fRIdAy April 12, 2013 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 29, 1434 I Rawalpindi/Islamabad I Vol, V, No. 358 I www.thespokesman.pk Pages 12 I Price 10/-

TTOODDAAYY’’SS WWEEAATTHHEERR

Clouds and sunHIGH: 34 LOW: 18

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SHAKESPEARE ANDQUESTION NO. 755– GERALD VAN WILGEN

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TRADING INHUMAN RIGHTS– AMIR HUSSAINI

CMyk

BUREAUCRATIC BLUES -SHAHBAZ MISSES HIS BABUS

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MOMO BAIG

WWAASSHHIINNGGTTOONN:: US PresidentBarack Obama proposed a 40 percent increase in American aid toPakistan, amounting to USD 1.4billion, as part of his USD 3.77trillion budget that focusses on newjob creation and economic growth.Obama among other thingsproposed to increase the US aid toPakistan under overseascontingency operations to USD 1.4billion for the fiscal year beginningOctober 1, 2013, an increase of 40per cent than the USD 1 billion thathe had proposed in the last year'sbudget for the fiscal 2013.The US president also proposed toreduce the deficit by another USD1.8 trillion. According to Obama'sbudget proposals, the StateDepartment's USD 47.8 billion

budget includes USD 6.8 billion forthe frontline states of Iraq (USD 2.1billion), Afghanistan (USD 3.4billion), and Pakistan (USD 1.4billion). The proposals includedUSD three billion in base fundingand USD 3.8 billion in overseas

contingency operations funding."The Budget prioritises corediplomatic and developmentactivities to ensure strong, lastingpartnerships with these countriesand to promote stability," theproposals said.

US proposes 40pc hike in Pak aid

SAEED MINHAS

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Pakistan Army is likelyto provide security during the upcomingelections mainly in Balochistan, FATA andKarachi while paramilitary troops will bedeployed at other sensitive polling stationsacross the country, sources in the ElectionCommission of Pakistan informed TheSpokesman on Thursday. The Army was initially given a list of over30,000 — out of a total of 80,000 pollingstations — by the Election Commission ofPakistan. Owing to its preoccupation inBalochistan and FATA, the Army top brassasked the ECP to revise the list and give onlymost sensitive areas in army control onpolling day of May 11. Despite severalmeetings between the ECP oKcials andGHQ, the issue is still unclear. Interestingly as election days draws near,Sindh has already sought extra security forover 1150 sensitive locations while the KPgovernment has sought added security forover 200. Punjab is considered the provincewith most sensitive polling stations whereelectoral violence is considered more acutethan any other province. Sources revealed that Army Jawans wouldbe available for emergency response atdistrict and tehsil headquarters and will becalled in to assist the police, Rangers,

Frontier Corps, Frontier Constabulary,Pakistan Coast Guards and Gilgit-BaltistanScouts in case of any untoward incident. Meanwhile, oKcial sources of the PakistanArmy confirmed that the top military brasson Thursday approved the security plandevised for security to the upcoming generalelections in the country. The 70th FormationCommanders’ Conference, chaired by ArmyChief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, washeld at the Army’s General Headquarters(GHQ) in Rawalpindi. An ISPR statement said the commandersassured full cooperation to the ECP onsecurity matters and discussed a securityplan for peaceful transfer of power from theinterim to the elected representatives.

STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: With ElectionCommission seeking appropriateaction, the caretaker interiorminister is facing dismissal due tohis pro-Nawaz statement as thecaretaker prime ministersummoned him on Wednesdaynight to explain his position.Sources said Prime Minister MirHazar Khan Khoso summonedMalik Habib on late Wednesdaynight to explain his position over thestatement he made in support ofPML-N chief Mian Nawaz Shariffew days back. The caretakergovernment was under extremepressure from the political partiesdue to uncalled for statement givenby him. “The government can sendhim (Habib) packing to save itscredibility” a sources believed. Sources said the interim federalcabinet is likely to take up the issuetoday (Friday). “The guidelineswould be issued to caretakerministers regarding performing oftheir duties,” the sources said,adding that the meeting would alsoreview the preparations and securityplan of general elections.”Malik Habib Khan had issued a

statement in favour of PML-N andvarious political parties includingPPP, PTI, ANP and others hadasked the Commission to take noticeof the situation.The Election Commission ofPakistan (ECP) Thursday also askedcaretaker Prime Minister to takeappropriate action against caretakerInterior Minister for showingpolitical aKliation with a particular

political party. In his letter to principal secretaryto the Prime minister, the ECP said:“Such statement on behalf of afederal minister may prove to bedamaging to the perception ofholding free, fair and credibleelection in the country with theassistance of a politically biasedinterim government.”The Secretary Election

Commission on behalf of ChiefElection Commissioner asked theprinciple secretary to bring this stateof aLairs to the notice of CaretakerPrime Minister for considerationand appropriate action.Separately, the Interior Minister,Malik Habib Khan directed theInspector General of Police,Islamabad to challan the Sheeshaowners and confiscate these in thefederal capital. The ministerdirected to check all public placesand restaurants where Sheeshasmoking is going on. The ministerreviewed law and order situation ofthe federal capital and directed theIGP to further beef up security. Hedirected all provincial policedepartments to ensure stringentsecurity of political leaders.

HHYYDDEERRAABBAADD:: MuttahidaQaumi Movement (MQM)candidate Fakhrul Islam, 46was shot dead on Thursdayin a drive-by killing here.He was killed by gunmenon motorcycles when he leftthe grocery shop he ownedwith his father, police said.“He sustained four bullets inhis head and abdomen anddied on the spot,” policeoKcial Akhtar Hussain said.Islam’s father was notinjured, but police said hewas in “deep shock”. Interim prime ministerMir Hazar Khan Khosoordered an immediatetightening of security for allcandidates in the wake of theshooting. TTP spokespersonEhsanullah Ehsan claimedthat the proscribedorganisation was behind thekilling of the MQMcandidate in Hyderabad, incontinuation of the militantgroup’s earlierannouncement of targetingof secular parties inPakistan. The killing is likelyto fuel concerns thatviolence will mar the generalelections. –AGENCIES

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: TheSupreme Courtinformed onThursday that workhad been completedto materialise theinclusion ofoverseas Pakistanisin the forthcoming

general elections.The apex court was apprised that arecent meeting of the ElectionCommission of Pakistan (ECP) andother functionaries of the government,discussed the issue of providing votingrights to overseas Pakistanis andconcluded that their participationwould be ensured.This was told to a three-judge benchled by Chief Justice Iftikhar MuhammadChaudhry when it resumed hearing ofconstitutional petitions by PTI chairmanImran Khan and others.Giving the report, ECP DirectorGeneral Sher Afgan said during themeetings it was decided that theinclusion of overseas Pakistanis in thecoming election was possible, and said itwas decided initially Pakistanis residingin ten countries would be included inthis exercise. “About 4.5 millionregistered voters are residing in othercountries, out of which 3.5 million are inthe Middle East and 2.9 million out of thisfigure are currently living only in two

countries of Saudi Arabia and the UnitedArab Emirates,” he informed the court.He told the court that once the processof legislation is completed, they wouldneed help from the overseas ministry andforeign office, as the process of deputingstaff in the foreign mission would alsotake time. He further stated that incountries where the population ofregistered voters would be over 100,000,two polling stations would be constituted,while a number less then that would haveone polling station setup. Sher Afganstated the process of issuing visas to thestaff appointed in foreign missions wouldtake two-to-three weeks.The chief justice appreciated work

done by the ECP, Nadra and other govtfunctionaries for their hard work anddevotion in making this task possible.He remarked that the work whichseemed impossible a month before,seems to be possible now and thusoverseas Pakistanis, who are thebackbone of our economy, would alsoparticipate in the election process.Later, the bench adjourned furtherhearing for ten days, while directing theECP to submit a report on the legislationand other matters. eanwhile, PTIChairman Imran Khan Thursday expressedgrave concern over the ECP’s excuses forgranting the overseas Pakistanis their rightof voting and urged CEC Justice (retd)Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim to intervene andimplement the direction made by theSupreme Court in this regard.

Nisar gets clean chit,Musharraf summoned in person

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: While thenomination papers of PML-Nleader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khanwere accepted from NA-52 andNA-53, former president PervezAli Musharraf was summoned inperson to explain objectionspertaining to the appeal filed by

him against the rejection of his nomination papers by returning oKcers.The Election Commission’s RO had cancelled Musharraf ’s nominationpapers in three constituencies —Karachi (NA 250), Islamabad (NA-48)and Kasur (NA-139) whereas the RO in Chitral (NA 32) dismissed allobjections to his candidature, contending that he had not beenconvicted in any case so far. Musharraf has contended that he fulfils therequirements of Article 62 and 63. Moreover, his nomination paperswere also accepted from Chitral NA 32. –AGENCIES

Expatriates canvote, SC assured

Army all setfor polls security

CEC asks PM to take ‘appropriate action’ against interior minister

Habib in trouble� PM holds late night meeting � Cabinet to decide fate today

TTP claims responsibilty

MQMcandidatekilled inHyderabad

15 militants, one soldier killed in TirahPPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: Fifteen militants and one soldier were killed onThursday when the army troops mounted another operation in a weekof fighting designed to seize control of a remote but strategic valley inthe northwest, the army said. "Fresh clashes started early Thursdaywhen the security forces launched another operation to secure controlof the valley," said a military official, adding that 15 militants and asoldier had been killed. On Tuesday, the military said 23 Pakistanisoldiers and 110 militants had been killed in four days of fiercefighting in the area. The military has faced fierce resistance from theTaliban and its allies in the Tirah Valley in the Khyber region sincetroops set out to dislodge insurgents from strategically importantheights above the valley six days ago. –AGENCIES

� Asks for manageable list of sensitive locations� Commanders promise all-out help to EC

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

CMYK

CMYK

Students learn how toadhere to driving rules

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: An informative andexciting week on traffic rules, startedat Am-Anglo Montessori School andCollege on April 5, ended onThursday. The week was organised onthe school administration’s initiative,to which the traffic police hadresponded positively. The aim of theweek was to educate the studentsabout the traffic rules. The TrafficPolice education wing’s InspectorAbdul Rehman interacted with thestudents. He laid stress on strictlyfollowing the traffic rules whiledriving. Through multimediaprojector, the students were showndifferent slides to make them aware oftraffic rules and for this purpose, theposters were distributed. Aninteresting conversation revealed avery comical point of the police aboutthe shortage of petrol and the inabilityof them to do so from their ownpockets. �PR

Soldiers’ postal ballots tobe dispatched by April 15IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Postal ballots of thePakistan Army soldiers includingofficers would be dispatched toreturning officers until the mid ofthis month. Postal balloting processhas been started and EC forms of theofficers would be sent to ROs untilApril 15. It is worth mentioning thatit is for the first time in the history ofthe country that a mechanism hasbeen prepared for military officersand their families regarding castingof the vote. �ONLINE

Three sheesha smokingcenters sealedIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The administration hassealed three sheesha smoking centersand confiscated 16 ‘hookahs’ whilelaunching an operation. To eradicatethe sheesha smoking centers fromroots, Islamabad Secretariat AssistantCommissioner Nauman Yousaf andIndustrial Area AssistantCommissioner Imran Ali Sultanlaunched operation in I-8, F-10including areas of secretariat, hotels,restaurants and public spot and sealedthree sheesha smoking centers andconfiscated 16 ‘hookahs’. �ONLINE

Students from a private school learn tips to control tra�c. �THE SPOKESMAN

SALMAN ABBAS

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqueof the Islamabad High Court on Thursdaysuspended the notification for the elevation ofB-Tech degree holder sub-divisional oMcers(SDOs) as executive engineer working in theIslamabad Electric Supply Company.On August 13, 2008, Board of Directors of the

IESCO recommended the promotion of B-Techdegree holder SDOs in BPS-17 for the positionof executive engineers in BPS-18 and alsosuggested that the B-Tech degree holders wouldbe given 10 per cent quota for the said positionafter examining their eligibility throughinternal examination.Hearing the case, Justice Siddique

suspended the notification of August 13 andalso sought reply from the IESCO andMinistry of Water and Power over the issue.The case was filed by the PakistanEngineering Council, an alliance of about 200BSc and BE degree holder engineers of theelectric company, against the policy for thepromotion of B-Tech degree holders.According to them, earlier in the past onlyBSc or BE degree holder was entitled for thepromotion as the executive engineer.Advocate Khalid Zaman, the counsel for the

petitioners, contended before the court thatsome 100 B-Tech degree holders were madeeligible for the said promotion after theissuance of the notification by the IESCOadministration. He said that the respondent

SDOs were working in Islamabad, four districtsof Rawalpindi division and in Azad Kashmirand were not eligible for the promotion becausetheir B-Tech degrees were not equivalent to theBSc and BE degree.On January 14, 2006, the Higher Education

Commission had already clarified that the B-Tech degree holder was not at par with theengineering graduate and this was the reasonthe Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), theapex forum of the engineers, did not recognisethem as professional engineer, he pointed out.He said that the new criteria for the promotionwould disturb promotion of some 200 IESCOengineers and requested the court to set asideAugust 13 letter regarding the promotion of B-Tech degree holders.

SHANEL KHALIQ

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD::The PakistanAcademy ofLetters organiseda ceremony hereto give a befittingfarewell toIftikhar Arif andto honour him forbeing selected as the president of theEconomic Cooperation Organisation.“We are very confident and hopeful

that he will bring about a positivechange as president of the institution,”said PAL Chairperson Abdul Hameed,while speaking on the occasion. Paying tributes to the poetic

brilliance of Iftikhar Arif, Hameedsaid, “His appointment is aninternational recognition of hisadministrative and literarycapabilities and achievements.” Newly-appointed ECO President

Iftikhar Arif expressed positivethoughts towards the future of PALand said that he will continue to strivefor the promotion of literature insociety. Beaming with confidence, hesaid that he was satisfied with histenure and leadership because henever supported anything illegal orirregular in the institution.Director General of PAL Zaheer-ud-

Din Malik also appreciated IftikharArif ’s capabilities as an administrator.

Iftikhar Arifgiven warmsendoN

IHC suspends promotionof SDOs as exec engineer� BSc, BE degree engineers against promotion of B-Tech degree officers in BPS-17 � IHC seeksreply from IESCO, Water and Power Ministry over notification

In Singapore, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch arranged the ASEAN StarsConference which was attended by various asset management companies and fundmanagers of the world, the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL)

representatives attended the conference and highlighted financial state of the companywhich attracted the fund managers to invest in Pakistan.There was a reasonable demand and appetite for the OGDCL share in the international

market. The investors raised the issue germane to non-availability of the OGDCL sharein the market and indicated their interest in the OGDCL share and expected that thegovernment will decide to make divestment a prompt, positive and encouraging responseis expected from the internal market.The OGDCL team interacted with foreign investors which includes Morgan Stanley

Investment Management Inc, Putnam Investments, LLC, Walter Capital Partners SA,Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd, Dws Investments, Sloane Robinson LLP, PrinceStreet Capital Management Inc, HSBC Holding Plc, TCW Group, Aberdeen AssetManagers Ltd, NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative Limited, Natixis AssetManagement (International), Rovida Asset Management (Singapore) Ltd and SomersetCapital Management LLP.The investors raised quires about the overall economic aspects to understand some

misconception about certain relevant areas which investors typically consider whilemaking investment decisions. The perception was developed on account of repenting ofdomestic law and order situation; the institutional investors have a better insight aboutfinancial and securities market and were likely to take a mature position with long-terminvestment prospective.During the conference, the other issues were energy shortfalls with ramifications, eNect

of circular debt on the ability of the OGDCL to meet its funding requirements, gas supplyarrangements with the fertilizer sector and resulting benefits for OGDCL, overall state ofrevenues, profitability, cost of doing business, earning per share and share value of the

company, dividend policy,availability of the OGDCLshares in the market andpossibility of furtherdivestment by thegovernment, incentivesfor the E&P sector underthe existing regulatoryand policy regimes,challengers in general andfor E&P sector in specificand security situation.According to theinvestors, big lots of theOGDCL shares were notavailable in the market asmajor share holderspreferred to retain theirshare in the company.

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: As part of politicalcampaigns, candidates belongingto different political parties havestarted posting their pamphletsand banners in different parts ofthe country including the federalcapital but the issue which hascreated inconvenience for citizensis that many candidates havepasted posted their pamphlets andbanners even on the traffic signalsand direction sign boards. Thesituation has also created panic for

the Capital DevelopmentAuthority which has investedmillions in installation andpainting of these sign boards.Nowadays in the federal capital,most of the traffic signals anddirection boards have been coveredwith the posters of politiciansbelonging from different politicalparties including the PakistanPeople’s Party, Pakistan MuslimLeague-N, Jamaat-e-Islami andthe Tehreek-e-Insaf. A CDA official

said that millions of rupees wereneeded to paint the directionboards which have been installedin the city for the convenience ofthe citizens and visitors of thefederal capital. “But the candidateshave been posting their stickersand pamphlets on these signboards which has been causing lossto the authority as if candidates donot left this practice, all the signand direction boards will becomein need of repainting which needs

a large amount,” said the official.“I have faced a lot of diMculties

while reaching the Islamabad HighCourt as majority of the directionboards fall in my way were coveredwith stickers and posters ofcandidates,” said Asif Ahmad, acitizen. The CDA should take strictaction against the violators ofmunicipal bye-laws which werecreating hardships for the citizens,he suggested.However, CDA Chairman Tahir

Shahbaz said that he had taken thenotice of the situation and alsoconstituted a vigilance squad underPlanning and Design Member SyedMustafain Kazmi to take strict actionagainst the violators. “Such activitiesare severe violation of the code ofconduct issued by the ElectionCommission of Pakistan and theCapital Development Authority byelaws, besides causing loss to publicexchequer by defacing the signboards,” he added. �SALMAN ABBAS

SUPPLEMENT ADVERTISEMENTInternational investors keento invest in OGDCL shares

Pamphlets, banners on signals, direction boards irk citizens

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The ISRA University’sal-Nafees Medical College on Thursdayorganised a one-day workshop tohighlight the role of academicleadership in the medical educationsystem. This workshop aimed to give an

insight to the faculty about medicaleducation such as MCQs formulationand planning a module to effectivelecturing techniques and to advancethe role of e-learning and e-assessment. Saudi Arabia’s Dammam University’s

Professor Dr Gohar Wajid and DrHesham Marei, Sri Lanka’s RuhunaUniversity’s Dr Avindra, Malaysia’sQuest International University’s DrAlam Sher Malik and Dr Rukhsana HMalik, also attended the workshop andshed light on the fundamental role ofteachers. Teachers, professors and medical

students showed great interest andappreciated the initiative, which wouldguide medical teachers to enhance theirknowledge and skills. They termed itright step towards more integratedteaching, learning and assessment. �PR

Academicleadership rolehighlighted

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: To secure country's energy supply chain,Pakistan State Oil has signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for the establishment of a state-of-the-artoil refinery in the province, which is expected to be fullycommissioned by 2016-17.The Memorandum of Understanding to initiate this

landmark project was signed in Peshawar by AdditionalSecretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources,Mr. Naeem Malik; CEO & MD - PSO, Mr. Naeem YahyaMir and Secretary Energy and Power - GoKP, Mr. ZaffarIqbal.As per this MoU, PSO will set up a technologically

advanced refinery with a capacity of 40,000 Barrels PerDay (BPD) on about 400 acres of land in district Kohat -Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project will be set-up througha public private partnership and will utilize crude oilfrom nearby indigenous supply sources for production ofPOL products conforming to Euro IV standards.In a statement PSO said that establishment of this

refinery will help improve the overall availability of POLproducts across the country as well as result in sizeableforeign exchange savings for the nation. It shall alsoincrease PSO's operational base through diversificationin the midstream segment and lower distribution cost inthe related supply envelops. In addition to these benefits,this refinery will also help create job opportunities for thelocal populace as well as professionals from varioustechnical backgrounds. It is also expected that substantialforeign direct investment will also take place as a result ofthis project.Both the dignitaries were of the opinion that this

proposed project will serve as the foundation for futureinitiatives and suggested to continue efforts to do morefor the future progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Alsospeaking after the event, Mr. Naeem Y. Mir said, "Byestablishing this refinery, PSO has taken yet another stepon the road to developing a self-reliant energy supplychain for the country. The Company is already workingon a number of other projects which coupled with thisrefinery will help meet Pakistan's energy needs in theyears to come."

PSO, KP inkMoU to set upoil refinery

FRIDAY, ARRIL 12, 2013

Venom Inc. This should not be heldagainst me in a court of law aˇ Isolemnly declare that these a˘e

absolute lies, dirty whispers and wildspeculation that I have heard whilecrawling in the dark power corridors ofthe creepy Capital. You will believe themat your own risk Shh...If you have venomto spill please don’̂ hesitate to share withus on our blog at www.thespokesman.pk

POWER ALLEYS|CMYK

Once again #PML-N and #PTI weretrending on twitter in Pakistan. Thefollowing are some of the most interestingtweets:

Haseeb Aslam �@hasiib311hAnother #PMLN advert unveiled - a flashback of the greatperformance ! Nt selling namaz n charity work !!#RoshanPakistanSuleiman Ali Khan �@SuleimanAliKhan2mNo women relative of any PTI Politician on reserved seatsin #PTI. Imran Khan has made us proud once again.#Salute #Pakistan #Vote4BallaUmar Cheema �@UmarCheema110 AprDiscrepancies pointed out in Nawaz’s assets declarationElection Tribunal moved http://shar.es/dMSeF #PMLN#PTIFarhad Jarral Rajput �@farhadjarral1hOn d other side it's #PTI who collects chanda frm everyperson - Ghareeb or Ameer & spend tat money on media.Is it Change? B Pls :p #E2013Iftikhar Anjum �@the_legend797212m#PMLN ads are more attractive and passionate then#PTI's. #unbiased analysisFahad Nawaz Khan �@FahadNawazKhan15m#PMLN starts its ad campaign. All those projects theyclaim were actually started by previous governments.Rafia Mushtaq Khan �@rafiamkhan28mAtaUllah Esakhelvi came personally to hand over the CDto Imran Khan. What a soulful song sir! #PTI MQM Television �@MQMTelevision32m#PTI workers protest at IK Residence against ticketallotment to Chaudhry Ilyas #Elections2013 #Pakistan#MQMShoaib Malik FanClub �@SMalikfanClub50mJamshed Dasti is going to join Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaafafter winning the election with four MPAs of his panel#PTI it's confirm :)Anas Mallick �@AnasMallick1hWhat if #PTI wins 20 seats? IK(smiling): I'll get extra timeto spend with my kids,Allah has given me everything. I'mworried for #Pakistan!Sohaib Aslam �@SohaibVoice23mA respectable transport in form of Suziki Mehran andBolan was provided to people of Punjab at a very aWordableinstallement. #PMLNArsalan Mir �@arsalanmir13mAnd on IT, i can just say thats it! #PMLN for gods sake,chota computer is not IT...

MianShahbazSharif is

upset over the recentbureaucraticreshuUe. Theformer Khadim-i-Aala is soaccustomed toworking with hisfavourites that hefinds it diVcult tosurvive withoutthem around.

He had placed his choicest oVcers indistricts in the hope that they would stay to‘deliver’ during the elections. How naïve hewas to think that the caretaker governmentwould do a reshuUe. Shahbaz Sharif isupset with Najam Sethi for being proactivein these changes. Najam, we are told, wascareful not to give any names but simplyasked the babus to ensure fairness. Buteven this ‘carefulness’ on Najam’s part hasnot been received well in Raiwand, whichhas unleashed its paid servants posing asUrdu columnists against the CM.Shahbaz Sharif was found ill-informed inyet another ‘favourable’ TV interview froman old benefactor when he protested thatNasir Khosa was removed as Punjab ChiefSecretary but not posted as Sindh ChiefSecretary despite the clear instructions ofthe Election Commission (EC). He wascorrected that the EC had already issuedorders to change, among others, the SindhChief Secretary.What Shahbaz failed to notice was thatthat Nasir Khosa had asked the EC to beposted in Islamabad. Secondly, the ECcould ask the government to change anoVcial but was wrong to suggest a name. Itis the prerogative of the government tochoose the person and not the EC.The federal government also faces adilemma to adjust about 16 oVcers relievedby Punjab. Ideally, there should be as manypostings as there are oVcers. But sincemany postings have people on extension,this makes it complicated. Thatmanipulator of bureaucraticgerrymandering, Munir Ahmad, continuesto be posted on extension as SpecialSecretary in the Establishment Division.This is despite the clear instructions of theSupreme Court. The Presidency also continues to beflooded by babus on extension, includingSpecial Secretary to the President, NasrinulHaq and that old relic Salman Farooqui.President Zardari maintained a parallelsecretariat as he ran the government fromhere. The government may have gone butthe elephantal Presidential Secretariatremains. Why, one may ask. It is, after all,the tax payers money. Perhaps theCaretaker government should take note ofthat and curtail the expense of thePresidency. This might just be the biggesttest for PM Khoso to prove hisindependence from the person whoproposed his name.

Bureaucraticblues̶Shahbazmisses his babus

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commissionof Pakistan (ECP), Establishment Divisionand the Interior Ministry seem to behelpless in the face of the influence ofincumbent IGP Islamabad as theEstablishment Division is yet to issuenotification of the appointment of Captain(Retd) Zafar Iqbal Awan to replace BaniAmin as IGP Islamabad, despite the lapseof one week after the interior ministerpublically announced the decision.The caretaker Federal Interior MinisterMalik Mohammad Habib Khan on 4thApril, during a press conference, hadannounced the replacement of Bani AminKhan from the post of Inspector Generalwith Captain (Retd) Zafar Iqbal Awan, butthe Establishment Division did not issuethe notification of the appointment due toIGP Bani Amin Khan’s influence over eventhe caretaker political circles. Sources saida big property tycoon is backing theincumbent IGP.On the other hand, the oVcer, hopeful forthe IGP Islamabad slot, finally left forLebanon on a 20-day oVcial visit afterwaiting for around one week for thenotification of his appointment from theEstablishment Division, as was announcedby the federal government. On Wednesday, Captain (Retd) ZafarIqbal Awan, currently posted as theDirector Integrated Border ManagementSystem (IBMS) in FIA, left for Lebanonafter waiting for his appointment

notification for one week, the oVcials atFIA confirmed. When contacted, one of thepersonal staW of Captain (retd) Zafar toldThe Spokesman, “It does not seem that thedecision about the appointment of CaptainZafar as IGP Islamabad will beimplemented as the person currentlyholding the post is highly influential andthe notification has been stopped on hiswill”. Captain Zafar’s departure for hisoVcial tour to Lebanon was scheduled on7th April but he waited until Wednesdayfor his appointment notification and, indisappointment, left for the tour.Taimur Azmat Osama, the secretaryEstablishment, when contacted, asked The

Spokesman to call back after one hour sothat he could check the status of thenotification, but did not attend the calllater. However, an oVcer in EstablishmentDivision, while requesting anonymity, saidthat the higher authorities of the divisionare not paying much heed to the ordersissued by the Caretaker Federal InteriorMinister.The Inspector General Islamabad PoliceBani Amin Khan’s personal assistant, whencontacted, stated that the IG is in a meetingand he will call back in some time but nevercalled. However, the assistant, during theconversation, that the transfer of BaniAmin Khan ‘seems diVcult’.

� ECP, Interior Ministry, Establishment Division seem helpless in face of incumbent IGP Islamabadʼs influence

‘Disappointed’ oVcerembarks on oVcial tour

MOHAMMED RIZWAN

LAHORE: With national electionsjust a month away, the onlycampaign one sees is on the TVnetworks while the streets stillawait the traditional election flavor.Both the frontrunners in Punjab –PML-N and PTI – are keepingthemselves tied down with theticket awards, holding the final listof candidates very close to theirchests. One of the reasons for thisunusual secrecy is that both partieswant to know first who the rivalcandidate is so that they couldmatch the strength.It is the prerogative of a party andthe cut-off date is still far away –ECP announces the final list ofcandidates on April 19 – but thereare parties who can afford to losethis precious time while for someevery passing moment is a valuablewaste. For PML-N the political equationat the moment is not particularlygnawing. They have a long list ofwinners in their hand and for them,devil may care is the answer. At themoment, the Sharifs’ party boaststhe maximum number of electablesunder their belt. From Attock to Rahim Yar Khanand in a sizeable pocket in KPK,the party holds a clear edge over itsrivals if the seats in the comingelections are to be decided as theywere in 2008 elections.

Theparty is insuch anenviable situation that itcan at the moment afford to rejectthose candidates who areconsidered heavyweights in theirconstituencies. The case in point isthe long list of PML Likemindedand members of the unificationbloc in the dissolved PunjabAssembly. Candidates like HumayunAkhtar, Hamid Nasir Chatha andSalim Saifullah are still waiting forthe party’s nod for a ticket. And thesituation on provincial seats is nodifferent either. There is a list of electables likeAta Maneka, Najaf Sial, Shaukat

Bhatti,Samiullah Niazi

and many others stillin the queue. PML-N can afford to do sobecause the time and tide seem tobe with them.Now take a look at thechallengers. The PPP, barring amiracle, looks out of the reckoningand if their campaign is not off theblock, it’s because of a lack ofmotivation and heavy odds againststacked against them that areplaying their part. JI, on their part, also looksdisorganized and wayward becausetwo important factors are missingfor them – one, absence of Khakipatronage and two, absence of analliance with a political

powerhousethat could propel their

fortunes.The case of PTI, however, isintriguing. First the party remainedbogged down in its internalelections that finally ended just inthe fourth week of March, and assoon as they ended they wererequired to file the nominationpapers. Again a cycle of discontent re-appeared and the parliamentaryboard of the party, that took twoweeks without finalizing any list,reconvened to review the lists. Thatwas some five days back and theboard has not finalized anything.

Due to this internal squabblingover tickets PTI has not started itselection campaign.Unlike PML-N, PTI is notdepending on winners andelectables. There is no celebrityline-up that the party can boast of.For them an environment ofchange is the winner. When both supporters and rivalsthink that the winds of change havestarted to blow then this hurricanehas the potential to sweep the oldorder. But for this to happen, anincessant campaigning bychairman Imran Khan is theminimum requirement. Now itlooks like the party will not havemore than three weeks ofcampaigning. If that happens, thequestion is would that be enough tostrike down the old order?PTI leaders say that it would.They argue that from April 18, theparty is unveiling an impressivepoll campaign schedule whichwould take Imran Khan to everynook and corner of the country torally the support for change. The party plans 21 publicmeetings in 21 days all addressedby Khan himself, culminating atLahore to give the Sharifs’ a finalpush. The numbers are not thatimportant, just that the partyfinally starts the process of forwardmomentum Hope, as we know, isthe only asset the party holds at themoment.

Ticket delay to amplify the tiger’s roar

TAHIR NIAZ

ISLAMABAD: The major politicalparties in the election fray are facing adilemma of its own kind ahead of theMay 11 polls. These parties are in a fixover the awarding of party tickets dueto the internal and external factorswhich has led them delayannouncement of the partycandidates. Some parties want othersto show their cards first and some arestuck in seat adjustments with otherpolitical entities and, as a result,undecided over the party candidates.The reasons for the delay inawarding of party tickets are quiteobvious. The Pakistan MuslimLeague-Nawaz (PML-N)parliamentary board is holding itsmeetings on a regular basis to finalizeits candidates and, according to somereports, have also finalized the namesbut could not gather the courage toannounce them due to the fear of

‘revolt’ from within. Some veteranleaguers are not being awarded thetickets for the upcoming elections asthe PML-N leadership is following nocriteria for the selection of itscandidates but preferring the new-comers and electable turncoats, saidthe insiders. On the other hand, themajority of the party ticket hopefulsare in the grip of uncertainty aboutwhether they would be allotted ticketsor be refused at the last moment.PML-N Central SecretaryInformation Mushahidullah Khan, ina statement on Thursday, also saidthat it would be a ‘surprise’ for thenation as the party leadership is likelyto announce party tickets within days.He cited consultations with otherparties over seat adjustment as themain reason for delay in theannouncement of party candidates.The party leadership is underextreme pressure due to having morethan one aspirant for the party tickets

from one constituency. Even someveteran leaguers, once denied partytickets, are likely to contest theelection as independents. This veryphenomenon has put the partyleadership in trouble. The partyleadership fears a ‘revolt’ from withinas it is all set to prefer the new-comersover the old ones, said the sources.The leadership believes that by

delaying the party tickets, it would beable to minimize the damage at thehands of ‘defiants’ to the partycandidates due to limited timeavailable for election campaigning.The party is also busy in seatadjustments with other parties andwants to resolve the issue first andthen announce its candidates. As far as PTI is concerned, though,

it is not expecting a revolt likesituation once it announces partycandidates due to adequate numberof aspirants for party tickets, butaccording to party insiders, it wantsPML-N to first unveil its horses forthe election race, as the Imran-ledparty is particularly concerned aboutPML-N’s Lahore nominations.Similarly, PML-N wants PTI show its

cards first so that it could pitchsuitable candidates against theircandidates which is delayingannouncement of party candidatesfrom both the sides. Same is the case with PPP andPML-Q as both are yet to give finalshape to their consensus candidates.The election campaign could not gainmomentum due to the same reasons.

Political parties facing dilemma over awarding of party tickets� Some parties want others to show their cards first and some are stuck in seat adjustments, causing delay in announcement of party candidates

As far as PTI is concerned, though, it is not expecting a revolt like situation once itannounces party candidates due to adequate

number of aspirants for party tickets, but accordingto party insiders, it wants PML-N to first unveil itshorses for the election race, as the Imran-ledparty is particularly concerned aboutPML-N’s Lahore nominations.

“”

No new tax on electoralbanners, postersRRAAWWAALLPPIINNDDII:: The City DistrictGovernment‘s spokesman has saidthat no new tax has been imposed onthe electoral advertisements in publicplaces and only normal fees is beingcharged. He said that ElectionCommission of Pakistan’ rules andregulations regarding the size ofposters, hoardings and banners wouldbe observed strictly. The violators ofthe ECP’s rules would be punishedseverely, he said. �ONLINE

WASA cuts off connectionsof 30 defaulters RRAAWWAALLPPIINNDDII:: Water and SanitationAgency has cut off 30 connections ofwater bill defaulters while the recoverybranch has issued challan notices tothe defaulters of January and Februaryas well. WASA has decided todisconnect the connections of thoseconsumers who had a poor record.According to WASA officials, theoperation regarding the suspension ofconnections would be carried out ondaily basis. It is our duty to provide thecitizens with water but they shouldfulfill their duty to pay bills so as torun the institution smoothly, WASAofficials added. �ONLINE

Qaim, daughter booked inlawyer torture case

SSUUKKKKUURR:: ADistrict andSessions Judge onThursday orderedpolice to registera case againstformer Sindhchief ministerQaim Ali Shah,his daughter andothers on behalfof a lawyer whowas brutally

tortured on Wednesday. KhairpurDistrict Bar President ManzoorHussain Ansari was beaten up by somelawyers apparently due to his objectionover Qaim Ali Shah’s nominationpapers. Ansari moved an application ina local court for registration of a caseagainst over a dozen people includingQaim Ali Shah and his daughterNafeesa Shah. �ONLINE

Mirza Sugar Mills stops Rs 700,000 to growersBBAADDIINN:: Mirza Sugar Mills hasstopped the payment of some Rs700,000 to sugarcane growers asMirza Zulfiqar, Husnain Mirza and DrFehmida Mirza allegedly involved inblockage of money. More than 20sugarcane growers headed by PirMuhammad, Haji Abdul Qadir Barohi,Falak Sher and Usman Bajir expressedthese views during a press conferenceat press club here on Thursday. Theyappealed the Supreme Court ofPakistan and Election Commission ofPakistan to take notice of the issue andhelp ensure delivery of the amount.They said that PPP contesters, ZulfiqarMirza, Dr Fehmida Mirza did notdeliver payments lingering for the lastone year. Sugarcane growersdemanded of the SC and ECP to takenotice and to reject the nominationpapers of troika. �ONLINE

Caretaker govt will fulfillresponsibility, says ministerLLAAHHOORREE:: Provincial Minister forMinorities Affairs Jamshed RehmatUllah has said that despite a shortperiod the caretaker government willcomplete the task assigned to it. Hewas addressing a reception hosted byBishop Robert Semuel Azariah in hishonor at Saint Peters Church here onThursday. The Minister said thatrepresentation of minorities is a greathonor for him and he will come up totheir expectations. “We will have towork for the welfare of the people anddedicate every moment for positiveand constructive activities,” he added.Latter Khateeb Badshahi MasjidMaulana Abdul Khabir Azad called onJamshed Rehmat Ullah in his officeand discussed matters regardingpromotion of religious harmony,tolerance and brotherhood. �ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Disgruntled PTI workers protesting outside Imran Khan’s house here. �THE SPOKESMAN

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Supreme Court onThursday issued orders to InteriorMinistry to ensure foul proof security toformer interior minister Rehman Malik.The orders were issued by a five memberlarger bench headed by Justice AnwarZaheer Jamali while hearing the IntraCourt appeal of Rehman Malik.During the course of the hearing

Rehman Malik requested the court that hehas been receiving threats from militantsand his life is in danger. He said that theTaliban has placed a bounty on him andcourt should provide him security. On thisthe court ordered Interior Ministry toprovide Malik security and adjourned thehearing until Friday. Later talking tomedia outside the Supreme Court,Rehman Malik said that he told the courtthat Taliban have fixed Rs 500 millionhead-money against him and thus heshould be provided security on the lines offormer President Pervez Musharraf.Malik claimed that he is under grave

threat from Taliban as he had taken manymeasures against them during his tenureas Interior minister and they have evenplaced a bounty on his head. He said thatdespite these threats he is being providedno security while Pervez Musharraf isbeing given full security. In a query, Maliksaid, “I have said time and again thatsenior politicians are facing serious lifethreats and there is dire need to providethem with tight security.” In reply to aquestion he said that he does not want tocomment on the statement of interiminterior minister. �ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Supreme Court hasdeclared null and void a law allowingpension to judges of the High Courts‚having less than 5 years' service on theircredit. A 5-member bench headed byJustice Anwar Zaheer Jamali heard thejudges pension case on Thursday.The apex court in its short ruling

declared null and void the verdict of abench headed by Justice Nawaz Abbasiwhich in 2008 ruled that whosoeverelevated to the post of High CourtJudge had the entitlement of the perksand pension. The court in its shortverdict said that now judges having lessthan 5 years' service on their creditwould not be entitled to pension andother perks. �ONLINE

SC orderssecurity for‘wanted’Rehman Malik

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Allama Iqbal Open UniversityVice Chancellor Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi holdsauthentic and verified educational degreesfrom the relevant universities, the copies ofwhich are available in the University’s record,says AIOU Registrar Muhammad BashirChaudhry.The impressions in some media reports

questioned the authenticity of the VC’s degrees.The VC had done his PhD from the Universityof Liverpool, United Kingdom. The degree hasalready been verified from the University’sregistrar. The original documents were alsodisplayed to media last week, the Registrarsaid. He had also received special award fromthe Liverpool University for his outstandingacademic work.Dr Sangi had completed his Bachelor of

Engineering degree from Mehran University of

Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro withearning gold medals. The original degree hasalso been verified by the controller of theconcerned university. The university’sadministration has already issued a denial,refuting the allegations about the VC’s degrees.We earnestly hope that the media will avoidmaking false and baseless allegations in theirreports. The VC is always available to attendany quarry from the journalist community.The VC holds the media in high esteem and is

thankful for its continuous support andcooperation in projecting the University’sacademic activities and serving the interestmillions of their students.Meanwhile, the final examinations of ATTC,

PTC, CT and BEd programmes of theUniversity for the Semester Autumn, 2012 willstart from April 15 simultaneously across the

country. This was announced by Dr. HamidKhan Niazi, Controller of Examinations. Dr.Hamid further said that Roll No. Slips arebeing dispatched to all the eligible/enrolledstudents at their given addresses by Postal MailService. He advised all enroll students in AIOUthat those who have not received their Roll No.Slips so far, would try to contact the nearestRegional OPce of the University orSuperintendent Teacher Education Section,Exams Department for issuance of DuplicateRoll No Slip. However, for issuance of duplicate Roll No

Slip students are required to bring two passportsize photographs duly attested by the gazetteoPcer. Meanwhile, Roll No. Slips along withDate Sheet are also being placed on AIOUwebsite www.aiou.edu.pk for the convenienceof students respectively. �ONLINE

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Lieutenant-General Hamid Gul (retd) onThursday said elections may bring some cosmetic changesbut it will not bring any meaningful change to resolveissues confronted by masses and the country.“Masses will continue to reel under inflation, lawlessness,

unemployment, and food insecurity while elite will flourishwithout discharging national obligations under theoppressive democratic system,” he said.Speaking at Firk-e-Farda Forum, the former chief of

the ISI said that democracy is a tool of westernimperialism to dominate world which must be rejectedby masses to get Islamic system imposed. He said thatcommunism is dead while shelf life of Christiandemocracy is over. It is dying at our doorstep while thehumanity is in need of a new and just system for whichPakistan can become a model, he added.He said that Anglo-Saxon law has failed to provide

justice to masses; it has been supporting the rich thatshould be replaced through struggle by the Islamic systemof justice. Hamid Gul said that Quaid-e-Azam wantedPakistan as an Islamic state and he preferred presidentialsystem to parliamentary form of government which is fullof disadvantages. �ONLINE

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Election Commission ofPakistan has provided a list of 65 controversialoPcers to caretaker Sindh government anddirected it to transfer these oPcers forthwithand compliance report should be forwarded toECP secretary within seven days.The commission has issued the directives

on Thursday to the Sindh caretakergovernment in which it showed resentmentover not acting in accordance with the ECP’s

orders issued to interim federal andprovincial governments on April 2 regardingshuffling and transfers of the bureaucracy toensure free, fair and impartial elections inthe country.“It has been come to the notice of the

commission that no transfers have been madein the Province of Sindh in pursuance ofparagraph (i) of the aforementioned directionand nor has the commission received

intimation with reasons that the same is notnecessary,” the directive said.In the light of several complaints received by

a large number of people regarding behaviourof the oPcers of the province, appointed byprevious government that either they areputting their weight in the span of PPP ortrying to influencing the electoral process,which would not provide level playing field tothe all the candidates in the run.

The list provided by the ECP to Sindhgovernment contained the oPcers of ChiefSecretary level to Mukhtaikar grade. The listincluded Chief Secretary, Secretary S&GAD,Additional Secretary S&GAD, Home Secretary,Principal Secretary to the CM, SecretaryEducation Sindh, Secretary Local Government,PSO to the CM, Commissioner Karachi, severalDCOs, DIGs, Assistant Commissioners, EDOsand Mukhtarikars. �ONLINE

ECP asks Sindh govt to transfer 65 controversial o%cials

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: To mark the World Health Day,a walk was held at the Fatima Jinnah Park toraise awareness about health hazards. Everyyear, the day is celebrated on April 7 to markthe anniversary of the founding of the WorldHealth Organisation in 1948.The World Health Day 2013 was celebrated

under the theme of hypertension or high bloodpressure. Globally, hypertension is estimated tocause 7.5 million deaths annually, representingmore than 12% of all deaths. It increases therisk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure,blindness and other vascular conditions.WHO estimates that high blood pressure

aQects about 40% of adults aged 25 years andolder. The National Health Survey of Pakistanestimated that hypertension aQects 18% of

adults and 33% of adults above 45 years old. Itwas also mentioned that only 50% of the peoplewith hypertension were diagnosed and thatonly half of those diagnosed were ever treated.Thus, only 12.5% of hypertension cases

were adequately controlled. People with highblood pressure often have other risk factorswhich magnify their risk of heart attack,strokes and other complications. Theseinclude diabetes, high blood cholesterol,obesity, tobacco alcohol use. Ageing andgenetic factors can also increase the risk ofhaving high blood pressure.According to the campaign, acting to tackle

high blood pressure now will avoid significanthealth and economic costs, for bothindividuals and governments, in the long-

term. This public awareness campaignincludes a special focus on the preventiveinterventions contributing to reducing the riskof hypertension by reducing salt intake, eatinga balanced diet, regular physical activity,maintaining a healthy body weight andavoiding tobacco use in all its form.Students from various educational

institutions, civil society and non-governmentorganisations, working for the cause ofprevention and control and no communicablediseases participated in the walk to raiseawareness of hypertension and promotebehavioral change with respect to primaryprevention, improve the chances of earlydetection and promote effective managementfor patients. �ONLINE

Walk raises awareness about health hazards

Polls won’t bring anychange: Hamid Gul

LLAAHHOORREE:: Youngsters skating dangerously on a road. �ONILNE

FFAAIISSAALLAABBAADD:: A vendor selling icecream on his donkey cart. �ONILNE

Judges with lessthan 5 years' servicenot to get pension

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Pakistan secret agencieshave revealed that a terror plan targetingPPP leader Awais MuzaQar Tappi andBilawal House was in progress, mediaquoting oPcials reported on Thursday.According to a report conveyed to the

concerned authorities, the agencies saidthat militant groups which include Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Jundullah andLashkar-i-Jhangvi are preparing to attack31 key personalities in Karachi, ametropolitan of Pakistan.“President Zardari’s relative MuzaQar

Tappi might be attacked with a bombwhile the attack on Bilawal House is alsopossible,” the report said. The target list ofthe militants include names of a judge, sixpolicemen, 10 political leaders, 12 religiousleaders and two journalist andbusinessmen each. “Attack on foreigndignitaries is also possible as militantgroups are seeking for ransom andrelease of prisoners from the abductionof high value targets,” it added. �ONLINE

Militants may attackBilawal House, Tappi

AIOU VC’s degrees areauthentic, claims registrar

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

ABDUR RAZZAQ

PPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: The female relativesof the missing persons on Thursdaystaged protest outside the PeshawarPress Club (PPC) demanding saferecovery of their near and dear ones.Holding pictures and National

Identity Cards (NIC) of their lovedones, the female relatives of themissing persons gathered outsidethe Press Club. They blocked thebusy Sher Shah Suri Road to traScchanted slogans against thegovernment. During the protest awoman also fell unconscious after

she failed to control her emotion. Talking to reporters, Jan Saba, a

resident of Kabal tehsil in Swatdistrict, said 14 members of herfamily including, two children andher husband had been arrested bythe security forces four years back.She said they submitted plea for

their recovery in the SupremeCourt and Peshawar High court aswell, adding that they were yet tobe recovered.“I belong to a poor family and my

husband and children are in thecustody of the law enforcers. All thebreadwinners of my family are in the

custody of the forces. I have to go toSupreme Court and Peshawar HighCourt for case hearing even I couldnot bear traveling expenses. Todaywe have come to stage protest for theearly recovery of our familymembers,” she lamented.Another woman from Bara Banda

in Swat district said her son hadgone missing since 2009 and sheknew nothing about hiswhereabouts, adding that she wouldcontinue her struggle till therecovery of her son.She said that resident of Swat

wanted peace in the area and they

demanded of the government togear-up its eTorts for the saferecovery of missing persons. Another aggrieved woman from

the Kanjo area said her two sons andone grandson had been missing forthe last four years, adding that herhusband was old and unable to doodd jobs to earn a livelihood.She mentioned that her two

children had been supporting thefamily but after their arrest, she andher elderly husband were dependenton others. She demanded thegovernment to direct the authoritiesto recover her missing children.

‘Release missing relatives’

SHANEL KHALIQ

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD - KFW DevelopmentBank on behalf of the Government ofthe Federal Republic of Germany andthe UN Refugee Agency signed afinancing and project agreementworth EURO 10 million in support ofthe Refugee ATected and HostingArea (RAHA) initiative for use inKhyber Pakhtunkhwa, yesterday.The generous support given by the

Federal Republic of Germany (GFR)through the German DevelopmentBank, Kreditanstalt fürWiederaufbau (KFW), is earmarked

for the execution of projects in thesecond phase of the RAHA initiative,and will benefit six districts ofKhyber Pakhtunkhwa includingPeshawar, Haripur; Nowshehra;Mansehra; Swabi and Lower Dir.Launched in 2009, the RAHA

initiative is designed to helpcommunities in Pakistan that havehosted large numbers of Afghanrefugees for more than three decades.UNHCR acts as a Convening Agencyfor the initiative, which has projectsproviding livelihoods; access to socialservices such as health, education,water and sanitation; infrastructure

and rehabilitation of theenvironment in rural districts andurban areas across the country.KFW provided EUR 10 million for

the first phase of RAHA from June2010 until December 2012. Duringthat period, 76 major projects in 690areas of districts Peshawar andMalakand division were completedand handed over to the localcommunities as a result of theGerman funding.The RAHA programme is a major

component of the regional SolutionsStrategy for Afghan refugees (SSAR)agreed between the Islamic

Republics of Afghanistan, Iran andPakistan as well as UNHCR. Thestrategy was given internationalsupport at a conference held in May2012 in Geneva.“The German contribution through

KFW is a welcome step forward inimplementing the RAHA componentof SSAR,” said Neill Wright, UNHCRRepresentative in Pakistan. He said“Given Pakistan’s long hospitality toAfghan refugees, it remains essentialthat the international communitydemonstrates its burden-sharingcommitment through supportingthis critical initiative. Through

SSAR, we are not only supportingPakistan with the voluntary return ofrefugees to their country but alsohelping local host communities tobenefit from quality services.”He explained that RAHA is

designed to ensure the additionaldemands on social services andutilities caused by hosting refugeesdoes not result in a lower standard ofliving for the residents of thosevillages and towns that havegenerously welcomed Afghanrefugees.Speaking at the occasion, Dr

Imran Zeb said, "The long stay for

over three decades of the AfghanRefugees in Pakistan has had anegative impact on the socio-economic infrastructure, and as suchthe RAHA initiative is a veryimportant contribution torehabilitate and develop thisinfrastructure. Our appreciation andacknowledgement goes out to theGovernment of the Federal Republicof Germany for their generouscontribution towards this initiative."The signing took place in the

presence of senior representatives ofKFW bank, UNHCR and theGerman Embassy.

�Money will be utilised in Peshawar, Haripur, Nowsheshra, Mansehra, Swabi and Lower Dir

Germany, UNHCR donate 10m euro for districts hosting refugees

AATTTTOOCCKK:: Sikh pilgrims taking an Ashnan (holy bath) to free themselves from sin during the Besakhi festival at Gurdawra Panja Sahib. -STAFF PHOTO

Olson enjoys Taxilaheritage with students

The US ambbasador having a chat with students during a visit to Taxila.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The IslamabadHigh Court (IHC) on Thursdayrestrained the NationalAccountability Bureau (NAB) andFaisalabad Electric SupplyCompany (FESCO) chief fromcollection of Fuel Price Adjustment(FPA) charges on utility bills fromindustrial units and commercialconsumers in Faisalabad.The court also sought reply from

the NAB Chairman, Ministry ofWater and Power Secretary, andFaisalabad Electric SupplyCompany (FESCO) over the issue.A divisional bench comprising

Chief Justice Muhammad AnwarKhan Kasi and Justice Noor-ul-HaqQureshi heard the case and alsosuspended the notice issued to theindustrial units in Faisalabad byNAB on April 4, 2013 for seekingoutstanding dues under FPAcharges on utility bills. The courtalso restrained the FESCO chieffrom collection FPA from industrialunits of the city. More than 50 industrial units and

commercial consumers challengedthe FESCO move to collect FPA

charges from them through NAB. The counsel for the petitioners,

Advocate Muhammad Nawazsubmitted before the court that theIHC single member bench of JusticeShaukat Aziz Siddique stayed thegovernment notification of FPAcharges on utility bills whereas, later,the divisional bench suspended thedecision of IHC single benchdecision till the its detailedjudgment after the federation filed aIntra Court Appeal.However, Justice Siddique issued

the detail judgment in the case onMarch 21 and declared the collectionof FPA charges on utility bills asillegal and similar to injustice withthe consumers. He informed thecourt that taking spine of the earlierdecision of IHC divisional bench, inwhich it suspended the decision ofJustice Siddique until the issuance offinal decision, the governmentauthorities were trying to collect FPAcharges from the industrial units andcommercial consumers.After hearing arguments, the

court suspended the notice of NABissued to industrial consumers inFaisalabad and sought reply fromthe respondents.

Court stopsFESCO fromcollecting FPA

PPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: Women block Sher Shah Suri Road as they seek release of their missingfamily members who were allegedly whisked away by security forces. –STAFF PHOTO

OUR STAFF REPORTER

JJAAMMRRUUDD:: JUI-F Khyber AgencyMajlis-e-Shura suspended themembership of Qari MuhammadAzeem, Muhammad Umer Banuri,Sarwar Khan, Haji Noor Miras,Maulana Hafiz Dilawar Khan andMaulana Haat Khan oversupporting an independentcandidate and breaking thediscipline of the party.It was announced by JUI

nominated candidate for NA-45 HajiSaid Jan Afridi along with Khyber

Agency General Secretary Said Kabirand Amir Hamza Khan at the pressclub in Jamrud.They said that the provincial

Majlis-e-Shura should also takeaction against the suspendedworkers. They said independentcandidate for NA-45 Haji ShahJee Gul had bribed the localpeople and political workers towin the elections, adding that hehad been spent millions of rupeesand was also displaying arms,which was a clear violation of theECP code of conduct.

JUI-F takes disciplinaryaction against ‘rebels’

Fuel Adjustment Charges

�Orders came on a petition filed by over 50industrial, commercial consumers

�Women from Swat protest in Peshawar �Say their relatives were picked up by forces

MMUULLTTAANN:: JamshedDasti, whoseconviction wasdeclared null andvoid by Lahore HighCourt’s Multanbench onWednesday, has beenreleased fromCentral Jail Multanon Thursday.The excited supporters welcomed

their leader when he came out frommain gate of the jail and danced ondrum beats while rose petals werepoured on Dasti during warm welcome.Delighted Jamshed Dasti, on

occasion, told the media that the verdictof higher court was victory of the poorpeople. Dasti said he saluted the freejudiciary who has given him justice,adding that all the parameters of justicewere fulfilled by the higher court.He vowed to contest coming elections

from both NA-78 and NA-77constituencies of MuzaTargarh as aindependent candidate.Earlier, Lahore High Court Multan

Bench on Wednesday declared theconviction of former lawmakerJamshed Dasti null and void in fakedegree case. The bench also allowedJamshed Dasti to contest in comingelections. The bench comprising JusticeJawad-ur-Rehman and Justice IjazAhmed, while hearing the appeal offormer parliamentarian, declared histhree years conviction and fine null andvoid and ordered the police to releasehim immediately.Jamshed Dasti had filed an appeal

against his conviction in the fake degreecase in Lahore High Court (LHC)Multan Bench on last Friday. It may berecalled that Jamshed Dasti wassentenced for three years in prison anda fine of Rs 5,000 besides he wasdisqualified for contesting elections byMuzaTargarh Session. –ONLINE

KKAARRAACCHHII:: The Sindh caretakergovernment on Thursday imposed ban ondisplay of arms including the licensedweapons. According to a notificationissued by the Home department, no oneincluding the security guard would beallowed to display arms. The notificationsays that action would be taken againstviolators of Section 144.Ban has been imposed on carrying and

exhibition of arms across the Sindh provinceincluding its capital Karachi till furtherorders. Karachi police announced that banhas been imposed on display and carrying ofarms in Karachi till further orders and itwould be implemented strictly. All licenseshave been suspended in this regard, policesaid adding that police would fulfill itsresponsibilities in according to law.The ban was imposed hours after killing of

Fakhrul Islam, MQM candidate forprovincial seat in Hyderabad. Islam wascontesting elections from PS-47 on MQM’sticket. The city was gripped by tension asnews of murder spread like fire. All shopsand business centers were closed downwithin minutes. –ONLINE

‘Released’ Dastivows to contestelections

Sindh imposesban on displayof arms

OUR STAFF REPORTER

TTAAXXIILLAA:: US Ambassador Richard Olsonled a delegation of US university studentsto Taxila yesterday to share with themsome of Pakistan’s most impressivecultural heritage sites.Ambassador Olson reviewed US-funded

projects to preserve the historic sites ofSirkap and Jinnan Wali Dheri. The USgovernment has contributed more than $1.5million to historic preservation projectsthroughout Pakistan.“Mutual understanding between countries

begins with respect for each other’s richcultural heritage. We are honoured to havebeen a part of more than 17 diTerent culturalpreservation projects throughout Pakistansince 2001, including restoration work onthe stunning stone foundations of theancient city we see around us in Taxila,” theAmbassador said at the Sirkap site.

At Taxila, Ambassador Olson metAmerican university students who are thefirst undergraduate exchange students tovisit Pakistan in ten years. A group ofmiddle-school students from Taxila who hadparticipated in an exchange program to theUnited States earlier this year guided thedelegation. The US government sends morethan 1,000 Pakistani students andprofessionals on exchange programs to theUnited States each year.“I am honoured to share with these

American and Pakistani students todaysome of Pakistan’s rich cultural heritageand to experience first-hand with themPakistan’s world-famous hospitality.Exchanges like these directly connectAmericans and Pakistanis. They are the foundation of the long-term

relationship between the people ofPakistan and the people of the UnitedStates,” Ambassador Olson said.

TENDER NOTICESealed tenders based on item rates are hereby invited, for the works mentioned below from the contractor / firms enlisted

/renewed with C&W Department for the current financial year in the field of Buildings works. Tender documents can be obtained, from any of the below mentioned oSces, upon written request accompanied with

attested copies of enlistment I upto dated renewal letter, PEC license, Identity Card of contractor I managing partner Idirector of the firm alongwith registered power of attorney and on payment of prescribed tender fee in the form of COR IBank Draft I Cashier's Cheque of any Scheduled bank:-1 Chief Engineer, Punjab Buildings Department. North Zone Lahore. 2 Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Rawalpindi. 3 Superintending Engineer, Provincial Buildings Circle Rawalpindi. 4 District Coordination OScer, Rawalpindi 5 Executive Engineer, Provincial Buildings Division Rawalpindi 6 Deputy District OScer (Revenue) Rawalpindi Tendered rates and amounts should be filled in figures as well as in words and tenders should be signed as per general directions given in the tender document. No rebate on tendered rates will be acceptable. Tenders will be received in the oSces of Chief Engineer, Punjab Buildings Department. North Zone Lahore and Commissioner, Rawalpindi Division Rawalpindi and will be opened simultaneously on fixed date and time by the

respective tenders Opening Committee at the above venues in the presence of intending contractors or their representatives. Conditional tenders and tenders not accompanied with earnest money @ 2% of the estimated cost in shape of COR I

Bank Draft I Cashier's Cheque of any Schedule Bank and attested copies of registered partnership deed and power ofattorney in case of firms will not be entertained. The Superintending Engineer reserves the rights of rejecting any or all of the tenders without assigning any reason

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tteennddeerrss..1. Construction of 21.960 S.E No. 10980 27.04.2013 30.04.2013 03.05.2013

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PPEESSHHAAWWAARR:: The bannedTehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) has denied reports ofmilitant warlord MangalBagh being appointed thesupreme leader of theLashkar-i-Islam (LI) andTTP in Khyber Agency.“There is no truth in the

report that the TTP hasagreed to Haji MangalBagh’s elevation as the newchief of both the factions, wedon’t know about it,” saidEhsanullah Ehsan, aspokesman for theHakimullah Mehsud-ledTTP, said on Thursday.Ehsan said the TTP had

‘cordial relations’ with theLashkar-i-Islam chief andthe group as a whole, butdenied reports that he hadbeen made chief of bothmilitant groups. “No, Icannot confirm Haji MangalBagh has been made theTTP and LI joint supremecommander.”Reports had quoted

government oScials assaying that the decision toelevate Mangal Bagh tostatus of ‘supremecommander’ for Khyber wastaken at a joint shura of theTaliban and LI commanders.Taliban spokesman deniedThursday that any suchmeeting had taken place.“But yes, I can confirm thatwe are with the LI and itsfighters and support them,”said Ehsan. The reportscome at a time when the TTPhas tightened its grip on theareas, snatched from AnsarulIslam, a pro-governmentarmed group – including thestrategic mountain valley ofTirah in Khyber. –AGENCIES

TTP deniesMangalBagh’sappointment

Khyber chief

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

THE SPOKESMANChief Editor: Huma Ali

Executive Editor: Atif MateenResident Editor: Saeed Minhas

Consulting Editors: Jalees Hazir Samina Choonara

Trading in human rights

In our society today, there are manyoutlets in the marketplace which sellcommodities that are not based onanyone’s productive labour, but basedinstead on vending the vulnerabilitiesand humiliations of the poor. Thesesales outlets often bear the sign of“human rights” and oQer their servicesthrough a “commission” that are runby the darlings of society, those bornwith a silver spoon in their mouths,who are committed to collecting moresuch spoons.These darlings often speak with great

vehemence aboutmilitary businessandmilitary capital, but generallyrefrain from criticising the greed andbarbarism of global corporate capitalthat often finances their adventures.Their love for democracy circulatesbetween the gifted BilawalHouse byMalik Riaz and the SharifMahal onRaiwind Road. If they have to step outof these two locations, theymightventure into Azizabad, Nine Zero, orBacha KhanHouse in Peshawar butwhen they get out of breath from suchexertions over democracy, they tend totake rest in consultancies with theUNand theWorld Bank.When a tussle breaks between power

centers like the judicial establishmentand political monopolists, members ofthis liberal intelligentsia doesn’t takelong to don their black coats and jumpinto the proxy war. Borrowing a blackcoat fromAl-halal Broiler Shop, theymarch into the streets or hold candlelight vigils claiming they were againstthe Zia ul Haq Foundation and for theprogressive ZAB Foundation. Some ofthem are promoted as coordinators ofthe democracy project and taken intogovernment consultation.There are others in themarket for

democracy, those selling thefoundations of “aurat” or women. Theysell the woman victim, those killed inthe name of honour, those burnt withacid, targets of the lust and greed ofmen. They advertise the screams ofpain, the disfiguration, the fear and thehumiliation and the appeals formercyof these women to foreign donors formore funds for ”women’sempowerment” that seldom leave thedoors of their foundations. Theseprofiteers are never concernedwithwhat poverty does to people’s lives,especially to women’s lives, who aretheir commodities. But it does getthem another new four-wheeler for theorganisation. In Islamabad, theymove

up from rented premises to privatelyowned oPces and personal homes.Sometimes, these vendors trade in

the problems of fishermen and womenwho live along the sea and the rivers,turning their lives into case studies tomake a pitch for a project. Sometimes,these businessmen andbusinesswomen turn to landlesspeasants and the resistancemovementof the hari (sharecropper). They firstpurchase the rising leadership of sucha resistancemovement employingthem as high salaried projectcoordinators, as representatives of thewretched of the earth.All these respectable people, the

ashraafia, run their business on thevictimhood of the poor, theirhelplessness and their inability tocapture the attention of the rulers.Here steps in this so called “civilsociety” that will sell the pain of the

underprivileged and the victimised tothe powerful within and outside thecountry, posing to be their championsand collecting funds in their name.I often wonder why people working

in the urban slums and in blue collarareas like Shezad Francis, ShahZaman, Rahila Baloch, Zarina Ashfaq,are never heard of. Or those working inremote rural areas like SakinaNadiain Ahmedpur Shirkia, Bushra Adeel inMian Channun, Sister Salma inKhanewal and hundreds, like themwho actually live and share the sorrowsof themarginalized, remain unknown.Those who endanger their lives pittingit against ignorance, religious andsectarian extremism and all right wingforces, their voices cannot echo very farand their stories cannot inspire othersbecause the liberal elite, the ashraafia,hold themonopoly over democraticdiscourse, have large well fundedoutlets with the capacity ofmaking alot of noise, and besides, they have thecosmetics to hide their ugly and falsecivility. The real darlings of the people,those who do not have such faircomplexions and do not cover theirfaces in cosmetics, are never heard ofoutside the communities they serve.But what can one say about the

electronicmedia, dominated by courtjesters and self advertising columnistswho cater to the ashraafia? They keeprepeating themantra of these liberalelite - the so called civil society - whospeak in the name of the poor but areactually using them for advancing theirinternational business contacts withaid donors. Thesemonopolists of thediscourse on poverty andunderdevelopment, human rights,workers rights andwomen’s rightshave turned these issues intocommodities that are showcased atTheMariott, Avari, Holiday Inn inconferences and seminars devoted topromoting each other as spokesmenand intellectual leaders.But where the liberal intelligentsia

shouldmake its presence felt, the fieldis left open to people likeMohamedAhmed Ludhianavi, Hafiz Saeed,Maulvi Sami Ishaq, ParvezMunnawar

Hassan,Malik Ishaq, AurangzebFarooqui, Amin Saheedi, Nasir Abbasand AmirHamzawho can convincethe wretched of the earth to willinglygive up their liberty, human dignity,and love of one’s fellows. Then theseurban slums and rural bastis resoundwith slogans of “Al Jihad!” “Al Jihad!”and “Kafir, kafir Shia kafir!” “Thosewho disagree, also kafir!” And there arewall chalking asking for social boycottof neighbours and friends who areHindu, Christian, Shia and Ahmedi.Such happenings do notmove the

monopolists of democratic discourse,the liberal intelligentsia, to question itsselfish and self serving behaviour. Theycontinue to turn popularmovementsof resistance into projects, recruitinglocal radicals into their “outlets” assalesmen and saleswomen, creating avacuum in society that is then filled bythe reactionary elements.It is important today to save the

independent, rebel voices that wouldhelp other such people to find thestrength to undo the lies of the richand powerful who claim to representus. The voices raised against globalcapitalismwill also make clear thepolitics of hatred being promoted inour country as religious, ethnic,

linguistic fissures. There has to be acountering voice against neo-liberlaism that masks itself today asthe voice of the left.We havemuch to learn from our

neighbouring Iranwhere intellectualsplayed their role in socialtransformation. One of them, a rebelintellectual, Abdul Karim Surooshwrites, ‘Most Irani clerics were nodiQerent from the Taliban. But I willadd that themonopolist liberalintelligentsia in Pakistan are nodiQerent fromMalik Ishaq, Ludhianvi,andHafiz Saeed. One of themmonopolises the liberal discoursewhile the other monopolisesIslamic discourse.’We do not need promotions of

freedom of expression in big hotelbanquet halls or in gated bourgeoishousing colonies, but in the narrowlanes of Dera Ismail Khan, whereKahlifa Abdul Qayyum andHaqNawaz Jhangvi spread sectarian hatredand JamshedNayab counters it. Nayabwas shot in front of his house and leftto die.Where is the urban liberalintelligentsia at such times?Why dowe not find them inGulabpura andMohallaHyderia in Jhangwhenarmed lashkars gather to confront eachother one calling itself “Sipah Sahaba”and the other “Sipahe Ali Akbar”?Whyis there no presence of this liberalintelligentsia in themarketplace ofKabirwalla where, prior to partition,there was a political party of the smallfarmers and after partition a wing ofthe communist party?Here, volunteersof the Kisan Rabita Committee used toread Faiz, Jalib, Ali Sardar Jafri, andMakhdoomMohiuddin.Today, it is the politicisedmaulvi of

Darul AloomKabirwala, Abdul KhaliqRehmani, and Qari Hussain’s acolyteIsmatullahMua’aviya , whose voicesecho over the region preaching hatredand an ever narrow reading of religion.To be sure, the liberal intelligentsiaand their outlets arrange “trainingworkshops” in such areas where theyfly in others like themselves from thecities and only those attend who wouldlike to network and procureconsultancies or else they are justthere for an afternoonmeal. Theseworkshops, of course, make nodiQerence whatsoever to the slogansof hatred being shouted by themonopolists of religious interpretationwho preach hatred and violence in thestreets of Kabirwala.

THE WRITER IS A FREELANCE

COLUMNIST

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

Fax: 051 260 7498www.thespokesman.pkce@thespokesman.pk

All these respectable people, theashraafia, run their business onthe victimhood of the poor, posingto be their champions and collectingfunds in their name

Election Commissionand faulty scrutiny oferring politiciansRenowned politicians, who aredefaulters and beneficiaries of hugefinancial relief in the form of “write-oQs and waivers” from banks/financialinstitutions, are still at large andmostof them have managed the clearance oftheir nomination papers.

These renowned ex-lawmakers aredodging the system to contest theelection with the assistance of theconcerned authorities. They aredefaulters andmanaged to get write-oQs and waivers from banks/financialinstitutions during their days in power.The Election Commission of

Pakistan and the relevant authoritiesare failing to scrutinise thenomination forms of the candidatesproperly and legally and are henceproviding them a safe passage back tothe corridors of power.The following reasons may

jeopardise the scrutiny process:1. Some defaulters have entered into

re-scheduling arrangement with banksand financial institutions entailingwaivers that would be passed aftersettlement period. (For example, adefaulter would enter into a settlementwith a bank for payment of thedefaulted amount within next twoyears on installment basis. Resultantly

the bank will convert the status from“Default” to “Re-scheduled” thatmeans he/she is ‘regular’ now. Andultimately financial relief will bepassed to him/her after upcomingelection).2. Some of the banks and financial

institutes may not report to SBP for avariety of reasons e.g. intentionally orunintentionally delaying waivers’ entryin the books of account.3. Corporate eCIB Format doesn’t

show individual particulars ofdirectors that maymislead theElection Commission OPcials.4. The write-oQs/waivers availed

during the year 2000 will not reflect intheir eCIB. The eCIB record is onlyavailable for last 10 years.5. Candidates may not disclose their

present or past stakes in ‘BusinessEntities’ that availed write-oQs/waiversto the Election Commission oPcials.6. Some of the defaulters have very

smartly disengaged themselves from

the Board of Directors of the defaultedcompanies prior to elections.7. Some of the defaulters have taken

refuge of the loopholes of the legalsystem to frustrate the recoveryinitiative of financial institutions. Forexample ‘Stay’ is granted to thedefaulters on petty issues, longadjournments are given in the courts,some appeals are not being heard evenafter two or three years, courts areover-burdened, judges well versed withbanking matters are limited in numberwith frequent transfer of judges ofbanking courts during currency of therecovery suits.To substantiate the above assertions,

there are a few examples wheredefaulters’ (as per public record i.e.Annexure III of Printed FinancialStatements of Banks) names arementioned along with amount offinancial relief passed on to them.Few renowned names are the

Chaudhry family of Gujrat, Laghari

family of DGKhan, Manika family ofPunjab, Raja Riaz Ahmed (ExOpposition Leader Punjab Assembly),FahmidaMirza (Ex Speaker NationalAssembly), Islam-ud-din Sheikh(Senator PPP), Asif Ejaz Sandhu(Leader PTI, Sialkot), Akhtar Rasool(PML-N), Shabbir Ahmad (HumKhyal of PML-Q), Zia ullah KhanNiazi (PTI), Haji Saeed Ahmad Ansari(PML-N) and Aurangzeb Burki (PPP).

INTAZARMAHDI

LAHORE

Respect women

We, in Pakistan, claim to live in acivilised age and in a so-calledcivilised society. However, thetreatment of women is still asbarbaric as it ever was.It is not possible for a woman in

our society to come out of her

house to get a piece of breadwithout a couple of eyes followingher around. And not to forget,getting back home safely, without astranger following her home.Many women have stories of

humiliation to tell. Tales of beingdisgraced in public places like busesor markets. It has been going on forso long that now it is not evenconsidered an issue. People may saythat there are so many more thingsto worry about, and hence, whyshould we focus on some harmlesseve-teasing. But our society andour country will never progress ifwe don’t learn to honour andrespect women.

GULZAR FARIDISLAMABAD

Please email your letters toletters@thespokesman.pk or postthem to our address in Islamabad.

Addressing the closed-door army commanders’ conference,India’s Defense Minister A.K. Antony recently said: ‘There is aneed for Indian armed forces to constantly develop theircapabilities to achieve minimum credible deterrence againstChina’. He promised all support to the armed forces for necessarymeasures to tackle emerging threats. Despite moves by China tostrengthen regional cooperation and build peace with itsneighbours, India has failed to reorient its foreign policy thathas traditionally viewed China as an enemy and aims to foistan exploitative hegemony over its smaller neighbours.India’s concern over China's growing military might and its

strategic partnership with Pakistan is not new, since Indiaconsiders both these countries an impediment to her hegemonicdesigns in the region. Indians had expressed serious concern overPakistan handing over the administrative control of Gwadar Port,and feared that China might get access to the strategicallyimportant Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, and even extend itsmilitary clout by using this port as a naval base. Both Pakistan andChina have made it clear that this port is commercial and wouldnot be used for military purposes. India must understand that it isevery nation’s sovereign right to develop its ports and give theirmanagement and control to any country it deems appropriate.Did India care about regional concerns and apprehensions over

the Indo-US strategic partnership, which many countriesconsider a threat to their security and strategic interests?Similarly, Pakistan is not obliged to consider the concerns ofIndia or any other state for that matter, especially when India isnot willing to resolve disputes including the core issue ofKashmir with Pakistan. India’s intransigence is all too wellknown, and so are its border disputes with China, Nepal andBangladesh. It is because of India’s intransigence that SAARChas remained a non-starter for decades and could not realise itspotential. After signing the civil-nuclear agreement with the US,India is on a shopping spree with more than a hundred billiondollars in hand, and entering into defense deals with developedcountries. Nuclear Suppliers Group’s countries are also sellingnuclear-related material and equipment to India.In December 2009, India had intentionally leaked the

information that it was preparing for a possible “two-front war”with China and Pakistan. The Indian Army was revising its five-year-old doctrine to eQectively meet the challenges of war withChina and Pakistan, deal with asymmetric and fourth-generationwarfare, and enhance strategic reach and joint operations withIAF and Navy. Former Army chief General Kapoor had then said:‘The armed forces have to substantially enhance their strategicreach and out-of-area capabilities to protect India's geo-politicalinterests stretching from the Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait’. Thisamply proves India’s designs.Disregarding the needs of 400 million people living below the

poverty line, the Indian government is diverting a large part of itsresources to become a regional and world power. If India couldresolve its disputes with its neighbours and, instead of forgingstrategic relations with the US and theWest, focussed on strongrelations with its neighbours, it could prove to be a leader of adiQerent kind, providing a stepping stone towards the formation ofthe Asian Union on the pattern of European Union.

Misdirected Indianpolicy

Tired of low interest rates at home after thecrash of the international economy, Russianoligarchs (and other fat cats in countries wewon’t mention) put theirmoney in the largestbank of a pint-sized country with a grossnational product less than the change in theirpockets. Ten percent interest! Ten frigginpercent, thoughwhere this interest was going tocome from, they had no idea (nor did thebankers it turned out, but that wasn’t untillater). The country produces nothing, importsalmost everything it needs. But somehow toomany people believed that the interest ratescould bemany times what they could get athome. Best of all, theirmoney wouldn’t bereported to their own government - or anyoneelse. They wouldn’t have to pay any taxes on it.The cause of the irrational search for high

interest rates? Not too long before the richbegan stashing theirmoney overseas, thePresident of theUnited States said that thecountry needed to invade Iraq and deal with theperpetrators of the attack on America - thosewho brought down the symbols of the country’seconomic system and threatened its future withweapons ofmass destruction. The war wouldn’tcostmuch (probably about 50 billion dollars)

andmost of that would be paid by the countriesthat would join the coalition for the invasion.Moreover, the liberators would be welcomedwith open arms by people dancing in the streetsand rose petals flying everywhere. America’s theonly country with anymuscle, so why not use it?Show the world what the nation reallymeans.Ten years after the invasion, America is broke.

So are plenty of other countries, including thedinky little island nation wheremany peoplesent their money. America’s war of choice (anda related one in Afghanistan) has cost thecountry just a little bit more than the amountprojected - 2.5 trillion dollars so far, expected tobe about three times that if veterans’ benefitscontinue as projected. The United States has solittle money that its infrastructure is crumblingeverywhere you look. America has the highestsustained number of unemployed workers atany time in nearly three quarters of a century.But its bankers (who are paying a fraction ofone percent on the deposits in the banks theyrun) are earning record salaries and bonusesthat almost make you believe (1) that the

country hasn’t been at war longer than at anyother time in its history, (2) that everyone whowants a decent job has one, and (3) that interestrates and dividends are what anyone who isretired can rely on.The little country where somuchmoney was

sent is so broke that it decides that the only wayto fix the problem is to tax the largest depositorsin its banks, implying that those depositorsshould have known better than to expect tenpercent interest in the first place. Other littlecountries that were broke didn’t do anythingthis drastic. The decision to confiscatedepositors’ money to balance the country’sbudget sends shock waves all around the world.Steve Forbes,Mr. Capitalism, has what can onlybe called a hizzy fit, whichmakes one wonder ifhe too depositedmoney in the tiny littlecountry’s banks. Pundits in TheWall StreetJournal and Barron’s have begun askingwhether their own broke big countrymight notbegin confiscating (taxing) wealthy depositors’accounts, ostensibly to balance the budget. Or topay for endless war.

In themidst of all these ruminations on thepart of capitalist defenders and the fears ofdepositors around the globe, the fat boy leaderof the world’s hermit kingdom suddenly decidesto choke up an outpouring of rhetoric,informing the remaining superpower that itsnumber is up, that it’s going to be attacked if itdoesn’t... If it doesn’t what? No one seems toknow. The erratic pudgy boy was tricked intobelieving that amajorWestern publication, TheOnion, had named him themost handsomeman in the world - not realising it was all a joke(humour rarely translates). Others speculatethat the chubby boy had a panic attack when herealised that he could no longer have Twinkiessneaked into his country in the diplomaticpouch.Many of the plump boy’s people arestarving; others will do anything to escape toanother country. The blubber boy’s countrydoesn’t even have decent roads to facilitate aninvasion of its neighbor to the south.What does fatso’s hostility attack have to do

with real attack: wars of choice and interestrates so low that investors have begun looking

forMidas? There are hawks in America whoapparently still believe that the solution to everyeconomic problem is to start another war. Theynot only want the country to smack bloated boybut also to attack Iran. For goodmeasure, whynot attack the dinky little country that’s begunsoaking the rich for their useless deposits?That’ll show ’em. As a critic of their plans, Icouldn’t disagreemore. So what I proposeinstead is that wemake it a condition of allfuture wars of choice that the decision alsoinvolves payment (or provisions for payment) inadvance. Let’s give Steve Forbes a real panicattack and put the neo-cons who publish op-edsin TheWall Street Journal on notice that war isstill a terrible decision, made evenworse bycavalier suggestions of how to pay for it (“Goshopping”). Let’s make that the bottom line forall militaristic decisions about the future: youpay yourmoney and then you get your war.Begin planning today. But, maybemore

importantly, watch those interest rates. Askyourselves how they got so low.

(COUNTERPUNCH)

Cyprus, Iraq, North Korea: the price of war

AMIR HUSSAINI

CHARLES R. LARSON Let’s give Steve Forbes a real panic attack and put the neo-cons who publish op-eds in TheWall Street Journal onnotice that war is still a terrible decision, made even worse by cavalier suggestions of how to pay for it. Let’s makethat the bottom line for all militaristic decisions about the future: you pay yourmoney and then you get your war

The monopolists of the discourse on poverty and underdevelopment, humanrights, workers rights and women’s rights have turned these issues intocommodities that are showcased at upscale hotels in conferences and seminars

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

For the last several decades thebilateral relations between Pakistanand India have been hostage to thefluctuating political situationbetween the two sides. Followingtensions at the LOC, PrimeMinisterManmohan Singh stated that there‘cannot be business as usual’ betweenPakistan and India.What either side fails to

comprehend is that living peoplemust not be used as bargaining chipsin a process that has over the yearsfailed to overcome its inertia toimprove relations. State relationsdepend on two basic types ofinteractions, state-to-state interactionand people-to-peoplecommunication. A case in point isPakistan’s relationship with China,where state-to-state interaction wasviewed as harmonious, peaceful andfriendly whereas the people of bothcountries remained largely ignorantof the culture of their respectiveneighbours. Breaking down thesebarriers, were trade and a subsequentincrease in the interaction betweenthe commonmen.The recent peace process between

Pakistan and India must not be seenin isolation to past events. Onemusttake into account the animosity thathas existed between both the nationsand how the unique situationcreated walls blocking any people topeople interaction.It is not Pakistan but India where

the larger blame rests. Indian expertshave realised that bureaucratic inertiaand political compulsions have in thepast largely stalled the peace process.But, in India where a total clampdown on Pakistani narrative andmedia is witnessed, much of thePakistani narrative is created by stateactors who have been responsible forcreating an atmosphere of fearbetween the two nations.On the contrary, there is greater

tolerance for the Indian narrative inPakistan as Indian channels andmovies are allowed and seen at large.More importantly, given that India isthe largest country of the region,there are certain advantages that itenjoys owing to its position. Firstlyany step that Delhi takes is seen as agenerous gesture since it is thebigger state, whereas any actiontaken by the smaller state is seenmore as an act of capitulation on thesmaller state’s part. Therefore evensmall gestures by India are fairlyreciprocated by Pakistan.For the last 65 years we have been

viewing each other through thesecurity paradigm, and the visaregime is just a small shred of hopein taking the relations between thetwo states forward.It is imperative that we first try to

understand the fundamental ethos ofthe visa regimen.While Visa regimebetweenmany countries is a simpleissue of granting access, in this casehowever, it is the first brick in theprocess of tearing down decades ofhate, mistrust, and animositybetween the people of both thenations. An increase in people-to-

people interaction is the biggest toolto fight any state or non-state actorsthat wish to disrupt dialogue betweenthe people. Had it been up to thebureaucracy, they would have onlyfound an excuse to go back to theirold ways, because they are simplycomfortable with them.PrimeMinisterManmohan Singh

must not allow himself to becomehostage to BJP’s ‘Hate Pakistan’slogan of politics, but rather allowpragmatism and realism to dictategovernment policy towards Pakistan.War is hardly the solution,suspending the visa regime hardly ananswer to the rise in tensions at theLOC. There has been loss of life onboth sides. This needs to be resolvedthrough talks, not aggression.Unfortunately, callous statements byIndian leaders to ride the anti-Pakistan sentiment is hardly helping.Onewould have thought that suchthinking had died with Bal Thakeray,but it continues to prevail in the ranksof the BJP and Indian politics.

The focus should return to tradeand visa liberalisation, and as part ofthis liberalisation the governmentsneed to ensure that the environmentof fear is torn down, where groupvisas and individual visas should begiven not based on numbers but acriterion of logic and rationality. Thisvisa liberalisation should beunfettered, where security checks onvisas are streamlined, where the waitfor security clearance does not take aslong as twomonths. These securityclearancesmust be based on reasonand rationality, where individualguarantees can be taken for people.While eight diQerent visa categories

have been announced one fails tofathomwhymultiple entry andreporting free visas have been limitedonly to businessmen and notextended to a greater part of thepopulation? Ismedia not the first andforemost tool in breaking downbarriers of people-to-peopleisolation?Why has themedia beenexcluded from these benefits?On a test basis, the two countries

can allow vehicles to pass throughfrom Lahore to Amritsar and back,and if implemented properly, thereis no reason for the same to notwork. Visa liberalisation can becarried out in phases, and it willprove to be a litmus test tounderstand the will of both sides toimprove relations. Yes, there may beproblems in unfetteredliberalisation, systems would beabused, but it is imperative to worktowards opening up gateways ofcommunication between the 1.2billion people of the region.Pressure from the public,

academia, think-tanks and the civilsociety has changed paradigms andforced a change in the mindset. Letus take this forward, instead ofallowing it to become hostage to thehate narrative that has hindered thepeace process in the last six decades.The visa regime must not be a pawnin the political/bureaucratic game,and it should be allowed toliberalise unfettered if people onboth sides of the border expect toescape tensions that have plaguedtheir relations for decades.

THE WRITER WORKS FOR A PRIVATE

TELEVISION NETWORK AND IS A

FREELANCE JOURNALIST

The appointment of SuzanneNossel, a formerStateDepartment oPcial and longtimegovernment apparatchik, as executive director ofPENAmerican Center is part of a campaign toturnUS human rights organisations intopropagandists for pre-emptive war andapologists for empire. ButNossel is onlysymptomatic of thewidespread hijacking ofhuman rights organizations to demonize those --especiallyMuslims -- branded by the state as theenemy, in order to cloak pre-emptive war andempire with a fictional virtue and to eQectivelydivert attention fromour ownmounting humanrights abuses, including torture, warrantlesswiretapping andmonitoring, the denial of dueprocess and extrajudicial assassinations.Nossel, whowas deputy assistant secretary of

state for international organisation aQairs underHillary Clinton in a StateDepartment that waslittlemore than a subsidiary of the Pentagon, ispart of the newwave of "humanitarianinterventionists" who naively see in theUSmilitary a vehicle to create a better world. Theyharbor a childish belief in the innate goodnessand ultimate beneficence of American power.The deaths of hundreds of thousands ofinnocents, the horrendous suQering and violentterror inflicted in the name of their utopian goalsin Iraq andAfghanistan, barely register on theirmoral calculus. Thismakes them at onceoblivious and dangerous.The "humanitarian interventionists" have

twisted themoral imperative to intercedeagainst genocide to justify the calls for pre-emptive war and imperial expansion. SaddamHussein did carry out campaigns of genocideagainst theKurds and the Shiites, but the dirty

fact is that while these campaignswereunderway we provided support to Baghdad orlooked the other way. It was only whenWashington wanted war, and the bodies of tensof thousands of Kurds and Shiites had longdecomposed in mass graves, that we suddenlybegan to speak in the exalted language ofhuman rights.These "humanitarian interventionists"

studiously ignore our own acts of genocide, firstunleashed against Native Americans and thenexported to the Philippines and, later, nationssuch as Vietnam. They do not acknowledge,even in light of the atomic bombings ofHiroshima andNagasaki, our own capacity forevil. They do not discuss in their books andarticles the genocides we backed inGuatemalaandEast Timor or the crime of pre-emptive war.Theyminimise the horror and suQeringwe havedelivered to Iraqis andAfghans and exaggerateor fabricate the benefits. The long string ofatrocities carried out in our namemocks the ideaof theUnited States as a force for goodwith aright to impose its values on others. The uglytruth shatters their deification ofUS power.Nossel, in the contentious year she headed

Amnesty International USA before leaving inJanuary, oversaw a public campaign by theorganisation to supportNATO's war inAfghanistan. Shewas runningAmnestyInternational USAwhen the organisation postedbillboards at bus stops that read, "HumanRightsforWomen andGirls in Afghanistan -NATO:Keep the Progress Going."Nossel has urgedDemocrats to stay the course

in Iraq, warning that a failure in Iraq couldunleash "a kind of post-Vietnam, post-Mogadishu hangover" that would lamentably"herald an era of deep reservations among theUS public regarding the use of force." Sheworked as a StateDepartment oPcial todiscredit theGoldstoneReport, which chargedIsrael withwar crimes against the Palestinians.As a representative on theUNHumanRightsCouncil she said that ‘the top of our list is ourdefense of Israel, and Israel's right to fairtreatment at theHumanRights Council’. Not aword about the Palestinians.She has advocated for expanded armed

intervention in countries such as Syria andLibya. She has called for amilitary strike againstIran if it does not halt its nuclear enrichmentprogram. In an article in TheWashingtonQuarterly titled "BattleHymn of theDemocrats," shewrote: ‘Democratsmust be seento be every bit as tough-minded as theiropponents.’In a 2004 ForeignAQairs article, "Smart

Power: Reclaiming Liberal Internationalism,"shewrote: ‘We need to deploy our power inwaysthatmake us stronger, not weaker’ - not astunning thought but one that should be ananathema to human rights campaigners. Her"smart power" theory calls on theUS to exert itswill around the globe by employing a variety ofmeans and tactics, using theUnitedNations andhuman rights groups, for example, to promotethe nation's agenda aswell as themore nakedand raw coercion ofmilitary force. The plight ofour own dissidents -- including Bradley

Manning - is of no concern toNossel andapparently of no concern now to PEN.ColeenRowley andAnnWright first brought

Nossel's past and hawkish ideology to light whenshe became the executive director of AmnestyInternational USA a year ago. Rowley andWright havewritten correctly that"humanitarian interventionists", in or out ofgovernment, see no distinction between humanrights work and the furtherance ofUS imperialpower. Nossel, they noted, ‘sees no conflictbetween her current role and having been amember of the executive staQwhilst herPresident and Secretary of State bosses werecarrying out war crimes such as drone attacks inPakistan andAfghanistan and shieldingtorturers and their enablers in the Bushadministration fromprosecution’.Is this the resume of a human rights advocate

in theUnited States? Are human rightsorganisations supposed to further the agenda ofthe state rather than defend its victims? Are theideas of "humanitarian interventionists"compatible with human rights? Arewriters andartists no longer concernedwith the plight of alldissidents, freedomof expression and theexcesses of state power? Arewe nothingmorethan puppets of the elite? Aren't we supposed tobe in perpetual, voluntary alienation from allforms of power? Isn't power, from a humanrights perspective, the problem?The current business of human rightsmeans

human rights for some and not for others.HumanRightsWatch, Amnesty International,Physicians forHumanRights, the Peace

Alliance, and Citizens for Global Solutions are allguilty of buying into the false creed thatUSmilitary force can be deployed to promotehuman rights. None of these groups stood up tooppose the invasion of Iraq or Afghanistan, as ifpre-emptive war is not one of the grossestviolations of human rights. The creed of"humanitarian intervention"means, formany,shedding tears over the "right" victims. Itssupporters lobby for the victims inDarfur andignore the victims in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan,Yemen andGaza. They demand justice forpersecuted dissidents in the Arabworld but saynothing about BradleyManning.The playwright and fierce anti-war critic

ArthurMiller, the first American president ofPEN International, fearlessly stood up toMcCarthyism andwas blacklisted.Hedenounced the VietnamWar.He decried theinvasion of Iraq. PEN,when it embodiedMiller'sresistance and decency, stood for something realand important. The posing of government shillssuch asNossel as human rights campaignersand themarginalisation of voices such asMiller'sare part of the sickness of our age.All systems of power are the problem. And it is

the role of the artist, thewriter and theintellectual to defy every center of power onbehalf of thosewhompowerwould silence andcrush. Thismeans, in biblical terms, embracingthe stranger. Itmeans being a constantopponent rather than an ally of government.Thosewho truly fight for human rightsunderstand this.

(OPEDNEWS.COM)

I am a theatre artist by trade. I lookat life the same way I look at a play;when events occur, the first questionI ask is, who initiates the action,who is the protagonist? Followed by,who responds, who is theantagonist? Then, I ask what theindividuals who are involved want.In William Shakespeare's Hamlet,the young prince was approached bythe ghost of his father who tells hisyoung son that his death was causedby poison, poured into his ear by hisbrother Claudius, Hamlet's uncle.Hamlet is assigned to revenge hisfather's death.The bard has legendary skills, but

his ability to launch a story on thefirst page is exceptional. Eventhough theatre has evolved sinceShakespeare's time, his way ofconstructing a plot has beenstudied, and is nowadays widelyapplied, especially in the movies. InArthur Miller's “Death of aSalesman”, a modern play, WillyLoman, the pater familias, doesn'tseem to want anything, nor is therea clear plot. The play probablywouldn't have gone over very wellback in Shakespeare's theatre, but itis captivating to contemporaryaudiences because we recognise thereality in which Willy Loman lives.Not only that, many people live orhave lived in similar situations.Both Shakespeare and Miller were

able to draw multi-facetedunpredictable characters, butShakespeare was all aboutcaptivating and engaging hisaudience, while Miller wrote theplay as an experiment. Originally“Death of a Salesman” was supposedto be about what happened insideWilly Loman's head. He didn't have

an audience waiting for him likeShakespeare did.I do believe that people who take

issues into the public arena arecreating a form of theatre.Therefore we are allowed to look atthese matters and learn from them,as if they were theatre.The scene is Oklahoma. This is

one of the so-called plains states.The prairie, where once the nativenomadic plains Indians roamed, isgone. The year is 2010. Theprotagonist, the character thatstarts the action, is StateRepresentative Rex Duncan. Hebrought to the State legislature aproposal to add a resolution to theballot: ‘This measure amends theState Constitution. It changes asection that deals with the courts ofthis state. It would amend Article 7,Section 1. It makes courts rely onfederal and state law when decidingcases. It forbids courts fromconsidering or using internationallaw. It forbids courts fromconsidering or using Shariah Law’.It is worth noting that in many

American States people vote notonly for their representatives, butalso for proposals for legislation oreven to remove a politician fromoffice. In California, for instance,Governor Gray Davis was ousted byballot to be replaced by an Austrian-born actor by the name of ArnoldSchwarzenegger.70 percent of the Oklahomans

voted for the measure. My guess isthat most of the people who votedfor the amendment weren't reallyaware of what they were voting for.The only message they heard in themedia was that Muslims wanted tointroduce Shariah law into thecourts of Oklahoma. Theorganisations that supported

Question No. 755 tried to give thegeneral public the impression thatMuslims want to take over theUnites States government and tradethe Bible for the Qur’an.Enter Oklahoma City resident,

Muneer Awad. He is the executivedirector of the Oklahoma chapter ofthe Council on American IslamicRelations, CAIR. He filed a suitagainst members of the State Boardof Elections to prevent them fromcertifying the election results forQuestion No. 755.Awad's potion to redirect the

discourse of history was built on theFirst Amendment of the AmericanConstitution: ‘Congress shall makeno law respecting an establishmentof religion, or prohibiting the freeexercise thereof; or abridging thefreedom of speech, or of the press;or the right of the people peaceablyto assemble, and to petition theGovernment for a redress ofgrievances’.A couple of centuries ago Awad

would have stood alone facing acrowd wielding the proverbialtorches and pitchforks. Today wefight our fights with propriety inendless court procedures, fueled byastronomical lawyer fees. Then, hewouldn't stand a chance; now, withthe Constitution and excellentlawyers on his side, there was nocontest. The Federal judge inDenver sided with him, anddeemed the amendmentunconstitutional. Now the case isback in an Oklahoma court todetermine if the ballot wasconstitutional in the first place.What I like about Hamlet is that

he doesn't blindly believe the ghostof his father. The first thing hewants to do is expose the truth. Inorder to do that he instructs a

theatrical group visiting Elsinore,the castle in which the family lives,to reenact his father's murderwhile he is watching his uncle'sresponse. Furious Claudiusremoves himself, therebydemonstrating his guilt.The people who created - and then

voted to approve - the ballotproposal never bothered to doresearch, other than reading newsarticles about the extremeapplication of Shariah law. Theywere convinced that all Muslimshave only one goal in mind, to doaway with the Constitution andreplace it with Shariah law.The tragedy of Willy Loman is

that he felt he had failed. Notbecause he was a bad salesman, ora bad husband, or a bad father. Hefelt he had failed because of hisperception. Had he looked beyondthe artificial values of personalwealth and material possession andlooked, instead, at his content wife,his capable children, and anemerging post-war world, he mighthave felt differently.People who get stuck in their own

world make for compelling dramaon the stage, where nobody getshurt. Real life is exclusivelycharacter driven. It's not hard totake on the role of a protagonist andclaim the spotlight. Just cry "foul"and you'll get everybody on theirtoes for no apparent reason. It'seven easier to shy away from thelight. Pick up the phone, ask a thehuman you fear so much a fewquestions about customs you don'tunderstand, and continue withserious matters.

GERALD VAN WILGEN IS A DUTCH

WRITER WHO LIVES AND WORKS IN THE

UNITED STATES

Shakespeare and Question No. 755

The hijacking of human rights

GERALD VAN WILGEN

ALI RIZVI

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, etc are all guilty of buying into the false creed that USmilitary force can be deployed to promote human rights

CHRIS HEDGES

70 percent of the Oklahomans voted for the measure. The organisations thatsupported Question No. 755 tried to give the general public the impression thatMuslims want to take over the US government and trade the Bible for the Qur’an

Hate barriersA liberalised visa regime can take thePak-India relations forward

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

Bombs kill four inSouth AfghanistanKKAABBUULL:: Afghan oQcials say twoseparate roadside bombings insouthern Afghanistan have killed fourpeople, including a district policechief. A spokesman for theprovincial governor in southernUruzgan province, AbdullahHimmat, says a bomb killed thepolice chief of the Chora district andtwo of his bodyguards while theywere on patrol early Thursday.Ummar Zawaq, a spokesman for thegovernor of Helmand, says a roadsidebomb killed a civilian and woundedtwo others in the Marjah district, alsoon Thursday. –AGENCIES

Islamist shot dead inBangladesh violenceDDHHAAKKAA:: A protester fromBangladesh’s largest Islamic party wasshot dead on Thursday as policeopened fire at hundreds of oppositionactivists on the fourth day of anationwide strike. Police said theshooting occurred in the southerntown of Dumuria where they fired liverounds at 500 supporters of theJamaat-e-Islami party, duringprotests to demand the release of thehead of its student wing. The violenceis the latest to hit Bangladeshstemming from a continuing warcrimes tribunal, at which almost theentire Jamaat leadership is in thedock for crimes committed during the1971 war of independence againstPakistan. –AGENCIES

Bodies of 5 peacekeepersflown back to IndiaNNEEWW DDEELLHHII:: The bodies of fiveIndian Army personnel, killed byrebels while on a United Nations'peacekeeping mission in SouthSudan on Tuesday, arrived in thenational capital Thursday, sourcessaid. Four other Indianpeacekeepers injured in the ambushin Jonglei were also flown backhome, they said. The peacekeepersfrom India were working for the UNMission in South Sudan, which hasbeen in South Sudan since thecountry's creation in 2011 tomaintain peace and security. Indiaforms a major part of UNpeacekeeping forces worldwide andhas suRered losses in the past. In2010, three Indian peacekeeperswere killed in Congo. –AGENCIES

Russia ready to mendrelations with Georgia: FMMMOOSSCCOOWW:: Russia stands ready tomend bilateral ties with the newGeorgian government, ForeignMinister Sergei Lavrov saidThursday. Moscow was satisfied withTbilisi's eRorts to solve bilateralissues and is ready to expand trade,cultural, humanitarian and sportscontact between the two sides,Lavrov said in an interview with alocal TV channel published on theministry's website. "(Our) peopleshould remember they used to livetogether and they used to be friends.We always wanted to be friends, tocooperate with our Georgianneighbors," Lavrov said. Thefriendship between Russia andGeorgia has not disappeared, but itfaces very serious challenges, theforeign minister said. –AGENCIES

YUSUF FERNANDEZ

ON April 3, ChineseoQcials called for calmin Korea as Washingtonannounced that it woulddeploy missiles and

more troops to East Asia, the island ofGuam, Australia and the West coast ofthe US territory amid a crisis overNorth Korea’s nuclear program.Earlier, Chinese Deputy ForeignMinister Zhang Yesui expressed hiscountry’s “serious concern” over theKorean stand-oR in two meetings withthe US and South Koreanambassadors. He also appealed to bothsides to exercise restraint and avoidprovocations which might lead to anunwanted conflict. For its part, the US has been

deploying nuclear-capable bombers,warships and other military systems.The Pentagon has sent two F-22Stealth fighters to the Osan Air Baseand a B-2 stealth bomber on a round-trip training mission over South Korea.It has also positioned two guided-missile destroyers in the waters nearthe Korean Peninsula. According toUSA Today, the American B-1 bomberpilots at the Dyess Air Force Base inTexas have changed their trainingprograms to focus on flights towardsEast Asia, instead of missions to the

Middle East and Afghanistan. US Secretary of Defense Chuck

Hagel announced that the number ofantimissile interceptors in Alaska andCalifornia will increase to 44 - 14 morethan the current number. Although heclaimed that this move was a responseto Pyongyang’s “irresponsible andreckless provocations”, the plan toboost these systems had been inconsideration for months. At the same time, Washington has

stepped up its threats againstPyongyang. US Secretary of State JohnKerry said the US “will not acceptNorth Korea as a nuclear state.” USTreasury Secretary Jacob Lew, whorecently visited Beijing, asked Chineseleaders to use their economic andpolitical influence over Pyongyang topersuade the North Koreangovernment to renounce its nuclearand missile programs. Given thatPyongyang has no intention to destroyits small nuclear arsenal, thestatements by both American topoQcials sounded certainly threatening. The US is also selling more military

systems to South Korea and Japan, twomain rivals of China in the regionhaving two right-wing and nationalistgovernments. The US DefenseDepartment approved on April 3 thesale of 60 fighters to South Korea. TheUS Administration wants to use the

Korea crisis to show South Korea andJapan that they can rely on the USnuclear umbrella.However, Washington is not only

deploying these forces as a result of thetensions in the Korean Peninsula butas a part of its strategy to maintain itspredominance in East Asia. China isbecoming the most powerful countryin the world and is blocking, alongsidewith Russia, US global plans to achieveglobal hegemony. It is also holdingmassive US debt and blocking USactions seeking to justify wars againstSyria and Iran. It has been one of thefounders of the Shanghai CooperationOrganization and the BRICS group,which challenge US and Westernhegemony and promote a multipolarworld. Washington has been enhancing its

military ties and alliances throughoutthe region to contain and encircleChina. James Hardy, the Asia-Pacificeditor for Jane’s Defense Weekly, alsothinks that Washington ‘is using theexistence of this crisis as an excuse toramp up its missile defenses in Asia’.He pointed out that this move is relatedto Washington’s plans for hegemony inthe Asia-Pacific region. For its part, China is logically

concerned by the deployment of thesemilitary systems near its borders.Chinese leaders have also seen the

deployment of missile defense systemsas a threat for their country. They haveopenly criticised the US forannouncing a large increase in its anti-missile interceptors based in Alaska.Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Leiwarned that ‘strengthening anti-missilesystems will intensify antagonism’. Both China and Russia oppose the

US deployment of these systems inAsia and Europe, which are not mainlyaimed at Iran and North Korea, asWashington claims, but atundermining Chinese and Russiannuclear capacity. The ability to destroymissiles would allow the US to launcha “first nuclear strike” against China orRussia while avoiding a retaliationattack against its territory. As aresponse, Moscow and Beijing havealready started to develop their militarycapacities, including the manufactureof new state-of-the-art nuclear missilesbeing capable of overcoming any anti-missile defense system. Although there have been some

claims in Western media that Chinacould be having second thoughts onmaintaining its support for NorthKorea, the truth is that the latterremains a key Chinese ally. MostChinese think that the links with NorthKorea, despite all the diQculties anddisagreements, remain useful forChina. According to the Chinese

publication Global Times, theeconomic importance of China-NorthKorea ties has grown in recent years. Interms of China’s total economic activity,it is still small, but in terms ofNortheast China, it has gainedimportance.On the other hand, ‘the strategic

considerations that have kept Chinainvolved in the Korean Peninsula forhundreds of years have not suddenlydisappeared’, wrote the Global Times.In this sense, North Korea is China’ssole ally in East Asia and a buRer statefacing hostile powers as the US, Japanor South Korea. It is worth recallingthat the Chinese army intervened inthe Korean War in 1950 to prevent theoccupation of North Korea by US andSouth Korean forces. Thus, itprevented the creation of a pro-USstate directly on China’s border and afuture US invasion of China itself. Unlike Western countries, China has

not blamed only North Korea for thecurrent crisis but it has also criticisedthe US, Japan and South Korea’s hard-line positions and confrontationalpolicies towards Pyongyang. Chinesemedia dismiss the idea that NorthKorea should eliminate its nuclearweapons, as the US demands. Actually,with examples such as Libya(denuclearised completely inaccordance with US demands but

subjected to US-backed regime changeanyway), the North is not going toabandon its program because it is itsbest guarantee of survival. Moreover, North Korea has already

gone through a bitter experience over itsnegotiations with the US. In the 1990sand 2000s, Pyongyang sought tonormalise its relations with Washingtonin exchange for putting an end to itsnuclear program. In 2007, it shutteredthe Yongbyon reactor, its sole oneproducing plutonium as a result of anuclear disarmament agreement withthe US. However, the deal collapsedshortly after and North Korea has justannounced that the reactor will berestarted and used to produce morenuclear weapons from now on. Therefore, China understands that it

cannot abandon North Korea from astrategic perspective especially at a timewhen it has become the target of a policyof containment and strangulation by theUS and its allies. Beijing can only go sofar as to do “soft criticism” but not “hardcriticism” of North Korean actions. Bothcountries have a common objective:opposing US-sponsored militaryalliances and deployments in the region,which are not just aimed at NorthKorea, but at China as well. Therefore,China’s policy of support for NorthKorea will continue.

(PressTV.ir)

China will keep supporting North Korea against US

GAZA: Palestinians receive food supplies from a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) aid distribution centre in Gaza City.The United Nations reopened aid distribution centres in Gaza, after a four-day closure in response to the storming of its o.ces last weekby protesters. –WIRE SERVICE

NNEEWW DDEELLHHII:: It is no secret thatthe tortuous India-Chinanegotiations on the vexed boundarydispute have remained logjammed.However, a leaked diplomatic cableof the United States by Wikileaksaccords authenticity to this widelyheld perception.Though the leaked cable is dated 8

February 2008, the situation hasn’tchanged much since past 62 monthsand the cable gives a good idea of atectonic shift in India’s policytowards (i) Arunachal Pradesh, (ii)India-China border areas, and (iii)India-China relations.Incidentally, the cable also

throws up ignorance of theAmerican diplomat who haswritten the message meant for theState Department, the CIA and ahost of other American entities asthe author of the cable repeatedlymentions India-China as “Indo-China”. Obviously the cable authoris unaware of the fact that Indo-China is the name of the regionthat lies close to both India andChina and the term Indo-Chinacannot be a substitute for India-China. In fact, Indochina refers toCambodia, Laos and Vietnam.The leaked cable, that originated

from the American consulate inKolkata, gives a laserbeam focus onPrime Minister Manmohan Singh’svisit to Arunachal Pradesh on 31January 2008, barely two weeksafter Singh’s visit to China. Singh’stwo-day visit to Arunachal Pradeshwas the first prime ministerial visitin a decade to the state which Chinaclaims in entirety.China was livid with Singh’s visit to

Arunachal Pradesh and made noises,only to be ignored by the UPAgovernment that has becomeincreasingly assertive, even combative,with China. The US cable detailedhow Manmohan Singh showeredArunachal Pradesh with Centralgovernment-funded developmentalprojects worth $ 2.5 billion.After detailing the schemes and

projects announced by ManmohanSingh for giving a major push toArunachal Pradesh’s infrastructuralgrowth story, the diplomat-writer ofthe cable gives her own prognosis ofthe India-China relations andanalyses the state of India-Chinaboundary dispute talks.The relevant portion of the US

diplomat’s analysis of India-Chinarelations in the wake of ManmohanSingh’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh isas follows: “Singh’s trip to ArunachalPradesh so soon after his visit toChina may be an indication thatIndia’s border negotiations withChina are not going well and thatthe PM felt the need to shore upIndia’s presence in the state. Thevisit apparently served several goals,as: 1) a signal that India regards thestate as strategic Indian territory; 2)a reminder to China of India’s viewon where the border stands; and 3) apublic promise that the GOI iscommitted to the people ofArunachal Pradesh by developingthe poor infrastructure andeconomy. The lack of progress onborder talks has led to an uneasystalemate, as both sides remainhesitant to finally settle the disputeand instead, continue cross-bordertroop ‘incursions’. –AGENCIES

Leaked US cable 2008

‘India shiftedits China policy’

BBAAMMAAKKOO:: The Maliangovernment decided onWednesday to extend thestate of emergency whichwas declared on Jan. 12,2013, an oQcial source saidon Wednesday.The decision was taken on

Wednesday during aCabinet meeting that waschaired by the interimPresident DioncoundaTraore. The source did notmention when this secondextension will end. However,a source from the presidencytold Xinhua that the state ofemergency may end in themonth of June, just beforethe beginning of theelectoral campaigns for thefirst round of thepresidential electionsscheduled to take place onJuly 7.According to the Malian

electoral law, the campaignsbegin three weeks before thefirst round of thepresidential elections.On Jan. 12, given the

military operations toliberate the regions occupiedby the rebel and terroristgroups, supported by theFrench troops, the Maliangovernment decided todeclare a state of emergencyfor a period of ten days,before extending it for threemonths. –AGENCIES

DDAAMMAASSCCUUSS:: Washington is facing adiQcult situation after the Iraqi wing ofal-Qaida network docked with the NusraFront radical group in Syria, a Syrianstate-run paper said Thursday."After the futile eRorts to unite the so-

called Syrian opposition and manycompromises that resulted in declaringreadiness to form an interim government;the experts, Pentagon men, and the CIAfind themselves in front of the challengeof administrating bloody conflicts," the al-Baath paper editorialized."The Nusra monster is getting bigger

and feels within itself the power todemand privacy and independency," thepaper said.A day earlier, Sheikh Abu Bakr al-

Baghdadi, the leader of al- Qaida group inIraq, declared the mergence with theradical group Jabhat al-Nusra, which iscurrently operative on Syrian soil.The Syrian government has repeatedly

warned that al-Qaida had beencapitalizing on the current crisis in Syriaand that it was behind the explosionsand disturbances nationwide. Themerger declaration came also two daysafter the central leader of al-QaidaAyman al-Zawahiri urged unification ofjihad in Syria.On Wednesday, the leader of al-Nusra in

Syria Abu Mohammed al- Jawalanipledged allegiance to al-Zawahiri.Meanwhile, the Baath paper said the

west has two choices: either to halt theireRorts to lift the arm embargo on therebels, or to declare their backing toterrorists in Syria, adding that the

mainstream rebels will be swallowed upby the Nusra fighters.Syria's radical jihadist group al-Nusra

Front on Wednesday pledged allegianceto al-Qaida, the pan-Arab al-MayadeenTV reported.The pledge was made by leader of al-

Nusra Front, Abu Mohammedal-Jawalani, in an audio message, a dayafter al-Qaida in Iraq said the rebel groupin Syria is part of its "Islamic state. A 29-year old Israeli-Arab was arrested andcharged with traveling to Syria to fightalongside opposition factions in thecountry's civil war, Israel's StateProsecutor's OQce said Wednesday. TheDamascus-based oppositional NationalCoordination Body (NCB) on Wednesdaydismissed the merger of al-Qaida's Iraqibranch and a Syrian rebel movement."It will not succeed ... They will not find

a supportive environment in Syria andwill eventually have to pull out," NCBhead Hasan Abdul-Azim told Xinhua.The 25-year-old US Army private in

February admitted to leaking a trove ofsecret war logs and diplomatic cables toJulian Assange's WikiLeaks website andsaid he would plead guilty to 10 of theless serious charges against him, whichcould see him sentenced to 20 years inmilitary custody. The hearing was thefirst since a group pressing for moregovernment transparency flouted amilitary ban by releasing a secretly-recorded audio clip of Manning'stestimony. It marked the first time sinceManning was arrested in May 2010 thatthe world has heard his voice. –AGENCIES

US in hot waters afterQaeda-Nusra merger

Mali declaresfresh state ofemergency

SSEEOOUULL:: South Korea on Thursdaycalled on the Democratic People'sRepublic of Korea (DPRK) to come tothe dialogue table to resolve the politicaldeadlock with its northern neighbor."The suspension in operation of theKaesong Industrial Complex, a symbolof the inter-Korean reconciliation andcooperation, is an act that does not doany good to our nation's future,"Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae saidin a formal statement.Ryoo said that "the normalization of

the Kaesong complex should be made

through dialogue," urging Pyongyangto "come to the dialogue table to discusswhat the North (DPRK) wants." Askedwhether the statement is a formalproposal for dialogue with Pyongyang,Ryoo told reporters that it would be adeclaration to make certain that "all theproblems, including the KaesongIndustrial Complex problem and theescalating threats by North Korea,should be resolved through dialogue"rather than the government's formalsuggestion for dialogue.Ryoo strongly urged Pyongyang to

stop heightening tensions on theKorean Peninsula, expressing hisregrets over the DPRK's repeatedprovocative threats. His commentscame amid escalating tensions on theKorean Peninsula. A spokesman ofthe DPRK's General Bureau forCentral Guidance to theDevelopment of the Special Zone toldthe oQcial Korea Central NewsAgency that the Kaesong industrialzone may cease to exist if the SouthKorean authority continues itsconfrontation policy. –AGENCIES

Let’s talk, Seoul invites Pyongyang

57 killed in army assault insouthern Syria: watchdogBBEEIIRRUUTT:: Six children were among at least 57 people killed insouthern Syria as the army launched an all-out assault on twotowns in Daraa province, a watchdog said on Thursday. “At least sixchildren, seven women, 16 rebel fighters, 16 other unidentified menand 12 army troops were killed on Wednesday, in fighting, shellingand summary executions waged after the army launched an assaulton Al-Sanamein and Ghabagheb,” the Syrian Observatory forHuman Rights said. Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman toldAFP the army’s assault came a day after a dozen troops defectedfrom a nearby military post to join the rebels. “The defectors tookrefuge in the area of Al-Sanamein and Ghabagheb, which up untilthen had remained somewhat more calm than other areas ofDaraa,” said Abdel Rahman. “The army launched its assault, andshelled several houses,” he added. –AGENCIES

Although there have been some claims in Western media that China could be havingsecond thoughts on maintaining its support for North Korea, the truth is that the latter remains a key Chinese ally

G8 ministers condemnNorth Korea ‘in strongest terms’LLOONNDDOONN:: Foreign ministers from the G8 group of rich countriescondemned "in the strongest possible terms" North Korea's development ofnuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology on Thursday and called formore humanitarian aid to help civilians in Syria. North Korea's threats ofwar and Iran's nuclear program topped the agenda of the foreign ministers'talks in London but little substance came out of their private meetings withmembers of Syria's opposition on the sidelines of the gathering. In acommuniqué issued after the meeting, foreign ministers from the UnitedStates, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia urgedNorth Korea to "refrain from further provocative acts". –AGENCIES

bawany hosts receptionfor Marriott gMIISSLLAAMMAABBAADD::Mr. MohammadAkhtar Bawany, President, Hospitality,Industrial & Real Estate Division,Hashoo Group hosted a reception inhonour of the new General Manager ofthe Islamabad Marriott Hotel, Mr. JanVerduyn at the residence of theChairman Hashoo Group, Mr.Saddruddin Hashwani. The receptionwas attended by a large number ofambassadors, top oPcials from theUN, and the Group executives. Mr.Bawany thanked the dignitaries forgracing the evening with theirpresence. Senior Executive Advisor,Hashoo Group, Dr. Salim Mehmudcommended the vision and eQorts ofthe Chairman Hashoo Group, who gotthe hospitality business in Pakistanrecognized throughout the world. Healso said “we are pleased to have a veryexperienced GM for the IslamabadMarriott and expect him to furtherenhance the image of the hotel. “He isnot only a competent GM but also alinguist which is an additional ability toexecute his assignments eQectively”The Chief Operating OPcer, HashooGroup Hotels’ Division introduced thenew GM of the IMH to the dignitaries,and also shared with the latter theachievements and main features of thegroup hotels. –PR

‘nigeria will cooperate infertiliser production’IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Nigerian HighCommissioner to Pakistan, DaudaDanladi disclosed on Wednesday in ameeting with Nigerian entrepreneursfrom Global One NetworkInternational, that NigerianGovernment is determined toenhance cooperation with Pakistan inFertilizer Production. He said, todayNigeria imports 700,000 metric tonsof fertiliser annually, mostly fromPakistan. Managing Director, FrancisOnyisi, Global One NetworkInternational thanked the NigeriaHigh Commissioner Dauda Danladifor facilitating the Nigerianbusinessmen to promote the cause ofsouth-south cooperation betweenPakistan and Nigeria through transferof technology in agriculture andtextile sector Nigerian HighCommissioner, Dauda Danladi saidNigeria has abundant gas reserves toserve as input for both Pakistaniinvestors interested in establishingfertilizer production factories inNigeria. –AGENCIES

Wall street gains on jobless claimsNNEEWW YYOORRKK: Stocks rose onThursday, with the Dow and the S&P500 climbing to fresh all-timeintraday highs after data showedjobless claims dropped more thanexpected. Nevertheless, technologystocks were the day'sunderperformers, with tech blue chipssuch as Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard sharply lower after anindustry report that showedshipments of personal computers hadfallen significantly in the first quarter.Microsoft was also hit after GoldmanSachs cut its rating on the stock to"sell" from "neutral. –AGENCIES

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

gold (oz)

rs. 1,599.52 rs. 98.15

Dollar interbank cement (bag)

457.00 6,900.00

cotton (Maund) urea/bag

1,704

coal spot

$87.90/Ton 11.42%

10-y Pib Furnace oil

76,188/MT

currency buying sellingUS Dollar 98.90 99.15Euro 127.98 128.12British Pound 149.95 150.08UAE Dirham 26.62 26.80Saudi Riyal 26.12 26.30Kuwaiti Dinar 341.78 347.46Canadian Dollar 96.04 97.49

SAHTAK BALOCH

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: A shocking disclosureabout the issuance of directives byformer Prime Minister Raja PervezAshraf to initiate new gas developmentschemes worth Rs 48 billion for newtowns and villages during his tenuresurprised Senate Standing Committeeon Petroleum and Natural Resourceson Thursday.Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash made

this revelation during Thursday’smeeting of Senate Standing Committeeon petroleum, which was chaired bySenator Muhammad Yousuf here in thepremises of Parliament House.Bangash threatened to stop oil supply

from Tal Block if local people were notgiven gas connections. He threatened tofile case against secretaries fromPetroleum, Planning and Finance overreluctance of implementing Rs 900million worth gas development schemesto provide gas to the people living in

area of Tal Block. Bangash has alreadymoved to Peshawar High Court againstSui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited(SNGPL) and Petroleum Ministry fornot providing gas to their area.“SNGPL is not more interested to

initiate work on other schemes worthRs 48 billion in constituencies offormer Prime Minister Raja PervezAshraf, Deputy Prime Minister PervezElahi and former chairman PublicAccounts Committee (PAC) AfzalChan and some other influentialpoliticians,” Bangash said. “This iscriminal oQence that people of TalBlock are not being provided gas and Iwill go to court against the secretariesfor action,” Bangash said adding thatTal Block is in my union council and Iam begging for gas. “I will not let evena single truck to bring oil from TalBlock,” Bangash added.He also threatened to walk out from

the committee and resign frommembership and demanded that

committee should issue arrestwarrants of those who were notattending committee and blocking gassupply to people of Tal Block. He alsosaid that PPP government hadpromised to release Rs 150 millionfunds but they were not provided fordevelopment schemes.Member committee Rozi Khan kakar

said that people of Balochistan were notbeing provided gas despite the provincewas the major contributor in providinggas to other parts of the country. He saidthat the people living in oil and gasproducing areas were being exploited.Caretaker Petroleum minister Suhail

Wajahat said that kickbacks would bestopped in award of contracts andtransparency would be ensured. He saidthat jobs in oil and gas firms should begiven but they should not be overloaded.While talking to media after meeting, hesaid that he was not involved in anycorruption. Transparency Internationalhas recently written a letter to PrimeMinister to sack new petroleumminister Suhail Wajahat who was

alleged for corruption charges.During the course of Senate body

meeting, Managing Director (MD)SSGC Zuhair Sidiqui while briefing themeeting said that the honourableSupreme Court (SC) had taken suomoto notice due to misleading news ofthe media houses pertaining LiquefiedNatural Gas (LNG) import project andif the National Accountable Bureau(NAB) and the apex court clear theproject then gas crisis would witnessan end. He also said three parties including

Global Energy, Pakistan Gas PortLimited (PGPL) and ETPL hadparticipated bids for import of 400mmcfd LNG. According to foreignconsultant QED, two parties-GlobalEnergy and PGPL were qualifiedbidder whereas ETPL bid was rejecteddue to giving formula based price ofLNG. Now, he said that issue was inSupreme Court and next hearing wasscheduled on April 16.Siddiqi informed the meeting that

country is witnessing 2bcfd shortfall. To

control the shortage 1 cubic feet of LNGand 750mcfd gas would be obtained byIran-Pakistan gas pipeline. He alsomade it clear that SSGCL is assistingthe government over LNG importproject in the light of PEPRA rules.Senator Sabir Baloch said that the

three parties, which had participated inthe bid for LNG import project, hadgotten licenses from OGRA just twoyears earlier only to establish monopolyin the market which is against the spiritof competition. About financial healthand employee’s strength of thecompany, oPcial of SSGCL said the

company had surplus employees of10,000 against requirement of 5000. Over the demand of Senator Abdul

Nabi Bangash to regularise the servicesof 1800 employees which are workingthrough third party r, the caretakerPetroleum & natural ResourcesMinister Suhail Wajahat Siddiqi was ofthe view that if these employees wereregularised then the gas utility (SSGCL)would witness a tough time as it had nomoney even for the payments. KESCand Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) are notpaying their dues to the company.The caretaker Minister for Petroleum

and Natural Resources Suhail WajahatSiddiqi also informed the SenateStanding Committee on Petroleum andNatural Resources that at present hehas continued the policies of formerAdvisor to Prime Minster on Petroleumand Natural Resources Dr AsimHussain but he would definitelyintroduce better policies for thepetroleum ministry before leaving theport folio of caretaker minister forpetroleum.

STAFF REPORT

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: Pakistan would getthe Generalized System ofPreferences (GSP) Plus status by theend of this year which would give abetter market access of PakistaniProducts to EU markets.It was stated by Lars-Gunnar

Wigemark, Head of the Delegationand Ambassador of the EuropeanUnion to Pakistan, who was on twoday visit of the country.Islamabad Chamber of Commerce

and Industry (ICCI) hosted a dinnerin the honor of European Uniondelegation comprising Wigemark,

Head of the Delegation andAmbassador of the European Unionto Pakistan, Petros Mavroidis,Ambassador of Greece, Ambassadorof France, Austria, Czech Republic,Romania, Italy, Poland, Spain, UKDeputy Head of Mission and SwedishDeputy Head of Mission.Ambassador of EU to Pakistan said

that Pakistan has unique geographicaland strategic geo-political locationand considered to be the hub of tradein South Asia, therefore, EU countriesshould also consider Pakistan forenhancing trade and investment. He said that Pakistan and EU are

enjoying deep rooted political and

economic relations as well as EU hassupported Pakistan in number ofsectors. Petros Mavroidis, Ambassador of

Greece said that Pakistan andGreece need to improve theircommercial and economic relationsto promote bilateral trade andinvestment by taking advantage ofnew business opportunities.Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI

apprised that European Union (EU)is the largest trading partner ofPakistan with an annual trade volumeof over 10 billion euro. He said thatPakistan attached great importance toits relationship with the EU regional

bloc as its annual GDP accounts$17trillion which was higher thanGDP of US which is around$15trillion and China’s GDP of$7trillion.ICCI President said that European

society is very liberal and transparentwhich give equal opportunities to itscitizens to become member ofparliaments, adding that its quiteappreciative that even Pak-originpeople are the members of Britain,Denmark and Norway’s Parliaments.He said that a large number ofPakistanis are also working in EUcountries and contributing in thedevelopment of Pakistan in form of

remittances as Pakistan’s remittanceshas crossed the figure of $12billion. Bakhtawari urged all the EU

Ambassadors designated in Pakistanto support Pakistan for grant of GSPplus status which would provide easyaccess to Pakistani products in EUmarket and further enhancePakistan’s volume of trade with EUcountries.He said that EU is also considering

signing of a FTA with India, therefore,EU should also grant GSP plus statusto Pakistan before such arrangementswhich would improve the bilateraltrade volume as well as enhance theEuropean influence in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: The new GM of Islamabad Marriott Mr. Jan Verduyn, Chief Operating O2cer Hashoo Group Hotels Division Mr. Clive Webster and the PresidentHospitality, Industrial & Real Estate Division Hashoo Group Mr. Mohammad Akhtar Bawany receiving the dignitaries at the reception hosted by him at theresidence of Chairman Hashoo Group Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani. –STAFF PHOTO

‘Raja Rental initiated gas schemes worth Rs 48b’

STAFF REPORT

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The Ministry of Petroleumand Natural Resources has refuted therumours to the eQect that it has given up itsstance regarding the legality andconstitutionality of the Gas InfrastructureDevelopment Cess (GIDC) Act 2011.However, the government reiterates that itwill honour all the orders of the courts.In a statement issued here on Thursday,

the ministry said that the federal governmentpromulgated the Gas InfrastructureDevelopment Cess (GIDC) Act, 2011 inDecember-2011. The Cess shall be utilisedfor or in connection with infrastructuredevelopment of Iran Pakistan PipelineProject, Turkmenistan Afghanistan PakistanIndia (TAPI) Pipeline Project, LNG or otherprojects or for price equalisation of otherimported alternative fuels including LPG.They said the act was further amended

through Finance Act, 2012 however, manyof the consumers approached the Hon’ ableIslamabad High Court challenging the levyand recovery of the GIDC in its entirety byimpugning the constitutionality of theGIDC Act 2011.The judgment of the Hon’ able Single

Judge of the Islamabad High Court dated

31.01.2013 had declared the levy andrecovery of the GIDC ultra vires theConstitution.The order passed by a Division Bench of

the Islamabad High Court in appeal dated12.03.2013 had suspended the order of theHon’ able Single Judge dated 31.01.2013.Technically, this suspension had reinstatedthe GIDC Act 2011 and had allowed therecovery of past arrears of GIDC as well as the levy and recovery of GIDC goingforward.The aforesaid Division Bench of the Hon’

able Islamabad High Court has now passed afurther order on 18.03.2013 on anapplication filed by a consumer of natural gaswhereby the Federation, the gas utilitycompanies and the consumers have beenasked to maintain status quo as regardsrecovery of the ‘disputed amount’ from theconsumers as well as regards the payment ofrefunds to the consumers of the GIDCamount recovered, if any.If consumers such as CNG stations pass

on the GIDC amount to the end consumersthen the GIDC amount collected by thestations will be liable to be deposited withthe Federation regardless of the ultimateresult of the litigation regarding theconstitutionality of the GIDC.

EmpoweringWomen ThroughTrade and Industryexpo tomorrowSTAFF REPORT

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD::Preparations are underway tohold a two-day Islamabad Expo 2013, thelargest women's exhibition in Pakistan, underthe auspicious of Islamabad WomenChamber of Chamber of Commerce andIndustry (IWCCI). Samina Fazil, presidentIWCCI on Thursday said that the eventtitled, “Empowering Women throughTrade and Industry” will be held on April13 and 14 which will be inaugurated byShafqat Sultana, President First WomenBank Limited.

Speaking to women entrepreneurs, sheinformed that apart from workshops andseminars, successful businesswomen willshare their stories while twelve universitiesand fifteen ambassadors will alsoparticipate in the expo. Samina said thatour sponsors include Khushali BankLimited, UNIDO, SMEDA etc which arehelping to promote and empower womenentrepreneurs.The exhibition would attract large number

of women from all over the country andabroad which will provide them anopportunity to display their productsincluding handicrafts and jewellery. She saidthe mission and focus of Islamabad Expo2013 would enable skilled women to promotetheir products to retailers, wholesalers anddistributors.“We will also focus on comparing women

entrepreneurs, helping them discovering newopportunities, get encouraged, collaborate,network, promotion and provide guidance.”,she maintained.

Gas Infrastructure Development Cess Act

Petroleum ministryrefutes GIDC Act rumours

‘Pakistan will get GSP Plus status by year end’

Obama’s budget showsWashington a way forward

PRESIDENTBarack Obama’s latest budget, it issaid, lacks vision. It’s old wine in new bottles. Itwould require senior citizens to make painful

sacrifices. It never reaches balance. It could stifle therecovery. It’s two months late. Read BView's Crook,Harshaw, Barro, Klein, Lavin on the Obama budget at theTicker blog. All of this is true. Nevertheless, the $3.8trillion U.S. spending plan is remarkable as a politicaldocument that both recognizes the stasis in Washingtonand presents a way around it. For that alone, the presidentdeserves credit. Budgets are part practical blueprint andpart political manifesto. Too often, they sacrifice theformer for the latter. The Senate’s, for example, its first infive years, won approval only from Democrats because itraised taxes yet failed to oQer Republicans any cuts toSocial Security or Medicare. Meanwhile, only Republicansvoted for the more austere plan in the House, whichwould reach balance by 2023 through whacking domesticprograms that Democrats cherish. Obama’s only realchoice was to find a middle ground. He tries to do so byoQering entitlement cuts in exchange for tax increases onthe wealthy. This was always going to be the generaloutline of a compromise; Obama’s task was oQeringspecifics about how to reach it. True, his quid pro quo issmall beer: He proposes $1.8 trillion in deficit reductionfor the next decade, much of which would just replace the$1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts that took eQectlast month. And his entitlement cuts would reducespending by only $830 billion over 10 years, a piddlingamount considering that entitlements are now 60 percentof the federal budget and by 2023 will reach 64 percent --even with Obama’s trims. For tax increases, Obama buildson January’s fiscal-cliQ deal, which added $600 billion innew revenue over 10 years, mostly by raising rates onfamilies earning more than $450,000 a year. Obamawould raise taxes another $600 billion by limiting mostitemized deductions for households in the upper taxbrackets. He would impose a minimum 30 percent rate onhouseholds with annual earnings above $1 million,invoking the so-called BuQett rule. To conservatives, this isheresy. Yet it will undoubtedly be helpful in winning overDemocrats who are chapped about the entitlementchanges the president suggests. And that’s where thepresident was bold. Seniors would see a less generousinflation adjustment to their monthly Social Securitychecks -- which is, let’s face it, a benefit cut. AlthoughObama has privately oQered this concession before, hehadn’t formally done so. To some liberal lawmakers, thismakes Obama a traitor to the cause. They went to theWhite House this week to protest, arguing that Obamashouldn’t trim benefits while most families have yet torecover from the recession. These demonstrations, too,can be helpful as Obama tries to convince rank-and-fileRepublicans -- including the dozen senators with whomhe’ll dine tonight -- that he’s willing to compromise. Add itall up, and the fiscal 2014 deficit would shrink slightly to$744 billion, from $845 billion this year. The shortfallwould be 4.4 percent of gross domestic product, downfrom 5.7 percent this year. Such numbers, while animprovement, remain high enough to keep Obama in apolitical and fiscal straitjacket. That, rather than a truelack of vision, prevents him from proposing big newprojects. His budget would vastly expand preschoolprograms for low-income children by raising tobaccotaxes. It would set aside a relatively tiny amount -- $50billion -- for roads, bridges and other public-worksprojects. And it would dedicate $8 billion for communitycolleges and $1 billion for 15 institutes that wouldpromote manufacturing innovation. None of this isearth-shattering -- and none of it needs to be. It’sworthwhile to review what Obama and Congress haveaccomplished in several rounds of budget haggling.

–BLOOMBERG EDITORIAL

analysis

Says it will honour court orders

� Senate standing committee shocked

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

Vidyut wants to be typecast as an action heroMUMBAI: Actor Vidyut Jamwal, who has done some daredevil stunts in hisupcomingmovie Commando, wants to be typecast as an action hero. ‘I am born to doaction. I can't see myself doing anything else. It is not a good thing to say but I want tobe typecast as an action hero. I don't want to do amovie that has no action,’ Jamwalsaid. The 34-year-old actor started his Bollywood journey with a negative role inForce, starring John Abraham. He played the role of a dreaded gangster 'Vishnu' inthe filmwhich earned him the Filmfare Award for BestMale Debut. Commando is thestory of an Indian Army oLcer, who during a training session gets inside ChineseBorder bymistake. The film chronicles his struggle to get back. Jamwal is a trainedmartial artist and is also proficient in the art of Kalaripayattu. He has performed allthe action sequences and stunts in themovie by himself and without the help ofcables. Hollywood's ace action choreographer Franz Spilhaus along with Jamwal hasdirected the stunts for the high octane action film. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Botox made me look like Joan rivers: gwyneth PaltrowLondon: The 40-year-old endures two-hour workout sessions nearly every day, institutesa family-wide carbohydrate ban. Now, in a new interview, she details her sometimes-painful beauty regime. In addition to exfoliating nightly and using ‘a lot of organic oils’on her face, the IronMan 3 star relies on laser therapy, she said in theMay issue ofHarper's Bazaar. ‘I have a great dermatologist, who gave me this amazing laser the lasttime I was there," Paltrow told. ‘It's called Thermage. It's not invasive. I went out todinner right afterward and I didn't look crazy, but it's quite painful. It feels likesomeone's smacking your face with a rubber band that has an electric shock in it. But Iwould do it again, because I feel like it took five years oMmy face. ‘I've probably triedeverything," Paltrow admitted. ‘I would be scared to go under the knife, but you know,talk to me when I'm 50. I'll try anything. Except I won't do Botox again, because I lookedcrazy. I looked like Joan Rivers!’-SHOWBIZ DESK

CMYK

KARACHI: The just concluded fifth edition of Fashion PakistanWeek featured a range of avant-garde collections frommore than26 designers and retailers of the country. Held in the nation’s largestcity and financial centre Karachi, the two-day-long event showcasedan array of fresh spring summer prêt-a-porter and lawn rangesfrom popular names like Shamaeel Ansari, Hajra Hayat, Zari Faisal,Amna Aqeel and Gul Ahmad Lawn.Famous Pakistani designerMaheen Khan opened the event witha chic timeless collection titled Flight. Inspired by the endangeredspecies of birds, the line included silver tops, black and white sarees,blue and yellow printed pants, capes and innovative wing likeheadgears. Designer SaniaMaskatiya presented her collectionNaqsh on the second day of the event. Drawing inspiration from themapmaking craft of cartographers, the line captured the joyfulexperience of a traveller exploring new territories through diMerentcolours and prints. Adorned with embroidery, digital prints andother embellishments, the raw silk, crepe and chamois made rangeincluded draped tunics, straight shirts, loose pants and pleatedcropped trousers in radiant hues of black, white, yellow, orange,sand brown, beige, turquoise and sea green. Organized by theFashion Pakistan Council, Fashion PakistanWeek serves as anetworking and business promotion platform for the country’swell-known as well as emerging fashion designers, entrepreneursand fashion journalists. -SHOWBIZ DESK

FPW 5 FeAtureS creAtionS oF 27 DeSignerS

Nauman Afreen

Deepak

Perwani

Ayesha

Ibrahim

Sana

Safin

az Rizw

anullah

ObaidSh

eikh

IshtiaqAfzal

Kayseria

Gul-A

hmed

SHOWBIZ DESK

DALLAS: Fun Asia Entertainmentpresented a special evening withBollywood famed singer andmusiccomposer Adnan Sami Khan atMyerson Symposium Center inDallas. Mr. Khan came to Dallasafter eight years and entertainedthe audience thoroughly with hismusic and performance. Mr.Khan's fans in Dallas had beenwaiting for this event for a longtime and they embraced hisperformance with joy and big Texaswelcome. The concert was sold outa month before the event date. Alarge number of music audiencescame to greet Adnan Sami so muchso that there was a traLc jam inDallas downtown due to this musicconcert and police helped tocontrol the traLc on a Saturdaylate evening. Adnan Sami

performed for about four hours andhad been interactive with hisaudience from stage. He sung anumber of his popular songs onaudience demand and stayedreceiving accolades from audience.The singer who shedmore than

350 pounds was looking adistinguished and charming personwhile performing, which peoplekept staring in disbelief. Hepresented a number of his popularsongs besides songs from his latestalbum "Pardes Chale" and received

appreciation from audience. Theshow organizers JohnHammondand Shariq Hamid thanked all theaudience for their presence and forthe success of the show. On theother hand the concert organizedin Houston was also a huge successand was a sold out event. TheHouston show was organized byRehan Siddiqui, who also thankedthe audience for the passionatesupport of the event. RehanSiddiqui hosted a repeat of AdnanSami concert on insistence of hisfans. He also presented flowers tothe people in attendance, moreover,Adnan Sami Khan said that peopleask him for the secret of his drasticloss of weight, while there are anumber of hypothesis around hisweight loss. ‘The truth is that myweight loss is result of diet controland because of usage of proteindiet,’ he said.

Adnan Sami Khan steals hearts in Dallas�Mesmerises audience with his songs but also surprises them with dance moves

MUMBAI: Serially-singleSushmita Sen is not goingto walk down the aisle justyet. Rumours of Sushmitaand Pakistani cricketerWasim Akram planning awedding have beenrubbished by the actress'spokesperson. Sushmita'stoo busy to plan a weddingaccording to herspokesperson that wasquoted The Times of Indiaas saying: "It's not true atall. In fact Sushmita ishaving a show inMumbaion the 24th of this month. Idon't think she can have anevent inMumbai as well asplan her weddingsimultaneously." Sushmitais rumoured to have datedthe Kolkata Knight Riderscoach for two years aftermeeting on the sets ofdance reality show EkKhiladi Ek Haseena, whichSush andWasim judged, in2008. Sushmita, who lastappeared in 2010 filmNoProblem, has two adopteddaughters and has nevermarried. She previouslydated actor RandeepHooda. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Sushmita Sendenies marryingWasim AkramHaseena is rumoured to have datedkhiladi for two years after meetingon the sets of dance reality show

MELBOURNE: The 20-year-old singer has allegedlydecided to halt her preparations after rumours emergedearlier this year indicating that the pair had hit a roughpatch in their relationship. The duo was supposed to getmarried in June but because there have been so manyproblems with them, they thought it was best to work outtheir issues before making such a big commitment,News.com.au reported. The couple is reportedly stilltogether but are trying to work through their relationshipissues. Meanwhile, it is also being reported thatHemsworth`s family has started to question whether theywill commit to each other at all. The wife of Hemsworth`sbrother Chris, actress Elsa Pataky, recently told thepublication that she had no idea to whether the weddingwould take place or not. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Miley and Liampostpone wedding

Adele crowned richestyoung Britain musicianLONDON: Adele’s 30-million-poundfortune has helped her land the title ofthe richest youngmusician in Britain.This is the second year running that thesinger, who will turn 25 next month, hastopped the Sunday Times Rich List foryoungmusicians, the Daily reported.Runner-up on the rich list is Cheryl Cole,29, whose wealth is estimated at 14million pounds, while Leona Lewis andKatie Melua, both 28, are worth 12million pounds each. Nipping at the heelsof female musicians is English-Irish popband One Direction, which has amassed25million pounds. New entries to the listof music millionaires aged 30 and underinclude Emeli Sande and Ed Sheeraneach worth 5 million pounds. Sir PaulMcCartney, who shares a 680-million-pound fortune with his heiress wifeNancy Shevell, who is believed to beworth 150million pounds, topped the listof richest music millionaires. AndrewLloydWebber is second in the musicmillionaires` chart with 620-million-pound fortune, followed by Irish rockersU2 at 520million pounds. -SHOWBIZ DESK

SHOWBIZ DESK

MUMBAI: Her mini vacation post therelease of Aatma is coming to a close.Sticking to her decision to work on onlyone film at a time, she is now gearing up tobegin work on Vikram Bhatt's Creature.After Raaz 3 and Aatma, Creature is yetanother film where she is the protagonist,albeit with the 'creature' sharing goodscreen space. Bipasha had earlier said thatshe is happy stepping into a genre whichhas not been explored before in Bollywood.Even though this means that there is agood element of risk involved in the film,she is willing to take it.Bipasha is content to be stepping into agenre which has not been explored beforein Bollywood. Even though this means thatthere is a good element of risk involved inthe film, she is willing to take it.’ We areanyways going back to the 80s kind offilms. Instead of moving forward, we arecreeping back. I would rather move forformer even if it is risky. After being in theindustry for 12 years, I am happier workingwith people whomake something new.Vikram is one suchman. That should beencouraged than looked at with doubt;’says Bipasha who was last seen in Aatma.‘You have to be excited about what you aredoing. As long as a role comes that testsyour capacity as an actor, one should go forit than contemplate too much. Also, let'sface the reality. As much as people say thatthings have changed for women, it is maybe just 5% change in the decade gone by

ever since I have been working. Also, bychange I am not talking about themonetary situation of actors. At the end ofthe day we all make a lot of money. I amtalking about content that we bring on thebig screen.’

Bipasha gears up forCreature

After Raaz 3 and Aatma, Creature Bipasha isagain the protagonist.

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

CMYK

CMYK

PPAARRIISS:: Barcelona needed a 71st-minutePedro Rodriguez strike to qualify for theChampions League semifinals at the expenseof Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, whileBayern Munich also progressed after provingtoo strong for Juventus. After drawing 2-2 inlast week's quarter-final first leg in Paris,Barcelona went behind for the first time inthe tie when Javier Pastore struck shortlyafter half-time, but the introduction from thebench of Lionel Messi lifted the Catalans,and Pedro struck to level the scores on thenight and make the final aggregate score 3-3.While Barcelona advance to a sixth

consecutive Champions League semi-final onaway goals, Bayern were comprehensivewinners against Juventus, with MarioMandzukic and Claudio Pizarro netting inthe second half to give the Bavarians a 2-0victory on the night and a 4-0 triumph onaggregate. Coming into the second leg, Barcaheld the upper hand thanks to their two awaygoals in Paris, but the absence of Messi fromtheir starting line-up handed theiropponents a psychological advantage. TheArgentine suffered a hamstring injury in thefirst leg and was only deemed fit enough fora place on Barcelona's bench at kick-off. Ashe nervously looked on, PSG playedexceptionally well in the first half and were

unlucky not to score on several occasions,with Victor Valdes making crucial saves todeny Lucas and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

The Ligue 1 leaders did score five minutesinto the second half, though, Pastorefinishing past Valdes after linking up

superbly with former Barcelona forwardZlatan Ibrahimovic. The home sides weremissing the inspiration of Messi, and theCamp Nou was given a huge lift when hereplaced Cesc Fabregas in the 62nd minute.Even when far from fully fit, Messi's merepresence can make the difference, and hehelped create the decisive goal less than 10minutes after coming on. Messi acceleratedtowards the Paris penalty area and laid theball off for David Villa, who teed up Pedro topower a shot beyond Salvatore Sirigu, endingPSG's hopes and keeping Barca on course towin the Champions League for the fourthtime in eight seasons. "We're very happy,"said Pedro. "PSG are great rivals and it tookus a while to get into our rhythm at the start."Messi was the catalyst. We changed after hecame on and we have to thank him for that."PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti added: "I

thought we played well. We caused Barcaproblems, but Messi is a fantastic player andcan find a solution for his team even whennot fully fit." Bayern travelled to Turin in astrong position thanks to their 2-0 first-legvictory, and with the wind in their sails afterclinching the Bundesliga title in record quicktime last weekend. Andrea Pirlo came closefrom a first-half free-kick and FabioQuagliarella tested visiting 'keeper Manuel

Neuer early in the second half as Juve soughta way back into the tie. But they were leftwith too much to do when Mandzukicheaded in from close range on 64 minutes.Bayern then put the seal on a 4-0 aggregate

victory when Bastian Schweinsteiger set upsubstitute Pizarro to make it 2-0 on the nightin injury time. "It wasn't easy to motivate theplayers four days after winning our nationaltitle," admitted Bayern coach JuppHeynckes. "We struggled in the first 20minutes, but slowly took control of thematch. We were much better in the secondhalf and deserved to go through." "We haveno regrets," said Juve 'keeper GianluigiBuffon. "We played as well as we could, butit just wasn't enough."Bayern and Barcelona complete an all-

German and Spanish semi-final line-up afterBorussia Dortmund and Real Madrid clinchedtheir berths in the last four on Tuesday. Madridlost 3-2 to Galatasaray in Istanbul, butprogressed 5-3 on aggregate, while Dortmundbeat Malaga 3-2 in dramatic circumstances towin by the same score on aggregate. Trailing2-1 going into stoppage time in Germany,Dortmund appeared to be heading out, butMarco Reus and Felipe Santana both scored atthe death to take the Bundesliga side throughto Friday's semi-final draw. –AGENCIES

Barcelona, Munich Bayern into last four of UEFA Champions League

AAUUGGUUSSTTAA:: Watched by huge galleries, the ‘Big Three’of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Playerlaunched the 77th Masters on Thursday while BubbaWatson prepared to begin his title defence later in theday. On an overcast morning at Augusta National, four-times champion Palmer, three-times winner Player andNicklaus, who won a record six green jackets, hit theceremonial first shots at the par-four opening hole.Palmer struck a solid blow up the middle before

fellow golfing great Player out-drove him by around50 yards, his ball ending up above the crest of the hillon the right side of the fairway, some 250 yards fromthe tee. Nicklaus hit the longest drive of the three, hisball rolling into the first cut of rough on the left beforesettling several yards ahead of Player. "The onlynerves you have are to make solid contact," a smilingNicklaus, 73, told reporters afterwards. "It doesn'tmatter diddly-darn where it goes." Palmer, however,was delighted with his eOort "It was my best drive ofthe year," the 83-year-old quipped.Ten minutes later, 1988 Masters champion Sandy

Lyle of Britain struck the tournament's firstcompetitive shot by teeing oO at the opening hole.Americans John Peterson and amateur NathanSmith then followed Lyle. American left-handerWatson, who won last year's title in a thrilling playoOwith South African Louis Oosthuizen, was scheduledto tee oO with Britain's Ian Poulter and US amateurchampion Steven Fox.Four-times champion Tiger Woods, who has won

three tournaments in just five starts on the 2013 PGATour, has been grouped with Englishman Luke Donaldand American Scott Piercy. Though world number oneWoods has not triumphed at the Masters since 2005and is hunting his first major crown in five years, hehas been installed as a 4-1 favourite by Britishbookmakers Ladbrokes for the season's opening major.

Woods and his playing partners start at 1045 (1445),one group after Watson and company.In other groupings, three-times champion Phil

Mickelson sets oO with Oosthuizen and Germany'sformer world number one Martin Kaymer while 2011winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa has been

paired with US Open champion Webb Simpson andSwede Peter Hanson. Northern Irish world numbertwo Rory McIlroy, American Keegan Bradley andSwede Fredrik Jacobson will tee oO in thepenultimate group of the day, behind Mickelson,Oosthuizen and Kaymer. –AGENCIES

Palmer, Nicklaus and Playerlaunch 77th Masters at Augusta

NNEEWW YYOORRKK:: World number oneSerena Williams and her sister Venuswill join Sloane Stephens and VarvaraLepchenko on the US Fed Cup teamfacing Sweden later this month, theUS Tennis Association saidWednesday. The move ensures theWilliams sisters, two-time defendingOlympic women's doubles championsas well as the 2000 Sydney Olympicwinners, will be eligible to play in the2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. SerenaWilliams, a 15-time Grand Slamsingles champion, is also the reigningOlympic singles champion. TheAmericans, all ranked in the WTA top30, will play host to Sweden at DelrayBeach, Florida, on April 20-21, withthe winner qualifying for the 2014World Group and the loser relegatedwith no chance to win the trophy nextyear. "I'm really excited about theteam that we have," US Fed Cupcaptain Mary Joe Fernandez said."We have great talent and depth,which is a perfect combination."Venus Williams is ranked 22nd, sixspots behind Australian Open semi-finalist Stephens and five ahead ofLepchenko. Sweden's team features54th-ranked Sofia Arvidsson, 65th-ranked Johanna Larsson,425th-ranked Hilda Melander and489th-ranked Sandra Roma. –AGENCIES

Pakistan cricketcommentators form clubOUR STAFF REPORTER

LLAAHHOORREE:: Pakistan CricketCommentators Club (PCCC)involving veteran commentators ofthe country has come into existencefor the first time in the history ofPakistan Television and RadioPakistan in Lahore. All the membersattended the first meeting in personand through telephone and decidedon certain matters and the roles ofthem. Munir Hussain is head of theclub while Iftikhar Ahmad andChishti Mujahid are special advisors,Mohammad Idrees (president), TariqRaheem (senior vice president),Mirza Iqbal Baig, Brig (r) PervezAsghar Mian and Amjad Aziz Malik(vice presidents), Raja Asad Ali Khan(secretary), Tariq Saeed (financesecretary). Hassan Jaleel, TariqBucha, Dr Tariq Raz, Ihtasham-ul-Haq, AR Zaidi, Ijaz Ahmad andMunawwar Hussain (members).Talking to the members in theconference, Munir Hussainexpressed happiness over existence ofthe club and congratulated IftikharAhmad for this initiative. “The clubwill be a good omen for both cricketand its commentators.” ChishtiMujahid also lauded the idea offorming the commentators’ club forfirst time in 60 years and appreciatedall the members for getting united atone platform. The members of theclub congratulated management ofRadio Pakistan for rejuvenatingcricket commentary and announcedthat soon they would hold a meetingwith information minister ArifNizami, PBC and PTV chairmanAgha Nadeem, DG Radio MurtazaSolangi, MD PTV Yousuf Baig Mirzaand would suggest them ideas tomake commentary as rejoicing andpopular as it was in the past andpromote young talent.

Serena, Venusto lead USA againstSweden in Fed Cup

SSHHAANNGGHHAAII:: Mercedes announced a long-term agreementwith Michael Schumacher on Thursday for the retired seventimes Formula One champion to become an ambassador fortheir brand focusing on future technology and road safety.“During my Formula One time I always believed that youmust not allow yourself to rest on your laurels, but that youmust continuously try to improve. In so doing I was veryoften able to rely on the help of all the technologies availableto me in the car and use them to my advantage.” Schumachersaid. Schumacher, the most successful Grand Prix driver whowon his titles with Benetton and Ferrari between 1994 and2004 retired at the end of last season at the age of 43 after athree-year comeback with Mercedes. –AGENCIES

Tiger Woods of the US plays during the first round of the 77th Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. –AGENCIES

Paris Saint-Germain's English midfielder David Beckham (L) vies with Barcelona's Argentinian forwardLionel Messi during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second-leg match FC Barcelona vs ParisSaint-Germain at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona. –AGENCIES

PPAARRIISS:: Brazil haveslumped to there lowestever position in worldfootball, according toFIFA's latest worldrankings published onThursday. The 2014 WorldCup hosts – automaticqualifiers for thetournament – dropped oneplace to 19th in the list,which also saw Croatiajump five places and breakinto the top five. The topthree were unchanged withworld champions Spain atnumber one followed byGermany and Brazil's archSouth American foes,Argentina. Croatia, whoowe their sharp climb tofourth largely to theirrecent 2-0 ‘derby’ win overSerbia, sit above Portugal(+2), Colombia, England,Italy (-3), Holland (-1) andEcuador (+1), whocomplete the top 10. Brazil, who are on a diet

of friendlies ahead of theirstaging of next year's WorldCup, registered a brace ofdraws in March – 1-1against Russia and 2-2with Italy – before seeingoO Bolivia 4-0. The SouthAmericans – five-timewinners of football'sbiggest prize – havedropped in the rankingsbecause FIFA's list awardsmore points for qualifyingmatches than friendlies.England dropped threeplaces to seventh followingtheir 1-1 World Cupqualifying draw inMontenegro, which cameafter an 8-0 victory againstminnows San Marino. Walesleapt an astonishing 22places from 71st to 49th,with their 2-1 win inScotland followed by a 2-1defeat in Croatia. IvoryCoast are the highest-rankedAfrican team, moving up aplace to 12th. –AGENCIES

MIRZA KHURRAM SHAHZAD

IISSLLAAMMAABBAADD:: The forfeiture ofPakistan’s Davis Cup Group II tieagainst New Zealand, because ofpoor standards of courts atMyanmar, could have beenaverted as the Pakistan TennisFederation (PTF) was well awareof the ITF referee’s reservationseven before the contest started.The copies of correspondencebetween the officials of the PTFand the ITF, obtained by TheSpokesman, reveal that the ITFhad warned the PTF for a numberof times regarding thesubstandard facilities atMyanmar and also informed themabout the consequences in case oftheir failure to improve the venue.The PTF not only ignored the

ITF instructions forimprovement in the court butalso did not bother to reply theiremails. ITF’s head of Davis Cupand Fed Cup Justine Albert hadto insist for a reply to confirmthat the PTF had received allinstructions from the ITF. ThePTF replied the mail to confirmthat they had received theinstructions but wrote only thatthey had reviewed thearrangements and thetournament referee had beenmade satisfied on hisreservations, but actually it didnot happen.So, the decision by the

tournament referee on April 3came after he had got fed up withthe lethargic attitude of the PTF.In the mails, sent much beforethe start of the tie on April 7, the

ITF made it clear that the venuelacks proper courts and thestandard of available courts werealso below the required quality.The ITF had also reservationsabout the hotel arrangementsand snubbed the PTF for telling alie about the distance betweenthe hotel and tournament venue.“I am also concerned to hear

that it takes considerably longerto reach the tie hotel by car fromthe club than stated on the tiequestionnaire (90 minutes ratherthan 45). The Davis Cupregulations state that the hotelmust be located a maximum of 45minutes from the stadium, so youare potentially in breach of thisrule and it is likely that thismatter alone (aside from anyother possible issues) will beforwarded to the Davis CupCommittee for their considerationof a financial and /or sportingpenalty,” wrote Justine Albert tothe PTF on April 2.The ITF official also expressed

concerns over the unavailability ofa liaison officer for the visitingNew Zealand team and that thePTF had sent an ITF referee toadminister the tournament. TheITF showed its anger on thematter that their representativesinstead of the PTF had to liaisonwith the New Zealand players andarrange mobile phone sim cardsand other facilities for them. Theyalso barred the PTF’s office bearerArif Qureshi to administer the tiebecause he is an ITF white badgereferee who according to law can’tact as the administrator of thetournament.

PTF was aware of ITFconcerns regardingplaying conditions

Forfeiture of Pakistan’s Davis Cup tie against New Zealand

NNEEWW YYOORRKK:: Bernard Hopkins, the oldestboxer to win a major world title, saidWednesday that he would defend hisInternational Boxing Federation light-heavyweight crown later this year againstGerman Karo Murat. Hopkins broke his ownworld record by nearly two years last monthby winning a unanimous decision overTavoris Cloud at the age of 48 to take the title.“Yes my next fight is the mandatory Murat,”Hopkins confirmed in a posting on hisTwitter page, later posting that the fightwould happen in July or August. PromoterRichard Schaefer told ESPN that the BarclaysCenter in New York or Boardwalk Hall inAtlantic City were likely venues for the fight.Murat, a 29-year-old of Armenian heritage,

is 25-1-1 with 15 knockouts. He suOered hisonly loss in 2010 to undefeated Welshman

Nathan Cleverly and won his most recentbout last June by stopping Czech SandroSiproshvili. Hopkins, 53-6 with two drawnand 32 knockouts, had to face Murat orforfeit the title under terms of a deal thatallowed him to step in front of Murat tochallenge Cloud. Hopkins told ESPN that ifhe gets past Murat, he would be interested ina unification fight in Britain against eitherWorld Boxing Organization championCleverly, 25-0 with 12 knockouts, or CarlFroch (30-2 with 22 knockouts), providedthe Englishman beats Mikkel Kessler in aMay unification showdown for the IBF andWorld Boxing Council super-middleweightcrowns. Also mentioned was a possible fightwith former super middleweight championLucian Bute in Canada if Bute defeats JeanPascal in a May 25 bout. –AGENCIES

Ageless Hopkins todefend crown against Murat

Brazil slumpto lowest everFIFA worldranking

11.. Spain22.. Germany33.. Argentina44.. Croatia (+5)55.. Portugal (+2)66.. Colombia77.. England (-3)88.. Italy (-3)99.. Holland (-1)1100.. Ecuador (+1)1111.. Russia (-1)1122.. Ivory Coast (+1)1133.. Greece (-1)1144.. Mexico (+1)1155.. Switzerland (-1)1166.. Belgium (+3)1177.. Uruguay (-1)1188.. France (-1)1199.. Brazil (-1)2200.. Denmark (+5)

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Schumacher becomes Mercedes brand ambassador

Bernard Hopkins Karo Murat