The Spokesman.pk

tHuRSDAy April 04, 2013 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1434 I Rawalpindi/Islamabad I Vol, V, No. 350 I www.thespokesman.pk Pages 12 I Price 10/-

TTOODDAAYY’’SS WWEEAATTHHEERR

A shower orthunderstorm

HIGH: 30 LOW: 13

PG I 07

QUESTIONS ONMUSHARRAF’S RETURN– ASIF MAHMOOD

PG I 06

PAK-AFGHAN RELATIONS:MOVING ON–AARISH U. KHAN

Cmyk

IS PML-N SERIOUSABOUT CHALLENGING

MUSH’S CANDIDATURE?PG I 03

SNEAK PEEKCDA to allot plots to lowpaid employees, up wages

The Capital DevelopmentAuthority has approvedthe allotment of plots forlow paid employees of theauthority and alsodecided to increase the

salaries of daily wagers according to thepolicy introduced by the government fordaily wage employees.

Page 02

IHC stays multi-billionrupee contract

The Islamabad HighCourt was informed onWednesday that theInterior Ministry hadawarded the multi-billioncontract for the provision

of lamination paper to the P&IDepartment to a US firm in violation ofPPRA rules, after which the court stayedthe awarding of the contract.

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Protest againstcollege merger goes on

Teachers and students ofthe Government SadiqDegree Girl’s CollegeBahawalpur arecontinuing their protestagainst the decision of

merging the college into the WomenUniversity. Two weeks ago, the Punjabgovernment had announced establishinga university for women for which aportion of the college is to be acquired forthe varsity campus.

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Dillydallying puts Neelum-Jhelum project in hot water

The delay in musteringthe finances worth Rs. 20billion by Water andPower DevelopmentAuthority’s (WAPDA)through scoop bonds and

pledged amount of Rs. 4 billion ofChinese contractor ‘China Ghazopa’ sentthe 969 MW Neelum JhelumHydropower project into hot water.

Page 09

Nazia rememberedon her 48th birthday

Despite 13 years since herdeath, memories of NaziaHasan are fresh in heartsof her fans whoremembered her musicalbrilliance and iconic

personality on her 48th birthday yesterday.Rising to fame with her hit debut “Aap JasiaKoi” at the age of 15 only, Nazia soonbecame an iconic figure not only in Pakistanbut across the border as well.

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Former skipper Wasimto train fast bowlers

The Pakistan CricketBoard (PCB) hasturned to formercaptain and fastbowler Wasim Akramand will prepare

special pitches for the national teamahead of the ICC Champions Trophyin England in June. The PCB said onWednesday that former left-armquick Akram would be supervising a10-day specialised camp for fastbowlers in Karachi.

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MOHAMMED RIZWAN

LLAAHHOORREE:: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaffinally unveiled their candidates forLahore constituencies and the listsurprised many as both PML-N andPTI seem to shirk away from the top ofthe card contests, letting theheavyweights oQ the hook lightly.A cursory glance at the list PTI

released for its Lahore candidates showthat PTI, which was expected to givePML-N a good run for their money,looks set to concentrate on two seats –NA 122 and NA 127 – contested bychairman Imran Khan and PTI Lahorepresident Abdul Aleem Khan.

On NA 122, the skipper will face theincumbent Ayaz Sadiq of PML-N whileon NA 127, real estate and mediatycoon Aleem Khan will lock horn witheither Humayun Akhtar Khan or incase he doesn’t get the ticket thenKhwaja Hassan will have to fight it outwith the PTI candidate and PPP’sKhurram Latif Khosa.In another important development,

PML-N has agreed to award two ticketsto Jamaat-i-Islami from Lahore and onefrom Islamabad. Farid Piracha of JI canget the nod from 121 and Liaqat Balochfrom NA 118 while in Islamabad, PML-N will not run against Mian Aslam ofJamaat-i-Islami from NA-49, the

capital city seat. Mansoora has assuredPML-N of their support in KPK andrest of the country. JI is believed to have5000-15,000 votes scattered inconstituencies across the country.From NA 118, the PTI has decided to

field Hamid Zaman against the mightof Liaqat Baloch and Asif Hashmi ofPPP. The decision of the PTI not tofield the son of former governor MianAzhar from this constituency surprisedmany as it contains plenty of Arainvotes. From NA 119, Hamza Shahbazwill be up against Muhammad Madniof PTI which is another example of PTIdeciding to shy away from toughbattles and fielding political novices

against heavyweights. From all-important NA 120, PTI has decided tofield Yasmin Rashid against NawazSharif, a move that took everyone bysurprise because this seat wassupposed to go to veteran politicianJaved Hashmi who had submitted hispapers from this constituency.In NA 121, PML-N has decided to

support Farid Piracha againstHammad Azhar, the lawyer son offormer Punjab Governor Mian Azhar.But this constituency is not his turf andAzhar will have tough time againstPiracha. From NA 122, Imran Khanwill be up against Ayaz Sadiq who willbe punching above his weight in this

constituency while from NA 123, PTIhas given ticket to local boy HamidMeraj who has a large clan-based votehere. He’ll be up against a very strongPervez Malik of PML-N. In NA 124, theonly seat PPP would try to salvage,Bushra Aitzaz will be up againstWaleed Iqbal, Allama Iqbal’s grandsonwho is running on PTI ticket whilePML-N has yet to finalise this ticket.NA 125, PTI Hamid Khan will contestagainst powerful PML-N incumbentKhwaja Saad Rafiq while PPP isfielding Naveed Chaudhry.NA 126, the constituency from where

Imran Khan initially planned to run,goes to PTI’s ideological group leader

Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed, who willbe up against Aslam Gill of PPP whilePML-N has not awarded ticket hereyet. NA 127 goes to Aleem Khan who isexpected to be challenged by eitherHumayun Akhtar or Liaqat Baloch. InNA 128, PTI has a strong candidate inZaheer Abbas Khokhar who iscontesting against Afzal Khokhar ofPML-N. In 129, PTI has fieldedMansha Sindhu against Tariq ShabbirMayo, the incumbent as PML-N hasnot decided its candidature. From NA130, the seat held by Samina Ghurki,PTI has awarded the ticket to TalibSindhu while PML-N is expected tofield Ejaz Dayal.

PTI shies away from tough battles in Lahore� PML-N awards two seats to Jamaat in Lahore � Lame duck Dr Yasmin to face Nawaz � PTI focused on Imran, Aleem Khan seats

SALMAN ABBAS

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Islamabad HighCourt (IHC) on Wednesday issuedthe detailed judgment in a caserelated to development works inconstituency of former PrimeMinister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf anddeclared the award of Rs 9.576billion contract by Pakistan PublicWorks Department (PWD) toNational Logistics Cell (NLC) fordualization of three segments ofroads in Gujar Khan and Chakwaldistricts on the orders of the then PMAshraf as illegal and a act of nakedcorruption.The court sent the copies of

judgment to Election Commission ofPakistan (ECP), District ReturningOPcer of constituency NA-51, GujjarKhan to appreciate as to whether inthe light of the observations made inthe judgment, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf,can be believed as sagacious,righteous, honest, upright,trustworthy and Ameen.The court also sent a copy of order

to Chairman of NationalAccountability Bureau (NAB) forinitiate proceedings against all thosepersons involved in the scam,including the then Prime Minister,his Principal Secretary, SecretaryMinistry of Housing & Works andall the oPcial of Pak PWD whoabetted, aided and executed theillegal orders issued on behalf of thethen Prime Minister and oPcials ofNLC, who remained involved inobtaining assigning of work ofdevelopment projects.On March 28th, Justice Shaukat

Aziz Siddique of the IHC hadcancelled the contract awarded to theNational Logistics Cell (NLC) for theconstruction of roads in theconstituency of former primeminister Raja Pervez Ashraf and alsodirected the NLC to return the Rs3.6billion to the Public WorksDepartment (PWD).Justice Siddique, in his 46 pages

judgment, noted that the award of

contract was “oQensive to theuniversally accepted principle offairness, honesty, transparency,openness and is result of colourableexercise of authority, irrelevantconsiderations, a naked corruption,polluted mannerism, oQensive topublic ex-chequer and aninfringement to constitutionallyguaranteed fundamental rights”. Thejudge further noted “it is also declaredthat assigning of work to NLC isglaring example of discrimination,favouritism, nepotism, ulteriormotives and stinking approach toadvance personal agenda. “Theassigning of work to NLC is declaredto be cancelled with the direction thatNLC shall return all amount receivedvide cheque Nos.B836966, B850167and B853844 for execution of theprojects within one week of thereceipt of the order. The procuringagency i.e Pak PWD may initiate theprocedure afresh strictly inaccordance with the PPRAOrdinance, 2002 and PPRA Rules,2004 and by following the dictumslaid down on the point of PublicProcurement by the Supreme Courtand may complete its process withinone month,” the order said.

ARIF SHAMIM

LLOONNDDOONN:: Pakistan was warnedWednesday to modernise its failingtax system or risk losing part of a£1.4billion aid programme funded byBritish taxpayers. The row eruptedafter claims that £300million of aidfrom the UK was being used to “makefriends and influence people” in anelection campaign.Whitehall oPcials urged the

caretaker Pakistani government toraise more of its own revenue andstop allowing 99 per cent of thecountry’s citizens to avoid payingincome tax altogether. Pakistan - set

to become the biggest recipient of UKaid – remained “under review”,oPcials said in a strongly-wordedstatement. Caretaker Pakistani PMMir Hazar Khan Khoso have beenurged to raise more of its own revenueIn evidence to a Parliamentary

enquiry in the UK, Ehtisham Ahmad,a visiting fellow at the London Schoolof Economics, said Britain’sDepartment for InternationalDevelopment (DfID) was pouringmoney into Benazir Income SupportProgramme (BISP) that aims to helpPakistani families out of poverty.“It is not stolen to the extent to

which previous cash transfers were

stolen, but this is the mechanism,which is funded partly by DFID, tomake friends and influence people.This is the re-election campaign of MrZardari, which is funded by DFID,”continued Ahmad in his statement tothe Parliamentary inquisition onBritain’s foreign aid.Influential Daily Telegraph said the

scheme has been hit by allegations ofcorruption which claim that oPcialsfrom the PPP obtained lists ofbeneficiaries in order to pay follow-upvisits. “Poor families are told, in thesefollow up visits, to remember thesource of the financial aid when theyvote in May’s elections.”

Opposition parties have complainedthat the name of the programme leadsmany people to believe the moneycomes from Zardari’s family ratherthan from the wider Pakistanigovernment and foreign aid. This isnothing more than a scam to “buyvotes,” Daily Telegraph quoted ImranKhan as saying. Matthew Sinclair, ofthe Taxpayers’ Alliance, said:“Taxpayers will rightly be concernedover questions of whether their cash isbeing spent on political campaigningabroad. “The aid budget is meant tohelp the world’s poorest, not fundPakistani politicians’ point-scoring.”The UK has rapidly expanded its aid to

Pakistan in recent years, the country ison course to become the biggestrecipient of British aid. Pakistan is setto receive £450 million ($683,356,887)per year by 2015.A spokesman for DfIDsaid UK aid to Pakistan was not taintedby politicking. “Our developmentassistance is based on need andeffectiveness, not politics,” he said.However, he said, “We keep ourprogramme in Pakistan underconstant review, and will continueto do so after the elections.” TheSelect Committee onInternational Development is dueto publish its report into aid toPakistan on Thursday.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: InterimPrime Minister Mir HazarKhan Khoso Wednesdayallocated portfolios to hiscabinet members.The members of Federal

Cabinet along with theirportfolios are: Malik Habib(Minister for Interior andNarcotics Control); AhmerBilal Soofi (Minister for Law,and Parliamentary AQairs,HR); Dr Musaddaq Malik(Minister for Water andPower); Arif Nizami (InfoMinister); Shahzada AhsanAshraf (Minister forIndustries); Maqbool H.HRahmatoola (Minister forTextile and Commerce);Abdul Kasi (Minister forRailways); Asad Mandokhel(Minister for Port andShipping), Mir HassanDomki (Minister for FoodSecurity, Inter ProvincialCoordination), Dr SaniaNishter (Minister for Scienceand Technology, IT andEducation), Feroze JamalKakakhel (Minister forOverseas Pakistanis), DrYounis Soomro (Minister forHousing, Works) andShahzada Jamal is Ministerfor Religious, NationalHarmony and Heritage.

BISP puts British aid in jeopardy� Britain issues warning amid charges that UK aid being used for PPP campaign through BISP

KARACHI: Rangers and security o+cials stand near the Ranger’s truck which was attacked with grenades in the Korangi No.5 area.–ONLINE (STORY ON PAGE 12)

Interim cabinetmembers getportfolios

Raja, co involved in corruption: IHC

Raja Rentalin hot water� Court orders NAB to act against all accused � Sends copy of verdict to EC

STAFF REPORT

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Election Commissionof Pakistan (ECP) has sent notices to the 24former parliamentarians whose casespertaining to fake degrees were earlierclosed, after the expiry of 6-month deadlineset for the verification of educationalcertificates and the government lifted thecondition of BA qualification for beingmember of the parliament.Secretary ECP Ishtiak Ahmed Khan told

reporters here Wednesday that the formerparliamentarians have been asked toappear on Friday as their cases have beenreopened. Those summoned includeShafiq Ahmed Gujjar, Rubina Irfan,Nawabzada Tariq, NawabzadaMuhammad Akbar, Gul Muhammad,Shumaila Rana, Shabeena Khan, AmeerAli Shah, Ghulam Sarwar Sial, ShujaatAhmed, Israrullah Khan, Makesh Kumar,Rana Ijaz Ahmad, Bashir Ahmed Khan,Waseem Afzal, Sameena Khawar Hayat,Mohabbat Khan Marree, Seemal Kamran,Nadar Magsi, Rehana Yahya Baloch andDeewan Syed Ashiq Hussain.The secretary said the ECP has decided to

include a 'none of the above' box in ballotpapers for voters who do not want to casttheir votes for any candidate in their

constituency. He said the ECP will make arequest to the Prime Minister to have anordinance issued to have the 'none of theabove' box included in ballot papers for theupcoming elections.On voting for overseas, he said the

NADRA has developed software tofacilitate the overseas Pakistanis and finaldecision in this regard would be takenwithin one week time.The secretary stated that the ECP has

formulated code of conduct for the mediafor the coverage of forthcoming generalelections-2013. According to the agreeddraft, “All media houses should also followprofessional standards and strive foraccuracy, balance and impartiality as far aspossible. News media will try to the best ofits ability that news, current aQairs,interviews, talk-shows, analyses andinformation programmes are not biased infavour of, or against, any party orcandidate”, draft stated.It stated that the media should strive to

ensure that all candidates/parties shall besubject to journalistic scrutiny andappropriate media coverage according to itsarea of target audience. “There should beprovision of full access to informationduring the election period and afterwards”,code of conduct stated.

Fake degrees continue to haunt politicians

EC re-opens casesof 24 former MPs � EC proposes 'none of the above' box inballot papers � Issues code of conduct for media

SC seeks details ofprojects approved byGilani, AshrafIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Supreme Courthas sought details of all megaprojects approved by formerprime ministers Syed Yousaf RazaGilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf tillApril 10. The three-memberbench led by Chief JusticeIftikhar Muhammad ChaudhryWednesday resumed hearings ofthe notice. The SC soughtclarification from the authoritiesconcerned and ordered them tosubmit details of approval ofCNG stations and answers shouldbe presented before the courtpara wise. –ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Shameem Akhtar Kayani,the third wife of Mohammad Azam KhanHoti, has filed a petition in the SupremeCourt seeking disqualification of herhusband, a former federal minister.Through her lawyer Advocate Hashmat

Habib, Shameem filed the petition andmade the Election Commission, Senatechairman, National Assembly speaker andAzam Hoti respondents. In the petition,the stance has been adopted that since

Azam Khan Hoti was convicted he was noteligible to run for elections.On April 7, 2003 the accountability

court in Attock had convicted Azam Hotion charges of accumulating assetsdisproportionate to his known sources ofincome and sentenced him to 10-yearrigorous imprisonment. The petitionerhad asked the court that Azam Hoti bedeclared ineligible for contesting theelections. ONLINE

HOMER BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The case of a child missing from SectorG-9 a week ago has been solved by the capital police asthe accused arrested for kidnapping the child hasconfessed his murder after raping him, it was foundduring the investigation, while the body was recoveredon Tuesday.Muhammad Anwar, a schoolteacher and resident of G-

9/4 sector, registered an FIR (166) in Margalla policestation on March 26 complaining that his child ImranAnwar, aged four-and-a-half-year was playing outside hishome at 5pm but when he came back from maghribprayers he found his son missing. He feared that his sonmight have been kidnapped.After two days of Imran’s being missing, Anwar received

a text message form an unidentified number, demandingRs 700,000 as ransom for his missing son, which Anwarreported to the police immediately. SHO Irshad Ali Abroof the Margalla police station said that the text messageand the amount demanded by the accused for ransomhelped the police to reach him.“Normally kidnappers demand a high amount but the

amount demanded in the current case confirmed thatthe kidnapper is not a proclaimed oMender but someonearound the victim family,” the police oLcer said. Hefurther said that the police traced the number by whichthe text message was sent which helped to arrest FazalRehman who, during the investigation, confessed thathe murdered the minor after raping him.After his statement, the police rushed to the place and

recovered the distorted body of the minor Imran. Thebody of the diseased was sent to the Pakistan Institute ofMedical Sciences for post mortem on Tuesday night.“Fazal was living in the neighbourhood of the diseased andon March 26 he took him to a jungle near his home wherehe raped the minor and then murdered him by crushinghis head with a stone. He placed his body near a drain inthe jungle,” the SHO said.He further said that the body remained in the jungle for

a week but no one noticed it as its smell mixed with thedrain’s smell. He said the accused was under seven daysremand on the charges of 302 for murder and 345-A forkidnapping for ransom.

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013

CMYK

CMYK

Scrutiny of 10,748 papers completed: ECPIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The ElectionCommission of Pakistan onWednesday announced that initialscrutiny of 10,748 nomination papershas been completed. It said that some16,688 papers were received from allover the country and the process wasunderway. Electoral rolls withoutphotographs have been published,while those including the snaps willbe processed from Monday. It alsosaid printing of electoral rolls ofKarachi will begin once these areapproved by the ECP. After thecompletion of the process, these willbe sent to the presiding officers whowill offer their services during thegeneral elections. ONLINE

Gen Wynne calls on prime ministerIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Joint Chiefs of StaMCommittee Chairman General KhalidShameem Wynne called on PrimeMinister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso at thePrime Minister’s House on Wednesdaymorning. General Wynne briefed theprime minister on the matterspertaining to the three armed services aswell as strategic issues. He also briefedthe caretaker chief executive about therole, functions and organisation of theJoint Chiefs of StaM Committee and theoverall preparedness of the armedservices. APP

Malik asks CJ to take notice of pre-poll riggingIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Former Interiorminister Rehman Malik onWednesday has said that pre pollrigging was being carried out and hasasked Chief Justice of Pakistan JusticeIftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to takesuo motto notice of the situation.Talking to reporters, Malik said thathe was not raising a mere slogan buthis assertion was based on fact. Healso said that the upcoming electionwould be between pro and antiTaliban political parties. He said thatthe Taliban only attack those politicalparties which they don’t like. ONLINE

IESCO to provide bikes,laptops to employeesIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Islamabad ElectricSupply Company has decided toprovide motor cycles and laptops toemployees in all of five circles to ensureimprovement in their performance.About 1500 to 2000 motor cycles and60 liter petrol per month permotorcycle will be provided to theemployees working in all sub divisionsand divisions of all the five circlesincluding Islamabad, Rawalpindi,Chakwal, Jhelum and Attock. IESCOhas also devised plan to distribute 200laptops among its oLcers. IESCO willhave to incur expenses to the tune ofover 13 million rupees every month onsupply of petrol to the employees towhom the motorcycles will bedelivered. IESCO has invited tenderson this count. ONLINE

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Capital DevelopmentAuthority has approved the allotment of plots forlow paid employees of the authority and alsodecided to increase the salaries of daily wagersaccording to the policy introduced by thegovernment for daily wage employees.A senior CDA oLcial told The Spokesman that

the decision in this regard was taken during aboard meeting held here on Wednesday. TheoLcial said that a report of the committeeformed to re-plan the allotment of the plots wasalso presented before the board after which the

CDA high-ups approved the summary in thisregard and decided to allot plots to theemployees of Grade 1 to 16 and also to widows,retired employees.CDA retired employees and widows have long

been running from pillar to post for getting theirright of plots but the authority always deniedtheir right. “Now, it depends on the chairmanwhether he is able to allot the plots to retiredemployees and widows or once again they willhave to wait for long,” said the source. CDAretired employees told The Spokesman that theyshould not be discriminated against as they haveserved the CDA for many years.

In 2004, they said the CDA allotted around4000 plots for its employees. However, the cutoMdate for the scheme was set at January 21, 2011which did not allow the employees who served inauthority before the said date to be allotted plots.The widows said that the CDA had allotted plotsto around 400 widows some two years back butleft around 100 of them in the allotment processwhich has created feeling of deprivation amongthe remaining widows who are now knocking thedoors of CDA unions and other senior oLcials forprovision of their rights. They were of the viewthat the decision of the plot allotment to themshould now be implemented at earlier.

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The forensic report ofKamran Faisal was presented in theSupreme Court on Wednesday. Thereport has been sent to the registrar’soLce and the court has allowed accessto parties in the case.The court further stated that NAB,

Islamabad Police and Kamran Faisal’sfather can evaluate the report aftersubmitting a request. Duringproceedings, NAB Prosecutor GeneralKK Agha said it was fact finding matterif Kamran Faisal’s death was a murderor suicide.Agha said that Faisal’s father had

submitted a request to become a partyin the case, adding that he wanted amurder case. “Everyone wants to knowthe truth,” he said. Justice Jawaad SKhawaja remarked that police wasrefusing to give documents to thedeceased’s father and if the NABprosecutor had any reservations heshould express them.Justice Khawaja asked KK Agha to

inform the court under which lawshould Kamran Faisal’s father not beheard. The lawyer for the father of thedeceased stated that Kamran Faisalwas murdered due to his investigationinto the Rental Power case. ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: All Pakistan MuslimLeague Central Information SecretaryAasia Ishaque refuted reports carried insome section of the print and electronicmedia regarding evasion of taxes byAPML chief Pervez Musharraf.She said that the APML chief had

declared his assets to the ElectionCommission of Pakistan, which weresubject to payment of taxes and thesame was done in lines with theprovisions of the law. The reports werenot appropriate and were meant todefame the APML chief.She said that any citizen that lived

abroad for a limited period of 180 dayswas not liable to pay the taxes on hisassets to the national exchequer while hisproperty was listed abroad. Sheregretfully stated that there were some inthe print and electronic media thatwanted to defame the APML chief at thebehest of his rivals.She said that those that carried such

reports should have contacted the APMLfor the health of the reports. ONLINE

Kamran Faisal case

Reportpresented in SC

CDA to allot plots to lowpaid employees, up wages� Board meeting approves committee report to re-plan plot allotment

Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf Women Wing workers hold a demonstration in support of their demands, in Islamabad. ONLINE

Wife files petition, seeksHoti’s disqualification

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Special Accountability Court onWednesday rejected the bail of former PakistanMedical and Dental Council’s (PM&DC)registrar Dr Ahmad Nadeem Akbar.Justice Muhammad Bashir cancelled the pre-

arrest bail of Dr Ahmad Nadeem Akbar on twoFIRs number 94 and 70 registered in Ramnapolice station. A copy of the court’s ordersregarding cancellation of the bail for the bothFIRs is available with The Spokesman whichstates that, “Accused/petitioner has beencharged in case FIR No 94 dated 9-03-2013under Sec 53 of PMDC Rules 2007. This FIR isregistered on the basis of a letter issued by DrMuhammad Iqbal, assistant secretary, ForeignBasic. Mr Yasir Iqbal was registered withPakistan Medical and Dental Council doctorbut his registration was found false and forged.”It further states, “Mr Yasin Iqbal as well as

registrar/accused/petitioner are alleged to beresponsible for the same. On the other hand,

learned counsel for PMDC has contended thatIssuance of fake and forged registration is infact playing with the life of innocent people.Departmental inquiry was conducted in thecase. Fake registrations were found with theapproval of accused/petitioner. He is requiredfor recovery of certain documents stolen fromthe record of PMDC. Certain amount of PMDCwas also embezzled by him and he is involvedin commission of oMence. In the aforesaidcircumstances, he is not entitled toextraordinary concession of bail.”On the bail of FIR No 70, the court’s order

states, “Perusal of record reveals that IO hascollected document showing that it was signedby the accused/petitioner in respect ofapplication of Dr Mazhar Ijaz Siddiqui s/oIftikhar Hussain submitted for permanentregistration, and this application was approvedby the registrar but credentials of the saidapplicant are found bogus and forged ones.Further investigation is in progress. Malafide onpart of prosecution is not established in above

stated situation. He is not entitled toextraordinary concession of bail in thecircumstances of the case. Ad-interim bailalready granted is recalled.”SHO Abid Hussain of Ramla Police Station

when contacted told The Spokesman that thepolice would raid diMerent places to arrest theformer registrar of PMDC. “Police will soonarrest Dr Ahmed Nadeem Akbar as the courthas cancelled the bail obtained by him on twodiMerent FIRs. While an oLcial of Ramnapolice is also sent to Karachi to inquire aboutthe birth certificate and domicile of theaccused,” he said.Dr Ahmed Nadeem Akbar had allegedly

issued hundreds of fake registration to themedical students as well as the colleges bymisusing his authority, just to increase thenumber of his supporters who, after theirregistration, can vote for him in their elections.The authorities of PMDC, by taking notice ofthe irregularities, lodged two FIRs against theirformer registrar.

EX-PMDC registrar’s bail cancelled

‘Missing’ childraped, murdered

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Senator Kulsoom Parveenhas expressed serious concerns overexorbitant fees being charged by privateschools and criticised these educationalinstitutions for introducing expensive booksin their syllabus, besides initiating other self-destructive aspects.She was speaking during the meeting of the

Senate Standing Committee for Inter-Provincial Coordination, convened bySenator Farah Aaqil, on Wednesday. Senator

Haji Ghulam Ali also declared numerousprivate universities operating in the countryas bogus, destroying the educational criteriawhile charging thousands in fees.The committee also urged educational

oLcials to take all necessary steps forintroduction of conducive and eMectivesyllabus, taking professionally capableteachers into confidence over the issue, ratherthan entrusting the entire issue to singleministry or its equally incapable bureaucrats.

The committee chairman termed the betterand stable educational system as a sureguarantee of safe and strong future of futuregenerations and integrity of Pakistan.Briefing the committee, the educationsecretary said that there were 28 educationalboards in Pakistan, out of which Punjab had9, KP 8, Sindh 6 and one in Balochistan. Themembers expressed their charging overBalochistan having a single educational board,recommending more boards there. ONLINE

Schools criticised for expensive books

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Following an invitation bythe authorities, the European Union issending an observation mission to observethe general elections in Pakistan that arescheduled for May 11, 2013.MEP Michael Gahler has been appointed

chief observer for this mission by EU HighRepresentative Catherine Ashton. “Theforthcoming parliamentary elections inPakistan will be a historic moment for thedemocratic development of the country asthey mark, for the first time, the transitionof power from one elected government tothe next. I hope that all those involved willengage in the process in a peaceful anddemocratic way,” Ashton stated.“As part of our long-standing support to

the democratic process in Pakistan, andfollowing an invitation from theauthorities, I have decided to deploy an EUElection Observation Mission. I amconfident that, under the leadership ofMEP Michael Gahler, this EOM willenhance the confidence of Pakistani votersin the process.”Michael Gahler will arrive in Islamabad

on April 7, following a team of eleven EUelection analysts that has been deployed inPakistan from April 2. The team willgradually be joined by 52 long-termobservers and 46 short-term observersfrom 27 EU member states, as well as fromNorway, Switzerland and Canada. Overall,about a hundred EU observers will be inthe country in order to monitor theupcoming elections.After the elections, the observers will

issue a preliminary statement of theirinitial findings regarding the fair conductof the electoral process. However, they willremain in Pakistan for the final counting ofvotes and any complaint procedures and toprepare a full report includingrecommendations to improve the elections.Gahler was also the EU's chief observer

for the 2008 elections and hasparticipated in a number of otherobservation missions. ONLINE

EU observersto monitorelections

APML chiefpays all histaxes: Aasia

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Pakistan EconomyWatch on Wednesday called for enhancedawareness regarding software piracywhich has emerged as a threat tobusinesses.PEW President Dr Murtaza Mughal

said that governments, private sector anddevelopment sector should turn theirattention to raising awareness aboutrampant piracy which has become anational security threat for manycountries.A recent study by International Data

Corporation (IDC) has discovered thatthe chances of infection by unexpectedmalware are one in three for consumersand three in ten for businesses. The costof dealing with the impact has beenpredicted to be $114 billion in 2013 whilein Asia Pacific the spending will reach$39 billion.Consumers worldwide will spend 1.5

billion hours and 22 billion dollarsidentifying, repairing, and recoveringfrom the impact of malware, Dr MurtazaMughal said. The study titled, “TheDangerous World of Counterfeit andPirated Software,” found that 45 per centcounterfeit software is downloaded fromthe Internet, 78 per cent is downloadedfrom P2P networks in which 36 per centcontained Trojans and adware. ONLINE

Companies to spend$114b to countercyber threats

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013 POWER ALLEYS|��

Nadeem F. Paracha�@NadeemfParacha34mIt was sickening to watch Sindhisbeing insulted by ECP oVcers on TVjust because they couldn't fully recallPak anthem. It's in Persian!

Riaz Ali Toori �@RiazToori34mShaheed ZA #Bhutto did not learn to bow; did not learnto compromise & did not bend to succumb. #April4#PPP #PakistanNadeem F. Paracha �@NadeemfParacha41mA question for Fakhru Bhai: Can you recite a Pushtun,Baloch or Sindhi poem? Or do these have nothing to dowith 'Pakistan Ideology?'Nusrat Javeed �@javeednusrat Sheeda 'informs' establishment that foreign forces arefunding political parties.Shahzadi Tauseef �@ShaiziCheema14mThey r going 2 kill me. It doesn't matter what evidence uor any1 comes up with. They r going to murder me formurder I didn't commit. #SZABYousuf Nazar �@YousufNazar30mI met with Bhutto a day before he was arrested. He wascrystal clear, he was not going to compromise with eitherAmerica or ZiaRauf Klasra �@KlasraRauf18mLahore judge does not ask "House of Sharif " as why didnot they return Rs5bn loan of 9 banks against Itifaqgroup since1998. anybody guess?Adil Najam �@AdilNajam4mFew things are more painful than when faith in goodnessof people is challenged. Few things more important thanholding tight to that faith.Asad Munir �@asadmunir385mMajority of young Pakistanis desire Sharia rule in thiscountry,real Sharia can only be implemented by TTP,letthe Taliban rule PakistanMurtaza Solangi �@murtazasolangi5mPTI, PML-N, PML-Q and PPP oppose vote for none boxsuggested by ECP. #Election2013M.Asim Khan �@asimnyazee7m@RiazToori A new conspiracy to crush the already ailingdemocracy and discredit the politicians who r underimmense pressure from all sidesSyed Ali Abbas Zaidi �@Ali_Abbas_Zaidi4mECP linguistics division makes sure local dialects speakpersian national anthem and verses in Arabic accentproperly. Masha'Allah #Pakistan

SHAHZAD RAZA

ISLAMABAD: The façade behind strictimplementation of Article 62 and 63 of theConstitution might force the political partiesto think of boycotting the elections.Although the political parties would mostprobably go through it, so far the electoralexercise has been marred by one controversyafter another.The voters are being forced to believe that

every politician hides within him aMachiavellian devil that must be exorcisedusing the charms of Article 62 and 63 of theConstitution of Islamic Republic ofPakistan.Somewhere behind the devious curves of

the national political landscape, the ghost ofGeneral Ziaul Haq is still lurking to prey onthe ill-fated passersby. It was the samemilitary dictator who introduced strictqualifications for the Members ofParliament. The subsequent eWorts – the best being the

18th constitutional amendment – fell shortof purging the constitution from thisparticular anomaly.General Zia had little faith in Quaid-e-

Azam’s 11 August speech in which thefounding father spelled out his vision of asecular and moderate state where no onewas forced to clarify his/her faith.And now the sorry legacy of General Zia

has refused to die down to haunt the haplessnation of 180 million people.Apparently, deriving strength from a

recent letter of the Chief Justice of Pakistan,the returning oVcers have transformed theprocess of scrutiny into a test of Islamicstudies. Such a situation was unheard of inthe past.Article 62 (e) states an MP should have

“adequate knowledge” of Islamic teachingsand practices obligatory duties prescribed byIslam as well as abstaining from major sins.The vagueness of this sub-clause isconspicuous.The majority of returning oVcers, in their

own sense of righteousness, have ridiculedthe electoral process. A question: If areturning oVcer could ask Owais Tappi torecite Dua-e-Qunoot or teesra kalma whydidn’t other oVcers put Nawaz Sharif orChaudhry Nisar in the same dock?“I wish some Returning OVcer will ask the

election candidates about FundamentalRights in the last sermon of the Prophet-PBUH and the Constitution of Pakistan andsome questions about law making process asthey are going to be a Legislator,” observedZafarullah Khan of the Centre of CivicEducation Pakistan.Meanwhile, the toughest scrutiny of

candidates in the history of Pakistan isunderway at two major forums – theElection Commission of Pakistan (ECP)and the Higher Education Commission(HEC).The figure of 189 MPs having their

degrees unverified, which both ECP andthe HEC were liberally quoting, needs a

second thought. First, the figure wasfactually incorrect. Two of the former MPs,Shahbaz Bhatti and Azeem Daultana,whose names appeared in the list, havepassed away.The entire episode demands a fair and

neutral application of the mind. There werea total 1178 elected representatives at thenational and provincial levels. The degreesof 54 have been declared fake and thedegrees of 189 or so were declaredunverified.The HEC Chairman Dr Javed Leghari

explained his organization could not andwould not declare the unverified degrees asfake or bogus. “If we cannot verify any degreefor whatever reason, we will not declare itfake or bogus. It may be called suspicious,”he told The Spokesman.But it seems other stakeholders would not

subscribe to the rationale of the HECchairman, who used to be a People’s PartySenator before taking control of the HEC.

The lurking ghost of Gen Zia

It seems that the recent questionsover the leadership vacuum inPPP might have been answered.

According to party sources BilawalBhutto has ordered the review of 64national and provincial assemblyseats, with preference being given tothose who were victorious in theprevious two elections.He also urged the party members to

communicate with the voters andeducate them about theirperformance so as to ensure theirparticipation in the polls.This follows media reports that

Bilawal left the country last week dueto a row with his father over partypolicy, especially the awarding oftickets. He returned to Karachi onMonday night. These latest developments lend

weight to the party’s stance that therewas no bad blood between father andson. It should also boost the morale ofPPP supporters and give the partysome direction with regards to theupcoming elections.—STAFF REPORT

As the scrutiny noose tightens aroundelection candidates, many toppoliticians consider not contesting the

polls.Sheeshnag is told the people who are

worried about the scrutiny include theChaudharies of Gujrat, the families of NawazSharif, Yousaf Raza Gillani and even MaulanaFazlur Rehman.The imprisonment of fellow politicians in

fake degree cases and lying about dualnationality has thrown the political lot in atizzy. Many feel uncomfortable in furnishinginformation that could not just disqualifythem but also may land them in jail at somestage. The laws existed but there was noimplementation in the good old days. Not anylonger. The number of parliamentarians whowill liable for punishment in fake degreecases and for lying about their dualnationality runs into the dozens.Many more will get hauled in tax default

cases. Nearly a quarter of formerparliamentarians have not filed anydeclarations. And more than half could be introuble if an ordinary investigation abouttheir declaration is made. Most of them “livebeyond their means,” believe tax oVcials butit becomes a more serious issue as thecandidates will have their assets publiclyknown. This means that anybody couldprovide information about them, which manyfind a dangerous trend.However, the biggest scare among the top

politicians is the declaration in thenomination forms which commits them todeclare that they or their families have notdefaulted on a loan of Rs 2 million or more

for one year. This applies on loans that mayhave been restructured or written oW. Nowthis may apply on the Chaudharies of Gujrat,who have got huge sums restructured andwritten oW. This may also bring in the familyof Yousaf Raza Gillani whose spouse got aloan of Rs 400 million written oW. The list ofpoliticians who may be hit by this clause runsinto the dozens, including most feudal andindustrial families of Pakistan. The issue isthat the wrong declaration can land them injail at some stage. The problem is that, if you ask them, they

will always have documents proving that theirloans were rescheduled, restructured orwaived by the banks or courts. Now there isno such thing as a permanent write-oW. It isalways temporary rescheduling orrestructuring. You can be forgiven for adefault under specific conditions but theassumption is that you will pay back as soonas you recover. But you cannot get a loanwrite-oW in one project and then move on tostart another. It is akin to closing one shopafter declaring bankruptcy and then openinganother one the next day, right next to it.

You cannot be forgiven the public debtpermanently unless you get yourselfdeclared insolvent under solvency laws. Andthen also live the life of an insolvent. TheSupreme Court took a suo motu noticeabout it five years ago but was dependent foranswers on the very people who owed themoney. Unsurprisingly, it came down tonothing.The matter was investigated, with the help

of Afzal Sindhu, who was the then federal lawminister. He sent a query from the LawMinistry to the State Bank asking if there wasany law that guarantees a permanent write-oW. Sindhu also asked the State Bank inwriting to submit the laws under which it waswriting oW loans. The State Bank replied that a permanent

write-oW does not exist in the books as eventhe President cannot waive oW the publicmoney. The Bank wrote-oW those billions notbecause of any law but on governmentinstructions in the shape of circulars. Themost infamous of these circulars is known as’29.’ It was expanded by Shaukat Aziz of theCitibank money-laundering fame. Heintroduced the solution through the Circular29. Since then, over Rs 215 billion have beenwritten-oW. By the way, Afzal Sindhu gotfired as the law minister within a week afterthis.This has been re-checked with leading

corporate lawyers including Nafees Siddiquiand Dr Babar Awan, and they agree on this.Our whole elite thrive on these written-oWloans. It is important that we look into thisaspect as we are moving towards anotherelection.Now, this is not about the moral side of the

Constitution’s Article 62 and 63 as largelyfocused by the Tahirul Qadris of the world.You cannot judge moral piety but thefinancial piety is easier to assess. Article 63 isclear that a defaulter who has got a loan in hisor her name or the family’s name and notrepaid after a year or got a write-oW throughwhatever means is not eligible to contestelections.

Now the implementation of these two alonemeans wiping oW over half of the existingpolitical elite. And it will not be easy. Themoment someone suggests this kind of purge,they all gang up. This will be made out to bean attempt to delay the elections, a conspiracyto derail the system. The defaulters have totheir advantage the legislature and executiveunder their control. Times such as thecoming months are the perfect occasion,when the ‘swindlers’ are without power. Wehope Fakhru Bhai will at least initiate theprocess.We understand that he already has too

much on his plate. Fakhru Bhai is supposedto check the tax and loan defaulters’ mafia,weed out dual nationals and stop the corruptfrom contesting elections. Given our trackrecord, the easier way will be to count thenumber of people who may not have thesefeatures among the top elite. Another diVculttask is to make political parties hold internalelections, file their financial statements andshow how and from where they are gettingthe billions that they spend on publicmeetings. This alone, if implemented strictly,

should wipe out a majority of the politicalparties.Everybody from Washington to Delhi to

Afghanistan is confused about the chaoticsituation in Pakistan. Pakistanis are not farbehind them. However, it is the Election Commission

that is right in the eye of the storm. It hasto, literally, move mountains in little timeand with little resources but under pressurethat is not little at all. From the belligerentjudiciary to the hostile media, the TahirulQadris and Chaudhary Nisars of the world,the local and foreign monitoringorganizations, not to forget the intelligenceand security agencies, everybody has theirclaws out to draw blood from a very frailCommission that is headed by an 86 yearold man. A good, honest man I must say.Give him a break, for God’s sake. He isexpected to do what should take decades toreform. The real test for Fakhru Bhai is to get the

maximum agenda implemented withoutscuttling down the electoral and thedemocratic process. Bravo!

Venom Inc. This should not be heldagainst me in a court of law as Isolemnly declare that these are

absolute lies, dirty whispers and wildspeculation that I have heard whilecrawling in the dark power corridors of thecreepy Capital. You will believe them atyour own risk Shh...If you have venom tospill please don’t hesitate to share with uson our blog at www.thespokesman.pk

ECP purges set alarm bells ringing

TAHIR NIAZ

ISLAMABAD: Ahsan Iqbal, Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz,on Wednesday urged the Election Commissionof Pakistan (ECP) to reject nomination papersof General Musharaf who according to him,falls in the ambit of Article 6 and breaches Ar-ticle 62 and 63 of the constitution.According to a press release, he said, “It is very

heartening to see that Supreme Court and Elec-tion Commission are taking stern action againstfake degree holders but the irony is that the dic-tator who faked constitution is freely roamingin the country. If no action is taken against himthen it would be like taking punitive actionagainst corruption of lower functionaries andturning blind eye to corruption of big shots. Thebiggest forgery is tampering with the constitu-tion of Pakistan”. It has been reported in the press that PML-N

has gone lenient towards the former dictatordue to pressure by the foreign powers particu-larly, the Saudi Kingdom. The Nawaz-led partyhas been told to keep cool towards PresidentMusharraf, though the party denied the samein the strongest terms.

President Musharraf has filed nomination pa-pers from more than one constituency that alsoincludes NA-48 Islamabad. The statementgiven by the PML-N leader says everythingabout the policy it is pursuing viz-a-viz Mushar-

raf. It is urging the ECP to reject the nomina-tion papers of Pervez Musharraf but did not ap-proach the proper forum to challenge hiscandidature. The concerned returning oVcerwould be the proper forum if the PML-N really

wants to challenge his candidature but it haslimited itself just to the press statements.Ahsan Iqbal said in the statement that the

Supreme Court has already given historic ver-dict on 3 November, 2007 emergency imposedby General Musharaf and declared it an extraconstitutional act. PPP government didn't pro-ceed against General Musharaf due to NROarrangement. Now the nation expects that thejudiciary will take suo moto action against thedictator who played havoc with constitution, ju-diciary, media, and Parliament. He said, “Theconspiracies to bring back the Zardari govern-ment by dividing PML-N votes will be defeatedby the people of Pakistan” but did not disclosethe strategy to achieve the objectives.In 2007, Faryal Talpur, covering candidate for

PPP's Makhdoom Amin Faheem, had chal-lenged the President Pervez Musharraf ’s presi-dential candidature, saying that he was notqualified to contest the Oct 6, 2007 presiden-tial election because he was holding an oVce ofprofit in the service of Pakistan as army chief.However, the Chief Election Commissioner haddeclared him eligible, overruling objectionsraised by the other candidates.Later, the Supreme Court bench headed by

Justice Abdul Hameed Doagr rejected the peti-tion challenging President General PervezMusharraf ’s re-election as President. The SChad earlier allowed the holding of the presiden-tial poll on October 6, but directed the EC not tonotify the result until the petitions were de-cided. A full SC bench headed by Chief Justiceof Pakistan Abdul Hameed Dogar gave the ver-dict after a brief hearing of the petitions. Afterhearing the petition, the CJ said, “The petitionis dismissed”.Six constitutional petitions challenging the

acceptance of Musharraf ’s candidature for thepresidential election were filed by Justice (r)Wajeehuddin Ahmed, Makhdoom AminFahim, Liaquat Baloch, Dr Anwarul Haq, Ad-vocate AK Dogar of the Pakistan LawyersForum and Dr Zahoor Mehdi under Article184 (3) of the Constitution. Now the PML-Nis relying just on the press statements insteadof challenging the candidature of PervezMusharraf at the proper forum. The questionarises whether the party is serious in keepingthe former dictator away from the electionprocess or just complying with the ‘silentagreement’ with Pervez Musharraf underSaudi authorities.

Is PML-N serious about challenging Musharraf ’s candidature?

The ‘prodigal’son returns

Zardari visits Bhutto’smausoleumGGAARRHHII KKHHUUDDAA BBUUKKHHSSHH:: Inconnection with the 34th martyrdomanniversary of the late PakistanPeople’s Party chairperson and formerprime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,President Asif Zardari visited themausoleum here on Wednesday. Thepresident laid wreath, offered fatehaand recited verses from the HolyQuran for some time. He also visitedthe grave of two-time former primeminister Benazir Bhutto, laid wreath,offered fateha and recited verses fromthe Holy Quran. President Zardari alsovisited the grave of Madr-i-JamhooriatBegum Nusrat Bhutto, laid wreath andoffered fateha. He also visited thegraves of Mir Murtaza Bhutto and MirShahnawaz Bhutto. The president wasaccompanied by his younger daughterAseefa Bhutto, former Interiorminister Rehman Malik and DrShafqat Soomro. APP

93 polling stations declaredsensitive in RawalpindiRRAAWWAALLPPIINNDDII:: As many as 93 pollingstations have been declared sensitive indistrict Rawalpindi. DCP Saqib Zafarhas sent list of sensitive polling stationsto the Punjab Home Department. Thedistrict government will get installCCTV cameras on rent at these pollingstations. Cost of installation of camerashas been estimated at Rs 25000 perpolling station. Funds in this regardhave been sought from the provincialgovernment. The district managementsaid that over 50 sensitive pollingstations were located in Rawalpindi, 10in Gujjar Khan, 3 each in KallarSyedan, Kahuta and Taxila while twoare in Murree. ONLINE

Jail inmates deprived of voting rightRRAAWWAALLPPIINNDDII:: As many as 6242 jailinmates of the Rawalpindi divisionstand deprived of their right to vote dueto lack of electronic bio metric system.Among these prisoners, 4332 male and159 female belong to central prisonAdiala, 765 male and 15 female arefrom district jail Attock, 772 male and14 female from district jail Jhelum and185 male inmates from sub jailChakwal. Civil society members, socialand political circles appealed to theElection Commission and chief justiceof Pakistan to order for thedevelopment of bio metric systemsoftware and implementation of e-voting mode in the jails to enableprisoners to cast their votes inupcoming general election. ONLINE

18 arrested in Karachi operationKKAARRAACCHHII:: The law enforcerscontinued their anti-criminalcrackdown in various parts of Karachi,arresting over a dozen more suspectsand recovering illegal arms. Officialssaid over 500 police contingents, withthe help of female police staff,conducted a house-to-house search in33-B area of Landhi Wednesdaymorning. Police said that a searchoperation was launched on theinformation that some suspectedpersons were present in theirhideouts, which on raids resulted inthe arrest of 18 accused from whomweapons were also recovered. SSPEast, Imran Shaukat talking to mediasaid that the police during operationhave also arrested most wantedaccused Hanif alias Chitta. He alsoclaimed that there was no ‘no-go’ areain East Zone. ONLINE

KKAARRAACCHHII:: Muhajir Qaumi Movement leader Afaq Ahmad arrives at Supreme Court registry to submit application to remove no-go areas from Sindh capital. ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Minister for Informationand Broadcasting and Postal Services ArifNizami on Wednesday said that holdingof free and fair elections was top priorityof the interim government.Chairing a meeting of the Ministry ofInformation and Broadcasting here, hesaid that the government would fullyfacilitate national and internationalmedia during the elections so that theycould perform their duties in accordancewith their professional ethos.The minister said that the oMcial mediashould adopt a balanced approach andmaintain a level of neutrality in reportingevents. “We are staunch advocate ofmedia freedom and can never allow anysort of curbs on the media,” Nizami said.Pakistan was a functional democracywhere judiciary and media were fullyindependent and civil society was vibrant,Nizami said, adding that there was nohurdle in smooth democratic transitionin the country.Information Secretary Agha Nadeembriefed the minister about the working ofthe Information and BroadcastingMinistry. The meeting was attended bysenior oMcials of the ministry as well asmedia chiefs.Talking to a private news channel,Nizami said that the caretakergovernment would help the ElectionCommission of Pakistan to ensuretransparent elections. He urged media togive equal coverage to all politicalstakeholders.“It must play an impartial role in theupcoming elections,” he said. The ECPwould formulate an eNective code ofethics for media so that it could play avital role during the elections, he said. Hehoped that the ECP would ensure theaccountability of former lawmakersfacing fake degree charges.Nizami said that tax defaulters shouldbe stopped from participating in theelections. To a question, Nizami said thatthe Pakistan Muslim League-N hadfaced tough time in the past dictatorialregime. He hoped that Punjab ChiefMinister Najam Sethi would facilitatethe electoral process.He said that duty of the caretakergovernment was to run the day-to-dayaffairs of the country. It would try tomeet the expectations of people byholding peaceful and fair elections in thecountry. APP

Free, fair pollstop priority,says Nizami

SALMAN ABBAS

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Islamabad High Court wasinformed on Wednesday that the InteriorMinistry had awarded the multi-billion contractfor the provision of lamination paper to thePassport and Immigration (P&I) Department toa US firm in violation of Public ProcurementRegulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, after whichthe court stayed the awarding of the contract andsummon the Interior secretary, Immigrationdirector general and others on April 16.Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddique issued the stayorder against awarding of the contract to anyfirm after hearing the petition filed by a Frenchfirm namely, Reliance International. Thepetitioner submitted before the court that theInterior Ministry awarded the contract of thebillion rupees for the provision of laminationpapers used in passport books to a US firm byviolating the PPRA rules.Citing Interior secretary, the Immigration

director general, Machine Readable Passportproject director, Database director and others,the petitioner contended that it had successfullycompleted around 23 projects in diNerentcountries which were also included the securityof very sensitive documents.Advocate Salman Akram Raja, the counsel forthe petitioner, adopted before the court that thehigh-ups of the Immigration and Passport oMcehad awarded the contract to an American firm inviolation of the PPRA rules and a substandardlamination was being bought through thecompany which may result in loss of billions tonational exchequer and it was also a security risk.He informed the court that the company hascurrently been supplying the laminationpapers in Pakistan. He said that theadvertisement for this contract was given innational dailies on August 17, 2012 after whichseveral US and French companies applied forthe contract. Later on, another advertisementwas given in national dailies that the deadline

for provision of laminations had been extendedto October 12, 2012.“It was decided between the ImmigrationoMcials and applicant companies that accordingto the PPRA rules, initially the technical bidswould be oNered and all the applicant companieswould give their lamination samples whichwould be send to laboratories of the US andCanada for scrutiny,” said the counsel, addingthat the financial bids would had to be examinedlater in presence of all the applicants.He said that the immigration and passportoMcials had informed his client that the date forfinancial bids would be announced later. But theapplicant company came to know later that notonly the financial bids had been opened but alsothe contract was awarded to a US firm. Herequested the court to order the re-tendering ofthe contract by cancelling the present contract.However, the court admitted the petition andstays the award of the contract and alsosummons the respondents on April 16.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Pakistan MuslimLeague-N has urged the ElectionCommission of Pakistan to rejectnomination papers of former presidentPervez Musharaf, who heads the All PakistanMuslim League, for falling in ambit ofbreaches of Article 6 and Article 62 and 63.PML-N Deputy Secretary GeneralAhsan Iqbal said that it was veryheartening to see that the Supreme Courtand the Election Commission were takingstern action against fake degree holdersbut the irony was that the militarydictator who faked constitution was freelyroaming in the country.“If no action is taken against him(Musharraf) then it would be like takingpunitive action against corruption of lower

functionaries and turning blind eye tocorruption of big shots,” he said, and pointedout that the biggest forgery was tamperingwith the constitution of Pakistan.The Supreme Court has already givenhistoric verdict on November 03, 2007emergencies imposed by General Musharrafand declared it an extra constitutional act.The PPP government didn't proceed againstMusharaf due to NRO arrangement, hesaid, adding that the nation expects that thejudiciary would take suo moto actionagainst the former dictator who playedhavoc with the constitution, judiciary,media, and the parliament.The PML-N programme for a strongeconomy has been declared as the besteconomic programme and the PML-Neconomic team was the most competentand credible.

Lamination paper from US firm

IHC stays multi-billionrupee contract� Interior Ministry awarded contract in violation of PPRA rules � Interior secretary, others summoned


KKAARRAACCHHII:: Sindh Chief MinisterZahid Qurban Alavi said that thecaretaker government is strivinghard to hold fair and transparentelections in the province.He expressed these views in ameeting with former chiefminister and Pakistan MuslimLeague-N leader Mumtaz AliBhutto on Wednesday. Theydiscussed current politicalsituation in the province andparticularly in Karachi. He saidthat transfers and postings will befinalised according to the

directives of the ElectionCommission.On the other hand, a statementissued here stated that thecaretaker chief minister hasallocated portfolios to theprovincial ministers and advisers ofthe caretaker setup province.Shakaib Qureshi has beenallotted Ministry of Excise andTaxation and P&D. Nawab QalbeHussain Lahori has got Forest andWildlife. Muhammad ShareefAnsari has been givenEnvironment and Alternate

Energy. Sardar Khan Ghoto'sportfolio is Labour and Transport‚Mehmood Yousuf Mandviwala hasgot Law and Prisons‚ IqbalDawood Pakwala has been givenFood portfolio.Raees Ghulam Qasim Jaskaniwill be Minister for Livestock andFishries‚ Junaid Ali Shah forHealth‚ Sardar Muhammad YaseenMalik for Auqaf and ReligiousANairs. Syed Shabbar Zaidi forFinance‚ S Khalid Tawab forIndustries and Commerce and DrNK Luhana for Agriculture.

Anis Haroon will be Minister forHuman Rights and WomenDevelopment‚ Khalid Latif for SocialWelfare and Zakat and Ushr‚ Noor-ul-Huda Shah for Information andArchives. Abdul Qadeer Chohan forPublic Health Engineering.The advisers in the caretakersetup in Sindh have also beenallotted portfolios such asInformation Technology to MianZahid Hussain‚ Sports and YouthAffairs to Haroon Farooki andSpecial Education to ZakriaGodal. ONLINE

Sindh caretakers to hold fair, transparent polls� Ministers and advisers of caretaker setup get portfolios

LLAAHHOORREE:: Sessions court workers searching documents during scrutiny of candiadates. ONLINE

PML-N asks ECP toreject Mush’s papers

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Supreme Court takingexception to authorities’ failure in bringingformer OGRA chairman Tauqir Sadiq, who isallegedly involved in Rs82 billion corruptioncase, back to Pakistan has ordered that allmiscellaneous petitions in this case be sent toaccountability courts for hearing.The division bench headed by JusticeJawad S Khawaja was hearing theimplementation of OGRA case onWednesday. Officials of NAB and FIA were

present in the court room. Justice Khawajasaid that everybody knew that the accusedwas sitting abroad while arrest warrants werebeing served at his Model Town address in Lahore.He said that the investigation officer in thecase returned to Pakistan after meeting Sadiqin the UEA. The judge sought report, seekingexplanation as to why court orders were notimplemented. On the occasion, NABProsecutor General KK Agha told the court

that measures for bringing back Tauqir Sadiqwere in final phase and he would be boughtback soon.He further said that delay in filing thereference was due to non-provision ofevidence. On this, Justice Jawad Khawajasaid that “you filed the reference after oneyear, one month and one day. Thanks Godyou found the evidence otherwise thereference may have not been filed.” Aghatold the court that an accused Shahbaz

Saleem Bhatti was pardoned by the anti-graft body.Justice Khawaja asked as to how anaccused was pardoned when he had pleadedguilty. The court ordered that themiscellaneous petitions in this case be sent toaccountability courts for hearing anddirected the NAB and FIA to pace up theirefforts to arrest Tauqir Sadiq and bring himback to the country. The court adjourned thehearing till April 17. ONLINE

SC annoyed by delay in bringing Tauqir Sadiq back � NAB prosecutor general says measures in final phase to return former OGRA chief

KKAARRAACCHHII:: Students taking interest in art pieces prepared by Umair Soomro and Sarah Mahmood at IVS Gallery. ONLINE

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: With the politicalcampaigns looming for upcoming generalelections, the Higher EducationCommission on Wednesday wrote to thePunjab University with stern directions toverify the degrees of 89 formerparliamentarians including themainstream political leadership by April 5.Sources in the HEC informed TheSpokesman that in a letter writtenaddressing to the Punjab University vicechancellor, the HEC directed to ensure thecompletion of degree verification processof 89 former lawmakers by Friday.

HEC asks PU toverify degrees by 5th


SSIIAALLKKOOTT:: US Ambassador RichardOlson on Wednesday highlightedopportunities to strengtheneconomic ties between the UnitedStates and Pakistan.Ambassador Olson toured the

Sialkot International Airport, theSilver Star Group, and KM AshrafIndustries. He also met with theexecutive board of the SialkotChamber of Commerce andIndustry. In Lahore, AmbassadorOlson congratulated US companiesfor their work in Pakistan, includingcorporate social responsibilityprogrammes, at the annual dinnerof the American Business Forum.

“The United States stands withmany entrepreneurs here in Sialkotand across Pakistan as you developyour businesses,” said Olson duringhis visit to Silver Star in Sialkot.Silver Star produces nearly 70 percent of the hand-stitched footballssold by the US firm Nike.“The United States is among the

largest investors in Pakistan, andPakistan exports more products tothe United States than to any othercountry in the world,” he added.Ambassador Olson underscoredthis point during a visit to KMAshraf Industries, which exportsmore than $20 million worth of

sports uniforms to the UnitedStates each year.At the Sialkot International

Airport (SIAL), Pakistan’s firstprivately-funded internationalairport, Ambassador Olsoncongratulated the managementteam for recent upgrades that allowthe airport to carry the load of 10jumbo planes, benefiting hundredsof businesses and more than amillion travellers each year. “This is aclear example of how private-sectorfunding can be used to meet theneeds of the business community.SIAL is a model for other cities inSouth Asia,” said the ambassador.

At a lunch meeting with theexecutive board of the SialkotChamber of Commerce andIndustry, Ambassador Olsondiscussed opportunities to furtherstrengthen ties between US andPakistani businesses. He alsoreminded chamber members thatbusinesses can take advantage of theUS Generalised System ofPreferences (GSP), which allowsmore than 3,500 Pakistani goods toenter the United States duty free.Ambassador Olson will cap off his

private-sector meetings in Punjabby recognising the corporate socialresponsibility efforts and strong

business ethics of US companiesworking in Pakistan at theAmerican Business Forum annualdinner in Lahore.Throughout his visit,

Ambassador Olson highlightedseveral examples of Pakistanientrepreneurs who have benefitedfrom US economic assistance. USeconomic assistance helpsbusinesses create jobs and boostincomes with projects that expandPakistan’s agricultural output. USassistance is building roads to facilitatetrade and will oOer a private equityfund to help small and medium-sizebusinesses expand. –ONLINE

Olson stresses Pakistan-US economic ties

ATHAR LASHARI

MMUULLTTAANN:: A three-day flower showorganised by Floriculture SubstationMultan ended on Wednesday. Theevent was held at the FloricultureSubstation’s premises, which is a miniwildlife park housing many diOerentkinds of beautiful birds and a lakewhere migrated seasonal birds fromRussia and other countries move freely.According to Floriculture Substation

Multan Deputy Director Syed FayyazHussain Shah, they are going to designa Pakistan’s best flower and wildlifepark in Multan. “I am sure it will be forthe first time when we will design apark with so many beautiful flowers,plants and birds,” Shah added.He added that they could develop

one of the best parks of the world ifthe government supported them.

“Pakistan’s land is rich for all types offlowers; we have the ability toproduce expensive plants which arecurrently being imported fromvarious countries.”

The deputy director also said that itwas the first initiative from theFloriculture Department which hadbeen appreciated by all the segments ofsociety. “We have already presented our

demand to upgrade this substation asa full research station and suNcientfunds for research. Currently, we havemany varieties of peacocks, ducks,pigeons and other birds which are

freely moving in the park.”On the other hand, the people of

Multan are happy for the initiativefrom the Floriculture Department.“The government should take steps to

improve the landscaping trend in southPunjab. It is for the first time whenMultan has such a beautiful place tovisit,” Nadia Abbas, a visitor, remarked.The Floriculture Substation Multan

has only four acres of land out of whichtwo acres are available for the park.People have also demanded the Punjabgovernment to allocate more land forFloriculture Department where theycan carry out research.The flower retailers of Multan also

appreciate the event. “It is a good omenfor the region, but no development inthe sector is possible unless thegovernment establishes a flowermarket in the city,” Muhammed Qasim,a flower retailer, opined. He added thatthe previous government had promisedto set up the flower market at QilaKohna Qasim Bagh Multan Fort, but ithad not been materialised.

Flower show attracts many citizens in Multan

ATHAR LASHARI

BBAAHHAAWWAALLPPUURR:: Teachers and students ofthe Government Sadiq Degree Girl’s CollegeBahawalpur are continuing their protestagainst the decision of merging the collegeinto the women’s university.Two weeks ago, the Punjab government

had announced establishing a university forwomen’s for which a portion of the college isto be acquired for the varsity campus.Islamia University Bahawalpur Vicechancellor Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed wasassigned the additional responsibility ofheading the new university. But after a week,it was announced that the college wouldmerged into the university, meaning that itwill lose its status.According to the college teachers, it is a

harmful decision for them as well as thestudents of the area. “We are not against thewomen’s university but the college statusmust be retained,” a protesting teacher said.She added that in this way, theintermediate and graduate students’ futurewould be put on stake.“The college is serving a large number of

poor students belonging to diOerent areas ofBahawalpur. They can never aOord theuniversity fees for inter and graduateclasses,” she explained her point.Similarly, the students of intermediate and

graduation are also demanding thecaretaker Punjab government to solve thisissue. ”Where will we go if the college ismerged into university? We are alreadyfacing problems regarding the college fees.The move will place an unbearable burdenon us and our parents,” Zahra, anintermediate student, remarked.On the other hand, the college principal,

Sabiha Khakwani, refused to comment onthe issue. “At the time, I am not in a

position to say anything regarding thewomen’s university issue; therefore, pleasedo not force to comment on the matter,”Khakwani said.The Civil Society Network Bahawalpur is

also a part of the issue. “A delegation of CivilSociety Network met the principal today.This is a historical college; therefore, itsstatus should be retained,” Civil SocietyNetwork Bahawalpur Chairman SyedAshfaq Hussain stressed.He added that education was already

very expensive in the country and feeswould not be aOordable for the poorstudents after implementation of thedecision. “How is it possible that theintermediate and graduation students paytwenty to thirty five thousand rupees asannual fee instead of three to five thousandrupees?” Ashfaq questioned.Commenting on the issues, Islamia

University Vice Chancellor Dr MukhtarAhmed said that the intermediateclasses would continue as per schedule.“We are not going to close the intersection at the new women’s university;we will protect the benefits of women’suniversity,” the VC promised.He added that they had already set

demands to the Punjab government andHigher Education Commission for funds forthe new building. “There are many exampleswhere colleges are upgraded as university inthe country and they are providing bettereducation to the students,” the VC added.But the Government Sadiq Degree Girls’

College staO is still protesting as their jobcadre is on stake. The college wasestablished in 1944 and more than threethousand students are currently studying inthe institution. According to civil society,college staO and students, they will continuetheir protest till the decision is reversed.

�Floriculture substation o�cial claims they can set up world class park if govt provides assistance

Protest againstcollege mergergoes on

Women’s University in Bahawalpur

�Teachers, students say poor students will not be ableto pay huge varsity fees

OUR STAFF REPORTER

GGHHAALLAANNAAII:: The leaders fromvarious political parties onWednesday said the allegationslevelled against the political agentand the PPP candidate were aconspiracy to sabotage election inMohmand Agency.They were addressing a joint

press conference at MohmandPress Club, which was attendedby PPP FATA Vice-presidentJangriz Khan, PML-N’s MalikSartaj Khan, JUI-F’s HajiShamrooz Khan, Malik RaeesKhan Ato Khel, Malik ChamanKhan Utmanzai, Malik AzeemGul Utmanzai, Malik Haji AbdurRahim, Malik Sharif, Malik GulZada and Malik Mehraban.They said the charges made by

Khanadan Khan, a candidatefrom the area, against thepolitical agent and the PPPcandidate were baseless andwithout any proof.PPP leader Malik Jangriz

Khan said, “All the politicalparties and independentcandidates have complete trust inMohmand Agency Political AgentDr Amber Ali Khan and theElection Commission of Pakistan(ECP) officials.

He added that some forceswanted to use the said candidatefor their own vested interests, buthe (Khanadan) did not know inwhose hands he was playing.The local political leaders also

strongly condemned theformation of ‘Aman Taroon’ in theguise of peace committees in thearea, saying it was against thetribal customs and norms. “Thereare no any reservations in respectof election in the region againstthe administration,” Jangriz said.He said the ECP was a free and

independent institution andanyone having proofs that theadministration was favouring thePPP candidate should presentbefore them.All the political leaders were of

the view that there were norestrictions on political activitiesand gatherings in all the parts ofthe agency from theadministration side. “We havestarted political campaign freelyin the area,” they added.It is pertinent to mention that a

day earlier, independentcandidate from NA-36 MohmandAgency Malik Khanadan Khanhad alleged that the politicaladministration favoured PPPCandidate Dr Farooq Afzal.

Parties rejectallegations againstadministration

Elections in Mohmand

SSWWAATT:: Weapons recovered from militants during a search operation in Tehsil Kabbal are on display. –ONLINE

Festival atCOMSATSAttock

Khalid Masood reciting his poetry at the event organised by COMSATS in connection with celebratingnine years of its establishment in the city. –STAFF PHOTO

Contractor gunned down in Mohmand

OUR STAFF REPORTER

AATTTTOOCCKK:: The COMSATSInstitute and InformationTechnology (CIIT) Attockarranged a Sports Galaand other events inconnections with its ninthanniversary. A largenumber of studentsparticipated in diOerentgames and other eventsthat lasted for a week.On the closing day,

“Mehfil-e-Mushaira”(poetry recitation) was alsoarranged that was attendedby the famous poets likeSarfraz Shahid, Dr Inam-ul-Haq Javaid, Khalid Masood,Jawwad Hassan Jawwadand Badar Muneer. Theypresented poetry ofextraordinary nature thatamused the participantsand the students.In the end, CIIT Rector

Dr .M Junaid Zaidiappreciated the eOorts ofthe organisation andcongratulated the staO onthe completing ninefabulous years. He alsoexpressed his gratitude tothe poets for attending thefunction. Later, Dr Zaidipresented trophies andcertificates among thesuccessful students.The dean of Department

of Management Sciencesand founding director CIITAttock Dr MuhammadAzim, Director AttockCampus DR Sherzada,Media Coordinator UsmanShah, faculty members,students and guests werepresent on the occasion.Various games including

cricket, football, volleyball,basketball, badminton,table tennis, tug of war andsack race were part of theSports Gala.

The Floriculture Substation Multan has only four acres of land out of which two acres have been reserved for the park. –STAFF PHOTOS

OUR STAFF REPORTERGGHHAALLAANNAAII:: Unidentified assailants riding on a motorcycle gundown a contractor in the Ekkaghound area of Mohmand Agency,officials said. The victim, Bashir Khan, was a resident of GhundaiKalli, Tehsil Pandiali of Lower Mohmand. Sources said that twoarmed motorcyclists opened indiscriminate fire at Bashir Khan asresult of which he died on the spot.

MMUUZZAAFFFFAARRGGAARRHH:: Former MNAJamshed Dasti, who has been chargedwith possession of a fake degree,announced his decision not to contestthe general elections. According tomedia reports, Dasti's decision came afew days after he filed his nominationpapers from NA-177 and 178 to runagainst former foreign minister HinaRabbani Khar as an independentcandidate. Earlier in the day, Dastiappeared before a local court for thesecond day on Wednesday in a casepertaining to the authenticity of hisdegree. The court heard his argumentsand later adjourned the hearing tillThursday morning. Speaking toreporters afterwards, the former MNAvowed to prove authenticity of hisacademic record over which he hadbeen disqualified by the SupremeCourt. “I need time to file importantdocuments,” Dasti said and hopedthat justice would be served. Sourcessaid degrees of 98 formerparliamentarians were yet to beconfirmed by the Higher EducationCommission (HEC). –ONLINE

Initial report cites poorat security grid stationPPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: A preliminary reportinto a brazen attack on SheikhMuhammadi Grid Station said that themilitants destroyed the control as theyentered the facility. The reportcompiled by the local police said thatonly seven policemen were deployed atthe sprawling facility which is locatedonly four kilometres from the restivetribal region, making it vulnerable toany such attack. The report said thatthe attackers easily stormed the gridstation and returned after kidnappingfour people. According to the report,the kidnapped persons have been keptin the suburbs of the provincial capitaland authorities are planning to launchan operation for their recovery. –ONLINE

Governors discusspoll mattersPPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: Punjab GovernorMakhdoom Ahmad Mehmood, whoarrived on a day visit in the provincialcapital on Wednesday morning, latercalled on the Khyber PakhtunkhwaGovernor Engineer Shaukatullah atGovernor’s House Peshawar. Theyremained together for some time andexchanged views on matters of mutualinterest with special reference toensuring smooth conduct of generalelections in their respective provinces.Meanwhile, Caretaker KP Minister forSports, Tourism, Museums andArchaeology, Revenue and Estate andEnvironment Sameen Jan Babar alsocalled on the governor. He remainedwith the governor for some time anddiscussed matters pertaining to well-being of the people of the province withspecial reference to the servicesbeing rendered by the respectivedepartments in this respect. –ONLINE

Check on illegalhunting orderedPPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: Khyber PakhtunkhwaCaretaker Minister for EnvironmentSameen Jan Babar issued directives tothe chief conservator wildlife and histeammates to educate the masses andto take advance and eOective preventivemeasures regarding protection ofwildlife as well as to avoid human lossesto nearby inhabitants and populationresiding with forest and mountains.While visiting the Wildlife Museum ofthe department on Wednesday theminister asked Chief Conservator SyedMubarak Ali Shah to control theillegal hunting, sale and smuggling ofwildlife immediately because it wasvery valuable assets of our province.Earlier, the chief conservator wildlifetold the minister that the departmenthas established eight wildlife parks toprotect and flourish the wildlife inthe province. –ONLINE

Jamshed Dasti toskip these elections


THE SPOKESMANChief Editor: Huma Ali

Executive Editor: Atif MateenResident Editor: Saeed Minhas

Consulting Editors: Jalees Hazir Samina Choonara

Pak-Afghan relations: moving on

The Commander of the NorthAtlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) forces in Afghanistan,General Joseph F Dunford, metwith Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff(COAS), General Ashfaq ParvezKayani, on 1 April. This wasDunford’s first visit to Pakistansince assuming charge of the NATOforces in Afghanistan on 10February. The purpose of his visitwas to ease the recently escalatingtensions between Afghanistan andPakistan, since cancellation of a tripof a military delegation to Pakistanby Afghanistan over the allegedshelling by Pakistani security forcesacross the international borderbetween Pakistan and Afghanistanon 25-26 March.Following that, Afghanistan’s

deputy foreign minister, JawedLudin, said on 28 March thatAfghanistan could manage the peaceprocess with the Taliban on its ownand that it did not need Pakistan’ssupport. More recently, the Afghangovernment blamed Pakistan forwhat it calls ‘unilateral constructionof physical reinforcement’ along theinternational border between thetwo countries on the very dayDunford was in Islamabad for ameeting with General Kayani to easePak-Afghan tensions. While thepeace process has its ownlimitations, if it failed to bear fruitfor any reason, Pakistan couldbecome an easily available scapegoat.According to the press release of

the Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR), after the Kayani-Dunfordmeeting, ‘General Kayani reiteratedPakistan’s stance and desire forpeaceful, stable and unitedAfghanistan and the need for asuccessful Afghan-owned-Afghan-ledpeace process’. Their Afghancounterparts are usuallyunimpressed by this oft-repeatedassurance by Pakistani oScials.There is a need for the leaders of boththe countries to realise that, whetherthey like or not, their futures areinextricably linked together.According to United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR), there are still 1.6 millionregistered Afghan refugees living in

Pakistan despite the repatriation ofaround 3.8 million refugees from2002 to 2012. Thousands ofAfghans have studied in schools,colleges, and universities in Pakistansince the beginning of theunfortunate war in 1979, many ofwhom are now working in variouscapacities for the Afghangovernment. Religious, social, andcultural linkages between Afghansand Pakistanis are undeniable. Thetotal volume of Afghan transit tradein the fiscal year 2010-11 was awhopping 2.5 billion dollars.Considering the socio-economic,

cultural, and religious aSnitybetween the people of Afghanistanand Pakistan, it is imperative for

both the countries to establishfriendly relations. Unfortunately,since the creation of Pakistan, thetwo countries have not been able toresolve their diTerences, withAfghanistan laying territorial claimson Pakistan while Pakistan has beentrying to balance that threat throughthe extension of influence inAfghanistan. This is such anunfortunate part of the history of thetwo countries that are — to borrowwords from Hamid Karzai — likeconjoined twins. Former governor ofPaktia province of Afghanistan, whowas killed in a suicide attack inSeptember 2006, once argued thatAfghans had befriended the Sovietsfor Pashtunistan but that as a resultthey almost lost Afghanistan insteadof getting Pashtunistan. The words

of Taniwal, a former teacher ofsociology in Australia, are prettyinstructive and hold true forPakistan’s policy towardsAfghanistan as well.Instead of supporting an inclusive

reconciliation process in Afghanistanpost-Soviet-withdrawal, Pakistanplayed favourites, eventuallyacknowledging a Talibangovernment in Afghanistan to thedismay of many an Afghan. Come2001, and the forced U-turn ofPakistan on the Taliban, the sameforces which were seen as a source ofsecurity from the western border inIslamabad turned their guns on it.Hence, after more than ten years offighting a myriad of militant groups

in diTerent parts of the country, thePakistani military in its Green Bookreleased at the end of 2012, listed theinternal security threats emanatingfrom militant groups as being biggerthan the external threats that thecountry faces. Fruit, no doubt, ofmore than thirty years of flawedforeign policy.Pakistan’s help with the

reconciliation process inAfghanistan, and Afghanistan’srestraint on border incidentsconcerning Pakistan, are just oneaspect of the restoration of mutualconfidence and respect. WhileAfghans would want the Pakistangovernment to come clean on itssupport for any of the insurgentgroups in Afghanistan, Pakistaniswould also like Afghanistan to come

clean on decades of distrust andmisplaced territorial claims onPakistan’s sovereign territory. Nodoubt, the distrust between thegovernments of the two countriesruns deep despite the complexinterdependence of the two on oneanother, but this makes it all themore important to take steps in theright direction.Notwithstanding Afghan

reservations about Pakistangovernment’s policy towardsAfghanistan, they love Pakistanisand still cherish fond memories ofthe Pakistani friends they madewhile living here as refugees.Thousands of Pakistanis working inAfghanistan for the past twelve yearshave fond memories to share aboutthe Afghan people when they comeback to Pakistan, save, of course, afew mishaps at the hands of Afghanauthorities. The love and brotherlyfeelings of Pakistanis and Afghansneed to be nurtured through theprint and electronic media in boththe countries instead of using themedia for issuing publiccondemnation of each other and theincitement of hatred.Yes, there are diTerences between

the governments of Afghanistan andPakistan, but such diTerences need tobe dealt with at the oScial diplomaticlevel. The declaration in the army’sGreen Book is evidence enough thatPakistan wants to put its house inorder. For that, Pakistan not onlywants, but needs a peaceful, stable,united, and friendly Afghanistan. Thelast part does not mean that Pakistanwould want to install a friendlygovernment in Afghanistan but that itwould, like any other state, want tohave cordial and friendly relationswith any government in its brotherlyneighbouring country chosen byits people.The learning curve of nation states

is slow because of bureaucraticinertia. Let not the haggling overminor issues or the pursuit of ourself-styled utopias distract us fromthe collective betterment of thepeople of the two countries who soneed and deserve it.

THE WRITER IS RESEARCH ANALYSTAT THE INSTITUTE OF REGIONAL

STUDIES ISLAMABAD

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

Fax: 051 260 [email protected]

Pakistan’s help with the reconciliationprocess in Afghanistan, and Afghanistan’srestraint on border incidents, are just oneaspect of the restoration of mutualconfidence. No doubt, the distrustbetween the two countries runs deepdespite the complex interdependence ofthe two on one another, but this makesit all the more important to take stepsin the right direction

Why not Sooba Hazara?While the outgoing government of thePeoples’ Party showed greatcommitment tomaking a new provincein southern Punjab, the question ariseswhy it was never considered importanttomake aHazara province. Sincemanyyears, there has been strong advocacyfor provincial autonomy and now thebloodshed inQuetta and elsewheremakes it clear that the time has come toconsider this proposition. The people ofHazara have now started criticising the

PPP for opposing this and havecautioned that such a decisionmeansthe drawing of a line between thosewho have an anti Hazara agenda andthose in favour of it.In 2010, seven young men of the

community were killed in Abbottabadwhich was followed by protests andrallies throughout the HazaraDivision. While the protests werepeaceful and showed responsiblecitizenship, the provincial governmentresponded aggressively by notacknowledging the gravity of thesituation and the threat to thecommunity. The activists followed thephilosophy of non violence propagatedby their leader GhaTar Khan (BachaKhan) by holding meetings, buildingconsensus and lodging protestsdemanding an inquiry into theAbbottabad incident. The Hazarewalalso did not respond to theprovocations of the ANP which needsto be appreciated by othercommunities, but they placetremendous faith in the ability of thejudiciary in the hope that the guiltywill be punished.However, tensions aremounting and

protests in futuremay not remain as

peaceful with the lives of Hazarewal atrisk. No doubt, themajor politicalparties are still dependent on thehegemonic structures of thebureaucratic apparatus and unable tomakemajor policy decisions. As a resultof this, the luckless people of Pakistanwatch helplessly as their state iscoming apart at the seams andspeculations rise about its future.A bill was presented in the

Parliament to amend Article 239 ofthe Constitution to make a newprovince in the Punjab but Clause 4 ofthe Article says that any bill whichcan aTect the boundary of theprovince has to be presented beforethe provincial assembly for approvalby a two-thirds majority beforesending it to the President forratification. Then, a parliamentarycommission was constituted focusingon establishing one province insteadof two in southern Punjab.The task assigned to the

parliamentary commission has reachedits logical conclusion, but the issue of aseparateHazarewal province remainsunsettled. The promise of a separateprovince for Seraiki speaking peoplewas a part of the PPP’s democratic

agenda but is seen by its opponents as apolitical ploy to regain its oldconstituency andweaken the hold ofthe PML-N. This political movemaystill backfire, since the past five yearshave hardened the living conditions formost peoples and removed stateprovided civic amenities.The demand formore provinces can

be put on hold before the generalelections when the new governmentcan decide based on the demands of thepeople whether there is a need for anadministrative unit not based on ethnicidentity. It also needs to be establishedthat this demand is to the benefit of thecommon people and not the sons anddaughters of landed politicians.

MOHAMMAD YAQOOBSECRETARY GENERAL,

ANJUMAN ITTEHAD-E-HAZARA

Gul MaikaiAnine-year-old girl first had anencounter with the Taliban whenthey destroyed her school. She wageda war with pen in her little hands,and she wrote letters under thepseudonym of Gul Maikai concealing

her real identity. She told the story ofsuTering girls in Swat. Her story waswell received throughout the world.Her struggle continued for the rightof education, knowledge andinformation. Her letters impressedthe western media and they helpedher spread her message to the rest ofthe world.She was recognised for her bravery,

zeal, and courage for a great causeand mission. Her struggle foreducation and peace continues. TheTalban felt threatened by this girl andwounded her severely. These mightyTalban have challenged humanity toprotect her life.As she lay in a hospital recovering

from gun wounds, the whole worldprayed for her and God answeredtheir prayers. She was an aTront totheir conservative and strictphilosophy. These so called righteouspeople are exposed to the world bytheir bigoted and callous stand. Theyhave annihilated the poor people ofSwat with this dastardly attack on herlife. They have spread terrorism allover the country sparing no one, noteven the places of worship. Whatkind of Islamic values and ethics are

they preaching? They are devil'sdisciples and have nothing to do withthe message of peace given by realIslam.The rightist, Jihadi and terrorist

groups are supporting them becauseof their common agenda. Theseagents of devil shall be defeated. Theyhave dug a deep hole for themselves.While she lives in London, the rightwing fundamentalists have started avilification campaign against herfamily. and issued false statements tobring her a bad name in the public.They maligned the entire family withtheir scathing criticism and baselessallegations. They have stopped atnothing and are calling her a traitorand foreign agent. She is beingrevered by the whole world , while athome she is being insulted and calledeverything in their book of abuses.

Worry notMalala, we are with you.

JAVAID BASHIRLAHORE

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

Caretaker PrimeMinister, Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, isvisiting Balochistan in an eTort to convince disgruntled Balochleaders to participate in the general elections. Already, SardarAkhtar Mengal and Shahzain Bugti have filed their nominationpapers, but the PMwill meet Akhtar Mengal and ask him topersuade Harbyar Marri and Brahamdagh Bugti to participate inthe democratic process. Speaking to media representatives afterchairing a meeting of the party’s Executive Committee at hisresidence, Akhtar Mengal said that ‘the BNP-M is a democraticparty and it believes in the democratic process’. To a question heresponded categorically: ‘If we are elected to power, we will takeoath under the Constitution of Pakistan’. His position has to beadmired, and it is time to forget his earlier outbursts, while makingsincere eTorts to redress his grievances. The caretaker primeminister and Election Commission of Pakistan must assure all thestakeholders in Balochistan that free and fair elections will be heldin the province, like in other parts of Pakistan.PMHazar Khan Khoso, being Baloch, is empathetic to thereasons for the unrest in Balochistan. He chaired a high levelmeeting about the progress in Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan(AHB) where the Chief Secretary Balochistan apprised the meetingof the salient features of AHB and the status of its implementation.He briefed the caretaker prime minister that 4561 vacancies out of7582 available to people of Balochistan domicile have been filled.The caretaker prime minister directed the secretary establishmentdivision of the federal government to fill the remaining 3021vacancies under the AHB package before the elections. Suchactions are likely to generate goodwill and counter the propagandaof centrifugal forces. Reportedly, Brahamdagh Bugti, leader ofBalochistan Republican Party (BRP), and Harbiyar Marri ofBalochistan Liberation Army (BLA), are accused of fuelinginsurgency in the violence-plagued province. Akhtar Mengalappears to have distanced himself from them after he was criticisedfor sabotaging the freedom struggle by taking part in thedemocratic process. Akhtar Mengal needs to be appreciated fortaking this courageous stand.The perception that the people of Balochistan only listen to threedissident sardars is incorrect as the overwhelming majority wantsto live within the framework of Pakistan. Sardar Attaullah Mengal’soccasional burst of anger over killings in Balochistan aside, he hasexpressed his desire to work within the framework of Pakistan. It istrue that Baloch youth are frustrated due to joblessness and lack ofopportunities, which is due to underdevelopment and thedeteriorating security. Balochistan has indeed become the focalpoint of foreign powers that are avariciously eyeing its immensemineral wealth and also its strategic location, with many rivalsvying to get their foothold in the crucial Makran coastal belt.Pakistan is being pressurised to withdraw from IP gas pipelineproject, and there is growling over handing over the managementof Gwadar Port to China. In this backdrop, the US and its allies willcontinue to support rebellion in Balochistan but Pakistani leadersshould help unite the nation to foil their pernicious designs.

Healing Balochistan

The recent order by a Chilean judge toexhume and then conduct an autopsy onthe remains of the poet Pablo Neruda maythrow light on the real cause of death ofPablo Neruda, a Chilean writer whomGabriel Garcia Marquez called “thegreatest poet of the 20th century — in anylanguage.” Neruda’s former driver claimsthat the poet was assassinated on orders ofGeneral Augusto Pinochet, and didn’t dieof leukemia, as is commonly believed.Although he claimed that he wasn’t a

political writer, Neruda was an artist whoknew how to blend politics and poetry inhis life. He was born Ricardo EliecerNeftali Reyes Basoalto in 1904 and died in1973. He started writing poetry at 10, andwhen he was 16, he changed his name toPablo Neruda, probably after the Czechwriter Jan Neruda.I started reading him when I was a

medical student in the 1960s, and haven’tstopped. How could I? Two of his books —“Twenty Love Poems and a Song ofDespair” (written when he was only 20)and “The Captain’s Verses” — are

intertwined with my first (mostly failed),sentimental adventures. Like millions inLatin America — and across the world —once I read Neruda, he became part ofmy life.Neruda’s political beliefs were behind

some of his most powerful poems. For me,he represents the very ideal of the writer asa political man. When he was 23, theChilean government made him honoraryconsul in Burma, Ceylon, Java, Singaporeand later Argentina, and in the Spanishcities of Barcelona and Madrid. The SpanishCivil War, during which his friend, the greatSpanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca, wasmurdered, had a profound influence on hiswriting and his political activities.He joined the Republican movement, first

in Spain and then in France. In 1939, hewas appointed Chilean consul in Paris, andfrom there, he coordinated the emigrationto Chile of as many as 2,000 Spanish

Republicans who had first escaped toFrance.In 1943 he returned to Chile and joined

the protest against President GabrielGonzalez Videla’s repressive actionsagainst striking miners. In 1945, hebecame a senator and joined theCommunist Party. The government soonexpelled him, and from 1947 to 1949 helived in hiding.In January 1948, Neruda delivered one of

the most passionate speeches on Chile’spolitical history: He read out the names of628 people being detained at the Pisaguaconcentration camp without having beeninterrogated or formally charged. Thatspeech became known as “Yo Acuso” (Iaccuse,) after French novelist Emile Zola’s1898 denunciation of the Frenchgovernment’s treatment of Alfred Dreyfus.In 1949, he fled to Europe.Neruda’s greatest poetic achievements

were fueled by his political beliefs. In hisepic work “Canto General (General Song),”published in 1950, Neruda celebrates therichness and beauty of Latin America, andthe people’s struggle for peace and socialjustice. Part of the work is the poem“Alturas of Macchu Picchu” (Heights ofMacchu Picchu,) a celebration of pre-Columbian civilization.He lived in Europe for three years and

returned to Chile in 1952, whence hecontinued traveling extensively overseas.He visited the United States in 1966 and in1971 was awarded the Nobel Prize inliterature, which he received after beingstricken with cancer.When Salvador Allende was elected

president of Chile in 1970, he appointedNeruda as Chile’s ambassador to France,where he lived from 1970 to 1972. In 1973he returned to Chile, but in September ofthat year, Augusto Pinochet, with help

from the CIA, overthrew Allende’sgovernment.Neruda’s life, I firmly believe, was

shattered by Pinochet’s coup and Allende’ssuicide. Neruda died only 12 days after thecoup. Shortly before his death, as he laysick in bed, his house was ransacked by amilitary unit. When he saw the commanderof the unit, weapon in hand in hisbedroom, Neruda, who could hardly speak,told him, “There is only one dangerousthing for you in this house — poetry.”Officially, Neruda died of leukemia. The

exhumation of his remains will bring thetruth about the cause of his death.Whatever the results of this investigation I,however, believe that this man, the saddestof men after the death of his friendSalvador Allende and the defeat ofdemocracy in Chile, died of a broken heart.

(COUNTERPUNCH)

What killed Pablo Neruda?

AARISH U. KHAN

CESAR CHELALA

Considering the socio-economic, cultural, and religious a4nity between the peopleof the two coutries, it is imperative to establish friendly ties. There are di5erencesbetween the governments, but they need to be dealt with at the diplomatic level

Neruda’s life, I firmly believe, was shattered by Pinochet’s coup and Allende’s suicide. Neruda diedonly 12 days after the coup. Shortly before his death, as he lay sick in bed, his house was ransackedby a military unit


Pakistan takes on New Zealandin the semifinal of the Davis CupAsia/Oceania Zone Group II tiebeing played at Myanmar from 5to 7 April. With Pakistan’s turnto host the tie, the Kiwis refusedto make the trip, citing securityconcerns. This compelled thePakistan Tennis Federation tohold this all-important fixture ata neutral venue, on the approvalof the ITF. The winner will faceeither Thailand or Philippines inthe final in September. Pakistanwill be vying to return to Group Ifor the first time in seven years.Aisam Ul Haq Qureshi and

Aqeel Khan lead the Pakistansquad followed by youngstersYasir Khan and MuhammadAbid and former Davis Cupper,Muhammad Khalid as the non-playing captain. Spirits arealready high in the team withAisam’s recent success in thedoubles event of the MiamiMasters. Once again, Pakistanwill be relying heavily on its toptwo guns to fire, come thisweekend. It is no secret that bothAisam and Aqeel have served thecountry for the past 15 years andbrought countless laurels. It is atestament to their unrelentingpatriotism that the duo is eligiblefor the newly conceived DavisCup Commitment Award bythe ITF.The New Zealanders are

playing a different team than theone that took on Pakistan thelast time the two met in 2010.Having spent the last two yearsin Group I, New Zealand wasrelegated to Group II for thisyear. They handily took care ofLebanon in the opening round,dropping just a total of ninegames all weekend. The Kiwishave a fairly decent line-up withtheir top two players, DanielKing-Turner and Artem Sitak,ranked 371 and 457 in the world,respectively.

This will be the fourth meetingbetween the two nations, withNew Zealand leading theiroverall head to head 2-1.Pakistan’s both losses came onthe hard courts inaway ties, while they were ableto get the better of the Kiwis onthe clay courts of IslamabadClub in 2004. Their last twomeetings went the distance,being decided in the fifth rubber.This will be their first grasscourt encounter.Rankings and names can pretty

much go out the window whenAisam and Aqeel step on tograss. Both their games aretailor-made for this surface.Their big serves, serve and volleyand knifing backhand slice cantrouble the best of the lot. Aisamhas had some notable scalps onthis surface, including formertop 10 player ParadornSrichaphan (in Lahore) andFrance’s Richard Gasquet (inHalle). So, the Kiwis will havetheir hands full when they go upagainst Pakistan in Yangon.The team, minus Aisam, had

been training on the grass courtsof K-21 Club in Model Town,Lahore. They left on Sundaynight for Myanmar, where Aisamwas to join them from Miami.The New Zealand team arrivedat the venue on Saturday. Withtemperatures rising as high as 40Degree Celsius for the durationof the tie, the weather factorcould sway in our favour. Theopening day of the tie will bevital for us, and the addedinsurance of a lead, going intothe second day’s doubles can putPakistan in the driver’s seat.As the two teams gear up for

the weekend’s fixture, there is theadded tension of the anti-Muslim violence in Myanmar.PTF will be hoping their decisionto hold the tie on the grass courtsof Pun Hlaing Golf and CountryClub pays off.As for the Pakistani team, they

will have to do without the homesupport and home courtadvantage for yet another year,something they have gotten usedto since 2005.

THEWRITER IS A FREELANCER

On March 23, thousands of Syrianscarried the coffin of the leading SyrianSunni scholar Shaykh Mohammad SaeedRamadan al-Bouti, who had been killed ina terrorist attack in the Mosque Al Imanin Damascus along with his grandson andother 47 people.Gran Mufti Ahmad Badr Addine

Hassoun, whose son was also killed byterrorists several months ago, and SyrianInformation Minister Omran al-Zoubialso took part in the funeral.The attack was not only an atrocious

crime but also a blasphemous act. It tookplace when Shaykh al-Bouti was giving areligious speech to a group of Islamstudents, including his grandson. Al-Bouti, 84, was a retired dean and aprofessor at the College of Islamic Law atDamascus University and a worldwidereputed scholar.Following the deadly incident, Syrian

President Bashar al-Assad condemned theact of violence, pledging that the crimewould not pass without punishment. “Apromise from the Syrian people -- and Iam one of them -- that your blood, yourgrandson and the martyrs of today and allthe homeland will not go in vain, becausewe will stay following your thinking toeliminate their darkness,” he said.Shaykh Al-Bouti was known for his anti-

terrorism stances and his criticism offoreign-backed militant groups, whom hedescribed as “mercenaries.” The previousweek to his assassination, the late scholarsaid during his lecture, “We are invaded inevery inch of our land, in our bread, inour lives, women, children sanctities andhonor. We are today in front of alegitimate duty…which is the need formobilisation to protect the values, thehomeland and the holy sites, and there isno difference, in this case, between thearmy and the rest of this nation,” hestated.

One week after Al-Bouti's murder,another Sunni cleric, Shaykh Hassan Saifal-Deen, 80, was brutally beheaded innorthern city of Aleppo by foreign-backedmilitants, who reportedly decapitated himbefore dragging his lifeless body on thestreets. They also planted his head on theminaret of the mosque where he used topreach. Shaykh Saif al Deen also had anti-militant views and spoke out against theongoing war against the Syriangovernment.In a Facebook page of militants, he was

called “a collaborator of the chique inpower in Syria” and threatened, “We willcome to you; you will not escape.”Shaykh Hassan Saif al-Deen was in fact

the last of a list of murdered religiousscholars, which includes Sunni and ShiaMuslim clerics as well as Christian priests.All these murders have been carried outby bloodthirsty terrorists, who aredescribed as “democrats” by Westerngovernments and media.The first of these victims was father

Basilius Nassar, the priest of the MarElias Chapel in the town of Kfar-Baham,near the city of Hama. He was shot onJanuary 25, 2012 by a militiaman sniperin the Citadel area while he was pickinga casualty.The second was a Sunni cleric, Shaykh

Mohammad Ahmad Aof Sadek, whopreached in the mosque Anas Ben Malekin Damascus. He was one of the firstscholars who warned against violence inSyria. He also spoke out against theTakfiri groups saying that they had noplace among the Muslims. He was shot onFebruary 25, 2012.Third on the list was Shaykh Sayyed

Nasser, an Alawite cleric and the imam ofthe Alawite hawze (religious school)Zaynabiyya in Damascus. He died by agunshot in the face near the Shrine ofSayeda Zaynab, the granddaughter of theProphet Muhammad (PBUH).The fourth was a Syrian Shiite cleric,

Shaykh Abbas Lahham, killed in Mayoutside the mosque of Rouqayya (PBUH)(daughter of Imam Hussein), where hepreached. He was followed by ShaykhAbdel-Koddous Jabbarah, another Shiitescholar, the following month. The latterwas shot at the market, near the Shrine ofSayyeda Zaynab.In July 2012, at the beginning of the

month of Ramadan, it was Shaykh Abdel-Latif Ash-Shami who was shot and killedin an atrocious manner: during theprayers in a mosque full of faithful by arifle shot in the eye. A month later, theimam of the mosque al-Nawawi inDamascus, Shaykh Hassan Bartaoui, wasmurdered as well.In October 2012, some people found the

mutilated corpse of a priest of the GreekOrthodox Church, father Fadi Hadadat, atKatana, in the province of Damascus. Hehad been kidnapped by militiamen whodemanded in exchange for his release aransom of 15 million Syrian pounds.Patriarch Abdallah Saleh of Antioch andOrient of the Greek Orthodox Churchconfirmed that he had been murdered byterrorists. In the last day of 2012, anotherSunni Imam, Shaykh Abdullah Saleh, wasassassinated in Raqa.In February 2012, Shaykh Abdel-Latif

al-Jamili, a cleric of the AchrafiyyeMosque, was killed by shrapnel launchedby militiamen in the courtyard of his

mosque. In March, it was Sheikh AbedSaab, who led the prayers in the mosqueal-Mohammadi, located in the district ofMazze in Damascus, who was killed by anexplosive device placed under his car.It is worth pointing out that all these

crimes were actually encouraged by someextremist Wahhabi scholars from SaudiArabia. One of them, Shaykh Abu Basir al-Tartousi, said he did not regret the deathof Skahykh al-Bouti. “He was a liar, who allhis life supported the rulers,” UmmaNewsquoted him as saying. He hypocriticallyadded that he regretted that “otherMuslims had been wounded or killed.”The Imam of Masjid from the mosque al-

Haram in Mecca, Abdul Rahmanal-Sudais, openly celebrated theassassination, “He (al-Bouti) was one ofthe biggest imams of delusion. He was aMujahid on Satan's path. And this (themurder of al-Bouti) is a great joy forMuslims,” he wrote on its Facebook site.In reality, all the killed clerics were

openly hostile to the rebellion or at leastdid not support it. Their assassinationswere intended to terrorize the Syrianpopulation who refuses to support thearmed groups. This point becomes clearwhen someone reads the statements by theterrorists themselves.Shortly before the attack on the Faculty

of Architecture of Damascus University,which killed 15 students, the leader of theWahhabi group, Liwa al Islam, HaythamAl Maleh, published a statement on hispage of Facebook, where he warned that “itis compulsory for the students from theUniversity of Damascus to launch acampaign of civil disobedience. If they donot do so, their University will have the

same fate as that of Aleppo.” It should berecalled that in the month of January, 82students of the University of Aleppo werekilled and 160 others were injured byrockets launched by militiamen.Entire religious groups (Christians,

Shiites, Alawites) have been declared as“enemies” by Takfiri Wahhabi terrorists inSyria. Some Shiites, for example, have hadto flee their homes in order to save theirlives. One of them, Jamal, told LA Timesthat “these people used to be ourneighbors. Now they want to kidnap andkill us.”Interfaith tensions, which were unknown

before the conflict started, are nowincreasing in the villages along the borderbetween northeastern Lebanon and Syria.People living in these areas speak of anethnic cleansing campaign carried out byrebels who are trying to set up a Taliban-style state. Some Shiites, who have familyties to Lebanon, have become fighters inorder to defend their villages from theterrorists´ attacks. Shells fired by armedgroups often land in some of thesevillages.Therefore, a reign of terror has been

implemented in all the places that theSyrian and foreign armed groups controlin Syria. Due to their incapacity to triggera popular revolution against thegovernment, these groups have resorted tomassacres and murders. This explainswhy local residents flee their homes whentheir village or street fall under theircontrol, or increasingly join the NationalDefense forces fighting the terroriststhroughout the country.

(PRESSTV.IR)

Musharraf is back. Andwith him heseems to have brought back his fraughtlegacy that has now put all institutionsof the country in the dock. Nowwewillsee how independent the independentjudiciary really is and how indigenousand autochthonousMianNawaz Sharifis in his decisionmaking.Since the restoration of the judiciary,

the Bar Association’s mantra has beenpiercing our ears about the longawaited change that has finally arrived.Musharraf ’s arrival asks for thismythto be questioned. The way in which thealleged long arm of the law now treatsMusharraf will establish the rule of lawor decide whether we are still living ina George Orwellian world where somepeople aremore equal than others.The snickering patricians of the legal

fraternity hold that no one ismoreequal, but say there is a legal barrier inplacingMusharraf in the dock since,under section 3 of theHigh Treason(Punishment) Act, 1973, it is theprerogative of the federal governmentto initiate proceedings againstsomeone under the charge of hightreason, and no lawyer or barassociation can file a petition orcomplaint until permitted by thefederal government. Similarly, no courtis empowered to try someone until thefederal government desires to do so.But frankly, this is just a lame excuse.Quite recently, developments in the

Memo case established a precedentwhereby the federal government is notan absolute necessity in suchmatters.

Despite the fact that section 3 of theHigh Treason (Punishment) Actprovides: ‘No court shall takecognisance of an oTence punishableunder this act except upon a complaintin writingmade by a person authorisedby the Federal government in thisbehalf ’, proceeding were initiated onthe petition ofMianNawaz Sharif andothers and we don’t need an Einsteinto tell us that Mian Sahib was notauthorised by the federal government.What adds more perplexity to the

puzzle is that Mr. Musharraf is notthe sole accused in high treason.According to the Constitution and theHigh Treason Act, he cannot be triedalone. A reading of Article 6 willsuSce to explain that it is not only theperson who abrogates or subverts theConstitution but all those aiding orabetting him or her who are equallyguilty of high treason under Article 6.This means that the application ofthis article cannot be limited toMusharraf, rather it has a widerapplication and all those who co-operated with the General from thecoup d’état to its validation at anyforum other than the parliament, areoTenders to the same degree.Here comes another crunch

question: why should we only tryMusharraf, why not Zia ul haq andhis colleagues too who abrogated theConstitution some decades back?Generally, the answer is: Zia ul Haqhas been validated by the parliamentwhile Musharraf has not. The answeris based on either misreading or non-reading of the Constitution and the

High Treason (punishment) Act 1973.Under Article 270 of theConstitution, the parliament isempowered to validate certain ordersof the president including martial laworders and regulations, but theConstitution itself terms it atemporary validation.For a deeper understanding, Article

270 should be read with Article 12(2)that provides: ‘nothing in the clause 1or in Article 270 shall apply to anylawmaking acts of abrogation orsubversion of a Constitution in forcein Pakistan at any time since thetwenty third day of March, onethousand nine hundred and fifty sixan oTence’. Meaning thereby that theparliament’s temporary validation ofan act of abrogation of theConstitution is no defense for theoTender and the oTender can be triedeven after the validation of his act ofsubversion of the Constitution.Article 12 of the Constitution

explicitly provides that no law shallhave a retrospective eTect, but thatthe law relating to the acts ofabrogation or subversion of theConstitution shall have retrospectiveeTects. Section 2 of High Treason(Punishment) Act shall elaborate mypoint further. It states, ‘A person whois found guilty of having committedan act of abrogation or subversion ofa Constitution in force in Pakistan atany time since the 23 March 1956….shall be punishable with death orimprisonment of life’. Now thequestion is: Can we place all thesepeople in the dock? If someone

responds in the aSrmative wellenough, otherwise we must grasp thereality that the doctrine of necessityis pregnant again.Quite surprisingly, the arch rival of

Musharraf, Mian Nawaz Sharif, issilent and quite mysteriously the so-called independent media has failedto notice PML-N’s sound and furyturning into a whimper. The PML-Nhas been quite vocal about thedictator but, to our utter surprise, allfirebrand party leaders have suddenlypursed their lips, presumably underthe dictates of their mighty masterSaudi Arabia. In the recent past, wewitnessedMian Nawaz Sharifapproaching the Supreme Court inthe Memo case. The question is: Whyhas Mian Sahb not yet filed a petitionin the apex court against the dictator?An answer to this question willexpose how independent andindigenous our leadership is in itsdecision making.Most troubling of all is that every

expat brings homemore foreigninfluence. Earlier, it wasMianNawazSahrif who was an obliged subject ofthe Kingdom and nowMr.Musharrafowes a huge debt of gratitude to theHouse of Saud.While all brotherIslamic countries should be respected,the way in which these brothers havebeen poking their nose in our domesticaTairs should be amatter of concernfor all countrymen. This trend shouldbe discouraged at the earliest.

THEWRITER IS AN ISLAMABAD BASEDLAWYER AND A TALK SHOWHOST

Questions onMusharraf ’s return

Foisting a reign of terror in Syria

Rankings go out the windowwhenAisamandAqeel step onto grass. Their games aretailor-made for this surface. The big serves,serve and volley and knifing backhand slicecan trouble the best. Aisamhas had notablescalps on this surface, including SrichaphanandGasquet. So, the Kiwis will have theirhands full when they go up against Pakistan

SABA AZIZ

ASIF MAHMOOD

InaFacebookpage ofmilitants, hewas called “a collaborator of the chique inpower inSyria”and threatened, “Wewillcome to you; youwill not escape.” ShaykhHassan Saif al-Deenwas in fact the last of a list ofmurdered religiousscholars, which includes Sunni and ShiaMuslim clerics as well as Christian priests. All thesemurders have beencarried out by bloodthirsty terrorists, who are described as “democrats” byWestern governments andmedia

YUSUF FERNANDEZ

PML-Nhasbeenquitevocalabout thedictatorbut, to ourutter surprise, all firebrandparty leaders have suddenly pursed their lips, presumably under the dictates of theirmightymaster Saudi Arabia.Will the long arm of the law reachMusharraf?

Davis Cup:Pakistan, NewZealand square o*


NILE BOWIE

SINCEtheNorthwas heavilypenalised by UN sanctionsfollowing its recent satellitelaunch and nuclear test,Pyongyang has embarked

on a near-daily onslaught of belligerentthreats, some of which include itsinvalidation of the 1953 armisticeagreement that ended theKoreanWar,threats to nuke the United States, andthreats to occupy South Korea andsubsequently take all Americans in thecountry hostage. Military analystsclaim that North Korea is at leastseveral years from building a nuclearwarhead or a missile capable ofreaching the US mainland - but thereis no doubt that if the Kim regimeoversteps their approach, it couldcertainly have severe repercussions forcivilians in South Korea and Japan,both in range of NorthKorea’s rockets.Despite regular threats of destruction

and Pyongyang’s recent proclamationthat the twoKorean states are oOciallyin a state of war, day-to-day life hasretained its normality according tosources on the ground.Needless to say,

there is no doubt that civilians on bothsides are feeling tense in the currentscenario, especially those on disputedSouth Korean islands in the West sea,just a stones throw away from theNorth Korean maritime border. Thefour thousands residents of the South’sBaengnyeong Island, whichKimJong-un personally threatened to “wipe out”in early March, have been severelyhindered from carrying out their day-to-day activities such as fishing dueto the joint US-ROK militaryexercises in the area. Despite inter-Korean relations reaching theirlowest point in recent times with theentire South on high alert, mostSouth Koreans are adept at brushingoff the North’s rhetoric, but they’restill proceeding with caution.The question remains: what exactly

is Kim Jong-un trying to achievethrough this campaign of bellicosity?North Korean state media claims thattheUS “should clearly know that in theera of Marshal Kim Jong Un, thegreatest-ever commander, all thingsare diPerent fromwhat they used to bein the past.”The current approach being taken by

Pyongyang is multifaceted, but itscentral component is building upKim’simage domestically and rallying peoplearound the flag - this has beenreinforced by daily public appearancesand friendly photo-ops of Kimmingling with local people, as well asan internal propaganda campaignlikening him to his grandfatherKim il-Sung, the founder and 'EternalPresident' of North Korea. Thecentral message Pyongyang wants tosend both internationally anddomestically is that Kim Jong-un’s erais distinctly diPerent from before -many South Korean observers havealso noted this change in approach,designed to make the regime’s movesmore diOcult to predict.Most analysts are regarding the

North’s rhetoric as their familiar brandof psychological warfare whereby itcranks up the tensions and threatensSeoul andWashingtonwithdestruction,and is then rewarded with food aid andconcessions when it tones things down,which it has previously done in themonths ofApril andMay -harvest time.Pyongyang likely views the presentscenarioasanopportune time to test the

water, keeping the new administrationsof theirneighbors inSouthKorea,Chinaand Japan on their toes. Despite themuscle flexing and the foolish threatsemanating out of Pyongyang,Washington’s recent deployment of twonuclear-capableUSB-2stealthbombersillustrates everything that is wrongwithUS policy toward the North - this kindofmoveonly serves to raise antagonismsand it in fact legitimizes Pyongyang’srhetoric of the US coaxing nuclear waron the peninsula.In addition to joint US-ROK’s endless

barrage of war games on North Korea’sdoorstep, the brandishing of B-2bombers, which carry bombs that canblast through 70 meters of reinforcedconcrete, is an unnecessary stunt that isboth bold and needlessly provocative. Infact, the B-2 flyover helps Kim Jong-unin consolidating his political power athome by rallying domestic supportbehind the US threat and distractingNorth Koreans from economicproblems.Thesemovesbeg thequestion,is theUnitedStatesprepared to launchafull-scale war against North Korea?Despite the high public disapproval ofovertwarfarecampaigns launchedbythe

Bush administration, the unholy statusNorth Korea enjoys in Americanmainstream media - coupled with itsthreats tonuke theUnitedStatesandthesimple fact that is it a communist state -is likely enough to coax the averageAmerican into supporting a war ofaggression against Pyongyang.Despite the fact that the war would

be relatively easy to sell to the public,theUnited States is financially strainedand in no position to engage NorthKorea and endure massive causalitieswithin its military, not to mention therisk of pulling China into the fold.Therefore, Washington would likelyfind nuclear weapons to be the mostcost-ePective way to quell the NorthKorean threat, an equally unacceptablescenario. At this point, North Korea isa godsend for the US militaryindustrial complex and the defenseindustry, and SouthKorea is set to keepits status as the world’s single biggestimporter of US weaponry. As theObama administration pursues itspivot the Asia-Pacific region, thecolorful belligerence of North Korea isexactly what it needs not only tomaintain its unpopular military

presence in South Korea and Japan,but also to further bolster its militarymuscle on China’s doorstep.Despite North Korea’s threats being

empty, one should not dismiss thepossibility that they will respond toprovocations with force, much like howthey shelled South Korea’s YeonpyeongIsland in 2010 as a response to SouthKoreanmilitary exercises that fired liverounds into their territorialwaters. Thiskindof small-scalefire exchangehas thepossibility to ignite the situation into alarger andmore dangerous standoP, soit is of maximum importance that coolheadsprevail andneedlesslyprovocativedisplays of military muscle are scaledback. Koreans have historically seenthemselves as a shrimpamongstwhales-where they saw their peninsula abusedby the US and the Soviet Unionyesterday, they fear the samescenario repeating itself betweenthe US and China today. If theObama administration is notcareful, it will provoke Pyongyanginto doing something rash and bythen, it will already be too late torectify the situation.

(PressTV.ir)

Korean war 2.0: Deescalate now

KABUL: An Afghan girl drinks water from the water pump at a school that was funded by Angelina Joliein Kabul. At least 400 girls study in this school founded by the Hollywood star. –WIRE SERVICE

JJEERRUUSSAALLEEMM:: Palestinianmilitants launched several rocketsinto southern Israel, as Israeliaircraft struck targets in the GazaStrip early Wednesday in theheaviest exchange of fire betweenthe sides since they agreed to aninternationally brokered cease-fire in November.There were no casualties

reported, but the violencenonetheless threatened toshatter the calm that hasprevailed for more than fourmonths and prompted Israel'snew defense minister to warnthat the Jewish state will not sitback if militants attack the southof the country."We will not allow shooting of

any sort (even sporadic) towardour citizens and our forces,"Moshe Yaalon, a former militarychief of staP, said in a statement.Although there was no claim of

responsibility for the rockets firedfrom Gaza early Wednesday,Yaalon said he holds the Islamicmilitant group Hamas, which hasruled Gaza since 2007,responsible for all such attacksfrom the seaside strip.Israel launched an oPensive

against Hamas last November inresponse to an increase in rocketfire out of Gaza. During eightdays of fighting, Israel carriedout hundreds of airstrikes inGaza, while Gaza militants firedhundreds of rockets into Israel.More than 160 Palestinians,

including dozens of civilians,and six Israelis were killed inthe fighting before Egyptbrokered a truce.In recent weeks, there have

been a handful of rocket attacks,including one that took place asPresident Barack Obama wasvisiting Israel two weeks ago.Overnight Wednesday, Israelresponded for the first time bystriking a pair of empty fields innorthern and eastern Gaza.But just around the time

Yaalon was speaking onWednesday morning, two morerockets exploded in the Israeliborder town of Sderot, accordingto police. Air raid sirens soundedthroughout the town, forcingpeople on their way to work andschool to take cover. No injurieswere reported. The Israelimilitary said a total of fiverockets had been fired in thepast 24 hours, including twothat exploded prematurelyinside Gaza. Under the cease-fire, Israel pledged to halt itspolicy of attacking militantleaders and to ease a blockade ithas imposed on Gaza since theHamas takeover in 2007. Hamaspledged to halt rocket attacks onIsrael. A number of smallermilitant groups also operate inGaza, including groups thatdraw inspiration from the al-Qaida global terror network.UN Mideast envoy Robert

Serry appealed for calm in a

statement, saying he is "worried"tensions could threaten theinformal truce. "It is ofparamount importance torefrain from violence in thistense atmosphere and for partiesto work constructively inaddressing the underlyingissues," he said.Ihab Ghussein, the Hamas

government spokesman,accused Israel of using theairstrikes to "divert theattention" from unrest in Israeliprisons. "They think thatthrough escalation on Gaza frontthey can hide the truth," he said,and urged Egypt, the guarantorof the cease-fire, to intervene.Palestinian prisoners have

been rioting and hunger strikingsince a 64-year-old prisoner diedof throat cancer on Tuesday. ThePalestinians have blamed Israelfor the man's death, saying hewas not given proper medicalcare. The prisoner, Maysara AbuHamdiyeh, had been serving alife sentence for his role in afoiled attempt to bomb a busycafe in Jerusalem in 2002.Israel's chief military

spokesman, Brig. Gen. YoavMordechai, said the army was onalert for "riots" in the West Bankahead of an autopsy plannedlater in the day. He accused thePalestinian Authority, whichgoverns in the West Bank, ofexploiting the death to "resumepopular protests." –AGENCIES

Israelis, Palestiniansexchange heavy fire

AANNKKAARRAA:: Secretary of State John Kerrywill return to Israel Saturday tocontinue efforts to lay the groundworkfor a resumption of Israeli-Palestinianpeace talks, the Israeli newspaperHaaretz reported.Kerry accompanied President Barack

Obama on his recent trip to Israel, theWest Bank and Jordan. The new secretaryof state also held a separate meeting withPalestinian Authority President MahmoudAbbas in Amman and then with IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backin Jerusalem before jetting oP toAfghanistan and Iraq.Kerry will stop briefly in Turkey on

Saturday before heading to Israel and willtravel on to Jordan for another meetingwith Abbas on Sunday, according to pressreports in the region.Various news outlets including

POLITICO reported that Kerry wasexpected to return to the Mideast soon, butHaaretz said an unnamed senior IsraelioOcial shared word of Kerry's plan toreturn this weekend. Kerry appears to befocused on quietly seeking a series ofconfidence-building pledges and actionsfrom each side with the hopes of returningto formal peace talks in a few months.However, it's unclear how Netanyahu's

new coalition government would approachsuch talks and what troubles could faceAbbas if he returns to talks without anexplicit public promise from Israel tosuspend settlement construction in theWest Bank.In addition, Turkish Prime Minister

Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with USPresident Barack Obama on May 16,according to Turkey's Hurriyet Daily.During Obama's visit to the region in late

March, Israeli Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu apologized to Turkey for theattack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, inwhich eight Turks and an American ofTurkish origin were killed in May 2010.The long-awaited apology came under

the mediation of Obama, who said

Washington attached great importance tothe restoration of positive relationsbetween Turkey and Israel. Washingtonregards Turkey, which shares a 900 km(560-mile) border with Syria, as a pivotalplayer in backing the Syrian oppositionand planning for an era after SyrianPresident Bashar al-Assad."Mr Kerry will visit Turkey. The date is

not clear yet but possibly it will take placeeither on Friday or on Saturday," said theoOcial, who declined to be named. The USState Department was not immediatelyavailable to comment.A month ago, on his first visit to Turkey

since taking oOce, Kerry criticized TurkishPrime Minister Tayyip Erdogan for acomment likening Zionism to crimesagainst humanity, a spat that cast a shadowover talks between the NATO allies.US President Barack Obama brokered a

tentative reconciliation between Turkeyand Israel during a trip to Israel a fewweeks later. Israel bowed to a long-standing demand by Ankara, once a closestrategic partner, to formally apologize forthe killing of nine Turkish citizens in a2010 naval raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla.The rapprochement between the two US

allies could help regional coordination tocontain spillover from the Syrian civil warand ease Israel's diplomatic isolation in theMiddle East as it faces challenges posed byIran's nuclear program. –AGENCIES

Kerry to return toMideast in peace bid

KKAABBUULL:: At least 44 people werekilled by Taliban militants whostormed an Afghan court complexon Wednesday in an apparentattempt to free insurgents standingtrial, oOcials said.“I can confirm that 34 civilians, six

army and four policemen have beenkilled and 91 people, the majority ofthem civilians, have been injured,”Najib Danish, interior ministrydeputy spokesman, told AFP. “Nineattackers have also been killed.”“At around 8:00 am five attackers

riding in two military-style vehiclesdrove to the provincial courtbuilding, one (vehicle) detonated atthe gate and three attackers enteredthe building,” Agha Noor Kentos,police chief of Farah, earlier told

AFP. Taliban militants fighting theUS-backed central governmentimmediately claimed they werebehind the attack.“Our fighters attacked several

government buildings in Farahaccording to their planned tactic.They conducted the attack withsmall arms and grenades,” the groupsaid on its website.At least one of the attackers

blew himself up and a gun battlebetween Afghan security forcesand an insurgent holed up insidethe court was going on in thecapital of the western province ofFarah, near the Iranian border,said provincial deputy governorMohammad Younis Rasouli."They stormed the court as a trial

was being held to convict 10Taliban fighters," he told Reuters,adding that four civilians andthree members of the securityforces were killed.The Taliban claimed

responsibility for the attack in atext message to media, spokesmanQari Yousuf Ahmadi said, addingthat the insurgents standing trialhad been freed in the attack.Concerns are growing over howthe 352,000-strong Afghansecurity forces will manage onceNATO-led combat troopswithdraw by the end of next year.Agha Noor Kentos, police chief ofFarah, said five police were amongthe wounded as ambulancesreturned to the scene to take other

injured people to hospital."At around 8:00 am (0330 GMT)

five attackers riding in two military-style vehicles drove to the provincialcourt building, one (vehicle)detonated at the gate and threeattackers entered the building,"Kentos told AFP."One is still resisting," he said,

adding the target could have beenthe court or government buildingsnearby. Wakil Ahmad, a doctor atFarah hospital, said medics weretreating about 50 wounded people,including 35 civilians, 11 police, twoarmy soldiers, two judges and onecourt prisoner. Taliban militantsfighting the US-backed centralgovernment immediately claimedresponsibility. –AGENCIES

Taliban attack kills 44 at Afghan court

MMUUMMBBAAII:: A fatal gang rape in New Delhi didn't deterGermansCarolina De Paolo and Canan Wahner from traveling toIndia for a six-week tour. The attack was awful, but there is crime everywhere, theyfigured, and they'd take precautions. Then a man sidled up to Wahneron a train to Goa and ran his hand up her leg a few weeks into the trip.On another train, a diPerent man grabbed De Paolo's breasts frombehind. "I wanted to scream and do something, but he ran away," DePaolo said. She never reported the crime, deciding there would be nopoint. The two women, both 22, say there were times they didn't feelsafe, but they insist they still would come to India again. That separatesthem from many tourists, who are choosing not to come at all. Violenceagainst women, and the huge publicity generated by recent attacks here,is threatening India's $17.7 billion tourism industry. A new study showstourism has plunged, especially among women, since a 23-year-oldIndian student was raped on a New Delhi bus and later died from herinjuries — a case that garnered worldwide publicity. The governmentdenies any fall oP in tourism. Concerns only grew after the reported gangrape of a Swiss woman in central India last month and after a British

woman jumped out of her hotel room window fearing the manager wastrying to break into her room to sexually assault her. That incidenthappened in Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, one of India's chief touristattractions. Merchants say India is being unfairly singled out, butperception is everything in the tourist business. And businesses cateringto tourists are already suPering. Foreign tourist arrivals have dropped 25percent since the December gang rape in New Delhi, and the number offemale travelers fell by 35 percent, according to the study by the NewDelhi-based Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Thestudy, which surveyed 1,200 tour operators across the country, indicatedthat "concerns about the safety of female travelers" have changedtourists' plans. Instead, they are going to countries perceived to be safer,including Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Tourism Minister K.Chiranjeevi disputed the survey Wednesday, saying that foreign touristarrivals into India in January and February grew by 2.1 percent. ButMehraj Shora says it is hard to see that as business dries up in hisMumbai carpet shop. "Every day it's getting worse," Shora laments."Tourists are coming, but not like before." –AGENCIES

Recent events on the Korean peninsula indicate a frightening possibility that the situation is spinning out of control.It is of maximum importance that cool heads prevail and needlessly provocative displays of military muscle are scaled back

DDAAMMAASSCCUUSS:: The Syrian army is on standbyto defend the capital Damascus againstpossible attacks by the western-backedrebels, state-run media said Wednesday.A military source was quoted by al-Watan

newspaper as saying Damascus "is safe andwill remain safe thanks to the thousands ofarmy soldiers who are safeguarding it."The remarks came as the rebels intensified

their mortar attacks on several parts of thecapital, hitting schools, universities,marketplaces and other sectors and killingmany people."We have repeatedly warned the terrorist

groups against inching toward Damascusbecause that would mean their deaths alongwith their leaders," according to the paper.Despite those warnings, there have been

several infiltration attempts from diPerentdirections which have all been foiled, addedthe paper. It lamented the incidents that costthe lives of civilians and said the Syrian armywas working to deter the reoccurrence ofsuch incidents. "Damascus will stay safe andthere is no reason for panic because thetroops are in positions and have enoughcapabilities, experiences and courage todefeat the terrorists," the paper concluded.Syrian troops have advanced into

rebellious suburbs of the capitalDamascus as activists claimed that morethan 6,000 people were killed in Marchalone, making it the deadliest month inSyria's two-year-old conflict, a state-runnewspaper said Tuesday.The troops have advanced in the eastern

suburb of Jobar and wrested back controlover many buildings that had beencaptured by rebel groups, the paper said,adding that the troops advancement cameafter a series of "qualitative operations"that resulted in the killing of many"terrorists," a term used by the governmentto describe the rebels. –AGENCIES

Syrian army onstandby to defendDamascus: report

High-profile rapes threaten India tourism business

six companies showcaseproducts at Malaysian showIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Six leading Pakistanifood and beverage companies areattending the 10th edition ofMalaysian International HalalShowcase (MIHAS) 2013 whichstarted here Wednesday at the KualaLumpur Convention Centre (KLCC)in the Malaysian capital. The four-dayinternational trade fair beingorganized by the Ministry ofInternational Trade & Industry(MITI) Malaysia has brought togetherthe largest community ofinternational halal players on a singleplatform to facilitate trading of halalcertified goods and services. The lastyear edition of MIHAS 2012 saw anactive participation of 401 exhibitorsfrom 32 countries and attracted16,096 quality visitors from 70countries. Pakistan HighCommissioner to Malaysia, Mr.Shahid Masroor Gul Kiani who visitedthe pavilions set up by theparticipating Pakistani companieswelcomed their initiative to be partof an international event whichwould help them explore Halalmarket in Malaysia and harness thesynergies existing in the sector. Hesaid Pakistani companies hadalready participated in the previousedition of MIHAS and hadbenefited from their interactionwith participating companies fromother countries. –ONLINE

iMF will contribute 1beuros to cyprus bailoutBBRRUUSSSSEELLSS: The InternationalMonetary Fund will contribute 1billion euros ($1.29 billion) over threeyears to the 10 billion euro bailout forCyprus, IMF Managing DirectorChristine Lagarde said in a statementon Wednesday. Lagarde said sheexpected the IMF board to approvethe funds in early May. "A staS teamof the International Monetary Fundhas reached staS level agreement withthe Cypriot authorities on aneconomic program that will besupported by the IMF jointly with theEuropean Union and the EuropeanCentral Bank," Lagarde said. "Acombined financing package of 10billion euros is designed to helpCyprus cover its financing needs,including to service debt obligations,while it implements the policiesneeded to restore the health of theeconomy and regain access to capitalmarket financing," she said. –ONLINE

us airways says budgetcuts hurt March revenueNNEEWW YYOORRKK:: US Airways Group(LCC.N) said on Wednesday thatfederal budget cuts likely hurt a keyrevenue measure in March becauseof reduced last-minute demand forflights. The carrier said unitrevenue, a measure of pricing powerand how full planes are, was flat inthe month compared with a yearearlier. US Airways added thatresult was lower than expected forMarch, and cited "reduced close-indemand believed to be drivenlargely by the sequester." OnTuesday, Delta Air Lines (DAL.N)cut its first-quarter forecast for unitrevenue, which is also known aspassenger revenue per available seatmile. –AGENCIES


gold (oz)

rs. 1,599.52 rs. 98.15

Dollar interbank cement (bag)

457.00 6,900.00

cotton (Maund) urea/bag

1,704

coal spot

$87.90/Ton 11.42%

10-y Pib Furnace oil

76,188/MT

currency buying sellingUS Dollar 98.85 99.10Euro 125.48 125.50British Pound 147.58 147.54UAE Dirham 26.60 26.80Saudi Riyal 26.10 26.30Kuwaiti Dinar 341.53 347.46Canadian Dollar 95.74 97.27

ZEESHAN JAVAID

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The delay in musteringthe finances worth Rs. 20 billion byWater and Power DevelopmentAuthority’s (WAPDA) through scoopbonds and pledged amount of Rs. 4billion of Chinese contractor ‘ChinaGhazopa’ sent the 969 MW NeelumJhelum Hydropower project into hotwater. This has raised question marksover the hefty revenue generated byWAPDA in the name of Neelum-Jhelum Surcharge.Sources privy to the latest progress

on 969MW Neelum Jhelumhydropower project revealed thatbecause of the failure of powerdistribution companies to collect the

arrears from customers as well fromprovincial and federal government’sinstitutions, the amount of NeelumJhelum Surcharge has been reducedas Rs. 450 million from the targetedaverage amount Rs. 6 billion perannum.The 969MW Neelum Jhelum

hydropower project, which wasapproved with accumulated PC-1 costof Rs. 84 billion, which later on withpassage of time, introduced withunbelievable 225% increase as revisedcost of Rs. 274.882 billion. This multi-billion dollar mega project iscompletely administered by WAPDA,while the construction wing worked injoint-venture of WAPDA and Chinesecontractor ‘China Ghazopa’ term as

Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namedNeelum Jhelum HydropowerCompany (NJHPC). The chief executive oRcer of

NJHPC, Gen (R) Zubair informedthat the Neelum Jhelum surchargewhich is fixed as 10 paisas per unitdirectly goes to the account ofWAPDA and authority later ondisbursed the collected amount toNJHPC on annual basis.

“WAPDA set the annual target togenerate the revenue through thissurcharge Rs. 6 billion per annum,however because of failure of powerdistribution companies to collect thearrears from their either private orpublic customers, the revenue undersurcharge decreased from Rs. 6 billion

to Rs. 450 million”, Gen (R) Zubairmaintained.ORcial from WAPDA on condition

of anonymity informed “TheSpokesman” that the actual amountcollected from customers in themonthly billing is more and more thanthe figure portrayed by the authority.He denied the claim of CEO Neelum-

Jhelum project that WAPDA generatedand disbursed only Rs. 27.5 billionduring last six years, adding “if wemultiplied the units sold by LahoreElectric Supply Company (LESCO)only with set surcharge amount 10paisas per unit, the accumulatedamount goes up to 2 billion duringFiscal Year 2011-12”, he added.The mystery in Neelum Jhelum

surcharge never be ended because,WAPDA authority never disclosed the

actual figures and details ofexpenditure met in the name of969MW NJHP, while the wholeburden always shifted over thecommon man who paid the heftyamount against the electricity power,who never enjoyed the uninterruptedpower supply during last five years.969MW Neelum Jhelum hydro

power project, which is termed as thelifeline of Pakistan by WAPDA wasstarted on ground basis in 2007,WAPDA claimed the completion ofwork more than 70 percent, while theactual volume of work completed hasbeen observed not more than 48percent.Interestingly, the revised PC-1 cost

approved by federal government is Rs.274.88 billion, while during last sixyears, NJHPC had spent Rs. 69 billion

against total revised PC-1 cost, however,the amount of Rs. 57.5 billion would berelease in diSerent phases till end ofyear 2016.According to senior oRcial of

WAPDA, the Tunnel Boring Machines(TBMs), which were imported fromGermany having cost Rs. 16 billionstopped working because of non-availability of suRcient power supply,however NJHPC claimed that two heavygenerators having capacity 13.5MWeach has been installed and now TBMsstarted again cutting the rocks.Public sector power managers

ascertained that annual benefits of theproject have been estimated at Rs 45billion, adding that the project wouldpay back its cost in about seven years, ifWAPDA succeeded in completing theproject in set time frame.

KARACHI: Stock brokers are busy trading at Karachi Stock Exchange amid the ascending trend in KSE-100 index. — ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: CK Solar Korea hassigned a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the Baluchistangovernment to set up a 300 MW solarpower project near the province’s largestcity, Quetta. The project is expected torequire $900 million investment. Theproject will bring relief to the provincewhich, like the rest of the country, issuSering from acute power shortage.The project will also help the province

increase self-reliance in the energy sector.While the province is the gateway toPakistan’s much needed energy suppliesfrom neighbouring Iran, it lags behindmost parts of the country in economicdevelopment. Despite being very rich innatural resources and being the largestprovince in the country, Baluchistan’scontribution to Pakistan’s GDP has beenless then 5% between 1973 and 2000.Due to the predominantly tribal

lifestyle of the population of the province,urbanisation has had limited penetration.The importance of infrastructuredevelopment in the region cannot beoverstated. The need for sustainableenergy infrastructure also stems from thefact that several foreign companies arenow looking to set up exploration andextraction businesses in the province. With the development of such

industries it is essential that substantialgrowth in the clean energy infrastructuretakes place so that the pristine ecosystemof the province is preserved as much aspossible. –AGENCIES

MONITORING DESK

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: International MonetaryFund (IMF) has once again suggestedgradual phase-out of power subsidies.This may force the interim government to

raise power tariSs that had been frozen by thethe Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-ledcoalition government. According to mediareports, Pakistani oRcials and IMFrepresentatives are expected to meet on April14-15 in Islamabad and power sector reformswill be core issue on the agenda.Sources said that IMF wants the power

subsidies should be gradually phased outwithin four years. IMF has also stressed onthe use of gas for producing power, but thepetroleum minister informed the Ministry ofWater and Power there was no gas for powerplants. IMF wants power plants to switch togas, which would help reduce the burden onthe national exchequer by cutting subsidy outof the equation. Furthermore, IMF had alsoexpressed concern over rolling back reformsby placing the power sector under thejurisdiction of the Water and PowerDevelopment Authority.Under the proposed reforms for the power

sector, Pakistan was to dissolve the PakistanElectric Power Company (PEPCO) and giveautonomy to DISCOs with independent boardsof directors. However, the government createdanother parallel company – Genco HoldingCompany – to monitor the sector.Previously, under directions of the former

government, the National Electric PowerRegulatory Authority (NEPRA) held the

decision of revising power tariSs for the currentfiscal year despite filing of petitions in June2012 by distribution companies (DISCOs).NEPRA had now started notifying theDISCOs to increase the power tariS, whichcould add up to Rs4 per unit to the presenttariS. “We have received decisions of Nepraregarding the hike in tariSs for the consumersof Islamabad Electric Supply Company(Iesco), Peshawar Electric Supply Company(Pesco), Lahore Electric Supply Company(Lesco) and Gujranwala Electric PowerCompany (Gepco),” the oRcial said.“The policy of raising the power tariSs will be

chalked out after the new caretaker water andpower minister is sworn in,” he added.“At present, several plants with 1,250

megawatts (MW) generation capacity are shutdown due to unavailability of gas” said anoRcial of the power ministry, adding that thepetroleum ministry was approached to allocategas to the power producers, but the request wasdeclined by them saying that the country wasalready facing gas shortages. Traditionally,tough decisions are always left for the interimsetup. During Musharraf ’s regime, oil andpower prices were frozen and the caretakergovernment had to increase the power tariS by31%, causing countrywide protests. Now, thePPP-government has also shifted their share oftough decisions over the shoulder of theinterim government, which will have to raisethe tariSs, otherwise the government will haveto pay out massive amount of subsidies.If the caretaker government does not go for

the tariS hike, it will have to give Rs400 billionas subsidy to power consumers.

Phase out subsidies,IMF tells Pakistan

WAPDA procrastinating over finance collection

Dillydallying puts Neelum-Jhelum project in hot water� Question marks raised over revenue generated in the name of surcharge

The curious case of thelocal automobile industrySHANEL KHALIQ

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD::With three major players in theAutomobile Industry of Pakistan it is undoubtedly aninward looking industry that does not support eRciencyand market competition. The recent report published bythe Competition Commission of Pakistan on theAutomobile Industry, that suggests lesser protection, wasreceived by immense antagonism by the PakistanAutomotives Manufacturer’s Association and theautomobile manufacturers. Competition Commission ofPakistan has proposed the lowering of tariS barriers usedto protect the local industry from imported cars. Theopening of the local market and the reduction inprotection towards the local industry will definitely be amove towards more eRciency in the market and theavailability of more choice for the consumers.Representatives from the Automobile Industry argue thatreduction in protection is tantamount to penalizing theautomobile industry which is not only contributing $3.6billion dollars to the country’s GDP but is also employing215,000 people. According to the report, not only is therelack of foreign competition faced by the industry but infact all three automobile manufacturers are not producingon their full capacities which prevents new localmanufacturers from entering the market. To fill in the gapbetween the increased demand and limited supply of carswhich not only inflates prices but also causes delayeddeliveries, the government allowed the import of five yearold cars in 2006. This was again taken negatively by theautomobile industry that pressurized the government toreverse this policy who claimed that once this was reversedit would help them increase local sales and hence decreasecosts and increase production. Consumers undoubtedlydemand the best quality products and this is true for theautomobile industry as well. Sales show that despite theimport of foreign cars in the year 2012, due to relaxedimport rules by the government, the demand for SuzukiSwift and Honda City has has been consistently high. Bothcars oSer good features with quality parts and ataSordable price. This clearly shows that local cars canwithstand foreign competition provided they revise theirprices and emphasize the quality. “For a customer, themost important thing is quality, and we are being forced tobuy locally assembled cars for a higher price and a poorerquality,” says Mansoor a car enthusiast from Lahore.Digging up some history reveals that Mercedes Benzplanned to set up a plant in Pakistan back in 2005.Representatives of Daimler Chrysler from Germany metwith the then state minister for Privatization andInvestment, Umar Ahmad Ghumman, and amemorandum of Understanding was signed. This was tobe the one of the largest foreign investments in thecountry however it also fell prey to the lobbying by localcar manufacturing giants and the project nevermaterialized. Had the project actualized, it would haveprovided the consumers in Pakistan the chance topurchase one of the world-class cars in the world ataSordable prices. Lack of competition is never healthy foran industry and the consumers are bound to suSer in oneway or the other. Nevertheless the delay in delivery andthe charging of high premiums stands apart as thebiggest menace faced by the consumer. Customers arebeing forced to pay an additional sum of money in orderto acquire their purchased vehicle in a shorter period oftime. This practice is mind boggling as perhapsautomobiles in Pakistan are the only commodity in theworld for which a customer has to wait for months evenafter submitting the full payment to the seller. “I don’tunderstand why I have to wait for weeks to receive my carafter submitting the full payment, this does not happenanywhere in the world,” says a buyer of Toyota Corolla;undoubtedly the most popular car in the country.

analysis

Korean companyto install 300MWsolar power plantin Balochistan

MUZAMMIL HUSSAIN SYED

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Federal Board ofRevenue FBR has placed the orders ofthe Federal Tax Ombudsman in thetrash despite clear directions fromFTO. FTO had directed the FederalBoard of Revenue (FBR) three monthsbefore to publish taxpayers' directory tomake public the information aboutparticulars and amount of tax paid byholders of public oRces. Democratic government has gone

after completion of its five year tenurebut this directory could not bepublished for many years. Non-publication of taxpayers' directory is aserious lapse on the part of FBR and acause of maladministration. It is a

violation of the constitution and alsocame up in the contempt of the courtproceeding against FBR's ORcials.According to a details, this direction

was given to FBR on the complaintagainst FBR''s failure to publish yearlydirectory of taxpayers containingdetails of their income, assets,liabilities, expenses, taxes, etc.On 29thDecember 2012, the Federal TaxOmbudsman (FTO) Dr MuhammadShoaib Suddle had directed the FederalBoard of Revenue (FBR) to publishtaxpayers’ directory to make publicinformation about particulars andamount of tax paid by holders of publicoRces. According to the order issued,the FTO said that under Section 216(5)of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, the

FBR could publish a taxpayers''directory, Under the Article 19A of the

Constitution of The Pakistan Itspublication on a regular basis being infurtherance of shall certainly helpreduce tax maladministration inPakistan. Prior approval of thegovernment is, however, not required(Section 216(6)) for publication ofparticulars of taxpayers who areholders of public oRce. A directory was accordingly

published in 1993 for the first and theonly time. Although a provision parallelto sub section (5) of Section 150 wasincorporated in the Income TaxOrdinance 2001 (Section 216(5)), FBRdid not issue any directory after 1993.

Federal Tax Ombudsmanrecommended the FBR to take steps tobring Section 216(5) of Income TaxOrdinance 2001 in conformity with theprovisions of Article 19A of theConstitution and send to the FederalGovernment particulars and theamount of tax paid by the holders ofpublic oRce (as defined in Section 5(m)of National Accountability Ordinance1999) for making this informationpublic, to meet the obligatoryrequirements of Article 19A of theConstitution. Through Sub-Section (5) inserted in

Section 150 of the repealed Income TaxOrdinance 1979 and Circular No.7 of1981 the CBR was empowered toannually publish, with prior permission

of the Federal Government, a directorycontaining taxpayers'' details of income,assets, liabilities, taxes, etc. The Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr

Shoib Suddle said clearly in hisdirection that after 18th Amendment,the right to information in all mattersof public importance, under the newlyadded Article 19A, has become aFundamental Right, and anyrestriction has to be strictly construed,only as a rare exception. Under Section216(6) of Income Tax Ordinance 2001,nothing prevents the FederalGovernment from publishingparticulars and the amount of tax paidby taxpayers who are holders of publicoRce, as defined in the NationalAccountability Ordinance 1999.

FBR dumps Federal Tax Ombudman’s orders in the bin� Pays no heed to FTO’s orders to publically reveal information regarding taxes paid by public o#ce holder

THURSDAY, MARCH 04, 2013

Zayed Khan wants to remake Qurbani Racism exists in Hollywood: Freida PintoMUMBAI: Actor-producer Zayed Khan has expressed desire to remake two of hisuncle Feroz Khan's biggest blockbusters Dharmatama andQurbani. Both themovies starred the late actor-filmmaker. "I would like to remake Dharmatama,Qurbani. I would love to do it for sure some day. It is (film) is a winner. It's(remake) might happen," Zayed said. "Both these films have been huge hits andloved by the audience. If something interesting happens and things fall in placethen we would love to do it," he said. Dharmatama was produced and directed byFeroz Khan in 1975. The lead character was based on 'matka' (form of Indiangambling) king Ratan Khatri. The cast included Feroz Khan, HemaMalini, Rekha,PremNath, Danny Denzongpa and others. The film took him to new careerheights. Qurbani was again produced and directed by Feroz in 1980. He starredwith Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman, Amjad Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Aruna Irani,Amrish Puri and others. -SHOWBIZ DESK

CMYK

NEW DELHI: Hollywood actor of Indian origin, Freida Pinto, 28, who has been living andworking in Hollywood ever since she did Slumdog Millionaire, says she has no 4am friendsthere. “I don’t have active friends in Hollywood. But, I have friends like writers and

publicists. With actors, you don’t get to know them on the movie sets. We’re just twoships passing by. But you spend a lot of time with publicists and writers, who

become friends,” says the actor, who also admits that racism exists inHollywood. “Racism exists more among actors of the older generation.The younger generation is more exposed,” she says. She also sharesthat even after four years in Hollywood, she has to struggle. “Mostpeople think that after SM, the red carpet is rolled out for me. Butthat’s not true. I honestly enjoy the struggle, and I am getting to seewhat my predecessors have been through actors like Saeed JaVreyand Roshan Seth. These situations make you humble. -SHOWBIZ DESK

SHANEL KHALIQ

ISLAMABAD: Despite 13 years since her death,memories of Nazia Hasan are fresh in hearts of herfans who remembered her musical brilliance andiconic personality on her 48th birthday yesterday.Rising to fame with her hit debut “Aap Jasia Koi” atthe age of 15 only, Nazia soon became an iconicfigure not only in Pakistan but across the border aswell. Her debut album “Disco Deewane” hit themarket in 1981. She and her brother Zohaib Hasanare remembered as the pioneers of pop music, a duothat pursued this field despite the considerablyconservative atmosphere prevalent in the society inthe 1980s. Their songs continue to be remixed andremembered till today. Besides music, Naziareceived her university education from London andthroughout her life remain engaged in social workand welfare activities helping special children and empowering women of theunderprivileged areas. She passed away on August 13, 2000 after yielding in to cancer.

Nazia rememberedon her 48th birthday

LAHORE: The Pakistan FashionDesign Council and Sunsilkannounce oUcial dates,participating fashiondesigners, textile houses andhigh street labels for PFDCSunsilk FashionWeek 2013.To this end, the week offashion is scheduled totake place in Lahorefrom 26 to 29 April2013.With their 6thconsecutive prêt aporter FashionWeek, PFDCSunsilk FashionWeek 2013will be showcasing a diversityof Luxury/Prèt collectionsfrom over 33 designers,brands and textile houses over aperiod of 4 days, defining andpresenting trends for 2013, focusing specifically on theregions’ long hot summermonths.Presenting Prèt collections at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion

Week 2013 are: Adnan Pardesy, Akif, Ali Xeeshan, Asifa &Nabeel, AyeshaHashwani, Faiza Samee, Élan, FahadHussayn, Feeha Jamshed, Fnk Asia, HSY, Karma, KhaadiKhaas, Maria B,Muse,Maheen Karim,Mohsin Ali, MishaLakhani, Nickie Nina, Nida Azwer, Republic by OmarFarooq, Rizwan Beyg, Shehla Chatoor, Sana Safinaz, SaniaMaskatiya, Somal Halepoto, Sublime by Sara, Tapu Javeri,Wardha Saleem, YahsirWaheed and Zonia.Staying true to their tradition of launching new talent

into themainstream fashion business, the PFDCwill alsobe introducing upcoming new talent with a separate“Emerging New Talent Show”.Furthermore, in keeping with the summer season and

remaining cognizant of their ongoing commitment tocreating synergy/collaboration between textile and fashion,the PFDCwill also be holding 2 days of designer-textile millvoile shows featuring: Chen One, Firdous ClothMills,Ittehad Textile, Kayseria, Lakhany SilkMills, Lala Textiles,Nimra Textile, Sitara TextileMenswear, Sitara TextileWomenswear and Shariq Textile. -SHOWBIZ DESK

PFDC announcesfashion weekschedule for 2013

SHOWBIZ DESK

LONDON: Hollywood star Tom Cruisesays he would consider spending 130,000pounds to fly into orbit and bump into analien. The 50-year-old wants to follow inthe footsteps of Ashton Kutcher, who hasalready signed up with Virgin Galactic'supcoming two-hour mission to space,reported Sun Online. "I'm going to let acouple of other people test it out first butit would be great. I was always hopingwhen I was a kid that we would betravelling to diVerent planets by now," hesaid. On the issue of aliens, Cruise said, "Idon't think you can actually count it out. Itmight be a little arrogant to think we werethe only ones in all the galaxiesthroughout the universe but I've nevermet one!" Cruise plays one of the last menleft on Earth after an alien battle ravagesthe planet in 2073 in his upcoming sci-fifilm Oblivion.

Tom wants to go to space

SHOWBIZ DESK

LONDON: Following years ofspeculation about whether it wouldbe produced, the sequel to theOscar-winning animated film"Finding Nemo" will be released in2015, studio Disney-Pixar said."Finding Dory" will focus on theabsent-minded and chatty bluetang fish voiced by comedienneEllen DeGeneres, who was a big hitwith audiences. "I'm excited thatit's finally happening," DeGeneressaid on her daytime talk show,"Ellen." "I read the script and it'sfantastic, it's hilarious, it's warm,it's everything that you want it tobe," she added.Andrew Stanton, who co-directed

2003's "Finding Nemo" with Lee

Unkrich, said the film will centeron Dory reuniting with her "lovedones," much like the family-focusedplot of "Nemo." "There is no Dorywithout Ellen," Stanton said in a

statement. "She won the hearts ofmoviegoers all over the world - notto mention our team here at Pixar."Stanton said the movie will be setin part along the California coast

and take place about a year after"Nemo." It will include characterssuch as clown fish Nemo, his fatherMarlin and the Tank Gang. Thefilm is set for a November 25, 2015,release, the day before the USThanksgiving holiday thatcoincides with the start of theholiday film season. Speculationabout a "Finding Nemo" sequel hasfloated ever since it became a top-grossing animated film. It took insome $922 million at worldwidebox oUces, ranking fourth amonganimated films, according to boxoUce tracker websiteBoxOUceMojo.com. "FindingNemo" won the Academy Awardfor Best Animated Feature in 2004,and was also nominated for threeother Oscars.

Rolling Stones unveilsbiggest tour in six years

SHOWBIZ DESK

LONDON: The Rolling Stones unveileddetails of their biggest tour in six years,playing dates in North America andBritain after a stage comeback last year tocelebrate 50 years in music. The band saidthey would kick oV their "50 andCounting" tour in Los Angeles on anunspecified date but would then playOakland, California on May 5 and eightother cities including Toronto andLondon, UK.The veteran rockers, who played to sell-

out crowds on a mini-tour of London andNew York last year, have already said theywill headline Britain's biggest musicalfestival Glastonbury on June 29. Tocelebrate 50 years the band also released agreatest hits collection, a documentary,and a photographic book and thensparked rumors about more concerts witha March 29th post on their website thatsaid "5 Days & Counting." "'50 andcounting' has been pretty amazing so far,"lead singer Mick Jagger said in a

statement on Wednesday. "We did a fewshows in London and New York last year... and had such a good time that wethought. Let’s do some more." The band,working with privately held tour promoterAEG Live, will also play in San Jose, LasVegas, Anaheim, Toronto, Chicago, Bostonand Philadelphia in May and June withtickets going on sale beginning April 8.They will play London's Hyde Park on July6. Live performances have emerged as themajor money earner in the music businessas the industry goes digital with growingnumbers of veteran acts returning to stageand attracting well-heeled, ageing fanswilling to pay high prices for tickets.Concert-tracking website Pollstar said

the band grossed $35.5 million from theirmini-tour in late 2012 when high ticketprices ranging from 95-950 pounds($1,500) rankled some fans. The RollingStones, which are comprised of Jagger,Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood onguitar, and Charlie Watts on drums,emerged alongside The Beatles in theearly 1960s.

SHOWBIZ DESK

KOLKATA: Shahid Kapoor isdetermined to make RamboRajkumar his perfect comebackvehicle. Shahid is leaving no stoneunturned to ensure the film has thebox oUce impact that Prabhu Devaachieved with Salman Khan inWanted and Akshay Kumar inRowdy Rathore. Reportedly, Shahidpulled in his director Prabhu Deva todo a jig and to contribute to thechoreography of a song-and-dance

featuring Shahid and Sonakshi Sinha.A source from the location said,"Initially Prabhu Sir didn't even wantto choreograph the number. Hewanted to focus on direction. So hegot his colleague Vishnudeva who hasassisted Prabhu Deva andchoreographed numbers in his film inthe past, to step in to superviseShahid's and Sonakshi's steps. Butthen Shahid who can be awfullypersuasive pulled Prabhu in at thelast minute. Ultimately, the song anddance featured Prabhu Dheva as

choreographer and dancer." PrabhuDeva who turns 40 today revealedshyly, "The song was done by Vishnuwho shares my surname and hasworked closely with me. But finally Iam also there." Shooting with Shahidwho plays a gritty gangster is apleasurable experience for Prabhu. "Iworked with Sonakshi earlier. Butthis is my first time with Shahid. Heis equally fluent as an actor and adancer. And this time he is doing rawaction also. The amount of hard workbeing put in by Shahid just makes

Shahid persuades Prabhu to join in for a dance

‘Finding Nemo’ sequel announced

SHOWBIZ DESK

MUMBAI: After tickling thefunny bone of the audiences,Dostana duo Abhishek Bachchanand John Abraham are teamingup again, but for an action film,which is a remake of 2012 Tamilhit Vettai. The South filmwaswritten and directed by NLinguswamy and starred Arya, RMadhavan, Sameera Reddy andAmala Paul. TheHindi version ofthe film has beenmaking newssince sometime. Earlier gossipmills were abuzz that Linguswamihimself would direct the film andit would star Shahid Kapoor in thelead. But now Linguswami hasbeen replaced by Abbas-Mustan.

"We will direct the film. To suitthe sensibilities of mass audiencehere we havemade certainchanges," the director duo said."Both Abhishek and John will bepart of the film. They are doingthe film. To see them together onscreen is a treat for cine goers,"Abbas-Mustan said. As far as theleading lady is concerned, thehunt is still on. "We are yet todecide on the heroine in this film,"the filmmakers said.The original revolves around

two brothers the elder beingsensitive to violence and theyounger being a jobless rogue.After the death of their father, apolice oUcer, the elder brothertakes on the same job. How the

brothers become a target of twogangs and how they protect theirfamilies forms the rest of the story.

LONDON: Jane Henson, whoco-created popular US TV puppetprogram The Muppets with herhusband Jim, has died following a longbout with cancer. She was 78. The JimHenson company confirmed the news,stating that Henson, who died at herhome in Connecticut, was an "integralcreative and business partner" in theMuppets, reported Guardian. Jane,born in Queens, New York, in 1934,was an early puppeteer, as well aspuppet designer for the Muppets, bestknown for characters Kermit the Frogand Miss Piggy, who starred innumerous television programs andfilms.Although Henson stopped working

as a puppeteer to raise her children inthe early 1960s, she was stillresponsible for recruiting top talentand performing occasionally on thechildren show Sesame Street. Hensonlegally separated from her husbandfour years prior to his death in 1990 oforgan failure following a bacterialinfection at the age of 53. She laterfounded The Jim Henson Legacy topromote his work. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Muppets creatorJane Henson dies

Dostana duo are back� John, Abhi together in Vettai remake


CMYK

CMYK

PPAARRIISS:: Paris Saint Germain twice came frombehind to hold Barcelona 2-2 in theirChampions League quarterfinal first leg clashon Tuesday and give themselves hope ofovercoming the odds and reaching the last four.PSG's comeback – the sixth time in theirChampions League history they have comefrom behind to draw or win with three of thoseoccasions against Barcelona – was sealed byBlaise Matuidi's stoppage time strike. It was asweet and sour moment for the Franceinternational midfielder, as he will miss thereturn leg next Wednesday as he is suspendedafter picking up a booking.While PSG have to go back to 1995 for their

last semi-final in the Champions League,after beating Barcelona in the quarter-finals,Bayern Munich were finalists as recently aslast season when beaten by Chelsea inMunich in a penalty shootout. However,desperate to make amends for that they tooka huge step towards the last four with acomfortable 2-0 win at home to Serie Achampions Juventus. A strike within the firstminute by David Alaba and a second-half goalfrom Thomas Mueller gave them a handyadvantage to take to Turin next Wednesday.Barcelona had looked comfortable once

Lionel Messi struck in the 38th minute in Paris– the 20th diRerent city he has scored in theChampions League going one better thanformer Real Madrid legend Raul. However, hisfailure to appear for the second-half with ahamstring injury gave PSG hope they couldturn it around and that they did when ZlatanIbrahimovic levelled from an oRside positionwith 11 minutes remaining.However, Barca looked to have sealed victory

when they restored their lead a minute fromtime with a Xavi Hernandez penalty butMatuidi struck to give the hosts a deserveddraw. With Barca definitely without JevierMascherano for the return – he was alreadysuspended but suRered a ligament injury thatcould see him out for several weeks – they willpray Messi's injury is not too serious. Barcelonaassistant coach Jordi Roura, who fielded thepost match press conference even though coachTito Villanova had returned to the dugout forthe first time since returning from cancertreatment in New York, was frustrated at notcoming away with the win."We have paid a heavy price because we lost

Leo Messi and Mascherano, who could be outfor four to six weeks. With Messi we shall seewhat the scans say on Wednesday," said Roura.

"There were also some questionable refereeingdecisions and what is not up for debate is thatwe deserved better. Ibra's goal was certainlyoRside. "I don't know what this will do for PSG'smorale in that they twice came back but for usit is a favourable result."His PSG counterpart Carlo Ancelotti may

have answered his question about moraleimmediately although he was proud of hisplayers. "I don't think it is a good result. I amproud of the players, their performances, theirattitude and the courage they showed.However, I am not happy with the result," saidthe Italian, who won the trophy both as a playerand coach with AC Milan.By contrast Bayern's chiefs were extremely

happy with their home result. "It was a greatgame and that is a great result to take to Turinnext week," said Bayern chairman Karl-HeinzRummenigge. However, Juventus playmakerAndrea Pirlo said that there was still all to playfor. "We know there is still the return leg to playand we can certainly hope for a comeback," saidPirlo. "Obviously it's never easy when you playaway and you concede a goal after less than oneminute, but Bayern played better than us for theentire 90 minutes. "It was very diQcult for usto play our normal game." –AGENCIES

PSG hold Barcelona in Champions League quarters

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The 45th NationalAthletics Championship (Men andWomen) will be held from May 17-19 hereat Jinnah Stadium. “Over 500 athletesbelonging to all the aQliated unitsincluding four provinces AJ&K, FATA,Gilgit Baltistan, services and departmentswill show case their talent in the three daymeet,” said a spokesman for the AthleticsFederation of Pakistan here on Wednesday.He said the event was being dedicated tolate Syed Zakir Hussain, a former PakistanSports Board (PSB) Director General, toacknowledge his outstandingcontributions in the field of sports.

Singapore and Vietnamto co-host AFF Suzuki CupSSIINNGGAAPPOORREE:: Singapore and Vietnamwill jointly host the 2014 AFF SuzukiCup, the ASEAN Football Federationsaid on Wednesday. Singapore, whoclaimed a record fourth title when theybeat Thailand over two legs in the finalin December, will host group matches attheir new Sports Hub stadium, which isexpected to be completed in 12 monthstime. Vietnam will host games at theMyDinh National Stadium, where theywon their only title in 2008. The AFFCouncil took the decision during theirmeeting in Malaysia on Wednesday. Thebiennial Suzuki Cup features eightSoutheast Asia teams split in twogroups, with the top two from eachcontesting home and away legsemifinals and finals. –AGENCIES

Chinese players to partnerrivals at Korea OpenIINNCCHHEEOONN:: Chinese table tennis playerswill pair up with international rivals forthe first time at this week's Korea Openin a bid to improve competition andboost the sport's global growth. Chinahave won 24 of the 28 gold medals at theOlympics since the sport was introducedat the 1988 Games, sweeping all fourtitles at the last two Olympics in Londonand Beijing. The Korea Open, whichstarted on Wednesday in Incheon, westof Seoul, would feature Chinese playerspartnering up with rivals from othercountries in the men's doubles, theInternational Table Tennis Federation(ITTF) said. "This initiative from theChinese Table Tennis Association(CTTA) is most welcome. It is a greatidea that will help make World Tourevents even more exciting," ITTFPresident Adham Sharara said in astatement. "It is also one of thepositive steps taken by the CTTA tohelp the development of players fromother countries." –AGENCIES

A new set of wheels?Just wait two secondsLLOONNDDOONN:: A Formula One pitstop couldtake less than two seconds this season,according to world champions Red Bullwho belatedly claimed a record of 2.05on Wednesday. The British-based teamsaid they had beaten McLaren's previousrecord of 2.31 seconds, set in Germanylast year, on five separate occasions at lastmonth's controversial Malaysian GrandPrix. The achievement got little attentionat the time, with the main focus on theRed Bull drivers who ended the racebarely talking to each other afterSebastian Vettel ignored teaminstructions and overtook Mark Webberto win. Red Bull said their car datashowed stationary times of 2.13 for eachdriver's first change of tyres. Webber'ssecond stop was recorded as 2.05 withhis third and fourth stops timed at 2.21and 2.26. Pitstops in Formula One havebecome almost a blink-and-missexperience since mid-race refuelling wasbanned in 2010, with teams developing arange of technology to shave oR morefractions of a second. –AGENCIES

National AthleticsChampionship next month

BBAANNGGAALLOORREE:: Two of the Indian PremierLeague (IPL) heavyweights Royal ChallengersBangalore and Mumbai Indians will face-oR inthe second match of the sixth edition onThursday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium inBangalore. Bangalore and Mumbai have shownpromise but failed to deliver when it mattered inthe previous editions; however, they are stillamong the favourites in IPL 6 and will want tostart on a winning note.Mumbai, who have been runners-up once and

semifinalists twice in previous IPL seasons, willbe led by former Australian skipper and their newbuy in this year's IPL auction, Ricky Ponting. TheMukesh Ambani-owned side, which was knockedout in the Eliminator last year, looks much morebalanced this season.Sachin Tendulkar will open with either Dwayne

Smith or James Franklin; both of who cancontribute will the ball as well. Ambati Rayuduand Rohit Sharma will once again be the keypillars in the Mumbai middle order and will hopeto continue from where they left in IPL 5.Ponting, who has been in good form in Australia'sdomestic cricket, will be a crucial batsman at No.3, but it remains to be seen if he still can be thesame dasher who decimated India's World Cupdream in 2003. Dinesh Karthik behind the

wickets will be another key Indian in the Mumbailine-up. On the bowling front, Lasith Malinga islikely to miss the opener due to back injury, soPragyan Ojha and Munaf Patel look first-choicepicks in the playing XI as they bring stability andbalance to the line-up. With former Mumbaicaptain Harbhajan Singh struggling of late, hefaces stiR competition from Ojha. In addition,Mumbai have a major selection headache when itcomes to international cricketers.There is a lot to choose from Mumbai's

international basket given the presence of'million-dollar buy' Glen Maxwell, Smith, KieronPollard, Jacob Oram, James Franklin andMalinga. But considering the number of Indianinternationals in the squad, Maxwell and Oramare almost certain to warm the bench inBangalore on Thursday.RCB, on the other hand, will take the field

with Virat Kohli leading the team. He and ChrisGayle are expected to play a vital role in the topthree. Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan, who isexpected to open with Gayle, is another batsmanfor Mumbai to watch out for. However,Bangalore will be without AB de Villiers whowill miss their opening game after gettingmarried last week. Adding further concern is theabsence of Cheteshwar Pujara, who sustained

an injury in his right index finger during therecent Delhi Test against Australia and isdoubtful for RCB's first four matches.Kohli's main worry is the bowling, with

Zaheer Khan making a comeback from the calfinjury, which he sustained during the RanjiTrophy. With doubts remaining over his matchfitness, playing Daniel Christian alongsideAbhimanyu Mithun and Vinay Kumar could behow RCB go. But considering the absence of deVilliers and the inexperience of Arun Karthik,Dilshan may be asked to perform the role ofwicketkeeper-batsman. The RCB spindepartment relies on the wily veterans MuttiahMuralitharan and Daniel Vettori, who remainthe key to their fortune this season.Probable XIs:Royal Challengers Bangalore: ChrisGayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan (wk) Virat Kohli(capt), Saurabh Tiwary, Mayank Agarwal, SunnySohal, Daniel Vettori, Murali Kartik, ZaheerKhan, Vinay Kumar, Muttiah Muralitharan.Mumbai Indians: Sachin Tendulkar, JamesFranklin/Dwayne Smith, Ricky Ponting (capt),Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik(wk), Kieron Pollard, HarbhajanSingh/Pragyan Ojha, Lasith Malinga, MunafPatel, Dhawal Kulkarni. –AGENCIES

BBUUEENNOOSS AAIIRREESS:: French tennis team players (L-R) Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, captain Arnaud Clement, Richard Gasquet, Michael Llorda and JulienBenneteau pose before a news conference at Parque Roca Stadium on Wednesday. France will face Argentina in Copa Davis World Group quarterfinals inBuenos Aires from April 5th to 7th. –AGENCIES

RCB face tough battle againstMumbai Indians today

Indian Premier League

Former skipper Wasimto train fast bowlers

MMAANNIILLAA:: Philippine boxing heroManny Pacquiao plans to fight again inSeptember, with the bout likely to bestaged outside the United States to avoidhigh taxes, his spokeswoman saidWednesday. Negotiations are ongoing fora rematch with Mexican Juan ManuelMarquez, who knocked Pacquiao out inhis last fight in December, although theopponent and the venue are yet to befinalised, Rose Tamayo told AFP. "Thefight is definitely in September. We willtalk about the opponent and the placeafter the May 13 elections," Tamayo said,citing comments Pacquiao made to heron Wednesday.Pacquiao, 34, is running for re-election

as a congressman in next month'sPhilippine mid-term elections, and he iscurrently on the campaign trail. Tamayosaid Pacquiao wanted his next fight to beoutside the United States, where he hastraditionally fought in front of hugecrowds and for enormous pay-per-viewtelevision revenues, to avoid high taxes."Manny wants to fight outside theUnited States because of the taxes...Singapore is one of the top places forconsideration. There is also Macau andDubai," Tamayo told AFP.Pacquiao has won an unprecedented

eight world titles in different weightdivisions, and was until recentlyregarded by many as the best pound-for-pound boxer. But Pacquiao lost hisWorld Boxing Organization welterweightcrown in June last year in a controversialpoints decision to US fighter TimothyBradley, then suffered his shockknockout defeat to Marquez. His lossesprompted calls for him to retire, butPacquiao has consistently signalled hisintention to keep on fighting.Pacquiao's sporting achievements

lifted him and his family out of deeppoverty, as he became one of the highestpaid sportsmen in the world and anendorser of a myriad of products in thePhilippines. He translated his boxingsuccess into the political ring, winning aseat in the nation's lower house ofparliament in 2010. Pacquiao is runningfor re-election unopposed in the Maypolls, while seeking to build a power basefor his family. Pacquiao's wife andbrother are also running for politicalposts in the May elections. ManyPhilippine politicians draft in relatives tostand for other elective positions tospread their influence and strengthentheir power networks. –AGENCIES

Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes (L) jumps to save a shot by Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine forward EzequielLavezzi (C) during their Champions League quarterfinal at the Parc des Princes Stadium on Tuesday. –AGENCIES

Boxing

Philippines’Pacquiao tofight inSeptember

SSYYDDNNEEYY:: Cricket Australia unveiledWednesday a list of 20 contracted players forthe new season amid reports that star bowlerMitchell Starc is celebrating a million dollarpay-day. With the retirements of formerskipper Ricky Ponting and stalwart MikeHussey, funds were freed up for a changing ofthe guard in the lucrative 2013-14 roster.Sydney's Daily Telegraph said Starc was the bigwinner when the National Selection Panel(NSP) made its pick.The 23-year-old left-armer broke onto the

scale last season with a base deal reportedlyworth Aus$230,000 (US$240,000) a year. Hismatch-winning eRorts saw him surge up the eliterankings alongside captain Michael Clarke andinto the seven-figure pay bracket, the newspapersaid. Starc was one of the few Australians tostand out in all three forms of the game meaninghe scored highly on the complex formula used torank top players. National selector JohnInverarity suggested the door was still open to

some big names who did not make the list."Jackson Bird, Moises Henriques, Usman

Khawaja and Steve Smith were all very closeto making this contract list and we expectthem to take opportunities that are presentedacross formats to represent Australia andmake a case for an upgrade to a CA contract, asthe year unfolds," he said. "Aaron Finch hasn'tmade the contract list on this occasion but theNSP hopes he will make a case for futureinclusion through his performances." Last year17 players were initially given contracts and anadditional nine players were upgraded tocontracts during the season.Contract list: George Bailey, MichaelClarke, Ed Cowan, Patrick Cummins, XavierDoherty, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, RyanHarris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes,Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, GlennMaxwell, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, PeterSiddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, DavidWarner, Shane Watson. –AGENCIES

Rising Australianstar Starc hitscontract jackpot

WWEELLLLIINNGGTTOONN:: NewZealand cricketer JesseRyder has been releasedfrom a Christchurch hospitaland returned to his home inWellington after spendingalmost a week recoveringfrom serious head injuries,local media reported onWednesday. Ryder, 28, wastaken to hospital early lastThursday after two altercations outside a bar and fastfood restaurant in Merivale, a suburb of Christchurch.Two men have been charged with assault and arescheduled to appear in court on Thursday."He was thrilled to be back home, he just couldn't

wait. It's been a hard week so he just wanted to gethome," the New Zealand Herald quoted Ryder'smanager Aaron Klee as saying. "He's been doing wellover the last couple of days so just needed tocomplete all the testing they wanted to do inhospital and then they were happy to let him gohome. "He's still very tired and still strugglingenergy-wise with the effects of the concussion, buthe's obviously well enough to be discharged fromhospital and travel home, it's great." Ryder, one ofNew Zealand's most gifted batsmen, has been in aself-imposed exile from international cricket after aseries of alcohol-related incidents. –AGENCIES

New Zealand’s Ryderdischarged from hospital

OUR STAFF REPORTER

LLAAHHOORREE:: The Pakistan Cricket Board(PCB) has turned to former captainand fast bowler Wasim Akram and willprepare special pitches for the nationalteam ahead of the ICC ChampionsTrophy in England in June. The PCBsaid on Wednesday that former left-arm quick Akram would besupervising a 10-day specialised campfor fast bowlers in Karachi. “Besidesthe national team pace bowlers some upcoming young andraw pace bowlers will also attend the camp which will beconducted by Wasim for the board,” a PCB oQcial said.Pakistan’s chief selector Iqbal Qasim recently said that the

team could face a fast bowling crisis as pace talent wasdrying up in the country. His comments came after adisappointing show from the Pakistan pacers in this year’sTest series against South Africa in which they suRered awhitewash. Pakistan’s most experienced pace bowler UmarGul managed just five wickets in two Tests at an average of45 as the team handed debuts to three pace bowlersincluding Mohammad Irfan, the lone success story of thetour, Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil. Akram is Pakistan’s mostsuccessful fast bowler with 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets.

Pakistan returns Indiangirl with new dressJJAAIIPPUURR:: A seven-year-old girl,Pooja Meghwal, who strayed intoPakistani territory on Friday whilegrazing cattle was handed over toBSF officials by Pakistani Rangerson Tuesday evening. The girl ishale and hearty and returned withnew dress, footwear and candiesoffered by Pakistani Rangers. "Thegirl was smiling and was seen in anew dress given to her by PakistaniRangers," a BSF officer said. BabuLal Bishnoi, deputysuperintendent of police, Bikaner,said: "The girl told us that she wasoffered timely meal, candies, newfootwear and a new dress byPakistani Rangers.” –MONITORING DESK

Pakistan�doesn’t�needlarge�army:�AdeelIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Awami NationalParty (ANP) Senator Haji AdeelWednesday said Pakistan does notneed a large army and its militaryshould protect country’s territorialboundaries instead of “ideologicalfrontiers”. Speaking at a seminaron Wednesday, Senator Adeel saidideological frontiers weresafeguarded by the parliament notby the armed forces. Adeel saidthough he supported army inFATA but would oppose it insouth western Balochistanprovince. –AGENCIES

SC�disposes�ofBadami�Bagh�caseIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Supreme Court ofPakistan has disposed of suo motucase in the Badami Bagh incidenton Wednesday. A 3-judge benchheaded by Chief Justice IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry heard thecase during which PunjabProsecutor General submittedreport, saying that case had beenregistered against Sawan Masih,blasphemy accused, and 55 othersinvolved in ransacking theneighborhood. The report said that2 SHOs, DSPs and SP have beenfound involved in the incident.After receiving the report, the SCdisposed of the case. –ONLINE

Taliban�Doha�office�couldhelp�Afghan�peace:�karzaiDDOOHHAA:: A Taliban oNce in Dohacould “facilitate”talks with themilitants, Afghan President HamidKarzai said in an interview withQatar-based Al-Jazeera televisionbroadcast on Wednesday. Karzai saidhe was keen on working with theTaliban to help bring about peace inAfghanistan before Nato ends combatoperations there next year. “We neverplanned to eliminate the Taliban. Notme, not the Afghan people, not theAfghan government,” Karzai told Al-Jazeera. –AGENCIES

Ex-Balochistan�AGkidnapped�from�QuettaQQUUEETTTTAA:: Unknown gunmenkidnapped former Advocate GeneralBalochistan, Salahuddin Mengal,from Quetta’s Sariab Road onWednesday, police said. Mengal wason his way home from theBalochistan High Court whenarmed men stopped his vehicle atSariab Road. According to police,the kidnappers initially fired shotsin the air to disperse the people.Then they picked up Mengal in acar. Mengal’s car was abandoned onSariab road. “A search operation isunderway in the area,” DeputyInspector General Operations Policesaid. He said police and FrontierCorps personnel were placed onhigh alert on all exit and entrypoints of Quetta to ensure Mengal’sunhurt recovery. –OUR CORRESPONDENT

THURSDAYAPRIL 04, 2013THE SPOKESMAN - RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD

Cmyk

WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN:: A new global planaims to end most cases of polio by latenext year, and essentially eradicatethe paralyzing disease by 2018 — ifauthorities can raise the $5.5 billionneeded to do the work, healthoNcials said Tuesday.Now polio remains endemic in parts

of just three countries — Pakistan,Afghanistan and Nigeria — where allbut six of last year’s cases occurred.Other countries remain at risk, astravelers can spread the infectiousdisease to the unvaccinated.Recent killings of vaccine workers

in Pakistan and Nigeria have madethe anti-polio campaign morediNcult, but it has not stopped and itwill not, said WHO polio director Dr.Hamid Jafari. Despite the attacks,those countries made progressagainst polio last year, he said.The new strategy says countries

also must deal with a smaller but realrisk: polio cases caused by the vaccineitself. The highly eOective oral poliovaccine contains live, weakened virusthat can occasionally regain strengthand cause the very disease it wasintended to prevent.

Part of the challenge will beincreasing security for vaccineworkers who have come underattack in two of the hardest-hitcountries. And the plan calls forchanging how much of the worldprotects against polio, phasing outthe long-used oral vaccine in favor ofa pricier but safer shot version.Intense vaccination campaigns havedropped cases to a historic low, agood opportunity for what is beingcalled the ”endgame” strategy forthis paralysing disease, noted Dr.Rebecca Martin of the US Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention.”We have a chance now, with the

fewest cases in the fewest places,” shesaid, joining oNcials from the WorldHealth Organization, GatesFoundation and Rotary Internationalto discuss the strategy that will befinalized later this month.ONcials acknowledged that

financing the six-year plan upfrontwill be diNcult given tightgovernment budgets. The moneywould cover vaccinations as well asthe monitoring required to be surepolio really is gone. Last year,

authorities counted 223 cases of polioworldwide, down from 650 the yearbefore. Once a worldwide scourge,vaccinations began in the 1950s, andwere successful enough in developedcountries that a global fight foreradication began in 1988.A shot version of the polio vaccine

is made of a killed virus that poses nosuch risk. The polio-free US switchedto the shots over a decade ago, but144 countries still use the oralvaccine. The new strategy calls forthem to begin phasing out oralvaccine in 2016. –AGENCIES

WHO reports progress against polio in Pakistan

Published by Ahmad Waleed from Yasmeen Majeed Printing Press 69 Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi.

� New world strategy aims to eradicate polio by 2018

Move to make passport directorate an autonomous bodyTAHIR NIAZ

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Amidst thecontinuing mess at the DirectorateGeneral of Immigration & Passports,some top oNcials at the Interiorministry are campaigning to replacethe ‘Directorate’ with an ‘Authority’that would deal with the mattersconcerning issuance of passports andvisas on the pattern of NADRAdealing with CNIC and NICOP butthe national exchequer is likely tolose billions of rupees under the headof fees, ‘The Spokesman’ reliably

learnt on Wednesday.The Interior Ministry has sent a

summary to the president for approvalin this regard and if he agrees with theproposal, the latter is likely topromulgate an ordinance within nextfew days, the sources in the interiorministry confirmed. The proposed‘Authority’ would enjoy requisiteautonomy and would be headed by achairman. If the sources are to bebelieved, the incumbent InteriorSecretary Khawaja Siddique Akbar,who is going to retire next month, isvying to be appointed as the first

chairman of the Authority.The sources said that, being an

independent body, the Authority woulddirectly collect the fees for issuance ofpassports and other services and thenational exchequer would lose a hugeamount that was earlier deposited inthe national kitty. NADRA alsomaintains its own accounts and theamount it receives under diOerentheads is not deposited directly in thenational exchequer.DG (I & P), currently headed by

Wajid Bukhari badly failed incatering the needs of the passport-

seekers with backlog reachinghundreds of thousands and thepassport-seekers failing in gettingtheir travel document in time. Thesources believe that the recent messat the DG (I & P) was part of a planby those striving to replace theDirectorate with the Authority, tojustify the move. “They (high-levelofficers at interior ministry) havevested interests and want the planexecuted in the absence of thelegislature”, sources added. Theybelieved that ministry of interior wasresponsible for the shortage of

lamination paper at the Directorate,which led to the backlog swelling andpassport-seekers suffering. Sourcessay that actually, the ‘man-madecrisis’ was aimed at finding an excuseto justify the move to bring in placean Authority to deal with thepassports issue.Detailing the vested interests of the

interior ministry high-ups, the sourcesexplained that NADRA, being anindependent body, has been serving asa ‘respectable abode’ for those retiredfrom diOerent governmentdepartments including the ministry of

interior and the Army with retiredarmy and civilian oNcers enjoyingcommanding positions at thedatabase authority. “Once theDirectorate is turned into anAuthority, it would be an independentbody and also serve as a job-providerto the near and dear ones of those whomatter,” they said. The ONce of DG (I& P) is an attached department ofMinistry of Interior, responsible todeal with the matters concerningissuance of Passports, Visas, PakistanCitizenship and Renunciation ofPakistan Citizenship Certificates.

� Crisis ‘created’ by vested interests to justify the move � National kitty to lose billions under head of fees

GARHI KHUDA BUX: President Asif Ali Zardari o7ering fateha at the grave of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto during his visit. –ONLINE

OUR STAFF REPORTER

KKAARRAACCHHII:: An explosion near acheck post of Rangers force killedfour security personnel and injured atleast four others in Karachi’s Korangineighbourhood on Wednesday.Initial reports suggest at least eight

people including security personnelwere injured when a bomb explodednear Rangers headquarters inKorangi No 5 area. “It was a bombblast, the target seems to be a van ofcarrying soldiers,” police oNcialKarim Khan said. Four of theinjured died on way to hospital.Pakistani Taliban spokesman

Ehsanullah Ehsan has claimedresponsibility, saying they targeted theRangers for working against them. “We received seven wounded

soldiers, three of them expiredlater,” Dr Seemi Jamali said, addingtwo were in critical condition.A spokesman of Rangers

confirmed the number of causalitiesand said a vehicle of the Rangers,carrying a dozen personnel, wasreturning from duty when attackedby unidentified miscreants. Thevehicle was destroyed in the blast,said the spokesman, adding that ahand grenade or a cracker washurled at the vehicle.The spokesman identified the

deceased as Irfan, Amanat, Majidand Saifullah. The blast spread fearamong the locals residents as shopsand small businesses werereportedly shut after the incident.

The attack might be linked tooperations being carried out byRangers against militants andcriminals gangs in the city, he added.Taking notice of the incident,Caretaker Prime Minister Mir HazarKhan Khoso and Governor SindhDr Ishratul Ibad have ordered aquick probe report of the blast.Meanwhile, CID police claimed to

have arrested two suspectedmilitants belonging to a splintergroup of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi(LeJ) led by Naeem Bukhari duringa raid conducted in Karachi’s Surjanitown area. SSP CID Fayyaz Khantold media that 10 kg explosives withpressure cooker bombs were alsorecovered from the arrestedsuspects. Police sources said one ofthe arrested suspects Athar aliasKaala was heading the operations ofthe banned organisation in Karachi.The other arrested suspect wasidentified as Shahid alias Chooran.Police oNcials claimed the arrestedsuspects were involved in the killingof Prof Sibte JaOar on Mar 18 andthree other persons adding that themilitants had planned attacks onCentral Jail Karachi and otherterrorist acitivities during theupcoming elections.In another incident, two armed

suspects barged into a house inHussain Hazara Goth area ofGulshan Iqbal and openedindiscriminate fire, injuringthree women one of whom laterdied of injuries.

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: A larger number ofyoung Pakistanis believe the countryshould be governed by Islamic law ormilitary rule rather than democracy,according to a survey releasedWednesday, weeks before elections.A survey by the British Council found

that young Pakistanis — defined asthose between the ages of 18 and 29 —have grown more pessimistic about thefuture over this period, as the countryhas struggled with a weak economy,high inflation, pervasive energyshortages and a deadly Talibaninsurgency.An overwhelming 96 percent of those

surveyed said the country was headingin the wrong direction and almost athird said they would prefer militaryrule to democracy.Just 29 percent chose democracy as

the best system for Pakistan, aconstitutional Islamic republic, with 38percent favouring sharia, saying it wasthe best for giving rights and freedomand promoting tolerance.But the report noted that none of

those surveyed had any directexperience of living under a non-democratic system of Islamicgovernment and some had "elevatedviews" of what such a setup couldachieve."As a Muslim, I believe in Khalifa rule.

Democracy is like giving your countryand faith to America," one respondent,Muhammad Usama, was quoted assaying.A study commissioned for the report

estimated there are more than 25million registered voters aged 18 to 29in Pakistan, or slightly more than 30percent of the electorate.

Pakistan suffers crippling powershortages and gun and bomb attacks byTaliban and other militants are a near-daily scourge.More than three-quarters of those

surveyed for the report said the way thecountry was governed had worsenedsince the last election, while 58 percentdisagreed with the statement"democracy has been good for Pakistan"in the past four years.There was some support for a return

to military rule and the survey foundhigh levels of support for the armedforces. "Pakistan was developing andprogressing well during thedictatorship. Now there is no electricity,no gas, no water and most important ofall there is no law in this country,"student Waqas Razzaq, fromRawalpindi, told the survey.Many Pakistanis have an extremely

low opinion of the country's politicians,who they often view as more interestedin earning money through corruptionthan dealing with problems facingordinary citizens. Qureshi said Islamiclaw, or Shariah, would be better suitedfor Pakistan. Around 38 percent ofyoung Pakistanis agreed with him,according to the poll.Despite Islamist and sectarian

violence, the survey found inflation andunemployment were young people'sbiggest concerns. Only 10 percent ofthose surveyed rated terrorism as themost important issue facing the country.The report was based on fourcommissioned studies, an onlineconsultation and 5,271 in personinterviews with people aged 18 to 29around Pakistan, with a stated marginof error of less than 1.5 percent. –AGENCIES

Youth disenchantedwith democracy� UK survey says majority favours Shariah and militaryrule � 96pc say country heading in wrong direction

Tensiongrips�anotherChristian�colonyGGUUJJRRAANNWWAALLAA::Unknown miscreants setseveral vehicles ablazeand damaged public andprivate property asethnic tension grew in aminority neighborhoodon Wednesday. Fightbetween Muslim andChristian childrenresiding in Franciscolony of the city thatoccurred last night(Tuesday) spiraled out ofcontrol on Wednesday.Reports say heavy policecontingent was deployedin the locality to defusethe tension. The fightbroke out due to a fewchildren listening toloud music on Tuesdaynight, a private TVchannel reported.Residents from bothcommunities continuedto create a ruckus andcould be seen stoningcars and destroyinghomes and shops in thearea, while the policequietly watched thesituation escalate forover two hours.Provocative slogans andannouncements throughloud speakers made thesituation worse and thepolice used aerial firingto control the situation.The issue is trying to beresolved by the policeand members of theAman Committee.Meanwhile¸ Policeresorted to aerial firingto disperse the enragedprotestors, who peltedstones at lawenforcers. –ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Chief Justice IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry hasremarked Pervez Musharraf is inPakistan and if someone has couragehe should come forward and initiateproceedings against him.A 3-member bench of Supreme

Court (SC) led by the CJ took upAdiala jail prisoners and FataRegulation case Wednesday.Ghulam Nabi advocate appeared

on behalf of professor Ibrahim andTariq Asad advocate representedAdiala jail prisoners in the court.Counsel for professor Ibrahim

took the plea that FATA regulationswere illegal and unconstitutionaland they were blatant breach ofhuman rights. “Musharraf duringhis tenure took stern action againstthe innocent people by launchingmilitary operation. Several

innocent people were killed duringthe operation. Several are stillunder arrest and no one amongthem has been presented in thecourt. Their fate has not beendecided as yet,” he submitted.The CJ remarked “ Musharraf is in

Pakistan at present. Whosoeverwants can initiate proceedingsagainst him. If someone has couragehe should come forward and initiateproceedings against him. Everyonehas this opportunity. Will only courtdo all the job,” the CJ asked.The court was told about prisoners

of Adiala Jail that the accused hadbeen shifted to Kohat jail. Theaccused are facing illicit arms cases inaddition to kidnapping and murdercases. The court observed the casewill be heard in details and adjournedthe hearing till April, 8. –ONLINE

CJ asks ‘courageous’ toinitiate case against Mush

4 Rangersdead inKarachi blast� TTP claims responsibility � 2 LeJ militants held

The Spokesman.pk

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