitable candidates having following qualification etc. may apply for the said job before 30th April, 2015.

Qualifications: Master in Mass Communication/Journalism/ Age: Not more than 35 years.

Experience: Three years experience in the relevant field.

M/s G. Q. & Company, P.o. Box No. 846, G.P.O, Lahore.

change of naMe

I, Mirza Muhammad Rafi Khan has changed name of my daughter from Gul e Zahra Mirza to Zarsha tun Nisa Mirza. She would be called as Zarsha tun Nisa Mirza in the future.

Name: Mirza Muhammad Rafi Khan Address: Poonch House Colony, Multan Road, Lahore.

coRRection of naMe

My name on CNIC appears as Malik Zeeshan and birth-date June 3, 1994 which is incorrect. NADRA and all other institutions please correct my name in their record as Zeeshan Zulfiqar and the birth-date April 23, 1989.

Zeeshan Zulfiqar, Lalazar Colony, Baradari Road, Shahdara, Lahore.

SPORTS

www.thefrontierpost.pk

TUESDAY

APRIL 28, 2015

WAQAR, MUSHTAQ MAY RESIGN AFTER TEAM’S POOR PERFORMANCE Islamabad: After humiliating defeat from Bangladesh, whitewashing Pakistan cricket team in ODI as well as in a single T20 match, head coach Waqar Younis and bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed consider to resign from their posts, say media reports. According to the media reports, Waqar and Mushtaq held special meeting with the national team players and inquired whether they were satisfied with their coaching standards or not and inquired for their decision to resign from their posts. Waqar Younis seemed very emotional in the last meeting where he discussed for resigning as the head coach of the national team. —FP Monitoring

B1

CAVENDISH STAYS AHEAD IN TURKEY CYCLING ISTANBUL: Mark Cavendish won the second stage of the Tour of Turkey at Antalya on Monday, retaining the overall lead he took after Sunday's opening run. The British speedster covered the 180 kilometres from Alanya in 4 hours 21 minutes and 32 seconds, once again replying on his finishing skills to edge a sprint finish. Cavendish, who won four stages in last year's tour, leads the overall standings from Italians Sacha Modolo and Nicola Ruffoni. —FP Monitoring

Nishikori retains Barcelona title TENNIS

BARCELONA: Kei Nishikori completed his second successful title defence of the season on Sunday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, defeating home hope Pablo Andujar 6-4, 6-4 at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.

Nishikori, who earned a three-peat at the Memphis Open earlier in the year, joined former World No. 1's Rafael Nadal, Thomas Muster, Mats Wilander, Ivan Lendl and Ilie Nastase, along with Andres Gomez, as players to retain the Barcelona crown in the Open Era. After exchanging breaks to open the match, both players remained on serve until the 10th game when Nishikori pounced on an opportunity to claim the

opening set. The top seed opened the court with a slew of blistering groundstrokes to grab the decisive break.

Andujar would not be discouraged, breaking immediately to open the second set after drawing an error Nishikoribehind a rifled forehand at Nishikori's feet. The Spaniard pressed for an insurance break two games later, but his Japanese opponent dug deep and would not be denied, leveling the set at 4-4 with a break back in the eighth game and breaking again to seal the win after one hour and 35 minutes.

"I’m really happy I’m able to defend the title," said Nishikori. "I think the second set was extremely tough and I don’t really know how I won it to be honest. Pablo was very aggressive, he

kept moving the ball and made me run up and down all the time. I also tried to be aggressive and I think that’s why I won the important points, but I’d say he played better than me.

"I knew Pablo was a great player. I watched yesterday’s match so I knew it wouldn’t be easy to beat him. It wasn’t my best match, I wasn’t at 100% but I think it’s important I won in two sets.

"I think this victory on clay and in such a difficult tournament gives me a lot of confidence to face the upcoming competitions. It's just an amazing feeling to win a title. I have to come back to Barcelona."

With Shakira and boyfriend FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique in attendance, the World No. 5 claimed

his ninth ATP World Tour trophy overall, improving to a dominant 21-1 when competing as the top seed.

Andujar, who falls to 3-4 in tourlevel finals, was bidding to become the 12th different Spaniard to emerge with the Trofeo Conde de Godó crown. Prior to Nishikori's title run in 2014, the tournament had boasted a home grown champion for 11 consecutive years.

"It was a great, high-quality final," said Andujar. "We were both playing well. I played better in the second set and I felt I deserved something more, but what happened was I let some opportunities pass. I believe that I could have won but here we are. I feel I played my best tennis this week." —FP Monitoring

Badminton

Pakistan-Bangladesh 1st Test starts today

Lee Chong Wei given 8-month ban for doping

Buoyant Bangladesh target another first

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world number

one Lee Chong Wei has been banned for eight months for doping by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

The 32-year-old Malaysian tested positive for the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone during the World Championships in August. But Lee, who has been suspended since November, will be able to compete again on 1 May after the ban was backdated.

The BWF said Lee had not intended to cheat but had been "negligent". Lee, who has won 55 titles, has not played since losing last year's World Championship final and seen his ranking fall to 30th in the world. The BWF hearing panel decided not to impose the full two-year ban.They said the degree of negligence was "rather light" and Lee had not realised he had ingested the substance contained in the casings of gelatin capsules. Lee's silver medal he won at last year's World Championships has also been rescinded. —FP Monitoring

KHULNA: An 8-0 streak, stretching back

14 years, for Pakistan over Bangladesh in Test cricket is now under legitimate threat after the hosts won the ODI series 3-0 and the lone T20 in Mirpur.

However, with the change to whites comes the addition of captain Misbahul-Haq and the veteran Younis Khan to a batting line-up that will also have the in-form Azhar Ali at No 3. The onus will be on Misbah to change the mood within the team. His exit from the ODI side has coincided with immediate losses for Pakistan, so a lot will be expected of him.

Younis had a forgettable World Cup campaign, but it is not quite so easy to forget his five Test centuries in 2014.

Pakistan have a few other players whose experience worked last year but lately have run into poor form. Mohammad Hafeez, who has made 34 runs in four innings on tour, will be important at the top. Asad Shafiq, who has been limited to the nets and the bench so far, and Sarfraz Ahmed, who was "rested" in an ODI, are likely to shore up the middleorder batting at Nos. 6 and 7.

The seam attack will be led by Wahab Riaz, with only Junaid Khan for company, and both have been off colour in Bangladesh. Saeed Ajmal too hasn't had a good return to international cricket. So Pakistan could prefer a second spinner who can contain like Zulfiqar Babar rather than Yasir Shah, who missed the ODIs with injury but has since been bowling in the nets. The Khulna pitch turns from any point after the third

day, so Ajmal will be more influential as the match progresses.

Similarly, Bangladesh will expect Shakib Al Hasan to find his rhythm in the longer format, with Jubair Hossain and Taijul Islam for assistance. Their major concern will be the pace attack, which looks thin on threat and experience. Rubel Hossain and Shahadat Hossain have been around for a number of years, but have never come of age in Test cricket.

Bangladesh's batting resources are a bit more exciting. Most of the top and middle-order are in form and greater solidity can be found if Soumya Sarkar is used well. Much, however, will depend on Tamim Iqbal at the top and Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib in the middle.

Mominul Haque has a 60-plus batting average after 12 Tests but he will face a fresh challenge after losing his place in the ODI side. His role at No. 3 will be vital, so will be the way he handles the Pakistan attack in early and late spells.

Sami Aslam made an impressive ODI debut and is likely to get his first Test cap in Khulna. A compact left-hander, Aslam has a first-class average of 37.65 with five centuries.

Team news: Bangladesh are set to hand Soumya Sarkar a Test debut at No. 7. Imrul Kayes will open with Tamim Iqbal. And among the seamers, Shahadat Hossain might be picked ahead of Mohammad Shahid.

Pitch and conditions: Spin has been king at the Sheikh Abu Nasir Stadium, unless someone with high pace

creates enough chances. Batting will get progressively harder. There are chances of rain in the forecast for the first four days as well.

Stats and trivia: In the last Test held in Khulna, Shakib Al Hasan became the first spinner to take to score a hundred and taken 10 wickets in the same Test.

Among the current players, Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez (418 in five matches) have the most runs in the Bangladesh-Pakistan contest while Saeed Ajmal has taken the most wickets (9 in two matches) Sami Aslam is likely to pip Babar Azam for the opening position, while Haris Sohail would have to wait his chance now that Younis Khan and captain Misbah-ul-Haq are back. Pakistan are also expected to pick two pace bowlers, which leaves no place for Imran Khan. Zulfiqar Babar could play ahead of Yasir Shah.

Squads: Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Soumya Sarkar 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Jubair Hossain, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Shahadat Hossain/ Mohammad Shahid Pakistan (probable): 1 Sami Aslam, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfaraz Ahmed, 8 Wahab Riaz, 9 Junaid Khan, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Zulfiqar Babar. —FP Monitoring

BaRCeLona: Japan's Kei nishikori holds the trophy after winning the aTp Barcelona open ‘Conde de godo’ Tennis Tournament on Sunday night. Kei nishikori beat Spain's pablo andujar in the final to defend his title. —Xinhua

Seniors should either step up or step down: Afridi

KARACHI: Pakistan's T20 captain and

seasoned all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said that senior members of the national cricket team should either step up their game or step down themselves to give a chance to new budding players.

Following an unimpressive performance during the World Cup and the sole T20 International match played between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the mercurial all-rounder offered to retire from all formats of the game saying he 'did not want to be a burden for the team'.

The 34-year-old had recently be patient during the team's 'rebowed out of ODIs with his dreams building' phase.

Following the drubbing of the Greenunfulfilled as Pakistan crashed out in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals shirts at the hands of Bangladesh, Pakistan cricket has been said to be at it at against Australia.

His comments follow Pakistan's 0-3 its lowest ebb in international history ODI whitewash, and a loss in the only with Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket numbers of sport lovers were present on T20 international played during the Board (PCB) Shahryar Khan admitting that the country's entire cricketing structhe occasion amused of the game and en- ongoing tour of Bangladesh.

He had earlier called upon fans to ture was flawed. —FP Monitoring couraged the players. Addressing to the gathering the chief guest said that like other fields, great talent can be witnessed in sports also among the tribal youths of the area and asked the authorities concerned to assist the sports activities in the tribal belt.

President Khyber Agency Body Building Association, Ahmad Nabi criticized the authorities concerned for neglecting the body building games and said for the COPENHAGEN: Danish club FC Copenhagen have signed speedy Slovenia last ten years the competitions have winger Benjamin Verbic, whose goal for Cejle against Domzale after 11 secbeen organizing without any support, he onds was the fastest ever in the Slovenian league. Known for his incisive dribopined. He demanded Governor KPK, bling, the 21-year-old made his international debut in March against Qatar Fata bodybuilding Association and Diand his 13 goals and nine assists this season have made him one of the hottest rectorate of sports Fata for the provision properties in Slovenian football. "Benjamin has some of the skills and of basic equipment and exercise maproperties that we have sought to complement our squad," Copenhagen chinery to the lonely GYM to polish the manager Stale Solbakken said in a statement after Verbic signed a fournounced as junior Mr.Khyber, Rahat and Ahmad Nabi, Burhanuddin and Shafiq local talent in the game. year deal to move to Denmark in the next transfer window. "He is a At last the chief guest awarded prizes Ubaid grabbed second and third posi- Shinwari. direct player who has scored many goals and provided many assists from tions. The judges’ panel was comprised Beside the body building officials’ large and trophies to the winner players. his starting point on one of the wings," said Solbakken. —FP Monitoring

Sawabullah declares Mr Khyber Agency AHMAD NABI KHYBER: Sawabullah clinched the title of Mr. Khyber Agency and Imran Khan crowned Junior Mr. Khyber in All Khyber Agency body-building competitions held in martial arts hall, Haji Building Landikotal bazaar here in tehsil Landi kotal,sub-division of Khyber on Sunday evening.

The event was organized under the auspice of Body Building Association, Khyber Agency and representative of the Senator Taj Mohammad, Sameenullah Shinwari was the chief guest.

The competitions were categorized in two classes’ i.e. junior and senior weights.

In senior weight Sawabullah of Shafiq gym won the Mr. Khyber agency title while Hamidullah remained runner up and Jaidullah got third position respectively.

In light weight Imran Khan was an-

Football

FC Copenhagen sign speedy Slovenian Verbic

Peter Heyward XI win the hearts and the game at historic farewell match Roots International Schools organized a T20 exhibition cricket match to bid farewell to Peter Heyward, Australian High Commissioner as he is saying good bye to us.

The match was held between Australian high commissioner’s team: Peter Heyward XI and Pakistani National Team: PCB XI on this Sunday, 26th April, 2015 at Marghzar Cricket Ground in Said Pur Village, Islamabad.

Former greats like IntikhabAlam, Haroon Rahsid, Ijaz Ahmed, Mohsin Kamal, Ali Zia, Azhar Khan, Kabir Khan, Sabih Azhar, Dr NaumanNiaz and others were also present on the occasion.

Peter Hayward led the Australian XI while PCB XI was captained by IntikhabAlam.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman ISLAMABAD:

Shahryar Khan, Mr. Walid Mushtaq; CEO Roots International Schools, H.E Mr. Adel Elarbi; Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E Mr. Walid Abu Ali; Ambassador of Palestine, H.E Rodolfo José Martin-Saravia; H.E Mr. Philip BartonBritish diplomat who is High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ambassador of Argentina & Dean of Diplomatic core, and various other diplomats joined in for the game.

Pakistan women team skipper; Sana Mir, top performer; BismaMaroof were also playing. PCB xI battled first and Piled 168-8. Mr. Ijaz Ahmed, former test player hammered stylish 62 hitting 12 fourwhile MajeedSadiq slammed 37 hitting 7 fours. Bismah took 2-26.

Caruana Daniel and man of the match TalhaQurieshi played out memorable

victory for Peter Heyward XI in last ball of the 20th over. Daniel scored 44, while Talha remained unbeaten at 105.

BismahMaroof contributed 20 and Sabih made unbeaten 12. Commissioner XI delighted Suzan Hayward who showed victory signs.

Mr. Heyward has graced Roots International Schools by his presence in various events and conferences. Roots In-

ternational Schools sponsored this match to give farewell to the Mr. Peter Heyward,to promote cricket among the youth and take inspiration from the cricket stars from the Golden Era of Cricket.Mr. Walid Mushtaq declared BismaMaroof and Sana Mir as the brand ambassador for Roots International schools’ girls cricket teams. Both the teams were featuring members from the

diplomatic community, Pakistan’s past and present players.

Roots International schools students, parents, faculty, scores ofVIP’s from government, education, national sports and diplomatic community graced the event with their presence.

The enthusiasm for the favorite game of nation was evident among the lively and exuberant crowd.

Mr. Heyward gave an emotional speech and concluded with, "I enjoyed playing cricket alongside some of the big names of Pakistan cricket, I am thankful to Roots International Schools and PCB on holding such a wonderful match and I am leaving on a winning note. I will always remember these moments and Pakistan will always remain special for me for the rest of my life." —FP Monitoring

EDITORIAL

B2

TUESDAY

APRIL 28, 2015

Editor-in-Chief & Chief Executive | REHMAT SHAH AFRIDI Resident Editor | RIFAT ALAM Managing Editor | MAJ. (R) JAVED IQBAL Email: thefrontierpost1@outlook.com — rehmatshahafridi@outlook.com Tel: +92 42-36300931-4 Printed and published by Rehmat Shah Afridi at Maidan Press, 10-Queen’s Road Lahore

A

PPP needs reforms

fter passing various ups and downs since it was launched by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto about five decades ago, the Pakistan People’s Party is still the only political party which has roots in every part of the country. Unfortunately, military dictator General Ziaul Haq, after taking over the democratic government, used every method and technique to quell the party and minimise the party influence in common man, but the party proved to be resilient and bounced back with full force -- outperforming the other political forces in every general elections. ZAB was hanged and his daughter Benazir Bhutto lived in exile for years, but she infused new vigor in the party when returned to Pakistan in 1986.

However, after Benazir Bhutto’s marriage with Asif Ali Zardari, voices of concerns and discerns were raised within and outside the party that Zialul Haq could not finish the PPP but Zardari would definitely do it. However, the time has proved that Zardari emerged as a strong leader of the PPP after Benazir Bhutto’s death.

At a time when Sindh was angry at Benazir’s death, Zardari stood for Pakistan, saying he will not allow Balkanization of Pakistan. Despite corruption charges, Zardari always stood for the integrity and security of the country. Zardari has taken a firm stand on the issue of Pak-China Economic Corridor, which some politicians are trying to make controversial and break the sustainability of the economic reforms launched by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government. According to Zardari, political parties had a consensus that they would not do anything that could derail the Chinese investment in the country. Addressing a public rally at Lyari area of Karachi, he says that all the political parties had decided that Chinese investment would not be harmed in any way and there would be no politicking on it from any side. He is leading the party all alone, outwitting the political leaders of the country who used to say that Zardari will be the last nail in the PPP’s coffin.

We hope that the leaders of the other political parties will listen to Zardari’s advice and would not do anything which would harm the project of the economic corridor. Zardari’s advice came at a time when the PPP showed abysmal performance in local bodies’ elections in all the cantonments of the country. He is trying to boost up the party in Karachi and has declared a special development package for Lyari and ordered his Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to hand over the party leadership to the youth in the province. As a political party, the PPP is a force having roots in the people and its stand on the economic corridor is appreciable. But the party needs reforms and Zardari is the person who can do it. The party’s old hawks should also relinquish their grip on the party and hand over the charge to the young generation. It is hoped that Zardari would hold the party elections and will go ahead beyond family politics.

T

Digitalizing land

he disputes over land involve the greatest number of civil and criminal cases in the country. Litigation over land claims, ownerships and related incidents keep engaged the greater part of the capacities of the country’s legal systems. The amounts drained by litigants in such land related hassles are also very great.

It would be possible to save a great deal of precious resources as well as energies and time both by individuals and the legal system if these land related legal and illegal disputes could be far limited in number.

But the doing of it requires indispensably the upgrading of the land administration or essentially the keeping, using and retrieving land related various records.

Presently, such records are kept in primitive conditions by today’s global standards in most places of the country away from Dhaka. Leaking roofs in ill maintained record rooms destroy hand written records of decades ago from wetting and dampening. Besides, the present mode of keeping the records provides lucrative opportunities to their keepers in wasting time in the name of searching for them and also to tamper with them for the pecuniary gains. The media reported how records even disappear from record rooms or falsified records are authenticated and given in response to bribes to unscrupulous record room keepers.

In fact, the entire system of land recording and using the same is shot through with scopes for corruption and taking of bribes at every step.

Surveys to determine land ownership are carried out at very long intervals but the final records are not made available promptly. Thus, the results of such surveys carried out soon after the independence of Bangladesh are in some cases yet to be finally published and titles to property declared against the new owners properly from changes of ownership due to sale or inheritance.

For example, the Dhaka City Survey from the land office was carried out more than a decade ago. But its results were finally published only about three years ago. This situation of non publication of survey reports in time provides the opportunity to land office officials to demand for mutation in each case of registration and they make money under the table from providing such dubious mutation certificates that in turn understandably lead to many litigations later on. But all of these scopes for bribery and paving the way for litigations can be avoided from completion of surveys in a reasonable period of time and publication and enforcement of their results at the fastest. Only a digitalized or computerized manner of keeping land records for all categories of users can be the effective solution to many crimes, corruption and troubles faced in this area. But the digitalization process is going on slowly it seems.

Clearly, the outmoded processes need to give way to complete digitalization at the soonest. A comprehensive plan should be prepared for the purpose and funds placed and utilized at an early date for the plan to take off in the full sense of the term. This is really a developmental issue of significance and the country can only go on foot dragging in this vital area by paying a higher and higher price in different ways.

It has been heartening to note that recently government is considering the issue of digitalization of land records all over the country. To this end land records have been digitalized in Dhaka and other major cities. But the system is yet to spread to other towns and rural areas and all over the country. But completing of these tasks clearly needs to be expedited.

—Courtesy Bangladesh Today

Capacitor industry in Pakistan on the brink of catastrophe

T

HUSSAIN AHMAD SHERAZI

here is a general consensus that welfare of people of Pakistan is closely linked with our economic development which in turn is largely based on the pace of industrialization.

The expansion and progress of industries raises national income and state revenues, creates employment opportunities and ameliorates the balance of payments by producing exportable goods and substituting imports. More than 50% of our countrymen are living below the poverty line. According to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet, poverty may even lead to infidelity! It is apparent that the state cannot act an employer for the general public in view of the modern philosophy of the diminishing role of the public sector. In countries like Pakistan, it is only the industrial sector which can provide employments at a large scale thus substituting poverty with all its attending ailments with general affluence and well being. The resultant economic progress will lead to enhanced revenue generation for the state exchequer which can then be used to defray expenses relating to education, health, law and order, defence and infrastructure. In addition, industrialization supports and stimulates development in other sectors of the economy.

In the current colonization strategy, the big powers have abandoned the concept of physical grabbing of territories of weak nations. It is now rather based on capturing their markets by the multinational companies (MNC’S) under the ploy of “Open Competition.” It is evident that the industries in the developing countries facing multifarious problems have no chance of survival in an open competition with MNC’S. The capacitors manufacturing industry has started taking roots in Pakistan during the last few years. Capacitors manufactured in Pakistan conform to international stan-

B

dards, quality and specifications and hence, Pakistan has exported capacitors worth Rs. 414/- million during the last three years to America, Australia and Middle East. However, the demand in the local market has been met only partially due to intense competition from cheap and low quality under invoiced capacitors, mainly imported from China. Unbridled trade liberalization has not only led to de-industrialization but also reduced tax revenue from imports, adversely impacting the fiscal deficit as such imports make no contribution to the national income. Without taking all stake holders on board, SRO 565(I)/ 2014 dated June 26, 2014 has reduced the concessions on imports of raw material and components/sub components by local manufacturers and thus already negligible margin and incentive to produce more has been further eliminated to the extent that the local manufacture of capacitors may as well be thrown out of the market. As part of budget measures for the current years, the concession of custom duty was reduced by 5 percent on components and 5 percent on raw material in terms of SRO 565(I)/ 2006 dated 05-06-2006 as amended by SRO 565(I)/ 2014 dated 26-06-2014. Resultantly cost of production for local capacitors manufacturers has risen by 7 percent, rendering local industry nearly non-competitive against comparatively low value substandard Chinese origin capacitors imported through under invoicing. The chaos of adverse unfair advantage to the commercial importers of capacitors by under valuation is further confounded by reported import of capacitors in transit and smuggling. At present, highest quality manufacturing facility is available in the country which, if discouraged, will be ultimately wiped out of the market. Discontinuation of local production of quality capacitors will not only be a loss to the country but will also

adversely affect energy efficiency in the country.

Major raw materials i.e. metalized BOPP film and epoxy resin (capacitor grade), for production of capacitors, are not manufactured locally. Import of industrial raw materials at the statutory rate of duty and taxes for finished goods is not cost effective. Customs duty and taxes paid during last three years on imports of aforesaid materials are Rs. 498.26/- million and this cost to local manufacturer of capacitor of various imported raw materials (inclusive of duty and taxes) is as under: a) Metalized BOPP film capacitor grade Rs.1228 per kg b) Epoxy resin Rs. 409 per kg While the same raw material imported commercially is cleared on highly under invoiced prices and the cost thereof is calculated as under: a) BOPP film Rs.596 per kg b) Epoxy resin Rs.357/ kg The above comparison clearly puts the local manufacturer at an unbearable comparative disadvantage even in terms of raw material imports.

As regard finished products i.e. capacitors of various specifications imported in the country, mainly from China, the situation is alarming. Chinese capacitors of all types (PCTH 85.32) are being assessed at different exorbitantly undervalued price as low as 1.7 $ (US) per kg, under Valuation Ruling No. 651/ 2014 dated 27-03-2014. Thus the duty paid cost of imported capacitors ridiculously amounts to Rs. 255.04 per kg. The total per kg cost in respect of local manufacturers in the light of cost of raw material and components comes to Rs. 1000 per kg. Total duty and taxes paid on imports of capacitors during the last three years amounts to Rs. 582.35/- million.

The gruesome problems of low tax yield, insufficient funds for infrastructure and energy, unemployment, pover-

ty, illiteracy and resultant extremism, terrorism and political instability have pushed Pakistan to the brink of catastrophe and important panacea to this malaise is growth and promotion of industrialization. It is evident that text book mantras relating to various economic and fiscal policies must be analyzed in the context of ground realities prevailing in the country. This critical issue needs to be resolved by an effective policy of import substitution industrialization. I need not elaborate the problems of load shedding of gas/ electricity, law and order, the country being ranked amongst the ten most dangerous countries and chaos being faced by the people in general and the manufacturing sector in particular. It also appears to us that the dynamics of the capacitors industry were not appreciated at the time of partial withdrawal of already minimal concession of custom duty available to local manufacturers of capacitors. We understand that proper study was not conducted by any government organization on the subject in consultation with the relevant stake holders before taking the afore-said policy shift. Accordingly, following proposals may be considered by the government to save the local capacitor manufacturing industry:a) The concession on raw materials i.e. BOPP Film and Epoxy Resin etc. may be restored as existed before the issuance of SRO 565(I)/ 2014 dated 2606-2014 or, in any case, meagre concessions relating to BOPP Film and Epoxy Resin already available to capacitors manufacturers may not be withdrawn. b) 30% regulatory duty, under section 19 of the Custom Act, 1969 may be imposed on the import of capacitors. c) The menace of gross under-invoicing of imported capacitors may be dealt with through a professional exercise.

How to attack the opposition

KAMRAN REZA CHOWDHURY

NP chief Khaleda Zia’s motorcade for her city polls campaign came under attack by a section of the ruling party front organisations such as Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League, and others, according to media reports.

The common people, who welcomed the government’s city polls card as an escape route for the BNP-led alliance, the party that is largely responsible for the violent petrol-bomb politics which has been going on since January 6, have raised their collective eye brows at the attacks on a three-time premier. The role of the police has once again frustrated the citizenry as they did not take the appropriate measures to foil the attacks which took place in Karwan Bazar.

This near inertial role of the police must stop, and the BNP chief would have been given a chance to launch their electoral campaign, subjected to full compliance with the code of con-

duct. A sense of uneasy calm grips people, who are basically apprehensive of BNP would restarting its hartalblockade-petrol-bomb brand of politics.

The BNP alleged that the attacks were aimed with the motive of killing Khaleda Zia, following some “provocative” comments Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made on her arch foe’s electoral campaign.

Personally, I do not think the attacks were perpetuated to kill Khaleda Zia. The attacks, with or without the AL leadership’s nod, were the acts of some overenthusiastic leaders of the front bodies, no doubt, mainly to please Sheikh Hasina. The attackers will use their photos which appear in the media and social media as leverage in the party rank and file. They would be thankful to the media for making them “netas.”

In case of a change of in government, many of the attackers would switch to the ruling party. In case of arrests, their party would put up posters demanding their release ... a fortune indeed.

A common scenario in Bangladesh, in

every party, be it small or large: Some lower-level leaders instigate rival parties campaigning near their rallies, processions, or offices, either by throwing brickbats or hurling abusive words at the party leaders. Thus, scuffles or acts of vandalism are frequent. The reality is people will always take the side of the victim, not the attacker; and in this particular situation, the people’s sympathy will go to the BNP and Khaleda Zia. It is hard to ascertain whether the AL leadership had instructed its ruffians to attack Khaleda Zia, but it will not be unfair to say that the ruling party wants the BNP chief to go back to its politics of violence, hartals, and blockades.

Khaleda Zia has been campaigning for the mayoral polls as if it is the general election, defying her bad health conditions, to reorganise her party leadership, and also to mend the mistakes she made after January 5 through her non-stop blockade and hartals.

The AL has branded BNP-Jamaat as militant organisations, both home and

abroad, exploiting the sufferings of the victims of petrol bombings and the destruction caused during the blockade-hartal.

AL prefers Khaleda Zia the “jongi netri” to Khaleda Zia the political leader, and BNP’s return to its politics of violence would fetch a good amount of political mileage for the the ruling party, of course, at the cost of the economy and the people’s well-being.

It is easier to tackle a “militant BNP” than a political BNP, since the AL’s popularity has dipped because of general anti-government sentiments.

The AL should let BNP continue its political programs, accepting the reality that BNP are possibly not in any position to dislodge Sheikh Hasina through a mass upsurge. The ballot is the only way forward. It will also help the ruling party to reorganise itself for the next polls, local and national -- the party that led our struggle for independence must not sponsor the petty acts of petty leaders.

— Courtesy Dhaka Tribune

The views expressed by the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper KARACHI Office No 402 4th Floor Alflah Court, I.I. Chundrigar Road. Telephone 03213434158 ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI Office No 14 First floor, Qaisar Plaza, Hathi Chowk, Sadar Rawalpindi. Telephone: 0313-5106612 MULTAN 61 Ali Imran Centre Abdali Road. Telephone: 0300-63773133

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BUSINESS

www.thefrontierpost.pk

TUESDAY

APRIL 28, 2015

‘Farmers must protect cotton from pests’

MULTAN: Agriculture experts have

LahoRe: a worker busy in his work at his workplace in Shadbagh. —Fp photo

SPI weekly inflation eases by 0.07 per cent, says PBS

ISLAMABAD: The weekly inflation for the week ended on April 23 for the lowest income group up to Rs 8,000 witnessed decrease of 0.07 percent as compared to the previous week.

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the week under review in the above mentioned group was recorded at 200.63 points against 200.78 points registered in the previous week, according to data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The weekly SPI has been computed with base 2007-2008=100, covering 17 urban centers and 53 essential items for all income groups and combined.

Meanwhile, the SPI for the combined income group was also decreased by 0.14 percent as it went down from 208.60

Africa's tripartite FTA set for launch in June: SADC

HARARE: The long-awaited tripartite

free trade area (TFTA) between three regional blocs in Africa will be launched on June 10 in Egypt, a senior official of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) said Monday.

SADC executive secretary Stergomena Lawrence Tax told delegates attending a SADC Council of Ministers meeting that the grand TFTA, initially scheduled for launch in June 2014, was now expected to be launched a year later.

"A tripartite FTA is expected to be launched during the 3rd Tripartite Summit to be held in Egypt on June 10, 2015," said Lawrence Tax. The TFTA will bring together three regional groupings, namely SADC, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the East African Community (EAC) to create Africa's largest integrated market so far.

It will benefit 600 million people in 26 African countries, or half of the African Union (AU) members, with a combined domestic product of about 1 trillion US dollars. To deepen regional integration and boost intra-Africa trade, AU heads of state and government in 2012 decided to establish the continental free trade area (CFTA) by 2017.

Lawrence Tax said negotiations on the CFTA will be launched in June 2015, and stressed the need for speedy finalization of the TFTA to enable adequate preparations at both national and regional levels for the forthcoming CFTA. "The negotiations on the CFTA will be launched this coming June 2015, meaning that we will have only two years to complete the negotiations process that is expected to be complex, involving twice the size of the Tripartite membership, with eight AU recognised regional economic communities (RECs) and a negotiation menu that spans across trade in goods, services and trade related issues," she said. –Xinhua

points in the previous week to 208.30 points in the week under review.

As compared to the last week, the SPI for the income groups from Rs 800112,000, Rs 12,001-18,000and 18,00135,000 decreased by 0.11, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.17 percent respectively.

During the week under review average prices of 15 items registered decrease, while that of 11 items increase with the remaining 27 items' prices unchanged.

The items which registered decrease in their prices during the week under review included tomatoes, chicken, potatoes, eggs (farm), LPG cylinder, cooking oil (tin), vegetable ghee (tin), wheat, rice basmati (broken), mustard oil (average quality), red chilly powder (loose), vegetable ghee (loose), pulse masoor

(washed) and sugar.

The items which recorded increase in their average prices included onion, match box, bananas, pulse mash (washed), milk fresh, cooked pulses, cooked beef, garlic, gur, pulse moong (washed) and lawn printed.

The items with no change in their average prices during the week under review included rice irri-6, bread plain, beef, mutton, curd, powdered milk, pulse gram (washed), salt powder (loose), tea, cigarettes, long cloth, shirting, georgette, gents sandal, ladies sandal, gents chappal, electricity charges, kerosene oil, firewood whole, electric bulb, washing soap, petrol, Hi Speed Diesel, telephone local call charges and bathing soap. –APP

advised farmers to ensure cotton crop safety against sucking pests as their intense attack can destroy the silver fibre, almost completely.

Punjab Agriculture department on Monday, communicated that Thrips usually attack the crop with the commencement of germination of plants and its females lay eggs on soft leaf and branches, while adults and pupae suck its juice, leaving lower part of leaf silver- like white. The leaf of small cotton plants become curvy like bowls.

Experts said farmers should perform hoeing by some hand driven tool or plough so that eggs laid inside soil get hatched and pupae are killed. Light irrigation be done and affected plants be trimmed and unnecessary plants be removed, it was added.

Mites also attack the crop but usually remain unnoticed at initial stage due to their tiny size.

Their intense attack can destroy the crop. Cotton plant leaf attacked by mites become smaller in size, and get hard.

Crop need special care in case of mites' attack and farmers should bury affected plants and leaf.

Adult and Pupae of White fly, that carry Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCV), suck juice from cotton crop leaving plants weaker and stops growth.

White fly leave a sticking material that triggers black fungus growth on leaves and affects the photosynthesis process that cripples plants' capability to make food.

To tackle white fly, farmers should perform pest scouting regularly, keep the field free from weeds, and destroy affected plants carefully during the process of trimming.

Farmers should consult agriculture officials in case the pest infestation goes beyond the economic threshold level (ETL), the release concluded. –APP

B3

Taskforce soon to facilitate foreign investors: Dar

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar here Monday said the government has decided to form a task force for facilitating foreign investors in meeting all requirements to set up an industry or start a business besides ensuring their security.

He said Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) government gives great importance to foreign direct investment (FDI) and offers equal facilities to local and foreign investors.

"All economic sectors are open to foreign investors," the Minister said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of completion of Yamaha Motor Pakistan (Private) Limited's motorcycle assembly plant at Port Qasim Industrial Zone.

Federal Minister for Privatisation Muhammad Zubair Khan, State Minister/ Advisor to the Prime Minister on Investment and Chairman, Board of Investment, Dr Miftah Ismail, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Ashraf Mehmood Wathra, Chairman, Karachi Stock Exchange, Muneer Kamal, Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Hiroshi Inomata, President of Yamaha Motor Company Limited, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Pakistan (Private) Limited (YMPK), Yasushi Ito were also present. Federal Finance Minister said Yamaha Motor Company Limited, operating in Pakistan since 1975 with a local partner, had wound up from Pakistan in 2008.

But, he continued, with effective pursuance and by introducing an attractive policy for auto industry, the present government succeeded in convincing the management of Yamaha Motor Company Limited to restart the company's operations in Pakistan.

In 2013, the company re-stablished its base independently here and formed Yamaha Motor Pakistan (Private) with

100 percent equity, which led to launch of this new assembling factory.

He said that in future YMPK will enhance its facility to manufacture engines of motorcycles and will focus to increase the share of local manufacturing instead of confining to assembly of parts.

It will provide 4500 jobs besides bringing a big foreign direct investment, transfer of technology and strengthening Pakistan's auto market. The auto industry enjoys importance in the economy as it has a number of allied industries, he said. He said there is a big potential for Pakistan and Japan to work together in various sectors for their mutual benefits.

He quoted JETRO declaring Pakistan as one the attractive places for foreign investment; offering many potential and highly profitable avenues. Pakistan is cost competitive country with a strong base of workforce as 60 percent of its population is below 30 years. Pakistan has also a strong middle class of 100 million people, he said.

Dar informed that Pakistan government has focused on ease of doing business. We are also going to simplify policies/framework of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are the engine of an economy.

He, on behalf of the Prime Minister, congratulated Yamaha Motor Limited and Yamaha Motor Pakistan (Private) for successful commissioning of the motorcycle assembly plant. Recounting the achievements of the present government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Finance Minister said the economy has been turned around in last 20 months and now it is very much stable.

He hoped that it will witness fast growth in future and expressed his government's commitment to achieve more than seven percent GDP growth before completing its tenure in 2018. —APP

Relief to farmers in next budget ‘Pluck mangoes on time

LAHORE: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan has said that government is planning to provide maximum relief to farmers in the next budget.

He said this while delivering a speech as chief guest at the launching ceremony of Urea-Z, a California based fertilizer company, at a local hotel on Monday.

The minister said that more than 65 percent population and 45 percent labour in Pakistan was attached with agriculture sector which shares 22 percent to GDP but over production of rice and other issues in international market have worsened the situation in the country.

He said that government was making

all out efforts for low cost production and to make this sector suitable for small farmers as well who are being exploited by the dealers. Bosan said that agriculture have become a provincial subject after the 18th Amendment and provincial governments should provide maximum relief to the farmers by making agriculture friendly policies.

He added that government was working on every possible option to increase the productivity of different crops considering the agriculture a top priority.

Speaking on the occasion CEO Niha Tech Pvt Ltd, Dr Nadeem Tariq informed the seminar about the newly launched fertilizer. Separately, PASSCO has set up 14 centres for buying wheat in Khanpur

with a target to procure 0.4 million bags of wheat from the growers at the rate of Rs 1300 per maund.

Talking to reporters, PASSCO Deputy General Manager Rao Mohammed Akram said that in case of any complaint, farmers must contact purchase inspector or his deputy at the wheat centres.

Bags for carrying wheat were being provided,he added.

He said the government was making all out efforts to ensure transparency in the wheat procurement process at all levels. Wheat buying centres have been set up in Sehja, Fatehpur Kamal, Mochiwala, Nawankot,70/A, Bhagho Bahar, Mari Allah Bachaya and some others areas. –APP

for bumper produce’

MULTAN: Mango Research Centre Director Abdul Ghaffar Gareval has stressed upon timely plucking of mangoes, saying the practice is vital for health cum productivity of the plant.

Talking to small mango growers at Nawabpur on Monday, the director of mango research centre recommended fertilizers application to orchards after plucking of fruits.

He said systematic application of fertilizers helped in maintaining health of the plants.

About fruit fly attack prevention, he advised the growers to install traps of

methyl eugenol solution, adding that rotten fruits must be buried as early as possible.

The labourers should also take care of neatness during their work in orchards as sometimes the workers caused diseases to spread from one plant to the other.

"Regular inspection of the orchards is also necessary to contain fruit flies", Abdul Ghaffar stated, adding," If they note 25 fruit flies in one-box of methyl eugenol solution then the growers should enhance number of traps laid in the orchards". –APP

Around 170,000 workers plan to rally on May Day

JAKARTA: Around 170,000 workers

plan to stage rally in Jakarta on May Day to express their demand to the government, the labor confederation said here on Monday.

Andi Gani Nena Wea, president of labor confederation across Indonesia said that more than one million others would also took to the street in the cities out of Jakarta.

In Jakarta, the labors would stage rally outside the State Palace and the National Sport Stadium, said Andi.

"As many as 170,000 labors will take to the streets in Jakarta and millions outside Jakarta," he said at national police headquarters after the meeting with police chief.

Andi said that the workers would avoid violence during the rally and keep it peaceful.

"We guarantee that May Day will be

peaceful. It is the momentum to improve welfare. It is not necessary to be cautioned", he added.

Among the issues to be raised are pay hike, pension, and diminishing of outsourcing system, according to him.

On the same occasion, Police chief Commissioner General Badrodin Haiti stressed that the police would take a stern action should labors engage in violence or blocking toll roads.

He asked the workers to keep their commitment to keep the rally peaceful, avoid violence and not to blockade the toll roads.

Pay hike, improvement of welfare and diminishing outsourcing system are among the main demands echoed by labors every year in May Day acLahoRe: a painter sitting alonside boudary wall of a park preparing numberplate of a motorcycle at Mari Shah. —Fp photo tivities in Indonesia. –Xinhua

Saudi Arabia largest Islamic banking market in world

ISLAMABAD: The

Islamic banking industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is set to achieve $683 billion of Shariah-compliant assets by 2019, according to Ernst and Young(EY) World Islamic Banking Competitiveness report.

KSA has been a key market for growth in the Islamic banking industry.

The first Islamic bank with equity in excess of $10 billion is headquartered in KSA, Saudi Gazette reported.

A strong demand from customers, both retail and corporate, has led to significant growth in Islamic banking in KSA resulting in 54% of all financing being Shariah-compliant in 2013.

Overall, the size of Islamic banking assets in KSA has nearly doubled from 2009-2013.

Ashar Nazim, Global Islamic Finance Leader at EY, said: "The Islamic banking industry is preparing to go mainstream globally.

KSA is the largest Islamic banking market in the world, representing 31.7% of the global market share.

The country has been a pioneer in the Islamic banking industry and we expect it to continue being a driving market for the industry, as Malaysia, Turkey and Indonesia also establish themselves as populous Islamic banking centers."

Branch experience got the highest in terms of customer satisfaction, the EY report noted. –APP

China becomes biggest investor in Germany

BERLIN: China became the biggest

investing country in Germany in 2014 with a record number of investment projects, an official report showed on Monday.

In last year, China invested in 190 greenfield projects in Europe's biggest economy, outpacing the United States and Switzerland which ranked the second and third with 168 and 130 projects respectively, said Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Germany's official economic promotion agency.

Compared with the previous year, the number of greenfield projects from China increased by 37 percent in 2014.

"China is a very important investment source country for Germany," said Achim Hartig, the investment chief of GTAI, "More and more Chinese companies plan to expand their European market by investing in Germany and to strengthen the influence of their brands." Investment from China supported German economy and its labor market. –Xinhua

B4

BRIEF Attackers shoot 2 dead, injure one QUETTA: At least two people were killed and one sustained injuries by firing of unidentified armed assailants in Satellite area of Quetta, on Monday.

According to details, unidentified armed men opened fire on a bus en-route to Taftan, claiming the lives of Ghulam Bani and Jan Muhammad whereas the assailants managed to escape from the scene. The dead bodies and injured were shifted to civil hospital. Heavy contingent of police and Frontier Corps (FC) cordoned off the area and initiated interrogation. –FP Monitoring

Police arrests 12 suspects in Karachi KARACHI: Police arrested at

least 12 suspects during search operation in Baharabad area of Karachi, on Monday. According to details, heavy contingent of police on a tip off conducted a search operation and cordoned off the area. Police searched specific houses and arrested 12 suspects including members of banned organisation. –FP Monitoring

Tapedar suspended for tampering with land records OUR CORRESPONDENT LARKANA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Javed Ali Jagirani suspended the Tapedar of Taluka Ratodero on tempering official land records on Monday. DC Larkana Javed Ali Jagirani on public complaints for tempering filed book by turning fertile land into barren land suspended Tapedar Riaz Zangejo and ordered an official inquiry against him. Later the DC accompanied by concerned officials paid visit to different public parks including Zulifqar Bagh and Bakhtawar Parak where he reviewed several development schemes and ordered the concerned department to ensure the quality and completion of development schemes in stipulated time.

Arial firing injures 3 WAHEED PHULPOTO SHIKARPUR: Three men got injured on Monday in aerial firing during a marriage ceremony at Dhak Mohalla in Khanpur located 25 kilometers from Shikarpur. Three men, identified as Muhammad Yameen of 30, Muhammad Kessar Abbass of 21 and Mudassar Ahmed of 25, all residents of district Mandi Bahauddin were shifted to District Headquarter (DHQ) Hospital Shikarpur after first aid treatment from Taluka Headquarter (THQ) Hospital Khanpur.

FATA/SINDH/BALOCHISTAN

TUESDAY

APRIL 28, 2015

BISP chairperson inaugurates biometric disbursement centre IMTIAZ GORAR LARKANA: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) MNA Marvi Memon on Monday inaugurated the biometric disbursement centre at regional BISP office Larkana aimed to ensure the fair distribution of stipend among the beneficiaries of BISP. Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson BISP Marvi Memon said, “On the orders of Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, I have come to Larkana to mitigate the problems of poor women and to launch the first ever biometric system for disbursement of BISP stipend under Pilot project. Such system would be established in other provinces of the country as well.”

She said that efforts are underway to increase number of beneficiaries up to 5 million by next year. In this regard, a survey is in progress throughout country to include more deserving women. “I feel pain when the middle men get commission from poor women and security guards at BISP centres particularly in Larkana,” she added.

She said the present systems have failed to incorporate the profile of our beneficiaries who are extremely poor and have low education to fully understand the payment mechanisms.

After listening to the complaints of women, MNA Marvi Memon ordered the BISP officials to deal with middle men who exploit the uneducated poor beneficiaries during the withdrawal process.

The MNA said that we have introduced the BISP committees involving the beneficiaries to lead the committees and ad-

dress their issues on platforms. “It is the vision of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to make BISP pride of Pakistan by improving its delivery services and empowering women,” she said.

Memon apprised that BISP management has formulated the mechanism to put an end to middleman culture and to dignify the lives of its women benefici-

aries. “BISP has activated its hotline number 080026477 so that the women beneficiaries may directly approach BISP headquarters to convey their concerns and problems, she informed.

Talking about the China investment in Pakistan, she said that it is a milestone project in Pakistan’s history and would bring the development and prosperity for

Sindh Assembly under serious terror threat: Durrani KARACHI: Speaker Sindh assembly

Agha Siraj Durrani has said on Monday that the assembly building has serious terror threats about which Director General (DG) Rangers and Inspector General (IG) Sindh have been informed.

According to details, prayers were held for social activist Sabeen Mahmud at the start of the session.

Members of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-

Insaaf (PTI) went through a slight argument when PTI’s Khurram Sher Zaman requested to pray for his party workers who sustained injuries during NA-246 by-poll.

MQM’s Muhammad Hussain said that the assembly cannot pray for unidentified injured people.

Another member of MQM Khawaja Izhar-ul –Hassan said that his party has won NA-246 elections and he want to talk about this in the assembly.

The speaker replied that he will be allowed to speak but after some time as the session will go on for a long time.

Agha Siraj Durrani also said that Sindh assembly has threats of terrorism about which DG Rangers and IG Sindh have been informed and have assured fool-proof security to the assembly.

On this occasion, opposition leader Sheryar Mehr also demanded security from the assembly. –FP Monitoring

Six of a family injured in Kyber Agency hailstorm AHMAD NABI LANDIKOTAL: Six tribesmen of the

same family got injured in a road mishap when the area was hit by a hailstorm, destructing houses and cultivation fields in different parts of tehsil Landikotal of Kyber Agency, on Monday.

A tribesman, Mohammad Ayub along with his five relatives was on way to home in Khuga Khel from Torkham when their vehicle plunged into a ravine due to heavy rain, injuring all onboard. They were rushed to the Landikotal hospital for medical aid from where four of them were referred to Peshawar hospital due to their pre-

carious conditions.

Meanwhile, numbers of fields were washed away by heavy flood in Sheen Pokh, Sheenaily and Loy-shelman. The affected Niamatullah, Hakim Jan, Mir Azam and Samar Din lamented that heavy rainfall spell has washed away their corps and vegetables fields. Scores of house roofs were also destroyed in the storm.

all provinces, adding that Pak-China wind power project in Jhampir will open the corridor of development in Sindh.

She praised the present PML-N government and said that due to policies of Prime Minister, national economy grew up and poverty rate came down after the historic step of PML- N gov-

ernment by reducing POL prices in country.

Provincial Focal person for BISP Sindh, President PML N Youth Windh Sindh Raja Khaleeq-uz-Zaman Ansari, DG Sindh BISP Zafarullah, Director BISP Larkana Zulifqar Ali Abro and District Focal person Ashiq Kalhoro were present on the ocassion.

Supporters of Dr Mirza vow to hold rally on 30th

BADIN: The supporters of former home

minister Sindh, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza decided in a meeting held at united hotel on Sunday evening to hold a massive rally on April 30 in the favor of their leader in Badin.

The meeting was attended by locals and PPP workers of Badin including youth wing, cultural wing, labor union and others parent organizations.

On the occasion, workers and office bearers decried the false propaganda against the Dr Mirza, baseless criticism and police security withdrawn from Mirza family properties. The supporters

of Dr Mirza decided to hold a rally in the favor of their leader on April 30, 2015 from Allah Wala Chowk to Qazia Mori.

The Ijlas was attended by Ex-Nazims including Mir Hassan Panwhar, Advocate Essa Mallah, Riaz Tahirani, Advocate Nazir Lund, former Secretary General PPP Youth Wing, Tanveer Ahmed Arain, Wahid Bux Chandio, Hanif Sehrat, Aashiq Khuwaja, Nadeem Mugal, Wazir Ali Khaskheli, Dlibar Khuwaja and Peroz Shahani. They said that Dr Zulfiqar Mirza is brave, truthful and a sincere man. They vowed to join his hand on every turns of the situation. –DNA

PPP declares Mirza thankless

KARACHI: The senior leadership of

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in a press conference on Monday declared Zulfiqar Mirza is such a thankless person that he besides thanking the party is trying to eat one. During the Press conference, the party representative Imdad Pitafi said that Zulfiqar Mirza should ask his son and wife to resign from the Assembly seat. He said that

Mirza is just a mere worker in the party who is working on a salary of Rs 5000 per month. PPP leader said that Mirza showed his cheapness while blaming the former President of Pakistan. “Asif Zardari provided him with so many opportunities but instead of thankful he is acting like a big python that eats his well-wisher,” he added. – FP Monitoring

Jeay Bhutto still the loudest in loyal Lyari KARACHI: It was ‘Jeay Bhutto’ all

along at the much talked about Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Kakri Ground jalsa on Sunday evening.

As the time for the jalsa approached,

the Jiyalas in buses, cars and motorbikes roaming the city’s main roads in loops throughout the day finally made their way into the historic ground.

Occasionally they stopped to get off

and join in the festivities on the road where the old and young danced to popular PPP music amid cheers and applause. Due to security measures, the roads leading to the ground were

closed for vehicles but no one had any problem walking two or three kilometres through the narrow winding lanes of Lyari, cleaned after a long time.

“It’s always been like this for PPP. No one has to be coerced to attend a PPP jalsa. Hoards arrive voluntarily,” pointed out Nazeer Baloch, an old resident of Lyari.

Gesturing towards the thousands of police personnel and the people going through rows of metal detectors, allowing themselves to be searched, too, again and again at the various security stops, he said that many didn’t belong to the area. “So many have come down from Thatta while the others are from Malir and other areas of Karachi but that’s fine. Lyari welcomes all. PPP works for all the people so all the people are here for it.

Unfortunately, Kakri ground is rather small to accommodate everyone. But it is a significant and memorable place. I still remember Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s jalsas. I also remember our Bibi’s wedding here,” he said before becoming quiet.

Meanwhile, speeches from the

ground could be heard clearly even from Lea Market thanks to the loudspeakers put up just about everywhere. The people were reminded that no party other than the PPP cared and worked for Lyari. Giving them a hospital, degree college and university, etc., PPP has never disappointed. And the folk walking towards the ground were nodding to that.

“It’s true. PPP has done a lot for us,” another elderly resident, Qadir Baloch, agreed.

“But now things have changed. Look at the amount of security here. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his daughter never allowed security to come between themselves and their people. Our current PPP MNA and MPAs are also all wrong for us. Gang wars have resulted in the deaths of our children. We want peace in Lyari but the MNA and MPAs are not interested in working for peace here. Despite this Lyari is loyal to PPP. Lyari knows sacrifice just as the party knows sacrifice, just as the Bhutto family has offered sacrifices. We also have a big heart. We don’t blame Zardari, who isn’t really aware of the

ground realities. We blame his ministers,” said Qadir Baloch.

“The PPP truly cares for us minorities,” said Iqbal Bhatti, who had come to Lyari from Nazimabad with his people waving the PPP flag. “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari became our hero when he said that Pakistan should have a prime minister from the minorities. I have never heard any other party member or leader say anything of the sort. PPP is the peoples’ party. It stands for democracy and equal rights for all. The party ideology has not changed even though Bhutto himself and most of his family are gone,” he concluded.

On the loudspeaker, it was being said how General Ziaul Haq thought he could crush the PPP by hanging Bhutto but the party’s beliefs and ideology have kept it together and strong. With the ground packed to capacity, the people sat on footpaths and roads to listen to what PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Vice President Sherry Rehman and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had to tell them. And no one left till they had finished. –FP Monitoring

TUESDAY

www.thefrontierpost.pk

APRIL 28, 2015

BRIEF JWP chief Talal Bugti passes away ISLAMABAD: Talal Akbar Bugti, the

head of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), passed away in Quetta after protracted illness. He was 63, a private news channel reported. Talal Akbar Bugti was son of veteran Baloch politician Nawab Akber Bugti. Reports said the JWP chief was under treatment at CMH Quetta where he died last night. —FP Monitoring

Kerry, Iran's Zarif to meet at UN anti-nuclear arms conference UNITED NATIONS: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will meet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the opening of a UN conference on the global anti-nuclear weapons treaty on Monday, as they try to make progress in talks on a long-term atomic deal. Iran's top diplomat will be the first state party to the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to address its 190 signatories at the UN headquarters in New York on behalf of 118 non-aligned nations that have signed the NPT, the world's benchmark disarmament pact. –FP Monitoring

Sudan’s President Bashir wins again KHARTOUM: Sudanese President

Omar Hassan al-Bashir won 94.05 percent of the vote in the country's election, which was held earlier this month, the election committee announced on Monday. With a boycott from the main opposition parties in a country ruled by Bashir for more than a quarter of a century, the 71-year-old Bashir looks set to tighten his grip. —FP Monitoring

ECP de-notifies Ijaz Chaudhry as MNA

Saudi-led strikes kill 12 Houthi rebels in Yemen

ADEN: Saudi-led warplanes hit antigovernment forces in south Yemen Monday, killing at least 12 Houthi insurgents and allied forces as fighting continued across several provinces, military and local sources said.

Coalition aircraft pounded five schools converted by rebels into military bases in Ataq, the capital of Abyan province, military sources said.

The raids killed at least 12 Houthi rebels and troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has allied himself with the northern insurgents against the government of President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi, the sources said.

Read more: Yemen’s ex-president urges allies to implement UN decisions Also in Abyan, warplanes targeted rebel positions on the outskirts of Loder, the province's second largest city, witnesses said.

Clashes were ongoing southwest of Loder between rebels and southern forces that have sided with Hadi, they added.

Fierce fighting also raged in the central city of Taez, with the warring parties using tanks and rocket-propelled grenades inside residential areas, local officials said.

Medics said at least 16 civilians were killed in Taez on Sunday. Coalition warplanes meanwhile hit rebel positions east of Taez overnight, witnesses said.

The United Nations says more than 1,000 people have been killed in fighting in Yemen since late March, when Saudi Arabia assembled an Arab coalition in support of Hadi.

Read more: Clashes, air strikes leave over 90 dead in southern Yemen The embattled leader asked for Gulf intervention after the rebels closed in peShawaR: Soldiers on Monday remove belongings from a house after it was damaged by heavy rain and strong on his refuge in the southern port city winds. at least 44 people were killed and 150 were injured in separate rain-related accidents on Sunday. —Xinhua of Aden after they had overrun several provinces since September, including the capital.

He has since fled to Saudi Arabia. Air strikes have continued despite a coalition announcement last week of an end to its air campaign dubbed “Operation Decisive Storm”. —FP Monitoring ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday underscored the need for greater coordination among the civil armed forces, intelligence and security agencies in order to overcome the security challenges faced by the country.

He also called upon civil armed forces against the kingdom, following its air to chalk out a comprehensive framework strikes in Yemen. "Today, treacherous so as to meet the present as well as future Saudi Arabia is stepping in the footsteps challenges keeping in view their responof Israel and the Zionists. This wasn't the sibilities that are bound to multiply man- Sindh Maj General Bilal Akhter, DG butions towards the country's security.

He paid glowing tribute to those case in the past and right now the Islamic ifolds in ensuring internal as well as ex- Coast Guards Brig Shehzad Akhter, DGrevolution's opponents are becoming ternal security of the country. This he said Scouts Gilgit-Baltistan Brig Farooq Azam sons of the soil from civil armed clearer," the official IRNA news agency during a meeting with the heads of civil and DG Civil Defence besides, senior of- forces that had made ultimate sacrifices in line of duty and were the real quoted him as saying. armed forces here at the Interior Ministry. ficials of Interior Ministry.

A Saudi-led coalition of Sunni Arab At the outset of the meeting, the minister heroes of the nation.

Those who were present during the Pakistan, he said, was indebted to states launched air strikes in Yemen on meeting included among others DG while appreciating role of the civil armed March 26 against Shiite Huthi rebels, ANF Major General Khawar Hanif, DG- forces, both for the maintenance of in- them for their immense sacrifices and which Riyadh accuses Tehran of arming. Rangers Punjab Major General Omar Fa- ternal security as well as assisting the "we owe it to them to not only carry forThe Huthis, who have overrun large rooq, IG-FC Balochistan Major Gener- armed forces in ensuring external security, ward their legacy but also to respect parts of Yemen prompting President al Sher Afgun, IG-FC KPK Major Gen- observed that the forces were playing a their memories and take care of their Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee to eral M. Tayyab Azam, DG-Rangers critical role and making valuable contri- kith and kin." —FP Monitoring Riyadh, have demanded an end to the air war as a condition for resuming UNsponsored peace talks. —FP Monitoring

Nisar urges coordination among civil armed forces, intelligence agencies

Iran Guards chief accuses Saudis of ‘treachery’ in Yemen

TEHRAN: The commander of Iran's

powerful Revolutionary Guards accused Saudi Arabia of treachery Monday, saying the bombing of Yemen had put the kingdom in the same camp as arch foe Israel.

The remarks, by General Mohammad Ali Jafari, are a further sign of deteriorating relations between Tehran and Riyadh, after recent heavy criticism by Iran's supreme leader and other top officials.

As the Middle East's foremost Sunni and Shiite powers, Saudi Arabia and Iran are increasingly seen as vying for supremacy in the region, which remains beset by conflict and political turmoil.

Jafari urged Iranian officials to put aside past considerations and speak out

What was PTI doing for months if rigging proof was in ballot boxes, asks Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of

Pakistan on Monday de-notified Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry as member National Assembly from NA-108 Mandi Bahauddin-I. The Commission has de-notified Ijaz Chaudhry as MNA with immediate effect in pursuance of decision of Supreme Court in civil appeal Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry vs Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar and others. —FP Monitoring

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Informa-

PM approves package for KP LONDON: While extending condolences on the loss to life and property due to torrential rains in Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday approved a package of Rs. 500,000 for the family of each deceased person and Rs. 50,000 for each injured person. —FP Monitoring

Militants overrun Syrian military base near Idlib DAMASCUS: Armed extremist

groups captured a Syrian military base in the northwestern province of Idlib early Monday, after staging multiple suicide bombings in the vicinity of the base, local media reported. The capture of Qarmid Camp came after "violent" attacks spearheaded by al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front overnight until Monday morning, the pro-government Sham FM radio said. Syrian government forces have withdrawn to the nearby bases in Mastumeh and Ariha, two of the few remaining towns in the hand of government forces since the al-Qaida-linked groups captured the provincial capital of Idlib. —FP Monitoring

RawaLpinDi: Royal Jordanian air force Commander Major general Mansour Salim aljobour, meets Chief of army Staff general Raheel Sharif at general headquarters on Monday. —Dna

Dozens of Iraqi policemen killed in fierce clashes in Ramadi

BAGHDAD: A week of heavy fighting

between security forces and the Islamic State jihadist group in the Ramadi area of Anbar province killed 30 police, a top officer said on Monday.

"The city of Ramadi witnessed heavy confrontations and fighting last week between security forces" and IS, Anbar police chief Staff Major General Kadhim alFahdawi said, putting the toll at 30 police killed and 100 wounded.

Parts of the capital of Anbar province have been out of government control since early 2014, and IS seized more territory in the Ramadi area this month.

Major attacks also hit other areas of Anbar last week, including three suicide bombings claimed by IS targeting the Iraqi side of the tribal border crossing with Jordan on Saturday that officials said killed seven people.

And 13 soldiers, among them two senior officers, were killed in a bombing

and clashes east of Ramadi on Friday, Defence Minister Khalid al-Obeidi said.

Obeidi on Sunday rejected reports that more than 100 soldiers were killed in the violence, which was originally said to have taken place in the Nadhim al-Tharthar area, but which he said was actually 30 kilometres (18 miles) to the south.

Rumours of the massive death toll sparked calls for a demonstration in Baghdad and for Obeidi to be questioned by parliament or resign.

Iraqi security forces control pockets of territory in Anbar, a vast desert province that stretches from the borders with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to the western approaches to Baghdad.

But much of the province is held

by IS, which spearheaded an offensive last June that overran swathes of territory north and west of Baghdad. —FP Monitoring

tion, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Monday said if the proofs of rigging general election 2013 were in ballot boxes, then what Imran Khan and his party had been doing to collect evidence for last several months.

The minister, in a statement, said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan had to eat humble pie when the ballot boxes of NA-122 constituency were opened, as the votes tally of winning candidate Sardar Ayaz Sadiq of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz increased further.

Imran Khan, he said, sometimes claimed that the proofs of rigging were in ballot boxes and sometimes he said the same were in his possession. How long would he try to befool the masses? he asked.

The minister also questioned as to how the PTI chief secured 7 million votes in general election 2013 if the same were rigged.

Imran, he added, had lost trust of the people and damaged his public image due to lies he had been continuously telling the nation.

He questioned as to what Imran Khan was doing in Islamabad while the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were suffering from rains. The people, he said, were being killed by torrential rains but KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak was nowhere to be found monitoring the rescue operation. —FP Monitoring

International aid pours into quake-stricken Nepal

KATHMANDU: International efforts to

bring more aid to Nepal are being increased, as the death toll from Saturday's massive earthquake reached 3,726.

More than 6,500 were injured and thousands are living in tents after their homes were destroyed. Dozens of people are also reported to have been killed in neighbouring China and India.

At least 200 climbers have now been rescued around Mount Everest, after the quake triggered avalanches.

Vast tent cities have sprung up in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, for those displaced or afraid to return to their

homes. Thousands spent Sunday night - their second night - outside.

There are shortages of water, food and electricity, while disease is also a concern.

"We urge foreign countries to give us special relief materials and medical teams," Nepal's government Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudel said.

China and India have sent emergency teams, along with Pakistan, which said it was dispatching four C130 transport planes carrying a 30-bed hospital. Other countries, including Britain, Australia and New Zealand are also contributing. However, congestion at Kathamandu's airport has caused delays,

with Indian TV reporting that an Indian relief flight was forced to turn back.

United Nations World Food Programme spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs told AFP that the agency planned "a large, massive operation". Officials have warned that the number of casualties could rise as rescue teams reach remote mountainous areas of western Nepal.

Many communities, especially those close to mountainsides, are believed to have suffered significant quake damage.

"Villages like this are routinely affected by landslides, and it's not uncommon for entire villages of 200, 300, up to 1,000 people to be completely buried by

rock falls," said Matt Darvas, spokesman for aid agency World Vision.

A man evacuated by helicopter to Pokhara, 200km from Kathmandu, said almost every home in his village of more than 1,000 houses had been destroyed, Mr Darvas told the BBC. In Dhading district, 80km west of Kathmandu, people were camped in the open, the hospital was overflowing, the power was off and shops were closed, Reuter’s news agency reported. A senior official in Gorkha district, the location of the earthquake's epicenter, told AP he had heard reports of 70% of houses being destroyed. —FP Monitoring

2 killed as pilgrims’ bus attacked in Quetta

QUETTA: At least two Hazara men were

killed and another wounded after unknown assailants opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims near the Chandni Chowk area in Quetta's Satellite Town on Monday.

The bus, carrying pilgrims belonging to the Shia Hazara community, was travelling from Quetta to Taftan, a town on the border of Iran.

A large number of security and rescue personnel reached the spot, which is situated in the outskirts of the provincial capital city of Balochistan province.

Rescue workers shifted the victims to the Civil Hospital Quetta for treatment.

The armed men managed to escape from the site where similar attacks have

been carried out against pilgrims in the past as well. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He directed authorities to provide best medical treatment to the injured.

The premier also sought a report into the attack and instructed for the immediate arrest of the culprits. He reiterated government's resolve in eradicating the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country.

Balochistan has been under the grip of violence for more than a decade.

Scores of people have lost their lives in attacks related to Baloch separatists and recent sectarian suicide bombings and targeted killings. —FP Monitoring

JC issues questionnaire to political parties OUR CORRESPONDENT ISLAMABAD: The Judicial Commission (JC) constituted to probe rigging in the 2013 general elections on Monday presented a questionnaire to political parties asking them to submit responses by April 29. According to the details, the JC held a meeting the other day as after different parliamentary parties’ submitted records and key documents. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan also participated in the meeting. The JC also urged the political parties to cooperate in the matter. Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk said the terms and conditions for the commission were clear but replies of most political parties were not in accordance with the terms of references.

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