Continued on Page 7

TARIQ SAEED

PESHAWAR—Key militantcommander and chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)Hakimullah Mehsud was report-edly killed in American planeattack in North Waziristanagency on the night betweenThursday and Friday. There isconfusion about the timings ofthe Mehsud’s killings with theforeign press saying he waskilled in the overnight attackwhile credible reports suggeststhe TTP chief was killed in thefresh drone hit carried out onFriday evening.

He carried 5 million dollarshead money by the Americans.Hakimullah took over the reinsof TTP from Baitullah Mehsudwho was killed in a US dronestrike in 2009. Another keyTaliban commander andHakimullah Mehsud’s close aideKhan Said alias Sajnaa is likelyto take over the charge of TTP.

Observers believe the freshmissiles strike by the AmericanCIA operated drones killing theTTP head was aimed at sabotag-

TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud killed in drone attackDrone strike an attempt to sabotage talks with Taliban: Nisar Political leaders discuss post-Mehsud situation

ing the government-Taliban dia-logue process as it came at atime when Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif announced only aday earlier that the dialogue pro-cess with the Taliban was re-

FAISAL ZAHID MALIK

BAKU, Azerbaijan—The thirdBaku International Humanitar-ian Forcum ended Friday withthe adoption of a declarationwhich stressed on the need touse the principles of sustain-able development.

The participants of the fo-rum stated that the contempo-rary challenges and threats re-lated to the convergence ofmanagerial and production

Baku International Humanitarian Forum ends

Use of principles of sustainable development stressedtechnology have acquired a glo-bal character and demand in-creased attention from the inter-national community from thepoint of view of the exposure ofnew dominant factors in the de-velopment of society;

“The participants of the fo-rum also recognize that the de-velopment of human potentialthrough the transformation ofscientific innovations in the edu-cation system occupies a centralplace in efforts to ensure the

sustainability of the develop-ment process and that reinforc-

Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 7

ing cooperation in this area isthe most important humanitar-ian component of develop-ment,” the declaration said.

The document also notedthe achievements of manycountries, includingAzerbaijan, in multiculturalismand considers it necessary tostudy the experience acquiredas a component of the statepolicy of different countriesaimed at achieving consensus

Continued on Page 7

SC orders probe into 19,000missing containers

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—The SupremeCourt of Pakistan has orderedPakistan Customs to conductenquiry into 19,000 missingcontainers.

The containers were broughtat Karachi Port and were alleg-edly packed with weapons buthad gone missing.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh Di-rector General had stated earlierthat the 19,000 containers werebrought during the tenure offormer Port and Shipping Min-ister but the DG had reverted hisstatement, which the SCP hadalso noted. The apex court had

stated that according to ShoaibSuddle Report, the miss-ing19,000 containers were notshipped to Afghanistan.

The SCP further said that inNovember 2010, nine contain-ers were opened in a privatelyowned ware-house in the me-tropolis and those containerswere packed with weapons.

An intelligence report hadalso revealed that prior to theyear 2011, opening of contain-ers for Afghan Transit Tradewere not practiced and that theAfghan Transit Trade DG IrshadKayani had admitted that latestweapons were brought to theKara-chi Port through contain-

ers and that those latest weap-ons were being used in the PortCity, Karachi. The apex courtenquired if the opening of con-tainers was not practiced priorto the year 2011, then how Pa-kistan Customs had claimed thatthe containers were packed withweapons.

The SCP in its interim or-der further directed the PakistanCustoms to look into 3 yearsimports at the Karachi Port andestablish its findings as howmany weapons were importedinto the metropolis by the armsdealers and whom they sold thatarms and ammunition. The SCP

BERLIN—The United Stateshas said in some cases its sur-veillance program has gone toofar, an unprecedented admissionin its tense row with Europe overUS spying against allies.

After 10 days of scandalwith key European allies, astatement on Thursday by Sec-retary of State John Kerry wasthe first to explicitly acknowl-edge overstepping by US intel-ligence.

Kerry justified the surveil-lance in broad terms, citing theSeptember 11, 2001 terror at-tacks in the United States, aswell as attacks in London,Madrid and elsewhere to arguethat the US and other countrieshave had to come together tofight “extremism in the worldthat is hell-bent and determined

Kerry: In some cases, USspying ‘has reached too far’

to try to kill people and blowpeople up and attack govern-ments.”

He said US intelligence hassince 2001 averted attacks withintercepts of communications.But he acknowledged, withoutgoing into specifics, that at timesit has been too much.

Kerry also sought to giveassurances that such steps,which have roiled close allieslike Germany, would not be re-peated.

“I assure you, innocentpeople are not being abused inthis process, but there’s an ef-fort to try to gather informa-tion,” Kerry told a London con-ference via video link. “And yes,in some cases, it has reached toofar inappropriately.”

Six coal minersshot dead inBalochistan

STAFF REPORTER

QUETTA—Six coal minerswere shot dead while anotherwas injured in Mach area ofKachi district – about 90 kilo-meters off Quetta – on Friday.

“The victims are labourerswho belonged to the Shia Hazaracommunity. It is clearly a sec-tarian targeted killing,” DCKachi Waheed Shah told media.

The coal miners were re-turning from a trip to Mach ba-zaar, where they often went toshop on Fridays. The crimescene is seven kilometers off themain highway.

“As they crossed a hugedrainage off the national high-way, a group of armed men

Continued on Page 7

Salman: Indianallegationsagainst PakArmy baselessNEW DELHI—Pakistan’sHigh Commissioner to IndiaSalman Bashir has said thatthe Indian defence ministerleveled baseless allegationsagainst the Pakistan Army.

While talking to thereporters here, Salman Bashirsaid that India should avoidleveling such undue allega-tions against Pakistan. Hecontinued saying that PakistanArmy displayed patience andmaturity over the line ofcontrol (LoC) conflict.

The High Commissioner

Rashid Ghazi case

Musharraf’s bailpetition hearingon Nov 4ISLAMABAD—The hearing ofAbdul Rashid Ghazi murdercase and Musharraf’s bailpetition in this very case havebeen adjourned until Novem-ber 11 and November 4respectively.

Additional Session JudgeWajid Ali was hearing RashidGhazi murder case andMusharraf’s bail petition here

sumed and both the parties werelikely to sit on a table shortly tofind out negotiated settlement ofthe militancy issue in order toensure lasting peace in the re-gion. The Interior Minister

Chaudhry Nisar admitted onFriday the fresh missiles attackby the American planes was anattempt to sabotage the peaceparleys.

While the foreign office is

yet to confirm the death ofTaliban chief in US drone hit,the Washington said there wascredible information about thekilling of TTP chief in drone at-tack in Pakistan’s North

Waziristan agency. SomeTaliban sources also confirmedthe killing of their chief in droneattack in NWA on Friday weehours. The killing of TTP chief

Hakimullah Mehsud

Shocking wavesin govt corridors

Fata region further destabilised;US and some domestic elements

succeeded in sabotaging talksLIAQAT TOOR

ISLAMABAD—The killing ofhigh profile TTP leaderHakimullah Mehsud in the lat-est drone attack in NorthWaziristan has sent shockingwaves across corridors ofpower in Islamabad andPeshawar and also in political

cadres desirous of negotiatedsettlement of bloody war withTaliban.

The latest attack has fur-ther destabilised the FATA re-gion as the TTP is not in a po-sition now to hold talks withgovernment. Interior MinisterCh. Nisar Ali, a focal personContinued on Page 7 Continued on Page 7

Nobel Prizewinners gather

at forumFAISAL ZAHID MALIK

BAKU—The Third Baku In-ternational HumanitarianContinued on Page 7

Khan Saeedappointed new

TTP chiefSTAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Khan Saeedalias Sanjna has been ap-pointed new chief of theTehrik-e-Taliban Pakistanafter the killing ofHakimullah Mehsud in a USdrone attack on Friday inNorth Waziristan, sourcessaid.

Funeral prayers ofHakimullah Mehsud will beoffered in North Waziristanat 3:00 pm Saturday, sourcessaid.

Pakistanoutplay SA insecond ODI

DUBAI—Pakistandefeated South Africaby 66 runs to level thefive-match One-dayInternational series 1-1here at the DubaiInternational Cricket

Stadium on Friday.Chasing a modest total of

210 South Africa batsmencould not resist against thePakistan’s accurate pace andspin attack and were bowledout for 143 in 40.4 overs.

Fast bowler MohammadIrfan and leg-spinner ShahidAfridi captured three wicketseach while off-spinner SaeedAjmal claimed two wickets.—Agencies

Imran demandsimmediateblockade of

Nato suppliesOBSERVER REPORT

LAHORE—Reacting to yetanother US drone strike inPakistan, that eventually killedPakistani Taliban chiefHakimullah Mehsud, PakistanTehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chairmanImran Khan Friday demandedthe government to block Natosupplies going through thecountry.

Five militants, includingAbdullah Bahar Mehsud and

Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 7

P E S H A W A R — K h y b e rPakhtunkhwa Chief MinisterPervez Khattak has said thatthe PTI led coalition govern-ment was the strongest gov-ernment, neither weak norimmature and that there is nodifference amongst the coa-lition partners.

He expressed theseviews while chairing consul-tative meeting of the MPAsof coalition parties that waslargely attended by the pro-vincial ministers and MPAsof coalition parties.

He said all the coalitionparties are on the same pagewith regard to the reforms

agenda and policies of theprovincial government.

All the four coalition par-ties wholeheartedly pursuedthe agenda of change inhealth, education, local gov-ernment and all other sectorsof social services, he added.The Chief Minister said thathe did not interfere in the in-ternal affairs of any govern-ment department and theministers had been given fullpowers of the administrativeaffairs of their respective de-partments.

He urged the ministersto resolve all the problemsof the people relating to

their respective depart-

ments at their own level.The chief minister also

called upon the coalitionMPAs to attend the ses-sions of assembly on regu-lar basis and well in timewith full preparation so thatthe issues faced by thepublic could effectively beraised at floor of the houseand addressed accordingly.

*****The National Commissionfor Interfaith Harmony andHuman Rights here Fridaystressed upon people to ex-tend complete cooperation tothe government functionar-ies during the holy month ofMuharram-ul-Haram for main-taining peace. Addressing a

seminar as chief guest,Chaudhdry Qamar ZamanRandhawa said thatMuharram is a holy monthand people from all schoolsof thought should make jointefforts in maintaining peaceand tranquility.

He said anti-Islam andanti-state elements werebusy in sabotaging thepeaceful atmosphere and itwas need of the hour thatwe should bring unity in ourranks to foil their nefariousdesigns. He paid tributes tothe police and securityforces for maintaining peacein the region.—APP

PTI Govt neither weak, nor immature: CM

ISLAMABAD—The govern-ment is determined to pushahead with its targetted op-eration in Karachi with theunderstanding that the cam-paign has brought results forthe law enforcement agen-cies. According to sources,Sindh provincial governmentled by Chief Minister SyedQaim Ali Shah wanted to con-tinue pursuing the criminalsin a bid to find permanent so-lution to the law and ordersituation in Karachi.

So far the government issteadfast in the targeted op-eration against kidnappers,extortionists, target killers andterrorists. By making morethan 4000 arrests of suspectedcriminals in about 1600 raids,the federal and provincialgovernments sent a resound-ing message that the opera-tion is apolitical and its targetis criminal elements. The gov-ernment started operation onSeptember 4 on the demandof political parties particularlyMuttahida Qaumi Move-

ment, business communityand people of Karachi whowere having a miserable lifedue to activities of hardenedcriminals.

The ongoing operationhas brought some semblanceof normalcy to Karachi -Pakistan’s biggest port cityand hub of industrial andcommercial activity. SindhChief Minister Syed Qaim AliShah is satisfied that despitesome hurdles the operationagainst criminal gangs is ontrack. But the real test for thegovernment is to hold trialsfor thousands of suspects ar-rested during the operation byRangers and police.

Reportedly special pros-ecutors refused to pleadcases against suspects, say-ing they fear for their lives.However, the federal govern-ment strengthened its legalcover by promulgating theProtection of Pakistan Ordi-nance for taking actionagainst criminals and terror-ists. Through the law, the

government reaffirmed itscommitment to deploy everypossible state instrumentand resource to defeat andfrustrate all nefarious at-tempts to create disorder.

Realising the growingstrength of syndicated crimeof different forms, the gov-ernment is willing to respondwith suitable state force. Itintends to designate separatepolice stations for profes-sional and expeditious inves-tigations of crimes. Othersteps include setting up ofSpecial Federal Courts andrelocation of those involvedin syndicated crime to otherparts of the country for trans-parency and fair trial. The lawallows the authorities to gofor prevention detentions incases involving seriouscrimes by criminal gangs andmafias. Also special jails willbe designated to detain hard-ened criminals and the mini-mum period of punishmentsis now re-determined at tenyears.—APP

Training workshopon conflict

managementPESHAWAR—The RefugeesAffected and HostingProgramme, a European Union(EU) funded project of UNDPorganised a two-day trainingworkshop on “Conflict Man-agement” for government of-ficials of various departments.The basic objective of theworkshop was to build the ca-pacity of the officials of publicsector institutions on the im-portant subject of conflictmanagement. More than 15government officials from vari-ous departments participatedin the workshop. Director Pa-kistan Institute of Manage-ment (PIM), MohammadAbid Hussain was trainer ofthe workshop. He informedthe participants about vari-ous forms and types of con-flict at the management level,explained the approachesand means through whichconflict can be eliminated. Inthe concluding session, theparticipants shared theirpositive feedback.—APP

ISLAMABAD—Government ofKhyber Pakhtunkhwa willsoon finalize a master plan forthe development of Galiyatvalleys in Abbottabad to en-sure the protection of envi-ronment in that area of tour-ists attraction, besides engag-ing experts from IUCN. Theprogramme will be executedbefore the fall of the next tour-ists’ season in the area.

This was informed at ameeting between the ChiefSecretary KhyberPakhtunkhwa MuhammadShahzad Arbab and the rep-resentatives of InternationalUnion for Conservation ofNature (IUCN) here on Fri-day. Project Manager, Na-tional Impact AssessmentProgramme, Ahmad Saeedand Dr.Rahman representedIUCN during the meeting. TheChief Secretary informed thedelegation that the ProvincialGovernment wanted to prop-erly develop the area in a com-prehensive manner under aMaster Plan for which thespadework is under process.

He said under the schemesuch a plan will also be formu-lated for the picturesque areaslike Kaghan and Narran inMansehra at a later stage.However, at the moment theyare preparing a master planwhich will be acted upon andcompleted before the next tour-ists season in the area theissummer. In this regard, the ChiefSecretary informed that theprovincial government wantedto involve IUCN so that thePlan is prepared, taken up andexecuted in accordance with theinternational standard of envi-ronmental conservation.

After detailed discus-sion, it was decided thatIUCN will keep in touch withthe preparation of the Mas-ter Plan and may hire its ownconsultants of internationalrepute so that environmen-tal impact assessment of eachand every aspect of theprogramme/plan from itsplanning till completion isdone and the scenic beautyof the valleys are pro-tected.—APP

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—World leadingpsychiatrist and formerpresident of the World Psy-chiatric Association (WPA)Prof Dr Norman Sartorius Fri-day emphasized the needfor checking the risk factorsof non-communicable dis-eases (NCDs), which areposing serious challengesworldover. Talking to re-porters at a local hotel wherethe third Asia Pacific Con-ference on Psychosocial Re-habilitation started, ProfNorman said that inclusionof mental health in NCDscare requires primary care-based integrative platformsand collaborative care ap-proaches for management ofmultiple conditions.

He said, “Non-communi-cable chronic diseases(NCDs) and mental disorderseach constitute a large por-tion of the worldwide healthcare burden, and they often

occur together.” He addedthat the use of psychotropicdrugs have increasedworldover but it helpedcheck rising cases of suicide.Prof Norman who served asDirector of the Division ofMental Health of the WorldHealth Organization (WHO)and was the principal inves-tigator of several major inter-national studies on schizo-phrenia, on depression andon health service deliverysaid that early detection andproper treatment of psychi-atric diseases are necessaryto secure lives. “Depression,if remains untreated maycause schizophrenia in fewcases,” he said.

Talking about stigma andmental health, he said it callsfor a change in the attitudesthat perpetuate stigma anddiscrimination that have iso-lated people since ancienttimes, and it calls for an ex-pansion of services in orderto promote greater efficiency

in the use of resources. Theremarkable advances of ourknowledge about fightingstigma are neither properlytaught in schools of healthpersonnel nor used as es-sential evidence in planninghealth care for the future, hesaid. “If health services in-tended to help people withmental illness are to achievetheir goals they must acceptthat the stigma of mental ill-ness is today the chief ob-stacle to their success andthat they must invest a goodpart of their resources intoits prevention or reduction,”he added.

Prof Norman also deliv-ered a lecture to the partici-pants of the workshop anddiscussed latest trends in thefield of mental health. He saidin the developing countrieswhere there is shortage ofpsychiatrists, the role of fam-ily physicians and psycholo-gists are of vital importance.

Earlier, Prof Dr Afzal

Javed, who is President ofworld Association of Psycho-social Rehabilitation high-lighted the objectives of themoot and said the Minister ofState for National Health Ser-vices, Regulation & Coordi-nation, Saira Afzal Tarar andtop health officials are meet-ing world leading psychia-trists’ participating in the mooton Saturday (today) to havetheir expert opinions to checkthe burden of mental healthdiseases. He added that thescientific programme of themoot includes plenary lec-tures by world renownedmental health professionalswho will be speaking on re-cent advances in Rehabilita-tion, Biological & Social Psy-chiatry. He said the recom-mendations adopted at thismoot would be shared with thegovernment as well as civilsociety.

To a question, he admit-ted that war on terror, eco-nomic issues and lawless-

ness in the country havecaused surge in psychiatricdiseases. President-elect Pa-kistan Psychiatric SocietyProof Saeed Sultan said thatthose families in NorthWazirstan whose near anddear ones die in US led droneattacks are facing the prob-lems like post-traumaticstress, depression, phobicdisorder and anxiety. Prof.Mowadat H Rana of the Col-lege of Physicians and Sur-geons Pakistan said, “In Pa-kistan, late ProfessorRasheed Chaudhry was thepioneer in bringing socialpsychiatry to Pakistan in1960s and 1970s by settingvisionary projects for the re-habilitation of mentally ill inLahore and Farooqabad.”

He said the College ofPhysicians & Surgeons,Pakistan’s fellowship andmembership residencyprogrammes in the field ofPsychiatry has continued toemphasise the psychosocial

HYDERABAD: Residents of Latifabad hold a demonstra-tion in support of their demands.

KARACHI: Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Training) Air Vice Marshal Saeed Muhammad Khan giving away trophy toAC Wing Sergeant Asif Ali during passing out parade at PAF Base, Korangi Creek.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Passing out pa-rade of Aero ApprenticesEntry was held at PAF Base,Korangi Creek. Air Vice Mar-shal Saeed Muhammad Khan,Deputy Chief of the Air Staff(Training) was the ChiefGuest at the occasion.

Addressing the AeroApprentices the Chief Guestsaid, “Pakistan Air Force hastaken bold decisions to in-duct hi-tech weapon system.However, such develop-ments call for a completetransformation and necessi-

tate incorporation of a corre-sponding concept of mainte-nance in the PAF. PakistanAir Force ensures such bal-ance through professionalexcellence and quality train-ing that is periodically re-viewed to incorporate con-temporary training conceptsand methodologies.

Pakistan Air Force whilemeeting the challenges of thedefence also remains commit-ted along with the nation infulfilling all its national obli-gations”. Other than PAFAero Apprentices, personnelfrom Pakistan Navy and

friendly countries also com-pleted their technical train-ing.

Asghar Khan Trophy forBest in Aeronautics Technol-ogy was awarded to AirCraftsman Irfan Ahmed;Noor Khan Trophy for Bestin Avionics Technology wasawarded to Air CraftsmanMasood; Trophy for the Bestin General Service Trainingwas awarded to Air Crafts-man Wg Sgt Asif Ali; andChief of the Air Staff’s Tro-phy for the Overall Best Per-formance was awarded to AirCraftsman Irfan.

US-led drone attacks cause post-traumatic stress, depression, phobic disorder and anxiety

People protesting against US drone attacks.

Govt firm in continuingtargeted operation in Karachi

Airmen passing out parade heldat PAF base Korangi Creek

KP-IUCN for Galiyat upliftANF recovers7.8 kg charas,

280 grams whitecrystal powder

ISLAMABAD—Anti NarcoticsForce (ANF) recovered 7.8 ki-lograms charas, 280 gramswhite crystal powder and ar-rested three persons. A pressrelease issued on Friday saidthat, ANF Peshawar during itsroutine spot check inter-cepted a Mehran car registra-tion No. LWE-6975, nearMotorway Toll Plaza,Peshawar. On search of thecar, 7.5 kgs charas was recov-ered. The drugs were con-cealed in secret cavities of thevehicle. The driver of car ac-cused Akhtar Ali resident ofDistrict Sarghdha, presentlyresiding at Karachi Gharbi,was arrested on the spot.

In another operation ANFRawalpindi Airport team ar-rested a passenger accusedMuhammad Aamir resident ofTehsil and District Khushaband recovered 280 gramsAmphetamine Ice (WhiteCristal Powder) concealed inhandle of his bag.—APP

High Courtbenches at

divisional HQlevel demanded

SHER GONDAL

MANDI BAHAUDDIN—A meet-ing of DBA held here at Dis-trict Bar room. DBA presidentPervaiz Ranjha briefed the par-ticipants on movement of law-yers for setting up high courtbenches at divisional HQs. Hesaid the movement was initiallystarted by lawyers ofFaisalabad and Sargodha forforming high court benches attheir respective divisionalHQs. Later lawyers of the otherdivisions expect lawyers ofRawalpindi, Bahawalpur andMultan where high courtbenches already existed joinedthe movement.

To press the governmentfor acceptance of their de-mands the lawyers started boy-cott of the courts in Jan thatcontinued for several months.The Punjab Government con-sidering the demand as genu-ine sent a summary of the law-yers demand to Lahore HighCourt Lahore for consideringits feasibility and further action.

aspects of health in general and of mental health in par- ticular.

Fumigation driveagainst dengue

continuesHYDERABAD—The fumiga-tion campaign against den-gue is in full swing in vari-ous parts of Hyderabad City,Latifabad and QasimabadTalukas of Hyderabad districtsince October 28 last. Dr.Ahmed Haider who is moni-toring the fumigation cam-paign in Hyderabad districtinformed APP that fumigationteams under the supervisionof elected representativeshave been engaged in anti-dengue fumigation on roadsand streets of urban talukasof the district with the aim toroot out dengue and protectthe people from this hazard.He enumerated scores of ar-eas and housing colonies ofTaluka Hyderabad City,Taluka Latifabad and TalukaQasimabad where he said fu-migation has so far been car-ried out.

Jhang: A team of Envi-ronment department headedby District Officer Environ-ment, Eng Anjum Riaz in-spected local market againstdengue larvae and orderedfive owners of tyre shops toclean the preminses immacu-lately. The team also in-spected two plant nurseriesand instructed the owners onanti-dengue measures. Theteam sealed a tyre shop hereFriday on violations of anti-dengue guideline.

Sargodha: District Coor-dination Officer (DCO) TariqMehmood has said that allthe concerned governmentsdepartments will remainopen on Sunday (Nov 3) toobserve prevention of den-gue day.

Talking to journalists onFriday, the DCO said that onthe directions of Punjab ChiefMinister Shahbaz Sharif, Nov3 was being observed as Den-gue Prevention Day in orderto boost public awareness ofdengue and its prevention. Arally led by DCO and joinedby EDO, health, Dr Nazir AaqibNekokara and Medical Super-intendent, DHQ, Dr Iqbal Samiwill also be organized from Dis-trict Headquarters Hospital(DHQ). Seminars, walks andtalk shows would also be or-ganized for the masses on theviral disease and its preven-tion.—APP

Govt to repay over Rs 400b loan Senate toldISLAMABAD—The Senate was in-formed Friday that the government isfollowing a multi-pronged strategy toimprove the resource position and re-duce dependency on foreign loans.Minister for Petroleum and Natural Re-sources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi onbehalf of the Finance Minister told theHouse during question hour that thestrategy envisages increasing tax toGDP ratio, bringing tax evaders into the

tax net and eliminating tax exemptions. In addition, hesaid the finance division has slashed current expendi-tures upto 30 percent during the current fiscal year. Theseexpenditures including subsidies will further be rational-ized. The Minister said the State Bank of Pakistan is inthe process of improving the incentives regime to en-courage remittances by Pakistanis working abroad in or-der to build our foreign exchange reserves. Similarly, acomprehensive trade policy has been formulated to boostexports over the medium term. These initiatives, he hoped,are expected to bring the external debt to GDP ratio from24.3 percent to 15.6 percent in the next financial year.Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the government will repayloans of over 400 billion rupees during the current finan-cial year.—Online

Indian minister’s tirade contrary todiplomatic norms

ISLAMABAD—Chairman Senate Com-mittee on Defence & Defence Produc-tion, Mushahid Hussain has stronglycondemned the anti-Pakistan tirade byan Indian Minister when he was ad-dressing the Pakistan-India young en-trepreneur forum on video link. Sena-tor Mushahid Hussain termed this un-precedented attack on Pakistan by theIndian Minister at an event which wasorganized to promote people to people

relations between the two countries as “uncalled for pro-paganda and totally contrary to all diplomatic norms andattitude”. Mushahid Hussain said that the atmosphereof the whole conference was vitiated by the IndianMinister’s shocking remarks and this showed an obses-sion of the Indian ruling elite with Pakistan-bashing,which has increased, of late, due to upcoming electionsin India. Mushahid said that he was amazed that evennormal diplomatic norms were not adhered to at an eventwhere both Indian and Pakistan entrepreneurs werepresent and said that it was unfortunate that an IndianMinister has gone to the extent to abuse such a platformto launch attacks on Pakistan. Refering to Pakistan-Indiarelations, Senator Mushahid Hussain said that the mainproblem in Pakistan-India relations is the fact that theIndian political elite continues to be in denial when itcomes to the root causes of tensions in the region and,the bigness of India’s size is unfortunately not matchedby large-heartedness in its attitude and approach towardssmaller neighbors and this has been amply demonstratedby this unfortunate event.—APP

Baligh for promotion of educationISLAMABAD—Minister for Education,Training and Standards in Higher Edu-cation, Engineer Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman reiterated present government’scommitment toward promotion of edu-cation for ensuring progress and pros-perity. Addressing the World InnovationSummit for Education “2013 WISE Sum-mit” in Qatar, he said education can onlyreduce poverty and eliminate the extrem-ist mindset. The summit focussed on the

issues faced by the backward areas and sought recommen-dations from different experts, according to a message re-ceived here. The summit also emphasized on promotingeducation in the institutions with the help of developedcountries and usage of Information and CommunicationTechnology to cope with the present day challenges. TheMinister had a detailed meeting with Chairperson of QatarFoundation for Education, Science and Community Devel-opment Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and briefed him aboutthe efforts of present government toward uplift of educa-tion sector. In a meeting with Director Islamic Bank, theminister emphasized on making few universities as Centresof Excellence. The Minister also briefed him about theMadrassa Reform Project and utilization of ICT facilities inthe institutes. UN Special Envoy for Global Education andformer British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, UNESCO Di-rector General Irina Bokova, former Australian Prime MinsiterJulia Gillard and other prominent personalities attended theseminar. Students dialogue to be held on Nov 6: A dialoguebetween the students of religious schools (Madrassas) andother educational systems is to be held on November 6.Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies in collaboration with“Khudi”-Pakistan will organize the event.—APP

DG ANF meets DG Rangers SindhISLAMABAD—Director General AntiNarcotics Force Major General MalikZafar Iqbal visited Karachi and met withDirector General Rangers (Sindh), In-spector General Police (Sindh), DirectorGeneral Coast Guards and other highofficials of Law Enforcement Agencies.The meetings, held in pursuance of Su-preme Court directives and in connec-tion with Law & Order situation ofKarachi, particularly in view of ongoing

operation. The meeting concluded in deliberate planningof a modified strategy to actively participate by encoun-tering prevailing drug situation of Karachi. Significant as-pects of re-enforced anti-drug campaign of the city en-compass, targeting Drug Dens in coordination with otherLEAs, sanitization of addiction sites, extensive mobile pa-trolling and increased surprise / spot checks. Moreover,special emphasis will also be paid to monitor approachroutes particularly from Quetta and Peshawar i.e. Hab,Sohrab Goth, Yousaf Goth etc, watch on transportationmodes and search of likely dumping spots / cache sites.Scrutiny at airport and scanning at seaports have alsobeen intensified. An excise of re-visiting and watch onactivities of already convicted persons has also been or-dered. Owing to the shortage of strength, ANF Sindh hasbeen temporarily augmented with additional manpower andleave of all ANF officials curtailed to minimum possible.As part of the cleanup operations in light of Supreme Courtinstructions, a number of activities have been conductedat Kala pull, Chanessar Goth, Gyzri and Gharibabad at dif-ferent timings. All these areas have been cleaned and 15people arrested. As per instructions of DG ANF, thiscleanup operation will continue on weekly basis till all drugsellers / dealers are apprehended. Additionally in next 48-72 hours more operations will be conducted as part ofraids in various suspected locations. Activities of ANF atseaport have been enhanced. A container containing liquorhas also been seized today, details of which are to follow. Ina courier parcel seizure 330 Grams of Heroin has also beenseized today. In addition to above, ANF has taken followingsteps which included to establish joint check posts withcustoms, mobile patrolling on 3 routes entering in city hasbeen started for random checking.—APP

SIALKOT: Principal Govt Murray College Prof Javaid Akhtar Billah presenting a shield tothe visiting Ambassador of Denmark Jesper Moller Sorensen after his lecture to the students.

PESHAWAR—To spreadawareness among masses,the Government has decidedto observe mother-childweek from November 4-11that would focus on betterhealth care service to motherand child, immunization ofthe kids, optimal birth spac-ing and avert complicationsduring pregnancy. The Min-istry of Health’s NationalProgramme for Family Plan-ning and Primary HealthCare is going to launchmother and child week fromNovember 4 that will con-tinue till November 11 withprime focus on massesawareness regarding servicedelivery on maternal, newborn and child health care.

This week will be focusedon nationwide awarenesscampaign with focused ser-vice delivery in all the agen-

cies of Fata. This was decidedduring a meeting presided overby Secretary Social SectorAftab Khan Durrani and wasattended by the director healthservices Fata Dr Pervez KamalKhan, Deputy CoordinatorLady health workersprogramme Dr MuhammadHayat Khan and other officialsof the oncerned departments.

It was decided that thisweek would be focused onnationwide awareness cam-paign with focus service de-livery in all the agenciesheadquarters of FATA. Atotal of 1407 lady health work-ers and 35 lady health super-visors would be involved inthe activity together withvaccinators and health careproviders from 77 health fa-cilities. The meeting was toldthat each year the countrywitnesses preventable

deaths of 432,000 childrenunder-five and 20,000 moth-ers due to causes related topregnancy and child birth.Among the under-fivedeaths, two-thirds are in thenewborn period (first 28 daysof life) and the remaining arelargely due to pneumonia(13%) and diarrhoea (11%).

In FATA, 104 of every1000 children die before theirfifth birthday. Of these, themajority die in the first yearof life due to preventable dis-ease like Diarrhea and Pneu-monia. Diarrhea and pneumo-nia are mainly seasonal ca-lamities and preventable. Itwas told that only 4.8 percentof women in FATA can iden-tify two danger signs of pneu-monia in children. Most ofthese precious lives can besaved by simple knowledgeabout prevention.—APP

PESHAWAR—Provincial Re-construction Rehabilitationand Settlement Authority(PaRRSA) has completelyreconstructed 60 schools tilldate, along with additional 41schools reconstructed byPakistan Army with the finan-cial support of United ArabEmirates and five by theNGOs in Malakand Division.A spokesperson for thePDMA-PaRRSA Latif UrRehman said here on Friday.Reconstruction of schoolsby PaRRSA KhyberPakhtunkhwa are in differentstages of completion inMalakand Division.

PaRRSA has expeditedthe process of reconstruc-tion of destroyed schoolsduring militancy in MalakandDivision. As many as 181

schools were completely de-stroyed in Malakand Divi-sion during militancy ofwhich 117 were being recon-structed with the financialsupport of the USAID. Hesaid, these reconstructedschools by PaRRSA areequipped with all requiredfurniture and laboratoryequipment. Schools bags aredistributed amongst stu-dents in operational schools.These schools are built onthe modern architectural linesto facilitate children for bet-ter learning environment in-cluding library, computerlaboratory and science labo-ratory. These schools aremodels for other educationalinstitutions in the region.

Rehman said, in reign ofmilitancy, many health facili-

ties along with other infra-structure were destroyed ordamaged. 4 BHUs were de-stroyed in SWAT includingChongi Shamozai BHU, MianKaley BHU, Nazar Abad BHUand Kishora BHU, while inBuner Region Topai BHU wascompletely destroyed. Afternormalcy in Malakand region,PaRRSA focused on the re-construction of these BHUsto provide health facilities topeople of this region.

PaRRSA is in the pro-cess of completing 13 drink-ing water supply schemes inDistrict Buner with the fi-nancial support of USAID.In these projects, water sup-ply systems will be con-structed, rehabilitated andimproved throughout Dis-trict Buner.—APP

ISLAMABAD—The Meteoro-logical Department here Fridaypredicated rain with thunder-storm at few places ofMalakand division, Kashmirand Gilgit Baltistan during next24 hours. According to MetOffice, a shallow westerlywave is still prevailing overnorthern parts of the countryand is likely to persist duringnext 12 hours. In next 24 hours,mainly dry weather is expectedin most parts of the country.However, partly cloudy con-ditions expected with chancesof rain-thunderstorm at one ortwo places in Malakand divi-sion, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Tourists’ destina-tions Malama Jabba, andKalam valleys are likely to re-ceive rain.

The Karachi Met Officeon Friday forecast thatmainly dry weather is ex-pected in most parts of theSindh province during thenext 10 day (that is, from No-vember 1 to 10, 2013). TheMet Office’s ten days

weather advisory issued onFriday said that normal windpattern may prevail in mostof the agricultural plains ofthe country during the pe-riod.

Mainly dry weather is ex-pected in most parts ofPunjab during the 10-day

period, however rainfall isexpected at isolated places inupper parts of the Punjabduring the second half of theperiod, it added. Mainly dryand cold weather is expectedin most parts of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during the 10-days, however rainfall is ex-pected at isolated places inupper parts of the provinceduring the second half of theperiod.—APP

KMU holdsvideoconference

sessionPESHAWAR—Quality En-hancement Cell (QEC) ofKhyber Medical University(KMU) Peshawar Friday con-ducted 6th Video Conferencesession among QECs of 34universities of Pakistan. Thetitle of the moot was“Programme Mission, Vision,and Objectives and Out-comes” while the resourceperson for the session was DrTahir Masood from Universityof America, UAE Dubai.Thirty four Universitiesacross the country joined inthis session and showed theirmaximum participation—APP

Q U E T T A — G o v e r n o rBalochistan MuhammadKhan Achakzai has held thelaw enforcement agencies(LEAs) responsible for dete-riorating law and order situa-tion across the province. Talk-ing to media persons here onFriday, Muhammad KhanAchakzai said that securitysituation in Balochistan wasdue to failure of LEAs per-sonnel who failed to fulfilltheir assigned targets.

He said that many new

armed groups have emergedin the province who were fur-ther worsening already poorlaw and order situation. TheGovernor said that long termand effective strategy wouldhave to be chalked out to dealwith the obnoxious occur-rences. Achakzai said thatfederal government is readyto extend all sorts of coop-eration to the provincial gov-ernment for restoration ofpeace in the province.

Meanwhile, it is reported

that a man was injured in aroad mishap in Chithar areaof Nasirabad district on Fri-day. According to police, avehicle hit a donkey cart dueto over speeding. Resultantly,one Zafar Khan receivedwounds, who shifted to hos-pital where the victim was re-ferred to Larkana hospital inview of his critical condition.Police have registered a case.In another incident two chil-dren among three injured inclash: At least three people

including two children wereinjured in a firing incident inthe provincial capital, policesaid on Wednesday.

They said that clash onminor issue turned violentleaving three people injuredwithin the precincts of Air-port PS. Police have regis-tered a case against the ac-cused. Meanwhile, a privatebank was looted by unknownbandits in Turbat. Policesources said that unknownarmed men looted over Rs

LEAs responsible for poor law, order situation300,000 from the private bankon gunpoint. The armed menentered a bank at about 12noon and locked up the staffof the bank in a room andlooted over Rs 300,000 cash,they said, adding that therobbers managed to escapefrom the scene.

The Police have regis-tered case and started inves-tigation into the incident.Further probe was in process.A five-year-old girl was killedas a water tanker hit her in

Brewery road area of the me-tropolis, here. Police said thata little girl was standing onroadside when a speedy wa-ter tanker hit her, causing herinstant death. “The victimchild received seriouswounds in her body, result-ing in her death on the spot”,police said. The police havearrested the driver of the ve-hicle, registered case againsthim and started investiga-tion. Further probe was inprocess.—APP

PaRRSA reconstructs 106schools in Malakand Division

Rain predicted

Mother-Child weekfrom November 4

MIAN INAMUL HAQ

VEHARI—Court Officials ofentire district Vehari haveannounced that they wouldcontinue strike till the arrestof District & SessionsJudge, Vehari, MassodArshad, Civil Judge, Mailsi,Shahbaz Khagga and HafizMuhammad Yousaf andmurder case is registeredagainst them and other Po-lice officials who torturedAbdul Rahman to death.This was announced by theCourt officials Chief leaderIftekhar Hussain while ad-dressing a press conference

in the premises of DistrictCourts. He said their colleguehas died due to alleged Po-lice torture at the behest ofjudicial officers.

Court Officials,lawyersand clercks of District BarAssociation observed com-plete strike to register theirprotest against the brutalmurder of Abdul Rehman(Ahelmad) of Tehsil Mailsi.During press conferenceIftekhar Hussain showed thejournalists the external ap-pearance Post mortem reportof the Medical Superinten-dent Of Civil Hospital,MultanFormer president of

District Bar AssociationVehari Taj Din Bhatti, Vicepresident DBA MuhammadIqbal Sindhu and Ahtesham-ul Haq Siddique addressinga joint press confrecestrongly condemned the in-cident. And demanded of theChief Justice Of PakistanIftikhar MuhammadChaudhary to take suo motuaction over this incident.Abdul Rehman was buried inMailsi on Thursday night.His namaz-e-janaza was at-tended by hundreds of law-yers, clercks, court officialsand thousands of peoplefrom different walks of life.

Vehari court officials’ protest strike against judges

CJ urged to take noticeof torture to death

PESHAWAR—Tourism Cor-poration KhyberPakhtunkhwa (TCKP) andWapda Turbela Fridaysigned an Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MOU) todevelop Khanpur Dam as afun and recreational place forthe general public. Manag-ing Director TCKP Tarik Jamiland General Manager(Tarbela) WAPDA HazratUmar signed the MoU. TheMoU defines the general un-derstanding for establishinga recreational facility to bedeveloped and operated byTCKP at Khanpur Dam Dis-trict Haripur in Khyber

TCKP-Wapda sign MoUto develop fun-place

Pakhtunkhwa. The KhanpurDam is located on the HaroRiver near Potwar Plateau andvillage of Khanpur, in KhyberPakhtunkhwa about 40kmfrom Islamabad.

It caters to domestic wa-ter supplies to Rawalpindiand Islamabad and irrigationwater to many of the agricul-tural and industrial areas sur-rounding the cities.

The adjoining Khanpurlake is the venue for TCKP’sannual airborne and water-borne sports gala. The eventis termed as the biggest wa-ter sports activity of Paki-stan.—APP

MULTAN: Activists of PTI a protesting against inflation.

Rising crime rateHARDLY a day passes without reports in the national media

about murders, kidnappings, car snatching / car lifting,dacoities, thefts and street crimes involving purse and mobile

phone snatching. Not to speak of Karachi, which has become a virtualden of criminals, the situation is no different even in cities likeIslamabad and Rawalpindi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar that are seatsof the Government and are supposed to be role model for other cities.

Federal and Provincial Governments are more focused on counter-terrorism than ensuring prevention of ordinary crimes and that is whythere is acute sense of insecurity among citizens who do not feel se-cure either at home or outside. There are reports of organized gangsof criminals even in Rawalpindi and Islamabad working under thepatronage of some known outlaws but the authorities concerned areleast bothered to take any action against them. Punjab, under proac-tive Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, had been an archetype but,of late, the situation in the Province too is deteriorating. There arecommon complaints that police is not doing its job as it should and insome cases its personnel are also involved in criminal activities. Thiscalls for revolutionary reforms in police but the process of reformsfailed miserably in the past and is unlikely to produce any worthwhileresult until and unless political interference in appointments, trans-fers and postings and working of the security forces is shunned and itis cleansed of the known corrupt elements. PML(N) and PTI had beenclaiming to eliminate Thana and Patwari culture but so far no worth-while move has been made towards this cherished objective and peoplecontinue to suffer at the hands of police and black sheep of revenuedepartments. The crime rate has assumed alarming proportions andtherefore, Federal and Provincial governments should make coordi-nated efforts to check it effectively. We have system and institutionsin place but these are not delivering and there is need to make themaccountable and only then we can expect some improvement.

Increase production,not population

LINKING food security with peace and war-free world, agriculture scientists and experts at a function held in Islamabad to mark

the World Food Day, stressed the need for taking immediate measuresto cater to increasing demand for food keeping in view the fast grow-ing population. Minister for National Food Security Sikandar HayatBosan quoted FAO to warn that serious food shocks lie ahead thatwill cause great hardships worldwide, leading to government failures,mass migration by tens of millions, out of hard hit regions and possi-bility of serious conflicts.

No one would disagree from experts that the impending catastro-phe can be avoided by checking population and increasing agricul-tural production. This is particularly true of Pakistan where the popu-lation is increasing at fast pace and it could double by 2035. The re-marks of the Federal Minister mean the Government is mindful of theemerging scenario but the question arises as to what it plans to do toovercome the problem of population explosion and increasing agricul-tural productivity. Besides creating necessary awareness among massesabout socio-economic costs of rising population, there is dire need torevolutionize agriculture sector. The most important problem of agri-culture is its low per acre yield for almost every major crop. Forty-fivepercent of labour force is engaged in this sector in Pakistan while it isless than 5% in developed countries. But, other countries of world aregetting higher per acre yield due to use of modern technology and trainedlabour. Lack of infrastructure in rural areas especially farms to marketroads, old methods of production, inadequate supply of agriculturalinputs, uneconomical land holdings, lack of irrigation facilities andinadequate agricultural research are some of the impediments in theway of optimum realization of our agricultural potential. Hopefully,the Minister, with necessary background, will look into these and otherissues and come out with an integrated approach to address them.

Now drug pricesbombshell

THE government is considering to increase the prices of drugs withinthe next few weeks in the wake of representations by the powerful

pharmaceutical industry. A committee of the Drug Regulatory Au-thority of Pakistan is meeting soon to consider and give its approvalto the increase that would be another bombshell and certainly add tothe burden of the gloom of the already wretched masses.

Unfortunately, there is no proper mechanism in Pakistan as yet toregularize the prices of medicines. The Drug Regulatory Authority, whichwas formed to ensure stable prices and availability of quality medi-cines, has not been able to approve a national drug policy. World overparameters for drug price increase have been fixed under comprehen-sive drug policies but in Pakistan least attention is being given to thisvital issue which affects every individual. Prices of Life Saving Drugsare kept within reach of the common man so that poor people couldmeet their medical expenses because there is no system of health insur-ance. Though government run hospitals provide the medicines duringemergency treatment but when shifted to wards, they are prescribedhigh cost medicines and their families run from pillar to post to ar-range finances to save the lives of their dear ones. In addition to thatfake medicines are being sold in the market with no checking as theDrug Inspectors ignore those who fill their pockets. A World HealthOrganisation (WHO) report has revealed that around 30-40 per centmedicines in Pakistan’s medical stores are fake. Pharma Bureau, therepresentative body of multinational pharmaceutical companies how-ever believes that counterfeit drugs constitute around 15% of the totalsize of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical market which is estimated at more thanRs 250 billion. It is also a known fact that cost of medicines in Pakistanis more than our neighbouring countries because of the overheads andun-controlled profiteering by medicines producing and importing com-panies. Keeping these facts in view, it is necessary to ensure that pricesof medicines in Pakistan are in parity with those in India and the marketis rid of counterfeit drugs in the interest of poor masses.

Indian propaganda against ISI

First come firstserved.

Will theworld act toend Syrians’

plight?

WITH the announcementthat all the laboratoriesthe Assad regime admit-

ted to, which were used to make thepoisons for their chemical weaponarsenal, have now been destroyed,attention turns to the stockpile ofpoison gasses. By the middle of thismonth, Damascus must come upwith a plan for their destruction inthe course of next year.

The inspectors from the Orga-nization for the Prohibition ofChemical Weapons (OPCW) aresaying that their work is far fromdone. However from one point ofview, their mission has been ac-complished. What they have doneis to ensure that chemical weaponshave been removed from the battle-field. There ought to be no morepoison gas shells raining down oninnocent civilians, as happened thissummer in Damascus, where 1,400people, mostly women and chil-dren, were massacred.

If the deadly chemical arsenalis no longer an element in the fight-ing, then the international commu-nity can once again turn to the realissues, where its intervention is gogrievously needed. Syria is in astate of collapse. Refugees continueto pour away from conflict areas,to the shrinking number of placesin their homeland where they canfind safety. Hundreds of thousandsmore are still seeking refuge inneighboring countries. The officialrefugee count is now over four mil-lion. Anecdotal evidence suggestsit could be up to a million higher.If this is correct, it means almost aquarter of the Syrian population hasnow become displaced.

The World Health Organiza-tion is warning that because of thealmost total breakdown of themedical system and the failure ofinoculation programs, there is apolio outbreak among childrenwhich is spreading fast. Coupledwith the deprivation, to say noth-ing of the depression and the risingsense of hopelessness in the majorrefugees camps in Jordan and Tur-key, the physical and mental healthof significant proportion of Syriansis now being jeopardized.

This delay permitted the draw-ing out of the rebellion. It created avacuum into which these fanaticalterrorists have moved. Washingtonmight almost have wished this de-velopment. To the despair of its al-lies, the Obama administration hasalways been searching for excusesto do nothing. It dressed up its re-fusal to become involved by draw-ing a line in the sand, which wasAssad’s use of chemical weapons.If he did that Washington was com-ing after him.. It did not matter thatthe Americans already had goodevidence of previous poison gas as-saults, albeit in remote areas, awayfrom international gaze. So Obamadrew the line and almost immedi-ately Assad stepped over it.

While the world waited for theUS administration to deliver on itspromised retribution, Obamaturned to the Russians to stitch upan urgent deal over the poison gasattack. That deal got Obama off thehook in terms of intervention. Italso focused world attention on thepoison gas question, rather than thereal issue of the continuing savagefighting and the new tactic from theregime, which is to starve out rebelcommunities that it cannot overrun.

Now the first and arguably,most important step in the destruc-tion of Assad’s poison gas arsenalhas been achieved, will Washing-ton simply resume its hand-wring-ing and plangent protests from thesidelines? Or will it finally decideto become engaged to resolve thisterrible conflict?

The presence of Al-NusraFront and Islamic State of Iraq andthe Levant is of course another ex-cuse for America’s non-interven-tion. Destroying Assad’s war ma-chine will make it easier for the ter-rorists to take on the Free SyrianArmy and any moderate opinionthat stands in their way. Thereforethe Americans will continue toavoid involvement and Syria willcontinue to bleed slowly, to death.

And could it be that Washing-ton has a surprise up its sleeve? Ithas been notable that US officialshave been referring to all the poi-son gas plants that Assad has “ad-mitted to”. Do they know of more?And if so, will they reveal their in-formation when it is next necessaryto divert international attentionaway from their own passivity?—Arab News

MEDIA WATCH

ON 29 September 2013Hindustan Times — a leading Indian daily carried an

article both in its print and web edi-tions stating that an upcoming TVchannel “The BOL” was about to belaunched and Dawood Ibrahim isinvesting in the project. The articlefurther alleged that the BOL TVchannel was being backed byPakistan’s premier intelligenceagency “ISI” together with membersof underworld.

The legal notice issued toHindustan Times resulted into aninternal investigation by the man-agement and removal of offendedarticle from the website along withclarification and regrets. The entireallegation fired back uncovering thereal face of Indian propagandist. InPakistan, palmed off analysts andpanelists advance India’s argumentsbut general public in Pakistan takesexception to Indian media allega-tions directed against their countryand its security institutions. One cansee India’s duplicity that on one handIndia talks about peace and on theother hand maintains animosityagainst Pakistan and its institutionsespecially the ISI.

The ongoing Indian propa-ganda against Pakistan through itsprint and electronic media reflectsits negative mindset, as Indiablames Pakistan’s ISI for every in-cident of terrorism in India. Any-how, India in connivance withcountries hostile to Pakistan is in-volved in slandering and defaming

Pakistan. The aim is tocreate negative percep-tions in the minds of pub-lic opinion makers aboutPakistan, insinuatingagainst its Armed Forcesand ISI. They hold semi-nars and write books onselective themes to deni-grate Pakistan. In Octo-

ber 2011, a two-day conference-cum-seminar on “The Challenges ofTerrorism to India’s Infrastructureand Economy -11” was organized bySecurity Watch India (SWI), in Ho-tel Le-Meridien, New Delhi. Speak-ers from USA and UK were also in-vited to participate. Indian speakersblamed Pakistan for sponsoring ter-rorism in India while the foreignspeakers were mostly concernedabout selling their new technologyto India saying that old securityequipment like CCTV cameras hadbecome ineffective and need to bereplaced with new technology.

India and the US were on thesame page, as both have had the mis-taken belief that peace process in Af-ghanistan is stalled due to Pakistan’sunwillingness to bring Lashkar-i-Taiba leadership to book, which theysay enjoy the support of the Inter-Ser-vices Intelligence (ISI). The problemis that when America made its intentknown that it would complete thedrawdown by 2014, Indian lobbyistsstarted maligning Pakistan with aview to neutralizing the immensegoodwill Pakistan had earned by de-stroying terrorists infrastructure andtheir strongholds in Swat, Malakand,South Waziristan and Bajaur. In factIndia had been unnerved with thesuccesses of Pakistan’s armed forces,and secondly the elements/militantsIndia was supporting and fundingwere on the run. Anyhow, India isagainst any reconciliation efforts inAfghanistan because the NorthernAlliance will have to share power

with the Pushtuns and perhapsTaliban leaders. Unfortunately, Presi-dent Hamid Karzai is hostage toNorthern Alliance leadership and In-dia, who throw spanner in the workswhenever there are chances of a ne-gotiated settlement in Afghanistan.

India and detractors of Pakistan,appear to have coalesced on the com-mon objective of weakening and de-stabilizing Pakistan. And the onlyway they believe is to demonize Pa-kistan military and to bring Pakistan’spremier agency Inter Services Intel-ligence into disrepute. In the past, incase of attack on Indian Parliament,Srinagar Assembly, Samjhauta Ex-press or any act of terrorism in In-dia like Mumbai blasts, the fingerof accusation was always pointed to-wards Pakistan and the ISI. How-ever, India could not provide evi-dence against Pakistan; andPakistan’s position had been vindi-cated as in Malegaon and Samjhautaexpress blasts, there was incontro-vertible evidence that Lt Col Purohitand others having connection withextremist Hindu organizations, hadperpetrated the heinous crimes. Yet,Indian leadership, and Indian mediacontinue to paint Pakistan, its mili-tary and intelligence agencies in poorlight. Of course, India has achievedits objective of creating wedge be-tween Pakistan and Afghanistan.

History bears testimony to thefact that various governments in thepast - from King Zahir Shah toNajibullah - were pro-Soviet Unionand pro-India, and were anti-Pakistanin essence. In fact, the situation wasexacerbated after Soviet forces with-drew from Afghanistan, and the USleft it to the CIA to run the affairs ofAfghanistan, which operated with thehelp of Northern alliance. Of course,there was civil-war like conditionswhen various groups were fightingto have control of the country. As thepeople of Afghanistan were fed up

A road to Berlin: On way to tomorrow

PAKISTAN and Germany arenow celebrating the 52nd anniversary of their bilateral de-

velopment cooperation. Both thestates have a tradition of good andamicable relations. The Islamic Re-public of Pakistan was one of thefirst countries with which Germanylaunched development cooperationback in 1961. Primarily, the coop-eration is focused on renewable en-ergies and energy efficiency, basiceducation and vocational trainingprogrammes, health and gover-nance, etc. During the governmen-tal negotiations on development co-operation that were conducted onSeptember 6, 2013, Berlin has an-nounced a new contribution of EUR102.5 million, thus increasing thetotal contribution of German tax-payers towards Pakistan to morethan EUR 2.5 billion.In this con-text, human capital has given Paki-stan an enormous advantage. In acountry where 60% of populationmainly comprises of youth, chancesfor growth are comparatively high.On the other hand, Pakistan’s un-tapped natural resources and excel-lent geographical connectivity bringinnovative opportunities of devel-opment. Thus, the power corridorsin Islamabad need to focus on theseareas of strengths that Pakistan canpotentially offer to the world.

Against this backdrop, Berlinwelcomes the granting of autono-mous trade concessions to Pakistanby the European Union (EU). TheEU constitutes an important aspectof bilateral relations. Germany has

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—Proverb

with the death and destruction dueto invasion by Soviet forces and theninternecine conflicts between thejihadi organizations, Taliban cameforward, brought about peace in theland mass comprising 90 per centof the war-ridden Afghanistan.. Itwas during brief period of theTaliban that Pakistan had no wor-ries on account of the western bor-der. But after the US and its alliesoccupied Afghanistan with the helpof Northern Alliance, India en-hanced her influence by giving aidto Karzai government. However, thestrategic partnership agreement be-tween Afghanistan and India in-tended to give India a greater roleafter the drawdown in 2014.

In yet another recent incidentRahul Gandhi in his zealous politi-cal speech alleged that Pakistan’s ISIwas providing financial support toIndian students. When BJP askedhim to provide the list of studentsgetting financial support from ISI,he could give none, as there wasnone. Recently, in Kiran Sector(LoC) Indian military high com-mand was embarrassed for havingfailed to produce dead bodies of al-leged terrorists who had crossed theLoC from Pakistan to IOK and werekilled by Indian Army. Indian PMordered an investigation to ascertainLoC incidents, while interactingwith PM Nawaz Sharif in New York.

The ground realities proved thatit was merely propaganda. It is truethat if India and Pakistan resolve theirdisputes, they can divert funds to so-cial sector programmes to alleviateabject poverty and improve lives ofteeming millions. But India’s intran-sigence and its desire for hegemonywere responsible for failure to resolvedisputes; thus clouding prospects forpeace and better life for people ofIndia and Pakistan.—The writer is Lahore-basedsenior journalist.

always supported the Pakistani ef-forts to get greater access to EU mar-kets including the last year approvedPakistan-specific autonomous tradepreferences. Germany would con-tinue to be an advocate of Pakistanwithin the EU. Encouragingly, Ger-many has now become the largesttrading partner of Pakistan in Europeand fifth biggest source of foreigninvestment in the country. SeveralGerman multinationals are runninglucrative business in Pakistan fordecades. In recentyears trade and eco-nomic cooperationhave become im-portant factor in thedeepening of Paki-stan-Germany rela-tions. German Fed-eral Statistical Of-fice shows thatPakistan’s exportsto Germany in-crease by over 76%while bilateral tradevolume increasedby 2% during thepast five years.

On the invest-ment side, manyGerman companies have identifiedbusiness opportunities to Pakistan’seconomy that it can offer to the for-eign markets. Foreign Direct Invest-ment (FDI) flows from Germany toPakistan increased over past years,thereby making Berlin one of themajor sources of foreign investmentto Pakistan. The renewal of the Bi-lateral Investment Treaty in 2009 oncompletion of its 50 years and sign-ing of the roadmap for strategic dia-logue last year have paved the wayfor bringing these relations morecloser, thereby enhancing the mul-

tifaceted cooperation between thetwo countries in the coming days.Resultantly, bilateral trade betweentwo countries fosters friendly rela-tions and play a pivotal role instrengthening the bonds betweenbusiness-to-business contacts. Traderelations are growing at a rapid pace.Pakistani business community iskeen to increase trade with their Ger-man counterparts. Similarly the Ger-man companies are equally eager toexplore our lucrative markets.

For more than50 years, the Ger-man and the Paki-stani Governmentsare cooperating forsustainable devel-opment in Paki-stan. Commis-sioned by the Ger-man Federal Min-istry for EconomicCooperation andD e v e l o p m e n t(BMZ) and theGerman FederalForeign Office(AA), the DeutscheGesellschaftfürI n t e r n a t i o n a l e

Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) supports thePakistani Government in the devel-opment and implementation of sus-tainable and effective solutions forpolitical, economic and social trans-formation.

In this regard, one of the mostimportant reform areas is the re-in-troduction of beneficial frameworkconditions for the energy sector ofPakistan. German Development Co-operation is supporting to extend en-ergy generation capacities especiallythrough hydropower and is workingclosely with the public and the pri-

vate sector towards increasing theefficient use of existing resourcesthrough extensive Energy Effi-ciency projects. Significant techni-cal support has been rendered byGIZ to public and private sectorpartners for the development andincrease of renewable energy ap-plications. Energy ManagementSystems were already introduced infour industrial sectors, namely tex-tile, steel re-rolling, edible oil andsteel foundries. So far the EnergyManagement Systems imple-mented lead to energy efficiencysavings of almost 15 GWh, mon-etary savings of over 138 millionPKR and avoidance of CO2 of6,800 tonnes equivalent.

On sidelines, Berlin appreci-ates Pakistan’s sacrifices incounter-terrorism and the construc-tive role that Islamabad has beenplaying in promoting peace and sta-bility in Afghanistan. There is con-vergence of views on the need toaccelerate the peace process in Af-ghanistan but on a whole Germanytoo wants tranquillity and stabilityin Afghanistan. Indubitably, Paki-stan-Germany relations have beenbuilt on solid foundations to with-stand pressure of all kinds. Inter-estedly, Pakistan-Germany rela-tions predate the former’s emer-gence on the world map. Berlinconsiders Islamabad as an essentialpartner and Pakistan’s contributiontoo will prove to be indispensablefor the stability of the entire region.Moreover, the contemporary era isan opportune moment to rigorouslywork for the expansion of Pakistan-Germany strategic, trade and eco-nomic cooperation.—The writer is an Assistant Re-search Officer at IPRI, Islamabad.

Mohammad JamilEmail: mjamil1938@hotmail.com

News & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & Views

Pakistan,Germany relations

predate the former’semergence on theworld map. Berlin

considersIslamabad as anessential partner

and Pakistan’scontribution too will

prove to beindispensable forthe stability of the

entire region.

M Nawaz KhanEmail: nawazverdag@hotmail.com

Voice of the PeopleLiquids atairports

JAVED

The duty-free shop at Bahrain air-port has a wine shop. During the1980s and 1990s, I frequently hadto visit Bahrain airport to travel orarrange boarding for my family.During these long years it was myobservation that on arrival of a PIAflight from Karachi, PIA pilots,while the plane was on routine clean-ing and technical inspection, visitedthe wine shop.

During the days when a PIA pi-lot was arrested for drunkenness inBritain damaging Pakistan’s image,Khawaja Asif, a Minister, was‘questioned’ at the London airport.According to him, he carried per-fume bottles in his hand carry. He isa Minister and does not know thatafter 9/11 hand carrying any liquid,even drinking water, is not allowed.

Since then, liquids in a certainquantity like water or cola, whichare to be taken into the plane, aresold inside departure lounges carry-ing remarks ‘CAA security-checked’. It was though, apparently,a small incident, but it broughtPakistan’s name in the newspapers.As the word security is not an issuefor us, that is why, unlike the uni-versal practice, after taking board-ing card at our airports, passengersare given their booked luggage tocarry it themselves to ASF conveyerbelt for security check.—Karachi

Pakistan shouldfollow Iran

ASHFAQ SHARIF

Recently the Prime Minister of Pa-kistan Nawaz Sharif visited UnitedStates and held talks with US Presi-dent and urged him to re-think forstopping the drone strikes in Paki-stan but who knows that PM requestwill be materialized or not.

It is a known fact that Iran in-tercepted and captured similar droneplane of the United States which en-tered Iran for espionage. No droneaircraft now dares re-enter Iran. Pa-kistan and Iran both are Islamic Re-public states but see how differentis the approach. Pakistan should alsoadopt the Iranian stance if it wantsto live with honour and dignity. Eventhe UN is least bothered, it plays lipservice only, because it is always theUnited States which influences theoperations of the UN.—Karachi

DiscriminationMD Zulfikarabad

AMIR SANGI

Power tends to corrupt and absolutepower corrupts absolutely. Thesewords of Lord Acton has beenproved now. Syed Iftikhar HussainShah Managing Director ofZulfikarabad has started showing hisabsolute power. His mismanage-ment and one sided approachcoupled with discrimination and in-justice has marred the future ofmany competent Sindhi Profession-als. Recently, he has terminated fourtop employees of Zulfikarad underthe pretext of applying in a US Aidproject. In one case, his discrimi-nation went to such extent that heapproved leave application ofDeputy Director Operations AmirSangi and then issued notificationof his termination without provid-ing any legitimate reason. Besides,he has also been terminated by theapex court few months ago but dueto back channel support and rulingparty favour he still enjoys the pow-ers of Managing Director. Whenthere is no accountability why to fol-low rules and regulations? He hasliterally adopted the behavior inZulifakarabad development Author-ity. Re-appointment of Alvi as Di-rector Operations is a big questionmark on Sindh Government. Howcome a person having been previ-ously terminated under the eligibil-ity litigation by Sindh High Courtcould be re-appointed? There iscourt’s verdict that dual nationalityholders should not be given any highcadre jobs but Courts stand nothingbefore Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah.He has always turned deaf ear to ver-dicts of apex courts and went on us-ing his discriminatory power with-out any fear.

Appointment of a dual nation-ality holder as a Director Operationsspeaks volumes in this regard. Itseems as rule of law exists for thepoor, not for the retired LietenantGenerals. The recently terminatedemployees are Deputy Director Op-erations Amir Sangi, D.D H.RMuhammad Ashfaq Shaikh, D.DProcurement Mehmood Bughio,and A.D operations Iftikhar AliJatoi. All of these employees hadbeen previously recommended forpermanent posts and the process was

Prison reforms: a dire needHASHIM ABRO

The prisons and prisoners in Pakistan have always remained ut-terly neglected. Prisons Reforms have not been the priority of thepast successive governments. The Constitution of Pakistan - “Fun-damental Rights-” contains a number of articles that have specialsignificance for prison administration particularly regarding thetreatment of prisoners. However, the past Provincial governmentin Sindh, the then, Provincial Law Minister Mr. Muhammad AyazSoomro took keen interests to reform the prisons and prisoners.Now the current Federal government seems determined to reformthe prison system. In this connection it is suggested that recom-mendations approved by the Law and Justice Commission of Pa-kistan ( LJCP), in their meetings, be put in practice and such re-forms be introduced regarding the custody, reformation and re-habilitation of prisoners in order to duly contribute their part incrime prevention.—Islamabad

Afghanistan’s shadow

PRIME Minister Nawaz Sharifand the civilian advisers accompanying him received the

red carpet treatment when they ar-rived in Washington last week.

The prime minister’s state visit- the first in a decade - provided anopportunity to exchange talkingpoints on a wide range of issues.Afghanistan and counterterrorismseem to have been at the top of theObama administration’s list. ThePakistani delegation was no doubtalso focused on regional security,Pakistan’s economic and energywoes, and drones.

Mr Sharif returned home witha significant deliverable in terms ofthe release of US funding for mili-tary and economic assistance. Miss-ing from the official joint statementsummarising his meetings was apromise by President Obama tomake a return visit to Pakistan, butthis is to be expected during his fu-ture travel to the region.

In the meantime, Washingtonwill be watching for NawazSharif’s ability to tackle Pakistan’simmense problems at home andwith neighbouring Afghanistan andIndia.

Afghanistan continues to bothsustain and injure bilateral ties. TheUnited States and Pakistan have ashared history of misadventure inAfghanistan, paying dearly for eachother’s mistakes.

Afghanistan is the latest placewhere we have found one another

to be indispensable, partially reli-able and sometimes unhelpful al-lies. Scapegoating is a commonpractice, but as much as both coun-tries complain about each other,neither can cut the ties that bindwithout causing grievous self-pun-ishment.

Pakistan is as necessary for thewithdrawal of US military equip-ment as it was for its deploymentinto Afghanistan. And Pakistancontinues to need US help to dealwith economic difficulties and in-ternal security threats.

Neither can succeed atcounterterrorism without theother’s help. Pakistani and US sol-diers who have served multipletours battling violent extremismhave borne the brunt of mistakennational security policies.

Other reasons to stabilise bilat-eral relations are obvious. As thecommuniqué from the state visitmakes plain, the United States hashelped Pakistan to deal with its en-ergy dilemmas far more than China.This has barely been noticed in thecurrent phase of anti-Americanismwithin Pakistan.

Military assistance continues,but has shifted - and will shift stillmore - away from hardware asso-ciated with conventional warfare tohelping Pakistan’s military dealwith extremists who kill at a ratethat dwarfs that of drone warfare.

As long as it is easier within Pa-kistan to rail against drones than forthe Pakistani military to take actionagainst the targets of drone strikes,our two nations will remain onlypartial and troubled partners in

Views From Abroad

countering violent extremism.Internal and external security

threats are linked, of course. But in-ternal cohesion can only be accen-tuated by missteps in Afghanistanor in dealings with India. In Paki-stan, internal security is of para-mount importance, as Gen Kayanirepeatedly says. To the outsideworld, Pakistan’s efforts in this re-gard are overshadowed by thosewho use its soil to carry out violentacts across borders.

It’s hard to recognise mistakes,and even harder to engineer coursecorrections. There is good reasonto suspect that Afghanistan is toofractious a place for ambitiousstate-building. A grand Afghan po-litical settlement is likely to remainephemeral or illusive. Familiar di-vides will reappear because theyhave never gone away.

Whatever chips Pakistan’s na-tional security managers might tryto play in an Afghan settlementhave not rewarded Pakistan in thepast, and are unlikely to help Paki-stan find a brighter future.

Two generations of Pakistanistrategic analysts have held the mi-rage that Afghanistan provides stra-tegic depth, when the reverse hasproven to be true. Pakistan has beendestabilised by its own and by USmisadventures in Afghanistan, andcould be destabilised further if In-dia gains a foothold there to use asa staging ground to support disaf-fection in Balochistan.

A role reversal of this kind, mir-roring India’s decades-long misfor-tunes in Kashmir, could only mul-tiply Pakistan’s domestic woes. A

Michael Krepon

DISCLAIMER

Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

THE articles, columns andletters are published on thesepages in good faith. However,the contents of these writingsmay not necessarily match theviews of the newspaper.

—Editor

political settlement, if one can befound, will have to tackle this is-sue which, in turn, requires im-proved ties between Pakistan andIndia. Nawaz Sharif has great sym-pathy and support in Washington.The Obama administration willcontinue to provide assistance totackle Pakistan’s economic, energyand internal security woes. Firstimpressions in Washington, as inPakistan, suggest a man hobbledby the immensity of his country’sproblems and the obstacles thatothers so easily place in his path.

Last month, at the margins ofUN General Assemblyspeechmaking, he and IndianPrime Minister Manmohan Singhpromised to quiet exchanges of fireacross the Kashmir divide. Theseflares appear to outsiders as con-trived to prevent Nawaz from pur-suing what he so clearly wants -improved relations and greater di-rect trade with India.

As long as firing across theKashmir divide continues, it sug-gests opposition to this agenda,which is critical to Pakistan’s well-being.

More difficult, by orders ofmagnitude, will be taking actionagainst extremists that are drivingup Pakistan’s death toll. Leavingaside countries like Syria whichare in the throes of a civil war, Pa-kistan now ranks above Afghani-stan, and second only to Iraq, infatalities due to sectarian violence.—The writer is co-founder of theStimson Centre in Washington.Courtesy:—The Kashmir Times

A hostile neighborhood

HAVING been overshadowedby a hostile, unreliable andoverbearing neighborhood,

Pakistan has had to be engaged in de-cades of deterrence with an enemymuch larger and domineering thanherself. Despite having shared thesame geography and history for cen-turies, the people had never sharedthe same set of ideologies and beliefs,thus widening and deepening the pre-existent fissures that ultimately re-sulted in altering the cartography ofthe Sub-continent.

Mere physical existence hasbeen tedious as one after the other amyriad of issues have been croppingup to severe relations between boththe archrivals and exerts pressure onPakistan. Placed at a geographicallyadvantageous position India hassince 1947 been playing its role as awicked elder sibling in South Asia.Maintaining relations to aid its in-terests and turning violent and hos-tile to suit its own ends.

A series of wars and skirmishes,violence and violations, lows andvery lows have defined the relation-ship so far. Apparently, India hasadopted an India-centric approach inSouth Asia that can be seen throughits attitude towards both Kashmir andPakistan. The innumerable violationsof human rights, extra judicial kill-ings, targeted killings and so on, havenot only been condemned by Paki-stanis but every human rights orga-nizations from the entire globe haveshown concern and horror over theblatant assault that the Indian secu-rity forces successfully afflict uponunarmed innocents.

History reveals that wars are notwon through number or size, but bypassion and a spirit of sacrifice. Thatthe Pakistani people backing theArmed Forces were fully motivatedto crush the enemy, was enough toenthuse the forces fighting in thebattlefield. We are still at war as weface a multidimensional challenge

that is posing a grave threat to its sov-ereignty and security and the secu-rity forces countered the terrorists andmanaged to expel all evil and securea large area from their stronghold.

The continued episodes of vio-lation by the Indian armed forces ofthe LoC goes to show the deeprooted hatred that India harbors isnot for the sake of perpetuating his-torical grievances, but a means offurthering its own nefarious agendaof freezing its neighbors out so thatits own hegemony in the region ismaintained. This way nobody in theinternational community can accusethem of not trying enough to makepeace within the region.

The unprovoked firing from theIndian side, a blatant breach of mu-tual regard for the ceasefire has led tothe killing of scores of Pakistani sol-diers and injuring many. The Pakistaniauthorities and Armed Forces haveregistered serious protest against In-dian army for such violations by lodg-ing complaints with UN over it too.

The UN however, seems to bequite powerless where the Indianatrocities are concerned. The mutedstance without the prospect of anyaction, an approach adopted by theUN is nauseating in this background. Thousands of innocentpeople and soldiers have lost theirlives by the indiscriminate firing thatraptures the peace of the border be-tween India and Pakistan.

On one side, Pakistan fights thefaceless enemy and on the other thethreat of the faced looms large. India’sovert and covert interference insidePakistan is on the rise as media be-comes a potent tool in psychologicalwarfare. Moreover, the covert opera-tions inside Balochistan through theclandestinely operating Consulatesthat are peppered along the Pakistaniborder in Afghanistan and Iran. Theonly aim that these Indian Consulatesare achieving is fueling unrest andaiding the criminal and terror ele-ments inside Pakistan. A huge num-ber of separatist leaders insideBalochistan have accepted that theyare being funded and supported bythe Indians and are being provided

safe sanctuaries within the Indianborders. Christine fair in an unbiasedanalysis, also confirms that thesemultiple Indian Consulates in Iranand Afghanistan are surely not issu-ing visas as their main activity, theyare in fact running their covert op-erations and missions along the Pa-kistan border. The manner in whichthe Indians had created, funded and

supported the Mukti Bahni inBangladesh that led to a split betweenthe two main wings of Pakistan, is astark reminder of how lethal such in-terferences can become. Also, itclearly reveals the inherent Indianmindset to split Pakistan into smallpieces so that none could challengeits authority in south Asia.

Pakistan has been desirous ofpeace in the region that looks morelike a distant dream considering theIndian disinterestedness in maintain-ing friendly relation. This can be ex-emplified by the fact that as soon asthe relations take one step forward tobecoming better, something crops upat right that instance that further ag-gravates the situation so that the is-sues remain suspended indefinitelywith no prospect of resolution.Takethe case of the Kashmir issue where

nothing seems to alter as India keepsa severe and strict control of the areaand for the last 66 years the peoplehave not been allowed the right to afree plebiscite. The indiscriminateuse of brute force used by the In-dian military and paramilitary forcesto suppress the freedom movementsand a prospective uprising againstthe sub-human treatment of innocentpeople is just one aspect of the In-dian façade.

Beneath the controlled liberalfront of being the largest democracyand the second largest economy ofAsia, India is the biggest violator ofhuman rights, through the draconianArmed Forces Special Powers Act.Indian government’s refuses to try thesoldiers in civil courts, further exem-plifies the fact. India has hithertobrushed aside every warning issuedby humanitarian and Human rightsorganizations so far on the plea thatthe Kashmir is an indigenous issue.

Pakistan has always had its doorsopen for dialogue but since it takestwo to tango, this particular dancecannot be performed alone. Nothinghas helped so far, the process of re-lease of prisoners on both sides of theborder, beginning of trade and pro-motion of art and cultural activity andso on. Apparently, the trauma of Par-tition still haunts the Indian side withthe approach of August followed bySeptember and the humiliation of the1965 aggression attached to it.

The enemy and its agenda is thesame but tactics and strategies havechanged. Our soldiers are as strongand motivated now as they can be.We must wake up as a nation to re-alize our own strengths and powerto change the course of events toshift them in our favor. We havenever converged on one point to es-tablish and argue our case from aposition of strength. This vantagepoint will not be provided to our ina platter, but is something that wemust work out ourselves. It is saidthat if one feels like a victim thenone surely becomes a victim. Let’schange this mindset and becomesvictors by accepting and makinguse of our advantages.

IT’S her birthday today; she’smany miles away, holidaying inPorto Rico, then will return to

her home in New York. My eyesmoist up as I remember so well,the day she was born: I was at thehospital, waiting outside the deliv-ery room, when the stillness of thenight was suddenly broken by thesound of a scream.

“An alley cat,” and looked overthe banister to the street and didn’tnotice the young nurse at my el-bow. “A girl, sir,” she said and dis-appeared back into the confines of

the unknown room.“A girl,” I said as I soon saw her,

and my heart beat faster in ecstasy.“My dream girl! My daughter!” Idrove my old scooter through thestill busy streets of Bombay andfound an old Irani restaurant,crowded though midnight had comeand gone. I sat at an empty table andsipped a cup of tea trying to sharemy happiness with all around.

“One day,” I said, “she’ll beeighteen and we’ll come back overhere and share a cup of tea together.”“Don’t let her head slip,” snappedmy wife as I tried to hold my new –born in my arms. “You’ll make hercry now,” said my mother-in-law asshe tried to take away my own frommy hands. I clutched the little bundleand looked down at the tightly-closed eyes. There was not a whim-

per, there was just a suggestion ofsmile, her eyes closed a little tighterand I held on tight.

“When you are eighteen,” I saidsilently to her, “we’ll be great friendstogether.” She knew my touch, sheneither cried nor moved, but I hadspoken to her little head, I gave herback to her mother. She would growup for me.

“A noisy child,” said mymother,” but so quiet in her father’sarms.” “She’s mine,” I thought, “andone day we’ll sit together and chatlike two adults.” A dream, a fantasy,a far-away scene that was so closeto my heart.

The school down the roadseemed like a concentration camp.I watched as she was led away bythe teacher and felt deep pangs ofguilt. Abandoning my little girl in

The old Irani restaurant..!the hands of strangers was notsomething I was happy about. Thetwo hours that she was in spelt adeep agony for me as I stood out-side. I watched as the next day andthe next she was led off to thatunknown place where I could notenter.

“She’s growing,” I said, “andsoon she’ll be a big girl but we’llalways be close.” Many decadeshave passed: It’s her birthday to-day; she’s more than those eigh-teen years I dreamt off. We’ve hadmany cups of tea together andmuch love has she given back to a‘growing old’ father.

I need to go back to that IraniRestaurant and sit at the sametable, smile and tell myself,‘Dreams do come true..!”—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

still in pipeline but M.D did notreckon this decision pertinent enoughand terminated all of these employ-ees on the basis of personal biases.Inevitably, these employees havebeen compelled to knock the doorsof courts which is their fundamentalright. But, who will implement thedecisions already lyingunimplemented against M.D?Through this letter, we appeal toSindh government , Supreme Court,Transparency International and otherconcerned departments to seriouslyreview our termination and all thedecisions being taken by this Ex-Gen-eral turned M.D.—Karachi

Pakistan gets ahumiliated turn

IFTIKHAR MIRZA

The first one day match played be-tween Pakistan and Proteas turnedturtle our cricket team. Although ourbatsmen have been struggling for quitesometime, they busted like bubblesand perished pathetically. Six wicketsfor 17 runs was a real platter to cher-ish for SA. Spectators were stunnedfor what they saw in ground. Withevery match being played our weak-nesses are surfacing more vividly. Onthe same day India beat Australia bychasing 350 target for the 2nd time intheir ongoing series. Apparently, ourbatsmen got paralyzed and failed tochase meager total of 183. It appearedas if someone has tied their hands andfeet. No attacking cricket was playedexcept Shehzad. The way we played,depicts our mental strength and abil-ity to tackle challenges. During sud-den collapse, youngsters crumbled andflew in air like tiny particles of sand.No technique was applied to play anaverage leg spinner, no counseling orpiece of advice was handed out to play-ers by manager or coach, who are onlyinterested in lucrative remuneration.(Winning or losing is not their head-ache.)

Shahid Afridi’s rush of blood andendeavour to score runs by adaptingaerial route back fired and paved theground for Pakistan’s shamefuldefeate which our players baggedshamelessly. Afridi, although 33years old, still lacks wisdom. The 350plus player is totally unreliable, es-pecially when his team is sailing introubled waters. He joins hands withopposition in sinking his own ship.

Saed Ajmal’s stupid action of tak-ing single on first ball and totally ex-posing novice giant to Morkel wasbeyond understanding. Anyway,Sounth Africa deserved victory owingto poor childish play of Pakistan. Ourteam lacks confidence, training, fitnessand mental strength. All this can onlybe imparted in them by a local coachlike Javed Miandad or Mohsin HassanKhan. A wide communication gapcrops up among young players andforeign coaches and the results aremore likely same as was yesterday.With such level of competence andperformance, the day is not far awaywhen we will be topping the list ofteams from the bottom.—Islamabad

An Open LetterPROFESSOR KABIL KHAN

An open letter by the TTP chiefHakimullah Mehsud somehow man-aged to find some space in a localurdu newspaper. The letter buildsupon the idea of the TTP’s readinessto be involved in the reconciliationprocess. The textual silence, however,reveals much more than what hasbeen written. The letter on closeanalysis reveals that the TTP haspainted itself as the victim of a mali-cious propaganda by none other thanthe Pakistani government that, ac-cording to him is hell bent upon ru-ining TTP’s reputation. He claimsthat all attacks and killings attributedto TTP inside Pakistan has been thehandiwork of the Pakistani govern-ment. Unbelievable! Isn’t it?

Any guesses where that might becoming from? As if anybody caresabout the TTP so much to go to suchhorrible lengths to malign its pristinereputation. Further, very cleverly,while highlighting the US and its evildesigns in Pakistan, he talks of thePakistan Army as a similar force. And

Lubna UmarEmail:lubena22@hotmail.com

Pakistan hasalways had itsdoors open for

dialogue but sinceit takes two to

tango, thisparticular dance

cannot beperformed alone.

Nothing has helpedso far, the process

of release ofprisoners on both

sides of the border,beginning of tradeand promotion ofart and cultural

activity and so on.

why shouldn’t he? The Pakistan se-curity forces have been the only forcethat has given the militants a realblow. And apparently he is threatenedby nobody but the Pakistan Army. Acall to the to the government (that hefirst criticizes at length) is made forbeginning talks without the influenceof either the US or the Pakistan Army.

Such high handed conditionsclearly show the lack of seriousnesson their part to reconcile peacefully.Resistance and retaliation is the onlything they’ve been trained for. To ex-pect anything else is sheer stupidity.

The worst part, however, is thefundamental premise upon which hebuilds his narrative is that of the needto adhere to ‘pure Islamic traditions’that we are fast losing sight of. Arhetoric that still strikes upon the rawunaware emotional domain of thou-sands who have no access to reality.Who still believe that religion lies insymbolism that can be reinforced byvisual display of piety. This thoughtneeds to change. We need to starteducating the masses if we want tostop this indoctrination of extremistideals. Also to give a message thatall the institutions of the state are itsintegral part and that we can onlymove forward as a single entity.—Peshawar

For bettergovernance in Sindh

HASHIM ABRO

The Sindh Province has enviable hu-man resource potential, among othercategories of resources. Unfortu-nately, the successive past and thepresent Provincial governments havenot accorded a strategic importanceto the infrastructure and human de-velopment, food security and capac-ity building. It is a sad reality that inevery government nothing has flour-ished in the Province, except the cor-ruption - an enemy of governance anddevelopment.

However, the professional capac-ity of the Provincial government andthe ability of government to createenforceable and affordable laws andregulations is abysmally dismal. Re-grettably, the Province is also char-acterized by the lowest literary levelin the rural areas and the labour forcerequires substantial training and ca-pacity development.

It is noticed that every city is afast-growing city requiring im-proved service delivery, particularlydrinking water and sanitation. Allthese cities also face an enormousbacklog in services.

Nothing has been done forwater management, environmentalprotection and the provision of pro-poor drinking water and sanitationservices in the Province. So muchso, the Provincial government hasnot made any plans to upgrade localcapacity to deal with the chronic is-sues of environment, drinking wa-ter and sanitation being faced byevery city, town and village in theProvince.

Indeed, manpower training is oneof the imperatives for bridging thegap between the rural areas and ur-ban areas in the Province. In thismatter it is proposed to increase andimprove the service provision;strengthen institutional capacity andputting sound financing mechanismsin place. The Provincial governmentis suggested to lay down a Provinces’Development strategy for 5-years toaccelerate and sustain the develop-ment and alleviate an extreme Pov-erty in the rural areas. The Provin-cial government may also place theemphasis on greater commercializa-tion of agriculture and enhancing therole of the private sector, industry andurban development.—Islamabad

Forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad hold up their weapons as they cheer in the town of Safira.

THALIF DEEN

SOME 2,400 kilometresfrom New York City,where victims of

Haiti’s cholera epidemic aresuing the United Nations ina U.S. federal court, the dis-ease continues to burnthrough the populace withno end in sight. In a singleweek between Oct. 19 andOct. 26, the Pan-AmericanHealth Organisation re-ported 1,512 new cases and31 deaths. New cases arereported in all 10 depart-ments.3 At the CholeraTreatment Centre run byMédecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders inDelmas 33, a commune inPort-au-Prince Arrondissement, nurse Viola August-

In Haiti, Cholera claims new victims dailyine says the clinic is sopacked it cannot accept newpatients.

“The centre has alreadyhandled over 20,000 cases ofcholera since it opened. Atthe moment, the centre is fulland we cannot take in the in-crease of patients due to therainy season,” she told IPS.“We are forced, in this case,to transfer patients to othertreatment centres when theyare brought here.” Thespread of cholera in Haiti,which has killed more than8,300 and infected over680,000 people since October2010, has been blamed onNepali peacekeepers who arepart of the 9,500?strong U.N.Stabilisation Mission in Haiti(MINUSTAH).

The United Nations has

refused demands for com-pensation. Earlier this month,an advocacy group filed alawsuit seeking reparationsfrom the world body on be-half of the cholera victims.Felicia Paul, 45, lives in Saint-Marc, about 100 kms north-west of the capital. Shecaught cholera in 2010, andsurvived it though extensivetreatment with saline IV bags.

“I was infected with chol-era for 12 days,” Paul told IPS.“My two daughters caughtit while they were taking careof me. MINUSTAH broughtcholera so we ask that theycompensate me. We alwaysdrank water out of the riverand it never made us ill. Butthat water has been contami-nated due the spillage of thepeacekeeper’s feces into the

river. “I still feel the effectsof the disease,” she added.“It blurs my vision and weak-ens me every day.”

A former senior U.N. offi-cial from Nepal told IPS hestrongly supports compen-sation. “As a Nepali wholived in and loved Haiti, I feelspecial empathy for the vic-tims of the cholera epidemic,”said former U.N. AssistantSecretary-General KulGautam.

In a way, he said, eventhe Nepali peacekeepers arevictims of the kind of pov-erty and poor governancethat afflicts both Nepal andHaiti. The two nations arecategorised by the UnitedNations as among the 49least developed countries(LDCs), described as the

poorest of the world’s poor.None dispute that the lack ofclean water and sanitation inHaiti has been a key driver ofthe epidemic.

“I wish a creative solu-tion could be found wherebythe Haitian victims would getsome modest amount of fi-nancial support on humani-tarian grounds, without theU.N. having to give up itsdiplomatic immunity,”Gautam said. “For this to hap-pen, some enlightened gov-ernments and foundationswould need to offer help, notas a matter of legal obligation,but as a matter of humanitar-ian consideration,” saidGautam, a former deputy ex-ecutive director of the U.N.children’s agency UNICEF.

Mario Joseph has been

the director of Bureau desAvocats Internationaux (BAI)since its inception in 1995.BAI, together with the Insti-tute for Justice and Democ-racy in Haiti, is leading thelawsuit. “The trial is proceed-ing normally like any othertrial,” he told IPS. “We’vetaken the first steps with theU.N. to bring them to take re-sponsibility. To submit ourclaim, we sent the case to BanKi-moon, but unfortunately,the U.N. said it was protectedby immunity. “The U.N. ex-perts have clearly establishedthat it was the Nepalese peace-keepers who brought cholerato Haiti. It is clear that dam-age has been caused, the neg-ligence of the U.N. is provenand it must assume its re-sponsibilities. “An

organisation like the U.N.should not exercise a policyof double standard for evalu-ating itself vis-à-vis its mem-ber states. Haiti is a foundingmember of the U.N. In thissense the organisation mustassume its responsibility con-cerning the cholera it broughtinto the country,” he said.U.N. Spokesperson MartinNesirky says the U.N. remainscommitted to do all it can tohelp the people of Haiti over-come the cholera epidemic.

“The United Nations isworking on the ground withthe government and people ofHaiti both to provide immedi-ate and practical assistance tothose affected, and to put inplace better infrastructure andservices for all,” he told apress briefing this month.

Kanak Dixit, a veteran Nepalijournalist and a civil rightsactivist, told IPS the fact thatthe epidemic has been tracedto likely contamination of wa-ter sourced to the Nepalipeacekeeping battalion is amatter of great consternation.Nepal is heading into elec-tions on Nov. 19, and the newshas not received much atten-tion there, nor has there beenpublic discussion on the mat-ter, he said.

“It would be extremelysad if it were true that a poorcountry in one hemispherehas been involved in thespread of the epidemic in anequally poor country in an-other part of the globe,” saidDixit, founder of the newsmagazine Himal SouthAsian.Courtesy Inter Press Service

How a nuclear agreement withIran may change the region

SHAHIN DADKHAH

AMIDST the growing hopes in reaching a nuclearagreement with Iran following the recent Genevatalks, policy makers and analysts have begun to

deliberate the probable outcomes of such a deal in relationto regional dynamics stemming from the Arab Spring, theSyrian crisis or the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Thereis an emerging consensus among Iranian policy makers tore-evaluate the country’s nuclear policy aimed at stoppingthe incremental crippling sanctions imposed by the U.N.Security Council, the United States, the European Union,and other like-minded states since 2008.

However, it is too difficult to say whether the IslamicRepublic of Iran has given up its attempts to retain nuclearfacilities, specifically, its nuclear enrichment program. Presi-dent Hassan Rowhani said in his presidential campaignthat he strongly believes that Iran can pressure its nuclearrights without confrontation with the international com-munity. Like any other state in the international system,Iran aspires to boost its power and influence in the regionin order to protect its national security. With its huge hy-drocarbon reserves, an educated professional pro-demo-cratic middle class and a semi-pluralist political system,Iran is a significant player in the surrounding region.

Like any other state in the international system, Iranaspires to boost its power and influence in the region inorder to protect its national security. There are severallikely effects that a nuclear deal being reached with Irancould have on the Syrian crisis, Iranian-Arab relations,Iranian-Turkey relations and Israel’s security situation.

Syria is certainly an indispensable part of Iran’s re-gional policy. Deterring Israel, backing Hezbollah, and com-peting with Saudi Arabia and to a lesser extent Turkey istoo difficult for Iran while maintaining a strategic relation-ship with the Syrian government. The cementing of tiesbetween Iran and post-Saddam Iraq has persuaded somepoliticians in Iran that it can replace Syria with Iraq in thenear future. It means that Iran’s policy towards the Syriancrisis is not unalterable and it may change if there is apersuasive progress in Iran’s nuclear negotiations withthe West. Iran’s long term interest in Syria is to sustain itsinfluence rather than preserving a specific leader or politi-cal party. At the same time Iran is against any military at-tack which may diminish Syria’s political and economicinfrastructure and especially its regular army. Hence Iran’sdeclared policy in Syria is supporting a free election.Assad’s possible defeat in this election would not affectIran’s influence in the post-Assad Syria.

Same argue that any regional crisis would deviate at-tention away from Iran’s nuclear issue and intensify senti-ments against Iran. With this in mind, Iran aims to see anend to the Syrian crisis. A substantial breakthrough in Iran’snew nuclear policy would strengthen president Rowhani’sforeign policy initiations, especially those regarding Syria.

Ahmadinejad’s presidency coincided with deepeningShiite-Sunni division as a result of the U.S. military strikeon Iraq in 2003 and the subsequent toppling of the Sunniregime of Saddam Hussein . Many Arabs, and more impor-tantly, some conservative Arab states believe that the U.S.helped Iran to bolster the Shiites in the region by invadingIraq in 2003. Saudi Arabia strives to deter Iran from in-creasing its influence by increasing cooperation with thesecular Shiites in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia is compet-ing with Iran in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon and is exaggerat-ing Iran’s nuclear threat in hopes of boosting its leader-ship in the Arab world.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab states have contradictoryapproaches towards Iran’s nuclear issue. On the one handthey hope for a long-term and durable nuclear agreementwith Iran which is crucial to regional peace and stabilitybut on the other hand they are worried that such an agree-ment may bolster Iran’s regional power which would bedetrimental. President Rowhani is serious in pursuing en-hanced relations with Iran’s neighbors. However, the suc-cess of this policy is dependent on Arab states being will-ing to refrain from exerting pressure on Iran and puttingaside old rivalries with regional states in hopes of reach-ing a diplomatic breakthrough. Like many Arab states, Iranhas several legitimate security concerns in the Middle East.The U.S. military bases in Iran’s immediate security envi-ronment magnify the sense of being under siege while theArab states of the Persian Gulf are the main hosts for thesebases. The additional deploying of anti-missile or nuclearumbrella systems in these countries is a direct securitythreat for Iran and may exacerbate Iranian-Arab tensions.

Israel is the most concerned state regarding Iran’snuclear developments. Israel’s complicated security envi-ronment, controversial borders and deep hostility towardsPalestinians have intensified the sense of insecurity amongmany Israelis. Israel’s harsh reactions to Iran’s nuclear ac-tivities and its rhetoric are understandable in this perplex-ing context. Fragmentation in domestic politics is anotherincentive for Israeli political parties to overemphasis Iran’snuclear threat. There is a rough consensus among Israelisthat Israel will be the main loser of any nuclear agreementwith Iran because it will pave the way for a covert militarynuclear program. A possible Israeli military strike on Iran’snuclear facilities would be catastrophic for both sides andregional countries. This attack will reinforces the politicaland religious radical and extra mist groups within Iran andother regional countries endangering pro-democratic forcesin the Middle East. A democratic powerful Iran is betterthan a non-democratic one, not only for Israel but also forthe region. Taking into consideration the complexities ofIran’s nuclear politics may help Israeli policymakers to bemore realistic in tackling with Iran’s nuclear issue and evalu-ating the consequences of a nuclear agreement with Iran.

Though the ruling AK party’s foreign policy assistedTurkey to mediate between Iran and the West for a while,the Syrian crisis increased the mistrust between the twoneighbors. Turkey sees Iran’s nuclear issue from the per-spective of balance of power in the region. Iran gainingnuclear capabilities would change this balance in favor ofTurkey.

—Courtesy Alarabiya

MOSCOW—Russia hopesan international peace con-ference on Syria will be heldbefore the end of this year,Prime Minister DmitryMedvedev said, despite re-ported differences with theUnited States over opposi-tion representation.

He appealed to bothsides in Syria’s civil war tocompromise and criticized theopposition for demandingassurances of PresidentBashar al-Assad’s departureas a condition for the talks.

“I hope it will be possibleto hold the conference by theend of this year but we un-derstand that the influence ofall sides taking part is lim-ited,” Medvedev told

Russian PM sees Syria peace talks by end of yearReuters in an interview lateon Thursday. “It depends toa great extent on the posi-tions of the Syrian sides.We’re pushing them towardsthis, and I hope everyonewho talks to different circlesin Syria will do the same,” hesaid.

“It’s a difficult processand everyone must compro-mise, including oppositionleaders and the Syrian gov-ernment, of course.” Russiahas been Assad’s most pow-erful backer during the two-and-a-half-year-old conflict,delivering weapons, blockingthree U.N. Security Councilresolutions meant to pres-sure him and saying his exitcannot be a precondition for

peace talks.U.S., Russian and U.N.

envoys are to meet in Genevaon Tuesday as part of prepa-rations for the long-delayedconference, which Russiaand the United States firstproposed in May.

The latest target date forthe talks, November 23, lookslikely to be pushed back andsources close to the negotia-tions say a main point ofcontention is the role of theWestern-backed oppositioncoalition.

Western and Gulf Arabcountries opposed to Assadsay the Geneva talks shouldbe between a “single delega-tion of the Syrian regime anda single delegation of the

opposition” led by the coali-tion. Russia sees the coali-tion as just one part of theopposition and has sug-gested that several delega-tions, including Damascus-based figures tolerated bythe government, could rep-resent Assad’s enemies.

“I think that the ideas thatare sometimes put forward -let’s exclude President Assadand then agree on everything- are unrealistic as long asAssad is in power,”Medvedev said.

“He’s not mad. He mustreceive some kind of guaran-tees or, in any case, somekind of proposals on the de-velopment of political dia-logue in Syria itself, on pos-

sible elections, on his per-sonal fate.” Assad sug-gested last month that hecould seek re-election in avote scheduled for next year.

Medvedev said Assadmight be worried by the fatessuffered by Egyptian Presi-dent Hosni Mubarak - whowas overthrown and put ontrial - and Libya’s MuammarGaddafi, who met a grislydeath after being ousted frompower. “You have to agreethat when he recalls the fateof President Mubarak orColonel Muammar Gaddafi ...his mood probably doesn’tget any better,” Medvedevsaid. “So you can’t just say‘get out and then we’ll agreeeverything’.”

Gaddafi’s ouster came af-ter Medvedev, then presi-dent, ordered Russia not toblock a U.N. Security Coun-cil vote that paved the wayfor NATO intervention. Heand President Vladimir Putinhave vowed not to let thesame thing happen in Syria.Medvedev expressed indig-nation that Russia had beenforced to evacuate its em-bassy in Tripoli after it wasattacked by an angry crowdin October.

“What kind of a state is itthat cannot guarantee diplo-mats even basic security?” hesaid. “I said when I was stillpresident that we could notallow events to develop insuch a way in Syria.”—Reuters

BERLIN—Germany’s top se-curity official said that he willtry and find a way for EdwardSnowden to speak to Germanofficials if the former NationalSecurity Agency contractor iswilling to provide detailsabout the NSA’s activities in-cluding the alleged surveil-lance of Chancellor AngelaMerkel’s cellphone.

The comments by InteriorMinister Hans-Peter Friedrichcame after a German opposi-tion lawmaker traveled toMoscow and met NSA leakerSnowden.

The lawmaker, Hans-Christian Stroebele, returnedto Berlin with a letter he saidSnowden had written, whichhe released Friday.

In the letter Snowden,who faces espionage charges

Germany: Prepared tospeak with Snowden

in the U.S., indicated that hewill not speak with Germanofficials until the UnitedStates stops its prosecutionof leakers like him.

“Though the outcome ofmy efforts has been demon-strably positive, my govern-ment continues to treat dis-sent as defection, and seeksto criminalize political speechwith felony charges that pro-vide no defense. ... I am confi-dent that with the support ofthe international community,the government of the UnitedStates will abandon this harm-ful behavior,” Snowden wrotein the letter. “I look forward tospeaking with you in yourcountry when the situation isresolved, and thank you foryour efforts in upholding theinternational laws that protect

us all,” he said.The release of the letter

came after Friedrich said that“if the message is that Mr.Snowden wants to give usinformation, then we will beglad to accept that.” “We willfind a way to make a conver-sation possible if Mr.Snowden is prepared to talkto German officials,” Friedrichsaid, according to the news-paper Die Zeit.

Friedrich’s spokesmanJens Teschke confirmed thecomments, saying “we wantclarification and we want fur-ther information.” He added,however, that he understoodFriedrich to be referring pri-marily to the possibility of of-ficials speaking to Snowdenin Russia, where he has beengranted asylum.—AP

Iran ‘hopeful’about next week’s

nuclear talksTEHRAN—A senior Tehrannuclear negotiator says Iranis “hopeful” about prospectsfor more progress in nucleartalks with world powersahead of next week’s meet-ings in Geneva.

Deputy Foreign MinisterAbbas Araghchi told state TVlate Thursday that while Iranand the six powers five per-manent U.N. Security Coun-cil members and Germany hadagreed on a framework in Oc-tober, the Iranian side is“hopeful to make achieve-ments on the content” in thenext round of the talks..—AP

Kenya Muslimleader: I couldbe killed next

MOMBASA—Family mem-bers and a Muslim commu-nity leader say that police inthe Kenyan city of Mombasahave not carried out any in-vestigative work after an un-explained shooting in earlyOctober killed a prominentmosque leader and three oth-ers.

The killing of SheikIbrahim Ismael followed theunexplained killing of yet an-other mosque leader, AboudRogo Mohammed, in August2012. Both were leaders atMombasa’s Masjid MusaMosque. Abubakar ShariffAhmed, also a leader of themosque community, says heknows he could be killed next.

Ahmed and family mem-bers accuse the governmentof being behind the killings.The coastal police chief didnot respond to repeated callsfor comment. —AP

KAMPALA—Uganda calledon the Congolese army andM23 rebels to cease fire onFriday as peace talks pro-gressed in Kampala to end a20-month conflict.

But, while the rebels saidthey were ready for a peacedeal, government forcesvowed to pursue their mili-tary advantage and crush therebellion in Democratic Re-public of Congo’s mineral-rich east.

Peace talks resumed inthe Ugandan capitalKampala on Wednesday, 10days after they collapsedover rebel demands for am-

Uganda calls for Congo ceasefireas peace talks progress

nesty, triggering renewedhostilities. A week-long armyoffensive has driven therebels back to mountainbases. “The chief facilitator(Uganda’s Defence MinisterChrispus Kiyonga) has re-quested the warring partiesto stop the fight and fromyesterday up until this morn-ing there’s no fighting,” saidUgandan Lieutenant ColonelPaddy Ankunda.

The U.S. envoy to theGreat Lakes region, RussFeingold, told Reuters onThursday that an initialagreement could be reachedas early as this weekend. A

Reuters witness said fightinghad ceased in the area nearRumangabo, about 50 km (30miles) north of the regionalcapital Goma, but army ve-hicles and troops werepresent and appeared to beregrouping.

Roger Lumbala, a formermember of parliament who isa senior member of the M23negotiating team, said therebels were simply waiting foran invitation from mediatorsto sign a deal. “An agree-ment could be signed todayaccording to the latest infor-mation we have from the fa-cilitator.—Reuters

GAZA CITY—A shortage offuel halted the production ofelectricity across the GazaStrip on Friday, said the en-ergy authority of the Islam-ist movement Hamas, whichcontrols the Palestinian en-clave.

“We have completelystopped the operation of(Gaza’s sole) power plant thismorning at 6:00 am (0400GMT) because we don’t havea single litre of fuel,” Fathiel-Sheikh Khalil, theauthority’s deputy chairman,told AFP. An AFP correspon-dent in the Gaza Strip said theelectricity supply had beencut off across most of the ter-ritory.

Khalil blamed the poweroutage on Egypt’s destruc-tion of tunnels used for bring-ing fuel to Gaza and accusedthe Western-backed Pales-tinian Authority of chargingHamas too much for its fuel.

“Less than 50 percent ofthe needs of the Gaza Stripare currently covered by elec-tricity from Israel (and) wecan no longer get Egyptianfuel due to the destruction oftunnels from Egypt,” he said.

“We tried to get fuel fromIsrael via the Palestinian Au-thority, but it has imposedprohibitive taxes.” The Gazaplant supplies about a thirdof the electricity the territory

Power outage across Gazaas fuel runs out: Hamas

of 1.75 million people needs.“The plant will remain

shut until fuel supplies re-sume from Egypt through thetunnels or the Rafah bordercrossing, or from Israel if thePalestinian Authority agreesnot to impose the heavytaxes,” said Khalil.

In September, the Gazaenergy authority warned ofan impending shortage offuel and called on Egypt toresume deliveries to the Strip.

Relations between Cairoand Hamas have deterio-rated since the Egyptian armyousted Islamist presidentMohamed Morsi in July andrestricted goods going intoGaza through the Rafahcrossing, as well as destroy-ing hundreds of the tunnelsrunning underneath the bor-der town.

The UN’s Office for theCoordination of HumanitarianAffairs (OCHA) said that inOctober, less than five percentof the goods that had beengoing through Rafah in Junecame through the crossing.“Less than 10 truckloads ofgoods may have entered Gazathrough the tunnels per daybetween 20-26 October, com-pared to 15 truckloads whichentered during the previousweek, and 30-40 truckloadsduring September,” it said, cit-ing local sources.—AP

DAMASCUS—Israel has re-portedly bombed a Syrianbase to halt an arms shipmentto Hezbollah, while the inter-national Syria envoy said Fri-day there could be no peacetalks without the opposition.

The reported air strike ona military base in regimestronghold Latakia onWednesday would be thefirst Israeli strike on Syriasince a US-Russian accordon chemical weaponsaverted punitive US militaryaction last month.

Israel did not comment onthe reports that emergedThursday, but it has struckSyria in the past and warnedit will continue to take actionto prevent sophisticatedweapons from falling into thehands of Hezbollah a keyDamascus ally and other mili-tant groups.

Saudi-owned Al-Arabiyatelevision said Israel had tar-geted a shipment of surface-to-surface missiles destinedfor Hezbollah, the powerfulLebanese Shiite movementfighting alongside the re-gime. A US official confirmedto AFP that “there was anIsraeli strike” but gave nodetails on the location or thetarget.

Syria, which has cooper-

Israel ‘bombs’ Syria as envoypresses peace talks bid

ated with international disar-mament efforts, has vowed toretaliate against any attackbut did not respond when Is-rael carried out two air strikesin May.

Hoping to build on themomentum of last month’sUS-Russian accord to de-stroy Syria’s chemical arse-nal by mid-2014, UN-ArabLeague envoy LakhdarBrahimi has meanwhile beencriss-crossing the region torally support for the so-calledGeneva II talks.

But Syria’s oppositionhas refused to attend unlessPresident Bashar al-Assad’sresignation is on the table ademand rejected by Dam-ascus and powerful rebelgroups have warned thatanyone attending the talkswill be viewed as a traitor.

“If the opposition doesnot participate there will beno Geneva conference,”Brahimi told reporters inDamascus before travellingto Beirut.

The veteran Algeriandiplomat, who met withAssad on Wednesday, saidthe government had agreedto take part in the talks andthat the opposition was “try-ing to find a way to be repre-sented”.—Reuters

“And the president, ourpresident, is determined to try toclarify and make clear forpeople, and is now doing a thor-ough review in order that no-body will have the sense ofabuse,” he said.

Kerry added that whatWashington was trying to dowas, in a “random way,” findways of determining if therewere threats that needed re-sponding to.

“And in some cases, I ac-knowledge to you, as has thepresident, that some of theseactions have reached too far, andwe are going to make sure thatdoes not happen in the future,”he said.

Recent allegations and re-ports of widespread spying bythe US National SecurityAgency have sparked a major

Kerry: In some cases, USspying ‘has reached too far’

From Page 1rift in trans-Atlantic ties.

Kerry’s remarks — releasedin a State Department transcript— came in response to a ques-tion addressed to both him andBritish Foreign Secretary Will-iam Hague about governmentsurveillance.

Kerry spent a good portionof his answer justifying the col-lection of data as necessary dueto the threat of terrorism andsuggested Washington was notalone in doing so.

“Many, many, many partsof the world have been subjectto these terrorist attacks,” hesaid.

“And in response to them,the United States and otherscame together — others, I em-phasize to you — and realizedthat we’re dealing in a newworld where people are willing

to blow themselves up.”He added: “We have actu-

ally prevented airplanes fromgoing down, buildings from be-ing blown up, and people frombeing assassinated becausewe’ve been able to learn aheadof time of the plans.”

Kerry also lashed out atsome of the reporting about al-leged spying, sparked by leaksfrom fugitive former NSA con-tractor Edward Snowden,wanted by Washington on espio-nage charges.

“Just the other day... therewas news in the papers of 70million people being listenedto. No, they weren’t. It didn’thappen,” Kerry said. “There’san enormous amount of exag-geration in this reporting fromsome reporters out there.”—AFP

on Friday.During the hearing, former

president Pervez Musharraf’slawyer said that his client hadfiled bail petition two days afterthe registration of case, while thecourt has already heard the ar-guments and prayed for an-nouncing the decision today.

The Judge inquired from theinvestigation officer was thereany new evidence in the case?

Qari Wajih advocate saidthat the police didn’t submit thepostmortem report along withthe record of the case. The courtshould allow time for the argu-ments instead of announcingdecision on the bail petition,Qari Wajih advocate prayed.

During the hearing, TariqAsad, the counsel of the com-plainant, Haroon Rasheed, anda representative of the LalMasjid Shuhada Foundation, al-leged that the police had de-stroyed all the evidence and sub-

Musharraf’s bail petition hearingFrom Page 1

sequently declared Musharraf‘innocent’ in the murder ofGhazi Abdul Rasheed.

Asad said he wanted to pro-vide more evidence before thecourt, adding that a case “asimportant as this” should not behandled in a roughshod manner.

The counsel further re-quested the court to postpone itsdecision on the former militaryruler’s bail plea so that he maypresent more evidence before it.

Asad referred to the state-ment of an additional witness,saying he wanted to present hisarguments on that. The courtsubsequently adjourned the hear-ing of the bail plea to Nov 4.

Moreover, Musharraf’s trialhearing was also postponed toNov 11 when the judge said hehad not received a notificationfor the former president’s jailtrial.

The judge said the jail trialcould not commence until a no-tification was received in thisrespect.

Musharraf was booked inthe murder case of Lal Masjidcleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed onSept 2 after Haroon Rasheed,the cleric’s son, approached theIHC for registering an FIRagainst the former dictator forlaunching the 2007 operation.During the operation, 102people – 10 army men, oneRangers official, three civiliansand 88 people inside themosque – had died.

Former President is also em-broiled in four other cases: theassassination of former PrimeMinister Benazir Bhutto, themurder of Baloch nationalistleader Nawab Akbar Bugti, thedetention of deposed SupremeCourt judges and the declarationof emergency on Nov 3, 2007.—INP

opened fire at their vehicle,”added DC Shah.

Levies officials and securityforces reached the spot soon af-ter the incident and cordoned offthe area. However, the assailantshad already escaped by then.The injured is said to be in acritical condition.

The attackers drove off thescene after the attack.

Meanwhile, a huge contin-gent of Levies and police per-sonnel reached the spot and thecasualties were shifted to a hos-pital. In a separate incident,armed militants killed one per-son and injured two others inBalochistan’s militancy-hitKhuzdar district.

Six coal minersshot dead inBalochistan

From Page 1

said that the Indian ExternalAffairs Minister SalmanKhurshid and Prime Minister’sAdvisor on Foreign AffairsSartaj Aziz will have a meet-ing in New Delhi this month.—INP

Salman: Indianallegations

From Page 1

LAHORE: A large number of people arrives to attend three-day Tablighi Ijtima at Raiwind on Friday.

LAHORE: Activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf holding a demonstration against price hike,outside Lahore Press Club.

in society.Special attention in the

document is paid to the need tocover the problems ofmulticulturalism in the media inorder to avert xenophobia, rac-ism, intolerance, and also in or-der to shape a culture of toler-ance.

The participants of the fo-rum also expressed convictionthat in the postmodern era acareful and respectful attitudetowards different manifestationsof national self-awareness, pa-tience, dialogue and cooperationin an atmosphere of trust andmutual understanding are thebest guarantees of peace andsecurity.

The document affirms theneed to use the principles of sus-tainable development and callon all countries to ensure plan-ning and consumption at a levelof sensible sufficiency and toachieve a way of life that meets

Use of principlesFrom Page 1

Hakimullah Mehsud was earlierreported many times before inthe recent years but it alwaysproved rumour.

In fact, every time Pakistanis closed to find out negotiatedsettlement of the militancy issueand attempt to tame the dis-gruntled Taliban through par-leys, the process is sabotaged bythe Policy makers at Washing-ton.

Reports from Miran Shah,the headquarters of NWA, saida couple of American planes orthe infamous drones fired mis-siles targeting a compound anda vehicle in Danday Darpa Khelarea in North Waziristan agencyon the night between Thursdayand Friday reportedly killingTTP chief and few others com-manders who had gatheredthere.

Pakistani Taliban chiefHakimullah Mehsud was killedin a US drone strike in NorthWaziristan Agency while TariqMehsud a close aide of theTehrik-e-Taliban chief and hisdriver also succumbed to theirinjuries in the missiles hit. Aforeign Press reported addingthe senior US official also con-firmed the strike overnight, say-ing the US received positiveconfirmation Friday morningthat Hakimullah Mehsud hadbeen killed.

Though it could not be con-firmed if Hakimullah was killedin the compound or he wasaboard the targeted vehicle yetreports said the compound hit bythe US missiles was the head-quarters of TTP and an impor-tant meeting of the TalibanShoora was in progress at the

TTP chief Hakimullah MehsudFrom Page 1

time of drone attack.In 2004 when TTP former

chief Baitullah Mehsud came tosurface in the international arenaas important Taliban com-mander, Hakimullah Mehsudused to work as his spokesmanwith the name of ZulfiqarMehsud.

This was the second droneattack since Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif ’s visit to theUnited States, where he de-manded US President BarackObama to stop the attacks. Pa-kistan has long been opposingCIA-operated drone attacks inthe tribal region dubbing themas violation if it’s territorial in-tegrity.

Shortly after the attack, In-terior Minister Chaudhry NisarAli Khan termed the attack anattempt to sabotage thegovernment’s plan to hold talkswith the Taliban.

Interior Minister ChaudhryNisar Ali Khan though saidthere was no confirmation ofthe Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistanchief being killed in the dronestrike, he termed the recent USdrone attack in NorthWaziristan an attempt to sabo-tage Pakistan’s efforts to holdtalks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in a bid to putan end to spate of violence un-leashed by the militia.

Talking to reporters, the In-terior minister said the govern-ment was about to send a three-member delegation to invite theTaliban to talks.

Pakistani intelligence offi-cials said that American dronesfired at least four missiles to-

ward a compound that had beenconstructed for Mehsud about ayear ago, and which he has usedintermittently since then.

A government official inPeshawar, citing intelligencereports, said five militant com-manders had been killed in theattack, including Mehsud, hisuncle and a bodyguard, and twowounded.

The strike killed Mr.Mehsud’s deputy, AbdullahBehar, who had just taken overfrom Latif Mahsud, a militantcommander who was detainedby American forces in Afghani-stan last month, the official said.

A local Taliban commander,speaking by phone and insistingon anonymity, said Mr. Mehsudhad been killed. “Hakimullahhas been martyred in the attack,”he said.

Meanwhile, Federal InteriorMinister Chaudhry Nisar AliKhan contacted Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif to apprise him ofthe situation emerging after thekilling of Tehrik-i-Taliban Paki-stan chief Hakimullah Mehsud.

The minister also tele-phoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan,Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F chiefMaulana Fazlur Rehman, Oppo-sition Leader Khurshid Shah andJamaat-e-Islami Ameer SyedMunawar Hassan and discussedwith them the situation.

It is to mention here that thegovernment enjoyed backing ofpolitical parties for holding ne-gotiations with the militants. Anall parties conference had man-dated the government to engagethe Taliban in talks to bringpeace in the country.

the demands of ecological civi-lization.

The participants of the fo-rum noted the need to holdthis type of forum every yearand express their deep grati-tude to the President and gov-ernment of Azerbaijan, theHeydar Aliyev Foundationand all the organizers of theBaku International Humani-tarian Forum for holding sucha major event, turning Bakuon 31 October and 1 Novem-ber this year into a centre ofdiscussion of humanitarianproblems.

The participants of the fo-rum consider it necessary topass this declaration and use itwith the aim of organizing in-ternational humanitarian coop-eration and assistance to ensureeffective coordination in thisregard.

The Third Baku Interna-

tional Humanitarian Forum washeld in Baku on October 31-November 1 with, more than 70world countries participating inthe forum.

Round table conferenceswere organised for eight differ-ent topics including the conver-gence of technologies and theshape of the future: the mainchallenges of the 21st century;humanitarian aspects of eco-nomic development, scientificinnovations and their transfer tothe education sector;multiculturalism and identity:in search of value consensus insociety, national identity in thepost-modern era; sustainabledevelopment and ecologicalcivilization; achievements ofmolecular biology and biotech-nology: from theory to practiceand relevant media issues un-der the conditions ofglobalisation of informationspace.

also directed the deputy Com-missioners of Karachi’s 5 dis-tricts to extend full cooperationto the Pakistan Customs in thatregard.

The SCP also directed thefederal interior secretary, federalsecretary narcotics, Federal Bu-reau of Reve-nue, federal sec-retary finance to extend their fullcooperation to the Sindh provin-cial government for its ef-fortsfor curbing the smuggling ofarms and ammunition and nar-cotics and for the maintenanceof law and order.

The SCP passed the interimorder Friday at the Karachi Reg-istry during the hearing ofKarachi Lawless-ness Case un-der the Suo Motu notice that theChief Justice of Pakistan IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry had

SC orders probe into 19,000 missing containersFrom Page 1

taken. The hearing at theKarachi registry was conductedby a 3-member Bench compris-ing Justice Iftikhar MuhammadChaudhry, Justice Jawwad SKhawaja and Justice GulzarAhmed.

The apex court also directedthe Pakistan Rangers Sindh DGand Inspector General of police,Sindh, to obtain details from thecitizens and submit a detailedreport that kept licensed weap-ons and ask them as wherefromthey had purchased their weap-ons and how many bullets theyhad bought and where wereused. Those citizens who keptlicensed weapons but commit-ted violations should be dealt inaccordance with the laws.

Meanwhile, the AttorneyGeneral of Pakistan apprised the

apex court that a confidentialplan for keeping the law and or-der was being prepared, whichwould be submitted to the apexcourt in next hearing.

The apex court also directedthe Anti-Narcotics Force DG tomake sure the metropolis wasclean from the narcotics withinnext 7 days.In reply to a request from the AGto pass an order for imposingcurfew during door to doorsearch operation for the recov-ery of weapons in Karachi, theSCP said that the apex court be-lieved that the Sindh provincialgovernment was serious onmaintaining the law and orderin the city and cleaning the cityfrom illegal weapons, hence, theSindh government could takedecision on its own.

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Iqbal presenting the shields among the visiting15-member Balochistan Assembly delegation on Friday.

Tariq Mehsud, both key militantcommanders and close aides ofthe TTP chief, were also killedwith two others injured in thedrone strike.

Speaking to media represen-tatives, he blamed the US forsabotaging efforts to establishpeace in Pakistan by repetitivedrone strikes in the tribal areasbordering Afghanistan. “When-ever initiative of peace talks aretaken in the country, US dronestrikes sabotage them,” he said.

The cricket legend-turned-politician, who’s party rules therestive northwestern KhyberPakhtunkhwa province, said thatthey will not only table a reso-lution for blocking Nato sup-plies in the provincial assemblyon Monday but in the NationalAssembly also.

Khan, on Thursday, had saidhis party had the capability tostop the Nato supplies andwarned that his words must notbe taken lightly. KhyberPakhtunkhwa is one of tworoutes Nato supplies move inand out of Afghanistan.

Senior PTI leaderMakhdoom Javed Hashmi,present on the occasion, saidanti-state elements were con-spiring to sabotage peace pro-cess. He said Taliban themselvessay that their leaders were tar-geted for initiating peace talks.

Chief Minister KP PervezKhattak said they were beingcriticised for supporting peace.

Speaker KP Assembly AsadQaiser said the federal govern-ment of Pakistan MuslimLeague-Nawaz (PML-N) tooktoo long to initiate peace talks.He, however, added that it wasstill not too late. He vowed tosupport Islamabad for the dia-logue with Taliban.

on talks with Taliban has beenblocked as he was preparing tosend a three-man delegation toTaliban to initiate peace talks.The US and some domestic ele-ments have succeeded in sabo-taging the talks, political circlesin Islamabad told this scribe.

All hopes have tumbleddown to bring peace to the re-gion, at least in near future asunder the circumstances, it willbe very difficult to bring TTP tonegotiating table. The threat byImran Khan to halt NATO sup-plies in case of continuous ofdrone attacks will further raisethe temperature of the region.The government will face a tre-mendous pressure on its policieswith Washington.

Earlier, Shahadat of Paki-stani General and deadly attacksat public places of KP had al-ready delayed the talks. It isfeared the latest developmentcan result in more suicide at-tacks in Pakistani cities.

All reports on ‘slow down’of drone attacks emanating fromWashington and dished out bygovernment leaders after 23rdOctober Obama-Nawaz meetinghave also tumbled down.

Anti- America and anti-drone sentiments will furthersharpen in the country, politicalcircles further said.

Imran demandsimmediateblockade of

Nato suppliesFrom Page 1

Shocking wavesin govt

corridorsFrom Page 1

Forum, opened in Baku on Oc-tober 31, brought togetherNobel Prize winners at the sec-ond part of the forum’s plenarysession.

The importance of scienceand education in the modernsociety was mulled at the ses-sion chaired by President ofAzerbaijan National Academyof Sciences Akif Alizade.

Speaking at the event Klausvon Klitzing, who awarded the1985 Nobel Prize in Physicsnoted the importance ofstrengthening the UN for re-solving the problems whichwarns the universe.

According to him, theworld population has dam-aged the environment and thescientists and engineersshould join efforts for pre-venting this danger. The sci-entists also mentioned the im-portance to use renewable en-ergy resources.

Other speakers includedwinner of the 1992 Nobel Prizein Chemistry Rudolph ArthurMarcus, winner of the 1995Nobel Memorial Prize in Eco-nomic Sciences RobertEmerson Lucas, winner of the1998 Nobel Prize in PhysicsRobert Betts Laughlin, co-re-cipient of the 2004 Nobel Me-morial Prize in Economics FinnErling Kydland, winner of the2004 Nobel Prize in PhysicsDavid Jonathan Gross, winnerof the Nobel Memorial Prize inEconomics in 2004 EdwardChristian Prescott, winner ofthe Nobel Prize in Physics in2006 George Fitzgerald Smoot,winner of the Nobel Prize inChemistry in 2006 Roger DavidKornberg, winner of the 2009Nobel Prize in Chemistry AdaYonath, winner of the 2011Nobel Prize in Chemistry DanShechtman, winner of the 2013Nobel Prize in Chemistry AriehWarshel as well as winner ofthe 2013 Nobel Prize in Physi-ology or Medicine James Ed-ward Rothman.

Baku International Hu-manitarian Forum is a high-pro-file global scientific and politi-cal platform for tackling thechallenges facing humanity inthe 21st century, holding dia-logue, discussions and ex-change of views on a widerange of issues of humanitariancooperation.

It is an annual event thatbrings together outstandingrepresentatives of political, sci-entific and cultural elite of theworld, including well-knownstatesmen, Nobel Prize winnersin various fields of science andheads of influential interna-tional organizations.

Nobel Prizewinners gather

at forumFrom Page 1

Islam, religion of guidanceuntil end of time

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—“The lesson of lovefor mankind delivered duringTableeghi Ijtima [religious gath-ering] is an excellent source ofguidance for the Muslim Ummah.We will have to adopt the path ofpeace, justice, love and respect inorder to spread the true messageof Islam throughout the world.”

These views were expressedby Pakistan Ulema Council[PUC] Central Chairman HafizMuhammad Tahir MahmoodAshrafi during his meetingswith religious scholars, clericsand speakers visiting Raiwindfrom different cities and prov-inces. He said it was high timeto spread Prophet Muhammad[PBUH]’s message of sympathythroughout the world.

“Islam is a religion of guid-

ance for mankind until the endof time. The elements that wantto make Islam a religion of ter-ror and violence are unaware ofIslamic teachings,” he added.

The PUC chairman furthersaid that scholars had a heavyresponsibility to come out andspread the true message of Islam.

“Pakistan and Islam are des-perately in need of unity andharmony today. Some powersand forces want to spark sectar-ian and religious violence here.The only way to foil the schemesof these forces is to strengthenbilateral ties based on mutualrespect and harmony,” he said.

Hafiz Muhammad TahirMahmood Ashrafi said that thisgathering of hundreds of thou-sands of people in Raiwind wasa message for Muslim leadersand elders to spread the beauty

of Islamic teachings by propa-gating love for mankind.

Also present on this occa-sion were Maulana ZahidMahmood Qasmi, MaulanaHafiz Ahmad Amjad, MaulanaAmmar Baloch, MaulanaAshfaq Patafi, Maulana AbdulQayyum and other scholars andclerics.

World hopefulFrom Back Page

a good international player. Shemaneuvered that the impact ofsanctions is not felt to the ex-tent the world expected that tobe. She had sought alternatemarkets in the Latin Americanregion.

Friday’s Turkey meet tothrash out implications and fu-ture scenarios of Nuclear Disar-mament and International Secu-rity was the first conference inwhich Iran-US telephonic talkreceived that big welcome by thehost, Turkey, a neighbor of Iran.Future-seers believe thatAmerica wishes to enter Iranwith olive branch in hand andstiffening stance in diplomacy.

Following withdrawal fromAfghanistan Washington needs‘a strategic change’ in neighbor-ing Afghanistan including Paki-stan.

It is no secret that USAwants to give a big role toHindustan that does not suit atany cost to Islamabad so long asthe bitter dispute over Jammuand Kashmir is not solved.Hindustani outreach via Af-ghanistan is just a bid - whichmay not come as a reality.

The cause is simple to un-derstand: at her backyard isbleeding Kashmir and 26 otherstates. Hindustan is outwardly‘democracy’ but inwardly worstautocracy.

ISLAMABAD—The Senatewas informed Friday that thegovernment is following amulti-pronged strategy toimprove the resource posi-tion and reduce dependencyon foreign loans.

Minister for Petroleumand Natural ResourcesShahid Khaqan Abbasi onbehalf of the Finance Minis-ter told the House duringquestion hour that the strat-egy envisages increasing taxto GDP ratio, bringing taxevaders into the tax net and

eliminating tax exemptions.In addition, he said the fi-nance division has slashedcurrent expenditures upto30 percent during the cur-rent fiscal year. These ex-penditures including subsi-dies will further be rational-ized.

The Minister said theState Bank of Pakistan is inthe process of improvingthe incentives regime to en-courage remittances by Pa-kistanis working abroad inorder to build our foreign

External debt to be reducedto 15.6 % of GDP next yearRs 400 b domestic loans to be retired this year: Senate told

Attack on securityforces campM I R A N S H A H —Unknownmiscreants attacked a secu-rity forces camp with rocketshere on Friday but no losswas reported. According tomilitary sources, three rock-ets fired from unknown loca-tion landed at a securityforces camp in Miranshah,the tribal headquarter ofNorth Waziristan Agency.However, no damages orcausalities were reported asthe rockets fell in the vacantspace of the camp. The se-curity forces cordoned offthe area after the attack andlaunched search operationfor the attackers.—INP

Earthquake joltsShanglaSHANGLA—An earthquakeof mild intensity joltedShangla and adjoining areason Friday but no loss wasreported. According to seis-mic wing of Pakistan Metro-logical Department tremoursmeasuring 2.7 on Richterscale were felt in Shangla andadjoining areas. The dwell-ers of the areas rushed outof their homes in. The PMDsources said that epicentre ofearthquake was in Swat 10kmdeep inside earth crust.—INP

LONDON: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif addressing the Energy Conference at Commonwealth. FinanceMinister Ishaq Dar and Water and Power Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif are also present.

2 held, illicitliquor recoveredTHATTA—A police party, ledby CIA inspector AzamMirza, raided a den of locallymade liquor in BatwanaMohalla in Thatta city andrecovered 950 litres of liquoron Thursday evening. Policearrested two accused identi-fied as Khamiso Hallo andAbdul Razaak Jakharo for al-legedly running the den andselling the locally made li-quor.—APP

71 suspectsarrestedLAHORE—The policeclaimed to have arrested 71suspected persons during asearch operation held tomaintain law and order situa-tion in the city during theMoharram ul Haram. On thedirections of CCPO, the po-lice arrested the suspectsduring a search operationheld in various parts of thecity including Shafiqabad,Lorry Adda, Sabza Zar, Town-ship, Green Town,Liaquatabad, Factory Area,Kot Lakhpat, Baghbanpura,Harbancepura, ChinaScheme, Mehmood Bootiand Bund Road. —APP

exchange reserves. Simi-larly, a comprehensive tradepolicy has been formulatedto boost exports over themedium term.

These initiatives, hehoped, are expected to bringthe external debt to GDP ra-tio from 24.3 percent to 15.6percent in the next financialyear.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasisaid the government will re-pay loans of over Rs 400 bil-lion during the current fi-nancial year.—INP

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Two bank rob-beries occurred in less thanan hour in the busiest busi-ness hub, and a guard alsolost his life while resistingthe attempts in Bufferzonearea on Friday.

According to police,two bank robberies tookplace in Paposh Nagar andBufferzone areas of the cityon Friday.

The first heist occurredin the Bufferzone area dur-ing which one guard waskilled while trying to foil thebid and the culprits fledwith millions of rupees.

SSP Central AmirFarooqui told that five

armed dacoits looted 1.5million rupees from a pri-vate bank in sector 15-A ofBufferzone and fled from thescene. During the robbery,the guard of the bank triedto stop the culprits but theyopened fire on him, killingthe guard on the spot.

Police further said thatthe robbers took CCTVfootage with them beforefleeing from the scene.

The other dacoity tookplace in the Paposh Nagararea where the armed rob-bers looted more than twomil l ion rupees f rom an-other private bank.

It may be mentioned thatit was the second robbery inhalf an hour in the city.

Two bank robberiesin an hour in Karachi

LHC ordersaudit of Rs480b

paid to IPPsLAHORE—Chief JusticeLahore High Court (LHC)Justice Umar Ata Bandial onFriday ordered the audit ofRs480billion paid by the gov-ernment to the independentpower producers (IPPs) andobserved that the burden ofthe incompetence of the of-ficials can’t be shifted on themasses. The chief justiceobserved that equalisationsurcharge could not be re-ceived from the consumers.

The petitioner told thecourt that load shedding didnot reduce despite paymentof Rs480 billion by the gov-ernment to the IPPs.—INP

HAMEED SHAHEEN

ISLAMABAD—Internationalefforts have been mountedto break the Iran-US nukestandoff to ensure smoothsecurity of the region andto lower global tension aris-ing out of Tehran’s nuclearstance versus US focus.

A major breakthrough isreported to have been madein Friday’s opening event ofNuclear Disarmament andInternational Security meet-ing in Turkey. Speakers re-portedly spoke openly ap-preciating the talks break-through by telephonic chan-

nel between PresidentBarack Obama and PresidentHassan Rohani last month onthe occasion of UN GeneralAssembly’s annual session.President Obama had madetelephonic call to Mr Rohaniwhich opened the chokedlines for the first in decades.

On Friday in Nuclear Dis-armament and InternationalSecurity conference theTurkish President AbdullahGul appreciating the Iran-USbreakthrough reportedlysaid: “...Beginning of talksbetween Iran and the USAwas an issue that we werewaiting for years and we were

World hopeful of Iran-US talks futurevery glad to hear about thetelephone conversationbetween President BarackObama and PresidentHassan Rohani during UNGeneral Assembly meetingin New York and we wel-come the news”.

Observers say thatsince the bilateral wire talkbetween the two presidentsthe general tension in theregion seems lowering dayby day. Iran is an importantAsian country with awealth of oil to feed theworld factories. Iran can be

Commissionfinalizes report onmissing persons

OBSERVER REPORT

ISLAMABAD—The Justice(retd) Javed Iqbal Friday saidthe commission on the miss-ing persons had completed itsreport, which he would alsorecommend to be made pub-lic. “The report mentions thenames of all those who are re-sponsible for the disappear-ance of persons”, said JusticeIqbal, the head of the commis-sion. He said 50 recommenda-tions have also been added tothe report and the governmentshould focus on them whilepreparing the policy, adding itwould help reduce such inci-dents. The former judge also saidhe had requested for an appoint-ment with the prime minister topresent him this report again.

ALEXANDRIA—Egypt has de-tained 22 women members ofthe Muslim Brotherhood, asecurity official said on Friday,fuelling tensions days beforedeposed President MohamedMorsi and 14 other leaders ofthe Islamist group go on trial.

Security forces have ar-rested thousands of Islamistssince the army toppled Morsion July 3. But they rarely de-tain women, especially in suchbig numbers.

Nasser Al-Abd, a seniorsecurity official in Egypt’s sec-ond city Alexandria, said thecharges against the womeninclude using force to disrupttraffic during protests, member-ship of an outlawed group anddistributing illegal leaflets.

A lawyer representing thesuspects said they were agedbetween 15 and 25. They weredetained on Thursday morn-ing. Islamists and human rightsgroups accuse the army of

staging a coup and returningEgypt to the days of HosniMubarak, who ruled with aniron fist for three decades be-fore he was toppled in a popu-lar uprising in 2011.

The army says it was re-sponding to mass protestsagainst Morsi, Egypt’s firstfreely elected leader, and hasset out a plan leading to whatit says will be free and fair elec-tions. “We are living in oppres-sion and darkness. I can’t be-lieve that my daughter did notgo home with me and I don’tbelieve that they made the girlskneel and held up pistols tothem,” said Um Yumna, whose15-year-old daughter was de-tained. “May God avenge thisand hurt their hearts like theyhurt ours.”Abd denied thewomen had been mistreated.“We are treating them with theutmost respect, like our own chil-dren. We let their parents visitthem,” he said.——Reuters

22 Brotherhood womendetained before Morsi trial

3 dacoits arrestedLAHORE—Mustafa Townpolice arrested three membersof a dacoit gang and recov-ered cash, mobile phones andweapons. The accused wereidentified as Nadeem aliasSoda, Ahsan and Akhtar, po-lice said. During interroga-tions, the accused confessedmany burglary and mobilesnatching incidents.—APP

Army Chiefwitnesses field

exercisesJHELUM—Army Chief Gen-eral Ashfaq Parvez Kayani,Friday, witnessed the ongoingarmy level field exercise here.Army level field exercise en-tered in final phase. Accord-ing to DG Inter Services Pub-lic Relations (ISPR), ongoingArmy level field exercise hadentered in final phase. On Fri-day, Army Chief witnessedthe exercise. The maneuversinvolving armour and forma-tion started.—Online

SC suspends SSPInvestigation East

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The SupremeCourt of Pakistan (SC) sus-pended SSP Investigation East,Junaid Shaikh for remainingabsent from the hearing ofKarachi law and order imple-mentation case on Friday.

A three-judge benchheaded by Chief JusticeIftikhar Muhammad Chaudhrywas hearing the Karachi un-rest case Friday at KarachiRegistry. During today’s pro-ceedings, the CJ suspendedSSP Investigation East, JunaidShaikh on failing to appearduring today’s hearing.

Junaid Shaikh was due toappear in the court to presentthe investigation report onShera Pathan murder case be-fore the bench.

Shera Pathan was themember of Arshad Pappugang and was murdered withhim.The SC also summonedKarachi Police chief ShahidHayat on immediate basis.

LG polls onlypossible in Janor Feb: Wassan

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Sindh Minister forPrisons and Anti-CorruptionManzoor Hussain Wassan onFriday revealed that the localgovernment elections in theprovince of Sindh could onlybe held either in last week ofJanuary or in first week of Feb-ruary next year. The Ministerclaimed that the political par-ties were responsible for thatdelay in holding of the localgovernment polls.

He alleged that those po-litical parties that had sup-ported the former presidentGen. (Retd) Pervez Musharrafhad an unparallel expertise torig the polls but the PakistanPeople’s Party Parliamentar-ian had no such experience.

He said that the people ofSindh were standing besidethe PPPP and the next gov-ernment would of the PPPP.

Wassan said that the mar-riage and divorce between thePPPP and the MQM had beenhappening quite frequentlyand if needed for a re-marriagecould be arranged throughHalala.

Continued on Page 7

NEW DELHI—India may nothave had diplomatic ties withIsrael but New Delhi quietlysought and got arms from TelAviv as it prepared to go towar with Pakistan in 1971, abook has revealed.

The book, 1971, byscholar Srinath Raghavan of-fers fresh insights into the 14-day war that led to the cre-ation of Bangladesh.

Raghavan accessed thePN Haksar papers main-tained at the Nehru Memo-rial Museum and Library inNew Delhi. These papersdocument startling aspectsof the war but has not beendocumented adequately. Adiplomat, Haksar was also anadviser to the then PrimeMinister Indira Gandhi.

Raghavan’s research re-veals that India’s ambassa-

dor to France DN Chatterjeebegan the process to get Is-raeli arms with a note to theexternal affairs ministry onJuly 6, 1971, saying assis-tance from Israel for “propa-ganda, finance and even pro-curement of armament andoil” would be “invaluable”.

Gandhi immediately ac-cepted the proposal andthrough the country’s exter-nal intelligence agencyR&AW began the process toget the arms through the tinyprincipality of Liechtenstein.

India didn’t have diplo-matic ties with Israel at thattime, having voted against itscreation in 1948, and consis-tently supported the Arabs inthe Israel-Palestine conflict.Israel was in middle of an armsshortage but prime ministerGolda Meir stepped in to di-

Israel helped India in1971 war, reveals book

vert arms meant for Iran toIndia. She sent a note ad-dressed to Gandhi in Hebrewthrough Shlomo Zabuldowicz, the director of the firmhandling the secret transfers,with a request for diplomaticties in return for arms. The dip-lomatic ties, however, couldonly be established in 1992when Narasimha Rao was theIndian PM.

Another note from thenR&AW chief RN Kao on Au-gust 4, 1971 to Haksar alsofinds mention in Raghavan’sbook. The note detailed howthe arms would be airliftedwith a batch of Israeli instruc-tors. The arms would eventu-ally land up with the IndianArmy and the Mukti Bahini,the guerilla force of Bengaliswho would force the Paki-stanis to surrender.—INP

PEOPLE who‘ve had gastric bypass surgery might make healthier eating choicesthan those who opt for the weight loss

procedure known as gastric banding, say UKresearchers who found bypass patients lesstempted by sweets and other fattening foods.

After surveying patientswho had either type of sur-gery, and performing brainscans on several dozen ofthem, Dr. Tony Goldstone ofImperial College Londonand Hammersmith Hospitaland his colleagues foundthat even deep down in theirbrains, the gastric bypasspatients seemed to like high-calorie foods less.

“The results suggest thatgastric-banding patients hadto exert quite a lot of self-control over their eating be-havior. Banding patientsalso had higher concernabout their weight,” Gold-stone told Reuters Health.

In contrast, gastric by-pass patients “don`t feel they have to exert asmuch cognitive control over what they`re eat-ing,” said Goldstone, who presented the find-ings October 4th at the Obesity Society`s an-nual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

The two weight loss operations have simi-lar broad goals — to shrink the stomach sopeople feel full with less food. In gastric by-pass, the stomach is surgically reduced andone end of it is rerouted to bypass part of thesmall intestine. With gastric banding, a sili-cone band placed around the top of the stom-ach reduces its capacity.Although gastricbanding is more popular, in part because theband can be removed, previous research has

found gastric bypass patients seem to losemore weight and lose it faster than bandingpatients. The reasons for the differences arestill unclear.

Goldstone‘s team studied 30 gastric by-pass patients, 28 gastric banding patients and

20 people who did not haveweight loss surgery. All theparticipants started out obeseand the two surgery groupshad lost similar amounts ofbody weight since their re-spective procedures, an aver-age of 28 percent.

Since banding patientslose weight more slowly,those in this study had under-gone their procedure an aver-age of 18 months earlier, com-pared to the bypass patients at10 months post-surgery.

Participants filled out aneating behavior questionnaire,and 20 people in each groupunderwent functional mag-netic resonance imaging(fMRI) while looking at pic-

tures of food.Among the significant differences in

questionnaire responses, researchers found,the gastric bypass patients reported having torestrain themselves less, or finding it easierto restrain themselves from eating poorly.They also did less impulsive eating — eatingsomething on sight, not out of hunger — andless eating to boost their mood, or “emotionaleating.”Those who underwent fMRI hadfasted overnight, and then viewed pictures offoods and ate ice cream during the brain scan.The gastric bypass patients rated the ice creamand pictures of high-calorie foods as less ap-pealing than did the gastric banding patients.

Weight loss bypass surgerymay muffle temptation

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid awarding certificates among the participants of 9-day workshop on DW Radio onDigitisation of Archival Material at Radio Pakistan.

Citizens protesting against US drone attacks outside National Press Club.

CITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Capital Devel-opment Authority (CDA) hasfinalized arrangements to fa-cilitate the public gatheringsand processions during theholly month of Moharram.

It will fully co-operatewith the Islamabad Capital Ad-ministration (ICT) and makeavailable all civic facilities tothe participants.

This was stated by Chair-man CDA, Nadeem HassanAsif while chairing a high levelmeeting regarding up-coming

Comprehensive arrangements tofacilitate Muharram processions

Moharram. The meeting was at-tended by senior officers CDA,representatives of ICT andIslamabad Police.

The Chairman CDA nomi-nated the Member Engineering,Sanaullah Aman as focal personfrom CDA who would superviseall the operations of CDA andwill have close liaison with theDistrict Administration.

He directed the Environmentwing of the Authority to trimtrees on the routes of Moharramprocession to make passage safeand to avoid any inconvenience.Similarly, he directed to remove

the shrubs and clean the nullahsin the vicinity of religious gath-ering to provide a cleaner envi-ronment.

The Chairman CDA di-rected the Engineering Wing tocarry out repair work immedi-ately on the routes of proces-sions to facilitate its movement.

He further added that thestreet lights on all routes of theprocessions and at all ImamBargahas should be repairedand uninterrupted supply ofelectricity be ensured by mak-ing arrangements of stand bygenerators to avoid any unto-

ward incident.He directed the Sanitation

Staff to devise a comprehensiveplan for cleaning and collectionof garbage from the routes ofprocessions and places of gath-ering / Imam Bargahas to pro-vide healthy and safer environ-ment to participants.

He also directed the Direc-tor Municipal Administration(DMA) to constitute specialteams to check all kinds of wallchalking or banners with hatredmaterial and if noticed it shouldimmediately be destroyed andsuch kind of wall chalking or

posters should not be allowedat any cost.

He further directed tocheck main holes on theroutes and surroundings of thegathering and to ensure thatthese should be covered prop-erly.

The Chairman CDA can-celled the holidays of employ-ees of street light division,Sanitation staff, and water sup-ply during Moharram. Simi-larly he announced that therewill be high alert in CDA Capi-tal Hospital during the Ashoradays.

Dengue patientexpires

RAWALPINDI—Another 27-yearold dengue patient admitted inHoly Family Hospital expiredhere Friday.According to details,Ahmed a resident of Adiala Roadwas brought to HFH on Wednes-day and was suffering from highfever for last 10 days and hadsymptoms of dengue.

The hospital administrationconducted blood tests, and wasdetected positive. The patientwas shifted in the ICU however,did not survive.The deceasedwas a software engineer andemployed in a private bank.

HFH Medical Superintendent(MS) Dr Arshad Ali Sabir, talkingto mediamen said that soon afterarrival the patient was shifted toisolation Ward but his conditiondeteriorated.He said that seniordoctors and Principal RawalpindiMedical College (RMC) and Al-lied Hospitals (AHs) Chief Prof DrMuhammad Umer also examinedthe the patient.—APP

CITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Lt. Gen ® JavedZia, Pakistan’s Ambassador-des-ignate to Libya, Mr. AizazAhmad Chaudhry, Pakistan’sAmbassador-Designate to Bel-gium and the EU, Mr. MasroorAhmed Junejo Ambassador-des-ignate to Denmark, Mr. AbdulHamid , Ambassador-designateto the Kingdom of Norway , Mr.Ayaz Muhammad Khan Ambas-sador-designate to Romania, Dr.Khalid Hussain Memon , Ambas-sador-designate to Poland, Dr.Saeed Khan Mohmand, Ambas-sador-Designate to Greece andMr. Safdar Hayat, Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines,separately called on PresidentMamnoon Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Friday and discussed mat-

Ambassadors designate discusstheir assignment with President

ters pertaining to their new as-signments.

The President felicitated thenewly appointed envoys andurged them to focus on furthercementing Pakistan’s bilateralrelations and multifaceted coop-eration with the countries oftheir respective posting.

The President on the occa-sion highlighted that presentgovernment attaches great im-portance to the development oftrade and economic cooperationas an integral part of its foreignpolicy objectives. He empha-sized on robust pursuance ofeconomic diplomacy by diplo-mats to further underpin eco-nomic footprint of Pakistan inEuropean Union and other coun-tries of their posting.

The President expressed the

hope that the newly appointedenvoys would work with full de-votion for further strengtheningPakistan’s trade and commercialties with Belgium and EU, Den-mark, Greece, Libya, Norway,Philippines, Poland and Roma-nia. He also underscored the needfor increased rapport with thePakistani community in theircountries of assignment and ex-tending them every possible sup-port and facilitation in resolvingtheir problems.

The envoys designatethanked the President for meet-ing and assured that they wouldearnestly work to augmentPakistan’s bilateral relationswith the countries of their post-ing with particular focus on en-hancing trade, business and in-vestment ties.

Rawalpindi ArtsCouncil organizes

MushairaRAWALPINDI—Rawalpindi ArtsCouncil (RAC) in collaborationwith literary society Sukhanwarorganized Eid Milan Mushairawhich was presided over by fa-mous intellectual and poet JamilYousaf.Col (R) MaqboolHussain was the chief guest whileAmin Farooqi from Jehlum andSabina Saher from UK wereguests of honor of the mushaira.President Sukhanwar Aftab Ziawas the compare of the event.

Resident Director WaqarAhmed looked after all the ar-rangements himself. More than 60poets including Baber Zuhrab,Anjum Mehmood, Asma Rahat,Sohail Ahmed, Jawairia Ambreen,Nouman Razzaq, Jia Qureshi, Ziaul Haq Zia, Amjad Aadis, RiffatWaheed, Shazia Gillani, ZakirRehman, Nikhat Seema, RashidaMaheen Malik, Naveed Malik,Farzanan Jannan, Asad Baig, DrFarhat Abbas, Arshad Malik,Qayyum Tahir and Naseem Saherrecited their poetry and receivedthunder appreciation.

At the end of mushaira Resi-dent Director Waqar Ahmed an-nounced that drama titled “Den-gue in Trouble” will be staged inconnection with Anti-Denguecampaign on 2nd November at 10am while Hazrat Imam HussainConference will be held on 3rdNovember.—INP

Art pieces ofSadequain

ISLAMABAD—An art exhibitionat Abida Parveen (AP) Galleriebagan on Friday in which artpieces of Sadequain, UstadKhursheed Alam, ZawarHussain and Ustad Allah Buxwere placed on displaySadequain is a painter known forpainting upside down portraits.His works are on permanent dis-plays in France, UK and USA.

Ustad Khursheed Alam alsoknown as Gohar Qalam is a pro-fessor at National College ofArts (NCA). He is a master ofcalligraphy. His works are onpermanent display at AshmoleanMuseum, Oxford and BritishMuseum in London.

Zawar Hussain belonging tothe city of Multan and legend-ary Ustad Allah Bux art piecesare at the exhibition.

Among the attendees at theinaugural session will be foreigndiplomats, dignitaries and ex-perts. The exhibition is to endby 10th Nov.—Online

CITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—It is the prime re-sponsibility of Capital Develop-ment Authority (CDA) to provideclean and healthy environment tothe residents of Islamabad. Chair-man CDA Nadeem Hassan Asifsaid this during a visit of I.J Prin-cipal Road.He visited the I.J Prin-cipal Road to check the cleanli-ness of road in connection withcomplaints that I.J Principal Roadis not being looked after properlyby Sanitation department. He di-rected the Sanitation staff work-

Clean and healthyenvironment for citizens

ing there to clean this road andno garbage or stagnant watershould be seen on and along theroad. He said that stagnant wa-ter and garbage is the potentialbreeding site for dengue.

He said that all wings ofCDA should work jointly ineliminating this menace from thecity. He asked the EnvironmentWing to start fresh plantation ingreen belts and medians along I.JPrincipal Road. All kind of en-croachments shall be clearedfrom this road, he added.

The Chairman CDA, di-

rected Health Services Director-ate to carry out fogging as pre-vention of spreading of dengue.He requested the residents ofIslamabad that they should takeprecautionary measures againstdengue by wearing full sleevesshirts and using mosquito re-plants especially in the morningand evening times.

He further directed the En-vironment and Sanitation Wingto carry out a joint survey of thecity and do away with stagnantwater and garbage in all publicplaces, parks and tourist sites.

RAWALPINDI—In order tomaintain law and order in the cityduring Muharram-ul-Haram, po-lice have proposed ban on the

Ban on entry of 156 Ulemaentry of 156 Ulema and Zakirinof different sects intoRawalpindi.

Police also recommended

to ban the speeches of 92 otherreligious scholars and sent listsof the scholars to the district ad-ministration.—INP

Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward taking keen interest in the art workdisplayed during an exhibition at Gallery 6.

Canadian High Commissioner Greg Giokas, Deputy Head of Mission Lajos Arendos and the chief guests, the students from a local school cuttingthe cake during a ceremony to celebrate Pakistan-Canada relations at a Canada in the Fall event, in Islamabad.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir

05:40

01:30

04:00

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Zohr

Brothers in Islam establishregular prayers and charity

A youngster rides a motorcycle on one wheel which may cause any mishap and needsattention of concerned authorities.

Afzal Butt is praying along with other office-bearers and workers at PFUJ Secretariatafter assuming office of the President FUJ in Islamabad.

CPO to holdOpen Kutchery

todayRAWALPINDI—On the in-structions of Chief MinisterPunjab, City Police Officer(CPO) Bilal Sadiq Kamyanawill hold a Open Katchery atSadiqabad police station onSaturday. According to po-lice spokesman, CPO will lis-ten to the complaints and or-der directives on the spot toprovide justice to the grievedpeople. The rising crime rateneeds to be checked in thearea on priority, a resident ofSadiqabad Malik Aleem said.

Major operation shouldbe launched to arrest the pro-claimed offenders and courtabsconders, he added. Trad-ers’ community also ex-pressed concern over thesecurity arrangements anddemanded authorities to en-hance the security for theprotection of their busi-ness.—APP

RAWALPINDI—City Police inits drive against anti-socialelements on Friday arrested25 accused for their allegedinvolvement in illegal activi-ties and recovered illegaldrugs, and arms from theirpossession.

According to policespokesman, Rata Amral po-lice arrested accused Asif andrecovered 145 gram charasfrom his possession whileCivil Line police arrested ac-cused Zubair Ali and recov-ered 1110 gram charas fromhis possession.

Gujar Khan police nabbedTanveer Aziz and recovered110 gram charas from him.

Police nab 25 lawbreakersRata Amral police recovered7 bottles of liquor from ac-cused Illyas. Cantt police ar-rested accused AbdulQadeer and recovered 5bottles of liquor from his pos-session.

Mandra police arrestedaccused Aftab and recoveredsame quantity from him.Kahuta police arrested ac-cused Asif and recovered 2bottles of liquor from his pos-session. Gujar Khan policerecovered same quantityfrom accused UmerMubarrak. Ganjmandi policearrested accused QaziHaseeb and recovered 30bore pistol with 2 rounds

from his possession.Airport police arrested

accused Ibrar and recovered30 bore pistol with one roundfrom his possession. Taxilapolice arrested accused Dan-ish Masih and recovered 30bore pistol from him. Mandrapolice arrested accusedFayyaz and recovered 30bore pistol with 2 roundsfrom him. Rawat police ar-rested accused Rana Naveedand recovered 30 bore pistolfrom him. City police recov-ered firecrackers and materialfrom Adil Nafees. Police haveregistered separate casesagainst all accused andstarted investigation.—APP

PBM plans toestablish ‘Musafar

Khanas’ in hospitalsISLAMABAD—Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) has devised aplan to establish MusafarKhanas at various Hospitalof the country aiming to fa-cilitate the patients of farflung areas especially, saidan official .

Talking to APP he saidthe Pakistan Bait-ul- Mal(PBM) was also planning toexpand Child SupportProgramme (CSF) in 144 dis-tricts of the country aimingto give additional support topoor families having schoolgoing children.

He said, additional cashincentive of CSF is beingoffered to the existing ben-eficiaries of Food SupportPorgramme (FSP) at therate of Rs 300 to the fami-l ies having one childrenand Rs 600 to the FSP fami-l ies having two or morechildren of school goingage.

The payments are trans-mitted to the beneficiariesthrough Pakistan Post. TheCSF is benefitting the chil-dren of Bhakkar, Tharparkar,Kohistan, Rawalpindi,Multan, Nawabshah,Abbottabad, Kharan, Quetta,Ghanche and Muzaffarabadand Swat.

The budget of PakistanBait ul Mal was being effi-ciently utilized to benefit thepoor and needy. PBM is con-tributing towards povertyreduction through its variouspoorest of the poor ser-vices.—APP

CITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—There is anurgent need to strengthenstudents’ career counselingsystem in educational insti-tution and encourage themto ask questions about dif-ferent curiosities they con-front with.

Secretary General Paki-stan Academy of Sciences(PAS) Dr. Anwar Nasim saidthis while addressing a largegathering of scientists, stu-dents and teachers at Paki-stan Science Foundation(PSF) in connection with alecture on “Characterizationand Synthesis of Piezo-Electric BatiO3 Crystals” byPrincipal Scientific OfficerDr. Muhammad MuneebAsim and Deputy Chief En-gineer Dr. MuhammadShoaib, both from KahutaR e s e a r c hLaboratories,Rawalpindi.

PSF Chairman Prof. Dr.Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto pre-sided over the function heldin connection with theFoundation popular sciencelecture series, attended byCIIT Advisor Dr.Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, alarge number of students,teachers and scientistsfrom different science andtechnology organizations.

Dr. Anwar Nasim, a re-nowned bio-technologist,writer and recipient ofSitara-e-Imitiaz, invited stu-dents to give him the ex-ample of any two activities

Strengthening of studentscounselling system

in their life in which scienceis not involved. Dr. Nasimsaid on answering the ques-tion he will give prizes to thestudents .

Dr. MuhammadMuneeb Asim and Dr.Muhammad Shoaib in theirmulti-media presentationhighlighted Characteriza-tion and Synthesis of Piezo-Electric Bati O3 Crystals.They said these crystals area highly demanding prod-uct used in defence appli-ances, especially by navyas well as in ultrasound,high frequency speakersand in shoes to gauge thespeed of athletes.

They said these crys-tals are highly expensiveand their local synthesiswill be very cost effective.

Speaking on this occa-sion, PSF Chairman Dr.Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto saidPSF would continue suchactivities to provide a plat-form to students and teach-ers for interaction to pro-mote and develop sciencein the country.

He thanked the partici-pants for taking keen inter-est in the lecture.

CIIT Advisor Dr.Muhammad Zafar Iqbal andPSF PSO Research Supportalso spoke on this occasion.

At the end of lecture,PSF Chairman Dr. Ibupoto,Dr. Anwar Nasim, Dr. ZafarIqbal and other scientistsinteracted with the studentsand enlightened them with

different phenomenon ofscience.

It is pertinent to men-tion that “Characterizationand Synthesis of Piezo-Electric BatiO3 Crystals”was a PSF funded project,which was successfullycompleted by Dr.Muhammad Muneeb Asimand Dr. Muhammad Shoaib,who were its principal andco-principal investigatorsrespectively.

Piezo-electric devicesare used to convert me-chanical energy into electri-cal energy and vice versa.

The applications rangefrom low power miniaturesize microphones to highpower bulky transducers.Since the discovery of vari-ous piezoelectric materials,barium titanate (BaTiO3)has emerged as the mostversatile material simulta-neously functional for alltypes of piezoelectric de-vices.

The characteristics ofpiezoelectric material anddimension of piezo- crys-tals are adjusted accordingto the application. These re-quire a comprehensive un-derstanding of the phases,structure and grain size ofthe piezo-material and theircontrols.

Considering the poten-tial use of barium titanate inpiezoelectric transducersand non availability of TOTfor such devices in country,this project was carried out.

ISLAMABAD—The demandfor chicken corn soup hasincreased manifold in thetwin cities of Rawalpindi andIslamabad. A number ofpeople can be seen enjoyingchicken soup either bystanding near soup stalls orsitting in shops and restau-rants.

A large number of peoplecan be seen revelling in tak-ing chicken soup. But at sev-eral stalls and shops care isnot taken to serve thechicken soup in hygienicways.

“It’s quite ironic that careis not taken to serve thechicken soup in accordancewith health standards,” saidMohsin Ali at G-7 chickensoup shop.

“I have seen a soup stall-holder serving the broth inthe same bowl several timewithout bothering to washit,” another customer AyanSadiq.

He said that he heardsome one saying that chickensoup is also called‘grandma’s penicillin’ due toits healing effects upon

Demand for chicken soupincreases in twin cities

health, but the way it wasbeing served “wastes all itsbenefits.”

Dr Aftab A Malik atPolyclinic while talking toAPP said that one could notdeny that there were certainbenefits of taking chickensoup, but care should betaken to ensure its hygienicserving.

Irfan Tahir, while takinga sip of soup at stall atFaizabad said that despite thefact that there was dustaround the stall, he could notresist the temptation.—APP

Speakers payrich tributes toHazrat ImamHussain (AS)

RAWA L P I N D I—ProvincialMinister for Environment Col(R) Shuja Khanzada has saidImam Hussain (AS) gave thelesson of sacrifice,courageand barvery.

Shuja Khanzada ad-dressing a 36th InternationalHussainia Conference hereorganized by Markazi ImamHussain Council said thatImam Hussain sacrificed hislife for protecting Islamic val-ues, supporting human dig-nity, and defending the reli-gion.

The great Shahadat ofHazrat Imam Hussain (AS)wrote a golden chapter inworld history.

He said adding thatKarbala became a source ofguidance for all indepen-dence movements andHussain’s sacrifice teachesus the lesson of brother-hood, affinity and love.

Further he added thatthe unity of Muslim Ummahwas the need of the hour,the minister said we shouldshun our petty differencesand follow the teachings ofthe Imam.

Tariq Sadiqi CulturalConsular of Iran, FormerFederal Minister AllamaOmer Riaz Abbasi, DistrictPeace Committee memberMaulana Allama IzharBukhari , Allama GhazanfarMehdi, Barrister AhmedRaza Kasuri, Asia Chaudhry,Maulana Haider Alvi andAtique Bilal also spoke onthe occasion .—APP

CITY REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—An awarenessraising walk on deadly den-gue virus was held here onMurree Road on Friday un-der the auspices of AnjumanFaizul Islam (AFI)and SocialWelfare Department Punjab.

Officials of AFI and SocialWelfare Departments alongwith students of AFI walkedthrough the Murree road car-rying banners inscribed withslogans and use full informa-tion about how to control den-gue virus. Participants of thewalk also distributed hand billsand pamphlets among thepeople and sought their helpto made successful the efforts

Dengue awarenesswalk held

being carried out by the districtadministration to eliminate den-gue mosquitoes from the city.

Earlier, while addressing aspecial ceremony held to raisepublic awareness on denguevirus, the President ofAnjuman Faizul Islam MianMohammad Siddique Akbarsaid the people of Pakistanhad overcame calamities likeearthquake and devastatingflood with their unprec-edented unity and brother-hood. He said the dengue vi-rus was also a natural calam-ity which could be eliminatedby collective efforts of our so-ciety members. “We shouldnot afraid of dengue and getrid of it by keeping our envi-

ronment clean”, he added.He advised the people to

make sure that no water wasaccumulated in, on andaround our houses whichwere the main sources of re-production of dengue mos-quitoes. Senior District OfficerSocial Welfare DepartmentCh. Sarfraz Ahmed andDeputy District Officer SocialWelfare DepartmentMohammad Ashraf Shamsialso spoke on the occasionand threw light on how toavoid dengue virus. Theyappealed to the masses toadopt cleanliness habits andkeep their environment neatand clean to help eliminatedengue mosquitoes.

No place forold trees

RAWALPINDI—CantonmentBoard Administration has ini-tiated the hewing of centu-ries old trees on Peshawarroad in regard of extensionof road and park.

Sources said that, CanttBoard has not only restartedthe renovation of road,which has been recently ex-tended, but also initiateddamaging the green belt andpark allocated besidePeshawar road.

During this project theadministration has also cutdown the centuries old treesof eucalyptus, which were,located more than 1 kilome-ter far from the road.

Sources from cantonmentboard said that, administra-tion has also auctioned thecontract of hewing of thesetrees on very less amountand millions of rupees ‘Cor-ruption Project’ is beingplaned behind this project.

On the other side, citizensseverely protesting againsthewing of these trees havesaid that cutting of trees havenot only damaged thebeauty of city but has alsoincreased the environmentalpollution.—Online

Public parkturned intocattle pen

RAWALPINDI—The publicpark at Dhok Syedan hasturned into filth depot andcattle pen due to negligenceof district administration.

Dhok Syedan is a thicklypopulated area which is hav-ing only one public park. It isfull of garbage dumps andfilth heaps. The gawalashave turned the park intocattle pen with shifting theircattle in this ground.

The odor emitting fromthe filth heaps has pollutedenvironment of the area pos-ing health hazards to the resi-dents. There are six schoolsoperating around this parkand heaps of garbage andcattle waste lying in the parkhas made it impossible for thestudents to focus on theirstudies. Parents have startedpulling out their children fromthese schools for the sake oftheir health

These heaps of filth havecaused fatal epidemics in thelocality and two or threecases of victims of these epi-demics are reported daily inthe surrounding hospitals.

We have approached thecivic authorities for severaltimes requesting them to makearrangements for lifting gar-bage dumps, initiation of ac-tion against the gawals anddeployment of security guard,residents said.—Online

IG Islamabadseeks reply

ISLAMABAD—In pursuanceof the directives of interiorministry, IG Police Islamabadhas sought reply from SSPIslamabad for conductingraid on the home of divorceddaughter in law of former lawminister Wasi Zafar.

Sources said that WaqarWasi, son of former law min-ister Wasi Zafar while lodg-ing report in Woman PoliceStation told that he was mar-ried to Ambar Abid and laterhe divorced her. “Ambarcame to my home and stoleaway jewelery worth 10 mil-lion rupees and she is refus-ing to return it”, he stated inthe report.

The police registeredcase and started investiga-tion. Women police con-ducted two raids to arrest theaccused.—Online

Allotment processto be accelerated

ISLAMABAD—Minister ofState for Housing & WorksBarrister Usman Ibrahim hasdirected the officials of Es-tate Office to accelerate theallotment process on the ba-sis of General Waiting List(GWL)

Details said, On Fridaywhile chairing a meeting,minister urged the Estate Of-fice to expedite the pace ofwork in Estate Office.

Minister showed hisgrave concern over the issueof unauthorized occupantson government housingunits and directed to getthem vacate as soon as pos-sible.

To overcome the short-age of workforce in EstateOffice, minister assured theEstate Officer that the man-power will be provided fromPakistan Housing Author-ity (PHA) but the workshould not be stopped atany stage.

Moreover, he directedthe Estate officer to identifycorrupt elements, whichhinder the progress of theoffice so that the Ministrywill take action against it be-cause corruption will be nomore tolerated.—Online

November 3

Sungi DevelopmentOrganisation is organisingAsad Rehman Shaikh Me-morial Seminar on ‘NewDemocratic Dispensation inBalochistan: Challengesand Opportunities’ inIslamabad on 3rd Novem-ber at 3 PM at IslamabadHotel.

Kashmir issue can’t be wishedaway: Seminar in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR—The reso-lution of Kashmir issue is anunfinished agenda of thecivilised world and until thisissue is resolved in accor-dance with the aspirations ofthe Kashmiri people, durablepeace in South Asia wouldremain elusive. This was thecrux of thoughts expressedduring a seminar organised atthe Pakistan House in KualaLumpur to mark the KashmirBlack Day.

“Pakistan is committed toa just solution of the Kashmirissue and it would continueto invoke the conscience ofthe free world to help theKashmiris secure their right toself-determination as en-shrined in the United Nationsresolutions and pledged sev-eral times by the Indian lead-ership, including Prime Min-

ister Jawaharlal Nehru,” saidMr. Shahid M.G. Kiani, HighCommissioner for Pakistan toMalaysia.

Mr. Kiani also referred toPrime Minister Mian NawazSharif ’s recent statementmade during his visit to theUS where he had mentionedKashmir as a global flashpointthreatening peace in the SouthAsian region and beyond.“The South Asian peacehinges on a durable peace inSouth Asia and it is importantto involve the Kashmiris inany solution to the decades-old conflict,” the High Com-missioner said.

In a keynote address, Dr.Abdullah al-Ahsan, Pro-fessor of History andCivilisation at the Interna-tional Institute of IslamicThought and Civilisation at

the International Islamic Uni-versity Kuala Lum-pur, tracedthe history of the KashmirBlack Day marked worldwideto condemn the landing ofIndian troops in Srinagar in1947 and the subsequentoccu-pation of the valley byIndia in direct violation of In-dian Independence Act 1947which guaranteed self-deter-mination to the people ofKashmir. “The people ofKashmir have suffered far toolong and it is time the worldnoticed their plight and deliv-ered them from the yoke ofsubjugation,” he said.

A large number of promi-nent personalities from theMalaysian civil society, me-dia elites, academicians, stu-dents and representatives ofPakistani community at-tended the function.

SRINAGAR—Big protest dem-onstrations and rallies wereheld in all major parts of theKashmir valley includingSopore, Srinagar, Baramullah,Handwara, Tangmarg andKupwara in favour of right toself-determination andagainst continued humanrights violations by Indianarmy and police.

A mammoth protest rallyled by the veteran Hurriyetleader, Syed Ali Gilani wastaken out from Jamia Masjidto Iqbal Market in Sopore.

Thousands of peopleparticipating in the rallyraised “Geeway Geeway Pa-kistan” and “We Want Free-dom” slogans on the occa-sion.

Addressing the gather-ing, Syed Ali Gilani said that

Anti-India protest demos, rallies held across valley

Freedom is destiny ofpeople of Kashmir: Geelani

freedom was the undeniableright of the Kashmiris andIndia was staging electiondramas in the territory tosuppress the voice for self-determination.

APHC Chairman, MirwaizUmar Farooq addressingJuma congregation at JamiaMasjid in Srinagar said thatthe Indian army and policepersonnel were hell-bentupon subjecting the peopleto the worst political victim-ization.

APHC leaders, ShabbirAhmad Shah and NayeemAhmad Khan addressing theprotesters in Handwara andTangmarg said that India’ssuppressive tactics hadfailed to prevent theKashmiris from pursuingtheir ultimate destiny of free-

dom. Another pro-freedomdemonstration was held atNowshehra in Srinagar,which was led by the Jammuand Kashmir LiberationFront leaders, Bashir AhmadButt, Noor MuhammadKalwal and Shaikh AbdurRasheed.

APHC leaders ZafarAkbar Butt, Javed AhmadMir, Syed Bashir Andrabi,Mukhtar Ahmad Waza andMuhammad Yousuf Naqashaddressing big anti-Indiaprotest demonstrations atKhimber in Gandarbal,Kulgam and Divar Lolab saidthat India had been killing theKashmiris since 1947 to per-petuate its occupation overJammu and Kashmir.

Anti-India protest dem-onstration was also held in

Baramulla town and other ar-eas of the territory.

Meanwhile, according tothe data issued by the Re-search Section of KashmirMedia Service, today, Indiantroops in their continued actsof state terrorism, martyred 11and injured 28 Kashmiris dur-ing the last month of Octo-ber.

On the other hand, theIndian police placed theTehreek-e-Hurriyet Jammuand Kashmir leaders, AltafAhmad Shah, Ayaz Akbar,Mirajuddin Kalwal and PirSaifullah under house arrest.The authorities arrestedDemocratic Political Move-ment Chairman, FirdousAhmad Shah and lodged himat Kothi Bagh police stationin Srinagar.—KMS

ISLAMABAD—Hurriyet lead-ers have strongly reacted tothe rejection by the HighCourt a petition seeking banon use of pepper gas andpellet guns to quell protests,saying that the verdict hasproved that the issues per-taining to the Kashmiris areeven not addressed bycourts.

The Chairman of All Par-ties Hurriyet ConferenceMirwaiz Umar Farooq in amedia interview in Srinagarsaid that he would move theSupreme Court against theone-sided verdict, KMS re-ported.

“High Court’s divisionbench comprising Chief Jus-tice MM Kumar and JusticeAli Mohammad Magrey hasnot considered ground reali-

IHK HC verdict on peppergas use termed as one-sided

ties while pronouncing thejudgment.

The court ignored all therealities and evidence col-lected by experts and doc-tors, which prove health haz-ard effects on humans by useof peppers and pellets,” headded.

Dismissing three peti-tions seeking ban on use ofpepper gas and pellets byIndian police and paramilitaryforces to quell protests in theValley, the court said the pe-titions have been filed to gaincheap publicity.

The veteran leader, SyedAli Gilani said the verdict hasonce again proved that voiceof weaker section is neverheard. “While the courts andother judicial institutions aremeant to deliver justice to

weaker section of people butunfortunately here in Kash-mir it is the otherwise. Thejudges, who pronounced thejudgment and dismissed pe-tition, should have consid-ered the public interests,which are at the receivingend,” he said.

Geelani said there is nojustification for use of pep-per gas on peaceful protest-ers. However, he said that heno intention to pursue thecase in the Indian SupremeCourt.

Terming the decision‘one sided and unfortunate’,the Jammu and KashmirnLiberation Front Chairman,Mohammad Yasin Malik saidthe court did not consider thereports of doctors and ex-perts.—APP

Indian troopsmartyr 11

Kashmiris inOctober

ISLAMABAD—Indian troopsin their continued acts ofstate terrorism, martyred 11Kashmiris during the lastmonth of October in occu-pied Kashmir.

According to sources, 28Kashmiris were critically in-jured when Indian police andparamilitary personnel usedbrute force against peacefuldemonstrators in the occu-pied territory and arrested 39civilians, mostly youth dur-ing the month.

The paramilitary person-nel molested two womenwhile one youth was disap-peared during the period.Meanwhile, the Indian policeplaced the Tehreek-e-Hurriyet Jammu and Kashmirleaders, Altaf Ahmad Shah,Ayaz Akbar MirajuddinKalwal and Pir Saifullah un-der house while sealed all theareas of Sopore where theveteran Hurriyet leader, SyedAli Gilani is to address a pro-test rally after Jumaprayers.—APP

SRINAGAR—Healthcare infra-structure in Kashmir col-lapsed over the years becauseof prevailing conflict in theregion and the topsy-turvysituation continued to remaina major bottleneck in itsprogress, a new study says.

The study titled ‘FromGender Positive HealthcareSystem: A Study ofHealthcare, Gender and Con-flict in Kashmir’ has been con-ducted by known sociologistProf B A Dabla during April-September this year. It wassponsored by Indian Councilof Medical Research (ICMR),New Delhi.

It says with the eruptionof militancy in 1989,healthcare facilities startedcollapsing in Kashmir Valley,the impact of which, it says,was felt more in rural areasthan urban. “Since govern-ment was extremely busy in

Conflict made Kashmirhealthcare to collapse

countering militancy, it had notime to plan and subsequentlyconstruct new hospitals,” thestudy notes.

The study, which wasconducted through inter-views, questionnaires and di-rect observation, states thathealthcare was affected dueto loss of professional man-power in health centers after1990.

Conducted over a samplesize of 600 respondents (400general and 200 professional)from four districts of Kashmir,the study says the worst suf-ferers of healthcare collapsewere women particularly hail-ing from rural and hilly areas.

The study, data of whichwas collected by trained re-searcher investigators ofKashmir University’s Sociol-ogy Department, says mentalhealth cases among womenincreased due to conflict.

It says violence againstwomen started in an “orga-nized way” after the conflicterupted in Kashmir. “Whilecriminal violence took placeoutside family,” the studysays, “domestic violence tookplace inside families.”

The data for the study,later aggregated, tabulatedand analyzed, was collectedby research investigators,Saba Wani, Sumeera Nazir,Shamsul Haque, AftabAhmad Bhat and Dr A MRather (Senior Research Fel-low) with Prof Dabla being theprincipal investigator.

“Since conflict in Kash-mir, there has been rise ofwomen specific diseases,” itsays.

“Over two decades ofconflict gave rise to trends ofInfant Mortality Rate (IMR)and Maternal Mortality Ratio(MMR). —NNI

Hakim:track-IIdiplomacy must

for peaceSRINAGAR—People’s Demo-cratic Front president andMLA Khan Sahab HakimMuhammad Yasin has saidthe track-II diplomacy be-tween India and Pakistan wasimperative for the establish-ment of peace in the region.

“All the political partiesand leaders should take ef-fective steps for this purposeand pray for its (Track-IIdiplomacy’s) success in theregion,” said Hakim Yasin ina statement.

Expressing serious con-cern over the tension on bor-ders and LoC, he said: “Thepeople living near the borderson both the sides are battlingfor life due to shelling. It isthe responsibility of the primeministers of both India andPakistan to ensure an imme-diate halt to tension on bor-ders,” said Yasin.—NNI

SRINAGAR—Kashmir Eco-nomic Alliance (KEA) hasthreatened to launch an agi-tation against the state gov-ernment for failing to comeup with a policy decision onsealed commercial propertiesas per the directions of theHigh Court.

Hitting the streets in sup-port of traders and hoteliers,KEA held a protest demon-stration at Lal Chowk againststate government’s ‘inaction’on the “crucial” matter.

Blaming Srinagar Munici-pal Corporation (SMC),Srinagar Development Au-thority (SDA) and LAWDA

KEA stages protest, threatens agitationofficials for facilitating glar-ing Master Plan violations inSrinagar, KEA said it willcome up with the list of cor-rupt SMC, SDA and LAWDAofficials who allowed theseviolations to galore by “de-ceiving” the traders.

KEA- an amalgam of trad-ers, transporters and hote-liers - demanded that stategovernment should come upwith a policy decision regard-ing the sealed properties asdirected by the High Court.

The Alliance threatenedto “launch agitation” if gov-ernment fails to take actionagainst the corrupt officials

responsible for illegal con-structions and come up witha policy decision on how toprovide relief to the traderswhose establishments havebeen sealed by SMC.

Chairman, KEA,Muhammad Yaseen Khanwhile addressing the pro-testing businessmen at LalChowk said: “Chief MinisterOmar Abdullah and his gov-ernment should come upwith a clear and tangiblepolicy before the High Courtto facilitate de-sealing of af-fected properties and resto-ration of affected busi-nesses.”—NNI

MUZAFFARABAD: Deputy Speaker AJK Assembly Shaheen Kausar Dar talking to Minister of electricity RajaFaisal Rathore.

Hurriyat (M)welcomes Indo-Pak

decision to easetension on borders

SRINAGAR—Expressing hap-piness over the decision ofthe governments of India andPakistan to de-escalate ten-sion on borders, HurriyatConference (M) has calledupon both the countries tostart result-oriented talks onKashmir dispute among allthe stakeholders which in-cludes genuine leadership ofKashmir as well.

This was stated by theHurriyat executive councilmembers at a meeting con-vened by its chairmanMirwaiz Umar Farooq at theamalgam headquarters atRajbagh here.

“It has been the tradi-tional stand of Hurriyat thatKashmir and other issuesshould be resolved throughpeaceful negotiations andthat hurriyat was alwaysready to act as a facilitator inany such process,” aspokesman of the Hurriyat ina statement, quoted the ex-ecutive members as saying inthe meeting.

The executive councilmeeting was attended by ex-ecutive council members in-cluding Prof. Abdul GaniBhat, Bilal Gani Lone, AghaSyed Hassan Al Moosvi,Musadiq Adil and MukhtarAhmad Waza.

Meanwhile, the head ofJammu Kashmir Council forHuman Rights (JKHCR) SyedNazir Gilani had a detailedmeeting with Hurriyat lead-ers, throwing a detailed lighton the different facets ofKashmir dispute. He said,“UN and UNSC have to playimportant role in resolvingthe Kashmir issue.”—NNI

Kashmir disputethreat to worldpeace: Naqash

SRINAGAR—The All PartiesHurriyet Conference (APHC)leader Muhammad YousufNaqash has said that Kash-mir dispute is a threat to theworld peace and prosperity,security, stability and devel-opment are not possible in theregion without settlement ofthe dispute.MohammadYousuf Naqash addressing apublic gathering in DivarLolab that the people of Kash-mir were matured to distin-guish between the electionpolitics of those dancing tothe tunes of New Delhi andthose trying to liberate Kash-mir from the occupation ofIndia.

He said that India couldn’tmislead the world on the falserhetoric of democracy as itsmalicious, nefarious and op-pressive policies were exposedby its own retired army chiefthat Indian government wasfunding pro-India politiciansand stooges since 1947 to de-fame and neutralise liberationmovement.—KMS

KUALA LUMPUR: Shahid M. G. Kiani, Pakistan High Commissioner for Malaysia,addressing a seminar organised in connection with the Kashmir Balck Day.

SRINAGAR—The All PartiesHurriyet Conference (APHC)senior leader, Shabbir AhmadShah has said that Kashmiris a political dispute andshould be resolved throughpolitical means.ShabbirAhmad Shah, accompaniedby Muhammad Yousuf

Shabbir stresses politicalsettlement of Kashmir dispute

Naqash, talking to the be-reaved family of a Kashmiriyouth, Abbas Reshi ofHoshanpora, Shopian, killedby Indian troops, said thatsettlement of Kashmir dis-pute in accordance with theKashmiris’ aspirations couldbring peace in the region.

On the occasion, ShabbirAhmad Shah, while talking tothe people said, “We havebeen running a movement forthe last over six decades anddemand right to self-determi-nation for Kashmiris but it isunfortunate that India is sup-pressing our rights by the

SHIKHA DALMIA

ONE of the most obscene moments afterthe death of the

gang-rape victim in NewDelhi was a tweet byNarendra Modi, the Gover-nor of the Indian state ofGujarat, offering regret andcondolences to the deadwoman’s family.

Modi, who has quelledrestive minorities by allow-ing attackers to subjectwomen to unspeakable hor-rors, has done more thanany man to numb his prud-ish country to sexual vio-lence. Yet he was elected toa third term last month andis the presumptive front-runner of the BharatiyaJanata Party, the mainHindu opposition party, forprime minister in next year’snational elections.

So long as Indians keep

India’s selective outrage: The tale of two rapesrewarding politicos such asModi, the country’s collec-tive outrage after the NewDelhi case won’t change theculture that makes suchatrocities common in India.The attack on the 23-year-old physiotherapy studentwas truly depraved.

Five men and a teenagerin a private bus are accusedof kidnapping, beating, rap-ing, and violating her withan iron rod – and then dump-ing her and her semi-con-scious boyfriend on a high-way, where they also alleg-edly tried to run her over. Butas horrific as this crime was,consider what happened inGujarat in February 2002, afew months after Modi as-sumed office.

Organized bands of well-armed Hindus – some fromgroups tied to Modi’s party– fanned across the stateseeking revenge against

Muslims for allegedly burn-ing a train full of Hindu pil-grims a few weeks earlier.The Hindu rioters systemati-cally sought out and de-stroyed Muslim homes andbusinesses, killing morethan 1,000 people.

Muslim women weresingled out. According tomany Indian and foreignsources, including a HumanRights Watch account anda report by an internationalresearch team called“Threatened Existence: AFeminist Analysis of theGenocide in Gujarat,”women were stripped, gang-raped, often publicly, and fi-nally in almost all casesburned or hacked to death.

The reason the violencereached such extremes wasthat the state police stoodback and didn’t intervene tostop the Hindu attacks andeven told victims that it

could not protect them. Asif the bloodletting wasn’thorrific enough, Modi sub-sequently dismantled theshelters constructed by pri-vate organizations for dis-possessed Muslims, callingthem “child-breeding cen-ters.”

Compared with the NewDelhi rape, which has trig-gered a protest movement inIndia calling for the castra-tion and execution of thesuspects, the Gujarat rapesand pogrom elicited barelya whimper. Many Hindus ei-ther deny that the horroreven occurred, or if they ac-cept it, they claim it wasn’tas grisly as media accountssuggest. And if they believethe accounts, they sayMuslims had it coming.

Fewer than 100 out of thethousands of accused cul-prits – among them only onestate minister and one

Bharatiya Janata Partyleader – were convicted, andthat was a decade later. Modihimself was exonerated.

Business leaders andcorporations, from India andoverseas, turn a blind eye toModi’s role in allowing thebloodshed, and praise hiseconomic stewardship.

His business backershave already managed to getthe U.K. government to re-verse its long-standing banon him and to give him a visa.Now they are trying to per-suade the U.S. governmentto follow suit.

What accounts for thewide gulf in the Indian pub-lic response to the singlecrime in New Delhi and themass crimes in Gujarat? Onthe positive side, attitudestoward women have evolvedconsiderably since theGujarat atrocity more than10 years ago.

Thanks to liberalization,Indian women’s aspirationsand opportunities have in-creased, especially in big cit-ies, and they are demandingthat the governing classeskeep pace and create an en-vironment in which they arefree to move around safely.

After the New Delhi at-tack, any politician or evenreligious guru – no matterhow revered – who sug-gested that women need tocircumscribe their lives andchoices for their own protec-tion was condemned andlampooned, somethingscarcely imaginable when Iwas growing up in NewDelhi (in a Hindu household)in the 1970s.

But the darker reality isthat the young woman’s rapeand murder outraged thecountry’s Hindu urbanmiddle class because it wasa random and senseless act

that could have just as eas-ily victimized their daugh-ters. Not so with attacks onthe Muslim women inGujarat. The premeditatedand programmatic violenceagainst them meant that thebroader Hindu majority wasinsulated from it. If the NewDelhi woman’s fate madeevery Indian feel more vul-nerable, the attack on theMuslim women made Hindusat some level feel more se-cure.

There are other reasonsfor India’s apathy towardModi’s misdeeds. India is ademocracy and has its shareof human rights activistsand watchdog groups keep-ing an eye on governmentbrutality. Yet the public atlarge has little appreciationof the dangers associatedwith overly muscular gov-ernment.

Indians complain bitterly

about government dys-function and corruption. Yetthey have little compunc-tion about giving draconianpowers to their rulers in thename of security. The up-shot, tragically, is that Indi-ans care less about state-perpetrated rape than whenperpetrated by individuals.The scale of the sexual vio-lence in Gujarat was un-precedented in India.

But smaller episodes area matter of routine. The In-dian army has been accusedof using rape as a weaponto crush secessionist move-ments in Kashmir andManipur. After one particu-larly heinous case eightyears ago, Manipuri womenstripped naked and stormedthe army headquarters withplacards plaintively pro-testing: “Indian ArmyRapes Us.”—Kashmir Media Service

“In business, sir, onehas no friends, onlycorrespondents. ”¯—Alexandre Dumas

Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar with officials of Standard Chartered Bank and International Investors inLondon.

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Islamabad Chamber of Commerce of Traders and Small In-dustry Dr Shahid Rashid Butt presiding over a meeting of ICCTS.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Chairman ofthe Islamabad Chamber ofCommerce of Traders andSmall Industry Dr ShahidRashid Butt on Wednesdaylauded the government forinitiating moves aimed atwelfare of the small traders,businesswomen and the cot-tage industry.

Setting up chambers forsmall traders and small indus-try in three districts will help

resolve many problems con-fronted by the business com-munity, he said.

Speaking to businesscommunity here at SuperMarket, Mr. Butt said thatsmall traders have been striv-ing for chamber of small trad-ers since 2008 and now ourdream have come true as for-mal notification has been is-sued by the competent au-thority.

Millions of small traders,importers, and services pro-

viders would be the benefi-ciaries of the government’smove, he said, adding thatthe new body would ensureeffective dispute resolutionmechanism and that everytaxpaying trader is eligible tobecome a member of thechamber. The veteran busi-ness leader said that nowvoice of small traders wouldbe heard at policymakingcircles which will help re-solve their problems to en-sure smooth flow.

Chambers for small tradersa historic decision: Butt

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—NADRA Tech-nologies Limited (NTL) andHabib Bank Limited (HBL)have signed a branchlessbanking super agency agree-ment whereby more than5,500 NADRA e-Sahulat out-lets will conduct branchlessbanking financial transac-tions under the brand nameof HBL Express.

This deal will result inprovision of financial ser-vices, to the unbanked popu-lation of Pakistan. It is a jointstep of both the entities to-wards financial inclusion,

Faiq Sadiq, Head Payment Services HBL and Tariq Malik CEO NTL signing agreement.

NTL and HBL join handsto benefit unbanked population

leading to inclusive growthin Pakistan.

HBL launched Branch-less Banking operations inApril this year by the brandname of “HBL Express”, withthe vision to focus on theunder privileged and under/un banked population of Pa-kistan. Through HBL Ex-press, the bank is providingconvenient and reliable bank-ing services to the unbankedat affordable prices throughits agent network spread allacross Pakistan. This strate-gic partnership will now fur-ther extend the services onthe already existing E-

Sahulat Outlets of NADRATechnologies.

The agreement wassigned at NADRA’s HeadOffice in Islamabad betweenTariq Malik, CEO NTL andFaiq Sadiq, Head – PaymentServices HBL. The ceremonywas attended by senior man-agement of both organiza-tions, including GoharMarwat Khan, Deputy CEO,NADRA Technologies Lim-ited, Mr. Azfar Jamal – Headof Branchless Banking HBL,and Mr. Saleem Rafik, DGOperations, NADRA Tech-nologies Limited.

Expressing his views on

STAFF REPORTER

LA H O R E—A meeting ofthe Board of Directors ofThe Bank of Punjab (BOP)was held on 29th October2013. The un-audited fi-nancial statements of theBank for the nine monthsperiod ended September30, 2013 were consideredand approved by theBoard. The Bank posted aprofit before Tax (PBT) ofRs 2,048 million with anearning per share (EPS) ofRs 1.79 per share for theperiod Jan-Sep 2013. ThePBT registered a remark-able growth of 107% overthe figure for correspond-ing period last year. ThePBT for the third quarter2013 remained at the level

of Rs. 507 million as com-pared to Rs. 386 million forcorresponding period lastyear.

The Net Interest Margin(NIM) of the Bank alsoshowed a significant im-provement, posting a figureof Rs.2,135 million asagainst Rs. 1,659 million forcorresponding period lastyear. Non-mark up/interestincome increased to Rs2,906 million, rising by 29%over the same period lastyear.

The deposit base of theBank also registered persis-tent growth, which rose toRs. 275 billion as againstRs. 242 billion as on Sep-tember 30, 2012. Total As-sets of the Bank also stoodat Rs. 318 billion as against

Rs.302 billion a year ago.The Gross Advances ofthe Bank stood at Rs. 169billion, while Investmentsremained at the level ofRs.120 billion.

The Bank also focusedon improvement in the in-fected loan portfolio,thereby reflecting a sub-stantial decrease of Rs. 7.8billion over September 30,2012. Tier-I Equity im-proved to Rs. 12.0 billionas against Rs. 10.8 billionas on September 30, 2012.

The Bank has alsobeen granted licenses byState Bank of Pakistan foropening of 28 newbranches and upgradationof 4 sub-branches into full-fledged branches duringyear 2013.

BOP announces financialresults for period Jan-Sept

AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI —The State Bankof Pakistan, in collaborationwith SECP, banks, insurancecompanies and provincial live-stock & dairy departments, hasdeveloped a framework forLivestock Insurance for bor-rowers. It is aimed at improv-ing access to finance to thelivestock & dairy sector bymitigating risk of loss of live-stock due to disease, naturalcalamities & accidents.

The livestock sector con-tributes 55% in AgricultureGDP and 11.4% to the overallGDP. It is an important tool forpoverty alleviation and forraising the living standards ofthe poor especially in rural ar-eas. However, banks’ financ-ing to Livestock/Dairy & meatis only Rs 56 billion which con-

stitutes 17% of total agri. lend-ing of Rs. 336 billion in 2012-13. One of the major reasonsfor modest off take of credit tothis sector is the limited avail-ability of appropriate insur-ance products or other riskmitigation tools. Livestock In-surance Scheme will providean essential risk mitigating toolto encourage banks to en-hance flow of credit to thishighly potential andunderserved sector. Thescheme would safeguard theinterest of farmer borrowers incase of death due to disease,accident, flood, heavy rainsand storm of their dairy, milchor fattening animals i.e. buffa-loes, cows & bulls. Under theScheme, banks will obtain in-surance of all livestock loansup to Rs. 5 million for the pur-chase of animals.

SBP has advised banks toimplement the scheme as pergiven parameters and enterinto agreements with reputableinsurance companies for un-derwriting livestock insurancefor their borrowers. Further,banks may also negotiate withinsurance companies for bestterms vis-à-vis insurance cov-erage for disability and theftof animal, premium rate etc. asper mutual arrangement.

SBP will request Govern-ment of Pakistan to bear thecost of insurance premium ofsmall farmers through budget-ary support as is being doneunder the Government’s man-datory Crop Loan InsuranceScheme for five major crops. Asper SBP classification, farmershaving up to 20 cows/buffa-loes and 50 fattening cattle arecategorized as small farmers.

Framework forlivestock insurance

No fund allocation forcombined effluenttreatment plants

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Gulzar Firoz,President PTA (S.Z) Environ-ment Society and Vice Presi-dent, FPCCI expressed sur-prise over Sindh government’sdecision of non allocation offunds for five Combined Efflu-ent Treatment Plants (CETP)planned to be installed in in-dustrial zones. Gulzar said in astatement that it seems thatSindh government has no pri-ority and no commitment forthe uplift of industrial areas andenvironmental projects.

He said that Chief Minis-ter Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shahhas released funds for differ-ent uplift schemes in the prov-ince but the projects of instal-lation of five Combined Efflu-ent Treatment Plants havebeen totally ignored and nofunds were allocated for theircompletion which are nowpending for last 10-years.

Release ofrefunds demanded

STAFF REPORTER

K A R A C H I — P a k i s t a nReadymade Garments Manu-facturers and Exporters Asso-ciation (PRGMEA) has ear-nestly called upon the govern-ment to release stuck up refundclaims accumulated into billionof rupees. In a SOS sent toPrime Minister, Nawaz Sharif,Finance Minister, Ishaque Darand Minister of Commerce,Khurram Dastagir, ActingChairman PRGMEA, AmirAmin Kothawala appealed tolook into this serious matterand order to release exportersmoney which has been heldup by the ministry of financefor the last several years andhas now reached to Rs40 bil-lion against refund claims ofDuty Drawback of Local Taxes& Levies (DLTL, Sales Tax andwith the Customs.

The Government of Paki-stan announced the schemeregarding Duty Drawback ofLocal Taxes & Levies (DLTL)in 2009 for the exporters, inwhich 3% was share for thegarment sector, besides ad-ditional 1% drawback waspromised to exporters whowill achieve an increase of15% in exports, this wasnever announced. Thoughthe period has been expiredin June 2011 but our export-ers are waiting for their reim-bursement against DLTL.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The Oil &Gas Development Com-pany Limited (OGDCL),National Oil Company ofPakistan has been depos-ited approximately five bil-lion rupees to the nationalexchequer in the form ofpaying taxes during the lastfive years. In a GeneralBody Meeting (AGM) ofOGDCL Officer Associationheld here in Islamabad,

Jahangaiz Khan PresidentOGDCL Office Associationsaid that in the last financialyear OGDCL paid Rs.129 bil-lion rupees in the form oftaxes and earned Rs.90 bil-lion profits henceprivatization of this nationalasset on emergent basis wasan international conspiracy.

He said that after the saleof 26% share of OGDCL theGovernment of Pakistan isgoing for the privatization ofthe company and intends to

shift administrative affairs ofOGDCL in private sectorwhich was a part of interna-tional conspiracy. He saidthat cause of this plan wasto get control on oil and gasreservoir and push the Mus-lims of the world toward back-wardness and degradation.While addressing by the of-ficers Jahangaiz Khan toldthat present democratic gov-ernment has prepared a planof mega institution’sprivatization, under this plan

nearly 32 govt institutionswould be handed over tonew liberal capitalism. Heenlighten claim of Govtabout privatization of insti-tute going in deficit and saidthat OGDCL is most profit-able company in the Pakistanand its privatization decisionis taking only on interna-tional behest. OGDCL is play-ing its pivotal role to combatenergy crisis in Pakistan,while its privatization an-nouncement by our Govern-

ment is a sign and depict thatour leaders have covet tosold toil hard of the nation ingratis he added.

Jahangaiz Khan furthersaid that before this com-mencement govt of Pakistanhas privatized and honoredAttock Cement and AttockRefinery Ltd. To foreign in-vestors, now the govt. hasdecided to accolade profit-able OGDCL to foreign inves-tors.

OGDCL Officers Asso-

ciation pledged that theywould not allow such con-spiracies against OGDCL atany rate. OGDCL Officersaid that they would notdeviate to defend OGDCL innational interest at any fo-rum. They urged that govt.should not take such stepswhich cause national deg-radation. They also assertthat government should re-solve public concern andprove a patriot and demo-cratic government.

Privatization of OGDCL is an int’l conspiracy

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Export Process-ing Zones Authority EPZAhas demonstrated improvedperformance during the firstquarter of financial year 2013-14. In the month of July Ex-ports from EPZA registereda significant increase of 33%as compared with the figuresof last year for the samemonth. In July 2012-13 Exportfigures from EPZA stood atUS$21.756 million which in-crease to US$ 29.041 duringthe same month of FY 2013-14.

In the month of August,Exports from EPZA registeredan increase of 0.24% as com-pared with the figures of last

year for the same month. InAugust 2012-13 Export figuresfrom EPZA stood at US$24.164million which increase to US$24.223 during the same monthof FY 2013-14.

In the month of September,Exports from EPZA registeredan increase of 12% as comparedwith the figures of last year forthe same month. In September2012-13 Export figures fromEPZA stood at US$24.752 mil-lion which increase to US$27.729 during the same monthof FY 2013-14.

In all, the comparison ofthe 1st quarter between pre-vious year and the currentyear shows an increase of15% in exports from EPZA.Last year for the same period

exports figure stood atUS$70.672 million as com-pared to this year’s figure ofUS$80.993 million.

During the period underconsideration, 11 units newhave been approved. Theseinclude 9 in Karachi ExportProcessing Zone and 1 eachin Sialkot and Gujranwala Ex-port Processing Zones. It isworth mentioning here thatenvisaged investment ofvalue of these new unitsstand at US$10.27 million andprojected yearly exports fromthese units is estimated atUS$22.38 million. This posi-tively reflects on the new in-vestment in EPZA and itssubstantial impact on exportsfrom Pakistan.

EPZA exhibits improved exportsperformance during 1st quarter

PQ shipping activityKARACHI—Five Ships C.VJumme Trader, C.V MareAtlanticum, M. T Ginga Lynx,M.T Ginga Kite and M.TKarachi carrying containers,3,147 tonnes chemicals,18,499 tonnes palm oil and68,189 tonnes furnace oilwere arranged berthing atQasim International Con-tainer Terminal, Engeo VopakTerminal, Liquid CargoTerminal and FOTCO OilTerminal respectively onThursday. Meanwhile fivemore ships with containers,phosphoric acid, projectcargo and sunflower seedsalso arrived at outer anchor-age of Port Qasim during last24 hours. —APP

Purchase price ofsugarcane fixedKARACHI—ProvincialMinister for AgricultureSardar Ali Nawaz KhanMaher has sad that minimumpurchase price of sugarcanehas been fixed at Rs 180 permaund in Sindh for newcrushing season to be startedfrom November 1, 2013. Thishe said while talking tojournalists after a meetingwith sugar mills owners,representatives of SugarcaneGrowers Association andcane growers here onThursday. He said that hisdepartment is providingassistance and technicalsupport to the growers and asa result Sindh has had abumper sugarcane crop thisyear.—APP

Vegetable seedpackets distributedLAHORE—Punjab Agricul-ture Minister Dr FarrukhJaved has said that kitchengardening programme plays asignificant role in theavailability of fresh vegetableat domestic level. Heexpressed these views whileaddressing a kitchengardening awareness seminarat Institute of AgricultureSciences, Punjab Universityon Friday. Director General Ext(A&R) Dr Anjum Ali speakingon the occasion said thatunder the this programme503,000 seed packets weredistributed in urban and ruralareas during fiscal year 2011-12 and 2013. He said thatdistribution of vegetable seedpackets helped in promotingthe programme. The DG saidthat uptil now 604,500 copieswith information of kitchengardening had been distrib-uted among the people. Theminister also distributed 1000vegetable packets free of costamong common people nearPakhewala Chowk.—APP

SBP mops upRs 44,000m in OMOKARACHI—State Bank ofPakistan (SBP) on Fridaymopped up Rs 44,000million during its openmarket operation (OMO) inGovernment of PakistanMarket Treasury Bills underrepo sale. The bids offeredfor 07-days repo sale wereof the same amount. Therate of return is 8.60 % perannum, said a SBP re-lease.—APP

Conversion ratesKARACHI—The followingrates will be applicable forconversion into rupees ofForeign Currency Deposits,Dollar Bearer Certificates,Foreign Currency BearerCertificates, Special U.S.Dollar Bonds and profitsthereon by all banks and forproviding Forward Coveron Foreign CurrencyDeposits (excluding F.E- 25deposits) by the State Bankon on November 1, 2013.The rates are U.S. Dollar Rs106.9039, Japanese Yen Rs1.0873, Pound Sterling Rs171.0463 and Euro Rs144.5769.—APP

CPO meetsRCCI President

RAWALPINDI—City PoliceOfficer (CPO) Bilal SiddiqueKamyana has said that set-ting a Citizen Police Liaisoncommittee is on top priorityand Rawalpindi Chamber willbe given concrete represen-tation in this regard. He saidthat problems faced by thebusiness community wouldbe resolved and no stone willbe left unturned in this re-gard. He was exchangingthese views with the Presi-dent Dr. Shimail Daud Arainin a meeting held at CPO of-fice.—APP

Gold Tezab 45,857.00Silver Tezabi 720.57

Gold Tezabi (24-Ct)45,860.00Gold 22 Ct 41,930.00SilverTezabi 770.00Silver Thobi 710.00

USA 106.60 106.40

UK 170.89 170.56

Euro 144.52 144.25

Canada 102.26 102.07

Switzerland 117.39 117.17

Australia 101.04 100.85

Sweden 16.44 16.41

Japan 1.0883 1.0862

Norway 17.89 17.86

Singapore 85.83 85.66

Denmark 19.38 19.34

Saudi Arabia 28.42 28.37

Hong Kong 13.75 13.72

Kuwait 377.18 376.48

Malaysia 33.65 33.59

New Zealand 88.06 87.90

Qatar 29.29 29.23

UAE 29.02 28.97

KR. WON 0.1003 0.1001

Thailand 3.418 3.412

WB cuts East AsiaGDP outlook

SINGAPORE—The WorldBank cut its economicgrowth forecasts for theEast Asia and Pacific re-gion and said there was arisk the slowdown in Chinacould worsen and lastlonger than many ana-lysts have forecast. “Un-like the rest of the region,China is experiencing adouble whammy — thegrowth slowdown isdriven by weaker exportsas well as domestic de-mand, in particular invest-ment growth,” World BankChief Economist for EastAsia and the Pacific BertHofman said at a briefingin Singapore.

He stressed, however,that the World Bank, likemany economists, still ex-pects China to have a softlanding as seen from thebank’s revised 7.7 percentgrowth forecast for thisyear and 8.1 percent fornext year. The World Bankreleased its latest EastAsia and Pacific DataMonitor, warning China’sthat slowdown could ac-celerate.

In the report, the inter-national lender said thatambitious investmentplans announced by sev-eral local governments inChina could face fundingconstraints, “not least be-cause governments arefeeling the pinch of a cool-ing real estate market,which lowers land salesrevenues”. The WorldBank said the central gov-ernment was unlikely tocome up with a major fis-cal stimulus package aspolicymakers were con-cerned about a rebound inhome prices and a possiblereversal of hot moneyflows.—Newswire

Oil pricesmixed

SINGAPORE—Oil priceswere mixed in Asia Friday onweak US demand and newsthat a terminal in Libya willresume production earlynext week, analysts said.New York’s main contractWest Texas Intermediate(WTI) light sweet crude forDecember delivery dippedfour cents to $96.34 in mid-morning trade, while BrentNorth Sea crude for Decem-ber rose three cents to108.87 in volatile trade.Kenny Kan, a market ana-lyst with CMC Markets, saidWTI prices remain weighedby weak US demand, re-flected in a steady rise incrude oil inventories.

“The WTI crude priceshad an accumulative declinenear to 6.0 percent during itstrade in October as the (USEnergy Information Admin-istration) report showedcrude inventories increasedto 383 million barrels as atthe week ending October25,” he said in a note. Newsthat Libya’s Al-Harriga ter-minal will resume productionnext week kept Brent pricesvolatile, with analysts point-ing to uncertainties.—AFP

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosanin meeting with Andrey Budnik Ambassador of Russian Federation to Pakistan.

Director Industries Dr. Shoaib Akbar addressing the participants. Director ApprenticeTraining TEVTA Waheed Asghar and others are present at the stage.

Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, Federal Minister for Industries and Production, chairing a board meeting of Pakistan Indus-trial Development Corporation.

AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI —SM Muneer,President Indo Pak chamberof Commerce and Industry,has expressed the hope thatthe government will removeall impediments coming inthe way of kick start of eco-nomic activates. Inaugurat-ing J,B,Saeed store at DHA ,he said that economic revivaland more and more industri-alization is necessary to cre-ate more new jobs.

Expressing satisfactionover increasing constructionactivities in the city, he saidthat this store will fulfill re-quirement of hardware and

construction material of resi-dent of the area. He said atpresent Pakistan importnumbers of items includinghardware items and empha-sized that efforts should bemade to produce these goodslocally.

President Industrial Alli-ance, Mian Zahid Husain saidinhabitant of DHA will getquality and standard prod-ucts at reasonable price fromthis international standardstore. Now the residents com-plete this shopping under onerood, he added. He empha-sized the need of producingvalue added goods locally tosave foreign exchange as well

as crate more jobs.He urged the government

to provide incentive to localinvestors and reduce cost ofgoing business to encourageinvestors to invest in newvalue added manufacturingprojects. Nadeem Kustiwalawhile briefing about the storesaid that the store was estab-lished to provide shoppingfacility of all required goodsunder one roof. He expressedintention to establish moresimilar state of art stores in nearfuture. He said that the storeproviding shopping facilityincluding hardware , buildingmaterial, grocery, vegetables,meat, garments etc.

Removal of impediments vitalto give a kick start to economy

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Technical Educa-tion and Vocational TrainingAuthority (TEVTA) organizedEmployers Day at GovernmentApprenticeship Training Cen-ter. Leading entrepreneurs ofbusiness community, TEVTAOfficers, parents of apprenticesand majority of trainees at-tended. Projects of traineeswere also displayed on thisoccasion.

Chief Guest Director Indus-tries Dr. Shoaib Akbar, whileaddressing to the participants,said that apprenticeship train-ing is so much successful in thedeveloped countries where

there is greater ratio of youngpeople undergoing Apprentice-ship Training like Switzerland70%, Germany:67%, Hol-land:20%, Italy:29%, UK:34%(Increasing with a greaterpace), Austria:42%, Den-mark:33%, France:15%. Simi-larly, apprenticeship training isthe most recognized in othercountries of the world likeAmerica, Canada, Australia,Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, Chinaand so on. In many countriesof the world, although no up-ward progression of qualifica-tion path is available to appren-tices, yet academic subjects aretaught as in Germany, Austriaand Switzerland.

Director ApprenticeshipTEVTA Waheed Asghar in-formed that TEVTA is provid-ing apprenticeship training to10046 apprentices in 1087 op-erating Industries in differenttrades across the Province ofthe Punjab while the said train-ing was given to 6500 traineesin 2011. Prior to the establish-ment of TEVTA, the enrolmentof apprentices was 3885 in Ap-prenticeship. We have in-creased 170% enrolment of ap-prentices. On the request ofKhyber Pakhtunkhawa TEVTAis also providing apprentice-ship training to 250 apprenticesin different trades across theprovince of the Punjab.

TEVTA organizes employers day atgovt apprenticeship training centre

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Women parlia-mentarians, representing dif-ferent political parties in boththe Senate and the NationalAssembly, have resolved towork for sustainable devel-opment in the country. Theresolve was made at thelaunch meeting of “WomenParliamentary Council forSustainable Development,” aforum facilitated by Sustain-able Development Policy In-stitute in Islamabad.

Arifa Khalid Pervaiz,PML (N); Mussarat Ahmadzeb, PTI; Shahida Akhtar Ali,JUI-F; Naeema KishwarKhan, JUI-F; ShahidaRehmani, PPPP; NafeesaInayatullah Khan Khattak,

PTI; Rukhsana JamshedButtar, Ex-MNA-PML- N;Khalida Parveen, Senator-PPP-P; Suriya Amiruddin,PPP-P; Romina KhurshidAlam, PML (N); Farah Aqil,Senator-ANP; ShahjehanMuneer Magrio Rajpoot,PML (N); Sajida Begum, PTI;Asiya Naz Tanoli, PML (N);Saeeda Iqbal, Senator- PPP-P were participated in thelaunch meeting.

Elaborating the objec-tives of the Women Parlia-mentary Council for Sustain-able Development, Dr.AbidQaiyum Suleri, Ex-ecutive Director,SýDPI, said that theWPCSD would extend sup-port to women parliamentar-ians in areas of research and

legislation. He maintainedthat the SDPI’s legal wingwould also extend its supportto the honourable womenparliamentarians on legisla-tive drafting.

Dr Suleri said the SDPI’scontribution would not onlystrengthen the role of womenparliamentarian but alsodemocratic process in thecountry.

He said the SDPI wouldshare its research work on dif-ferent areas with women par-liamentarians on the forum ofthe WPCSD for policy orien-tation and draft legislationand on any other matter thehonourable women parlia-mentarians considered theyneed support on sustainabledevelopment in the country.

Women parliamentarians to work forsustainable development

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—CNG industryhas taken a bold initiative tocounterbalance the impact ofgas shortages, save invest-ments costing Rs 450 billion inthe CNG sector, save millionsof jobs and protect commutersfrom high fares. The APCNGAhas suggested parting with al-location of natural gas com-pletely and buying 400 millioncubic feet a day (mmcfd) Liq-uefied Natural Gas (LNG) to op-erate 3600 outlets so that theindustry could survive whichis in doldrums due to contin-ued load shedding.

In a letter sent to PetroleumMinister Shahid KhaqanAbbasi, the APCNGA had ex-pressed willingness to give uplocal gas if the governmentsupported CNG industry topick up 400 LNG per day beingimported by government or ar-range on its own to run CNGstations.

The majority of the CNG fill-ing stations were being driedup due to unprecedented loadshedding in the country as thegas distribution companiescould not provide for the re-quirement of the CNG sectorwhich stands at 400 mmcfd, theletter added.

APCNGA said, “We arewilling to receive LNG throughthe government or arrange it onour own to continue serving theneeds of the transport, pre-serve employment of the CNGsector workers, protect Rs 450billion investments in the CNGbusiness and that of the CNGusers. All the noble intentionslike providing cheap fuel to thecommon man, saving valuableforeign exchange and preser-vation the environment can beachieved by, the documentadded. It said that acceptanceof the proposal would reducethe ratio of Unaccounted forGas (UFG) in the CNG sector tozero.

APCNGA moves to ensuresurvival of industry

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Silkbank an-nounced its Q3, 2013 results,recording a growth in depos-its, closing the quarter at Rs.70.85 billion. This growth wasaccompanied by a rise ingross advances by Rs. 3.37billion. The remittance busi-ness also improved by 60%and with more tie-ups withthe remitting companies un-derway, a further increasewas anticipated.

The usage of theSilkbank VISA Debit Card forpoint-of-sale-transactionsrose by 41%. Silkbank ex-panded its branch networkand spread its presence to 33cities within the country byopening 3 new Emaan IslamicBanking branches. Silkbankrecorded a loss of Rs. 259million after tax for the periodended September 30, 2013.The loss incurred by theBank was attributed primarily

to various industry-wide pro-visions hitting the bankingindustry.

The Bank is pursuing astrategic course of actionwhereby it is bringing in low-cost deposits, convertingand selling repossessed as-sets, reducing non-perform-ing loans and rationalizingadministrative costs. Thesetactical measures are aimedat making the Bank profitablebefore the end of the year.Moreover, with the asset-base mix moving towardshigher yielding assets, mar-gins are set to widen in thefuture, ensuring higher prof-itability in the coming years.

In addition to convertingnon-earning assets into earn-ing assets, the Bank is mak-ing its cost base increasinglyefficient while rigorouslygrowing its new business ini-tiatives and ensuring the fu-ture robustness of the exist-ing business.

Silkbank announcesQ3 results

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Pakistan Indus-trial & Trader AssociationsFront (PIAF) has urged thePrime Mian Nawaz Sharif totake private sector on boardon Pak-Iran Gas PipelineProject as recent statement ofIranian Minister for Oil hasput this vital project in doubt.These views were expressedby the Chairman PIAF MalikTahir Javed while addressingthe members of PIAF Execu-tive Committee.

The LCCI President En-gineer Sohail Lashari, formerPresidents Mian AnjumNisar, Irfan Qaiser Sheikh,PIAF Senior Vice ChairmanKhamis Saeed Butt, ViceChairman Amjad Ali Jawa,Sheikh Muhammad Arshad,Mian Abuzar Shad and alarge number of PIAF mem-bers were present on the oc-casion. Malik Tahir Javedsaid that nation has reposedtrust in Mian Nawaz Sharif bygiving him heavy mandate inthe national general election

therefore, he should givepreference to the national in-terests at every cost and takeall decisions while keeping inview the ground realities. Hesaid that private sector ofPakistan wants to play its rolefor progress and prosperityof the country but for thepurpose, government has totake it on board and involvepolicy making process.

He said that instead ofdepending on foreign aid orloans, we have to accelerateeconomic activities, enhanceindustrial production, findnew destinations for Paki-stani merchandise as heavydebts have already hollowedthe foundations of the coun-try.

While showing concernon reports of gas suspen-sion to the industry forthree months, PIAF Chair-man said that in thepresent scenario, Pak-IranGas Pipeline Project was aray of hope but statementof Iranian Minister has putthis project in uncertainty.

PM urged to take privatesector on board

on Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline

STAFF REPORTER

I S L A M A B A D —ConsumerPrice Index (CPI) increase by9.1 percent in October ascompared to 7.4 percent inthe previous month.

According to the data re-leased by the Pakistan Bu-reau of Statistics (PBS), in-flation based on ConsumerPrice Index (CPI) on monthon month basis it increasedby 2.0 percent in Oct 2013 ascompared to a decrease of 0.3percent in the previousmonth and an increase of 0.4percent in Oct 2012. Gener-ally it increased by 9.1 per-cent on year on year basis inOct 2013 as compared to 7.7

percent in October 2012. According to the PBS

figures, price of potatoes hasincreased by 24.54 per centin the month of Oct againstSeptember, price of onionenhanced by 13.89 per cent,price of fresh vegetable wentup by 10.10 per cent, priceof tomatoes surged by 7.85per cent, price of sugar in-creased by 3.16 per cent, fishprice surged by 1.92 per cent,wheat product price in-creased by 1.20 per cent,fresh fruit enhanced by 1.19per cent, price of cereal wentup by 1.08 per cent andhoney price surged by 1.85per cent, wheat priceswelled by 0.97 percent, bak-

ery and confectionary reg-istered increase of 0.82 per-cent and dry fruit price in-creased by 0.81 percent inOctober 2013 as compare toSeptember.

However, according tothe PBS figures, price of Gramwhole decreased by 1.30 per-cent, Pulse Gram decreasedby 1.08 percent, Egg reducedby 0.98 percent, price ofBesan slashed by 0.87 per-cent, Pulse moong reduced by0.32 percent, price of tea re-duced by 0.30 percent, mus-tard oil reduced by 0.20 per-cent, Pulse Mash decreasedby 0.10 percent and spicesreduced by 0.02 percent in Oct2013 as against Sep 2013.

CPI increased by 9.1pc

Saudi govtappreciates PIA

performanceSTAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Pakistan Inter-national Airlines has beenhighly appreciated by SaudiAuthorities for its excellentperformance during ongoingHajj season.

The Saudi Governmenthas praised PIA for the ar-rangements made for Hujjaj,excellent services and coop-eration, and especially, thepunctuality of flights whichremained above 85% till now.

In this regard CaptainAnwer Adil, General Man-ager Central Control, PIA andDeputy Chief Hajj Coordina-tor was given an Apprecia-tion Award by Mr.FaisalGabbani Senior Vice Presi-dent Saudi Ground ServicesAuthority in Jeddah. SaudiAuthorities strongly hopedfor same level of performancein the remaining period ofHajj season.

Pak offers tremendousopportunities for

mineral explorationSTAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan of-fers tremendous opportuni-ties in mineral exploration andextractive practitioners mustcome forward to invest in thesector as it helps generatingemployment opportunitiesand creating mutually benefi-cial environment. Addressinga Seminar, Deputy ChairmanSenate Sabir Ali Baloch saidPakistan is looking forwardin extracting natural re-sources in cooperation withstakeholders with the aim ofreducing poverty and shar-ing the benefits of revenuesincurred from the sector.

He said the dialogue onthe role of Parliament andExtractive Industries (EI)would help in overcomingcorruption, under-develop-ment, alleviate poverty andpromote shared prosperity.

He said the seminar willhelp the MPs and multina-tional organizations to de-velop a correlation leading tomaximum benefits for all. Hegave a detailed overview ofthe EIs situation in Pakistanand particularly mentionedthe natural resources ofBalochistan.

It is pertinent to mentionhere that deputy chairman isrepresenting Pakistan in theseminar which was jointlyorganized by CommonwealthParliamentary Association,World Bank Institute, IMF,UNDP and Revenue WatchInstitution.

ISE-10 indexstays bullish

ISLAMABAD—The IslamabadStock Exchange (ISE) on Fri-day witnessed bullish trendas the ISE-10 Index was upby 69.03 points to close at4,045.80 points. A total of15,700 shares were traded,which showed a negativegrowth of 32,800 shareswhen compared with previ-ous day’s trading of 48,500.

Out of 139 companies,share prices of 87 companiesrecorded increase whilethose of 52 companies de-creased and no company re-mained stable in today’s trad-ing.

The share price of Paki-stan State Oil increased byRs 12.79 while that of Si-emens Pakistan Engineeringdecreased by Rs 13.02 pershare. Askari Bank RIGHT,PIA and Bank of Punjab re-mained the top trading com-panies with 14,000 and 1,000shares and 500 shares re-spectively.—APP

Livestock identifiedas potential sector for

investmentSTAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Faculty of Ani-mal Husbandry and Veteri-nary Sciences held a meetinghere with members KhyberPakhtunkhwa Chamber ofCommerce & Industry(KPCCI) and private sectorwith President, ZahidullahKhan Shinwari in the chair.During the meeting Dean,Faculty of Animal Husbandryand Veterinary Sciences, Ag-ricultural UniversityPeshawar (AUP, Professor,Subhan Qureshi) gave a de-tailed presentation on DairyScience Park.

Replying to a questionthe Dean informed the pri-vate sector that Punjab isbest suited for dairy produc-tion. However, the KhyberPakhtunkhwa, mostly com-prising of a hilly terrain andarid regions can support meatproduction though sheepand goats, cattle and buffaloin some regions.

The small poultry farminghave been adopted as smallbusiness, which need sup-port to produce quality feedat competitive rates. Hugeinvestment in the sector mustbe made after appropriatefeasibility studies and inphase manner.

For controlling zoonoticdiseases, Professor SubhanQureshi said that the Univer-sity is working closely withthe Relief International Paki-stan. Similarly, he said thatSMEDA is also constantlysupporting the sector andwas an active partner of theUniversity during Dairy Sci-ence Park 2011.

The delegates from theFAHVS discussed in detailsthe potential of businessplans using livestock activi-ties as a model especially fo-cused at graduate entrepre-neurship. Speaking on theoccasion, the PresidentKPCCI highly appreciatedthe presentation and realizedthe potential of the sectorplaying its due role in eradi-cating poverty and creatingemployment opportunity.

FPCCI forcurbing

smugglingSTAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Saquib FayyazMagoon, Chairman, FPCCIStanding Committee on Anti-Smuggling has appreciatedthe remarks of SupremeCourt of Pakistan regardingrampant Smuggling of armsand ammunition into thecountry thus creating law &order situation in the coun-try.

He disclosed that thesmuggling of highly sensitiveitems i.e., arms, ammunitions,drugs etc,. takes place underthe guise of general/commer-cial items thus beside makingloss of revenue also createsNational Security Threat andas such it is necessary to takeappropriate measures to stopthe smuggling of generalproducts and thus to deter thesmuggling of highly sensitiveitems. He also endorsed theremarks of Supreme Court ofPakistan that Diesel and petrolis coming from Iran throughsmuggling and selling openlyin plastic canister illegally atvarious parts of the country.

MULTAN: Players in action during Inter-College Girls Cycling Tournament at Board Office Ground.

ISLAMABAD: Players of Wapda celebrate after winning National Volleyball championship.

Karachi: Engr Muhammad Adil Usman, Chancellor Sir Syed University, hit the shuttleto start badminton games at Sports Day hosted by Aligarh Institute of Technology.

PESHAWAR—A total of the 60cyclists will be seen in actionin 110km Peshawar-Wah Na-tional Cycling Championshipto be starting today (Saturday)from Malik Saad Bridge situ-ated on main GT Road in frontof Balahisar Fort.

This was stated by Secre-tary Pakistan Cycling Federa-tion Syed Azhar Ali Shah whileaddressing a press conferencehere at PSB Coaching Centeron Friday. President POFSports Control BoardMuhammad Rizwan, formerWorld No. 2 Squash PlayerMohib Ullah Khan, SecretaryKP Cycling Association NisarAhmad were also present.

He said top cyclists from10 different teams comprisingPakistan Army, PakistanWapda, Sui Southern Gas, Rail-ways, POF, Islamabad, Punjab,Sindh, Balochistan and twoteams of Khyber Pakhtunkhwawill be taking part in both indi-

vidual and team events. Theindividual title will be decidedon time along with the teamevent. It will be a spectacularevent which carrying a pursemoney of Rs 0.1 million.

He said Chairman POAWah Lt. Gen MuhammadIhsan Mehmood will grace theoccasion as chief guest at thefinal and prize distributionceremony. He also thankedPOF Wah for their contribu-tion of being partner in theevent.

He said out of the threecurrent races Abbottabad toNatiagali, Islamabad toMurree and now Peshawar toPOF Wah Cantt a team of sixcyclists will be short-listed torepresent Pakistan in theAsian Tour Cycling to be heldat Sharjah, UAE from Nov 21-26. It would be the second oc-casion that Pakistan teamhave been invited by theAsian Tour Sharjah, earlier the

team participated in way back1984.

He said the Race will bekicking off on Nov 2 at 9:30amfor which all arrangementshave been completed. The cy-clists have already arrived. Helauded the role of POF for thepromotion of cycling in thecountry.

He said POF Wah have al-ways produced good cyclists.He said veteran cyclist NusratKhan of POF Wah have wonTour de Pakistan five times.

Azhar said that the PCFwas committed to promotingcycling in the country add-ing that despite all odds theFederation succeeded in or-ganizing the King of theMountains Abbottabad toNathiagali National CycleRace and King of the HillsIslamabad to Murree Na-tional Cycle Race as perschedule of PCF annualevent calendar.—APP

P E S H A W A R — P e s h a w a rqualified for the semi-finalafter recording victoryagainst DFA Hangu in theone-sided affair quarter-fi-nal match of the ongoing9th NBP Inter-Distr ictFootball Championship be-ing played here at SumbalKhan Football Ground,Qayyum Sports Complexon Friday.

Former Pakistan foot-ball team skipper AajizKhan was the chief gueston this occasion and be-fore the start of the matchthe players of bothPeshawar Red and DistrictHangu were introduced tohim.

Organizing SecretaryBasit Kamal and large num-ber of spectators were alsopresent and witnessed thethrilling match.

Peshawar qualifyfor semi-final

NBP Inter-District Soccer

Peshawar forwards fea-turing Atta Ullah, Siraj ,Muneeb, Awais, Asad andmid-fielder Shakoor playedwell by making incisive ral-lies of attack and soon gotthe lead through AsadKhan on the field attempt.

Asad got a free ball fromlink-man Shakoor Khanand quickly zoomed towardthe rival goal-post by net-ting a fine goal to make thetally 1-0.

The goal injected newvigor in the rank ofPeshawar Red whichscored another goalthrough link-man ShakoorKhan on the field attempt.

The 2-0 lead gave extra-boost to Peshawar Redteam who dominated thematch. Hangu, a very goodteam, failed to click in thematch against Peshawar

Red and were looked tiredmost to the time.

Hangu in both the firstand second-half tried theirhard to reduce the marginbut they were fai led be-cause of the tight markingof Peshawar Red forwards.At half-time Peshawar Redwas leading by 2-0.

After the second ses-sion Peshawar also domi-nated and did not al lowHangu to play with freehands. This was Siraj Khanwho slammed in a beauti-ful goal on the field attemptto make the tally 3-0.

Thus Peshawar won thematch by 3-0. The matchwas supervised by AnwarKhan while Zahid Khan andAllauddin acted as deputyreferees while Atta Ullahacted as match commis-sioner.—APP

PESHAWAR—Member of theThailand-bound Pakistanteam Muhammad Rehmanwith his gross two under par70 score was the leader over18 holes in the 54-holes 46thKP Amateur National Rank-ing Golf Championship,which got under way here at6666-yards PAF Golf Courseon Friday.

Vice President KhyberPakhtunkhwa Golf Associa-tion and Station CommanderPeshawar Brig. Zakir Hussainwas the chief guest on thisoccasion who formally inau-gurated the Championshipby hitting a swing short fromthe Tee No. 1. Secretary KPGolf Association Col.Shahadat Hussain, leadinggolfers and spectators werealso present.

Thin-stature MuhammadRehman, who is going onNovember 10, 2013 to repre-sent Pakistan in the forth-coming Namorra Cup to beplayed in Thailand, playedexcellent round of 70, twounder par, 36, par at front nine

Rehman of Royals Palm leadsin KP Amateur Golf C’ship

and 34, two under par, at backnine with birdies at hole no.2, 8, 11, 13 and hole no. 16besides making a singlebogy at hole no 1, 3 and six.

“I played good rounddespite making single bogyin the front nine holes at 1, 3and hole 6 before a birdie athole no. 2 and 8,”MuhammadRehman told APP in a postround talks. “I trying my levelbest to give good perfor-mance well before going toThailand on November 10,”he added.

About the golf course, hesaid, it is in excellent condi-tion as the greens holding theball while the fairways wereprepared perfectly.

Another promising golferGhazanfar Mehmood, alsomember of the Thailand-bound team with TaimurNaseer, hailing from PAF GolfClub and Ali Hai of KarachiGymkhana, played excellentround of 71, one under par,with 34, two under par at frontnine holes and 37, one overpar at back nine holes, by

scoring two birdies at 4 and8 no holes, followed by miss-ing a stroke at holes no 13and 17.

Former Pakistan teammember and leading AmateurGolfer Tariq Mehmood alsocarded 71, one under par over18 holes with 38, two over parat back nine and 35, one un-der par. Tahir sunk the ball atholes no. 6, 9, 11, 12 and 15and missed a stroke at holesno. 2, 9 and 14.

Defending ChampionTaimur Naseer carded 72, par,34 at front nine holes withthree birdies and a miss strokeand added another 38, twoover par with two more bird-ies and missed a stroke atholes no. 13, 14, 16 and 18.

Zulfiqar Ali (73), NaeemAhmad (74), Zeeshan Khan(74), Adnan Khan (75), mem-ber of Pakistan team WaseemRana (78), InayatullahYousafzai (78) and ArdisherKiyani (79) were some of theprominent golfers playedtheir opening day round.—APP

KARACHI—Pakistan num-ber one Shabbir Iqbal be-lieves that his title-winningtriumph at this month’sPrime Minister Open GolfChampionship in Rawalpindihas boosted his morale andconfidence.

“I am fortunate to have heldthe No. 1 position for a numberof years and till date I feel thepressure from other profession-als in each tournament I partici-pate in,” said Shabbir, regardedas one of the finest golfers pro-duced by Pakistan.

Shabbir hailed his spon-sors – Ufone – for theirmuch-needed support.

“Winning the Prime Min-ister Open is indeed a mo-ment of pride for me but atthe same time I am extremelyexcited that Ufone too de-

Shabbir hails his sponsorsafter winning PM Open Golf

cided to give me Rs.100,000for this memorable win.

“Ufone has played anactive part in golf over thelast year and has encouraged

each member of Team Ufoneto bring out our best on thecourse,” he added after re-ceiving a cheque fromSalman Wassay, Chief Com-mercial Officer Ufone, forwinning the PM Open title.

Golfers from all over Paki-stan flocked to Rawalpindi forthe much anticipated PrimeMinister Open, each lookingto win laurels and respect oftheir fellow golfers.

Professionals were seentwo days prior to the tourna-ment practicing and taking inthe feel of the course in theirpractice rounds. The tourna-ment kicked off on the Octo-ber 22 was dominated byShabbir, who was followedby Pakistan No. 2 MatloobAhmed – another member ofTeam Ufone.—APP

SPM Stags beatChaudhry Sports

by 7 wicketsLAHORE—SPM Stags beatChaudhary Sports by 7wickets in a match of the firstShami veteran T10 cricketchampionship here on Fri-day.

SPM Stags winning thetoss elected to field first andChaudhary Sports scored109 runs for loss of 8 wicketsin the allotted 10 overs.

Naseer Bhatti 33,Muhammad Umar 19 andZafar Iqbal 15. Rehan Rauf 3/19, Ashfaq Aslam 3/15 andKhalid Habib & ShakeelMalik took one wicket each.

In reply SPM Stagsachieved the target in 7.4overs. Ashfaq Aslam scoredfastest 50 of the tournamentin 13 balls with 4x2, 6x6 andremained not out.

Imtiaz Tarar also scored41 runs. Dilawar Khan andRaza Khan took one wicketeach. Ashfaq Aslam was de-clared Man of the Match.

Match was supervisedby Muhammad Kaleem &Saghir Ahmed and ZahoorAlam was the scorer.—APP

Wapda winVolleyball

ChampionshipISLAMABAD—Wapda beatHigher Education Commis-sion (HEC) by 3-0 in the finalof the 11th National WomenVolleyball Championship2013 being played here atPakistan Sports Complex.

In the third-fourth posi-tion match, Islamabad beatPunjab by 3-0. PakistanOlympic Association (POA)president Maj Gen (R)Muhammad Akram Sahi wasthe chief guest and distrib-uted trophies and certificatesamong the teams.

A total of ten teams par-ticipated in the event whichwere divided into two groups.Group A included Wapda,Punjab, KPK, Fata and AJKwhile Group B comprised HEC,Islamabad, Sindh, Baluchistanand Police.—APP

BalochistanUnited,

Diya winKARACHI—Diya Women FCand Balochistan United wontheir matches of the qualify-ing round for the NationalWomen Football Champion-ship here at the Aga KhanGymkhana Ground on Thurs-day.

Diya, one of the top sidesin the national circuit, de-feated Sindh 2-0 with KiranYousuf and internationalHajra Khan scoring one goalapiece. Balochistan Unitedcrushed Balochistan 9-0.

Nina and Zulfia hit twogoals each, while Hafeeza,Shahida, Riffat, Mashal andShalyla scored one goaleach.—APP

KARACHI—Muslim FC andAfghan FC recorded iden-tical 1-0 victories over Na-t ional Bank of Pakistan(NBP) and Habib Bank Lim-ited (HBL), respectively, inthe Pakistan Premier Foot-ball League here at the KPTStadium.

In another game Navyovercame Pak AfghanClearing Agency (PACA),also with a 1-0 margin tosecure three crucial points.

NBP, who had won afew consecutive matchesin the start of the season,lost another game whenthey went down againstChaman-based Muslim FCafter a tough fight.

Tahir hit the winner forMuslim FC at the start ofthe first half. The victorytook them to 21 points from11 appearances.

Muslim FC’s coachDawood Khan said it was agood victory. “We weremissing some of our keyplayers due to injuries and

Clubs reign supreme inPakistan Premier League

illness. I am really happythat we grabbed full pointsby beating the tough Na-tional Bank side,” Dawoodtold ‘The News’. “There isa great difference betweendepartments and clubs. Un-like the departments we areshort of players, which cre-ates a big problem for us,”Dawood said. The loss frus-trated NBP’s coach NasirIsmail. “I am really disap-pointed as luck has notbeen favouring us for thelast four matches despiteour top effort,” Nasir toldthis correspondent. “Theplayers played with greatspirit but I don’t know whymost of our shots eithercrashed goal post or thecross bar,” said Nasir, anAFC License A coach.

The defeat lef t thebankers at 16 points from12 matches.

Nasir admitted thatNBP were in trouble. “Yes,we are in great trouble asother teams are moving up

Peshawar-Wah NationalCycle Race to start today

the table while we are go-ing down.” Niamatullah’ssecond half winner giftedAfghan FC a narrow 1-0victory over strugglingHabib Bank.

“Our team missed a lotof chances,” HBL coachYousuf Khan said. “We haddominated the gamethroughout and i t hasshocked me a lot that welost in spite of great ef-fort,” he said.

The victory elated Af-ghan FC’s manager AdamKhan. “It was a great win,”he said. “Both sides playedtough football and severalcounterat tacks were wit-nessed,” Adam said.

The victory helped Af-ghan FC move to 15 points.HBL are reeling at 16 points.At the Korangi Baloch Foot-ball Ground in Sharafi Goth,Amin Khan’s solitary goal inthe 54th minute guidedNavy to a narrow triumphover Chaman-basedPACA.—APP

Rashid Malik tofeature in ITFSeniors tennis

KARACHI—Pakistan’s topveteran star and ex-DavisCupper Rashid Malik ofLahore has confirmed hisparticipation in the ITF Se-niors Ranking Tennis Cham-pionship being staged atKarachi Gymkhana Tenniscourts from November 16.

Two foreigners, KandelBert of England and AndreoShalakdze of Georgia havealso entered in the fray, Paki-stan Seniors Tennis Associa-tion (PSTA) announced onTuesday.

Israr Gul of KhyberPakhtunkhwa and SalamatSheharyar of Lahore besidescores of other senior play-ers will be taking part in thecompetition..

All the singles events willbe of 16 players draw anddoubles of eight playersdraw.

To promote Juniors ten-nis PSTA has decided to addfour juniors events namely,Juniors under 17 singles,Under 13 Singles, GirlsSingles, and 15 doubles inthe tournament.

The entry for seniorsevents is closed where as forjuniors last date of entry is14th November —APP

Arif greetsShaifq

LAHORE—President, Paki-stan Olympic Association(POA), Lt. Gen. (Retd) SyedArif Hasan has congratulatedMuhammad Shafiq, Presi-dent, Pakistan Handball Fed-eration on his unanimouselection to the prestigiousoffice of the Secretary AsianHandball Federation.

“It is a great honour forPakistan and POA thatShafiq has been elected tothe second highest positionin the game of Handball in thecontinent,” he said here onThursday.

“Shafiq is an outstandingmember of Pakistan’s Olym-pic Family and has served thecause of Pakistan sports andthe Olympic Movement inthis country with great dis-tinction. I am positive thatthe POA as well as the rap-idly growing sport of Hand-ball shall benefit tremen-dously from the experienceand dedication of Shafiq,”said the POA President.

Shafiq was elected as theSecretary of the continentalHandball Federation in its re-cent Congress held at Doha,with 38 Asian nations out of 44attending the meeting.—APP

Arshad’s goalsends Chakiwara

in semisKARACHI—Striker ArshadBaloch’s second half goalsent Chakiwara in the last fourstage of CommissionerKarachi Inter Mohalla Foot-ball Tournament when theyovercame spiritedSingholane Club 2-1 in theleague rounds at the PeoplesStadium on Wednesday.

Arshad slammed in thematch winner in 67th minutesas Chakiwara Club becomethird team after Kalakot andSingolane Club to breeze intothe semi-final round.

Match was locked 1-1 af-ter an aggressive first ses-sion as both missed chances.Ghulam Ali put Chakiwaraahead in the 7th minute. ButAtif Baloch levelled the termsin 29th.—APP

BIPIN DANI

OBSERVER

CORRESPONDENT

MUMBAI—The MCC’sLaw 12 .4 (Innings) on tossonly allows the two cap-tains to discharge the dutyof tossing the coin. How-ever, there are a few in-stances of players, and notcaptains, went for the toss.

The former ICC umpireDickie Bird wants match-referee to allow SachinTendulkar to go for thetoss in his last two Testmatches.

Speaking exclusivelyover telephone from Lon-don, he says, “SachinTendulkar is an interna-tional icon and he shouldbe allowed to toss the coinin his last two Testmatches. There is “no

Why not Sachin for tossin his last two Tests, asks

umpire Dickie Birdharm” if this procedure is fol-lowed in these two Tests(against West Indies)”.

“Even Sachin can beasked to accompany TeamIndia captain (MahendraSingh Dhoni) and toss thecoin on the first day of boththe Test matches. He canthus lead the team while com-ing out to field. If I were toofficiate in these matches, Icertainly would have allowedthis to happen”, the 80-year-old Bird added.

“Kapil Dev, who wasconsidering himself to be“unlucky” at toss, once sentGavaskar instead”, informsSudhir Vaidya, the notedcricket statistician. “RahulDravid was also involved insuch an incident”, he informsfurther.

Whoever goes to tosscoin in the Eden Gardens on

Wednesday with WestIndies captain, DarrenSammy, the 11-gram goldcoin will be handed over tothe master-blaster after thetoss ceremony, accordingthe CAB official.

“The one side of thecoin will have SachinTendulkar’s photo and theother side of the coin willhave either India flag or thephotograph of Eden Gar-dens, the decision is likelyto be taken in next 48 hours.The coin will be handedover to Sachin Tendulkar”,the official added.

Sachin Tendulkar willnot be able to keep the coinof his farewell Test on hishome ground at WankhedeStadium as the MumbaiCricket Association (MCA)has announced it to be re-tained with them.

HOUSTON: Houston Dynamo defender Warren Creavalle and midfielder Brad Davis and Montreal Impact midfielderCollen Warner attempt to get control of the ball during the first half at BBVA Compass Stadium.

PERTH: Ian Bell was quickly into his stride during Western Australia Chairman’s XI vs England XI.

DUBAI—Pakistan captainMisbah-ul-Haq became thethird batsman to complete1000 runs in One-day Inter-national cricket during theyear 2013.

He achieved the featwhen he reached eight dur-ing his innings of 25 in thesecond One-day Interna-tional against South Africahere at Dubai InternationalCricket Stadium on Friday.

Only two players –George Bailey of Australiaand Virat Kohli of India –have scored more than 1000ODI runs during the currentyear.

Overall, nine Pakistanibatsmen so far made 1000 ormore runs on 15 occasionsin a calendar year.Mohammad Yousuf did it forfour times while three play-ers - Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Aamer Sohail -achieved this feat twice.

Besides, five cricketersmade 1000 or more runs in acalendar year for one time.They were Javed Miandad,

Misbah reaches 1000ODI runs during 2013

Saeed Anwar, Younis KhanMohammad Hafeez andMisbah.

Misbah is the first Paki-stani captain to achieve thismilestone.—AFP

ISLAMABAD—The IslamabadHigh Court on Friday issueda contempt notice to NajamSethi for not complying withthe court orders to restrainfrom functioning as actingchairman of the PakistanCricket Board (PCB).

A single-member benchcomprising Justice ShaukatAziz Siddiqui issued the no-tice while hearing a contemptplea moved by Ahmad NawazKhan seeking the contemptproceedings against NajamSethi.

Khan stated in his peti-tion that Sethi, after havingknowledge of the restrainingorder wilfully, deliberatelyand intentionally violated itand was still functioning aschairman PCB. The petitioneralso alleged that Sethi hadused contemptuous lan-guage against the court in aTV show on a private chan-nel.

During the course of pro-ceedings on Friday, BarristerAbdul Razzaq Rajab actingas counsel for Khan told thebench that despite havingthe knowledge of restrainingorder from working as actingchairman PCB, Najam Sethidid not vacate the office.

He maintained that Sethi

Sethi served contempt noticefor not vacating PCB office

was still functioning as chair-man which was against thecourt’s order.

Rajab stated that Sethihad written on his Twitteraccount that he was still thechairman of the PCB and had

used contemptuous lan-guage on the social mediawebsite saying that therewere some ‘elements withvested interests’ who werenot allowing him to work aschairman.

“Vested interests arebogging PCB down andstopping me from carrying

out reforms against corruptpractices,” Sethi had postedon Oct 29 from his Twitteraccount.

To this, Justice Siddiquiremarked that the court doesnot care about criticism in themedia and it would continueits working according to thelaw and constitution.

“I am answerable to Al-lah and not anyone else,” thejudge remarked and issuedthe contempt notice to Sethi.

Justice Shaukat AzizSiddiqui on Oct 29 had sus-pended the Interim Manage-ment Committee (IMC) con-stituted to govern the PCBaffairs of which Sethi wasgiven charge, and also re-strained him and other mem-bers of the IMC from “pos-ing themselves as membersand from performing anyfunction of the PCB.”

The same day an IHC di-vision bench comprisingJustice Riaz Ahmed Khanand Justice Noorul HaqQureshi also took up the ap-peals related to the earlierorder of the IHC of July 2013,in which the court had or-dered the PCB to hold theelections for the position ofits chairman in 90 days.

After the court proceed-

ings, PCB counsel TafazzalHaider Rizvi told the mediapersons that the divisionbench had restored the IMCand Sethi.

Sethi tweeted the sameday that the Islamabad HighCourt two-member benchhad granted stay againstsingle-bench orders. “I re-main Chairman PCB. Sorry todisappoint trolls!” hetweeted.

The order of the twomembers bench was notsigned on Oct 29 and thebench comprising JusticeKhan and Justice Qureshi is-sued the written order onOctober 31 (Thursday) ac-cording to which the benchdid not pass any such direc-tions regarding reinstate-ment of IMC or Sethi.

In its order, the divisionbench observed that “thepoints raised in the appealsneed consideration” and af-ter admitting the appeals forregular hearings issued no-tices to the PCB, PakistanSports Board and Ministry ofInter-provincial Coordina-tion.

The contempt petitionagainst Sethi was also filedby Ahmed Nawaz Khan thesame day.—Agencies

S H A N G H A I — D u s t i nJohnson tied the courserecord with a 9-under 63, fourshots better than anyone elseFriday, and built a five-shotlead in the HSBC Champions.It was the kind of score thatmight make everyone elsewonder which course he wasplaying.

Except that GraemeMcDowell saw the wholething.

Crouched behind the10th green at Sheshan Inter-national, McDowell lookedover at the powerful Ameri-can and said, ‘’I’ve probablyseen 18 of the best drives I’veseen all year in the last twodays.’’ Moments later, afterJohnson blasted another onedown the middle, McDowellsaw No. 19.

It was an impressive dis-play, Johnson at his verybest with the most importantclub in his bag. He ran off sixbirdies in his opening sevenholes. He never hit more than8-iron into a par 4. He twicecame within 15 yards of driv-ing the green on par 4s - oncewith a 3-iron.

‘’I really drove the ballreally well,’’ Johnson said.‘’For me, that’s a big key.’’

Early leader Rory Mclloryof Northern Ireland hits a ballat the 9th hole during the sec-ond round of … J o h n s o nbecame the sixth player witha 63 at Sheshan International,last achieved by MartinKaymer in the final round in

Johnson ties course recordand builds 5-shot lead

SHANGHAI: DustinJohnson of the United Statesputts on the 1st green dur-ing the second round of theHSBC Champions golf tour-nament at the Sheshan Inter-national Golf Club.

2011. He was at 12-under 132,five shots clear of RoryMcIlroy (72), Bubba Watson(69) and Boo Weekley (67).

McIlroy, who started thesecond round of this WorldGolf Championship with atwo-shot lead, made threebirdies on the front nine tostretch his lead to four shots.At that point, Johnson wasjust getting warmed up. Andit wasn’t long before McIlroystarted to cool off. He drove

into the same bunker he wasin on Thursday and madeanother bogey, and he didn’tgive himself any birdiechances over the last sixholes.

On the par-5 14th, hiswedge went just over thegreen and forced him to hit adelicate chip to save par. Onthe reachable par-4 16th, hedrove into a tiny pot bunkerleft of the green and took twoto get out, again scramblingfor par. And on the par-5 18th,McIlroy hit his second shotinto the water and made bo-gey.

‘’I just hit a couple of badshots, and then I guess I letit affect me a little bit, andthen I started to doubt my-self sometimes,’’ McIlroysaid. ‘’I didn’t hit a lot ofquality shots on the backnine.’’

Jordan Spieth of theUnited States prepares toputt on the 1st green duringthe second round of the …At least he’s still in the huntfor his first win of the year.

And if Johnson loses hisstride, there are plenty of play-ers behind him who are poisedto make a move. McDowell,Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia,Gonzalo Fernandez-Castanoand Ian Poulter were amongthose at 6-under 138. PhilMickelson, trying to recoverfrom his quadruple bogey-bogey finish to the openinground, had a 68 and was sevenshots behind.’—AP

Indian team forTendulkar’s finalseries announced

MUMBAI—For the upcominglast two Test matches of the littlemaster Sachin Tendulkaragainst the West Indies squad,the Board of Control for Cricketin India (BCCI) has announcedthe names of the fifteen play-ers on Wednesday.

As a shock, the BCCI’s se-lection committee has optedout-of-form pacer IshantSharma over experiencedbowler Zaheer Khan for the twoTests.

All-rounder RavindraJadeja and batsman SureshRaina have been shown thedoor as Jadeja is strugglingfrom a shoulder injury while,Raina is replaced by the in-form batsman ShikharDhawan. The spin depart-ment will be handled byRavichandran Ashwin,Pragyan Ojha and AmitMishra as Harbhajan Singhwas dropped despite per-forming good at the domes-tic level.

The first of the two Testmatches will be played fromNovember 6-10 at Kolkatawhile, the second one is sched-uled from November 14-18 atMumbai. The list of the fifteenplayers - Mahendra SinghDhoni (Capt), SachinTendulkar, Shikhar Dhawan,Murali Vijay, CheteshwarPujara, Virat Kohli, RohitSharma, Ajinkya Rahane, RAshwin, BhuvaneshwarKumar, Pragyan Ojha, AmitMishra, Umesh Yadav,Mohammed Shami and IshantSharma.—Agencies

ICC justifies‘meagre’ Du Plessis

punishmentLAHORE—The InternationalCricket Council (ICC), whileresponding to PakistanCricket Board’s (PCB) letterto protest the ‘meagre’ pun-ishment handed to SouthAfrican player Faf du Plessisfor ball-tampering in com-parison to the one dished outto all-rounder Shahid Afridifor the same offence in Aus-tralia two years ago, has jus-tified the match-referees’ de-cision in the two cases.

“The ICC stated that bothcases have been dealt onmerit and on differentgrounds,” said PCB’s ChiefOperating Officer SubhanAhmad while talking to re-porters here.

He further said that theICC adopted the stance sinceit was for the first time thatdu Plessis had been involvedin a ball-tampering incident.

As for Afridi, the ICCstated that the all-rounderhas breached the variousICC Code of Conducts for asmany as five times beforegetting caught for a sixth timein the ODI against Australiain Perth in 2010, this time bit-ing the ball openly in the sta-dium.

Nonetheless, Subhansaid that the PCB was stillanalysing ICC’s reply andwere yet to take a final deci-sion on it.—Agencies

MCG on track forBoxing Day world

record crowdSYDNEY—All tickets for theopening day of the AshesBoxing Day Test at theMelbourne Cricket Groundhave sold, raising the pros-pect of a world record crowd,Cricket Australia said Friday.

The rush to see Australiaface England in the fourthTest has raised the possibil-ity that the official record at-tendance at a single day ofcricket will be smashed,eclipsing the 90,800 whowatched Australia’s Testagainst the West Indies atthe MCG in 1961.

The maximum capacity atthe ground is approximately100,000, according to itswebsite.

Tickets have been on salesince October 23, and CA saidsome were still available forthe second, third and fourthdays of the Test.—AFP

PEOPLE who‘ve had gastric bypass surgery might make healthier eating choicesthan those who opt for the weight loss

procedure known as gastric banding, say UKresearchers who found bypass patients lesstempted by sweets and otherfattening foods.

After surveying patientswho had either type of sur-gery, and performing brainscans on several dozen ofthem, Dr. Tony Goldstone ofImperial College Londonand Hammersmith Hospitaland his colleagues foundthat even deep down in theirbrains, the gastric bypasspatients seemed to like high-calorie foods less.

“The results suggest thatgastric-banding patients hadto exert quite a lot of self-control over their eating be-havior. Banding patientsalso had higher concernabout their weight,” Gold-stone told Reuters Health.

In contrast, gastric bypass patients “don`tfeel they have to exert as much cognitive con-trol over what they`re eating,” said Goldstone,who presented the findings October 4th at theObesity Society`s annual meeting in Orlando,Florida.The two weight loss operations havesimilar broad goals — to shrink the stomachso people feel full with less food. In gastricbypass, the stomach is surgically reduced andone end of it is rerouted to bypass part of thesmall intestine. With gastric banding, a siliconeband placed around the top of the stomach re-duces its capacity.Although gastric banding ismore popular, in part because the band can be

removed, previous research has found gas-tric bypass patients seem to lose more weightand lose it faster than banding patients. Thereasons for the differences are still unclear.

Goldstone‘s team studied 30 gastric by-pass patients, 28 gastric band-ing patients and 20 people whodid not have weight loss sur-gery. All the participants startedout obese and the two surgerygroups had lost similaramounts of body weight sincetheir respective procedures, anaverage of 28 percent.

Since banding patients loseweight more slowly, those inthis study had undergone theirprocedure an average of 18months earlier, compared to thebypass patients at 10 monthspost-surgery.

Participants filled out aneating behavior questionnaire,and 20 people in each groupunderwent functional magneticresonance imaging (fMRI)

while looking at pictures of food.Among the significant differences in

questionnaire responses, researchers found,the gastric bypass patients reported having torestrain themselves less, or finding it easierto restrain themselves from eating poorly.They also did less impulsive eating — eatingsomething on sight, not out of hunger — andless eating to boost their mood, or “emotionaleating.”Those who underwent fMRI hadfasted overnight, and then viewed pictures offoods and ate ice cream during the brain scan.The gastric bypass patients rated the ice creamand pictures of high-calorie foods as less ap-pealing than did the gastric banding patients.

Weight loss bypass surgerymay muffle temptation

Hindu women buying different items at Swami Narine as the preparations for Dewali festival have started,

Demonstrators shouting slogans during a protest against US drone attacks outside KarachiPres Club.

Bilawal condolesdeath of KhalidNawaz Shaikh

KARACHI—Patron-In-Chief,Pakistan Peoples Party BilawalBhutto Zardari has condoled thedeath of Khalid Nawaz Sheikh.

In a condolence message is-sued here on Friday, BilawalBhutto Zardari prayed to Al-mighty Allah to rest the departedsoul in eternal peace and grantcourage and fortitude to themembers of bereaved family tobear this irreparable loss.

Khalid Nawaz Sheikh wasbrother of Ahmad Riaz Sheikh,former DG FIA. —APP

AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI —Nov 1: Instituteof Communication & MediaStudies (ICMS), ZiauddinUniversity observed BreastCancer Awareness week at theZiauddin University & Hospi-tal, and organized a seminartitled “Are we aware of breastcancer?” at the closing day ofdrive to create awareness instudents and general public.The seminar highlighted thatevery year about 40,000women die from breast cancerand 2,000 men are diagnosedout of which 25% die in Paki-

stan. Every 1 in 10 man are de-veloping breast cancer and 1 in8 women will develop invasivebreast cancer in her lifetime.Early detection and treatmentwere keys to defeating the breastcancer. Prof. Dr. N.A. Jafarey,Prof. Dr. Sirajuddaula Syed andDr. Quratulain Badar expresstheir view on the occasion.

While addressing the Semi-nar, Prof. Dr. N.A. Jafarey, Ad-visor Academic Affairs,Ziauddin University, mentionedthe breast cancer poses a seri-ous health risk for womenthroughout the world and it isestimated that 1 in 8 Pakistani

women will develop breast can-cer at some stage of their life.He further said students andmedia can play an important rolewith collaboration of doctors inconducting awareness pro-grams.

Prof. Dr. Sirajuddaula Syedof Histopathology said the un-derlying cause in breast cancerfor almost 80-85% of cases isgenetic. He said that there ismisconception among peoplethat cancer is incurable which,on the contrary, is very muchcurable if detected at an earlystage. However, the majority ofcases in Pakistan are diagnosed

very late because of lack ofawareness and cultural taboosalso drive women to keep thedisease secret.

Dr. Quratulain Badar, As-sistant Professor, ConsultantRadiation Oncologist,Ziauddin University & Hospi-tal said breast cancer incidencerates are lower in this regionof the world as compare tomost of the developed coun-tries with an incidence of 25cases per 100,000 women peryear in South East Asia ascompared to 95 cases per100,000 women per year inNorth America.

Early treatment key to defeat breast cancer

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—Sindh senior Min-ister for education Nisar AhmedKhuhru had Friday said that theregistration of those schools inprivate sector that would fail tostart Sindhi Language classeswould be revoked .

The Minister said that hewould be starting visit to privateschools randomly to witnesspersonally if the management ofthe private schools had com-plied to the directives or not andin case any was found for thenon-compliance of the direc-tives would face immediate can-

cellation of permission to runthe school.

He further said that theSindh Universities (Amended)Act-2013 was being placed un-der review to see where thesaid needed to be amended fur-ther. The Minister said thatthe admission policy for theuniversities in the province wasalso being reviewed in detail sothat necessary steps should betaken to ensure fair admissionpolicy.

He said that the quota foradmission in Sindh’s universi-ties for the rural populationwould also be increased.

When contacted, PrivateSchool Management associa-tion (PSMA) chairman SharafUz Zaman told Pakistan Ob-server that all the privateschools in Sindh were teachingSindhi language as compulsoryand for passing the Board’sexam, it was also compulsoryto Sindh language

However, said Zaman, thatthere were foreign affiliatedschools in private sectors thatwere not only not teachingSindhi language but also werenot playing the National An-them, which the Ministershould note and take action.

Registration of privateschools not teaching Sindhi

language be cancelled

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—A high level secu-rity conference was held inwake of forthcomingMuharram Al Haram at Paki-stan Rangers Sindh headquar-ters Friday.

Pakistan Rangers Sindh Di-rector General Maj. Gen.Rizwan Akhtar presided themeeting.The deputy directorRangers, Karachi Commis-sioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui,Rangers Sector Commanders,Zonal deputy Inspector Gener-als including CIA, traffic andspecial branch, representativesof Karachi Metropolitan Cor-poration, Karachi Electric sup-ply Company general managerattended.

According to PakistanRangers Sindh public relationsofficer (PRO), Pakistan Rang-ers sindh had finalized securityplans and would ensure foolproof security. Temporary pick-ets would be established andwould be manned round theclock.The PRO said that thesnipers would be deployed onthe roof tops on processionroutes and complete routewould be sealed. Sniffer dogswould be employed to clear theroute coupled with aerial sur-veillance. Strict ban would beimposed on aerial firing andviolators would be dealt se-verely. Ulemas of all sects wereurged to maintain peace andpromote inter-sect harmonyduring the holy month.

Foolproof securityduring Muharram

MQM to movecourt on creationof new districts

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Leader of opposi-tion in Sindh assembly SyedFaisal Sabzwari said that theMuttahida Qaumi Movement(MQM) would move courtagainst the creation of new dis-tricts in the metropolis withouttaking the local residents of theareas, which might be made dis-trict.

While talking to the news-men outside the assembly afterthe session was over, Sabzwarisaid that there were reports be-ing published in newspapers thatopinions and suggestions weresought from the people of thoseareas in the metropolis that weretaken under considerations forbecoming new districts but infact no opinions or suggestionswere sought from the people.

Confiscation ofmetallic strings

KARACHI—CommissionerKarachi, Shoaib AhmadSiddiqui on Friday ordered im-mediate confiscation of allavailable stock of metallic kitestrings and crackdown againstmanufacturers and sellers of thehazardous item.

Expressing his deep sympa-thy with the parents and fami-lies of the children who losttheir lives during past threemonths in the city due to thestring, the Commissioner saidstringent action would be en-sured to avert unfortunate in-stances.

“It is also all the more pain-ful to realise that children wholost their lives were themselvesnot flying the kites but just cameacross the killer string,” hesaid.—APP

VCs of DUHS,MUET resigne

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Consequence uponthe Sindh Universities Laws(Amendment) Act 2013 DrAbdul Qadeer Rajput ViceChancellor (VC) Mehran Uni-versity of Engineering and Tech-nology (MUET) Jamshoro andProf. Masood Hameed Khan VCDow University of Health Sci-ences (DUHS) Karachi hadceased to hold their offices.

According to a hand out is-sued Friday, the Pro-VC MUETDr Mohammad Aslam Uqailiand the Pro-VC DUHS Prof.Muhammad Umer Farooq hadbeen directed to look after thefunctions of Vice Chancellor of-fice of their respective Univer-sities till further orders under theapproval of competent authority.

The hand our said that thecompetent authority had ac-cepted the resignation of Prof.Akbar Haider Soomro VCShaheed Mohtarma BenazirBhutto Medical University(SMBBMU) Larkana submittedon personal reasons.

Dr Assadullah Mahar Prin-cipal Chandka Medical CollegeLarkana had been assigned tolook after the functions of VCoffice of SMBBMU till furtherorders.

Elimination ofchild labour

KARACHI—Central leader ofPPP, Taj Haider said on Friday thatamendment is being introduced inthe Employment of Children Actfor elimination of child labour soas to persuade the child towardseeking education.He said thiswhile speaking at a seminarorganised by the Society for Pro-tection of Rights of the Child(SPARC), said a statement.Justice(Retd), Ghous Muhammad, JointDirector PILER, Zulfiqar Shahand Provincial Manager SPARC,Ms. Nazra Jahan also spoke.

Taj Haider said that impart-ing free education to children be-tween 5 to 16 years is responsi-bility of the state under Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Addressing the occasion,Zulfiqar Shah said a survey willbe conducted to obtain correct fig-ures about child labour. —APP

Police arrest suspectsKARACHI—The police havearrested 72 accused in 85 raidsfrom different parts of the cityduring last 24 hours and recov-ered nine pistols from their pos-session.—APP

PEOPLE who‘ve had gastric bypass surgery might make healthier eating choicesthan those who opt for the weight loss pro-

cedure known as gastric banding, say UK re-searchers who found bypass patients lesstempted by sweets and otherfattening foods. After survey-ing patients who had eithertype of surgery, and perform-ing brain scans on severaldozen of them, Dr. Tony Gold-stone of Imperial College Lon-don and Hammersmith Hos-pital and his colleagues foundthat even deep down in theirbrains, the gastric bypass pa-tients seemed to like high-calorie foods less.

“The results suggest thatgastric-banding patients had toexert quite a lot of self-con-trol over their eating be-havior.Banding patients also hadhigher concern about theirweight,” Goldstone toldReuters Health. In contrast,gastric bypass patients “don`tfeel they have to exert as much cognitive con-trol over what they`re eating,” said Goldstone,who presented the findings October 4th at theObesity Society`s annual meeting in Or-lando,Florida.

The two weight loss operations have simi-lar broad goals — to shrink the stomach sopeople feel full with less food. In gastric by-pass, the stomach is surgically reduced and oneend of it is rerouted to bypass part of the smallintestine. With gastric banding, a silicone bandplaced around the top of the stomach reduces itscapacity. Although gastric banding is morepopular, in part because the band can be re-

moved, previous research has found gastricbypass patients seem to lose more weight andlose it faster than banding patients. The rea-sons for the differences are still unclear.

Goldstone‘s team studied 30 gastric by-pass patients, 28 gastric band-ing patients and 20 people whodid not have weight loss sur-gery. All the participants startedout obese and the two surgerygroups had lost similar amountsof body weight since their re-spective procedures, an averageof 28 percent. Since banding pa-tients lose weight more slowly,those in this study had under-gone their procedure an averageof 18 months earlier, comparedto the bypass patients at 10months post-surgery.

Participants filled out aneating behavior questionnaire,and 20 people in each groupunderwent functional magneticresonance imaging (fMRI)while looking at pictures offood.

Among the significant differences inquestionnaire responses, researchers found,the gastric bypass patients re-ported havingto restrain themselves less, or finding it easierto restrain themselves from eating poorly.They also did less impulsive eating eatingsomething on sight, not out of hunger andless eating to boost their mood, or “emotionaleating.” Those who underwent fMRI hadfasted overnight, and then viewed pictures offoods and ate ice cream during the brain scan.The gastric bypass patients rated the ice creamand pictures of high-calorie foods as less ap-pealing than did the gastric banding patients.

Weight loss bypass surgerymay muffle temptation

Speaker provincial Assembly Rana Iqbal with the 15-member delegation of Balochistan Assembly during their visit to the Punjab Assembly.

Activists of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf holding a demonstration against price hike, outside LahorePress Club.

Islam, religion ofguidance until

end of timeLAHORE—”The lesson of lovefor mankind delivered duringTableeghi Ijtima [religious gath-ering] is an excellent source ofguidance for the MuslimUmmah. We will have to adoptthe path of peace, justice, loveand respect in order to spread thetrue message of Islam through-out the world.”

These views were expressedby Pakistan Ulema Council[PUC] Central Chairman HafizMuhammad Tahir MahmoodAshrafi during his meetingswith religious scholars, clericsand speakers visiting Raiwindfrom different cities and prov-inces. He said it was high timeto spread Prophet Muhammad[PBUH]’s message of sympathythroughout the world.

“Islam is a religion of guid-ance for mankind until the endof time. The elements that wantto make Islam a religion of ter-ror and violence are unaware ofIslamic teachings,” he added.

Also present on this occa-sion were Maulana ZahidMahmood Qasmi, MaulanaHafiz Ahmad Amjad, MaulanaAmmar Baloch, MaulanaAshfaq Patafi, Maulana AbdulQayyum and other scholars andclerics.

LAHORE—A special divisionbench of the Lahore High CourtFriday reserved verdict for thenext week on petitions filedagainst non-party local govern-ment elections in Punjab.

The special bench compris-ing LHC Chief Justice Umar AtaBandial and Justice MuhammadFarrukh Irfan Khan was hearingpetitions filed by the PakistanPeople’s Party (PPP), the Paki-stan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) andothers. Earlier, Punjabgovernment’s counsel SalmanAslam Butt concluding his argu-ments submitted that local gov-ernment elections could be heldon non-party basis as local gov-ernments did not have any legis-lative function. He further con-tended that local governmentswork as administration institu-

LHC reserves verdicton non-party LG polls

tions, therefore, apolitical per-sons should be elected in the in-stitutions. He further contendedthat the provincial governmenthad authority to conduct delimi-tation of constituencies.

PPP’s counsel Sardar LatifKhosa said the provision of non-party elections was not only anaffront of the law declared by theApex Court but also a violationof the Constitution. He contendedthat impugned legislation did notfulfil the criteria of the constitu-tion which required the provincesto establish local body systemsand devolve political, administra-tive and financial authority to it.

PTI’s counsel BakhtiarKasuri contended that local coun-cils were kept under subservienceto the Punjab governmentthrough the Act which was

against the constitution.He further contended that the

provincial government did nothave authority to delimit con-stituencies as the constitutionempowers the election commis-sion for it. But, Additional Attor-ney General Naseer Bhutta sub-mitted that partyless electionswould provide a level playingfield to all and provincial gov-ernments had the authority to leg-islate on this point, as per the con-stitution.

At this stage, the chief jus-tice remarked that many politi-cians were a product of partylesselections. However, Sardar LatifKhosa said that democracy wasnot allowed to flourish on partybasis in the country and it wasthe reason for horse-trading andinstability.— APP

Three dacoitsarrested

LAHORE—Mustafa Town po-lice arrested three members of adacoit gang and recovered cash,mobile phones and weapons.

The accused were identifiedas Nadeem alias Soda, Ahsanand Akhtar, police said.

During interrogations, theaccused confessed many bur-glary and mobile snatching in-cidents. Police have traced 11cases against them.—APP

LAHORE—Punjab Law Minis-ter Rana Sanaullah Khan hassaid, dengue surveillance of34,329 houses has so far beencarried out while indoors spray(IRS) and fogging would be car-ried out at high-risk union coun-cils on the recommendations ofTechnical Advisory Committee.

He was presiding over Cen-tral Emergency Response Com-mittee for Dengue at 8-Club hereFriday. Provincial MinisterKhalil Tahir Sindhu, MinisterEducation Rana MashhoodAhmed, Minister for Food BilalYasin, MNAs and MPAs fromLahore and other high govern-ment officials attended the meet-ing.The Minister said, as a re-

Efforts underway tocontrol dengue: Sanaullah

sult of timely steps taken by thegovernment, the number ofhigh-risk union councils havebeen reduced from 24 to 19.

He informed that pam-phlets, brochures and householdmaterials would be distributedin very house aimed at creatingawareness among people withregard to dengue fever.

Rana Sanaullah said, allgovernment machinery hasbeen activated, throughout theprovince, to ensure dengue con-trol, while all arrangements,with regard to Anti-DengueDay, on Sunday, November 3,2013, have been completed. Hesaid Anti- Dengue day wouldinclude awareness walks at the

town levels, which would be at-tended by elected public repre-sentatives, District Administra-tive Officers and representativesof Non- Governmental Organi-zations (NGOs).

The Minister directed Sec-retary Auqaf to exhort Khatibsof mosques to raise awarenessamong the people against den-gue during their sermons on Fri-day.

Rana Sanaullah said that, onthe occasion of Anti-DengueDay, all towns would conductdengue awareness walks in theirrespective areas at 9 am, whilea Council Manager would set uphis own camp in every unioncouncil.—APP

71 suspectsarrested

LAHORE—The police claimedto have arrested 71 suspectedpersons during a search opera-tion held to maintain law andorder situation in the city dur-ing the Moharram ul Haram.

On the directions of CCPO,the police arrested the suspectsduring a search operation heldin various parts of the city in-cluding Shafiqabad, LorryAdda, Sabza Zar, Township,Green Town, Liaquatabad, Fac-tory Area, Kot Lakhpat,Baghbanpura, Harbancepura,China Scheme, Mehmood Bootiand Bund Road.

Of whom, 27 suspects wereshifted to undisclosed location.—APP

Free vegetableseed packetsdistributed

LAHORE—Punjab AgricultureMinister Dr Farrukh Javed hassaid that kitchen gardeningprogramme plays a significantrole in the availability of freshvegetable at domestic level.

He expressed these viewswhile addressing a kitchen gar-dening awareness seminar atInstitute of Agriculture Sci-ences, Punjab University on Fri-day.

Director General Ext(A&R) Dr Anjum Ali speakingon the occasion said that underthe this programme 503,000seed packets were distributed inurban and rural areas during fis-cal year 2011-12 and 2013.

He said that distribution ofvegetable seed packets helped inpromoting the programme.

Traffic planduring

MuharramLAHORE—Chief Traffic Of-ficer, Capt (R) Sohail Chaudhryon Friday met senior traffic of-ficials to review foolproof traf-fic arrangements duringMuharram-ul- Haram.

According to traffic police,he directed the DSPs to take ac-tion against encrochments, withthe cooperation of departmentsconcerned, on the route of pro-cessions and alternative roads.The CTO said that all officersand traffic wardens would dis-play service cards at their uni-forms during Muharram.

Sohail Chaudhry said that asperate alternative route wouldbe reserved for the emergencyvehicles while traffic wardensincluded lady wardens under thesupervision of SPs wouldperfrom duties during 9th and10th Muharram.—APP

LAHORE—The city police onFriday reviewed security arrange-ments for Muharram-ul-Haram.

SP Security Abdul Ghaffartold APP that 13,000 policemenunder the supervision of SPswould be deployed at processionroutes on 9th and 10th Muharramwhile 6,000 to 8,000 police per-sonnel would perform duties ondaily basis from Muharram 1st to8th. He said that police wouldcordon off area near processionsand would initiate patrolling a daybefore Muharram-ul-Haram.

He said that police wouldguard the main procession routes,while ambulances, bomb dis-

Muharramsecurity reviewed

posal squad and fire brigade ve-hicles and ambulances wouldalso be deployed on the proces-sion routes.

The SP Security said that po-licemen would be deployed at allentry and exit points of the cityand the participants would haveto pass through security checking-points to join the processions.

The police would carry outchecking through metal detectorsand walk-through gates wouldalso be installed at these points,he added. Abdul Ghaffar said thatnext meeting to finalize securityarrangements would be heldwithin two days.—APP

LAHORE—Punjab OmbudsmanJaved Mahmood, has ordered topay 7% Cost of Living Allowanceto the retired employees of erst-while Zila Councils of Punjabprovince.

Seven percent Cost LivingAllowance is the legal right of allthose employees of erstwhile ZilaCouncils who retired during 1995to 2001 but the same is not beingprovided due to issue of jurisdic-tion of revise the pension and re-sponsibility as Pension Sanction-ing Authority between LocalFund Audit Punjab and DistrictGovernment, says order.

Rahim Bakhsh Khosa, a resi-dent of DG Khan and retired em-ployee of erstwhile Zila CouncilDG Khan lodged an applicationto Ombudsman Punjab that thou-sands of retired employees aredeprived of 7% Cost of LivingAllowance since many years andno one is taking responsibility ofdelay and payment of the same.

Ombudsman Punjab directedWazir Ahmad Qureshi, InchargeMohtasib Punjab Pension Celland probe the issue, Wazir AhmadQureshi reported that Local fundAudit was assigned as PensionSanctioning Authority and re-

CLA for retired employeessponsible for revision of pensionprior to promulgation of PunjabLocal Government Ordinance2001.

As per PLGO 2001, District

Governments were responsibleto watch all pensionary issue ofretiring employees of erstwhileZila Councils. —APP

Rescue 1122rescued 47,187

victims last monthLAHORE—Director GeneralPunjab Emergency Service (Res-cue 1122), Dr Rizwan Naseer,carried out a performance reviewof emergency operations in all dis-tricts of the province The emer-gency data revealed that Rescue1122 Punjab rescued 47,187 vic-tims of emergencies in 44,326 res-cue operations in October. Theemergency calls to which Rescue1122 responded included 18,235road accidents, 18,892 medicalemergencies, 653 fire incidents, 28building collapse incidents, 2020crimes, 63 drowning incidents, fiveexplosions and 4430 other emer-gency operations.—APP