The Spokesman

SNEAK PEEKstudents facingneglect at FBise

The students turningtowards the head oRce ofthe Federal Board ofIntermediate andSecondary Education aresuSering due to

irresponsible behaviour of theadministration; however the ‘agents’ areactive on the other hand to ‘assist’ the thesehelpless students for money.

Page 02

PPP again fails to bring isi under parliament

The upper house of theparliament on Wednesdaypassed a bill (NationalCounter-TerrorismAuthority Act, 2013) toensure supremacy of

intelligence agencies over the prime minister.The Clause 6, Sub-Clause 3 of the billdescribes that the presence of directorgenerals of various intelligence agencies,including ISI, MI and IB, will be mandatoryin all meetings of the NACTA Board ofGovernors would be headed while takingdecision on any policy issue.

Page 04

soldier stonedto death in kurram

A soldier has been stonedto death over allegationsof an aSair with ateenage girl in KurramAgency, located in theFederally Administered

Tribal Areas. In Parachinar, a tribal jirgaordered the sentence on Anwar-ud-Din,who was about 25 years old, for having‘illicit’ relations with a local girl.

Page 05

PTA takes note ofconsumers’ fleecing

The PakistanTelecommunicationAuthority (PTA) hastaken serious notice ofillegal heavy fleecing ofthe consumers with

additional Inland Housing Clearance(IHC) tax by 14 long distance international(LDI) operators over incominginternational calls to Pakistan.

Page 09

khar most glamorouswoman politician in world

Foreign Minister HinaRabbani Khar topped thelist of most gorgeouswomen politicians in theworld, a survey conductedby India Today said. Khar

is famous for wearing attractive andfashionable outfits. Her handbags anddresses remains the focus of the mediaduring her foreign trips.

Page 10

Jarvis strikes give boost toZimbabwe against windies

Two wickets from KyleJarvis gave Zimbabwe aboost on a tough openingday in the first Test sawthem all out for 211 beforerestricting the West

Indies to 18 for two at stumps here at theKensington Oval. Despite a battling topscore of 50 from opening batsman TinoMawoyo, none of the other Zimbabwebatsmen managed an innings of note tojustify their captain's surprising decision tobat first on winning the toss.

Page 11

ThursdAy March 14, 2013 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 01, 1434 i islamabad/rawalpindi i Vol, V, no. 329 i www.thespokesman.pk Pages 12 i Price 10/-

TTOODDAAYY’’SS WWEEAATTHHEERR

ShowersHIGH: 21 LOW: 11

PG I 07

PIPEREALITYOR PIPEDREAM?–M.S. KARIM

PG I 06

WILL INDIA FINALLYSEE THE LIGHT?–SOHAIL PARWAZ

cMyk

SALMAN ABBAS

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Prime Minister RajaPervaiz Ashraf has made it a point inthe dying throes of his governmentnowadays to draw media attentionand to add plaques to his name byinaugurating several projects,whether they match his stature aschief executive of the country or not,the apparent reason for which is thatthere are just three days left for hispremiership. This fact became evident on

Wednesday when Raja reached LakeView Park to inaugurate an aviary,a

project probably of least importancecompared to other costly ones.The aviary has been made by the

Capital Development Authority(CDA) for around Rs80 million andstocked with 1200 diSerent species ofbirds. Although Rs80 million mightbe big money, it is rare for the PM toinaugurate projects of less thanbillions. Raja's predecessor Yousuf Raza

Gilani, however, inaugurated multi-billion projects of CapitalDevelopment Authority (CDA) likeZero Point Interchange, MargallaAvenue and Kashmir Highway, etc.

And the projects of less worth weremostly inaugurated by local PPPleaders like Faisal Sakhi Butt whoconsidered it an honor to be chiefguestat occasions.“Raja sahib wants to feel proud of

his legacy,” commented aparticipantat the inauguration. Apolitical figure of the capital, whowished to remain unnamed, said thatit was an addiction with everypolitical personality to see plaqueswith his name at various places,anego booster and one of the majortools to pretend that a lot of work wasdone by him or her.

However, some participantspraised Raja for his interest inrecreational facilities for citizens andsome criticized him for inauguratingsuch projects instead of doingsomething concrete like ensuringtransport facilities for recreationalspots. CDA Chairman Syed Tahir

Shahbaz said on the occasion that 65ofall the species of birds there werespecial. They would have theirnatural habitat, but in cages spreadover 3.8 acres. He said that specialarrangements had been made fortheir care, such as a small dispensary

and a first aid post round the clock.He said CDA also had a souvenir petshop at the aviary.

Preening for posterity, Raja does the rounds

TAHIR NIAZ

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The governmentWednesday went more than generousas it accepted more than a dozenamendments moved by the oppositionlawmakers without finding fault withthem, as the House passed “The Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Bill,2013 before the lawmakers going to thefarewell lunch hosted by the Speaker inhonour of the outgoing members.Though Opposition Leader Ch Nisar

Ali Khan criticized the government for

showing haste in its bid to pass themost ‘controversial bills during the lastsittings of the outgoing assembly butthe government responded in asomewhat friendly manner and agreedto almost all what the oppositionlawmakers suggested viz-a-viz the billthat will help curb the terrorist violenceand punish those found involved interrorism with a view to createadequate deterrence.According to the approved bill, the

preparation for attacking the civilians,government oRcials, installations and

security forces has been omitted ascrime due to the amendment moved bythe PML-N members. A person isguilty of the crime under this law if heis involved in dissemination, preachingideas, teaching and beliefs as per owninterpretation which incite or are likelyto incite a person to commit an oSenceunder this act on FM stations orthrough any other means ofcommunication, without explicitapproval of the government. The bill says the government may, for

a period not exceeding thirty days and

after recording reasons thereof, issueorder for the preventive detention ofany person who has been concerned inany oSence under this act for purposeof inquiry.According to the bill, suspects

accused of terrorism will beinterrogated by an SP level oRcer,while audio video recordings, phonerecordings, encrypted messages andemails could be used as evidence. Thebill also allows government authoritiesto take action against financiers ofterrorism along with confiscating their

assets.The prison sentence of individuals

supporting terrorist activity has beenincreased from three to five years. Thesentence for kidnapping for ransomand hijacking has been increased to tenyears while it has also beenrecommended that assets ofindividuals involved in these activitiesbe seized.Organizations with new names

formed from banned organizationswill also be outlawed. Any individualassociated with banned

organizations will not be issuedpassports, credit cards, bank loansand arms licences. Arms licencesissued earlier will also be revoked.Representatives and workers of suchorganizations will also be prohibitedfrom travelling abroad. No court willbe allowed to approve bail ofindividuals who have are servingdeath, life or ten year sentences. The house also passed “The Shaheed

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University,Islamabad, Bill, 2013” despiteopposition from the PML-N.

Controversial anti-terrorism law sails through NA

QUETTA: Children accused of helping suicide bombers in custody of Balochistan police after a raid. –ONLINE (STORY ON PAGE 12)

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Supreme CourtWednesday observed that theElection Commission of Pakistan(ECP) will be authorized to hold freeand fair elections, as it had the trustand support of over 180 millionpeople of the country.A three-member bench

comprising Chief Justice IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry, JusticeGulzar Ahmed and Justice Sh.Azmat Saeed, while hearing pleasseeking electoral forms, observedthat the government should not haveany objections over stoppingcorruption and corrupt practicesfrom the electoral process.The court noted that the federal

government had reservations overthe monitoring of electioncampaigns, despite monitoring wasthe result of the court’s June 8, 2012decision. The court asked the federalgovernment to inform it by today(Thursday) about its reservations,besides clarifying that why it had notapproved the requests of the ECPwith regard to holding free and fairselections. The court ordered thefederal government to also submitby today (Thursday) acomprehensive report over the stepsso far taken for holding transparentelections. The chief justice notedthat the interim setup will be inplace in the next two to three daysand it was positive that theconstitution would be implementedautomatically.The court directed the ECP to file

its comprehensive reply over thearrangements being made forholding the transparent elections.The court noted that since theelections were ahead thus thereshould be no delay in necessaryconstitutional and administrativearrangements. The ECP presented areport over electoral amendmentsfor electoral reforms in light of thecourt orders.Addressing the additional director

general of the Law Commission, thechief justice said that court’s decisionrelated to electoral reforms hadbecome a law, adding that if therewas any hurdle in implementation ofthe verdict, it should be explained.The court directed the ECP to divide

in two parts the details it submittedbefore the court. Deputy AttorneyGeneral Dil Muhammadzai statedthat the amendments under theelectoral reforms needed parliament’sapproval. The chief justice then notedthat the elections were ahead, thus thematter could not be delayed forindefinite period. ECP’s counselMuhammad Munir Peracha statedthat the government had objectionsover the proposal of law commissionabout supervising teams formonitoring the code of conduct. Thechief justice said it was being done oncourt orders. The court again askedthe ECP not to show any weakness inholding the general election.Meanwhile, the court adjourned thehearing for today (Thursday).

no response to ec proposals

SC seeksexplanationfrom govt� Wants to know govt’s reservations� Says EC implementing court orders

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The coalition governmentof Balochistan led by Nawab Aslam Raisanistood automatically restored at midnightWednesday as the proclamation issued forimposing two-month Governor’s rule in theprovince on January 14, 2013 has expired.A joint sitting of the parliament was

required to endorse extension in theGovernor’s rule beyond two months timebut the government did not opt for thesame. The President had invoked Article234 of the Constitution to impose governorrule in the province for two months in theaftermath of Alamdar road bombing.According to the Article 234 (3) of the

Constitution, a proclamation issued underthis Article shall be laid before a joint sittingand shall cease to be in force at theexpiration of two months, unless before theexpiration of that period it has beenapproved by resolution of the joint sittingand may by like resolution be extended for afurther period not exceeding two months ata time. The Balochistan Assembly willcomplete its five years term on April 5, 2013.The PPP-led federal government tried itsbest during the two months time to convinceRaisani to step down but the latter declinedto resign from the oRce. The restoration ofthe provincial government was required forthe formation of the caretaker governmentin the province. As Aslam Raisani is back as the

Balochistan CM, he would be a majorstakeholder in the formation of caretaker setup in the province. According to the sources,

with Raisani back, the JUI-F, which wasearlier part of the coalition government,would be allotted seats on oppositionbenches and JUI-F Parliamentary LeaderAbdul Wasay would be notified as Leader ofthe Opposition and would also have a say inthe formation of caretaker set up. The fateof Balochistan assembly also lies with theCM Raisani as he would decide whether todissolve the provincial assembly on March16 along with national assembly orcompletes its full term.Meanwhile, JUI-F and Balochistan

National Party (Awami) have decided to siton opposition benches in provincialassembly after expiry of governor’s rule inprovince. A consultative meeting of theboth parties was held at Parliament Housein which Israr Ullah Zehri from BNP(Awami) and Maulana Abdul GhafoorHaidri of JUI-F participated. Other leadersof both the parties were also present on theoccasion. The two sides agreed that theywould not have any objection if theNational and provincial assemblies wouldbe dissolved at the same day.

raisani back in cM’s chamber

Governor’s Rule inBalochistan expires IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Prime

Minister Raja PervezAshraf said on Wednesdaythat the completion ofterm by a democraticgovernment is an historicmoment. Addressing the farewell

meeting of the Federalcabinet Wednesday, the PMsaid Wednesday is animportant day in the historyof Pakistan‚ as thedemocratic government iscompleting its tenure. Raja Pervez Ashraf said we

are now heading towardselections and pledged thegovernment's strongconviction that free fair andtransparent elections areessential for democracy‚security and development ofthe country. The prime minister said

the government has takenthe opposition intoconfidence regarding theappointment of caretakerprime minister. He said the caretaker

Prime Minister will beappointed by mutualconsultation. Hecongratulated the outgoingcabinet and said it will godown well for the country’sdemocratic history. –AGENCIES

Completion ofterm historicmoment: PM

CAN PM SAVE ‘HISMAN’ FROM ZAKA’S

CONNECTIONS?PG I 03

� Nisar protests haste in legislation � Sentence for kidnapping, hijacking increased to 10 years � ZAB Medical University Bill also passed amid protest

� cabinet approved ambitiousinvestment policy –Page 9

relATed sTory

secret monitoringcell formed in ecPIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: ElectionCommission of Pakistan hasestablished a secret monitoringcell for making the politicalparties abide by the code ofconduct. The cell will monitor thepolitical parties for 24 hours andwill present its report to the ChiefElection Commissioner on dailybasis. Sources said themonitoring cell would work inthe centre and all of theprovincial and district’s membersof the commission would also beits members. The report on anytype of misconduct would be sentto the monitoring cell. Theprocessions and rallies would bemonitored completely to checkshow of arms, buying and sellingof votes, and unrestrained use ofmoney. –AGENCIES

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

SHANEL KHALIQ

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Music, dance andcultural expression can be used as‘weapon’ to promote peace and putan end to the suffering caused bywars across the globe. This themewas beautifully captured by anaward-winning documentary, titled“Cultures of Resistance”. It wasscreened at Kuch Khaas onWednesday. The documentary is the brainchild

of a Brazilian-Korean activist andfilmmaker Iara Lee who took on ajourney across five continents andvisited several regions pillaged bywar and chaos. She is also the

founder of the Cultures ofResistance Network, an organizationworking to promote global solidarityand peace and justice. Iara iscurrently working on a variety ofinitiatives that aim to mobilizepeople and bring change makerstogether from across boundaries. “Culture of Resistance” is a film

that explores various conflictstricken areas around the globe andembarks upon how artists,musicians and ordinary peopleplayed their role in bringing peaceand positive change. It examineshow Rwanda fought with evils suchas genocide and rape throughwomen emancipation. Ordinary

women themselves came up for thecause as they were the worstaffected. The Arab world has also witnessed

a plethora of musicians and dancerswho have used their own mediumsto raise their voice against war andinjustice. Palestinian resistanceartist Katibe says that for them rapmusic is not important but the causefor which they are singing isparamount, which is to end Israeliaggression. Similarly in Brazil,musicians took to the slums of thecountry and transformed guns andammunition into guitars so that thechildren could use them as theirshields promoting peace.

Documentary portrays music, danceand culture as weapons of peace

CMYK

CMYK

Clerk booked for ‘misplacing’murder case fileIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: An upper divisionalclerk of Islamabad sessions court wasbooked on Tuesday for misplacing file ofa murder case. Muhammad Imran, whoworks in the court of AdditionalSessions Judge Jahangir Awan,registered an FIR with the MargallaPolice Station, stating that UDCMuhammad Jamil of his oMcemisplaced the file number 58/11,registered in the Nilore Police Station.When contacted, Sub-Inspector MalikFeroz, the investigating oMcer of theMargalla Police Station, told TheSpokesman that on Wednesday heapproached the concerned court to getinformation about the case but he wasgiven insuMcient details about theaccused. “This may slow down theinvestigation process.” He said thataccording to the given details, accusedMuhammad Jamil belonging fromBahawalpur, is not coming to his oMcein session court for a long time whichstrengthen the doubt that the file wasmisplaced by him not by negligence butintentionally. He further said that hewas told by the court oMcials that onTuesday the accused was also foundroaming in the court area. He said thecase file was against three people forkilling a youth in 2011, and the FIR ofthis case was registered in Nilore Policestation. The Nilore police while givingthe details of the FIR stated that theFIR number 58 was lodged on May 13,in which the applicant and mother of adiseased youth had mentioned thataccused Sadheer along with ZaheerAhmad and Gul Ahmad opened fire atMubashar, son of Muhammad Yaqooband resident of Dhok Mangu Nama,Dakhri Charah, resulting in his death.He said accused Mubashar wasmurdered due to his minor clashes withthe accused. He said Sadheer was laterarrested by the police and was shifted toAdiala Jail after court’s decision,however the other two accused, namelyZaheer Ahmad and Gul Ahmad, are stillnot arrested and has been declaredwanted. �STAFF REPORT

Behria Enclave contractorfound murderedSTAFF REPORTERIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The body of a sub-contractor, who had gone missing forlast two days, was found by Bani Galapolice on Wednesday. The body ofMuhammad Nazir, 40, and a native ofChanari village of Bagh in AzadKashmir, was found near the BehriaEnclave. Nazir, a sub-contractorworking in Behria Enclave, was hit inthe head with a stone. MuhammadSajid, the brother of the diseased man,told The Spokesman that they have norivalry with anyone. Police, whodelivered the body to his family after post-mortem, said that it was a murder.

ITP promotes 14 officers,suspends six inspectors IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The IslamabadTerritory Police on Wednesdaypromoted 14 of its officials to the nextrank. However, six inspectors weresuspended. According to thenotification number 03/17/12-ICT 1issued by Federal Secretary Interior,10 police officials, including six DSPsand four inspectors, were promotedto next rank. DSPs HafeezMohammad, Rafaqat Hussain,Mohammad Yar, Jameel Hashmi,Nighat Mujtaba Haider and GulfamNasir have been made SPs. Fourinspectors - Bashir Noon, M HussainLasi, Zallay Hussain Shah andAurangzaib were made DSPs. On theother hand, six police officials weresuspended by SSP Headquarter MalikYousaf, for not attending the advancecourse of bomb disposal squad. Thesuspended police officials wereincluding one sub inspector, twoassistant sub inspectors, two headconstables and one constable. SSPMalik Yousaf said the suspendedofficials had refused to attendadvance course training. �STAFF REPORT

AIOU grand competitionIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: “Allama Iqbal OpenUniversity is holding a grandcompetition amongst the students ofthe university who won 1st prize ineach category in the competitions heldin their respective region/cities. �ONLINE

SALMAN ABBAS

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Islamabad High Court onWednesday directed the EstablishmentDivision to forward the case of 428 IslamabadPolice oMcials to Cabinet Sub-Committee toconsider their regularisation as per policy. The directions came after 428 police oMcials

went into litigation against the authoritiesconcerned for not regularising them even afterthe completion of due period. A single-memberbench of Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan gave a

timeframe of 15 days to complete the processof consideration for their regularisation. As per details the 428 ICT police officials

had filed petition in the IHC for theregularization of their services. All thesepolice officials were ex-army men and theywere appointed in ICT police in 2009 oncontract basis at BS-5.The petitioners adopted before the court

that the government of Pakistan introduced apolicy regarding regularization of thecontract/daily wage employees, according to

which, employees with one-year service couldbe regularized. They prayed to the court toorder forward their cases for regularizationbefore the cabinet sub-committee.A deputy attorney general, however, told the

IHC bench that the petitioners wereappointed on contract basis, as there was aban on regular appointments. The federalgovernment increased the number of policeofficials in ICT due to law and order situation,he further said. The DAG also told the courtthat the government has already appointed

police officials through regular process andthe petitioners cannot be regularised. The bench, however, observed, “Due to

appointment of these officials, the service ofother employees did not affect. The eligibilityof the petitioners is to be decided by theCabinet Sub-Committee, but they cannot bediscriminated against.” The court directed therespondents to forward cases of thepetitioners to the cabinet sub-committee andmeanwhile no adverse action may be takenagainst them.

IHC gives two weeks to regularise 428 policemen

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Lights are reflected on the wet ground in front of Parliament House in the rain on Wednesday. �ONLINE

HOMER BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The students turning towardsthe head oMce of the Federal Board ofIntermediate and Secondary Education aresuNering due to irresponsible behaviour of theadministration; however the ‘agents’ are activeon the other hand to ‘assist’ the these helplessstudents for money.The FBISE administration is forcing the

students to again verify their already verifieddegrees from their concerned educational boardsand universities for attestations, which is aNectinga large number of students from far-flung areas.Waqas Arif, student of BS (Hon) who came to visitFBISE from Gujrat, told The Spokesman that hecompleted his intermediate from Gujrat in 2006and then verified his certificate from theconcerned board on February 6, 2012 after payingRs 3250 as fee. He said that he could not send hisdocuments for the attestation immediately forsome reasons, which has created an issue for him.“FBISE staN totally refused my request and

suggested me to again verify my certificatesfrom the board after which they would be able to

attest it because according to them, they have norecords of the verified documents older thanthree months,” said Waqas. However, accordingto him, another oMcial interfered during hisdiscussion with the staN members, by tellinghim to stay at a side where a person will meethim who can resolve his issue.“After waiting for some time, a person wearing

uniform of a security guard met and oNered methat my documents will be attested immediatelyif I pay him 2000, excluding the attestation feewhich is Rs 400 only, but I refused his oNer andhe disappeared,” he added. Wasiq Abbasi,another student from district Bagh of AzadKashmir, said that he was also visiting the oMcefor attestation of his degree but was facing thesame hurdles by the staN.“The staN declined attestation of my degree by

telling that they are considering only thosedocuments for the attestation which are verifiedafter 2010. Unfortunately, mine was verified in2009,” he said. He said that he was also told bya staN member that if he can wait for some time,a person will meet him to resolve his issues, butno one has met him yet. Abdul Wahab was also

visiting the FBISE oMce to attest the documentsof his niece who is residing in England.He said that he was told by the staN to bring

an authority letter from the owner of thedocuments, which was not possible for himcurrently. He said that he requested the staNagain to attest without the authority letter forwhich again he was told to wait at a place wherea person will meet him for his assistance. “I amready to pay any amount the person may ask for,just because I have already wasted three days inthis process and today they revealed that Iwould be requiring an authority letter,” he said.When contacted, Mohammad Iqbal

Khankhel, deputy director at the Inter-BoardCommittee of Chairman, told The Spokesmanthat, “We are receiving hundreds of applicationsfor documents attestation and equivalentcertificates daily which forces us to replace therecord with the latest one.” National Assembly’sStanding Committee for Education ChairmanSheikh Rohale Asghar said that, “if someonewrites us about the issue within two days, wemay consider it in the last meeting of thestanding committee.”

ZEESHAN JAVAID

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Higher EducationCommission is all set to grant extensionin the service of five MP-Scale oMcers ofthe commission in violation of the laiddown rules and without approval of theselection committee.Sources in the HEC informed “The

Spokesman” on Wednesday that HECChairman Javaid Leghari is mullingextension of his five favourites,including Jaleel Ahmed (MP-2,Adviser Monitoring), Khawaja AzamAli (MP-2, Managing Director QualityAssurance), Noor Amina Malik (MP-3,Director General Learning andInnovation), Zia Batool (MP-3, DGQuality Assurance), and Anwar Amjad(DG Information Technology).The approval of the High Power

Selection Committee, which has alsotermed some previous extensions asillegal, has not been sought for theabove five persons, the sources added.It merits a mention here that thecontract of Anees Sadozai expired onMarch 9, 2013, but he continuesholding his oMce. The sources said thatthe HEC chairman is likely to convenea meeting of all HEC directors by theend of March to get endorsement forextension of the five oMcers. Under the rules, they added, the

appointments and extensions of MPscale oMcers is sole discretion of thethree-member high power selectioncommittee of the federal governmentheaded by secretary finance along withtwo more members comprisingsecretary establishment and secretaryof the concerned ministry.The HEC oMcers working under the

MP-2 cadre are enjoying a lump-sumsalary up to Rs300,000 per month,while the oMcers awaiting extension,under MP-3, are getting Rs150,000 toRs175,000 per month. The HECchairman had faced a strong reactionfrom the employees when thecommission granted extension toSohail Naqvi, former ExecutiveDirector, without taking the primeminister into confidence.

HEC chiefbent uponextension forfavourites

Students facing neglectat top education board� ‘Agents’ active to ‘assist’ students for money � Students forced to verify their degrees

HOMER BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The NationalAccountability Bureau on Wednesday tooknotice of the irregularities in PakistanMedical and Dental Council regarding theissue of fake registration. It sent a letter toPM&DC for the provision of the record ofthe past decade regarding the accusedregistrar and the registrations. An oMcial in PM&DC requesting

anonymity has confirmed receiving of theletter.It is worth to mention that PM&DC is

going through a by its ex-registrar Dr.Ahmad Nadeem Akbar who issued

hundreds of fake registration certificates tomedical students as well as colleges bymisusing his authority. Sources within theorganization have revealed that the ex-registrar used unlawful means just toincrease the number of his supporters whocan vote him in their membership electionsto elect as a member of its committee. The PM&DC administration took notice

of his issued fake registration andsuspended him from his post. Theauthority has declared registration of 40medical students and 19 medical collegesas fake yet, for which two FIR’s wereregistered against the ex-registrar in PoliceStation Ramna.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: A large number employees of PublicWorks Department on Wednesday protested againagainst the government’s discrimination for givinga 20 percent salary increase only to the employeesworking in the Civil Secretariat by ignoring thoseworking in the attached departments. The protesthas entered the eighth day and it brought thedepartment to a standstill. Hundreds of employees gathered at D-Chowk

and marched towards National Press Club.Holding placards, protesting employees werechanting slogans against the government’s apathyand in favor of their demands. Secretary General of

PAK-PWD united workers federation Raja Waqaraccused the government of “discrimination” forgiving a 20 per cent salary increase to employees ofministries and Secretariat departments, but not toattached departments or field oMces. The Ministryof Housing and Works, which the PWD falls under,is housed in the Secretariat, but the PWD itself andits aMliated oMces are in diNerent parts ofIslamabad.“There are 4,000 PWD employees in Islamabad

who have been excluded from this increase,” Rajasaid. The union’s secretary-general added that thegovernment’s decision, “an unjust violation offundamental rights,” has made attacheddepartment employees extremely angry.

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: China State Construction Engineering Corporation Overseas GMLiao Harg presenting a cheque to cancer patient Nazir Khan at National PressClub. �ONLINE

STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: A police team will beleaving for Kabul on Thursday to arrestthe man who murdered ex-attorneygeneral. The team will try to arrestRoohullah who escaped twice from theclutches of the police and jailers inPakistan. The accused murdered SardarKhan, former attorney general andretired judge of Peshawar High Court,on February 3, 2010 in Sector F-10 inIslamabad. Roohullah escaped toOman after killing Sardar Khan butlater was arrested and shifted to AdialaJail. On July 28, 2012, he again escapedwhen he was shifted to DHQ Hospitalin Rawalpindi from Adiala Jail aftercomplaining a kidney disease. He flewto Dubai from where he succeeded toenter Afghanistan.

Bid to catch judge’skiller who escaped

PWD shut as employeesprotest enters 8th day

NAB takes up PM&DCfake registrations case

cm y

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

Venom Inc. This should not beheld against me in a court oflaw as I solemnly declare

that these are absolute lies, dirtywhispers and wild speculation that Ihave heard while crawling in thedark power corridors of the creepyCapital. You will believe them atyour own risk Shh...If you havevenom to spill please don’t hesitateto share with us on our blog atwww.thespokesman.pk

POWER ALLEYS|

sadia sameer @sadia_1991Well done Sindh Assembly!Well done PPP!!!! - "Sindhassembly passes resolutionover misuse of Pakistan's

blasphemy law"Yusra Askari �@YusraSAskariI've heard about self glorification, but selfnomination, never. Chaudhry Shujaat, this ishistory in the making. http://bit.ly/X5Z2Pa Khawaja Mohid Butt �@mohidpyo"My mother was a political pioneer, settingnew precedents and making it easier forothers to follow in her footsteps,ChairmanPPP #Bilawalomar r quraishi �@omar_quraishiThere is considerable evidence to suggest therewas "considerable presence" of police at JosephColony spot but no resistance offered: HRCPShama Junejo �@ShamaJunejoIt is really good to see that Marvi Memon notonly made her place solid in PMLN, but herUNCLE Arbab too succeeded. Now onlyMush remains:-)Nadia Jamil �@NJLahoriFor those who want to focus on donatingtoiletries sanitary napkins,diapers,soap &mosquito repellent is a MAJOR need at#BadamiBaaghShaista Gomal �@PaklesbianPakistan Inteligence service had Failed 2block Finance support to TTP and BLA,Failed to track Terrorist activities in fata andBalochistanSalman Sikandar �@SALSIKandarPunjab police can stop you from flying a kiteeven if you are at K2 but couldnt stopreligious terrorists from home burning.#JosefColonyImran Khan �@ImranKhanPTIShocked at murder of Parveen RehmanDirector Orangi Pilot Project. Great loss forcountry. Saddened to see what we are turninginto.Michael Kugelman �@MichaelKugelmanAfter Parveen Rehman's murder, I honestlydon't see how #Pakistan can take any more ofthis savagery. The nation must be beyondnumb.Bashir Ahmad Gwakh �@bashirgwakhPolice arrested a dozen children suspected ofplanting explosives for militants in #Quetta#Pakistan http://www. rferl.org/content/pakistan-quetta-children-bombs/24927599.html … via @RFERL

ISLAMABAD: The Public Relations de-partment of Zari Taraqiati Bank Limited(ZTBL) has issued a clarification in re-sponse to The Spokesman’s story inwhich we reported that Zaka Ashrafdoes not qualify for the post of memberBoard of Directors (BOD) and Presidentof ZTBL because he did not clear stateBank of Pakistan’s Fit and Proper Test(FPT).

ZTBL’s Vice President PR clarified that“the Board of Directors ZTBL was con-stituted by the federal government videnotification dated June 14, 2010 aftergoing through a strict clearance proce-dure under Fit & Proper Test Criteriacarried out by SBP.” He says “ZTBL didnot waived off any loans on the instruc-tions of Ch. Zaka Ashraf or any othermember of the Board of Directors. Thisis not true that beneficiaries of thiswaiver were mostly influential having re-lations with ex-President. Policy forwrite off remission of the bank is forstuck up loans and is for all the eligibleborrowers as per criteria mentionedtherein. This is not true that this policymainly benefited the customers havingloans of over one million rupees. In fact,the major beneficiaries of write off/re-mission policy are the small farmers.Write off /remission to the companieswas allowed as per approved policy ofthe Bank and has already been dis-closed/printed in annual accounts of thebank as per requirements of the regularregulations.”

The Spokesman stands by the infor-mation it published and we have validdocuments in support of all the facts. Ac-cording to a State Bank notification noBPRO (CGD)/682-23/x/2008/ issuedon August 22, 2008, copy of which iswith The Spokesman, Zaka Ashraf andfour other members of the ZTBL boardwere declared unfit through Fit & ProperTest. Later, Lahore High Court (LHC)Rawalpindi bench disqualified ZakaAshraf on August 27, 2010 as a memberof the ZTBL board (two and a halfmonths after the reconstitution of theBoard of Directors).

Justice Asad Munir of the LahoreHigh Court wrote in his judgment: “Ihave no hesitation in declaring that theappointment of respondent no 6 (ZakaAshraf) to the post of President, Zari

Taraqiati Bank Limited has been madeunlawfully and cannot be sustained.Consequently, I have no option but tohold that respondent no 6 has been un-able to show the authority of law underwhich he holds the post of President,Zari Taraqiati Bank Limited, and assuch, his appointment made vide notifi-cation dated August 30, 2008, issued bythe Government of Pakistan, FinanceDivision (Internal Finance Wing) andsubsequently confirmed by the Board ofDirectors of ZTBL, is also without law-ful authority and of no legal effect.”

The issue of waiving off loans is alsobeing undertaken by the IslamabadHigh Court (IHC) and the employees ofZTBL themselves have challenged thisstep. Another petition, filed in the IHCprays “the present tenure of the Boardof Directors, the directors proceeded toact in violation of law with thereby ex-tending illegal benefit to some clientmostly on politically ground by apply-ing the SBP Circular No.22 of 2002which was not applicable in the case.The Board approved a sole called creditpolicy in Part –V whereof it was pro-vided for the waiver/write off of the fi-nanced in term of SBP Circular dated5.06.2007. But as a matter of fact, thesaid provision was utilized for illegalwaiver/write off certain loans not interms of SBP Circular dated05.06.2007 but in terms of BPD Circu-lar No.29 of 2002 which was approvedby the Board of Directors thereby caus-ing loss to the public exchequer to thetune of Rs.2113.629 millions, a brief ofwhich is available on the website ofZTBL. List included the influentialbusiness entrepreneurs and the politi-cal persons having influence at the helmof affairs which were illegally benefitedby the said illegal exercise. The said di-rectors are guilty of corruption and cor-rupt practices in terms of Section 9 ofthe National Accountability Ordinanceand the misconduct on the code ofethics and banking norms and proce-dure. The said benefit was not extendedto the small farmers.”

The Spokesman once again makes itclear that we stand by our news in thelight of these evidences and also have acomplete list of the defaulters whoseloans were written-off by the bank.

MIRZA KHURRAM SHAHZAD

ISLAMABAD: A war of nerves be-tween the incumbent president ofZTBL Ihsanul Haq and his predeces-sor Zaka Ashraf has finally reached apoint where both had to seek the ar-bitration of Prime Minister Raja Per-vaiz Ashraf to ensure that theagricultural bank 120 billion rupeesworth continues to dole out unso-licited loans, defy State Bank of Pak-istan and oblige the political andbusiness elite of the country withouttroubling each other.

The Spokesman has learnt on goodauthority that Zaka Ashraf, who iscurrently the chairman of PakistanCricket Board (PCB) had to relin-quish his charge as president ZTBLin 2011, continues to hold completesway in the Board of Director ofZTBL till todate.

Since Zaka still holds the post of adirector of ZTBL, his handpicked co-terie of officials sitting in the BOD ofthe bank is making it hard for his suc-cessor Ihsanul Haq Khan to operatesmoothly and is awaiting an appropri-ate time to strike him out of the bank.Interestingly, sources confided that Ih-sanul Haq enjoys the patronage ofPrime Minister Raja Pervaiz Asharafwhile Zaka Ashraf is considered to bethe buddy of President Asif AliZardari, therefore, sensing the gravityof the stakes involved therein, bothhad to seek the intervention of theirrespective supporters in high offices.Consequently, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf islearnt to have received instructionsfrom the Presidency to sort this tug ofwar or find an appropriate place for‘his man’ somewhere else if he can.

After all, Zaka Ashraf was the host

of President Asif Zardari during thelatter’s visit to South Punjab, whereZaka holds financial and political su-premacy because of his industrial,farming and other undisclosed assets.Zaka is learned to have conveyed tohis mentor on the Hilltop during oneof the hosting sessions how IhsanulHaq was trying to undermine his rolein ZTBL and how much he wants toonce again resume charge of theBank. Since too many cases are pend-ing in various courts against ZakaAshraf, ranging from his eligibility asa member BOD to his conduct aspresident ZTBL from 2008-2011,therefore, his wish to return was sim-ply not considered by PresidentZardari. However, he was certainly as-sured that Raja Sahib will reign in hisman (Ihsan) to let Zaka run supremein not only ZTBL but also PCB.

Nevertheless, finding the ordersfrom the Big Boss, the Prime Minis-ter had to call both Zaka Ashraf andIhsan Ul Haq Khan for an audienceand advised them to sort out theirmatters amicably. The spokesman ofZTBL also confirmed this meeting byconsidering it a routine call becauseBOD was in session in Islamabad andrefused to consider it anything but ausual meeting.

The Prime Minister heard the pointof view of both of them and askedthem to remove their differences be-cause both of them enjoy a good rela-tionship with the top leadership ofPakistan People’s Party (PPP). How-ever, our moles confirmed that Ihsanul Haq was not happy with this meet-ing, especially the one-sided instruc-tions from the Prime Minister to sorthis issues with Zaka Ashraf. There-fore, our sources believe that the bat-

tle between Zaka Ashraf andIhsan ul Haq Khan has entered itsfinal phase. The spokesman of ZTBL,however, refuted this impression, say-ing that both enjoy cordial relationsand there is no truth in such news.

Our sources from within the BOD,however, confirmed to this scribe thatBOD members are preparing a list ofcharges against the incumbent Presi-dent on behalf of Zaka Ashraf and willtake a step against him at any suitabletime. "They want to remove him fromthe post and will take an actionagainst him. However, they are wait-

ing for a propertime," said a sen-

ior official of thebank. It is likely that Zaka Ashraf,who is still the most powerful mem-ber of the ZTBL BOD will take actionafter March 16, after the fall of thisgovernment.

Zaka and other members of theboard are concerned that if they take astep against the bank president Ihsanul Haq Khan before the dissolution ofthe government then Mr. Khan mayhit back through a step by the PrimeMinister himself. "They think thatPrime Minister Raja will dissolve theboard within hours if they do anythingagainst Ihsan ul Haq Khan. So they are

very careful and waiting for a propertime," the official said.

He said that Zaka and his friendswill take a decisive step against Ihsanul Haq Khan after March 16 whenRaja Pervez Ashraf will not be thereand President Zardari will be verymuch in office to further strengthenZaka Ashraf.

Ihsan ul Haq, who is currently sur-viving by the skin of his neck at thiscrucial political juncture for Rajasahib, is meanwhile busy in consoli-dating his position by pleasing the rankand file of the bank. “He wants to turnhis weaknesses at the top level intostrengths by assembling the officersand lower staff around him as a shield,”commented one of the BOD membersseeking anonymity. However, Zaka’smen believe that it is very unlikely thatIhsan will survive long after the disso-lution of this government.

Meanwhile, Ihsan ul Haq Khan onMonday promoted some 1,100 em-ployees to gain some support from thestaff in his crucial times. He an-nounced the promotion of 700 officersand 400 clerical staff, but it is still dif-ficult for him to give a tough time toZaka because he enjoys the backing ofthe most powerful officials such as themembers of BOD, Chief OperatingOfficer and Senior Vice President HR.

On the other hand, the members ofBoard of Directors met on Monday inIslamabad and pressurized Ihsan ulHaq Khan to take stern legal stepsagainst all those officers and employ-ees who are resisting Zaka and hispeople's interference in bank affairs.Sources said that the BOD also dis-cussed a list of defaulters and the pos-sibilities of waiving off the loans ofsome influential defaulters.

ZTBL: Can PM save ‘his man’from Zaka’s strong connections?

ZTBL stands by Zaka Ashraf

� The Spokesman stands by its News

Islamabad isabuzz withrumors about

the caretaker set-up. That they arescary is to say theleast, especially forMian Sahb. Itseems the PPP willhave its way in theend.

The two PPPcandidates are Hafeez Sheikh and IshratHussain. As things stand today, the decisionwill ultimately go to the electioncommission where the PPP candidate islikely to win, we can tell you, by a three totwo majority. And it’s not just because of thePPP. The two ‘As’ out of the proverbialthree, which are supposed to matter inPakistan also support the PPP candidate.

Nawaz Sharif, they say, will ultimatelygive in. One, because he would not like tooverly react as he is confident that he iscoming to power. He would not mind theIMF restructuring package to be decidedduring the interim period. But the agendaseems much bigger than what Nawaz Sharifis thinking.

The names of the caretaker Cabinet,which are in circulation, should set alarmbells ringing in the Mian camp. The topname for the FM is no other than theperson who is crying wolf about theeconomy nose-diving in the op-eds. She hasalready got three ambassadorships to hercredit and wants to finally achieve theultimate ambition—the foreign ministry.Rawalpindi is on board and so may be theKhan who she has been advising lately. Thename of a retired General from theMusharraf days for the interior slot shouldrender more sleepless nights for Mian Sahb.

The scare is that this will empower the ECto purge the system before the elections.This might mean the removal of nearly halfthe candidates, most of them from the PML(N), if not Mian Sahb himself. Some will getstruck out because of tax and loan defaults,others for many more ‘miscellaneousreasons.’ By the way, nothing will be illegalor unconstitutional. This will surely test thePML (N)’s faith in the judiciary. Already, wehear protesting murmurings within theMian camp—the kind that they loved whenthe victim was the PPP. AZ is alreadychuckling: hor chupo.

Caretakers orundertakers?

MOHAMMED RIZWAN

LAHORE: Though Punjab ChiefMinister Shahbaz Sharif hasforwarded ruling party’s nomineesfor the all-important position ofcaretaker chief minister, the PPP,is likely to reject those names andinstead would forward its ownnames to the ruling party today(Thursday).

Sharif has proposed the names ofJustice (retd) Amir Raza and aformer bureaucrat Khwaja Zaheerfor the slot while the PPP, nothappy at all with the proposals,will field its own names for whichconsultations within the party andwith opposition parties are alreadyunder way.

“The position of caretaker chiefminister is much more importantthan the caretaker prime ministeras after 18thamendment, the slotis all powerful as far asadministration is concerned,” saida PPP source who requested notto be named. “PML-N wants theirinterim CM at all costs. In fact,more than the prime minister andthere have been signals from theruling party that it would‘cooperate’ in other provinces andcentre if the Punjab set-up ispicked according to their wishes,”said the source. “So far,” thesource added, “PPP has conveyedto them informally that theywould consult the otheropposition parties like PML-Q,PTI and JI before they answer on

the proposed name.”The two proposals by the PPP

and allies will be forwarded today.However, PPP is keeping thenames very close to its chest and sofar it has not unveiled its nameseither in the centre or the province.“When we’ll disclose our names,they would be a lot better thanwhat the PML-N is suggesting inthe centre and in the province,”said former Punjab financeminister and PPP Punjab generalsecretary Tanvir Ashraf Kaira. Hesaid the PML-N should have giventhe opposition the chance to sendits proposals first like they did inthe centre but they made theirnames public first which is likeplaying from both sides. “We havestarted the consultative processand we’ll come up with aconsensus on two names verysoon,” said Kaira.

Kaira said that according to theconstitution, the time to pickcaretakers would start after March16 and then there is a time limit oneach step.

The current prime minister andchief minister would continue tillthe caretakers are picked.According to Article 224 and 224-A of the Constitution, governmentand opposition gets two days toreach consensus after March 16,after two days the matter would goto a bipartisan committee ofgovernment and opposition whichgets three days to decide, andfailing to do so, the matter will besent to CEC in two days and theCEC will then decide the name inthree days.

Sharifs’ men to holdPunjab fort�PPP to present names today

”

The two proposals by the PPP and allieswill be forwarded today. However, PPP

is keeping the names very close to its chest and sofar it has not unveiled its names either in thecentre or the province. “When we’ll disclose ournames, they would be a lot better than what thePML-N is suggesting in the centre and in theprovince,” said former Punjab finance ministerand PPP Punjab general secretary Tanvir AshrafKaira. He said the PML-N should have given theopposition the chance to send its proposals firstlike they did in the centre but they made theirnames public first which is like playing from bothsides. “We have started the consultative processand we’ll come up with a consensus on two names very soon,” said Kaira.

“

‘I need feminism’launched at LUMSSHANEL KHALIQIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: A small group ofteachers and students at the LahoreUniversity of Management Scienceslaunched an “I need feminism”campaign on International Women’sDay this year. Around 300 members ofthe university took part in the campaignthat includes teachers, staO membersand students. Today for most people,the term feminism sparks the idea of apseudo intellectual, elitist and strongheaded female who disregards religionand culture. However, it is safe toassume that this is a muchmisconstrued interpretation of theterm. Although, the ideology andmovement of feminism has come a longway over the years and encompassesmany fronts, however, the crux of theterm remains advocacy for equal rightsfor women in political, economic andsocial spheres. The movement has itsroots in understanding gender relationsand the projection of women in a hostof disciplines including literature,anthropology, politics and society.Pakistan still lags behind much of theworld with regards to womenemancipation. Indicators showingfemale literacy and employment are stilldisheartening in most areas of thecountry. However, the campaign startedat LUMS aims to eradicate many of theinherent biases from the society. Thestudents held placards to show theirsupport for feminism and derided socialnorms that inhibit women fromexpressing themselves. Theyhighlighted a plethora of issues rangingfrom serious ones such as hijab, honourand sexual harassment to lighter onessuch as stereotypical attitudes aboutfemale mannerisms. Nida Kirmani, asociology instructor at LUMS, says “Iwas unsure of what the response to suchan initiative would be, particularly asthe word 'feminism' has received a badname around the world and particularlyin Pakistan.” However, she said that sheencouraged students to go ahead withthe campaign with the hope that itwould at least start a dialogue and theresponse was incredible. Nida, alongwith other members of the community,is positive that the campaign will triggerhealthy debate and will be successful inpromoting equality.

PML-Likeminded leaderArbab Rahim in LahoreLLAAHHOORREE:: Arbab Ghulam Rahim, aformer provincial chief minister andthe head of the Pakistan MuslimLeague-Likeminded (PML-L), hasarrived in Pakistan. Rahim, who was inself-exile in the UAE for quite a whilenow, strategically chose to land here atthe Allama Iqbal International Airportto avoid possible arrest. According tosources, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had already madearrangements to accord him a warmwelcome. Speaking to the media at theairport, he said that his homecomingwas purely voluntary, adding no onehad forced him to return to Pakistan.“I am here on my own free will. I hadalready disclosed my repatriationplans,” he said. To a question about hisupcoming political activities in Punjab,he said meetings with the PML-Nleadership topped the list of hispolitical priorities. ONLINE

PML-N constitutes boardsto select candidatesLLAAHHOORREE:: PML-N has constitutedParliamentary Boards to selectcandidates for National and provincialassemblies seats. The boards whichhave been set up in all the fourprovinces under the directives of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif will evolverecommendations in respect of thecandidates to be fielded by the party tocontest election on national andprovincial assemblies seats. Thecentral parliamentary board willaccord final approval to the candidates.Mian Shahbaz Sharif will head the PBconstituted for Punjab province. This23-member board will includeopposition leader in national assemblyChaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Ishaq Dar,Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, Khawaja SaadRafiq, Ahsan Iqbal, Hamza ShahbazSharif, Rana Sana Ullah Khan andTehmina Daultana. ONLINE

Arson exposed Punjab govtLLAAHHOORREE:: Pakistan Muslim League-Q Lahore Vice President NasirRamazam Gujjar has said that the preplanned Joseph Colony incidentexposed the intolerant Punjabgovernment. Addressing a cornermeeting of party’s office-bearers andworkers on Wednesday, he said thatChief Minister Shahbaz Sharif wasordering inquiries only to cover sinsof his government. After the SupremeCourt ruling into the incident, nostatement of the chief minister wouldbe acceptable, he said. Nasir Gujjarsaid that the Supreme Courtexpressed dissatisfaction over thegovernment report which proved thatthe provincial government had failedto protect citizens. PR

LLAAHHOORREE:: Doctors treating residents of Joseph Colony in their tent homes. ONLINE

MASOOD REHMAN

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Hearing a plea by aNational Accountability Bureauinvestigating oNcer about harassment ofthe Oil and Gas Regulatory Authorityimplementation case witnesses, theSupreme Court on Wednesday warned ifsomething negative happened to them(witnesses) the nominated people wouldbe responsible.The case is about some high-profile

oNcials’ corruption, and 13 bigwigs arecreating obstacles in the investigation ofthe mega scam. A three-member bench comprising

Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, JusticeKhilji Arif Hussain and Justice EjazAfzal Khan, said, “Strict action will betaken against these people after proof.” Meanwhile, despite court orders,

Rawalpindi NAB director general didnot appear before the judges. A NABdeputy prosecutor general informed thecourt that the DG has proceeded toLondon to participate in the graduationceremony of his son. Justice Jawwad S.Khawaja said it was strange that despitethe lapse of over two months, no actionwas taken to ensure protection of thewitnesses.He said if it was proved that these 13

people were creating hurdles in the wayof dispensation of justice, stern actionwill be taken against them. Justice KhiljiArif Hussain said it seemed as if NABwas not an institution for eradicatingcorruption, instead it was protectingand promoting the corruption.

Harassment of witnesseswon’t betolerated: SC

ZEESHAN JAVAID

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The upper house of theparliament on Wednesday passed a bill(National Counter-Terrorism Authority Act,2013) to ensure supremacy of intelligenceagencies over the prime minister. The Clause 6,Sub-Clause 3 of the bill describes that thepresence of director generals of variousintelligence agencies, including ISI, MI and IB,will be mandatory in all meetings of the NACTABoard of Governors would be headed whiletaking decision on any policy issue.The board will be headed by the prime

minister as its chairman, while the remainingmembers of authority will be ministers ofinterior, law and justice, finance and defence,directors general of ISI, MI, IB, FIA, and chiefministers of all provinces, prime minister ofAzad Jammu Kashmir, one member eachrecommended from Senate and NationalAssembly, national coordinator, chiefsecretaries of the provinces and Azad JammuKashmir and IGs of police of all provinces andAJK.Law Minister Farooq H. Naik tabled the bill.Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples’ Party leader

Raza Rabbani opposed the bill, saying

according to the bill the counter authority wasnot an independent institution, as it would workunder the bureaucracy.Opposing the various clauses of the bill,

Senator Raza Rabbani said that Clause 6, Sub-Clause 3 provides preeminence of theintelligence agencies over the premier of thecountry. “If the DGs of the intelligence agencies,with any reason, do not attend the boardmeeting, the board chairman (prime minister)will not be able to do anything,” he maintained.He said that the aims of the bill, including

NACTA as independent body underchairmanship of the prime minister and, tocreate coordination between all the stakes werenot addressed in the bill. “We want to bring theISI under the parliament to control the role ofthe department,” he added.Rabbani was of the view that according to the

bill the counter authority was not anindependent institution, as it would work underthe bureaucracy. He also said that the armywould command a superior position, as theprime minister would not be able to do anythingif head of any agency didn’t attend its meetings.Rabbani also objected over the inclusion of a

federal secretary in the authority’s executivecommittee and questioned his expertise in

counter terrorism. The clause 8, sub-clause 1empowered federal minister of interior aschairman executive committee of NACTA,while the other members of the committeecomprised on federal secretaries includingministry of interior, finance, foreign aOairs,defense and ministry of law and justice.However, the Senate approved the bill with

majority. Opposition leader Ishaq Dar tabledElectoral Laws amendment act, which wasunanimously adopted by the house.The Senate also passed [Election laws

(Amendment) Act, 2013], which was tabled byleader of the opposition Senator Ishaq Dar. Thecertain amendment bill was aimed to reversethe ‘Chief Executive Order No.7 of 2002’ issuedby former president Musharaf restricted thecandidates to submit nomination paper inperson and returning oNcer will acknowledgereceipt of the nomination paper specifying thedate and time of receipt.However after passing of amendment bill,

every nomination paper shall be delivered to theReturning ONcer by the candidate or authorisein writing by the candidate by his nominee andthe returning oNcer will acknowledge receipt ofthe nomination paper specifying the date andtime of receipt.

PPP again fails to bring ISI under parliament� Bill to give supremacy to spies over PM sails through Senate

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

HOMER BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Senate StandingCommittee on Education and Training onWednesday passed the Capital UniversityIslamabad Bill, 2013 (Private Members Bill)on a condition that it would be requiring anNOC from the HEC.During the meeting, the committee’s

chairman, Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash,directed the ministry to take “suNcient steps”toward promoting education by declaring anemergency in the education sector for five

years. According to him, the country could notdevelop by ignoring the education sector.While passing the bill, the chairman said that

funds from diOerent institutions should bediverted towards education sector for itsuplifting. However the representative from theministry said that due to the eOorts of thecommittee, the education sector is witnessingpositive changes and the first step towards itsbetterment has been taken.Senator Heman Dass after the meeting while

talking to The Spokesman said that the bill hasbeen passed, but conditionally. He said the bill

was already passed from the NationalAssembly and as only few days are left of theparliament’s dissolution, any delay from thesenate’s committee could have freeze the entirebill for a long period with some conditions.“The university will not start its working andadmissions until it gets and NOC from theHEC and it will be functional only if it followsthe laws and HEC and the ministry aresatisfied with it,” said Senator Heman Dass. The other members of the committee who

attended the meeting were Senator Haji KhanAfridi, Senator Ch. Muhammad JaOar Iqbal,

Sheikh Waqas Akram, Federal Minister forEducation and Training, Secretary EducationQamar Zaman. However, Senator HajiMohammad Adeel, Dr Saeeda Iqbal, SaeedGhanni and Robeena Irfan were also invited.Earlier, the Capital University Islamabad Bill,

2013 was passed by the National Assembly onFebruary 16 and was laid in Senate on March 11,where Senator Haji Mohammad Adeel movedthe bill for consideration. However, SenatorMuhammad Ishaq Dar opposed the motion andsuggested that the bill may be referred to theStanding committee for consideration.

Senate also passes Capital University Bill� Senator Bangash asks ministry to declare emergency in education sector for five years

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Hours away fromfirst ever natural expiry inPakistan’s treacherous politicalhistory, coalition government of thePeople’s Party continues to dealwith its internal and externaluncertainties thus leaving bagful ofmiserable situation for the ‘chosen’caretakers.Ranging from Balochistan to

Karachi, from drone attacks toterrorism, from IP gas pipeline toUS pressures, from governanceissue to competence and moreimportantly what is topping it all isthe empty coOers and increasedburden of foreign and internaldebts, all will be on the table for theIMF nominees (Sheikho and Co).Yet, the entire government,

including the Madam speaker ishosting one after the other farewellfor successful completion of fiveyears of their government. As ifpoliticians, from across the aislewere not sure that they would beable to complete this tenurewithout overarching support of astrong GHQ or the AmericanViceroy, many of them still cannotbelieve that they have completed anormal course of five years and yetthere seems no signs of a militarytakeover.Certain glitches here and there,

attempts to involve GHQ and evenembroil Americans and of course a

continuous pouring in ofcorruption scandals remained theorder of five years. The completionof five years has nevertheless seenPPP ending up for the first timesince 70s holding majority in theupper house of the parliament andthat’s why PPP senators have uppedthe ante these days against theirnew found antagonists; i.e ECP andjudiciary.Yesterday, the venom against ECP

was eOectively countered byjudiciary by giving them the muchneeded supportbut today the PPPjiyalas turnedtheir artillerytowards thejudiciary bymoving a motion in the upperhouse to seek details of the judgesholding dual nationality. Noneother than spokesperson to thepresident, Senator Farhat UllahBabar presented this motion toinitiate a small hit-and-run attackon judiciary.Raising objections over the quasi

state within state posture of thehigher judiciary, PPP senators likeFarhat Babar and Saeed Ghanimarched on to question thecredentials of the judicial demi-gods. “They are not ready to gettheir accounts audited by theparliamentary committee, nor do

they want to disclose that howmany judges in superior courts ofthe country holds dual nationality,”were the comments heard in theSenate.The impression one gets from the

recent hike in attacks from Senateshows that PPP would continue toraise objections over the role ofECP and the judiciary, especiallywhen Fakhru Bhai refuses to meetfederal law minister and judiciarybacks it up with nothing but apolitical statement, revealed the

group of PPPsenators talkingto this scribe. “Arejudges above thelaw or has comefrom Mars?,” was

the remark of a senior JiyalaSenator which amused everyonesitting in the cozy comforts ofleader of the House in theparliament building to the extentthat it opened the gates of nothingless than floodwaters against thejudiciary.With each falling mist of this

flood came a new revelation eitherabout Musharraf-judges era, orabout Malik Riaz-Ch Arslan aOair,unprecedented rise in their salariesor backdoor parleys betweenexpelled premier Gilani and variousjudges, about judiciary-medialethal duo or about multiple plots

of judges in various housingschemes across the country. The listwas never ending andunfortunately, the room was filledonly with senators and there was noone there to defend the time-testedsuo-motos of the superior judiciary.Meanwhile, many contenders for

the caretaker cabinets (both federaland provincial), sans the top slotsfor which one of the two finalhorses, one each from NawazLeague and PPP, are alreadywaiting in the dug for the marchingorders, have started making a beeline in and around infamousAabpara oNces. Many interviewshave been conducted for the fewslots of the caretaker ministers butstill screening of many more isexpected, which also include manyof our journos, especially the onescalled by Zardari as political actors.Nevertheless, the entire

government and even oppositionwere enjoying the maiden peacefuldemocratic farewell of agovernment which, sans fewmonths of Musharraf was notheaded by any military dictator.Though the question of civiliandictatorship remained very much aquestion throughout thisgovernment but with the caretakerssitting around the corner, a test ofnerves and skills for politicalleadership is very much on.

Miserable situation awaits ‘Sheikho and Co’

Press GalleryBY SAEED MINHAS

ZEESHAN JAVAID

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The constitutional courtshave become need of the hour and in aserious effort to make it possible, itshould be made part of party manifestoto curtail Supreme Court powers tointerpret the constitution. This wasstated by Farhatullah Babar, a Senator ofthe ruling PPP. He was speaking on amotion moved by him for debate onSupreme Court’s lack of response indisclosing the names of its dual nationaljudges despite repeated requests by theSenate.The Senate had asked the top court of

the country to inform it about the judgesholding dual nationality, if there is any,after the rejection of petition filed by DrTahirul Qadri ‘dual national religiouscleric, for reconstitution of ElectionCommission of Pakistan. “We will set up constitutional courts

next time [and] it must be included inthe manifesto of all political partiesbecause it was agreed in charter ofdemocracy signed by late Benazir Bhuttoand Nawaz Sharif,” Senator Babar, who isalso spokesman of President Asif AliZardari, maintained.Another critic of judiciary, Senator

Saeed Ghani from PPP said that all thedecisions are being taken by the SupremeCourt on its own where there is no roomfor the constitution. “I was a great criticof Qadri but today I’m with him becausehe was disgraced by Supreme Court onthe grounds that he is a dual national…ifdual nationality is that dangerous, whythe judges are reluctant to disclose theirnationality, if there is any,” he questioned. Forget about the judges, he continued,

adding that even registrar Supreme Courthas become so powerful that he takesnotes and put it to the chief justice,followed by suo moto by the chief justiceon the press clipping or the comments oftalk show hosts. He also accused ChiefJustice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ofpressurising police, rejecting an FIRregistered at a police station in Karachiwhen of one of his associates went missing.Awami National Party’s (ANP) general

secretary, Senator Haji MuhammadAdeel said that the idols carved by theparliament, have become its godfathers.They make fun of parliament throughtheir suo motos, which is not accepted atall, he added.

A good day for critics of judiciary

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

MUZAMMIL HUSSAIN SYED

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Pakistan Bar Council, thehighest elected body of lawyers, has taken aserious notice of strikes by some lawyers withoutapproval from a proper forum. After anapplication by senior members, the PBC hasswung into an action against the violators.Sources told The Spokesman that some

PBC members move an application/requestto the Pakistan Bar Council executivecommittee to take action against aimlessstrikes by lawyers who are even notconsulting proper forum in this regard.

According to the PBC rules, the agitationswithout approval come in misconduct.A former Supreme Court Bar Association

president is among the two lawyers whosubmitted the request in this regard. In theirrequest, the senior lawyers demanded of thePBC executive committee to take strict actionand solid measures to stop aimless protestsevery month and protect the litigants who wassuMering by this practice. Confirming theapplication, PBC Member Yaseen Azad alsoasked the executive committee to adopt propermeasures according to the rules to stop aimlesspractices of some lawyers. “We must know that

this practice not only damaging unity amonglawyers but also wasting time,” he said, addingthat needless closure of the courts is spoiling thepurpose of the speedy justice from many years.Former Supreme Court Bar Association

president Tariq Mehmood said that there wereno set rules which were supporting strikeswithout any national issue. On March 9, thelawyers have divided again to mark the black dayor not. A number of lawyers remaineduntouched from the strike call on the black day.However, some lawyers boycotted court

proceedings and observed March 9 as a blackday across the country. The strike call was

without any decision of the Pakistan Bar Counciland the Supreme Court Bar Association. OnMarch 2007, Justice Iftikhar MuhammadChaudhry was deposed from his post as the chiefjustice of Pakistan unconstitutionally.Yaseen Azad, also a former president of the

Supreme Court Bar Association, said that nodoubt the current independent judiciary anoutcome of the lawyers’ struggle. “But we shouldstop now strike practice without any nationalissue and solid reason,” he said, adding thataimless strikes come in the misconduct,according to the PBC rules.Islamabad High Court Bar Association

President Syed Nayab Gardezi said that theblack day was observed as the chief justice ofPakistan was unconstitutionally deposed on thisday in 2007. Yaseen Azad also demanded tofulfill the vacant posts of the judges in thesuperior judiciary immediately while consultingall the stakeholders. Former Supreme Court Barsenior vice president Muhammad IkraamChaudhry has said that there was a dire need tomake a proper strategy for the speedy justice. Inthe past, appointment of the administrativejudge for the trail court was a good decision andhigh court should take needful administrativedecisions again, he suggested.

Strikes without approval anger senior lawyers

QQUUEETTTTAA:: District and Session Courthas cancelled the bail of formerprovincial Home minister MirShoaib Nausherwani and ordered theinvestigation team probing formerBalochistan governor Nawab AkbarBugti murder case to arrest him.Hearing of the case was held here inthe District and Session Court onWednesday. On the occasion, thecourt ordered Nausherwani’s arrest,as he did not appear before the court.Hearing of the case was adjournedtill March 15. –ONLINE

33 detained farmersrecovered from ‘jail’KKHHAAIIRRPPUURR:: Sawara police raided aprivate jail of a local influential and setfree 33 non-Muslim farmers,imprisoned since five years. The actionwas taken over a petition filed by WaliBhel, following which the courtordered police to raid the premises.Sharif Mehr, an influential, detainedthe farmers without providing basicnecessities of life. All the detainedfamers, including Guddi, Sonari,Paryo Marwari, Hiresh, Nand Lal,Chandar Kumar, Shabnam Marwariand others, would be produced beforethe court. During the raid, theinfluential was not available. –ONLINE

Drug addict fatherkills son over breadMMUULLTTAANN:: A father killed his 11-year-old son when he asked for some bread(roti) from his step mother. As perreports, 11-year-old Bilawal wasbrutally beaten up by his father with astick when he asked for some breadfrom his step mother. Police has takenthe body into custody and shifted it toNishtar Hospital for postmortem. Acase has been registered against thecriminal. According to police, thefather is a drug addict. –ONLINE

MNA’s guards assaultstudent over sportKKAARRAACCHHII:: Member of NationalAssembly (MNA) from JacobabadAijaz Jakhrani’s guards assaulted astudent on Wednesday. According toreports, the assaulted student wastaken to a local hospital fortreatment. Jakhrani’s son got into afight during a football matchfollowing which the guards assaultedthe student. A case has been lodgedat the Boat Basin police stationagainst Jakhrani’s sons Rafay andHarris along with five guards. –ONLINE

Free education forhandicapped at AridRRAAWWAALLPPIINNDDII:: Arid University hasapproved free education and lodgingfacility for the handicapped students.Approval was accorded in a meetingof Academic Council (AC) of theuniversity held here under the vicechancellor Professor Dr Roy NiazAhmad. Senior faculty members,heads of diMerent departments of theuniversity, Faculty deans, institutedirectors, librarian, registrars andcontroller examination attended themeeting. The meeting approved theestablishment of new faculty foragriculture engineering besidesprovision of education and lodgingfacilities free to the handicappedstudents. –ONLINE

Govt should protectrights of labourers: CMPPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: Khyber PakhtunkhwaChief Minister Amir Haider KhanHoti has said that it is foremost duty ofthe government to protect labourers’rights and solve their problems. Hesaid that the present government hastaken revolutionary measures for thewelfare of the labourers. Talking to adelegation of Labour Colony Mardan,he said that the sole aim of his politicswas to serve the downtroddensegment of the society. He said thatworkers welfare board has approvedfunds for various developmentschemes in the colony. –ONLINE

Arrest orders issuedin Bugti murder case

BBAANNNNUU:: JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman speaks during a grand jirga of tribesmen of North Waziristan Agency. –ONLINE

MONITORING DESK

PPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: A soldier hasbeen stoned to death overallegations of an affair with ateenage girl in Kurram Agency,located in the FederallyAdministered Tribal Areas.In Parachinar, a tribal jirga

ordered the sentence onAnwar-ud-Din, who was about25 years old, for having ‘illicit’relations with a local girl.“There were some 40 to 50people who hit the man withstones till he bled to death,”said a local tribesman oncondition of anonymity.Din was accused of having an

affair with an 18-year-old girland meeting her secretly, but

both were caught on Sunday ina graveyard, the tribesman said.Relations between men andwomen without family approvalare considered immoral in thedeeply tribal areas. Hundredsare killed around the countryeach year in the name ofdefending family honour, butstoning is extremely rare.The soldier admitted he had

met the girl three or more timesbefore and the punishment wascarried out on Tuesday in thegraveyard where the pair wasdiscovered, the tribesman said,adding that the body was latertaken to hospital. Localgovernment and securityofficials confirmed the incident,but declined to comment.

The fate of the girl remainsunclear, but there wererumours in the area that shemay also have been executed,although she denied the affair,the tribesman said. A hospitalofficial confirmed that they hadreceived a mutilated body onTuesday, which was later takenaway by paramilitary forces.“It was really a horrific sight.

The body had been badlydamaged after being hit bystones. Wounds all over and theface could no longer berecognised,” the official said.The tribal districts do not havea regular legal system andjustice is dispensed accordingto tribal and religious customby councils of elders.

Soldier stoned todeath in Kurram

Alleged love affair

�Some 50 tribesmen stone ‘accused’ after jirga orders sentence

�PBC members submit application against ‘aimless’ protests �A former SCBA president says lawyers should stop strikes without solid reason

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Nasiruddin Sarmad, a well-known prolific Seraiki poet, passed away onMonday after extended illness. The latepoet, who started his career as aschoolteacher, joined the KhyberPakhtunkhwa Textbook Board for preparinga Seraiki elementary textbook.The Pakhtunkhwa government has

decided to introduce teaching of regionallanguages including Pashto, Hindko,Seraiki, Kohistani and Gojri in all state-runeducational institutions. Besides this, thelate poet was credited with having written anumber of plays. Sujhla, Damaan andPokray Paiyom and Azab are some of hiswell-known books.Nasiruddin Sarmad also worked with the

Radio Pakistan as scriptwriter and host. His wholecareer was associated withliterature and he was anardent supporter of theSeraiki movement who alsoorganised several literaryactivities along these lines

in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts.Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairman

Abdul Hameed while expressing sorrow overthis loss said that Nasiruddin Sarmad was animportant name in the list of Seraiki poetsand dramatists and his services towards thepromotion of Seraiki language and literaturewould be remembered for a long time.Sarmad’s associations with the media as wellas literature gave him immense popularityamong the masses.

KKAARRAACCHHII:: PakistanMuslim League–F hasapproved three names forSindh caretaker chiefminister, according to aprivate TV channel onWednesday.The approved names

include that of AslamSanjrani, Khair MuhammadJunejo and HussainAbdullah. Earlier, the PML-F had accused the MuttahidaQaumi Movement – on itsdecision to sit on oppositionbenches – of conspiring withthe ruling PPP to gain moreauthority in setting upinterim government.After the 18th

Amendment, the role of theopposition leader hasgained considerablesignificance. Theamendment bounds thechief minister to consultwith the opposition leaderto appoint caretaker chiefministers in the province. The Sindh chief minister

had earlier in the weekrequested the opposition tofurnish their names for thecaretaker set-up. –ONLINE

AHMAD NABI

KKHHYYBBEERR AAGGEENNCCYY:: Christiancommunity on Wednesday helda protest demonstrationagainst the Joseph Colonyincident in which a violent mobattacked houses of Christiansin Lahore, in front of the LandiKotal Press Club.Despite heavy rain, a large

number of Christians along withworkers of diMerent politicalparties and representatives ofNA-45 candidate participated inthe rally that was started fromHospital Chowk and ended infront of the Press Club. The protesters led by Arshad

Masih and Chaudhry AkhtarZaman were holding placardsinscribed with slogans in favour

of their demands.They were also chanted full

throat slogans against thePunjab government and police.Addressing the gathering,

Christian community leaderArshad Masih stronglycondemned the Joseph Colonyincident and said that it wastotally unjustified to punish the

whole community for the crimecommitted by a single person.He came hard on Punjab policeand said that they deliberatelylet the violent mob to storm theJoseph Colony.Akhtar Zaman expressed

dissatisfaction over thesubstandard reconstructionworks by the Punjabgovernment after thedestruction at the Joseph Colonyand said that houses should berebuilt from its foundation. They demanded of the Chief

Justice of Pakistan to takenotice of the atrocities againstthe Christian community inPunjab. The Landi Kotal-Torkham Road was suspendedfor all kind of traLc for timebeing due to protest.

Christians demonstrate in Landi Kotal

Prolific Seraiki poet no more

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: UNESCO will help PakistanMuseum of Natural History (PMNH) in developingits online virtual tour so that the entire world people,especially the researchers and students could benefitfrom its facilities, said UNESCO Country DirectorDr Kozue Kay Nagata on Wednesday.Speaking as chief guest at the launching ceremony

of Audio Commentary Equipment, Dr Nagata saidthat UNESCO will also help the museum indocumentary on Shark Whale specimen’s stuLngand exhibition process as well as digitization of themuseum collection.UNESCO’s support to the museum is based on its

concept to promote science and education accordingto its mandate. She said though PMNH is small butunique in terms of its collection, especially of fossilsthat reveal natural history of millions years past. DrNagata said though the donation of commentaryequipment is a small contribution but it will helpvisitors a lot in understanding the exhibits during

their visit to the Museum.The equipment will make museum more scientific

and dynamic, she said, adding, launching thecommentary equipment at PMNH is a pilot projectand later this facility will also be replicated in othermuseums of Pakistan. She also spoke on UNESCOand PSF collaboration, which is going on since longfor promotion of science. She made a mention tosome of their collaborative programmes, especiallyMan and Biosphere (MAB) Programme andinquiry-based Science Education Programme.On the occasion, Dr Manzoor Soomro stressed

the need for developing collaboration with otherorganizations in order to achieve common goals.He said the common goal of UNESCO and PSF ispromotion of science. He said the concepts ofUNESCO programmes are key to scienceeducation system. He said the digitization processof the museum collection will add new dimensionto their collaboration. –ONLINE

History Museum going online�UNESCO provides help in developing virtual tour of museum

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: StateMinister for Information andBroadcasting Syed SumsamBukhari has said that interimprime minister wouldnominated with consultationof all political stakeholders toconduct free, fair andtransparent election in thecountry. He said politicalforces were now highlymatured to resolve all thecritical issues including theestablishment of caretakersetup for the election. Hesaid that PPP has believedon democratic norms and allthe issues would be solvedwith consensus. –AGENCIES

Pagara gives3 names forcaretaker CM

Interimsetup withconsultation

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

THE SPOKESMANChief Editor: Huma Ali

Executive Editor: Atif MateenResident Editor: Saeed Minhas

Consulting Editors: Jalees Hazir Samina Choonara

Will India finally see the light?

The US Ambassador to PakistanRichard Olson hinted a few daysback that his country, besidessupporting the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI)project, is also interested infinancing the 4500MW DiamerBhasha hydropower project keepingin view the ongoing energy crisis inPakistan. He rubbed in the pointthat his country’s support in therehabilitation and upgradation ofTarbela dam would also alleviatethe crisis. While he was making thisstatement at Tarbela, his colleagueVictoria Nuland addressed a pressconference in Washington,expressing her country’sreservations on the Pak-Iran gaspipeline project and didn’t hesitateto hint at a couple of sanctions onPakistan.By now it should be quite clear

that the US was never pleased tohear about the project. RyanCrocker, an ex US ambassador inIslamabad, while talking to thestate-run TV, very openly said thathampering the IP gas pipeline wasnot in the US interest but it wouldbe “going too far” to suggest thatthe US would support the project.This could be the starting point tounderstand the impediments, butto identify the real hurdles one hasto follow the Indian stance.Why is there a controversy today

about this pipeline? It should beknown to all and sundry as towhich country was keenest for thedream to turn into reality? It mustbe mentioned that the original ideawas conceived by a young Pakistanicivil engineer Malik Aftab AhmedKhan in the mid 1950s. Later it wasmooted in 1989 by Dr R. K.Pachauri, Director General of TERIin India, and Dr A.S. Ardekaniof Iran.Iran has the second largest gas

reserves in the world. It made senseto supply gas to India, which wasthen gas-deficient and still is.Pakistan and Iran signed apreliminary agreement for theconstruction of a natural gas

pipeline in 1995 linking the gasfield in the Persian Gulf withKarachi, Pakistan’s main industrialport located on the Arabian Sea.Iran later proposed an extension ofthe pipeline from Pakistan to India.The Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI)

pipeline was meant not only tomeet India’s growing energydemand to a great extent, but alsoto benefit Pakistan from Iraniannatural gas. As Pakistan’s territorywas to be used as a transit route, itwould have benefited from thetransit fee as well. The IPI wouldhave also enhanced the spirit of

cooperation among the threecountries. However, during a veryimportant, and almost one of theconcluding, sessions held in Tehranfrom September 24 to September26, 2007, when the Indians did notshow up due to gauche and gawkyexcuses, no one was left with anydoubts about the “interests” and thechanged priorities of the Indians.Soon after signing a civilian

nuclear deal with the United Statesin 2008, the Indians practicallywithdrew from the project over so-called pricing and security issueswhich they formally announced in2009. But for some mysteriousreasons, they again showed interestin the project and from March 2010

called on Pakistan and Iran fortrilateral talks, again and again. Tothe unbiased observers, thatsounded more like a delaying tacticmerely to keep Iran and Pakistanaway from any further progress.Great work had been done,

mainly in Iran and Pakistan for theIPI pipeline. A 44 inch pipelinefrom the Iranian coast city ofAssaluyah, 1,115 km across theIranian terrain to the Pakistanborder, and another 760 kmthrough Pakistan, to the Indianborder was planned. The pipelinewould have linked up with

Pakistan’s gas network beforeentering India, about 70 km shortof the Indian border. Within India,a further 900 km was required toconnect it with the north Indianmarket. It was anticipated that atits full capacity, Pakistan would useabout 60 Million Metric StandardCubic Meter per Day (MMSCMD)and India 90 MMSCMD. The totalcost of the project was estimated at$4 billion at the time when theproject was conceived. But that wasnot to be.One of the causes given by the

Indians for delaying this deal wasthe so-called security hazard orthreat to the pipeline, as it wouldpass through Pakistan. Not that the

Indians did not know about itsroute previously. Obviously, thebasic reason for Indian reluctanceto go ahead with the project is theUS hostility to the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline. Offering theCivil-Nuclear deal to India, the USeven made the suggestion thatnuclear energy could meet all ofIndia’s energy needs.Those who know about the US

grudge against the Iranians areaware that the former has beenopposed to the IPI pipeline becauseof the latter’s nuclear programmeand its stand-off with the US andthe West. Otherwise, the IPIpipeline makes a lot of sense forIndia. But the relentless oppositionof the US will make it difficult forthe country to pursue the IPI tomeet its rapidly growing energyneeds.The ambivalence of India about

the pipeline had created anunforeseen problem and causedfurther delay in its execution.However, on 30 January 2013, thePakistan's federal governmentapproved a deal with Iran for layingthe Pakistan's section of thepipeline and now the constructionof the Pakistani section has startedwhich is likely to be completed inabout 22 months.In addition to the IPI option, the

Indian officials had shown interestin the TAPI pipeline project as well.Indian Prime Minister ManmohanSingh, during his visit toAfghanistan in August 2005, hadsaid at a joint news conference withAfghan President Hamid Karzai,‘We need both pipelines’. The nowreluctant Indians very well knowthat whichever pipeline - IPI orTAPI - they might opt for, Pakistancannot be bypassed in any case. It ishigh time for the Indians to admitthis reality, shun all nefariousgames and listen to their expertswho insist that India is an energy-starved country and direly needs aproject like the IPI pipeline.

THE WRITER IS A MEDIASTRATEGIST, BILINGUAL COLUMNIST,

PLAYWRIGHT AND AUTHOR

Block 11, G-6/1, Aabpara, IslamabadTelephone: 051 260 7153-4

Fax: 051 260 [email protected]

Despite strong opposition and warnings of economic sanctionsfrom the US, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and IranianPresident Mahmoud Ahmedinijad oVcially inaugurated theconstruction work on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline on Monday. Iranhas completed 900 km of pipeline on its side of the border, and theTehran-based Tadbir Energy Development Group will undertakeall engineering procurement and construction work for the firstsegment of the project, which starts from the Iran-Pakistan border.Tehran has also agreed to lend Islamabad $500 million against theestimated $1.5 billion cost of the 750 km Pakistani section of thepipeline. In Pakistan, an ill-informed discourse is being generatedabout the possibility of US sanctions on Pakistan. Some analystsdraw a gloomy picture and imply that Pakistan will suWer thewrath of the sole super power. These analysts are solely interestedin protecting the US interests as a knee-jerk reflex. Beforestrengthening the fear of going against the US diktat, they wouldbe well-advised to examine the scope of the US sanctions and theirpossible repercussions on Pakistan.In fact, the first question is whether the US can slap sanctions onPakistan when Iran-Sanctions Act is applicable to individuals,companies and financial institutions, and not states? Going by theprovisions of the Act, it cannot. The US can, however, creatediVculties for Pakistan. Imposing sanctions on Pakistan will not bein the interest of the US though. If past is any guide, there is no causefor alarm at the present, because till the time the US needs Pakistan,it will not slap sanctions on it. During the Zia era there were nuclear-related sanctions on Pakistan but the Bush administration turned ablind eye to Pakistan’s nuclear program till the Soviet forcesremained on Afghan soil. Besides, one cannot rule out the possibilityof Iran reaching an agreement on its nuclear program. Economiccooperation with partners like China and Pakistan could in fact behelpful in creating the right environment for such an agreement.Beyond unilateral and multilateral measures against Iran'seconomy, the US has since 1996 threatened to impose secondarysanctions against third-country entities doing business with Iran.In recent years, the US Congress has dramatically expanded therange of activities subjected to such sanctions, going beyondinvestments in Iranian oil and gas production to include simplepurchases of Iranian crude and almost all financial transactions.Nevertheless, India and China are importing oil from Iran, andenjoying the waivers because of the leeway in the Act that allowsthem to progressively reduce these purchases.The original Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline would have been astabilising element in Pakistan’s relations with India as well. Butthe US had oWered India a civil-nuclear deal on the condition thatit pulled out of the project. However, the US had refused to ink asimilar deal with Pakistan - an old strategic ally and frontline statein its “war on terror”. The confidence that it could sway Pakistanaway from the project without oWering anything in return now liesshattered. The scarecrow of sanctions will not work either.

Scarecrow of sanctions

Soon after signing a civilian nucleardeal with the United States in 2008,the Indians practically withdrewfrom the project over so-calledpricing and security issues whichthey formally announced in 2009.It is high time for the Indians tolisten to their experts who insistthat India is an energy-starvedcountry and direly needs a projectlike the IPI pipeline

Today, I took part in some protest rallies inKhanewal and Multan organised to protestagainst the burning of Joseph Colony inBadami Bagh, Lahore. When a charged mobwas burning the colony of Christiancommunity, I received a phone call fromShehzad Francis and he suggested we recordour protest against this shameful act of thefanatic mob. I agreed to this suggestion atonce and sent messages to my friends in thejournalist community and some socialactivists and political and religious leaders ofthe Muslim community asking them toorganise a joint rally against extremism. TheoVce holders of Khanewal Union ofJournalists (KUJ), members of the HumanRights Commission district core group,political workers, and some political leadersjoined us in the protest rally.When we reached the Church in Khanewal

where we had decided to gather, we saw areligiously charged mob chanting religiousslogans and a fiery father dominating that

congregation. This was not the intention andwe had wanted these protests to be led bypeople of all denominations and all walks oflife to come forward.The idea was to defuse the religious colour

to this tragedy and protest in the name of allthose vulnerable to State-condoned violence.We had wanted social activists, journalists,lawyers and political workers to move forwardand lead the rally but our eWorts failed whenan angry young pastor took over charge andmoved to the front.We did not wish for such an isolated colour

to the protest rally. It seemed to me that wewere back to talking religious hatred and notspeaking about the politics of oppressedpeoples. But despite the rightist leadership ofthe protest rally we joined in. When it wastime to address the crowd, due to theextraordinary eWort of Shahzad Francis I gotsome time to go up to the mike. I tried toexpose the strategy adopted by so-calledleaders of oppressed religious communities asa response to acts of terrorism.I tried to explain that the solution is not to

go in the Rightist camp and isolate the

Christian community from othercommunities living in Pakistan. I condemnedthe eWorts of leaders who were pushing theoppressed community toward greaterisolation and alienation, trying to exploit theirreligious emotion. I observed that the Rightistlobby was not happy with me and did notapprove of my speaking there at all. Icontinued nevertheless. The protest rally inMultan went in the same direction.In Balochistan, too, a similar trend was

observed when the Shia community protestedagainst the targeting of the Hazara. The lastsit-in was organised by the Majlise Wahadatul Muslimeen (MWM) and there was aconscious eWort of the leaders to exclude allthose people who were trying to make theprotest a joint eWort of all communities. Theretoo, we heard the negative propaganda of theRightist clergy against liberal, progressive andradical forces.I do not believe in conspiracy theories, but I

seriously doubt the sudden rising andpopularity of some newly-born Rightistreligious organisations and their new leaderslike the MWM. It needs to be investigated

who is involved in promoting and fundingthem. Liberal, progressive forces should studythese changes to make sense of what ishappening and why people are turningtowards the clergy instead of a political andmore enlightened response against suchvictimisation.It is time to raise the question of why this

oppression is only viewed as religion-basedhatred and how the clergy is helping supportthis view, gaining control of oppressedcommunities like the Christian, Shia, Barelvi,Ahmadi, Hindu, and the Scheduled Castes.One reason is that liberal and left forces arenot strong enough to make a joint front withthese oppressed and victimised religiouscommunities. They do not come forward andactively participate in protests and have noideas or solutions to oWer.The other reason is our security

establishment which patronises terroristoutfits of diWerent kinds and funds them.EvenmainstreamRightist political parties areknown to have their own religious factions. Inmy view, it is high time progressive and Leftgroups and individuals came to the front by

first forming a broad united front againstterrorism and then forging alliances withreligious minorities being targeted. Theymust oWer support and political solutions, andthey must lead or at least join the protests,rallies, camps of such communities with theirown identities and agendas of a progressivesecular identity.This is critical if this country is not to fall

into the trap of the Right-wing in projectingPakistan as a religiously bigoted country whenvested interests play out their plans for ourfuture. Pakistan seriously faces the danger ofa sectarian civil war and this is being directedby the Right wing.The Left-liberals need to make their

presence felt at such a time and come forwardto make peace committees in which Sunni,Shia, Ahmadi, Christians, Hindus and othershave representation. There is a need to rejectthe sectarian narrative doing the rounds inour streets and markets. This is the onlysolution to save this society from a free fallinto anarchy.

THE WRITER IS A FREELANCE COLUMNIST

Rightists lead the way

Development inhigher educationalsector of agriculture

The mounting domain of Pakistan iscited as a country based onagricultural economy with a massivediversity of appropriate climaticconditions, a well fertile land and aworld renowned system ofirrigation. During the year 2005-2010, agriculture had an average

share of 24% in country’s GDP(gross domestic production). Insector of employment it contributesabout 45% industry-wiseemployment.According to an estimate, 63% of

the residents living in rural areasdirectly or indirectly earn fromagriculture.(Economic Survey of Pakistan,

2010-2011) Despite of this factualimportance of agriculture incountry’s sphere, its significance isfacing a refutation. The enrolmenttrends, research and development inagricultural sector is showing adecline.A research elaborates that only

1.2% of the students go for higheragricultural studies among the totalnumber of students seeking highereducation in Pakistan. The reasonsbehind this extremely low rate inPakistan are:• Person’s on input and choiceagency

• The low prestige value and socialimage of the profession

• Parental persuasion• Less opportunity structure andincentives

• Lack of professional staff• Gender label with profession• Limited exposure• Deficient curriculum• Inefficient technicalities• Peer influence• Dearth counseling• Deprived Governmentalassistance

• Challenging scientific andhumanities discipline

• Resource limitationOwing to the given disparities inhigher educational sector ofagriculture, one can draw thecurrent picture of agriculturaleducation in Pakistan; which isrequired to be improvedcertainly.Reforms should be amended inboth public and private sector toimprove the condition ofagricultural education.

• There must be a propersystematic organization by HEC(higher education commission)regarding agri-based education.

• Students at secondary,intermediate, pre and postgraduate levels must becounseled in such a way that they

come across the importance ofagriculture.

• The over generalized views aboutthe agricultural education andprofession must be bringing to anend.

• The over emphasis by the parentsand teachers to not opt suchsubjects has to be discouraged.

• The status symbol becominghindrance in the path of higheragricultural studies must bereformed

• Proper resources allocation in theuniversities impartingagricultural studies is required

• The involvement of agriculturistsin policy making is alsoadmirableAfter doing such reforms , the

man power in agricultural sectorwould be skilled and well efficientthat will lead to betterment inagriculture which in turn will drawthe graph of country’s developmentin an ascending trend andcontribute well in country’seconomy.

SAMAN ZAHRALAHORE

Ignoring marble market

Neglect on the part of the governmenthas made the nation suWer on manyfronts, and it seems as if the marblemarket is unfortunately following suit.The fact that we are actually ignoringinvitations of prominent constructioncompanies from around the globe,defies belief! There is so much that wecan learn from them, and there is somuch that we can enhance throughcooperation with foreign countries.When are we actually going to wakeup? Things must change.

KHADIJA SARFARAZ

Kramer versusMalik Riaz-not again

Bundal Island has been in news since2006, when there were reports ofDubai construction giant EMMARbuilding a city with about 15,000houses and an estimated cost of US $43 billion.

It also envisaged a bridge linking thisisland with DHA phase VIII. Probably,BT has done nothing new and onlydusted oW some old brochures andshowed as investment bonanza. Therest is Faustian deal, whereinmedia hassold objectivity for BT's dirty money.

MANZOOR [email protected]

Birds of the same flock fly together.Beware!

AZHAR [email protected]

Too fastNews headlines move too fast to read.Please increase this duration to stay abit more (few seconds) before showingthe next. It's too annoying. Thanks.

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Please email your letters [email protected] or postthem to our address in Islamabad.

EDITOR’SMAIL BOX

AAMIR HUSSAINI

The recent protests organised in di/erent cities against the Badami Bagh tragedy seem to be taking on a rightist, religiouscolour where no political solutions are o/ered. This was the case in the Hazara community and in other Shia protests toowhere the progressive, secular forces were not distinctly visible

Feedback from the web

SOHAIL PARWAZ

Originallyconceivedas the Iran-Pakistan-Indiapipeline, theprojecthasfinally takeno/minusIndia. IfPakistancouldwardo/therelentlessUSpressure todiscard it,whyhas India failed somiserably to pursue something that is clearly in its interest?

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

Nobody thinks of JK Rowling as agreat literary radical. Even thepeople who love her wouldn't claimshe's an artist of the experimental:there's not much chance ofconfusing The Casual Vacancywith, say, the work of BS Johnson.Writing about child wizards orcouncil elections, her style iscontinuous with the nineteenth-century peak of realist storytellingof Dickens, Eliot, Trollope: plotsthat drive and characters whostand with absolute vividness.When you come to a Rowlingnovel, you know your fourth wall isstructurally secure.Sometimes, that stylistic

continuity gets mistaken forpolitical complacency.When I was studying literature at

university in 2005, one of mylecturers contrasted the Potterbooks with James Kelman's HowLate it Was, How Late: Rowlingrepresented the stultifyingconservatism of the middle-classvoice, Kelman was the jaggedworking-class breach in thebourgeois smoothness of letters. Itseemed a slightly unfair way tomake the point then, and even moreso now her adult fiction is in view.Because while The Casual

Vacancy isn't a difficult orparticular abrasive novel, it's onethat asks readers to do somethinghard, necessary and deeplyunfashionable: The Casual Vacancywants you to exercise your feelingsin the service of people you don'tknow, people you may not meet oreven like, but people whose livesare nevertheless knotted up withyour own. And speaking at theBath Literature Festival on Fridaynight, she was unambiguouslyclear that she had a political motivefor this kind of writing.‘It would be pointless to pretend

I wasn't trying to make a point,’ shesaid. The Casual Vacancy was areaction to specific concerns aboutBritain now: ‘I'm worried about thelack of empathy in our culture.’ Ifan interest in empathy is whatmotivates The Casual Vacancy'sauthor, an absence of that quality iswhat animates the plot. If youhaven't read The Casual Vacancy(and it's possible you haven't, evenif it is the second-fastest sellingadult novel of all time), it's set inthe fictional village of Pagford, andthe story hinges on a councilelection, the outcome of which willdecide whether a whether a councilestate called the Fields remainspart of the village or is cast off to aneighbouring town.From the middle class characters

competing for political office,there's little compassion for thosethey're striving to represent. Thosestanding on a platform of casting

off the Fields think of the localaddicts as grasping dependents, aproblem to be sloughed off; thosecampaigning for it to remain partof Pagford make their case withstatistics and cost-benefit analysis,but even they can barely summonany warmth for the residents.The two lives of Pagfords two

estates are so removed from eachother's view, they rarely imaginethat they have any responsibilityfor one another. The sole personwho offered a bond between thevillage's economic layers, sociallymobile Barry Fairbrother, is deadwithin the novel's first three pages(it's his death that necessitates theelection). That's telling, isn't it?Rowling writes a state-of-the-nation novel, and she's offed thekey representative of individualadvancement and mutualcompassion before she even getsgoing.Pagford is its own place, but it's a

miniature of the UK too. As we livenow, if you're born down, you staydown, and the well-off have grownincreasingly efficient at hoardingwhat's theirs and gathering morewealth to wealth. The lives of richand poor meet less and less often:councils are actively dispatchingtheir poorer residents to distantoutposts of poverty, and in lieu ofimmediate knowledge, cruelty andcaricature flourish. The characterof Krystal Weedon in The CasualVacancy could have been a VickyPollard-style underclassnightmare: crude, promiscuous,violent, illiterate.Krystal is all of those things, but

she's also loving, striving towards akind of motherhood she's neverbeen shown herself, and Rowlingdescribes her with love. During thetalk, Rowling was asked whetherThe Casual Vacancy was a satire.Her answer was an emphatic no:

‘It's not satire. I couldn't havewritten about, let's say, Krystal assatire.’ Later, Rowling said thatKrystal was a character she "justwanted to hug". Writing aboutKrystal without empathy wouldhave been empty unkindness.You can take issue with The

Casual Vacancy's air ofVictorianism on aesthetic grounds,but we live in increasinglyVictorian times: Samuel Smiles'doctrine of self-help could be a‘2ResPublica paper. Thenineteenth-century realistsanswered inequality in theirfiction, turning faceless massesinto individual stories, making theconnectedness of society anundeniable truth in the eyes oftheir readers. Rowling does thesame thing now, because a century-odd later we are sliding into thesame old divisions and cruelties.

(NEW STATESMAN)

In defence of JKRowling's TheCasual Vacancy

Thanks to the courageous action of PrivateBradley Manning, the young soldier whohas been held for over two years by the USmilitary on trumped-up charges includingespionage and aiding the enemy, we nowhave solid evidence that the country’s twoleading news organisations, the WashingtonPost and the New York Times, are notinterested in serious reporting critical of thegovernment.Manning, in admitting at his military

court martial hearing recently that he wasin fact the source of hundreds of thousandsof damning and embarrassing documentsand cables exposing the perfidy and evenwar crimes of the US in Iraq andAfghanistan which were turned over toWikileaks, also stated that he had firstattempted to provide those documents -which included the secret video of an attackhelicopter massacring civilians, includingtwo Reuters journalists, and those who triedto rescue the victims - to the Post and theTimes.Both supposed “news” organisations failed

to pursue his offer, and did not run thosestories of US criminality until the documentshad been released by Wikileaks.The same two news organisations, not

surprisingly, have largely ignored Bradley’sprolonged incarceration in a military brig -incarceration that held him in solitaryconfinement, often naked, and which a UN

human rights investigator called “torture” aswell as his pretrial hearing and trial, oncethat process finally got underway.Even the New York Times’ own

ombudsman felt compelled to criticise thepaper for its shameless dereliction ofjournalistic duty in ignoring the persecutionof a man whose work the paper sprayed allover its news pages, once his documentaryevidence became available throughWikileaks, instead of directly from Manninghimself. (And once it became clear that otherpublications, notably the British Guardiannewspaper and the German magazine DerSpiegel, were going to publish his leaks.)Now as an investigative reporter myself, I

know that you get a lot of cranks who callyou up and say that they have informationabout some incredible scandal, and it istempting in many cases to just go ‘uh-huh,uh-huh, I’ ll look into it,’ and then toss thecall-back number into the wastebasket. Butthat is not smart journalism. Most peoplewho are whistleblowers have a hard timegiving a nice organised synopsis of what theyknow, can have an inflated sense of theimportance of what they want to tell you,and can even be deliberately exaggerating toget your attention. It’s important when you

get a call like that to take the time to askquestions, to check out the person’scredentials, and to follow up enough toestablish whether there is truth to what isbeing said. If there is truth there, then itneeds to be pursued.The Post is now claiming that Manning

hung up when a reporter at that paper toldhim she would need to get approval from a"senior editor" to pursue the story. That is acomplete load of crap. Reporters don't go tosenior editors when they first have theinkling of a good story.They first investigate to see if there really

is a story. A meeting with the source, toverify he is who he says he is, and a look atsome of the documentary evidence, wouldhave been in order before going to even animmediate supervising editor to ask for timeto pursue the assignment. Saying you firsthave to get a "senior editor's" permission isa bull-shit brush-off and the Post knows it.Similarly, Bill Keller, now a columnist at theNew York Times, on Monday ran an opinionpiece "explaining" how Manning got blownoff by the Times on his watch as executiveeditor. He claims Manning left a voice mailwith the paper but never got a call back.Excuse me, but the folks who answer those

voice mails surely get advised that ifsomeone offers a scoop they are to forward itto a responsible editor or reporter toevaluate. If they aren't doing that, theyshould just move to Bangalore and go intothe call service center business over at theTimes and stop pretending to be in thejournalism business!Manning was not exaggerating about what

he had, and when he said he had documents,video and other information that exposedwar crimes by the US military in Iraq, thatshould have been more than enough to alertwhomever he contacted at the Post and theTimes to send someone to meet with himand confirm his identity and the veracity ofhis claim to have documentary evidence.Neither publication, according to Manning,did this basic due diligence. They just blewhim off.Here was an enlisted man, with no axe to

grind, coming to these publications atincredible personal risk, offering themevidence not of the personal corruption of anindividual, but of the criminality of a war.That is a huge story of vast importance to theAmerican people and to the people of theworld, and the Times and the Postcompletely blew it off.

As my bureau chief Frank Crook at the NewYork office of the Sydney Morning Heraldonce told me back in 1984, when I informedhim that I had learned, only months later,that my wife and I had attended a birthingclass program before the birth of ourdaughter along with Mick Jagger’s then wifeJerry Hall and had failed to recognize whoshe was, ‘Ah mate, you ought to turn in yourjournalist’s license after a stunt like that!’(Mick hadn’t gone to classes with Jerry,leaving that job to her sister instead, whichwas my excuse for not recognizing her. MickI would have spotted.)While I don’t think my lack of awareness

was grounds for quitting the journalismprofession (I wouldn’t have violated herprivacy and written a story about Jerry’spregnancy anyhow!), I would have to saythat after failing to pursue Manning’s offerof documentation about US war crimes, andthen after failing to adequately cover hishorrific ongoing persecution by the Obamaadministration and the Pentagon, the Timesand the Post should just hang it up andadmit that they are not news organisations,but are just propaganda agencies.

(THISCAN’TBEHAPPENING.NET)

It’s finally done. After a lot of hullabalooand fanfare in the national media overthe last few months, the foundationstone for the historic Iran-Pakistan gaspipeline had been laid by the presidentsof Islamic Republics of Pakistan andIran. Having completed theconstruction of the line on its side of theborder, an Iranian company has beentasked to construct the 750km longpipeline within Pakistan by December2014. The Pakistani section would belinked to the 900km Iranian section ofthe pipeline for the gas to flow fromIran’s South Pars field into energystarvedPakistan. So, is this the panaceafor the lingering energy crisis thecountry has been facing for last manyyears? Come January 2015, would wesee a significant amount of gas addedto our system for use as CNG, powerconversion, household burner tips, etc.at aWordable price?Pakistanhas beenworking on a viable

gas import option for over two decades.Qatar, Iran and lastly Turkmenistan alloWered options to import gas viatransnational pipelines. While it is truethat each option presents a unique setof advantages and challenges, there isno question that a pipeline from IranoWered the most viable solution.Geographical proximity, terrain,distance, technical simplicity, noinvolvement of a transit country, etc. allpoint in favour of preferring the Iranianoption over others.Any transnational pipeline is a

function of many factors. Resourceavailability and demand, finance andtechnology, a viable market basedcommercial mechanism and muchmore. Interestingly politics play amorecrucial role than all other factorscombined. The development ofWestern Export Pipeline (WEP) fromAzerbaijan toTurkey’s Black Sea port ofCeyhan in the late ‘90s for examplewasan enormous diplomatic exerciseinvolving the US, UK, newly

independent former Soviet republics,Russia and Turkey. The physicalconstruction of the line was much lessof a worry for the stakeholders. In avolatile region like Central and SouthAsia adjoining theMiddle East, there isno doubt that oil politics will alwaysplay a dominant role in decidingprojects of this enormity.Ever since the overthrow of Shah in

1979,US relationswith Iran can at bestbe termed as hostile. Similarly thehistoric rivalry between the oil richArab Middle East and Iran areunfriendly if not hostile. As far asPakistan is concerned, it is no secret wehave merely been a client state withstrong dependence on both SaudiArabia and the US. Hence, US supportfor Pakistan in getting any meaningfulassistance from any of the multilateraldonors is critical. In addition the role ofChina and to some extent Russiashould also be considered. Bothcountries had aspirations to participatein the project initially.So if the US andMiddle East are not

in favour of Pakistan going ahead withthe Iranian gas import project; why isPakistan still pressing ahead?Has therebeen a paradigm shift in our foreignpolicy that is driving this projectfurther? Do we consider the sanctionsthreat by the US amere rhetoric or arewe consciously inviting thewrath of theworld’s only super power?Let’s attempt to understand the

reasons behind the current energycrisis in Pakistan. Is the crisis becauseof a lack of resources or lack ofcapacity? Maybe a bit of both. Butprimarily the present regime did nothave the will, capability or vision totackle this issue. It is largely amanagement problem essentiallyrevolving around the huge balance ofpayment issue between the powersector companies. The strategy at bestwas to drip feed the sector by injectingjust enough in order to keep thingsgoing; albeit at half the capacity.Sideshows such as rental power

projectswere initiatedwith the primarymotive of extorting kickbacks. Acomplimentary project to gas importvia Iran is LNG import. It’s been manyyears and the government is still tryingto initiate the project that hits snags atthe time of contract award. Lack oftransparency in contracts alwayscreates a hurdle and the case ends up incourt. There is nothing that the PPP ledgovernment has done in its tenure topresent a sustainable, viable andeWective programme leading to thegradual elimination of our energy crisis.Pakistan’s resolve to bank on the US

for its economic andmilitary needs hasnot dipped in the last few years. We allwitnessed the politicians bending overbackwards to facilitate a conditionalUSassistance through theKerry Lugar bill.In the case of Saudi Arabia, we haveseen a ‘period’ of coldness ever since thecurrent government has taken over.While there has not been anysignificant aid coming from SaudiArabia in the last few years includingthe fact that Pakistan’s request for‘cheap’ oil has constantly been declined,the image of Saudi Arabia as a friendstill generally prevails.President Zardari is riding through

turbulent waters. Initiating the projectat this juncture is likely to be trumpetedbyPPP as amajor election slogan in thecoming polls. We have already seen afew PPP MPAs dancing outside thePunjab Assembly to celebrate thehistoric event. By going ahead with theproject, hemay be able to arm-twist theUS into extending more aid toPakistan. However, if his gamble iscalled oW, the costwill be substantial forPakistan; long after President Zardariand the PPP led coalition governmentis voted out. The KSE already saw amini crash on Monday as fears of USsanctions loom. In case the PPP is ableto form the government again, I amsure a list of excuses has already beenprepared to annul the project. Havewenot seen a number of U-turns in thelast few years?

The bottom-line is that Pakistan’senergy situation requires a radicaltreatment, and charity should begin athome. The government should reformthe power sector first through betterand improved management.Importing gas from Iran presents agood option but have we done ourhomework to successfully launchourselves into it? Or are we settingourselves up for another failure? Someessential steps immediately come tomind that should’ve been addressedbefore taking a nosedive into the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project.We should have created a

professional vehicle to undertake theproject. The Inter State Gas System(ISGS) lacks the professionalmanagement having prior experienceof executing similar projects. Politicalrisk management should have beenaddressed prior to initiating theproject. I have not seen any usefuldiplomatic activity to achieve this. Weshould have engaged with thesignificant foreign countries asking forsupport. Thosewe tried engagingwith,we failed to attract to the project.We should not have accepted loans

from Iran to undertake Pakistan’sshare of project construction and weshould not have awarded the contractto the Iranian contractor withoutbidding. The money will be paid backby the public so the contract awardmust have come after a propercompetitive process. We are alsoignoring the fact that Iran does nothave the financial capability tobankroll the project. Iran is cashstarved and cannot fund this project.Finally, one must add that it isn’t fairfor a coalition government to start theproject in the last week of its term andensure that the incoming governmentbears its brunt.

THE WRITER IS AN EXPERIENCED OIL

INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL BASED IN

ISLAMABAD. HE HOLDS A MASTERS

DEGREE IN PETROLEUM POLICY

Pipereality or pipedream?

Rowling is often presented as a stultifyinglymiddle-class and cosy writer. That's unfair,her adult fictionmakes a clear politicalpoint like few novels do. The CasualVacancy wants you to exercise your feelingsin the service of people you don't know

After failing to pursueManning’s o/er of documentation about US war crimes, and then after failing toadequately cover his horrific ongoing persecution by the Obama administration and the Pentagon, the Times andthe Post should just hang it up and admit that they are not news organisations, but are just propaganda agencies

JournalisticMalpractice atWashingtonPost andNewYorkTimesDAVE LINDORFF

SARAH DITUM

M.S.KARIM

Importing gas from Iran presents a good option but have we done ourhomework to successfully launch ourselves into it? Or are we settingourselves up for another failure?

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

DPRK warns South Koreaof ‘stern punishment’PPYYOONNGGYYAANNGG:: The DemocraticPeople's Republic of Korea (DPRK)on Wednesday warned of "sternpunishment" for what it called "anti-DPRK hostile acts" from SouthKorea, the oQcial KCNA news agencyreported. A spokesman from theMinistry of the People's Armed Forceslisted a number of statements andactions from South Korea sinceMarch 6, saying that those "moves"could only be interpreted as"confrontation." South Korea began"Key Resolve" joint military exerciseson Monday with the United Statesdespite DPRK's warning ofannulment of the armisticeagreement that halted the KoreanWar (1950-53). The DPRK alsothreatened to launch a preemptivenuclear strike for self-defense if theUnited States "dared to ignite the fuseof a nuclear war." The spokesmannamed the U.S. and the South Koreanmilitary as its "major target of all-outaction for defending the sovereigntyand the first target of mercilessstrike." Tensions have been runninghigh on the Korean Peninsula sincethe DPRK conducted its third nucleartest on Feb. 12 as countermeasuresagainst U.S.-South Korean jointmilitary drills. –AGENCIES

S Korea to be defendedagainst threats: ParkSSEEOOUULL:: South Korean PresidentPark Geun- hye said Wednesday shewill resolutely defend country'ssecurity to deal with the DPRK'sthreat of military action ,according tothe Yonhap news agency. "But ifNorth Korea seeks changes, (SouthKorea) will make eRorts to givesupport to the impoverished country,"Park said in a speech during a lunchmeeting with social elders. She saidthat the security situation in SouthKorea is very grave. –AGENCIES

PKK releases 8 kidnappedTurk officials in IraqAANNKKAARRAA:: The outlawed KurdishWorkers' Party (PKK) released eightkidnapped Turkish public oQcials innorthern Iraq on Wednesday, Turkey'sNTV news channel reported. Thecaptives were handed over to adelegation including two pro- KurdishPeace and Democracy Party (BDP)deputies and nongovernmentalorganization representatives at anundefined meeting point in northernIraq, said the report. Iraqi KurdistanRegional Government oQcialsaccompanied the delegation. Thekidnapped oQcials, including districtgovernor candidate, police oQcers andsoldiers, will meet with their families atZaho region of northern Iraq and thenenter Turkey through Habur bordergate, according to report. The releasecame amidst ongoing peace talksbetween the government and the PKKas part of the government's latest eRortto disarm the PKK through dialogue. Ata recent meeting with Kurdishpoliticians from the BDP, jailed PKKleader Abdullah Ocalan signaled thatthe PKK may release the kidnappedpublic oQcials. The PKK, listed as aterrorist organization by Turkey andmost of the international community,took up arms in 1984 in an attempt tocreate an ethnic homeland insoutheastern Turkey. –AGENCIES

FINIAN CUNNINGHAM

WESTERN so-callednews mediacoverage of theescalating tensionson the Korean

Peninsula is like watching a crossbetween a bad James Bond movie anda cheap horror flick about flesh-eatingzombies. It would be funny if thedanger of war was not so serious andimminent. The disturbing direction ofthe Western media coverage is to set upNorth Korea - a poor impoverishedcountry - for an all-out military attackby the world’s nuclear superpowerpsychopath - the United States. Paradoxically, this danger is being

incited by “news” corporations thatpompously claim to be free-thinkingbastions of independent journalism,when in reality they are nothingmore than progenitors of the worstkind of pulp fiction. Kim Jong-un, the young leader of

North Korea who took over from hislate father in 2011, is being cast as aninsane villain whose Western mediapersona resembles that of a putativeDoctor Evil. His projected character isfit for a role in an early 007 movie.Days ago, Kim was reported asthreatening “preemptive nuclear war”against South Korea and its patron theUnited States. How evil!

Scarcely mentioned were the factsthat Kim was forced into this positionof making a staunch defense of hiscountry, under immense pressure ofrelentless imperialist aggression. TheDemocratic People’s Republic of Koreahas been slapped with yet more US-ledsanctions aimed at ostracizing thecountry from any internationalcontact. It’s the equivalent of solitaryconfinement of a prisoner, subjected tosensory deprivation. But this is tortureof an entire nation with no reprieve. Yes, North Korea conducted an

underground nuclear weapons test inmid-February. This was after the US tightened the

thumb-screws with yet more sanctions;and after years of Washington refusingto reciprocate with a negotiatedsettlement to end more than sixdecades of crippling trade embargoesin addition to the ever-present threat ofnuclear annihilation against NorthKorea following the 1950-53 war withits American-backed Southernneighbor. No other country has beenthreatened with nuclear Armageddonas often as North Korea - and always bythe US - for more than 60 years. Western media have now highlighted

the North Korean leader ordering hismassed troops to prepare for “wipingout” a South Korean island by turning acraggy maritime outpost into “a sea offlames.” Do you see the innuendo here?

Wiping out an island? Well, Kim mustbe an insane megalomaniac, right? The island in question is the disputed

territory of Baengnyeong, which isactually located oR the North Koreanmainland, but which the US forcedinto South Korea’s possession followingthe 1950-53 war. It has been used since,provocatively, as a staging post forAmerican surveillance and forwardplanning for attack against NorthKorea. No doubt the island will be usedthis week during the US perennial warplanning maneuvers that simulate theinvasion of North Korea, but whichWashington euphemistically calls“defensive measures.”Befitting the caricature of arch-villain,

photographs and footage haveabounded in Western media showingKim Jong-un clad in black long overcoatand black gloves, peering throughbinoculars apparently towards SouthKorean and American forces across theDemilitarized Zone of the 38th parallel.Just in case the Western public fail topick up on the demonic DrEvil caricature, there is another sub-

plot being instilled - the North Koreanflesh-eating zombies. In recent weeks,there has been a rash of storiesregurgitated by the same Westernmedia of outbreaks of cannibalismamong the allegedly starving people ofNorth Korea. These stories ofcannibalistic gore and nihilism have

not just been printed by the voyeuristictabloid gutter press. They have alsobeen published prominently bysupposed quality outlets, such asBritain’sSunday Times andIndependent, as well as one ofAmerica’s paper of record, TheWashington Post. Significantly, these macabre stories

began circulating in Western mediaoutlets at the end of January - sometwo weeks before North Koreaconducted its underground nuclearexplosion. That suggests that the flesh-eating horror claims in North Koreaare the work of a Western intelpsychological campaign aimed atadding pejorative technicolor to thepresent crisis. It makes for diQcult reading. Not

because of the alleged gruesome details,but because these stories are soobviously concocted and regurgitated inreflex manner by supposed newsorganizations. The horror claims allcome from one source: allegedly anundercover team of journalists from anoutfit called the Asia Press, based inJapan, who were allegedly spiritedsecretly into North Korea and allegedlyinterviewed various anonymous farmersand Communist party oQcials. It’s sobad you could not make it up. Yet theWestern media presses have gone intooverdrive to pump out theseunconfirmed and unverifiable accounts

of purported bloodcurdling cannibalismamong the North Korean population. In one version published by Britain’s

Daily Mail, the headline runs, “NorthKorean parents 'eating their ownchildren' after being driven mad byhunger in famine-hit pariah state.” DailyMail readers are told of how starvingadults are kidnapping and murderingchildren. One man was allegedlyexecuted by firing squad after his wifefound out that he had killed their youngdaughter and son “while she was awayon business;” when she returned to thestarving family homestead her husbandgreeted her with the welcome news that“they had meat” to eat. In anotherghoulish tale, printed as serious news,an elderly man is reported to have dugup the graves of his grandchildren andeaten their rotten flesh. The truly disturbing thing about

these reports is that not only are theysordid sensationalism passed oR ascredible reports by supposedly seriousnews organizations, but worse is thatthis propaganda is apparently believedby droves of the Western public whoread or watch such media. Check outsome of the readers’ comments belowthe stories printed in the abovementioned media and you will find allsorts of denunciations of North Koreaand its “sick people.” But it’s not thepeople of North Korea who aredepraved: it’s the Western media and

their gullible subscribers who indulgein this odious character assassinationof an entire nation.The Western media coverage of

North Korea recalls stories of babiesbeing ripped from hospital incubatorsby Iraqi soldiers in Kuwait, which wasa crucial tipping point for Westernpublic opinion to support theAmerican-led war on Iraq in 1991.More than a decade later, the sameWestern media ran scare stories ofweapons of mass destruction thatpaved the way of the Americangenocide in Iraq from 2003-2012. The same Western propaganda press

repeats endless claims about “sinisterIranian nuclear ambitions” that serve tojustify a criminal American-led tradeembargo on Iran that may result in aUS/Israeli military attack on the IslamicRepublic. The same Westernpropaganda press is now doing the samehatchet job on North Korea. A nation offlesh-eating zombies led by an evilpersonality cult who wants to blow upislands? “Yeah, go on Chuck, nuke thosemothers!” The Western public are beingplayed like fools to go along with themost depraved behaviour of militarybarbarism - a nuclear superpower itchingto destroy an impoverished nation thatthreatens no-one. Truly, Westernimperialist reality is more perverse andsick than the Western fiction.

(PressTV.ir)

Western media set up North Korea for war

AAMMMMAANN:: Heavy fighting erupted inan area between Damascus and theIsraeli-occupied Golan Heights onWednesday, in what could be a newbattlefront between Syrian troops andrebels, opposition sources said.Rebel fighters attacked an army

barracks manned by eliteRepublican Guards and the FourthMechanised Division, headed byPresident Bashar al-Assad’s brotherMaher, in Khan Sheih, 6 km (4miles) from the outskirts ofDamascus, civilian activists and anopposition military source said.Clashes intensified three days afterSunni Muslim rebels overran a

missile squadron in the area, killing30 soldiers, mostly from Assad’sminority Alawite sect, the sourcessaid. The region also hosts aPalestinian refugee camp.An opposition campaigner in the

nearby town of Jedeidet said troopsstationed in hills overlooking KhanSheih were attacking the area withmultiple rocket launchers to try todislodge rebels surrounding thebarracks. “I counted up to 20explosions a minute on Khan Sheih,”the activist, who uses the pseudonymof Abdo, told Reuters by phone.A rebel commander in contact with

the fighters said a force of some 1,000

insurgents had moved into KhanSheih, which is 25 km from the GolanHeights, captured by Israel in 1967.He said rebels had also attacked

Syrian army positions in the townof Qunaitra, near the ceasefire linewith Israel, and further south nearthe Golan, but those troops werewell dug in.“The aim is to cut supplies to

Qunaitra,” he said, adding that theKhan Sheih operations were alsointended to relieve pressure on thesouthwestern Damascus suburb ofDaraya, where a rebel pocket hasbeen under army siege for twomonths. –AGENCIES

Troops, rebels open new battlefront near Damascus

COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan demonstrator holds a portrait of a missing relative during a protest outside the United Nations officein Colombo. –WIRE SERVICE

DDHHAAKKAA:: Dozens of Hindu templesand hundreds of homes acrossBangladesh have been attackedsince an Islamist leader wassentenced to death for war crimeslast month, a Hindu group claimedWednesday.Bangladesh Puja Udjapon

Parishad, a group which looks afterHindu temples, said 47 temples andat least 700 Hindu houses had eitherbeen torched or vandalised since theverdict against Delwar HossainSayedee. Sayedee, vice-president ofthe country’s largest Islamic partyJamaat-e-Islami, was sentenced tohang on February 28 for crimesincluding rape and murdercommitted during the 1971independence conflict.The sentencing of Sayedee and

other Jamaat-e-Islami leadershas triggered the worst violencein impoverished Muslim-majority Bangladesh sinceindependence, with 85 people sofar killed in the unrest. KazalDebnath, a vice-president ofBangladesh Puja UdjaponParishad, blamed the attacks onHindu temples and homes onJamaat-e-Islami and its studentwing Islami Chhatra Shibir.

“It was the work of the Jamaat andShibir, but we also accuse thegovernment, the police and the localgovernment representativesincluding (our) MPs for failing toprotect the temples and ourcommunity,” he told AFP.He said the attackers were given

free rein to “torch our temples,houses and properties”.Jamaat has denied any role in the

attacks, blaming supporters of theruling Awami League party for theviolence. But Foreign Minister DipuMoni told diplomats last week thatJamaat and Shibir attacked Hindutemples and houses in a “pre-planned manner”.Hindus, who make up nearly 10

per cent of Bangladesh’s 153 million-strong population, are traditionallyseen as supporters of the AwamiLeague, which brands itself as asecular party. Jamaat-e-Islamileaders have been on trial at thedomestic International CrimesTribunal, accused of committingcrimes against humanity during thebloody war for independence.But the party says the process is an

attempt by the ruling party to settlescores and not about deliveringjustice. –AGENCIES

Hindu temples,homes attackedacross B’desh

CCAAIIRROO:: Egyptian StateLawsuit Authority,representing thegovernment, submittedWednesday an appealagainst the AdministrativeCourt's decision tosuspend parliamentaryelections.The appeal was submitted

against AdministrativeCourt's ruling issued lastweek to suspend a decree byPresident Mohamed Morsito hold the parliamentarypolls on April 22 and refer14 lawsuits against theconstitutionality ofelections law to theSupreme ConstitutionalCourt.In a statement, the

authority said that itsdecision to challenge theadministrative court'sruling came after a deepstudying for the verdict'sdifferent sides, arguingthe ruling that preventsthe president frompracticing his politicalpowers. –AGENCIES

WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN:: The United States isquite apathetic to President BarackObama's upcoming visit to Israel and is nothanging its hopes on any politicalbreakthroughs. New York Times columnist Thomas

Friedman wrote on Wednesday morning,"it is hard for me to recall a less-anticipatedtrip to Israel by an American president." He cynically added that "Obama could be

the first sitting American president to visitIsrael as a tourist." According to Friedman, the American

pessimism regarding the chance to advancethe political process stems from the factthat the obstacles to peace between Israeland the Palestinians have never beengreater. "Israel has now implanted300,000 settlers in the West Bank, and theHamas rocket attacks on Israel from Gazahave seriously eroded the appetite of theIsraeli silent majority to withdraw from theWest Bank, since one puny rocket alonefrom there could close Israel’s internationalairport in Lod," wrote Friedman. The columnist further explains that

"Little is expected from this trip — not onlybecause little is possible, but because, froma narrow US point of view, little isnecessary. Quietly, with nobodyannouncing it, the Israeli-Palestinianconflict has shifted from a necessity to a

hobby for American diplomats. "Like any hobby — building model

airplanes or knitting sweaters — some daysyou work on it, some days you don’t. Itdepends on your mood, but it doesn’tusually matter when that sweater getsfinished," said Friedman. On the reasons the US president has

taken a stance of nonperformance the NYTcolumnist said "Obama worked on thishobby early in his first term. He got stuckas both parties rebuRed him, and,therefore, he adopted, quite rationally in myview, an attitude of benign neglect. It wasbarely noticed." Friedman claims that the change in the

US approach to the Israeli-Palestinianconflict is not new, but rather a byproductof international, political processesoccurring in recent decades. Amongst others, he mentions the fact

that the US is becoming less and lessdependent on Arab gas and since the end ofthe Cold War, the likelihood of a warbetween Israel and the Arab countriesigniting a worldwide clash, has decreased. Friedman thinks that the real urgent

conflicts in the Middle East, and thusthose that worry the US most, are the onesbetween the Shiites and Sunnis inLebanon, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrainand Yemen. –AGENCIES

Palestinian conflicta hobby for US: NYT

Egypt’s govtchallengessuspendingelections

The Western propaganda press is now doing the same hatchet job on North Korea. The Western public is being played like fools to go along withthe most depraved behaviour of military barbarism - a nuclear superpower itching to destroy an impoverished nation that threatens no-one

Germany bans three Salafistgroups as anti-democraticBBEERRLLIINN:: Germany banned three ultra-conservative SalafistMuslim groups on Wednesday, which the Interior Ministry saidwanted to overturn democracy and install a system based on sharia,or Islamic law. The ban, which took eRect in the western states ofHesse and North Rhine-Westphalia in the early morning, is thelatest step taken by German authorities who have increasedsurveillance of Salafists who espouse a radical version of Islam. Theministry said it has banned the organisations “DawaFFM” and“Islamische Audios”, as well as “An-Nussrah”, which is part of the“Millatu Ibrahim” group that was outlawed in June. Some 20people were searched and assets belonging to the organisationswere seized, said the ministry. “Salafism, as represented in theassociations that were banned today, is incompatible with our freedemocratic order. (The groups) aim to change our society in anaggressive, belligerent way so that democracy would be replaced bya Salafist system, and the rule of law replaced by Sharia law.”Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said in a statement.Germany is home to roughly 4,000 Salafists. –AGENCIES

EU official killed in Syria rocket attackBBRRUUSSSSEELLSS:: An official of the European Union (EU)'s delegation inSyria was killed Tuesday in a rocket attack on a Damascus suburb,EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Wednesday.Policy officer Ahmad Shihadeh was killed during a rocket attack onthe Damascus suburb of Deraya while providing humanitarianhelp, Ashton said in a statement. Ashton expressed hercondolences to the family of the killed EU official. "I offer mysincere condolences to his family and friends, and to the colleaguesof the Delegation. Ahmad died while providing humanitarian helpto the community of Deraya," said Ashton in her statement,"Ahmad was known for his courage and selflessness." Shihadeh wasa policy officer at the EU Delegation in Syria and was killed onTuesday during a rocket attack on the Damascus suburb of Deraya,where he lived. –AGENCIES

Gold 10 Gms Dollar Interbank Kibor 6months T Bills6months Urea/Bag Coal Spot 10-Y PIB Furnace oilRs.51771 Rs. 98.15 9.15%-9.40% 9.47% Rs. 1742 $93.05/Ton 11.42% 78,446/MT

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

Pak ‘fire and heat proof’garments attract US marketSSIIAALLKKOOTT: The internationalstandard high quality Pak “Fire andHeat Proof ” garments especiallymanufactured for car racers(Formula 1 Racers) and motorbikeriders attracted 20 foreign marketsincluding USA. CEO, BFW, AbdulGhafoor Butt told APP hereWednesday that our all Pak madefire and heat proof garmentshundred percent meet allinternational standards set by the“FIA and SFI”. He said that “we aresuccessfully exporting car racer wearfire proof garments including fireproof suits, shoes, gloves andundergarments especially used by“Formula 1 Racers” to USA,Germany, Finland, Australia, NewZealand, Sweden, UK, Japan, China,India etc”. –AGENCIES

Record earnings fortextile in 1HFY13KKAARRAACCHHII:: Improved sectordynamics has kept the Textile sectorin the limelight at local bourse.Higher regional demandculminating into rising exports andfirm cotton prices stands out as thechief contributors to the multifoldincrease in the profitability ofPakistan’s largest industry. InFY13TD, listed textile sector hasyielded 70% price return,outperforming the KSE 100 returnof 30%. Our analysis reveals thatsector’s profits (our sample includes70 listed companies representing97% of the market capitalization)have reached Rs13.2bn in 1HFY13 ascompared to Rs1.1bn in 1HFY12, up12 times. We continue to see thesector under favorable light with ourconviction coming from consistentregional textile demand (especiallyyarn) and downward sticky cottonprices. Further support toprofitability is also likely to comefrom Pak rupee depreciation,subdued finance cost and improvedgas situation beyond winter. InTextile, we cover largest textile unit,NML, and maintain ‘Hold’ with thetarget price of Rs83 per share. Thelatest numbers reveal that textileexports have surged by 8% toUS$7.5bn in 7MFY13. We attributehigher textile exports to China’sstockpiling move which had eSectivelyincreased their domestic cotton pricesand is facilitating Pakistan’s exports tothe country. –STAFF REPORT

Pakistan’s trade deficitdeclines to $13.18 billionKKAARRAACCHHII:: Pakistan’s trade deficitfell by 10 per cent for the first eightmonths of the fiscal year 2012-3.Trade deficit fell for the first eightmonths of the fiscal year 2012/13(July-February) to $13.18 billion,compared with a deficit of $14.66billion for the same period last year,the Pakistan Bureau of Statisticssaid. Exports rose to $15.884 billionin (July-February) from $15.128billion and imports to $29.069billion from $29.788 billion. On amonthly basis, the trade deficit fellto $1.548 billion in February from$1.740 billion the previous month.Exports totaled $1.835 billion inFebruary and imports were $3.383billion. –AGENCIES

CURRENCY BUYING SELLINGUS Dollar 99.30 99.55Euro 127.76 127.97British Pound 146.94 147.16UAE Dirham 26.85 27.05Saudi Riyal 26.35 26.55Kuwaiti Dinar 346.47 350.60Canadian Dollar 95.45 96.96

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Dr Asim Hussain, Awad Ahmed Algeez inaugurate OGDCL Institute of Science and Technology. —PR

SAHTAK BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The outgoing federal cabineton Wednesday approved the InvestmentPolicy 2013 under which an ambitiousforeign direct investment target is set at $5.5billion per year to be achieved gradually byadjusting priorities in the face of globaleconomic recession.Despite increasing domestic problems due

to long hours power outages coupled withcontinued pressure on country’s economylargely because of the war on terror andchanging global scenario due to an economicslowdown, the PPP led federal cabinetgovernment has approved ambitious foreigndirect investment target set under newInvestment Policy 2013. The outgoing cabinet, which met with

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in thechair, approved the draft of the Investment

policy 2013, which was finalised by the Boardof Investment. According to the draft, the new policy will

be instrumental in increasing foreign directinvestment (FDI) to $2 billion in 2013, thenwith a growth of 25% to $2.5 billion in 2014,$2.7 billion in 2015, $3.25 billion in 2016 and$4 billion in 2017. FDI will be taken to at least$5.5 billion per year.The policy further stated that assuming an

average annual economic growth of 5%, theFDI would account for 20% of gross domesticproduct (GDP) growth, which is close to thecurrent global average.Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act 2012,

the center piece of Investment Policy 2013 willencourage industrial clusterization, and bringPakistan on international economic radaroSering liberal investment regime andadequate physical infrastructure. Theinvestment and incentives will stand fully

protected to stay through this Law. The SEZswill reduce the cost of doing business,enhance productivity and will help ineconomic development and poverty reductionThe Policy has been designed to provide acomprehensive framework for creating aconducive business environment for theattraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).For implementation of the policy, FDIStrategy for Pakistan, 2013-2017, outlining adetailed plan for structuring the platforms hasbeen dovetailed with it. The policy seeks to remove obstacles and

impediments in the way of foreign anddomestic investments, putting Pakistan'sinvestment environment in line with those ofits international competitors. According to thepolicy, all sectors and activities are open forforeign investment unless specificallyprohibited or restricted for reasons of nationalsecurity and public safety. Specified restricted

industries include arms and ammunitions;high explosives; radioactive substances;securities, currency, and mint; andconsumable alcohol.The policy draft stated that, there is no

minimum requirement for the amount offoreign equity investment in any sector andthere is no upper limit on the share of foreignequity allowed, except in specific sectorsincluding airline, banking, agriculture andmedia. Foreign investors in any sector shall atany time repatriate profits, dividends, or anyother funds in the currency of the countryfrom which the investment was originated. Asper clause 6 of the Foreign Private Investment(Promotion & Protection) Act 1976, andsubject to procedural requirements set underthe Foreign Exchange Manual 2002 of theState Bank of Pakistan.According to the policy, permission for

opening of branches of foreign banks will

continue to be granted by the State Bank ofPakistan. Foreign investors shall be entitledto sell shares, transfer ownership, and de-register under Companies Ordinance 1984and Banking Companies Ordinance 1962. The BOI will work with the SBP, SECP and

Ministry of Finance to open up and promoteforeign investment in the insurance, bankingand financial sectors. Foreign investors shallhave the right to exchange the local currencyinto any other freely convertible foreigncurrency, subject to Foreign ExchangeRegulations of SBP. There shall be norestrictions on the use of foreign private loanswithin three major loan categories as definedin SBP Foreign Exchange Manual 2001 or thedebt-to-equity ratios used to finance theforeign investment projects. The use of thefunds if received from foreign loans shall beextended to any purpose, not limited toimported plant and machinery.

Federal cabinet announces Investment Policy 2013

Foreign direct investment target set at $5.5b per year

SAHTAK BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD: The PakistanTelecommunication Authority (PTA)has taken serious notice of illegalheavy fleecing of the consumers withadditional Inland Housing Clearance(IHC) tax by 14 long distanceinternational (LDI) operators overincoming international calls toPakistan, sources told on Wednesday. Interestingly, the regulatory

authority (PTA) has sprung intoaction after the publication of a newsitem regarding a scam involving theillegal imposition of 8.8 cents perminute on incoming internationalcalls, in which Ministry ofInformational Technology andPakistan Telecom Authority (PTA)

had seemingly established a ‘typical’cartel under a special agreementdubbed International Clearing House(ICH) to benefit PakistanTelecommunication CompanyLimited. And, this has prompted the

Competition Commission ofPakistan (CCP) to send notice toPTCL on March 4, 2012 telling it torespond in writing within 7 days ofthe date of the notice and placebefore the commission facts andmaterial in support of its contentionand to explain why a penalty shouldnot be imposed for its violations.Besides this, the price for makingcalls to Pakistan has increasedsignificantly, which has and woulddefinitely decrease the volume of

international incoming calls permonth if it continues playing withthe innocent consumers. The sources disclosed that the

PTA has initiated action against 14LDI operators over illegal collectionof 8.8cents per minute from theconsumers on incominginternational calls. The LDI operators despite the 3rd

December 2011 notification of PTAcontinued fleecing the consumersand successfully collectedRs5billion. And, there is no anymechanism at hand to pay back theillegal collection to the consumers. “ Since there is no mechanism

devised by the concerned authoritiesto pay back the illegal collectionfrom the consumers under head

IHC of 8.8cents per minute onincoming international calls toPakistan so a controversy hasemerged about the real ownership ofRs5billion heavy amount collectedby LDI operators after the notice ofPTA, said a senior oRcial, adding,“It will also be a diRcult task to befaced by PTA and InformationTechnology Ministry to determinethe real owner of the collectedworthy amount.”It is also learnt that by the ICH

agreement, there was no incentivefor any LDI (long- distanceinternational) operator to improvesales or enhance quality of service orfor that matter to invest inimproving its network. Under theICH regime, PTCL has become the

sole LDI operator with the exclusiverights to terminate all incomingtraRc to Pakistan while there are 14companies licensed by PTA tooperate as LDI telecommunicationservice operators. The ministry had mutually

allocated quotas and rates for allLDI operators, they added.It is worth mentioning that the

Supreme Court had earlier directedthe commission (CCP) to treat writpetition no. 26636/2012, filed by theM/s Brain TelecommunicationLimited with the Lahore High Courtas under the Competition Act, 2010and to decide the case within 15 daysof the receipt of the order by issuingnotice and after hearing all theundertakings concerned andattending to the issues raised in therepresentation.

PTA takes notice of illegal taxation of consumers

OGDCL Institute ofScience & TechnologyinauguratedSTAFF REPORT

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Dr. Asim Hussain Advisor to the PrimeMinister on Petroleum & Natural Resources and Mr.Awad Ahmed Algez Minister of Petroleum Governmentof Sudan inaugurated OGDCL Institute of Science &Technology (OIST). The ceremony was graced by H.EAlshafie Ahmed Ambassador of Sudan in Pakistan,Vice Chancellor of Quaid-e-Azam University Dr.Masoom Yasinzai, and Mr. Masood Siddiqui MD/CEOOGDCL and Chief Executives of other E&P Companieswere present on the occasion here today. The Institute is starting an MS Petroleum

Engineering Programme and Geosciences soon. Oil &Gas Training Institute of OGDCL, is a premier instituteof petroleum industry in the country which wasestablished in 1979 with technical assistance fromCanadian International Development Agency and hasnow been upgraded to higher education and traininginstitute. This institute has been elevated to a degreeawarding institute through affiliation with Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad and renamed as OGDCLInstitute of Science & Technology (OIST).A high level Sudanese delegation visited OGDCL

Head office on March 12, 2013. The Advisor forPetroleum and Natural Resources welcomed thedelegation to Pakistan and highlighted that Sudan isone of the promising upcoming highly prospectivecountry which has a lot of potential to monetize oil andgas resources. Further there exists a number of jointventure opportunities which can both be materializedby OGDCL and PPL jointly. Likewise, Sudan can alsoexplore possibilities of farm-in in blocks owned andoperated by OGDCL and PPL. Dr, Asim Hussain advised professionals from OGDCL

and PPL to embark upon joint venture projects inSudan on a fast track basis. He also apprised thatPakistan is looking forward to train professionals fromSudan at the Oil and Gas Training Institute (OGTI) inthe fields of Petroleum Engineering and Exploration,as an MS degree program in Petroleum Engineeringwill shortly be started by the institute. Thereafter, heinvited Sudan’s Minister for Petroleum & NaturalResources to present the business developmentopportunities in the oil and gas sector of Sudan.Mr. Mahir Khalil, Manager (Exploration) gave a

comprehensive presentation on the oil and gas sector inSudan with specific reference to the available blocks forfarm-in. He stressed that there is a lot of potential inSudan and a number of international E&P companiesare already working in Sudan. He further elaboratedthat the current oil production of Sudan stood at145,000 BPD and has further growth potential.Masood Siddiqui MD OGDCL then gave a short and

crisp presentation on overall OGDCL’s activities inPakistan. He also showed OGDCL’s commitment inseeking international joint venture opportunities. Itwas decided that in the first phase, one ExplorationManager each from OGDCL and PPL will accompanythe team to Sudan to examine joint ventureopportunities presently available in Sudan. In thesecond phase, commercial and technical professionalswill visit Sudan for further exploring possibilities ofbusiness development opportunities. In the end Advisor for Petroleum and Natural

Resources thanked the Sudanese delegation for takingkeen interest in Pakistan and assured him thatPakistan will do its utmost to help Sudan in the oiland gas sector. Dr. Asim Hussain presented shieldsand traditional Pakistan gifts to the members ofvisiting delegation.

KKAARRAACCHHII:: In today's Value Seeker, wepresent an update on the recently releasedtrade balance figures by Pakistan Bureau ofStatistics for Feb-13. The update isaccompanied by our expectations for the samegoing forward along with an analysis.PBS recently published figures for Balance

of Trade (commodities) for Feb-13. Accordingto the publication, the Balance of Trade deficitin Feb-13 declined by a handsome 11% MoMto a level of USD1,548mn. Such positivity can

be attributed to a 10% MoM step down inimports of Feb-13 to a level of USD3,383mn(down by USD380mn) whereas the dip inexports of 9.29% MoM (USD188mn lower) toUSD1,835 made such positivity lesspronounced. As compared to Feb-2012, Tradedeficit showed a decline of 6.6% YoY in Feb-13,where imports fell by 2.3% YoY and exportslowered by 8.7% YoY. In 8MFY13, Balance ofTrade (commodities) stands at a deficit ofUSD13,185mn, a level 10% YoY lower ascompared to USD14,660mn in 8MFY12. Suchan occurrence is the outcome of exports having

improved by 5% YoY to USD15,884mnwhereas imports lowered by 2.4% YoY toUSD29,069mn in 8MFY13. Going forward, inthe remaining of FY13, we expect the monthlydeficit balance of trade (commodities) towitness further turndown; however we foreseethe latter to show a trade deficit of aroundUSD15bn in FY13. The declining deficit isexpected on account of better performanceby exports as PKR depreciation againstUSD is anticipated to reach 9% YoY byyear end thus making our local exportscheaper. –OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Taking serious notice ofrecruitment of “favourites” in OGDCL andPSO within last five months, NA legislativebody has severely criticised the PPPgovernment over not taking action on any ofthe committee’s recommendations during itsentire tenure.Meeting of National Assembly’s Standing

Committee on Petroleum & NaturalResources was held under the chairmanshipof Engineer Tariq Khattak. During themeeting, members of the NA body grilled theincumbent government over its poorperformance. The members were so annoyedover no attention by the government over itsrecommendations by saying that since itsinception to power the PPP government has

not taken action on any of therecommendation made so far by thislegislative body. The committee also made appeal to the

speaker of lower house (national assembly)to empower all the NA bodies. Thecommittee was of the view that if thegovernment is unable to act upon therecommendations of the committees thenthere is no use of spending money on thecommittees because it is the wastage ofprecious public money.Chairman committee Engineer Tariq

Khattak said that the committee hasrecommended the removal of MD SNGPL,which is ineRcient and unable. BerjeesTahir, a committee member from PNL-N,

came down hard over the performance ofruling coalition. He said the performance of government

institutes were not so bad in 2008 which isbeing faced now in 2013. He deplored thatin 2008 heads of the institutes picked up thetelephones of legislators but after thecompletion of constitutional tenure anyhead even Managing Directors (MDs) donot bother to pick the legislators phone callsdespite repeated attempts. “The PPP-led ruling coalition government

has ruined all the institutes/departments,Berjees said, adding, that so far no actiontaken on any of the recommendation of thiscommittee which is not a matter not to beproud. –SAHTAK BALOCH

NA body castigates govt forOGDCL, PSO nepotism

� Inland housing clearance tax courtesy 14 long distance operators fleecing telecom consumers

Rising exports will support trade deficit in FY13Analysis

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam 2 in Auro 3DMUMBAI: Actor-filmmaker KamalHaasan says the sequel to 'Vishwaroopam'will come soon in 3D sound format, also known as Auro 3D. After the success ofVishwaroopam, which had utilised the Auro 3D sound technology, Kamal'sVishwaroopam 2 is in themaking. The sequel is also likely to be released this year."We are doing Vishwaroopam 2.We are working on it.We are quite charged upfor it. This time the sequel will come in Auro 3D," KamalHaasan told.Vishwaroopamwas embroiled in a controversy after a section of peopledemanded a ban on the film's screening, claiming that it hurt the sentiments of acommunity. Following the protests, themovie was banned from screening acrossTamil Nadu and in some other states but was released after few days. Theespionage thriller was reportedlymade on a budget of Rs 95 crore and hasgrossed over Rs 220 crore. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Priyanka signs Hollywood animation filmLONDON: Post making a name for herself in the Indian film industry, Priyanka Choprais capturing the world of music with her latest album. Nowwe hear that the actress-turned-singer has been roped in by Disney - UTV for their next Hollywood animationfilm Planes. The film named Planes, which is being directed by Klay Hall, the director ofThe Simpsons, will feature the actress lending her voice to a lovable aircraft calledIshani. Cast opposite Dane Cook who will be the voice behind Dusty Crophopper.Apparently, the makers of Planes were searching for an Indian voice to do justice to theAsian character of Ishani, when Klay's oNce got in touch with Siddharth Roy Kapoor,who in turn recommended Priyanka. While the film itself is slated for release later thisyear, Priyanka will be dubbing for the original English version of the film, while adecision on the Hindi version is yet to be taken. -SHOWBIZ DESK

CMYK

MELBOURNE: Brad Pitt andAngelina Jolie have are set to inktheir wedding vows on their bodiespermanently, it has been revealed.TheHollywood couple got engagedlast year and has kept fans guessingabout the details of their big day.According to new reports, the'Moneyball' star has picked up amarriage licence, which stipulatedthe pair must wed within 90 days.Late last year it was claimed the pairwanted to get matching tattoos tomark their union, but couldn't agreeon the design. It's now beensuggested the plan is going ahead,with the couple thrilled with thepattern they have come up with, theHerald Sun reported. "Brad andAngelina plan to have the tattoosdone by a local French artist," aninsider told the British edition ofGrazia magazine. They've designed aspecial motif that includes some oftheir vows and their children'snames entwined in leaves, whichwill be in their own handwriting, thesource added. It's believed that thepair will marry in Los Angeles butwill hold a blessing at their home inFrance, which they will view as theirreal wedding. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Bradgelina to ink weddingvows on their bodies

SHOWBIZ DESK

MUMBAI: Bollywood actresses likeLara Dutta, DiaMirza and PreityZinta have tried their hand at filmproduction, but Kareena Kapoor hasno such plans. She says she is all foracting, and hopes she is on the seteven when she takes her last breath. "Ihave never been interested inproduction, direction or writing. Ihave always been interested in actingsince childhood, and I will continuedoing it till I grow old. I will keep onvisiting the sets and hope I will evendie on the sets," Kareena said at theFICCI Frames 2013. Kareena comesfromBollywood's famous Kapoorfamily, which has produced legendslike her great grandfather Prithviraj

Kapoor and grandfather Raj Kapoor.Her parents Randhir Kapoor and

Babita made their mark as popularactors too, and her Kareena's eldersister Karisma was among the topactresses of 1990s.Her cousin Ranbir is touted asBollywood's latest youth icon.Kareena, who wed Saif Ali Khan lastyear, says beingmarried is not a crimefor an actress. She believes personaland professional aspects of life mustnot bemixed. "If a girl loves someoneor gets married, it doesn't mean thatpeople will not love her or hercharacter on-screen”.Said the 32 years old. Kareena

herself is one of the top-rated talentsof current times, and as of now, she isbusy shooting for Prakash Jha'sSatyagraha and Karan Johar's GoriTere PyaarMein.

I hope to die on sets: Kareena�Says marriage not a crime for an actress

SHOWBIZ DESK

Leading textile house Crescentand acclaimed couturier FarazManan collaborate once again

this year and launch their latestcollection under the Crescent LawnFaraz Manan 2013 brand. TheCrescent Lawn Faraz Manancollection for 2013 is inspired fromsome of the greatest cities of theworld. From the princely estates ofHyderabad to the majestic coliseumsof ancient Rome, this collection trotsaround the globe, picking up the bestacross its travels. The colours ofFlorence blend in seamlessly with thereverence of the Subcontinent insome pieces, while the vibrancy ofLahore pays homage to thedecadence and colour of the East. Itis a reflection of the sub-continentalwoman who represents harmonybetween the eclecticism of theWestand the culture of the East capturedin their brand ambassador KarishmaKapoor.For Crescent Lawn collection 2013,

Lawn, Pure ChiOon, SpecializedJacquardWeaves, Chicken Kari, PureSatin, Customized Digital Prints andEmbroidery have all been used tobring out over 15 aestheticallydesigned prints for the CrescentFaraz Manan woman. The three pieceunstitched outfits are priced at PKR5,000 to PKR 6,000. Photographyhas done by Dabboo Ratnani.

Crescent and Faraz Manancollaborate once again

LONDON: R&B star Rihanna is devastatedafter being forced to cancel another concert inBaltimore because of her poor health. The'Stay' hitmaker, who kicked oO her newdiamonds world tour last week, came downwith a severe combination of laryngitis and fluimmediately after her debut show and pulledout of her performance in Baltimore onTuesday night, reported Rolling Stonemagazine. The singer is said to be extremelydisappointed that she has only been able toperform one show to date. Doctors havesuggested that she work less and takemorerest. Both of her shows in Baltimore andBoston are being rescheduled. "Rihannacouldn't wait to get out on tour and took iteasy in rehearsals so she could save her energyfor her fans," a source said. -Showbiz Desk

Rihanna cancelsBalitmore concert

SHOWBIZ DESK

AMSTERDAM: Even thoughWillSmith and family believe teen popstar Justin Bieber is just confused,is it entirely true that he can do nowrong? After his disastrous trip tothe UK, he decided to un-wind byvisiting a fast food restaurant withbuddies in Amsterdam. It’scommon knowledge thatAmsterdam is famous for itsburgers and “chips”. Chipsy KingMarketingManager AmirBeaucaire reported to E! News: “Igot a call frommy dad, hisemployee called him saying JustinBieber was in our shop and hadfries. He was with a couple ofsecurity guys. People love ourfries, but Justin is definitely themost famous person we have everhad to come to our store.” It mustdefinitely be the fries. Why elsedoes anyone ever visit the cityfamous for its lenient drug laws,not to mention the red lightdistrict? Could it be everyone'sfavourite teen idol had a case ofthe munchies. Not that the singerhas ever been accused of the samebefore, except of course those pot-smoking allegations in January,

based on reports of him seensmoking with his friend therapper Lil Twist, in the NewportBeach hotel room.

Bieber’s relaxing tripto Amsterdam

SHOWBIZ DESK

NEWDELHI: Actor, entrepreneurand a philanthropist Shilpa Shetty,who has always been interested infounding an NGO for haplesschildren, is now determined tosupport them fully through her ownorganization “The Shilpa ShettyFoundation”. Initially, Shilpa onlywanted to support little orphan girlsbut later she changed her decisionbecause of her husband Raj Kundra,who convinced her to start an NGOto help needy boys too. Kundra feltthat boys should also be givenattention as they too are muchmorehelpless and deprived of basic

necessities. Shilpa’s foundation isaimed at taking care of children’sbasic needs such as food, clothing,shelter as well as their health andeducation.Most recently, she hosted a celebrity

studded event at her IOSIS Spa inMumbai to benefit the children fromCARF (Cancer Aid and ResearchFoundation). According to sources,Shilpa has also decided not to workwith any other NGO or charitabletrust in the future but for her ownfoundation only. In the past, she hadbeen working with ParmeshwarGodrej’s Heroes Project in supportingmany noble causes.

LONDON:AdamSandler andDrewBarrymore are teaming up for anothercomedy. The frequent co-stars, who'vepreviously played romantic leads in2004's "50FirstDates" and 1998's "TheWedding Singer," are signed on for anas-yet-untitledmovie, reports Variety.The script, written by IvanMenchellandClare Sera, centers on a couplewhogo on a horrible blind date and then endup stuck together at a family resortwiththeir children frompriormarriages.FrankCoraci, who directed Sandler andBarrymore in "Wedding Singer" andwent on toworkwith Sandler twicemore, will helm the feature. Productionon the project is expected to begin inMay. -SHOWBIZDESK

Adam, Drew reunitefor Rom-Com

SHOWBIZ DESK

NEWDELHI: Pakistan’s ForeignMinister Hina Rabbani Khartopped the list of most gorgeouswomen politicians in the world, asurvey conducted by India Todaysaid. Khar, who was electedmember of national assembly fromthe seat of Pakistan Peoples Party, is

famous forwearingattractive andfashionableoutfits. Herhandbags anddressesremains thefocus of themedia duringforeign trips.AnotherPakistanilawmakerKashmala

Tariq is at number eight on the list.Kashmala, who is also a lawyer anda member of Pakistan MuslimLeague-Like Minded, is famous forher dressings and outspokenstatements.Former Secretary of State HillaryClinton is placed at number 9 onthe list of most gorgeous womenpoliticians. Other womenpoliticians which make place in thetop 10 gorgeous women politiciansinclude, Sonia Gandhi, the head ofIndia’s Congress Party, PriyankaGandhi, daughter of Sonia Gandhi,Ruby Dhalla, a Canadian politicianand Yulia Tymoshenko, formerPrime Minister of Ukraine.However, Jordan’s Queen Rania AlAbdullah was on eleventh rank andUnited States’ first lady, MichelleObama was placed at 12th rank.

Khar most glamorous womanpolitician in the world�Famous for wearing attractive and fashionable outfits�Pakistani lawmaker Kashmala Tariq is at number eight on the list

Foreignmininster’shandbagsand dressesare thefocus of themediaduringforeign trips

Shilpa to help hapless kids

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

CMYK

CMYK

IINNDDIIAANN WWEELLLLSS:: Former championMaria Sharapova raised her game whenit mattered to storm into the BNPParibas Open quarterfinals with a 7-5 6-0 victory over Spaniard LaraArruabarrena-Vecino on Tuesday.Australian Open champion VictoriaAzarenka also cruised into the last eight,pounding Poland's Urszula Radwanska6-3 6-1 in a match lasting just under 90minutes despite being hampered by asore ankle. Fifth seed Petra Kvitovaadvanced with a comfortable 6-2 6-3win over fellow Czech Klara Zakopalovabut third seed Agnieszka Radwanska ofPoland was knocked out, losing 6-1 4-67-5 to 13th-seeded Russian MariaKirilenko. Russian world number threeSharapova won a tight opening set thenswept through the second in only 22minutes to reach the quarter-finals atthe Indian Wells Tennis Garden for athird consecutive year. The second seedwill next meet Italy's Sara Errani, a 6-36-2 winner against FrenchwomanMarion Bartoli earlier in the day, in a re-match of last year's French Open finalclinched by the Russian. –AGENCIES

bethlehem to host firstever marathon in aprilJJEERRUUSSAALLEEMM:: The not-so-little townof Bethlehem is to host the West Bank'sfirst-ever marathon next month in arace starting at the Nativity Church andtaking in several refugee camps,organisers said Wednesday. Thebrainchild of two Danish womenrunners, the Palestine Marathon willtake place on April 21 and oOer runnersthe choice of three distances: a fullmarathon of 42.2 kilometres (26 miles),a 21.1 km (13 mile) half marathon or a10 kilometre (six mile) race. But giventhe problems of finding anuninterrupted 42-kilometre stretchwithin Area A, the small portion of theIsraeli-occupied West Bank which isunder full Palestinian control, thoserunning the full distance will have to dotwo loops of the town on a course whichpasses through Aida refugee camp. "Wethought it would be good to have apositive activity to show a diOerent sideof life here," said Signe Fischer, who hasbeen working for a Danish NGO inJerusalem for several years. –AGENCIES

suspended Watson wantsto play for australia again

SSYYDDNNEEYY::SuspendedAustralia vice-captain ShaneWatson isdetermined toplay for hiscountry again anddismissed onTuesday

suggestions that he had a poorrelationship with captain MichaelClarke. Watson was one of fourAustralia players suspended from thethird test in India for a breach ofdiscipline because they failed carry outa task set for them by coach MickeyArthur which was to present threeideas on how the team could improve.Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinsonand Usman Khawaja were alsodropped for the same reason. Askedwhether this would be the end of histest career, Watson, quoted by localmedia, replied: "I hope not." Watson,who returned to Australia earlier inthe day to be with his heavilypregnant wife, accepted responsibilityfor his actions but questioned theseverity of the punishment. "I acceptthat I did the wrong thing with what Idid, but I will always find it very hardto accept being suspended from a testmatch for my country," he was quotedas saying by The Sydney MorningHerald newspaper. –AGENCIES

sharapova and azarenkaadvance at Indian Wells

WWEELLLLIINNTTOONN:: England's cricket team players pose for a team photograph before a training session at the Basin Reserve on Wdnesday. England will play New Zealand in thesecond Test starting on Thursday (today). –AGENCIES

BBRRIIDDGGEETTOOWWNN:: Two wicketsfrom Kyle Jarvis gave Zimbabwe aboost on a tough opening day in thefirst Test saw them all out for 211before restricting the West Indiesto 18 for two at stumps here at theKensington Oval. Despite a battlingtop score of 50 from openingbatsman Tino Mawoyo, none of theother Zimbabwe batsmenmanaged an innings of note tojustify their captain BrendanTaylor's surprising decision to batfirst on winning the toss.Taylor's call caught many

unawares, especially in the contextof a West Indies team playing threefrontline fast bowlers and giventhat this was the tourists' first Testmatch for almost 14 months. Yet itwas spin, or at least slow bowlingthat accounted for the bulk of theZimbabwean wickets, MarlonSamuels claiming four for 13 – hisbest-ever Test innings figures – andShane Shillingford marking hisreturn to the Test side with threefor 58. It was the first time in 60years that spinners had taken asmany as seven wickets in the first

innings of a Test at KensingtonOval, a venue celebrated as a havenfor fast bowlers.Samuels, who had earlier taken a

brilliant catch at gully thataccounted for HamiltonMasakadza oO Kemar Roach,bowled Craig Ervine for 29 withhis very first delivery and thenadded Graeme Cremer, Jarvis anddebutant Tendai Chatara, theZimbabweans losing their last fourwickets for just 15 runs. It wasShillingford who broke apromising third-wicketpartnership between Mawoyo andTaylor immediately after lunch, asharp catch at short-leg by KieranPowell being the first of three thathe would take in that position.Mawoyo, who brought up hissecond Test half-century oO 90deliveries in 129 minutes withseven boundaries, lostopening partner Vusi Sibanda,bowled by Roach before adding 42runs with Masakadza.But Zimbabwe failed to build on

a promising position of 91 for twoat the lunch interval. Paceman

Shannon Gabriel uprooted the oO-stump of Taylor for 26 afterShillingford had removed theobdurate Mawoyo, setbacks fromwhich they were never really ableto recover given the lack of depthin their batting. Faced with 11 oversto the close, West Indies wereunsettled by the loss of two wicketsin two balls, both lbw. Powell

referred the decision against himbut it was upheld on the evidenceof the television reply, while therewas no doubt whatsoever as to thefate of nightwatchman Roach tothe first delivery that he faced. Itleft Chris Gayle and Darren Bravoto survive the remaining minutesto stumps and continue the battleinto the second day. –AGENCIES

Jarvis strikes give boost toZimbabwe against West Indies

scoreboardZZIIMMBBAABBWWEE FFIIRRSSTT IINNNNIINNGGSSV Sibanda b Roach 12T Mawoyo c Powell b Shillingford 50H Masakadza c Samuels b Roach 17B Taylor b Gabriel 26C Ervine b Samuels 29M Waller lbw Shillingford 9R Chakabva c Powell b Shillingford 15G Cremer c Bravo b Samuels 25R Price not out 12K Jarvis c Powell b Samuels 0T Chatara c Roach b Samuels 2EEXXTTRRAASS:: (B 4, LB 10) 14TTOOTTAALL:: (76.4 overs, all out) 211FFAALLLL OOFF WWIICCKKEETTSS:: 1-17, 2-59, 3-100, 4-110, 5-135, 6-158, 7-196, 8-196, 9-197, 10-211BBOOWWLLIINNGGRoach 13-3-31-2Best 12-3-33-0Gabriel 14-5-45-1

Sammy 9-5-17-0Shillingford 22-4-58-3Samuels 6.4-1-13-4WWEESSTT IINNDDIIEESS FFIIRRSSTT IINNNNIINNGGSSC Gayle not out 11K Powell lbw Jarvis 5K Roach lbw Jarvis 0D Bravo not out 0To bat: M Samuels, S Chanderpaul, D Sammy, DRamdin, S Shillingford, T Best, S GabrielEEXXTTRRAASS:: (W 1, NB 1) 2TTOOTTAALL:: (11 overs, 2 wickets) 18FFAALLLL OOFF WWIICCKKEETTSS:: 1-8, 2-8BBOOWWLLIINNGGJarvis 6-2-9-2Chatara 4-3-8-0Cremer 1-0-1-0Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS), RanmoreMartinesz (SRI)Third Umpire: Tony Hill (NZL)Match referee: JeD Crowe (NZL)

MMOOHHAALLII:: The Indian tour couldn'thave shaped worse for Australia whoare battling major issues on and oOthe field. As if massive defeats in thefirst two Tests weren't bad enough,the team management surprisinglyaxed four players – Shane Watson,James Pattinson, Usman Khwaja andMitchell Johnson – on Monday forthe third Test for not submitting anassignment allotted to them by MickyArthur and hence breaking teamprotocol. Following the imbroglio,Watson pulled out of the tour andreturned to Australia. That, coupledwith Matthew Wade's injury, leavesthe visitors with a very few options inpicking the playing XI. It will be adaunting task to shake oO all theextraneous factors and pitch in a

good performance.This Australian team never looked

settled right from the beginning of thetour and the Indian spinners ruthlesslyexposed their inadequacies against theturning ball. Michael Clarke fought alone battle in both the outings and wasthe only batsman from the team whoshowed skills and nous to encounterspin. Ed Cowan got starts in all fourinnings but failed to kick on losing hiswicket by playing reckless shots. DavidWarner was shaky against spin whilePhil Hughes was disastrous. Hughes isyet to score a run against spinners inthis series and has been dismissed in allinnings by them. He would have beenreplaced by Khwaja.Clarke is likely to promote himself up

the order to shore up the batting line-

up. Brad Haddin was called in asstandby for Wade and Mohali will be asuperb chance for him to try andcement his place in the Test team if hegets the chance. Mohali is the onlysurface in India, which assists seambowling, and the expulsion of Pattinsonis a huge blow for Australia, because hewas easily their best bowler in the firsttwo Tests and the only one who lookedlike taking wickets. His presence in theteam would have given Australia theirbest chance to turn the tables againstIndia. In his absence, Mitchell Starcand Peter Siddle will form the pacebowling attack and look to make themost of the helpful conditions. MoisesHenriques will chip in with hismedium-fast bowling.Glenn Maxwell didn't show much

promise on Test debut at Hyderabadbut the lack of options might securehim a place in the playing XI. Nathan'sLyon's exclusion from the second Testwas widely criticized, with RahulDravid going to the extent of calling it"tactical blunder". Lyon is likely tomake a comeback and Xavier Dohertycould be retained despite his lacklustershowing in the last match.India are on a roll after winning

two Tests in a row. CheteshwarPujara, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoniform a formidable middle order whileR Ashwin and R Jadeja have beendevastating with the ball. VirenderSehwag was axed from the Indiansquad after failing to score runs inChennai and Hyderabad Tests andShikhar Dhawan will make his Test

debut. The 27-year-old Delhi openeris coming oO his strongest first-classseason (833 runs at 55.53, with fourhundreds and three fifties) and has achance to impress at Test level.Murali Vijay struck a fine century inthe last Test and will aim to continuehis good form.India's only concern is the form of

Harbhajan Singh. He was selectedahead of Pragyan Ojha, who was thehighest wicket-taker for India in theTest series against India, in Chennaiand Hyderabad and might retain hisplace Dhoni usually doesn't like totinker with winning combinations.Ishant Sharma has picked up just 17wickets in his last 13 Tests and hispresence in the playing XI is baNing.Bhuvneshwar Kumar was impressive

in his last outing and a conducivepitch at Mohali will help his causefurther. Australia will need to pull arabbit out of the hat to prevent adominant India from claiminganother comprehensive victory andwith it take back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Probable XIs: India: Murali Vijay,Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara,Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, MSDhoni (Capt/wk), Ravindra Jadeja, RAshwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar,Harbhajan Singh, Ishant SharmaAustralia: David Warner, Ed Cowan,

Phillip Hughes, Michael Clarke (Capt),Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell,Brad Haddin/Matthew Wade (wk),Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, NathanLyon, Xavier Doherty. –AGENCIES

India ready to check Australia’s ‘homework’ in third Test

KAASHEF AHMAD

My mornings usually constitute ofreading the dailies while I sip my firstcup of tea. During this ritual, my sensesare constantly at war amongstthemselves, where, while my sense ofsight is appalled with what I read andsee on the paper, my sense of taste isappeased by the heavenly drink – tealeaves steeped at just the righttemperature, brown sugar and milk, allcoming together in perfect harmony togive me that elevation I need first up. Itwas one such morning when I read apoll in one of the papers about whopeople believed would win the ongoingone-day series between Pakistan andSouth Africa. It is worth informing thereaders here, that Pakistan had just lostthe first one-day by a huge margin of ahundred and twenty five runs.I was stunned to see that an over-

whelming majority (almost seventypercent) had indicated that theybelieved Pakistan would win the one-day series. This would mean winningthree out of the four remainingmatches. I was shocked. I read thewordings and the results again to see ifI had made a mistake. Was it possiblethat I was living in some otherdimension of a parallel universe withanother set of realities? Had I missedan announcement about MisbahulHaq being sacked? Did we not just lose

a Test series three nil and taken abeating in the first one-day? Don’t wehave miserable stats against theProteas of having lost 40 of the 59games played so far? Surely I must bemissing something.I was mulling over the reasons,

when I remembered a statisticalconcept from my student years, calledthe normal distribution, also referredto as the bell curve or a Gaussiandistribution (after the fellow whointroduced this concept in 1809, CarlGauss). It stipulates that in anysample population, the bulk of theobservations would lie in the middleand only a few observations wouldfind themselves at the eitherextremes. So for example, in a testresult, the majority of students wouldscore around the average of the testscore (these are the students scoringB’s and C’s) and only a few scoring inthe higher percentiles (A’s) and anequally few scoring in the lowerpercentile (E’s and F’s). If the averagescore is on the higher side due to thetest being easy, or the class beingsmart, the B’s and C’s would beattained at a higher percentage andrequiring a higher passing score, asopposed to if the average score waslow. By the same token, a populationof a country would have a majority ofaverage intelligence people and only afew that can be considered

intellectuals or highly intelligent. Ihave often thought about thisphenomenon of normal distributionand how it relates to so many diOerentaspects in our everyday lives. It means that if every vote has the

same weight, then, any issue that isdiscussed would be laid to rest based onaverage intelligence. If you think aboutit, there is something inherently wrongwith this – if average intelligencedecides the fate of a whole population.This becomes even more threatening ifthe average intelligence of thepopulation is lower compared to that ofother populations. I wonder what thepoll results would have been if it hadbeen conducted in another country. Iam sure a country more in touch withreality would have not ignored thefactors that plight their home team.Wouldn’t a country with higher averageintelligence be more suited todemocracy then? One can argue thatthere could be diOerent reasons for theway people vote and it may not alwaysdepend on their intelligence but thefact remains how the majority of peoplewould vote based on other thingsrather than logic or information.It may so happen that contrary to all

logic, some inspired performances, orfixing, or luck, does in fact results aseries win for the Pakistan team andthe seventy percent of the population isproved correct. We all hope so.

LLOONNDDOONN::British boxerCurtisWoodhousetracked aTwitter abuserto his houseand forced thetroll into ahumiliatingapology,reports saidWednesday.Woodhouse,32, a formerfootballer andone-time lightwelterweightchampion ofEngland, was bombarded by tweetsmocking him about lost fights and evenhis father's death. Earlier this week hedecided he had had enough and jumpedin his car to track down his tormentor,who called himself "The Master", whilegiving his 26,000 followers a runningcommentary on the way. After findingthe troll's address he arrived in theman's street in the northern industrialcity of Sheffield on Monday and tweeteda picture of himself there to prove it."Right Jimbob im here !!!!! someonetell me what number he lives at, or do Ihave to knock on every door#itsshowtime," he wrote.The unfortunate Twitter abuser, whose

real name is James O'Brien, 24, sent aplaintive tweet throwing in the towelbefore the boxer could confront him inperson. "I am sorry its getting a bit outof hand i am in the wrong i accept that,"O'Brien wrote. The boxer said he hadpreviously received abusive tweetsincluding one mocking the death of hisfather from a stroke five years ago, butthe last straw came when he wasbombarded with more insults after helost his English Boxing title to ShayneSingleton on Friday. "I just thought, 'I'mnot taking this,'" Woodhouse was quotedas saying in The Times newspaper. Headded that there was "no way I wasgoing to do anything and I would notadvocate violence as that would makeme as bad as him". His abuser later saidit was "just a bit of fun but it got reallyour of hand". "I was at work when Curtiscame here so I wasn't home but myphone was ringing off the hook. It wascrazy," O'Brien told the Daily Mirror. "Ireally regretted it. You see, all of mymates were egging me on to say things."Former British deputy Prime MinisterJohn Prescott was among those whopraised Woodhouse for standing upagainst a growing problem in Britain ofabuse on social media. –AGENCIES

OUR STAFF REPORTER

KKHHYYBBEERR AAGGEENNCCYY:: SandanClub Defeated Salman Eleven bysix wickets to win the All KhyberCricket Tournament at TataraGround, Landi Kotal here onWednesday evening. Candidate for NA-45 Shahjee

Gul Afridi was the chief on theoccasion. Thousands of sportslovers witnessed the thrillingfinal. Wining the toss, Sandan

Club put Salman Club to bat, whoscored 74 runs all out in 16 overs. Akash Afridi and Riaz Afridi got4 and 2 wickets respectively.Sandan Club achieved thetarget for the loss of 4wickets in 13 overs. The event was organized underthe auspices of TataraSports Committee and 42 teamsfrom all over the Agencyand teams from Afghanistanparticipated in it.

LLOONNDDOONN:: Mari Vartmann (L) and Aaron Van Cleave of Germany perform in the pairs shortprogramme at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships on Wednesday. –AGENCIES

A cricket survey

British boxertracks downTwitter troll

Sandan Club win KhyberCricket Tournament

children ‘involved inbombings’ heldQQUUEETTTTAA:: Police claimed to havebusted a terrorist gang comprising ofchildren who were allegedly involvedin a series of bomb explosions inQuetta on Wednesday. Capital CityPolice ORcer Zubair Mehmood saidall accused were children and theirages were between 11 to 18 years.“Police arrested 11 children after anencounter in suburbs of Quetta lastnight,” Mehmood told a hurriedlycalled press conference on Wednesday.He said all teenagers belong toextremely poor and down-troddenfamilies. He added that eight militantsbelonging to a Baloch separatistsgroup managed to escape during theoperation. “Arrested teenagers haveconfessed to involvement in morethan one dozen bomb explosions,”Mehmood said. He said the teenagerswere paid between Rs 2000 to Rs5000 rupees per blast. The CCPOstated that children were being usedby terrorists to carry out terroristincidents at crowded locations ofQuetta city. He said the children hadadmitted to their involvement inMezan Chowk blast, which left morethan a dozen people including threefrontier corps personnel dead.Mehmood said police seized antipersonnel mines, explosives and otherarms and ammunitions from theirpossession. –AGENCIES

TTP militants torch10 houses in TirahPPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: Clashes betweenoutlawed militant groups escalated lateTuesday as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) militants set ablaze houses of atleast 10 civilians, accusing them ofbeing supporters of the rival AnsarulIslam (AI) group. Locals and theeyewitnesses confirmed the burning ofthe houses in Khyber Agency’s restiveTirah Valley, while other reports say atleast 20 militants from both sides havealso died in fresh clashes. Meanwhile,sources say hundreds of tribal familieshave fled to Afghanistan owing toexcessive artillery shelling by Pakistanisecurity forces and aerial bombing inparts of the valley. –AGENCIES

ecP forms body ondelimitation in karachiKKAARRAACCHHII:: The Election Commissionof Pakistan (ECP) has constituted acommittee charged with redrawingelectoral constituencies in Karachi andNosheroferoz town of Sindh. The ECPrevealed it in its written reply submittedto the Sindh High Court on Wednesday.It stated that Justice (retd) RoshanEsani, a member of the ECP, is headingthe committee, adding that the bodywill submit its report within seven daysafter which a notification of newelectoral constituencies will be issued.The provincial election commissionsubmitted its reply in response to aconstitutional petition pertaining todelimitation of constituencies forprovincial and National Assembly seatsin Nosheroferoz. –AGENCIES

Qadri fearscountry’s breakup LLAAHHOORREE:: Tehrik Minhaj-ul-QuranInternational leader Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri is back in Pakistan after ashort stay in Canada. Dr Qadritalking to press at the Lahore’sAllama Iqbal International Airportsaid as long as the corrupt rulerswere at the helms of the state thescourge of terrorism would continueto thrive in Pakistan. Qadri fearedthe elections, if held under theexisting “rotten” system, would breakPakistan apart. “A major surgery isrequired to clear the residentmalignance so that a change forthe better may come about”, saidhe.He said he would announce hisfuture line of action during a publicrally at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi,on March 17. –AGENCIES

THURSDAYMARCH 14, 2013THE SPOKESMAN - RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD

SAHTAK BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Massive hike in tariff ofnatural gas is likely to add to the woes andworries of already over-burdened consumersas state owned gas utilities - SNGPL &SSGCL - have sought up to Rs 47.73/mmbtusky high increase in gas tariff for nextfinancial year 2013-14.Background interviews and discussions

with economic pundits reveal that it mightcontribute to increase the notoriety graph ofPPP government, which is about to completeits constitutional tenure. Since theincumbent government has left no stoneunturned in sweeping away what the massesare left with through price hike in essentialcommodities, increase in gas and power

tariff with each passing day so the masses ingeneral would take the proposed massiveraise in company’s gas tariff as a ‘farewellgift’ of outgoing ruling coalition if it gets thenod of regulator (OGRA). Sources aware of the matter said there

would be a hearing on 3rd April in Lahoreover the petition submitted by Sui NorthernGas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) while inKarachi a hearing is scheduled on April 10,2013 over the request of Sui Southern GasCompany Limited (SSGCL). In theirrespective petitions to the regulatoryauthority, SNGPL has sought a record highRs47.73/mmbtu increase while SSGCLsought Rs 43/mmbtu for next fiscal year,sources added.“Since the beleaguered PPP government has

many times jacked up the POL product pricesand power tariS during its tenure so proposedheavy surge in gas prices would furtherdisturb the monthly budgets of consumers inparticular while common public in general,said an oRcial at finance ministry. Sources also said the SNGPL will sell the

natural gas worth Rs 234 billion during nextfinancial year 2013-14. Similarly, thecompany (SNGPL) has submitted its requestto collect heavy Rs 12 billion fromconsumers under head 7 percent of stolengas. The total earning of the gas company(SNGPL) will stand at Rs 256.77 billionwhile total expenditures including price ofgas of the company will be Rs 269.8 billion.However, profit of the gas utility under theformula will be Rs 15.25 billion during

upcoming fiscal year. On the other hand, astate-owned gas utility – SSGCL will sellnatural gas worth Rs 152 billion while it hassought Rs 10 billion collection from theconsumers under the head 7 percentUnaccounted Fare for Gas (UfG). While thetotal earning of the company will be at Rs181.20 billion and total expenses includingprice of gas will stood at Rs176.12 billion.And, SSGCL will earn a profit of Rs 12.66billion during next fiscal year 2013-14.It merits mentioning here that this

proposed surge if approved would not onlydirectly affect the poor consumers but itsapplication to all categories (CNG andfertiliser sectors included) means that themasses will have to pay more for many othercommodities.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: TheSupreme Court Wednesdaygave seven days time toformer prime ministerYusuf Raza Gilani to re-filehis review petition againsthis conviction anddisqualification by theapex court.A three-member bench led

by Chief Justice IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry toldGilani that as per rules andprocedures‚ his reviewpetition will be heard by aseven-member larger benchwhich had convicted him.Appearing in person,

Gilani told the court that hewanted that hisdisqualification bewithdrawn. The chief justicetold him that he wasconvicted by a seven-judgebench and he did notchallenge his conviction.Gilani contended that the

court had referred the matterof his disqualification to theNational Assembly Speakerand the Speaker had ruledthat his conviction did notwarrant to hisdisqualification. He said theruling of the Speaker waschallenged and consequentlyhe was disqualified. To acourt query, he said he hadfiled the review plea againsthis disqualification. The CJtold him that the decisionwhich convicted him stillholds the field and on thebasis of that decision he wasdisqualified. The courtdirected him to file hisreview plea against hisconviction within 7 days.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Rejecting a Punjabgovernment’s report, beingdissatisfactory on the Badami Baghincident, the Supreme Court onWednesday noted that the provincialgovernment had failed to establishcauses of the incident.A three-member bench

comprising Chief Justice IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry, JusticeGulzar Ahmed and Justice Sh.Azmat Saeed, sought reasons behindthe incident and about the actiontaken against those held responsiblefor the attacks.Appearing on notice, SSP

Investigation informed the courtthat the complainants and witnessesof the incident were missing. Thecourt then regretted that how theculprits would be apprehended ifsuch a situation was prevailing.The court also reviewed the Gojra

incident report and inquired thatwhy this report was not made public.The SSP stated that people wereprovoked after Juma sermons andattacked Joseph Colony.The court held that acting Punjab

IGP and the Lahore CCPO wereresponsible for the Joseph Colonyarson. It maintained that thesuspension of the SHO and DPOwas not enough and no furthernegligence will be tolerated in thecase. The chief justice noted that

contradictions existed in the reportsubmitted by the Punjab police. Hesaid when government fails toprotect people’s rights, the court hasto interfere.Appearing on notice, Advocate

General Punjab Ashtar Ausaf Alisubmitted before the court reportson the Joseph Colony attack andGojra riots. The initial report of theJoseph Colony incident stated thatthe compensation had been paid tothe victims of the incident. The CJnoted that providing compensationwas the government’s responsibilityand asked why precautionarymeasures were not taken if there wasinformation pertaining to the attack.Ausaf said the government acceptedthat it was its failure as it could notavert the mob attacks, however, itwas taking steps to prevent suchattacks in the future.Ausaf said the investigation of

Gojra incident was conductedbehind closed-doors, however, thereport was displayed on the website.The chief justice remarked thatalthough the proceedings of judicialcommission were carried out inclose-door meetings, but itsrecommendations were for themasses. He said a common manshould know the reasons behind theincident. The acting Punjab IGPblamed the DIG operations for theincident. Later, the court adjournedfurther hearing until March 18.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The National Assembly’s SpecialStanding Committee on Energy CrisisWednesday held the incumbent governmentresponsible for power crisis saying that despitespending billions of rupees, all departments ofpower sector remained a failure. It alsocriticized the ineRciency of bureaucracy andexpressed concern over the recruitment offavourites in thousands in the powerdistributing companies (DISCOs) which hadput extra burden on power sector while nomeaningful investment was made in the sector.

Apparently perturbed over its failure to endelectricity crisis and line losses of power sector,the committee said it would present itsrecommendations in the House. The committeewhich met with Engineer Usman Tarkai in thechair handed over fifteen recommendations tothe government. PML-N member ShahidKhaqan Abbasi presented a report of sub-committee that was constituted under him.In its report sub-committee emphasized that

an integrated energy plan for Pakistan neededto be urgently developed for optimumutilization of domestic and imported energyresources, to encourage investment in the

energy sector and to establish short, mediumand long term goals for power generation in thecountry. It said that subsidies should be used tosupport development of hydro and alternativeenergy resources and steps should be taken forenergy conservation. The committee alsorecommended the government to allow theDISCOs to directly sell the electricity to privatepowerhouses and provinces as well. It alsorecommended an end to subsidy for those agriconsumers who do not pay tax.Abdul Qadir Khanzada said that use of

alternate energy resources had not beenseriously considered and “so far we have not

decided whether we will use coal reservesthrough underground gasification or will takeit out and utilize it.” Ayatullah Durrani said thatfor their vested interests senior oRcers of theministry created so many departments thatresulted in unnecessary delays rather than

speeding up the work. He warned that if boldsteps were not taken the current shortfall couldtake a critical shape in 2020. ORcials fromNEPRA said that government should decide towhich sector subsidy should be given and whichshould be ignored.

Joseph colony arson report rejected

SC wants toknow causeof incident

WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN:: After 12 long years of warin Afghanistan the best US intelligence cansay is that a resilient Taliban is “diminishedin some areas,” spy agencies said Tuesday ina notably pessimistic report.The US military habitually issues positive

assessments of its progress in pushing backthe Taliban and building up Afghan forces,but an annual report to Congress from theintelligence community was downbeat.The agencies warned that the Afghan

economy is headed for a downturn whenWestern aid declines after most Natotroops leave next year, while battlefieldprogress is tentative and fragile in areasdue to be handed to Afghan forces. “Weassess that the Taliban-led insurgency hasdiminished in some areas of Afghanistanbut remains resilient and capable ofchallenging US and international goals,”according to the report.The assessment was presented by

National Intelligence Director JamesClapper at a Senate hearing Tuesday.According to the document, the Taliban’sleadership continues to shelter in cross-border sanctuaries in Pakistan. The intelligence assessment contrasted

with upbeat statements often put out bythe Pentagon and its field commanders,which have touted major progress andpainted the Taliban as severely damagedand divided. The report to Congress saidAfghan security forces had proven capableof safeguarding major cities and key roadsnear “government-controlled areas.” Butthe Afghan air force, which is trying tobuild up a fleet of helicopters and smallaircraft, has made little headway. Thereport played down Al Qaeda’s influence,saying the group had only limited reachand that it was mainly seeking propagandavictories rather than having a genuineimpact on the battlefield. –AGENCIES

Farewell gift –Hefty gas tariS hike in the oRng

NA body holds govt responsible for energy crisis

VATICAN CITY: Argentine’s Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76, has been unveiled as the new pope. Archbishop of Buenos Aires will take thename Pope Francis. -WIRE SERVICE

Gilani gets 7days to re-filereview plea

US agencies paintpessimistic picture

cMyk

� SSP says complainants, witnesses onthe run � People provoked after Friday sermons

Pakistan denies role, rejects indian charge

Armed ‘cricketers’ kill 5indian troops in srinagarSSRRIINNAAGGAARR:: Militants disguised as cricketers killed five paramilitarypolice in an ambush here Wednesday, oRcials said, in the deadliest attackfor nearly five years. Two gunmen were shot dead after the assault on aplaying field in the Bemina district that is home to a police school andbarracks. A senior police oRcer said the men pretended to be joiningchildren for a game of cricket before taking out automatic weapons froma bag and throwing a grenade. Four civilians were also injured, said apolice statement. Kashmir News Network reported receiving a call from aHizbul Mujahideen spokesman who claimed the “guerilla attack”. IndianHome Secretary RK Singh alleged that up to four men might have beeninvolved and the dead gunmen appeared “not local but from across theborder, probably from Pakistan.” However, Pakistan strongly rejected theremarks. FO Spokesperson Muazzam Khan said: "We feel that suchirresponsible statements and knee-jerk reactions by senior Indianfunctionaries have the potential of undermining the eSorts made by bothsides to normalize relation.” –AGENCIES

Power crisis was worse under previous govt: MukhtarIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The incumbent government at the end of its tenure will pass on a much betterelectricity situation to the next government than what it inherited from the previousgovernment, Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said onWednesday while chairing a meeting of the Board of Private Power and Infrastructure Board(PPIB). “During our five-year tenure, we made important decisions for new projects andmade the procedures easy and investor friendly. Serious work has been started for generatingpower through bio gas and furthermore, power generation through wind and hydro resourceshas got a boost during our government,” the minister claimed. –ONLINE

� OGRA set to approve SNGPL & SSGCL summary

� Flays recruitment of favourites, ine0ciency of bureaucracy� Recommends end to subsidy for those farmers who don’t pay tax

OUR STAFF REPORTER

KKAARRAACCHHII:: Director ofOrangi Pilot ProjectParveen Rehman andseven others werekilled in diSerentincidents of violence inKarachi on Wednesday.

Rehman was targeted when she wastravelling in her car near Orangi Town’sPeerabad neighbourhhod. Reports suggestthat unidentified gunmen opened fire byintercepting her car near Banaras flyover.Her body was shifted to Abbasi ShaheedHospital for medico-legal formalities.Meanwhile, a body in gunny bag was

recovered in Soldier Bazar and twopeople were shot dead in Lyari andAwami Colony. Two more dead bodieswere recovered from Kharadar andNazimabad localities while a torturedbody of a 12-year boy was found behindthe bushes in Hijrat Colony. A policeconstable Gulzar, who sustained injuriesin a gun attack on Tuesday night, hassuccumbed to his wounds.

Moreover, CID police claimed to havearrested three alleged militants ofbanned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)during a raid in Manghopir Colony. Theysaid that suicide vests and a largequantity of explosives were alsorecovered from their possession.

Parveen Rehman among8 dead in Karachi

Bergoglio is new PoPe