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MULTAN: Jamshed Dasti making a victory sign after release from Multan Jail onThursday.

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MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—The failure in seatadjustment deliberations withPakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for upcominggeneral elections landedJamat-e-Islami (JI) in the hotwater since the political posi-tion of JI is not that strong toallow to clinch a single seatfrom national as well as pro-vincial constituencies acrossthe Punjab.

Although the dialogue forseat adjustment failed but PML-N still is ready to demonstrategoodwill gesture by givingmoral support only to JI centralleaders who are contesting thecoming elections in urban con-stituencies especially in Lahore.

The sources privy to thisdevelopment confided to thisscribe that dialogue betweenPML-N and JI for seat adjust-ment was near to final stagewhen suddenly Mian Nawaz

Sharif intercepted to terminatethe dialogue process sayingPML-N could not meet the de-mands of JI for seat adjustment.However, the sources furtherrevealed that Mian NawazSharif retreated from seat adjust-ment with JI on the ground thatPML-N wanted to keep itselfaway from political nexus withreligious parties allegedly underthe pressure of internationalcommunity.

Furthermore, PML-N is not

ready to quit a single seat fromLahore since the party hardlinersare of the opinion that by givingthree seats from nationalassembly’s constituencies wouldme tantamount to usurp therights of those party workerswho remained loyal to the partythroughout the ordeals.

On the other hand, JI lead-ership, expressing their annoy-ance on the knockback of thePML-N in regard to seat adjust-

No seat adjustment, no triumph in Punjab

JI in the doldrums after failure ofseat adjustment with PML-N

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PPP, PML-Qfinalise seatadjustmentSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The PakistanMuslim League-Qauid-e-Azam (PML-Q) and PakistanPeoples Party (PPP) havereached a consensus over seatadjustment leaving six nationaland 14 Punjab Assembly seatsopen.

Q-League gained 25 whilePPP got 75 constituencies incentral Punjab.

According to sources PPPand PML-Q on Thursday

MQM candidate shotdead in HyderabadTTP claims responsibility

HYDERABAD—A grocer set to contest next month’s general elections was shot dead onThursday in a drive-by killingin the southern city ofHyderabad, the first such assas-sination before the historic pollson May 11.

Fakhrul Islam, 46, was acandidate for the secularMuttahida Qaumi Movement(MQM), a coalition partner inthe outgoing government, andwas contesting for the Sindhprovincial assembly’s PS-47seat. He was killed by gunmenon motorcycles when he left theshop he owned with his father,police said.

The Pakistani Talibanclaimed responsibility for thekilling. Interim prime ministerMir Hazar Khan Khoso orderedan immediate tightening of se-

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Sindh: ECP ordersto reshuffle 65 top

bureaucratsSTAFF REPORTER

KARACHI— The ElectionCommission of Pakistan (ECP)has ordered transfers of top 65Sindh bureaucrats includingChief Secretary and Home Sec-retary.

According to ECP, the or-ders to reshuffle Sindh’s topbureaucrats were issued follow-ing receipt of several com-

LHC admitspetition topostponeelectionsSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The full bench ofthe Lahore High Court (LHC)after admitting a plea pertainingto the postponement of generalelections for hearing on Thurs-day sought a reply from FBRand adjourned the hearing tillApril 12 (Friday).

The petitioner stated thatthe scrutiny of candidates wasnot held correctly, adding thatthe Federal Board of Revenue(FBR) and State Bank haven’tprovided the returning officers(ROs) with the list of defaulterswhile the ROs have accepted thenomination papers without it.

He requested the court topostpone elections for twomonths so that a strict scrutinyof the candidates could be held.The deputy attorney general ar-gued that the petitioner wantedto derail the democratic system.On which the full bench of LHChas summoned the FBR s direc-tor intelligence for tomorrow.

Dasti to contest electionsfrom two constituencies

Supporters welcome his releaseMULTAN—Jamshed Dasti,whose conviction was declarednull and void by Lahore HighCourt’s Multan bench onWednesday, was released fromcentral jail Multan on Thurs-day.

Joyful supporters welcometheir leader when he came outfrom main gate of the jail. Ex-cited supporters were dancingon drum beats while rose pet-als were poured on Dasti dur-ing warm welcome.

Delighted Jamshed Dasti,on the occasion, told the me-dia that the verdict of highercourt was victory of the poorpeople. Dasti said he salutedthe free judiciary who has

given him justice adding thathundred percent parameters ofjustice were fulfilled by thehigher court.

He vowed to contest com-ing elections from both NA-78and NA-77 constituencies ofMuzaffar Garh as a indepen-dent candidate.

Earlier, Lahore High CourtMultan Bench on Wednesdaydeclared the conviction offormer lawmaker JamshedDasti null and void in fake de-gree case.

The bench also allowedJamshed Dasti to contest incoming elections.

The bench comprising Jus-tice Jawad-ur-Rehman and Jus-

tice Ijaz Ahmed, while hearingthe appeal of former parliamen-tarian, declared his three yearsconviction and fine null and voidand ordered the police to releasehim immediately.

Jamshed Dasti had filed anappeal against his convictionin the fake degree case inLahore High Court (LHC)Multan Bench on last Friday.It may be recalled thatJamshed Dasti was sentencedfor three years in prison and afine of Rs5,000 besides he wasdisqualified for contestingelections.

Dasti had been termed as thepoorest MNA in the 2008 Na-tional Assembly.—Online

Ch Nisar’s nominationpapers accepted

Election tribunal in Peshawar summons Musharraf on 16thSTAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—The nominationpapers of PML-N leaderChaudhry Nisar Ali Khan havebeen accepted from NA-53while an appeal against hisnomination papers from NA-52was dismissed

An appeal had been filedagainst the rejection ofChaudhry Nisar’s nominationpapers for NA-53. The court af-ter proceedings, acceptedNisar’s nomination papers. Af-ter the decision was announcedPML-N workers were seenchanting slogans in favour of

Nisar.An appeal had also been

filed against the acceptance ofNisar’s nomination papers forNA-52 by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf candidate Ghulam Sarwar.The appeal was dismissed fol-lowing which workers from thePTI chanted slogans againstChaudhry Nisar.

There was a brief momentwhen it seemed that the groupsmay clash but some of the indi-viduals present there intervenedand managed to calm themdown.

Meanwhile, former Presi-dent and Chief of All Pakistan

Muslim League (APML) Gen-eral (retd) Pervez Musharraf hasbeen summoned to appear be-fore the Election Tribunal inPeshawar on April 16 to defendapproval of his candidature fromNA-32 Chitral.

The tribunal has issued no-tice to the former military rulerto appear on April 16 after hear-ing objections raised over thedecision of the Returning Of-ficer of Chitral, who approvedMusharraf’s nomination papers.

Earlier, Alamzeb andKhalilur-Rehman, residents ofChitral filed their appeal chal-

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Confusion prevails

Major parties ambivalenton awarding ticketsLIAQAT TOOR

ISLAMABAD—With only 29days left for holding elections,major political parties are stillambivalent on awarding ticketsto waiting candidates.

PPP has announced theircandidates that too in Sindh yet,but other major parties includ-ing PML-N, PTI and MQM areundecided, which has madeelection campaign a lacklustermatter. Sources in PML-N saidthe decision will take final shapein two to three days while PPPand PTI will take some moretime to finalise their candidatesfor fielding them in the mostimportant and interesting elec-

tions of the country.Major parties are suffering

from in-fighting over this impor-tant issues as in most of the con-stituencies, PML-N and PTIhave received more than dozenapplications for selecting onlyone candidate. Selection of onegood candidate who enjoys sup-port of the people has become ataxing job. Even in PML-N,where party heads are verystrong, selection of candidateshas turned problematic. Partysources in PML-N and PTI toldthis scribe that main battle- frontwill be in Punjab where both theparties will like to field strongcandidates while keeping candi-

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‘No discrepanciesin assets declared

by Nawaz’STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Pakistan MuslimLeague (-N)’s spokesman, Sena-tor Pervez Rasheed, has said thatjournalists creating ‘news’ basedon petitions submitted in thecourt tribunals is against the tra-ditions of journalism and an un-ethical practice.

He iterated that dozens ofpetition of all sorts and natureare received in tribunals on adaily basis, but they are not allfactual or truthful. Law takes iscourse and courts reject a ma-jority of such claims after hear-ings. Hence, creating news fromsuch petitions, which are stillunproven, is also unfair to thepetitioner.

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KARACHI: Son of MQM candidate for NA-221 and PS-47Fakhar-ul-Islam weeping after his father was killed in firingby unknown assailants at Hala Naka.

MQM files pleato defer printingof voters’ lists

STASFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Muttahida QaumiMovement (MQM) has filed apetition in Sindh High Court(SHC), seeking deferment inthe printing of voters’ lists of11 constituencies. It is con-tended in the plea that printingof voters’ lists in these constitu-encies should be deferred tillthe announcement of judgmenton a pending case relating to de-limitation of new constituen-cies in Karachi.

Later, the Sindh High Courtissued notices to the ElectionCommission of Pakistan (ECP)for tomorrow (Friday) on theMQM’s petition.

Election tribunalrefuses to hear

appeals concerningSharifs, Imran

LAHORE—An election tribunalhearing important appealsagainst several dignitaries onThursday refused to continue theproceedings.

The two-member bench ofelection tribunal refused to con-duct hearing on the appealsagainst nomination papers ofPTI chairman Imran Khan,former chief minister PunjabShahbaz Sharif, PML-N chiefNawaz Sharif and PPP candidateAslam Mandhyana.

The tribunal said there arepersonal reasons that are keep-ing them from going ahead withthe proceedings, and forwardedthe issue to the higher judiciary.Justice Khawaja Imtiaz said he

10 political partiesto form anti-MQMelectoral allianceKARACHI—Around 10political, religious andnationalist parties havedecided to make an alliancefor general election against theMuttahida Qaumi Movement(MQM) in Sindh province.

It is expected that theparties including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Pakistan MuslimLeague Nawaz (PML-N),Pakistan Muslim LeagueFunctional (JUI-F) and JamiatUlema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F)

QUETTA—The situation per-taining to general elections2013 is taking new turn inBalochistan after the PakistanMuslim League-N leaderMian Shahbaz Sharif’s meet-ing with the top nationalistBaloch and Pashtoon leadershere. APP reviewed the over-all elections situation ofBalochistan here on Thurs-day. The sources in theBalochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) told APP,there was division in the lead-ership of BNP-M over thedecision whether theyshould participate in the gen-eral elections or boycott it.

“Our leader Sardar AkhtarJan Mengal had contendedthat some armed groups werenot leaving the BNP-M ac-tivists to run election cam-paign in Khuzdar, Kalat,Awaran, Kharan and Nushkidistricts and demanded theauthorities to abolish thesegroups and provide full pro-tection and safety to BNP-Mleaders and activists, other-wise, they might review theirdecision,” sources in theBNP-M told APP.

However, after assuranceby the Caretaker Prime Min-ister Justice (retd) Mir HazarKhan Khoso and Caretaker

Chief Minister BalochistanNawab Ghous BakhshBarozai that relevant districtauthorities have been di-rected to ensure peace in thesensitive districts and thatextra force of law enforce-ment agencies including theFrontier Corps, Police andBalochistan Constabularywas being deployed there,and Mian Shahbaz Sharif ’smeeting with Sardar Mengaland seat-to-seat adjustmentbetween PML-N and BNP-Mhas encouraged the latter togo in elections.

Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengalwho is being viewed by

Baloch nationalists as mostfavorite candidate for the topslot of Balochistan govern-ment after the elections, heis candidate for PB-Wadhseat where his electoral rivalis Mir Aataur RehmanMengal who is also taken aninfluential tribal personality.The party sources close toSardar Mengal said that DrJahanzaib Jamaldini, AghaHassan, Ghulam Nabi Marriand others have urged SardarMengal to contest generalelections following the ad-vice of his father SardarAtaullah Mengal who havesaid that BNP-M might loose

support of masses if it wouldboycott general elections.They said, however, the“Kalat group” that is takenas hardliner in BNP-M wasnot in favor of participatingin general elections.

BNP-M has its influenceand popularity in CentralBalochistan’s areas includ-ing Khuzdar, Kalat,Mastung, Noshki, Awaran,Kharan, however, it may facetough competition in Panjgurwhere PML-N leader Gen.(retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch,National Party (NP) leader Dr.Abdul Malik and former pro-vincial minister.—APP

ISLAMABAD—The KFW De-velopment Bank, on behalfof the German government,and the UN Refugee AgencyThursday signed a financ-ing and project agreementworth EURO 10 Million forthe uplift of the KhyberPakhtunkhwa districts host-ing Afghan refugees. Thesupport given by the Ger-man government throughthe German DevelopmentBank, Kreditanstalt forWiederaufbau (KFW), isearmarked for execution ofprojects in the second phaseof Refugee Affected andHosting Area (RAHA) initia-tive.

The project will benefitsix districts of Peshawar,Haripur, Nowshera,Mansehra, Swabi and LowerDir. Launched in 2009, theRAHA initiative is designedto help communities in Paki-stan that have hosted largenumbers of Afghan refugeesfor more than three decades.UNHCR acts as a ConveningAgency for the initiative. Theinitiative includes projectsproviding livelihoods; ac-cess to social services suchas health, education, waterand sanitation; infrastruc-ture and rehabilitation of theenvironment in rural districtsand urban areas across the

country.By December 2012, some

1,080 RAHA projects hadbeen implemented acrossPakistan in these sectors.Around 3.9 million (585,000Afghan refugees and3,315,000 Pakistani citizens)are currently benefiting fromthese projects. The RAHAprogramme is also a majorcomponent of the regionalSolutions Strategy for Af-ghan refugees (SSAR)agreed between the IslamicRepublics of Afghanistan,Iran and Pakistan as well asUNHCR. The strategy wasgiven international supportat a conference held in May

2012 in Geneva.“The German contribu-

tion through KFW is a wel-come step forward in imple-menting the RAHA compo-nent of SSAR,” said NeillWright, UNHCR Representa-tive in Pakistan. He noted“Through SSAR, we are notonly supporting Pakistanwith the voluntary return ofrefugees to their country butalso helping local host com-munities to benefit from qual-ity services.” In 2012, RAHAwas extended to Sindh,Punjab and FATA and some496 projects were completed.A further 215 projects havebeen launched so far in 2013.

Speaking on the occa-sion, Dr. Imran Zeb, said,“The long stay for over threedecades of the Afghan Refu-gees in Pakistan has had anegative impact on the socio-economic infrastructure, andas such the RAHA initiativeis a very important contribu-tion to rehabilitate and de-velop this infrastructure.”KFW provided EUR 10 mil-lion for the first phase ofRAHA from June 2010 untilDecember 2012. During thatperiod, 76 major projects in690 areas of districtsPeshawar and Malakand di-vision were completed andhanded over to the local com-

munities as a result of theGerman funding.

The signing ceremonywas attended by MandyZeckra - Economic Counsel-lor at the German Embassy,Dr. Anna-Christine Janke -Country Director KFW Of-fice Pakistan, Jens Clausen- Head of Division, Crisisand Governance KFW,Frankfurt, Haroon RazzaqQureshi - Project ManagerKFW Office Pakistan, NeillWright - UNHCR Represen-tative to Pakistan, JoseBelleza - Senior RAHA Co-ordinator, and Dr. Imran Zeb- Senior Joint SecretarySAFRON.—APP

Germany, UNHCR agree to support refugees-hosting districts

Balochistan elections: Situation takes new turn

STAFF REPORTER

P E S H A W A R — K h y b e rPakhtunkhwa Caretaker Min-ister for Science Technologyand Information Technology,Engineer Muhammad IshaqKhattak has said that re-search is heritage of Muslimsbecause they immensely de-veloped it and should there-fore make their research prac-tical and more beneficial forthe human beings. He ex-pressed these views whileaddressing as chief guest ata seminar on researchprojects at Archives Hall,Peshawar on Thursday. The

Scholars urged to make useof research for public benefit

seminar was organized byDirectorate of Science &Technology.

Secretary ST&IT, AhmadHassan Khan also addressedthe seminar and highlightedvarious research projectscarried out, financed andcompleted by the Directorateof ST&IT. The minister saidthat research was a lost trea-sure of the Muslims whichhas now been owned by in-ternational community. Hesaid that Islam stresses theMuslims to do research butthe Muslims have ignoredthis sector and as a result wehave lost our glory.

He stressed upon thescholars and researchers togive more benefits to peoplethrough their skills and as-sured his full cooperation toresearchers on behalf of theST&IT Directorate. Eng.Muhammad Ishaq Khattakdistributed certificatesamongst the researchers onthis occasion and lauded theirperformance. Various re-searchers also gave briefingabout their research projectson this occasion. KhyberPakhtunkhwa Caretaker Min-ister for Health & HigherEducation, Dr. Farrukh Sairwas Thursday.

HQM candidatesto favour TSH

A B B O T T A B A D — H a z a r aQaumi Mahaz (HQM) relin-quished its candidates in fa-vor of Tehrik-e-Soba Hazara(TSH) from all over Hazaradivision. This was declaredby chief of HQM QaziMuhammad Azhar Advocatewhile addressing a joint pressconference along with chiefof TSH, Baba Haider Zamanhere Thursday. He said thatnew provinces are the needof the time, if we ignore thisdemand it will be harmful forthe country. Qazi Azhar saidthat our alliance is a step to-wards the right of Hazaraprovince.

Chief of HQM also criti-cized PML-N and PML-Q fortheir alleged role during thechange of name of the prov-ince. He claimed that bothparties will be badly defeatedin the forthcoming elections.Laptop to help students inresearch work: CommissionerHazara Division Khalid KhanOmerzai on Thursday urgedstudents to use their educa-tion, research and creativityfor bringing about positivechanges in the society. Heexpressed these views whileaddressing the Naway SaharLaptops Distribution cer-emony for the BS studentsat Hazara UniversityManshera.

He said that the laptopscheme would help studentsin carrying out research anddevelopment activities. Heasked the students to ensurebetter and appropriate use oflaptops. Khalid Khan Omerzaiappreciated the role of HazaraUniversity for promoting edu-cation in far flung areas. Ear-lier, in his address, Vice Chan-cellor Hazara University Dr.Sakhawat Shah said that 1600students will benefit from thisscheme.—APP

Masses supportingPTI to secure their

future: KundiDERA ISMAIL KHAN—Paki-stan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) Can-didate contesting electionsfrom NA-24 Mustafa KhanKundi Thursday said thatmasses would support PTI inthe upcoming general elec-tions to secure their future. Ina statement Mustafa Kundiclaimed that people of the DeraIsmail Khan would supportPTI due to its vibrant policies.He said that the PTI, if came topower, would get the countryrid of corruption by introduc-ing fair and transperant gov-ernance system.

He said that provision ofjustice and equal opportuni-ties to all segments of the so-ciety topped the manifesto ofhis party, besides assuringfree primary healthcare to thepoor and elderly. He said thatnation building would be an-other priority of the PTI gov-ernment which would exploitnatural resources for the de-velopment of country and tothe benefit of its people.Mustafa Kundi said one sys-tem of education would beensured, besides equal op-portunities and healthcare fa-cilities for all along with a so-cial safety net for the unem-ployed. He said his partywould work for the develop-ment of the country andmasses.

Earlier, Central SeniorVice President of PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) AsadUmer has said that his partywanted devolution of powerto grassroots level.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Students and teachers hailing from different areas of Balochistan, arrived at PAF Base Nur Khan oninvitation by PAF for a three-day visit to different PAF educational institutions.

SHER GONDAL

MANDI BAHAUDDIN—Com-mitment of Election CommissionPakistan to screen out candi-dates for upcoming electionsnot fulfilling conditions as en-visaged in article 62 and 63 ofthe constitution has graduallyweakened. At scrutiny stagereturning officers were barredto test candidates’ knowledgeabout Islam and Pakistan ide-ology through interview.

Rather some elementsblamed ROs for not possess-ing sufficient knowledge of Is-lam and constitution andtermed ‘questioning candi-dates’ as an insult to them. Thisis something not desirable.

Articles 62, 63 erodingVeteran politicians also criticizedROs for testing candidates onthe touchstone of article 62 and63 about their knowledge ofIslam and faith in Pakistan Ide-ology. It was surprising thatsome analysts of political affairsalso joined criticism campaignagainst the ROs.

They started giving differ-ent version of Islam and ide-ology under which the coun-try was created. Theypreached different interpreta-tions of Pakistan Ideology andIslam in talk shows arrangedon foreign radio channels thatinclude BBC and Voice ofAmerica. They as usualblamed Gen Zia for insertionof articles 62 and 63 in the

constitution although politi-cians when in power duringthe last five years did not takeany step to remove them. So-cial circles are showing graveconcern against all those re-sponsible for holding electionfor not executing electionrules in letter and spirit.

In their opinion all elec-tion machinery was graduallybowing before demands ofpowerful traditional and dy-nastic politicians who duringlast five years had destroyedkey institutions of the coun-try and sunk its economy.People have demanded ofgovernment to give no relax-ation to candidates who arenot fit to contest election.

ISLAMABAD—Under the aus-pices of Pakistan Air Force, agroup of teachers and stu-dents from Baluchistan prov-ince arrived at PAF Base NurKhan (Rawalpindi) on a three-day visit to different PAFeducational institutions onThursday. The group com-prising 10 teachers and 50students, selected from alldistricts of Baluchistan prov-ince were airlifted in a C-130aircraft from PAF BaseSamungli (Quetta) to PAFBase Nur Khan (Rawalpindi).

The group will visit PAFAcademy Risalpur, PAF Pub-lic School Lower Topa,Fazaia Inter Colleges ofRawalpindi /Islamabad andPAF Selection CentreRawalpindi, said a press re-lease issued by PAF here. AirChief Marshal Tahir RafiqueButt, Chief of the Air Staff,Pakistan Air Force has di-

rected to undertake an orien-tation programme in the edu-cational sector ofBaluchistan for promotion ofnational integration and toexplore the young talent ofunder- developed areas ofthe province.

In the first phase, a five-member team from PAF vis-ited Sibi Division and con-ducted a 10-day workshop forthe teachers of governmentschools. In the next phase ofthe campaign, selected teach-ers from Baluchistan will betrained in preparing youngstudents from Baluchistan foreventual selection for PAFPublic Schools at Sargodhaand Lower Topa.

In consonance with the“ A g h a z - e - H u q o o q - e -Balochistan” packagelaunched by the Federal gov-ernment in November, 2009,Pakistan Air Force

proactively encouraged theBaluchi youth to facilitatetheir induction in PAF. “Mo-bile Publicity & InductionCampaigns” are regularlymaking their way to rural ar-eas of Baluchistan since2010; these teams visit localschools and colleges, renderawareness, motivate andfully facilitate the youth injoining PAF’s various cadres.

Moreover, regular train-ing camps are also being con-ducted in Quetta to bringBaluchi youth in parity to thecountrymen. As of now, PAFhas a large number of Baluchitrainees (including females),undergoing training and mak-ing their mark in variousfields. This earnest initiativeof PAF is providing a platformon which Baluchi youthwould surly play their role innation building for a strongerPakistan of tomorrow.—APP

Balochistan teachers, students tovisit PAF edu institutions

SHOs reshuffledFAISALABAD—On the direc-tives of City Police OfficerRaja Riffat Mukhtar, stationhouse officers (SHOs) in thedistrict have been reshuffled.According to a spokesmanfor the police department,Inspector Hafiz Irfan was ap-pointed SHO Civil Lines po-lice station, Inspector ShahidHusian SHO Rail Bazaar, In-spector Abid Husain ZafarSHO Sargodha Road, SIJavaid Iqbal SHOMansoorabad, InspectorYasir Jatt SHO Nishatabad,Sub Inspector (SI) AsgharAli SHO Kotwali, Sub In-spector Abid Husain SHOJhang Bazaar, SI MuhammadAkram SHO Raza Abad, In-spector Zafar Iqbal SHOPeoples Colony, SI Ubaid-ur-Rehman SHO Madina Town,Inspector Masood NazeerSHO Ghulam MuhammadAbad, Inspector Kashif RiazSHO Millat Town, SIMuhammad Khalid SHOThikriwala, SI Zia Ullah SHOSandal Bar, Inspector AamirMushtaq SHO Chak Jhumra,SI Muhammad Azam SHOSahianwala, SI Saeed AnwarSHO Batala Colony, SISabtain Shah SHO D-TypeColony, Inspector MazharHusain SHO Factory Area, SIMaghfoor Ahmad SHOSamanabad, InspectorMansoor Bilal SHO Dijkot,Inspector Mazhar-ul-HaqSHO Sadar Faisalabad, SINaseer Husain as SHOBalochni, Inspector BashirAhmad as SHO CitySammundri, InspectorZahoor Ahmad SHO SadarSammundri, InspectorMuhammad Usman as SHOCity Jaranwala.—APP

GILGIT: VC Karakoram International University Dr Najma Najam and Prof Dr Aqilawrite on a placard ‘Islam-Peace’ during a ceremony.

HYDERABAD: Workers are busy in printing panaflex posters for Election 2013 candidates.

ISLAMABAD—Secretary In-formation Pakistan MuslimLeague-Nawaz (PML-N)Mushahid Ullah Khan onThursday said that Partywould give a surprise to thenation by announcing tick-ets as a large number of tick-ets would be awarded toyouth and well educated per-sons. In a statement issuedhere, he said that party hasdecided to give tickets to

Wapda Hospitalto be transformedinto teaching one

FAISALABAD—FaisalabadElectric Supply CompanyChief Executive Officer DrRana Abdul Jabbar Thursdaysaid WAPDA hospital wouldbe utilized for the generalpublic by promoting it into ateaching hospital and affili-ating with medical college.Visiting Wapda hospital, thechief executive discussedvarious issues with seniordoctors and said a planshould be worked out at theearliest to transform Wapdahospital into a teaching one.

He said affiliation with amedical college would help inincreasing the number of spe-cialist doctors who couldalso educate.—APP

‘PML-N to surprise nation’honest and well known per-sonalities for upcoming gen-eral elections.

Mushahid Khan said theparty would give tickets tocandidates by keeping inview their loyalty with theparty and its workers andalso their work for social wel-fare. He said that the delay inthe announcement of ticketswas due to final result of thedialogue with regional and

religious political parties.He rejected the percep-

tion that PML-N had notgiven importance to politicalalliance with any party forelections on the basis of sur-vey reports. Mushahid Khansaid the party preferred tocontest elections along withthe like minded parties sothat the vote bank againstZardari could not be di-vided.—APP

ANP blames WAPDA for power shortagesISLAMABAD—Awami National Party(ANP) Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan hassaid that it was wrong to blame politi-cians for opposing the Kalabagh dam asthe first opposition to its constructioncame from non-parties assemblies. Hesaid this in an exclusive interview withRadio Pakistan, to be aired simulta-neously by Radio Pakistan and BusinessPlus TV at 07.05 p.m. on Fridayevening,said a press release on Thurs-

day. Its audio and video versions would be available onRadio Pakistan’s website ‘radio.gov.pk’ as well. Asked whowas responsible for power shortages, Asfandyar saidWAPDA knew as far back as 1986 that Kalabagh had be-come controversial then why didn’t it go for other options.He said demand for power is increasing due to rapid in-crease in population as well as urbanization and village elec-trification but no power station was added for a long time.He said the PPP and its allies share the blame for the short-ages but others cannot escape the burden as well. Replyingto a question, the ANP leader said his party would go to themasses in elections with its performance. He said it wasafter three generation of struggle that the province got itsidentity and the demand of the ANP for provincial autonomyhas also been met through 18th Constitutional amendment.He said under the 18th amendment provincial share in thefederal divisible pool can be increased but not reduced. Hepointed out that Pakistan has become the only country ofthe world where there is no concurrent list for legislation.Asfandyar said ANP is an ideological party and it is be-cause of its ideology that the party sacrificed its 800 work-ers including members of the provincial assembly.—APP

JI to overcome energy crisisLAHORE—Jamaat-e-Islami SecretaryGeneral Liaqat Baloch has said the JI,on coming to power, would improve lawand order, overcome the energy crisisand end loadshedding within sixmonths. Addressing corner meetings inhis constituency NA-126 on Thursday,he said menace of loadshedding hadfurther increased due to which indus-trial units and factories were beingclosed. He demanded the caretaker

Punjab government to give up the idea of Basant and takepractical measures to improve law and order. Earlier, reli-gious leadership discusses electoral situation: Leaders ofdifferent religious parties had an informal meeting at theresidence of Jamaat e Islami Secretary General, LiaqatBaloch, here and discussed the electoral situation in thecountry. Those attending the meeting included JUP’s QariZawar Bahadar, JUI(F) Maulana Amjad Khan, JUI (Senior)’sMaulana Husain Ahmed Awan, Islamic Tehrik ‘s HafizKazam Raza, besides JI,s Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha, NazirAhmed Janjua and Amirul Azeem. Speaking on the occa-sion, Liaqat Baloch said that this meeting would help im-prove relations between the different parties who wouldconsider electoral cooperation through mutual consulta-tion. He was sure there would be a positive developmentwithin a few days. Liaqat Baloch said that the JI had nocommitment for seat adjustment with any party nor hadthere been any assurance in this regard. However, talks inthis regard were only a part of the political process. QariZawar Bahadar said that efforts for the revival of the MMAwere still going on. He said that the religious leadership inthe Punjab should also join hands for the purpose addingthat the unity of the religious parties would send a posi-tive message to the nation. Maulana Amjad Khan said thatalthough the today’s meeting was informal.—APP

People to hold politicians accountableStaff Reporter

PESHAWAR—The candidate of Jamaat-e-Islami for NA-5 and PK-14, Asif LuqmanQazi Thursday said people would holdaccountability of politicians through ex-ercising their voting rights in upcomingelections. Addressing a meeting as a partof ongoing electioneering campaign atAkbar Pura Balu, he said that entire politi-cal scenario of the area would be changeafter April 14 public gathering. He saidthat people are joining the party owing to

the dedicated services of its leadership towards masses. Hesaid that if voted into power, all the core issues of masseswould be resolved on priority basis and amenities of life wouldbe provided to people at their doorsteps. Luqman Qazi saidthat party would held “Inqilaab Rally” on April 14 that wouldpave the way for achieving victory in upcoming elections.Almost all political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have fieldedtop leaders in two or more than two constituencies to ensuretheir presence in the parliament and future government aswell. Prominent among them are three former chief ministersof Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and others are potential aspirantsfor the slot of chief ministers if their respective parties se-cured maximum seats in the May 11 general elections. TheAwami National Party (ANP) has awarded two tickets to formerchief minister Ameer Haider Hoti, one for National Assembly(NA-9), Mardan and the other for provincial assembly con-stituency PK-23, Mardan from where he had been elected tothe provincial assembly in the 2008 general elections. An-other former chief minister Mohammad Akram Khan Durraniwill contest the coming elections from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl platform for one National Assembly and one pro-vincial assembly constituencies in Bannu district.

VC SU visits TurkeyHYDERABAD—The Vice Chancellor (VC),University of Sindh, Prof. Dr Nazir A.Mughal proceeded to Turkey as one ofthe members of the delegation of SindhGovernor, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan for de-veloping academic linkages with variousuniversities there. A University spokes-man informed here on Thursday that thedelegation will work at various universi-ties in Turkey and hold meetings withthe heads of higher educational institu-

tions in a bid to develop academic linkages and trainingprogrammes with them. The delegation will return to Paki-stan on April 15, he said. In absence of the VC, he informedthat Registrar Muhammad Nawaz Narejo will look after theroutine affairs of the University. The management of Inter-national Islamic University (IIU) Islamabad and the Univer-sity of Sindh (SU) Jamshoro will ink a Memorandum of Un-derstanding (MOU) for academic linkage between the twouniversities on April 29, at Jamshoro Campus. A Universityspokesman informed here on Wednesday that the Presi-dent, International Islamic University Islamabad Prof. AhmedYousuf in his letter addressed to Director Linkage Programme,University of Sindh Siraj-ul-Haq Kandhro, expressed inter-est in signing MoU with one of the oldest universities of thecountry. After getting approval from the Vice ChancellorProf. Dr. Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, the spokesman informed thatthe Director Linkage Programme has accepted the offer ofDr. Ahmed Yousuf. A delegation of the International IslamicUniversity Islamabad will reach the University of SindhJamshoro on April 28 and sign the MoU on the next daywith the University management, the spokesman informed.A seven-day Training of Trainers’ workshop titled “Com-munity-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Management”started at HID Hall, Safwco, Qasimabad, Hyderabad.—APP

FAISALABAD: Activists of Traders Union holding demonstration against excessive electricity loadshedding.

SHANGLA: Transporters of Besham observed wheel jam strike against Kohistan, Mingora, Swat coaster service.

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Former FederalMinister and Central leaderof Awami National Party(ANP), Haji Ghulam AhmadBilour has asked the ElectionCommission of Pakistan(ECP) to take notice of pub-licity campaign launched byPakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf(PTI) chief, Imran Khan onprivate TV channels. Ad-dressing a press conferencehere at Peshawar Press Clubon Thursday, Haji GhulamAhmad Bilour said PTI chief,Imran Khan is running pub-licity campaign on privateTV channels in violation ofcode of conduct of ECPwhich has put a limit on elec-tion expenditure of candi-dates.

Giving advertisement onTV channels is not a big deal,but we are adhering to therules and regulations set byECP for the upcoming polls,he added. He said cost ofcontinuous running of pub-licity advertisements on pri-vate TV channels must be inmillions of rupees and theECP should take notice of it.Flanked by ANP leaders andcandidates includingHaroon Bilour, Arbab

Bilour blasts PTIpublicity on TV channels

Najeebullah and MalikMustafa, Haji Ghulam Bilourexpressed the hope thatPeshawarites will again electhim as their representative inthe national assembly.

He said during the last fiveyears, the ANP led governmentin KP has served the massesand launched numerous de-velopment projects through-out the province. Thousandsof unemployed youth got op-portunity of starting their busi-ness by obtaining loans fromBacha Khan Akhpal RozgarScheme. Similarly, the mea-sures taken by ANP govern-ment in the field of educationwhich are exemplary, he con-tinued.

The ANP leadership andparty workers have renderedsacrifices for the motherlandin the ongoing war againstterrorism. The 18th amend-ment is the remarkableachievement of last govern-ment as a result of whichprovinces got sufficientshare from natural resources.Similarly, under the 17thamendment the authoritywas passed on from Presi-dency to the parliament. Hesaid they would producecheap electricity and com-plete several hydel genera-

tion projects initiated in theprovince, to meet increasingdemands of energy. Flankedby ANP candidates from PK-1 Ghazanfar Bilour, HaroonBilour for PK-3.

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Despite con-fronting a lot of challengesdue to ongoing militancy,the Federally AdministeredTribal Areas (FATA) wason the track of speedy de-velopment and the govern-ment was striving to bringthe region at par with theurban areas. Briefing theparticipants of 98th Na-tional Management courseat FATA secretariat hereThursday, the AdditionalSecretary Planning andDevelopment Islam Zeb in-formed that compared topre 9/11 era, the govern-ment was spending huge

amount on developmentactivities in FATA and in-ternational donors werealso contributing consider-ably in this regard.

The course aims at en-gaging the participants inpublic policy formulationand decision making pro-cess at national and provin-cial level and senior civilservices officers from vari-ous cadres embark upon aCountry Study Tour. Theirvisit to FATA is meant toapprise them of major is-sues in FATA and the ad-ministrative activities byFATA Secretariat. The focalperson told the participantsthat the militancy had cast

FATA development onspeedy track despite militancy

STAFF REPORTER

P E S H A W A R — K h y b e rPakhtunkhwa, caretaker In-formation & Education Min-ister Musarrat Qadeem hasurged upon editors and me-dia managers to play theirrole in eradication of polio asmass media can bringbehavioural change in thesociety. She said that effec-tive communication strategyin consultation with mediaexperts and other stakehold-ers should be made to raiseawareness about diseaseamong the masses andcounter negative propa-ganda launched against theprogramme.

Information Minister saidthis while addressing one dayorientation workshop formedia on polio eradicationhere Thursday at a local ho-tel. The workshop was orga-nized by Health DepartmentKhyber Pakhtunkhwa in col-laboration with InformationDirectorate. Secretary Infor-mation Azmat Hanif Aurakzai,Additional Secretary HealthSaqib, Director Health Ser-vices Dr Roohullah, DeputyDirector EPI Dr Janbaz Afridi,representatives of EPI,

Media urged tocreate polio awareness

UNICEF and WHO were inattendance.

She said that mothers havethe most important role in po-lio eradication and every seg-ment of society and the entirenation is stakeholder in theprogramme as it is the matterof our children. Furthermore,she went on to add that edu-cational institutes can playpivotal role in polio eradica-tion, as teachers can inculcatethe message in the minds ofchildren and parents.

We need integrated ap-proach and open dialogue onpolio wherein people frommedia and different walks oflife are included and theirviews are taken into consid-eration. Director InformationKhyber PakhtunkhwaShoaibuddin thanked seniormedia persons, editors andbureau chiefs for turning upin such large numbers anddwelled on the objective ofthe workshop. He said thatthe basic motive was to re-fresh the knowledge of me-dia persons about polioeradication that is declarednational emergency by thegovernment and to get theirsuggestions about improv-ing the programme.

MQM complainsagainst polling

stations relocation

NAWABSHAH—The locationsof some of the polling stationsof union councils ofNawabshah have beenchanged, it was stated by theintending candidates ofMutehda Quomi Movement(MQM) in an application sub-mitted with Returning Officer.MQM candidates contestingon PS-24 have submitted twoseparate applications withReturning Officer, Inam AliKalhoro, stating that loca-tions of several polling sta-tions have been changed.

Quoting example of UC-3which has been shifted to oneand a half km away at DistrictCouncil High School.Similarly,polling station of Wapda Of-fice has been shifted to Mu-nicipal High School 2 km fromearlier site.They complainedthat thousands of votes areshifted from outside to citypolling stations having noconcern with city limits.They said that polling sta-tions of Union Council 7, 8,9 are also shifted kilometersaway.—APP

Asia Foundationdonates 2,000

books to SALUKHAIRPUR—Students Ad-vancement Fund Endow-ment (SAFE) Shah AbdulLatif University (SALU), or-ganized a lecture program onInternational Developmentson Thursday, Some PersonalReflections. Gareth AickenCountry Representative ofAsia Foundation, Islamabaddelivered the lecture. Prof Dr.Syed Ahmed Hussain ShahDean faculty of Social Sci-ences & Arts presided overthe event.

Prof. Amanullah Bhatti.Prof Dr. Abdul MajeedChandio Chairman Depart-ment of International Rela-tions was the Chief Guest.On the occasion GarethAicken in his lecture re-marked that Asia Founda-tion is striving for promot-ing education, sustainabledevelopment and socialchange. He gave the exampleof World Bank which pro-vides assistance for the de-velopment of the poor coun-tries. He said that USA iscommitted to Pakistan ineradication of extremism andpoverty.

He added that Asia Foun-dation is fostering partner-ship with social sector, NGOsand individuals world wide.Gareth said that the AsiaFoundation is also trying toimprove the governance sec-tor likewise improvement ofthe taxation system,sustainability in the institu-tions and dealing with envi-ronmental issues, gender andpoverty.—APP

IS L A M A B A D—Mainly dryweather is expected in mostparts of the country whilerain-thundershower associ-ated with gusty winds mayoccur at isolated places ofnortheast Punjab, upperKPK, Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan during next 24hours. According to Metoffice, Western disturbanceis affecting northern partsof the country and likely topersist during next 12-18hours.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,rain-thundershower accom-panied by gusty winds is ex-pected at isolated places ofupper/central tonight. InSindh and Balochistan,mainly dry weather is ex-pected in most parts duringnext 24 hours. Whereas inKashmir and Gilgit Baltistan,isolated rain-thundershoweris expected. KARACHI: Fairor partly cloudy weather isexpected in the city over next

Winds, isolated rainlikely in upcountry

24 hours.According to local Met

Office here Thursday,mostly dry weather will pre-vail in Sindh and Balochistanregion during the same pe-

riod. Yesterday’s low liesover Balochistan and ad-joining areas persisted. TheMultan local Met office hasforecast dry weather for thecity and its suburbs duringthe next 24 hours. On Thurs-day, maximum and minimumtemperatures were recordedas 29.6 and 19.0 degrees cen-tigrade, respectively. Hu-midity was recorded as 65per cent at 8am and 40 percent at 5pm.—APP

HYDERABAD: A citizen protesting against kidnappingof his daughter in front of press club.

bad effect on the Tribalsareas yet sounded optimis-tic that things were improv-ing rapidly and at least twoagencies, Bajaur andMohammad were purgedfrom militants who were stilloffering resistance in somepockets of Khyber,Aurakzai and Kurram agen-cies adding the North andSouth Waziristan agenciescontinue to be major con-cern for the administration.He said that poverty andeconomic disparity was amajor reason forcing the lo-cals to join the militants andthat was why the govern-ment was making all out ef-forts to bring economic

prosperity in the tribal re-gion. He informed the par-ticipants that variousgroups were operatingseparately in FATA and areaffiliated with Al-Qaeda oneway or the other. Givingdetails Islam Zeb said thatmilitancy in FATA after 9/11 has resulted in colossalloss of over Rs 250 billionwith the government dis-pensing Rs 2195 billion ascompensation to the locals.He said in countering ter-rorism 4500 members of theLaw enforcing agencieshad embraced Shahadat be-sides 3000 locals also fellvictim to the menace of mili-tancy.

MULTAN—Representativesof political parties Thursdaysigned a 13-point declarationat an All Parties Conference(APC) on education to give aprosperous future to the nextgenerations. The APC wasconvened by Institute of So-cial and Policy Sciences(ISAPS), a research orientedautonomous body workingunder the government, and itsaim is to secure pledges frompoliticians of different politi-cal parties to ensure decisionmaking in budget allocationsfor the education sector.

The representatives whosigned the declataion pledgedto make efforts for law makingin Punjab in the light of Article25-A of the Constitution thatguarantees free education as abasic right to every individual,utilization of education devel-opment funds on ground reali-ties instead of political expedi-ency, in time release and properutilization of funds, availabil-ity of resources to providemissing facilities at schools on

Call for educationlaw under Article 25-A

pririty, allocation of land and re-sources for establishment ofschools at all residential colo-nies, 100 per cent increase inschool councils’ budget, enrol-ment of 191, 465 students whoare not attending schools inMultan, construction ofboundary wall of 178 schoolsin Multan district, constructionof toilets at 126 schools, watersupply facility at 87 schools,construction of buildings of 10schools, and availability of elec-tricity facility to 517 schools.

Declaration was signedby PML-N’s former provin-cial minister Haji EhsanuddinQureshi, Ilyas Khan, generalsecretary of PLF, JamatIslami’s Rao Zafar Iqbal,Traders’ representativeKhawaja Muhammad Shafiq,PTI leaders Dr Rubina Akhtarand Tehsin Kausar Jafri, PPPleader Farooq Bhatti, Mr.Qasmi from Jamiat Ulemai Is-lam, Pakistan Workers Party’sTaj Muhammad Soz, progres-sive mango grower SyedZahid Hussain.—APP

Balochistan comes tomainstream politics

AFTER a considerable gap, appreciable developments are taking placeon the otherwise gloomy Balochistan horizon, raising hopes of earlyrestoration of normalcy and peace in the troubled province. One

must give credit to PML(N) leader Mian Shahbaz Sharif, who dashed toQuetta on Wednesday, to strike electoral deal with Balochistan nationalparty BNM.

We have been pointing out during the last five years that concrete stepswere needed to remove the sense of alienation among Baloch people butregrettably the PPP Government did not move beyond offering verbal apol-ogy to people of Balochistan for the past mistakes and injustices. Through-out its tenure, the previous regime had been telling people that contactswould be established with estranged Baloch leaders but it failed even toconvene the much-needed All Parties Conference on Balochistan. As againstthis, PML(N) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had all along beensending positive signals to people of Balochistan by expressing completesolidarity with their demands and causes. He met Baloch nationalist lead-ers at times when others were shy of having any contact with them and asa result wound started healing with speed and it was because of such friendlygestures that the nationalist parties finally decided to take part in the elec-toral process despite serious reservations in the past. One must also ac-knowledge the crucial role played by Army Chief General Ashfaq ParvezKayani, who visited Quetta recently to encourage Baloch leadership totake part in political activities and electoral process. But much depends onthe ability of the authorities concerned to ensure holding of truly free, fairand transparent elections so that genuine leadership could emerge to takereigns of the affairs of the province. It is also a fact that overwhelmingmajority of people of Balochistan are peaceful and want to see their prov-ince progress and prosper like other parts of the country. They are as patri-otic as others and given the chance they would contribute their due share innational development. In fact, some of the vested interests are exaggerat-ing the situation in Balochistan to get personal or groups advantages butwe are sure such elements would be eliminated in the coming elections.

Dasti jailed, Dastiacquitted. What a

system?INTERESTING developments took place during scrutiny of the nomina

tion papers of the candidates for elections to National and ProvincialAssemblies as papers of thousands of people including some bigwigs wererejected by the respective Returning Officers as they did not fulfill thecriteria laid down for the purpose. Though many of them are staging acome back as decisions of the Returning Officers are being overturned byappellate tribunals established for the purpose but still others would remainout of the fray.

All this is part of the game but the issue of Jamshed Dasti, formerMNA of PPP, has become a classic example of seemingly whimsical inter-pretation of the relevant laws and constitutional provisions. Dasti lost hisNational Assembly seat when his degree was found to be fake but the PPPleadership thought it appropriately to bring him back, gave him the partyticket again in the bye-elections and the man was again on the floors of theParliament. His issue again resurfaced during the period of scrutiny ofnomination papers and the court jailed him for three years on account offake degree. But strangely enough, on Wednesday, the Lahore High Courtquashed his sentence and ordered his release, raising questions about seri-ous loopholes in the system and the law that allow paradoxical interpreta-tion. Given the serious flaws in the legal system, one can imagine the pos-sibility of sending an innocent to gallows and letting the culprit free. Thisphenomenon might not be confined to Pakistan alone and legal systemelsewhere might also be working in the same mode but this calls for seri-ous contemplation by legal minds to rectify the fault wherever it lies.

Navy is becomingfinancially anaemic

According to documents presented in the Senate the budget of PakistanNavy has shrunk over the past several years while the demands for

the defence of our maritime boundary have increased manifold in viewof the changing international environment. It is a sad reflection on thepart of the government because our enemy is spending billions of dollarsfor the acquisition of modern gadgets including aircraft carriers and nuclearsubmarines.

The briefing given to the Senate Committee Wednesday said that Pa-kistan Navy is facing difficulties in its operational matters and defendingnational assets. According to the document presented, increase in the bud-get had been demanded as operational responsibilities of Pakistan Navyhave increased during recent years but for unknown reasons the requestwas not fully met. It would have been prudent and wise that Pakistan Navyshould have been upgraded through increase in its budget to transform itinto a blue water navy to meet the challenges. We may warn that if theNavy has not been given the modern platforms, it would be very difficult toprotect our sea trade routes on which the entire economy of the countrydepends. In the present day’s wars, it is not just the army to defend theterritory but all the arms play their role including Airforce and Navy intheir respective spheres. If Pakistan is to protect its vital sea lanes, it willhave to pay due attention to the needs of Pakistan Navy otherwise a block-ade by the enemy ship would be very dangerous and cut off supplies of oiland other supplies. We would therefore urge the government and theParliament’s defence committees that in the interest of stout defence ofPakistan, the navy budget should be prioritized and its requirements arefully met on war footing.

NATO & Al Qaeda join hands in Syria

All things cancorrupt pervertedminds.

Uranium‘red line’

The latest round of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program was, by all accounts, a

disappointment. Tehran’s negotia-tors did not spell out a full responseto a proposal by the United Statesand five partners for limiting its en-richment of uranium, and what theydid say revealed a wide gulf be-tween the two sides. In essence, theinternational coalition is offeringIran a partial lifting of sanctions inexchange for a freeze on the pro-duction of medium-enriched ura-nium, while Iran wants a completelifting of sanctions in exchange fortoken steps that would leave itsnuclear work unfettered.

The meetings left the diplo-matic process in limbo; the Obamaadministration and its allies rightlyrefused Iranian requests to sched-ule further meetings. Yet for now,at least, there is no crisis: NeitherIsrael nor the United States is un-der pressure to consider immedi-ate military action against Iran, andthere is time to wait and see if Iran’sposition will soften following apresidential election scheduled forJune. For that, proponents of diplo-macy over war with Iran can thanka man they have often ridiculed orreviled: Israeli Prime Minister Ben-jamin Netanyahu. Mr. Netanyahu’sgovernment is not a participant inthe talks with Iran, of course; Iranwon’t parley with a nation it aspiresto “wipe off the map.” But the Is-raeli leader’s explicit setting of a“red line” for the Iranian nuclearprogram in a speech to the UN Gen-eral Assembly in September ap-pears to have accomplished whatneither negotiations nor sanctionshave yielded: concrete Iranian ac-tion to limit its enrichment.

A host of commentators bothin the United States and Israelscoffed at what they called Mr.Netanyahu’s “cartoonish” pictureof a bomb and the line he drewacross it. The prime minister saidIran could not be allowed to accu-mulate enough 20 percent enricheduranium to produce a bomb withfurther processing, adding that atthe rate its centrifuges were spin-ning, Tehran would cross that lineby the middle of 2013. Iran, too,dismissed what its UN ambassadorcalled “an unfounded and imagi-nary graph.” But then a funny thinghappened: The regime began di-verting more of its stockpile to themanufacture of fuel plates for a re-search reactor. As a result, Iran hasremained distinctly below the Is-raeli red line, and it probably post-poned the earliest moment when itcould cross that line by severalmonths. Mr. Netanyahu’s red lineis only a partial and temporarycheck on the Iranian threat. Theongoing installation of a new gen-eration of faster centrifuges couldsoon make it obsolete by provid-ing a new means for Iran to quicklyproduce bomb-grade uranium. Butthe lesson here is twofold: Thecredible threat of military actionhas to be part of any strategy forpreventing an Iranian nuclearweapon, and clear red lines can helpcreate the “time and space for di-plomacy” that President Obamaseeks. Mr. Obama, who last yearstiffly resisted pressure from Mr.Netanyahu to spell out US red lines,ought to reconsider.— The Washington Post

*****

ViraloutbreaksThe recent outbreak of yet an

other strain of bird flu, thistime with the alphanumeric

combination of H7N9, begs thequestion why this disturbing phe-nomenon keeps returning to China,and to scare the world? Thecountry’s poultry industry, one ofits fastest growing sectors, with anannual production of millions oftonnes, is seen by observers andexperts to be in dire need of catch-ing up with the rest of the highlyindustrialised poultry-producingcountries in terms of farming prac-tices, food safety controls and dis-ease prevention. Poultry farmingbeing a live industry, these factorsare among the most significant in-dicators of its own health — andby extension, the health of consum-ers. The repeated viral outbreaksare damaging China’s credibility,denting consumer confidence andopening doors to global healthscares — setbacks it can ill affordif it wants to stay at the top of thegame. — Gulf News

MEDIA WATCH

Publius Ovid Naso—Roman poet

When President BasharAssad warned that developments in Syria had the

potential to destablize the entire re-gion, he was being serious. The fallof two anti-monarchist Heads ofState, Saddam Hussein in Baghdadand Muammar Kaddafy in Tripolicombined with the downfall of a re-publican, Hosni Mubarak, to makethe ruling group in Qatar believethat now was the chance to goeven further. Doha,in partnershipwith Riyadh and Ankara, are deter-mined to ensure that the Sunni ma-jority assume full power in Syria,the way the Shia majority has be-come the dominant player withinIraq. Apart from the fact that he toosubscribes to the anti-monarchistideology of the Baath movement,Bashar Assad is Shia, coming fromthe Alwaite branch of that greatvariant of the noble faith of Islam.At its base,the opposition of theanti-Syria regional troika ( Turkey,Qatar and Saudi Arabia) to theAssad-led government in Dam-ascus is because of his faith. Whatthe three forget is that success inSyria - in terms of the fall of theAssads - would prove to be a Pyr-

Revisiting relations with the US

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Sunday Magazine

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Relations between Pakistanand the US have witnessedmany ups and downs dur-

ing the course of these last decadesor so. Lack of trust and mutualblame game have characterized theties particularly since the interven-tion in Afghanistan. The two coun-tries never fail to come up withtheir own justifications andcounter-justifications which even-tually result into bad taste in analready tense relationship. This isdespite having very close coopera-tion during former Soviet Unioninvasion of Afghanistan andPakistan’s important role in it. Notthat Pak-US relations are anythingnew. Pakistan was a member of theSouth East Asia Treaty Organiza-tion (SEATO) and Central TreatyOrganization (CENTO) defensepacts. There are some success sto-ries also such as US economic aidin the early period and cooperationin defence fields as also low pointsof US sanctions i.e., Glenn andPressler Amendments. Today after60 years the two stand at the cuspof a new era and it isn’t an easy orordinary era by any stretch ofimagination. But it is again a mat-ter of great importance that despitemany ups and downs, shifts andfluctuations, the relationship be-tween the two countries has sur-vived.

Pakistan is often described inWashington as a “double-dealing”and “duplicitous ally.” Pakistanianalysts describe their country’srelationship with the US as “un-equal” and “humiliating.” TheAmerican-Pakistani relations havenever been insulated from regionaland international developments,even in ordinary yester-times.There have always been forces,from near and far, impinging onthese relations in one way or theother. In recent times for instance

rhic victory, bringing im-mense damage in its wake.By their action in givingmoney and weapons to anyindividual willing to militar-ily challenge the Assad re-gime, the anti-Syria troikaare creating the grounds forShia-Sunni tensions withinthe entire region that couldlast for generations. It would

be Lebanon all over again, onlydeeper and broader in scope andvirulence, and would tear apart so-ciety in a way that would destabi-lize the entire region, most espe-cially the GCC, which has alloweditself to become the spearhead of theanti-Shia crusade despite protestsfrom Iraq and Lebanon.

Also, those active in Syriawould seek out new theatres oncethe conflict there ends in a victoryfor the anti-Assad forces in the man-ner in which the anti-Kaddafy forced( with crucial help from NATO) pre-vailed in Libya. Even in the case ofSyria, the French secret service inparticular is known to be deeplyembedded with the fanatic fightersin Syria, guiding them in their nu-merous actions against the regime,despite the huge increase in civiliancasualties which this entails. Franceis a country that thrives on denial.Because of the indulgence of Win-ston Churchill, a close friend ofCoco Chanel, Paris was gifted a per-manent seat in the UN SecurityCouncil despite the fact that it sur-rendered to Germany in 1940s andthereafter tool almost zero part in thewar, barring bombastic broadcasts

from London by Charles De Gaulle.In the 21st century, France has

been reduced to the status of a mi-nor player, lagging behind Germanyin hard power and behind the UK insoft power. However, successive re-gimes in Paris have sought to coverup this insignificance by embarkingon adventures in which it relies onits stronger partners - especially theUS – to achieve success It wasNicholas Sarkozy who led NATO’scharge against Libya, and the rea-son for that has now become clear.The considerable assets of theLibyan government have disap-peared. Few are asking where the$160 billion in Libyan financial as-sets have gone to. The new so-calledgovernment in Tripoli, which con-trols nothing, will never ask NATOto give back the money that the alli-ance has confiscated, being as it is adependency of Brussels.

Even the UK, a country thatought to have had better standardsin such matters than the French, hasentered the game of loot. For ex-ample, the immense properties ofColonel Kaddafy and his childrenhave been taken away without anycompunction, and handed over tonew owners. This is whoesale con-fiscation. First, NATO declares a setof individuals as “human rightsviolaters”, and subsequently takesaway their property.

This must be a source of con-cern, for example to corrupt officialsin China, most of whom have placedmillions of dollars (in some cases,billions) in NATO-bloc banks andother financial institutions. Should

they ever fall from grace, thechsnces are high that NATO willdeclare them as “war criminals”and “human rights violaters” andtake away their billions of dollarsand euros,the way they have Iraqiwealth after 2003 and Libyanmoney after 2011

Just as in the 1990s,when BillClinton ensured the success of theTaliban while claiming that it wasIslamabad that was the lead player,in Syria Brussels has joined handswith extremists in order to assist theregional troika to depose Assad. Itdoes not seem to bother the alliancethat Ayman Al Zawahiri and theyare on the same side, or that almostall the actual fighting in Syriaagainst the regime is being con-ducted by Al Qaeda.

However, just as 9/11 was awake-up call (that seems to havebeen forgotten, given the way Sec-retary of State Kerry is backing theClinton line of obedience to thewishes of the

Ankara-Riyadh-Doha troika),NATO will understand its follyonce the Al Qaeda elements ener-gized by them turn their attentionto the very countries now nourish-ing them, Saudi Arabia, Qatar andTurkey. Those who forget history,as they say, are condemned to re-peat it. The first time (9/11) was adisaster. The second time aroundwill be a catastrophe.

M D NalapatEmail: mgnalapat@gmail.com

GeopoliticalGeopoliticalGeopoliticalGeopoliticalGeopoliticalnotes from Indianotes from Indianotes from Indianotes from Indianotes from India

the demand of the US to “do more”has been very counter-productive asthis approach has neither benefitedthe US nor Pakistan. Elements ofmistrust and ambiguities on bothsides occupy the center and hinderany progress in the relationship. Theproblem is that the US only sees itsown interests by sideliningPakistan’s interests. It often forgetsthat Pakistan is the partner in “waron terror” and again it was the USthat gave Pakistan the status of amajor non-NATO ally.

The ties between Islamabad andWashington have been tumblingsince a covert US commando raidon May 2, 2011 that killed al-Qaedaleader Osama bin Laden. Pakistanwas outraged as it was not informedbeforehand and angered by what itsaw a naked US violation of its sov-ereignty. A revisit of Pak-US rela-tions was necessitated by the unpro-voked attack by Nato helicopters atSalala check post in November2011, killing 26 of security men.Islamabad’s strong reaction in-cluded a refusal to allow Nato sup-plies pass through Pakistan onwardsto Afghanistan.

The focus must have been onlinking the resumption of Nato sup-plies to an end to the drone strikes,cross-border attacks, whether car-ried out on the pretext of hot pur-suit or for any other reason, and anunqualified apology from theObama administration for the Salalaattack. But it did not end the droneattacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan hasbeen doing its best in the so-calledGlobal War on Terror (GWoT) bydeploying more than 80,000 troopsand it has suffered the most than anyother country, in fact even more thanthe US. Pakistani economy has suf-fered a lot. There is less foreign in-vestment due to the deterioratinglaw and order situation in the coun-try and the role of Pakistan in coun-tering al-Qaeda and Taliban. Paki-stan has lost thousands of its armedforces personnel coupled with civil-ian casualties.

The problem with the US is that

it has a long wish/shopping list vis-à-vis Pakistan and being cleverenough it blames all wrong-doingsor failures on Pakistan. On the otherhand US has been busy in awardingIndia that ultimately disturbs thevery nature of balance of power inSouth Asia. Pakistan does not haveany problem with this new honey-moon between the two but it hassome serious concerns with regardto excessive Indian presence in Af-ghanistan, which is next door to Pa-kistan. There is a prevailing senti-ment in Pakistan that we get verylittle in being a partner of the US.

President Obama, re-elected again,is going to be tough and assertive inthe years to come. So Pakistanshould not be so eager in having anychange in Obama’s policies. It isimportant to point out that althoughsuch a relationship can accomplishshort-term objectives, it cannottackle mid-to-long-term challenges.Pakistan-USA relations must not belopsided. Pakistan’s security, strate-gic and financial concerns must begiven due consideration. Any one-sided policy will not yield positiveresults.

There are two fundamentalproblems behind US-Pakistantroubles. First, instead of a broadpartnership that includes trade and

cultural linkages, the two countrieshave a one-dimensional transac-tional relationship centered alongsecurity concerns, i.e., the waragainst the Taliban and al-Qaeda.US-Pakistan relations are furthercomplicated because of clashingsecurity interests, especially vis-à-vis the Afghan Taliban. These twoproblems will not yield to quickdiplomatic fixes. Both the countriesneed to formulate some practicalmeasures for smooth and cordialrelationship in the future. The pre-vailing senior-junior or master-cli-ent syndrome has to end. For Paki-stan, there is a strong need to for-mulate and develop an all-encom-passing foreign policy vis-à-vis USby focusing on foreign policy ob-jectives and imperatives and to re-visit the relations with the world’ssole super power before this rela-tionship gets more complicated andreaches a point of no return.

Pakistan is an independentcountry and it has every right tohave its own independent foreignpolicy vis-à-vis any country in theglobe. The post-9/11 period in in-ternational relations which is so dy-namic in nature requires regularmodifications in foreign policy asper the saying, “there are no per-manent friends and foes in inter-national relations except interests.”

Thus there is consensus amongthink tank gurus, intellectuals,academia, students, rank and fileand the media that the relationshipwith the US must be revised on thebasis of no compromising onwardson sovereignty of the country. Thatshould not necessarily end or meansuspension of relationship. Theremust be some appreciation and re-spect that Pakistan needs from anycountry including the US whilemaintaining bi-lateral relationship.Every state does its part accordingto its capacity and the same is thecase with Pakistan that it has donemore than its capacity.—The writer Research Officer,Islamabad Policy Research Insti-tute (IPRI.).

—The writer is Vice-Chair,Manipal Advanced ResearchGroup, UNESCO Peace Chair &Professor of Geopolitics, ManipalUniversity, Haryana State, India.

Khalid ChandioEmail: khalidhussainchandio@gmail.com

There must besome appreciationand respect thatPakistan needs

from any countryincluding

the USwhile maintaining

bilateralrelationship. Everystate does its part

according to itscapacity and thesame is the casewith Pakistan.

Voice of the PeopleMosque is a great yet simple

and graceful religious unitin Islam. The masjid or

mosque was and is meant to fulfillthe social harmony and unityamongst the local Muslim residentsof the vicinity or mohalla. A JamiaMosque is for a larger part of popu-lation and is situated in the city’scentral areas. The mosques in Paki-stan are used apart from five timesprayers for Eid congregations, Miladfunctions, meetings and temporaryresidence of members/ team ofTableghi Jamats.

If we study the system ofmosques in the Ottoman Turkey(1280-1924), we find that their con-cept was very much enlightening.The Ottoman mosques had the ba-sic components of a soup kitchen forthe needy, a mint and a library ofIslamic books. These sections werehoused adjacent to the mosque. Themosques in Turkey are worth see-ing for any visitor. After having stud-ied the Ottoman mosques and hav-ing been greatly impressed by them.

A mosque should be able to sup-port fully or to some extent fortyhouses around its vicinity wherewidows and poor families live. For

Concept of mosque in Islam

Competition &mental growth

SYED UMARULLAH HUSSAINI

Competition may be an ugly wordbut it continues to stay present in ourlives. In school, competition is im-portant because in an academicallycompetitive atmosphere, studentschallenge their brain limit and whenthat limit breaks, a world of possi-bilities comes pouring out. Thisdrive for excellence is a part of lifethat shapes you as a person. But...it’s not all there is to it.

The spark of ingenuity insideevery one of us is what brings forthbrilliance and when combined withcompetition, can be confused withjust the human nature to succeed.The world is full of good-heartedpeople who work hard because theyreally want something and are pas-sionate about it. It’s not just want-ing to be better; it’s taking that fireinside of you and releasing it. Whenyou truly love doing something, youwill get that feeling, that drive, toknow all you can about it and thensearch even deeper to truly under-stand. So we want a good educationsystem for good citizens and leastcrime and great Development.—Karachi

Our role modelsEHSANUL HAQ QAZI

National elections are scheduled tobe held on May 11 when the voterswill be electing afresh their repre-sentatives to sit in the National andProvincial Assemblies and, hope-fully, work for their welfare. Elec-tion tempo is gaining momentumwith every passing day with lots ofifs and by still there. Political andreligious parties are announcingtheir election manifestoes to attractand lure their prospective voters.Through their election manifestoes,they are not only making promisesbut also carrying photographs oftheir leaders.

According to the reports in printand electronic media, Pakistan Mus-lim League which is also mentionedas PML (Quaid-i-Azam) announcedits manifesto also on Sunday last.Apart from other things, PML (QA)President Ch Shujat Hussain, Sec-retary General Mushahid HussainSayed and others reiterated thatQuaid-i-Azam Muhammad AliJinnah, great poet and philosopherAllama Muhammad Iqbal andMadar-e-Millat Mohtarma FatimaJinnah are their role models and theywill move onwards carrying theirmission as PML (QA) is an ideo-logical party. This was not all. Asthe reports mentioned, the party’selection manifesto document carriedno photo of any of the party leadersbut those of the Quaid-i-Azam,Allama Iqbal and Mohtarma FatimaJinnah on the title page and of theFather of the Nation and the greennational flag on every inside page .Political affiliations and differencesapart, in all fairness this is somethingto be really appreciated particularlywhen the new generations are some-how forgetting the forefathers.—Lahore

*****MOHSIN A H SHAIKH

With general elections fast ap-proaching, political parties are an-nouncing their manifestoes one af-ter the other besides fielding elect-able candidates to the maximumextent possible. PML (QA) has alsoannounced its election manifesto ,as reported in the media the otherday. The PML (QA) election mani-festo is quite unique and exemplaryin more than one way, according tothese media reports which in all fair-ness deserves to be appreciated andlauded. Apart from what the elec-tion manifesto contains as a politi-cal party’s promises and pledges toits prospective voters, it contains nophotograph of PML (QA) leadershipincluding its President Ch ShujatHussain, Punjab President andformer Deputy Prime Minister ChParvez Elahi and Secretary GeneralMushahid Hussain Sayed.

It carries photographs of theQuaid-i-Azam, Allama MuhammadIqbal and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnahon the title page and that of the

Elections & foreign diplomatsMUKHTAR BUTT

Foreign diplomats, press attaches and foreign media have become very active as the election dateapproaches closer. US and UK stand out and are busy in collecting data of various candidates and

seat adjustments of important leaders who matter in this country. There is no doubt that diplomatsfrom US and UK openly interact with our key politicians as per practice in vogue but the fact remainsthat such activities are highly objectionable and carry serious implications for the state. Unfortunatelyour print and electronic media remains dormant on such activities thus allowing free access to foreigndiplomats to intermingle with our key politicians, whereas they should be discouraging such meetings.Pakistan perhaps is the only country in the world where diplomats roam freely without caring about thelaw of the land. Although our intelligence agencies do monitor the activities of diplomats and politicianswho interact with them and also attend their lavish parties. In fact it is the job of Ministry of ForeignAffairs to ensure that diplomats remain with in bounds of law. The best solution is that our mediashould expose such leaders who try to be friendlier with foreign diplomats. Their interaction and deepinterest in our elections must be monitored strictly to avoid any type of influence on elections. There isurgent need for ECP to issue instructions to all the political parties to keep away from diplomats—Karachi

READERS

Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

are requested to typetheir letters legibly withdouble spacing and only onone side of the paper.

—Editor

Quaid-i-Azam and Pakistan flag oninside page in support of the party’sclaim that it is not a personalized butan ideological party which has Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,Allama Muhammad Iqbal andMohtarma Fatima Jinnah as its rolemodel.

Like millions of fellow Paki-stanis, I have also been followingannouncement of the election mani-festoes by various parties during thepast couple of weeks or so. Anotherparty has showed this uniequeness innot carrying photographs of partyleaders and not only declaring butreiterating that the Quaid-i-Azam,Allama Muhammad Iqbal andMadar-e-Millat Mohtarma FatimaJinnah are its role model. There canbe no two opinions that the creatorsof Pakistan Quaid-i-AzamMuhammad Ali Jinnah, great thinkerand poet Allama Muhammad Iqbaland Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah are andshould be the only role models forall of us.—Lahore

Android phonesARUBA ADIL

We have been encountered with nu-merous children now days under age14 using android cell and having afull flash Facebook profiles. Is itmandatory for a 7th class student tobe this social? I believe it is more ofa distraction for a child for his stud-ies rather than favoring any good tothat child. Parents should restraintheir children from such social plat-forms in this vulnerable age becauseit can turn out to be critical in longterm in their regards as well as in theirchildren’s.—Karachi

Democraticdilemma

RIZWAN ALI

Last Five years of democracy hasbrought Pakistan to a position wherepeople have lost their faith in democ-racy. Here the question arises that isthis the democracy the founding fa-ther Jinnah longed for? Is this the ruleof the people by the people and forthe people? Are we really practisingdemocracy units true sense? Wewanted democracy because we be-lieve that it would bring up genuine,sincere and honest leadership whowill reduce the miseries of commonpeople and elevate Pakistan’s posi-tion as a modern, progressive andpeaceful society. Are we anywherenear to it? If not it means there issomething wrong with the system thatneeds to be fixed before the upcom-ing elections, otherwise we will notbe able to filter the corrupt, feudallegacy from the political process.

In 2008 general elections, voterturnout across Pakistan was 44.1 percent as compare to Bangladesh with87.4 per cent and India 59.7 per cent.Majority of those votes are polled onthe basis of Baradari, feudal influenceand inherited political legacy and noton the basis of party manifesto. In factMajority of the voters do not have anyclue about the manifesto of the po-litical party they vote for. This is alsoa reality that majority of the educatedmiddle class do not vote. They pre-fer to stay home during elections andwatch TV or go out for a Picnic. Oneof the many reasons of this passivebehavior is their lack of interest andfaith in the current political systemas they believe that this system hasfailed to promote clean and uprightpolitical leadership. According to theGallup Survey 45% of Pakistanissuffer from Political apathy or lackof interest in active political partici-pation. This is an alarming situationthat shows the frustration and distrustof common Pakistanis towards Paki-stani politics and can provide justifi-cation to the undemocratic forces whowant to derail the political process.Now, democracy needs to deliver inorder to discourage such feelingamong people of Pakistan.

Serious steps need to be taken tostop influx of incompetent and dis-honest feudal elite in the legislativeassemblies who use all their energiesto maintain status quo after gainingthe power. Besides the ongoingmovement on empowerment of theelection commission and electoral

Insecurity in cyberspace

North Korea recently launcheda cyber attack on South Korean TV stations and banks.

Iran carried out a cyber campaignagainst US banking sites. The USand Israel released malware that dis-abled Iranian nuclear centrifuges. Ordid they?

There’s no doubt someone did allthese things, and there are reasons tobelieve that those suspected are re-sponsible. But because of the way theInternet is designed and the poor gen-eral state of computer security, it isextremely difficult to pinpoint anattack’s origin. Attackers are farahead of our ability to track them.

While a cyber attack can’t reducea city to rubble in the way bombs can,it is certainly possible to damage anation through cyberspace. Manycritical systems that modern nationsdepend on — power grids, militaryintelligence and air traffic control —rely on computers and networks. Onegood way to discourage cyber may-hem is ensuring that anyone who per-petrates it suffers consequences, so

being able to place blame properly isimportant. But that’s not so easy. Al-though it’s often possible to deter-mine which messages are part of anattack and even which specific ma-chines sent the damaging message,that’s not the same as identifying theperson or nation that is the source ofan attack. Attackers often use com-promised machines that belong toordinary users throughout the world.

A vast number of computers onthe Internet have been compromisedby attackers. Even estimating howmany is hard, but it is at least in thehundreds of millions. You may haveone sitting on your desk at home. A2007 study suggested that 1 in 4 homecomputers is compromised.

These machines, scatteredthroughout the world, can be usedto launch attacks from any countrythe attacker chooses. The attackcould even be launched exclusivelyfrom machines within the targetcountry. In a series of attacks inSouth Korea during 2011, for ex-ample, the majority of the attackingmachines were located within thatcountry. So, even when a cyber trailseems to lead back to a certain coun-try, that evidence may mean noth-

ing. Any form of action taken againstthe apparent source of the attackmight be unjust and ineffective.

Part of the problem is the verynature of the Internet, which was de-signed to allow any user to easilyreach out and touch any other user.But that touch can be a caress or apunch. Most machines on the Internetare susceptible to attack from theoutside, and when it happens, thereare usually few fingerprints to iden-tify the source.

A complete solution is likely tobe beyond our technical capabilitiesat this point, and the “fingerprint”problem makes it difficult to estab-lish treaties mandating properbehaviour in cyber warfare. But weshould nevertheless seek ways of es-tablishing better cooperation betweennations, including protocols for han-dling known compromised machines.

If it were more difficult to com-promise users’ machines and harderto launch attacks against critical sites,opportunity and benefit would be re-duced and the problem would be lessserious. Perfectly securing a machineor network is very hard, but improv-ing security significantly is relativelyeasy. For example, a recent report

Peter Reiher

that purpose a record of five typesof widows has to be made. Youngwidows with minor children and nomale support. Widows of any agewho have the support of their par-ents or brothers oruncles etc. Widowswho have some formof mental retardationor severe physicalhandicap like blind-ness, amputatedlimbs etc and have nobrothers, uncles etc.

Widows who areemployed but are notdrawing enough payto run their monthlyliving expenses.

Very old andhelpless widows of-ten living alone. Theearning hand in the family is veryold and having ill health. Thus hecannot support his family if childrenare minor. That they have no othersource of income. Disability of earn-ing male member in the family hav-ing no other source of income.

Family has very minor businessor job where both ends of bread andbutter are met to a bare minimum.

Views From Abroad

reforms, media and civil society hasa vital role to play. We need to mobi-lize the silent, indifferent and frus-trated middle class to come out oftheir homes and contribute in thechange they discuss in their drawingrooms. Civil society organizationsshould launch massive voter’s edu-cation campaign with the help of printand electronic media to mobilize themasses for practicing their right tovote.—Via email

Afia still inAmerica

RAJA GHAZANFAR ALI

Five years ago, in 5the Election Cam-paign of 2008,every political leaderwas speaking l and also was promis-ing daily in his Election meeting thatthey will get released Afia Saddiquifrom the American jail and will bringher soon in Pakistan for sell trial inour own Pakistani Court. But afterwinning the election, they all politi-cians had Forgoten their promisesabout the innocent and faultless Pa-kistani Muslim girl of Pakistan.

But I offer my salam and to ap-preciate to the and very bold familyof Afia Sadiqui whose Most patientbold sister Fouzia Saddiqui haswaited for five years for the next elec-tion of 2013 and at last, FouziaSaddiqui herself has come out to getreleased her sister from American jailfor which, she has now submitted hernomination papers for contesting forthe National Assemble SEAT and hisopponent is now Ex-President of Pa-kistan Pervez Musharraf who hadhanded over and sold to America hisown Muslim daughter of this Islamiccountry of Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning that oncethe President of America Mr Obamahad said that He himself is willing torelease the brave woman of PakistanAfia Saddiqui on the basis of human-ity but the govt of Pakistan did notrespond in this most important mat-ter. Had our political leaders tried forthe release of Afia Saddique, thenPresident of America would surelyhad acted positively. But it is a mat-ter of great shame that the Muslimdaughter of this Islamic country ofPakistan Afia Saddiqui is still inAmerican jail for the last many years.—Rawalpindi

Traffic systemin KarachiHASSAN AHMED

Through your column I would liketo draw the attention of concernedauthorities towards this matter.Manual traffic control and lack ofcivic sense lead to traffic jams .People park their cars in a wrong wayand bus as claims have illegal depotsand they stop their bus where everthey want to, causing hindrance to thetraffic flow.

Police officers manually controlthe traffic as traffic signals are notworking properly . The traffic policeofficers ultimately gives up when thetraffic from different direction is getlocked . Finally , one side of the roadopens and the other waits and suffers. On the other hand , road conditionsare get worse day by day . As popu-lation in Pakistan is increasing, num-ber of vehicles are also increasing tre-mendously . A number of well knowndepartments digs the road for theirown purposes and hence roads getdamaged resulting in traffic disorder.Karachi today is digged up fromone end to another . This roadconditon of Karachi is a hazardwhich affects almost everyone. Itshightime to take measures for im-proving the roads by parental com-pany and by increasing the size ofroads , having rubber highway ,checking the licenses and makingpeople aware of the traffic rules—Karachi

The system of “Kifalat” for thesecategories of widows can be decidedand settled in accordance with theseverity of the case.

The Members of the ‘ilmiyyeand of the dijhatwere all exemptedfrom taxation, aswere the members ofthe sefiyye and thekalamiyye statusgroups.

In Pakistan it isironic and rather sadthat we call for thePesh Imam of themosque only whenthere is a death in thefamily or when thereis a wedding cer-emony or a prayerafter recitation from

the Holy Quran. Instead we shouldencourage inviting the Pesh Imamof our local mosque on our socialfunctions like a child’s birthday or ahouse warming party or some otherfunction. When a Pesh Imam entersthe house of someone, then the houseowner and his male family membersshould extend a very warm welcometo the Pesh Imam and treat him like

a VIP in his house. In this way wecan revive and renew our decadentmores and attitudes. We need tomake the practice of our religionto be in a happy mood rather thanin a mood of compliance and pas-siveness. This is one reason we seethat a majority of people only of-fer religious duties under compul-sion as a ritual without any sparkof devotion and humility.

Taqwa should instill in us thefact we are presenting ourselvesbefore the Almighty AllahSubhan-o-Tala, the Most Merci-ful and Beneficent. We should re-member that “Allah Almightygives and forgives, but man getsand forgets. Taqwa should guideus that one day we are all answer-able to the Almighty Allah TheMost Beneficent and Merciful.That there is no escape. By recall-ing our sins and by feeling guiltyour eyes should become painfullytearful. It shall only be then thatour prayers can be answered. Themosque therefore should be aplace of inner introspection and ofgreat repentance. This is whatshould be taught to our schoolgoing children.

from the Centre for Strategic and In-ternational Studies discussedAustralia’s Defence SignalsDirectorate’s approach of using fourbasic measures to improve computersecurity. By only running applica-tions from an approved list of safeprograms, by aggressively applyingpatches to those applications as theybecome available, by being equallyaggressive in applying patches tothe underlying operating system(such as Windows or Linux), andby limiting the number of users per-mitted to change vital system con-figuration values, the directoratedemonstrated an 85% reduction inrisk of compromise.

Such general improvement inthe security of everyone’s comput-ers would not only help protect thecomputers of individual users, itwould benefit the Internet as a wholeand everyone who uses it. The writer,an adjunct professor of computerscience at the UCLA Henry SamueliSchool of Engineering and AppliedScience for more than 20 years, hasdone extensive research on denial-of-service attacks and other Internetsecurity issues. — Courtesy: LosAngeles Times

Reforming police in Pakistan

The institution of police isduty bound to control different problems of the society,

and make security of the people theirutmost priority. In Pakistan the po-lice department has been neglectedfrom a long period. The governmenthas failed to introduce new reformsin this department, making it moreoutdated. After Pakistan decided toplunge in the war against terrorism,the crime rate through out the coun-try mounted up tremendously. Thisunrest has played a key role in dis-turbing the over all fragment of thesociety.

Terrorism, political aggression,thefts, and abduction persist acrossthe country. The police structure isdebatably one of the most inad-equately managed institutions in Pa-kistan. Crossways in the country, po-lice forces are continually are notfunded, with less staff and less ac-cess to trainings. A sequence of ill-timed events has brought Pakistan toa place where it is in a constant con-dition of war. At present Pakistan is

facing severe economic slump, socialdisappointment, political waveringand a contagion of local and foreignmilitants. The Police force has amomentous position to play in coun-tering terrorism.

In the 65 years of Pakistan’s ex-istence, the police department hashardly ever witnessed any reforms inadministration and operations, leav-ing many grey areas, in dire need ofattention. It is leading responsibilityof the government to institute a jus-tice system that enables its law en-forcers to apprehend criminals an-swerable for their doings. Pakistanafter independence inherited the Po-lice Act of 1861 which was destinedto control rather than serve people.This law determined the compositionand process of police forces until thePolice Order was launched in 2002by General Musharraf. The act ad-dressed the desires of the citizensthrough certain periods of time. Thereis an awful need to modify the policeat this point in time.

The narration of attempts at po-lice reform has been complex in bothIndia and Pakistan. For example, inIndia the recommendations of theNational Police Commission in 1977to insulate the police from outside

interests were disregarded. In Paki-stan, in 2001 the drafted Police Or-dinance was planned to create an au-tonomously controlled and people-friendly police force. In was gener-ally felt that 2001 Ordinance shouldbe a blue print for police restructur-ing. However, as it presently depicts,Pakistan’s police force remainspoorly equipped, excessively politi-cized, and corrupt. Both the equip-ment and technology are old-fash-ioned. In the meantime, the trainingprovided to police officers ignoresseveral vital aspects of the profession,such as questioning, and the handlingof helpless factions such as children,women, and minorities.

The governments also stand upwith blame for failing to mainstreampolice reform within this organiza-tion. It is an established fact that in-vestment in law enforcement hasnever been an elevated concern. Thishas been uniformly accurate for mili-tary and civilian governments. Thelack of political will is also a mainhindrance to reform the overall po-lice department in Pakistan. The 2002Police order incorporated proceduresto perk up answerability and impar-tiality in law enforcement, but wasunsuccessful, mainly due to politi-

cians eager to hold authority. Theover all arrangement of Pakistanipolice is not well planned, as themerit based opportunities for theprofessional improvement are scare.The less pay aspect is also playinga vibrant role in growing corruption.

The government must giveproper attention to this departmentby providing them training, equip-ment, etc to make it more effective.Political intervention in police de-partment must be eliminated onemergency basis, so that the policeofficers can perform their duty ef-ficiently and properly. Induction ofmore women police officers is alsoan important element of police re-forms, as this strategy will help insafeguarding the rights of womenin society. At present Policing isalso an important field, wherewomen are playing a vibrant rolethroughout the world. By introduc-ing gender friendly reforms in po-lice we will be able to make thisfragment of our society well coor-dinated and strong. The inductionof these reforms will generate posi-tive results, and will help inmaintaining peace and harmony inthe society.—The writer works atPIDE Islamabad.

Was talking to a friend ofmine the other day andhe said, “Sometimes

Bob, as I walk in the park, I feel adeep sense of joy! It just comes onme, and for no particular reason,and all I want is to hold on to itand not let it go away!” I ponderedon what he had said as I walked inthe same park this morning. Wasit the stillness of nature that gavehim this incredibly happy feeling?Was it the lovely shades of green

that was so different from one treeto another? Was it the duck that wasswimming so contentedly in thepond? Though these scenes werepleasant enough and did make mefeel relaxed, still there was no feel-ing of great happiness on seeing aduck swimming or different shadesof green!

What was it, I wondered. Ilooked at the sky above, the trees thathad started gently swaying with thewind, I stared at a squirrel runningso carefree from branch to branch,at two birds hopelessly in love witheach other and even glanced atcouples in the park, walking handin hand. Where was this great incred-ible feeling of joy? Nowhere couldit be found. Suddenly I stopped look-

ing, and as I walked I felt the joymy friend had talked about, it en-veloped me like a mist creeping upfrom a valley below and engulfed mewith it’s sheer feeling of light headedhappiness. What had I seen that thisjoy had come on me? I looked at thesky, the trees, and the loving couples,but I knew it had not come from anyof them. And then the thought cameto me like a jolt; the feeling hadsprung from the inside me. The hap-piness I was looking for had comefrom within. All I had done was stillmyself, and suddenly the sweetestmost beautiful feeling cocooned mecompletely. I then wondered what Iwould have to do to see that this feel-ing remained, and found that I hadto do nothing but enjoy it. Enjoy the

Waves of joy..!feeling of being alive, enjoy thefeeling of joy within.

Don’t look for reasons. Thereare none, it is just as if your soulwithin you exudes waves of sheerjoy. I then found that if one livedin this joy, one did not get upsetwith the irritating situations of ev-eryday life. A little later in themorning, my huge German-Shep-herd pulled at his chain and nearlymade me fall, “Okay,” I told him,“Be a little careful with your oldmaster!” My dog looked at mequizzically and I could hear hisdog wheels churning, “What’swith this new act?”

No act, but waves of joyspringing from deep within..!—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

The Spirit Of Islam

Amjad Javed

M Uzair Niazi Email:uk.niazi89@yahoo.com

ARL expansionand upgradation

projectAward of contract to

Hyundai Engineering Co

STAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—Attock Refin-ery Limited (ARL) and HyundaiEngineering Co., Ltd, Koreahave entered into an Agreementfor ARL Up-gradation Projectcomprising of installation ofIsomerization Unit (to enhanceproduction of Premium MotorGasoline), Preflash Unit (to en-hance refining capacity), DieselHydrodesulphurization (DHDS)Unit (to reduce sulphur contentsin High Speed Diesel) and Ex-pansion of existing CaptivePower Plant. The total value ofthese projects stand at US $ 251Million approximately.

The agreement to this effectwas signed at a simple but im-pressive ceremony at ARL,Morgah, Rawalpindi ThursdayM. Adil Khattak, Chief Execu-tive Officer signed the agree-ment for ARL, while Ms. WonOck Kim, Project Directorsigned the agreement on behalfof Hyundai Engineering Co.,Ltd.

Speaking on the occasion,Adil Khattak said that today is ahistoric day for ARL. Thisproject would, Inshallah, proveto be of immense value not onlyfor ARL but also for the coun-try. He appreciated the efforts ofboth ARL and Hyundai ProjectManagement Teams for theirhard work in concluding theseagreements and hoped that Re-finery Up gradation project shallbe completed within the agreedtime frame.

He also thanked the Minis-try of Petroleum & Natural Re-sources, Government of Paki-stan for enabling the local refin-eries to undertake up-gradation/expansion projects in Pakistan.

KAMRA: Admiral Asif Sandila, Chief of the Naval Staff, Pakistan Navy visiting various facilities at Pakistan AeronauticalComplex.

ment formula, said Mian NawazSharif always demonstrated ir-responsibility whenever thechance of the alliance came sothis was not the shocking newsfor them. JI has its own votebank in all the constituenciesand if they can not win they canbe a cause of defeat for manybigwigs of PML-N in upcominggeneral elections.

Political pundits think JI haslost so much from the failure ofseat adjustment with PML-N butbigger loser will be PML-Nsince Imran Khan is still a genu-ine threat for PML-N in urbanconstituencies so losing an allyin form of JI would be lethal forPML-N in coming general elec-tions especially at that timewhen PPP and PML-Q power-ful electoral alliance is on thecard against them in Punjab.Now JI will have to contest elec-tions against its three powerfulopponents including PML-Nand PTI and PPP-PML-Q alli-ance in Punjab so there is a leastchance for them to win a singleseat in Punjab. These politicalanalysts believe that JI has apotential vote bank ranging fromfive thousand to ten thousandvoters in all the urban constitu-encies and these are enoughvotes to upset the predicted elec-

Pervez Rasheed iterated thatthe ‘news’ created against accep-tance of Nawaz Sharif’s nomi-nation papers for the upcomingelections amounts to the same.The allegations of discrepanciesin the assets declared by NawazSharif in his nomination papersare baseless and nothing couldbe further from the truth. PervezRasheed, in his statement, hasstressed that the allegation onNawaz Sharif of ‘gift worth129.38 million rupees’ from hisson, Hassan Nawaz, residing inLondon, is deceptive. Thisamount was infact gifted to himby his elder son, HussainNawaz, who is resident in SaudiArabia. This gift was transferredthrough the appropriate bankingchannels, properly recorded anddeclared according to law andregulations. Hence, the mentionof Hasan Nawaz’s business inLondon has no bearing or rel-evance to this matter. This is adeliberate ill intent to misleadthe general pubic.

Pervez Rasheed continuedto comment that as far as thematter of 110 million rupees tobe refunded by NAB is con-cerned, this is the amount thatNAB forcefully collected fromNawaz Sharif through the Anti-terrorism courts during his ex-ile. Ramzan Sugar Mills had

JI in the doldrums after failureof seat adjustment with PML-N

From Page 1

‘No discrepancies in assetsdeclared by Nawaz’

From Page 1since been declaring these sumsrecoverable from Nawaz Sharifand in return, Nawaz Sharif hadbeen correctly declaring this li-ability in his personal wealth taxreturn as payable to RamzanSugar Mills. The Lahore HighCourt, vide its judgment dated04/10/2011, impunged the ac-tion of NAB for taking thesesums and other properties anddeclared it unconstitutional anddirected NAB to refund the saidsum and other properties backto the petitioners.

Upon receiving the refundby Ramzan Sugar Mills, NawazSharif removed the liability pay-able to Ramzan Sugar Millsfrom his 2011/2012 Wealth TaxReturn, thus increasing the valueof his net assets by Rs.110 mil-lion.

The petitioner in his writadmits that the value of Sharif’sassets increased between 2011and 2012 because of the giftfrom his son and the moniesfrom NAB, yet claims that theincrease in the net wealth is be-yond the taxed source of in-come, just to mislead the publicand the election tribunal.

Pervez Rasheed continuedthat the nomination papers ofCaptain Safdar have no rel-evance to the nomination papersof Nawaz Sharif. Our under-

standing is that the gift toMaryam Safdar by NawazSharif of Rs.35 million, has beenproperly declared in her per-sonal wealth tax return as wellas in relevant tax papers ofNawaz Sharif.

The claim by the petitionerthat. Nawaz Sharif did not filehis Wealth Tax Returns alongwith his Income Tax Returns for2011 and 2012, contrary to theprovisions of Section 116(2) iscompletely untrue. The peti-tioner should know that if anindividual’s income exceedsRs.500,000, his Income TaxReturn would not be acceptedonline, unless accompanied bya Wealth Tax Return. However,the revised Wealth Tax returnsfor 2011 and 2012 were filed inMarch 2013, due to a minor de-tail in accordance with the In-come Tax Ordinance. This canbe verified through the FBR.

On the matter of the IttefaqFoundaries, Pervez Rasheedcommented that Ittefaq Found-ries have been in the possessionof the banking consortium forthe last 15 years i.e. 180 months.The non-payment of the electric-ity bill for the last 103 monthsis therefore the liability of theconsortium and not the share-holders/directors of IttefaqFoundries Limited.

tion results in 2013 elections.The sources inside JI told

Pakistan Observer that to copewith the current political crisisemerged after refusal of PML-N in respect to seat adjustment,JI called a meeting of its Majlis-e-Aamla on 13th April under thechair of JI Amir Syed MunawarHassan. According to thesources, JI would envisage strat-egy to contest elections from allthe constituencies independentlywith the main focus on thoseseats the party won in the elec-tions 2002.

It is also pertinent to men-tion here that the dialogue be-tween JI and PTI for seat adjust-ment failed to get viable successsince PTI was demanding fromJI leadership to formulate a uni-form formula of seat adjustmentacross the country.

However, Imran Khan ac-knowledged the importance ofthe alliance with JI for cominggeneral elections but now PTItoo is least interested to weldelectoral alliance with JI on theground that it also want to keepitself aloof from religious par-ties.

Meanwhile, JI has an-nounced the candidates for 13NA and 25 Punjab Assemblyseats in Lahore. The JI nomi-

nates Mian Maqsood Ahmed forNA-118, Ziaud Din Ansari forNA-119, Hafiz Salman Butt forNA-120, Farid Ahmed Pirachafor NA-121, Ameerul Azeem forNA-122, Ch MuhammadShoukat for NA-123, WaqarNadeem Wariach for NA-125,Liaquat Baloch for NA-126,Ehsan Ullah Waqas for NA-127,Zahoor Ahmed Wattoo for NA-128, Yunis Mao for NA-129 andCh Manzoor Gujar for NA-130.

JI candidates for PunjabAssembly’s seats are: PP 137 AliImran, PP 138 Ch Aslam, PP141 Munir Awan, PP 142 ZiaudDin Ansari, PP 139 MalikMuhammad Nawaz, PP 140Hafiz Salman Butt, PP 149Shahid Navid Malik, PP 150Anwar Gondal, PP 147 AmeerulAzeem, PP 148 Haji RiazulHassan, PP 143 Ch MuhammadShoukat, PP 144 Sh MuhammadAmin, PP 145 Amir Sidiqui, PP146 Salman Ahmed Khan, PP155 Zakiud Sheikh, PP 156Waqar Nadeem Wariach, PP 151Ch Mehmood, PP 152 MalikShahid Aslam, PP 153 SajidButt, PP 154 Ihsanullah Waqas,PP 160 Jehangir Bara, PP 161Salim Ladhi, PP 159Muhammad Yunus, PP 157Mian Amir Khalil and PP 158Umar Hayat Bajwa.

agreed to support each other inthe forthcoming general elec-

tions and 25 out of 100 constitu-encies were given to PML-Q inthe central Punjab. PPP got 148constituencies of provincial as-sembly and PML-Q gained 52.

Disputed constituency of NA-105 Gujrat is still in abeyance asthe constituency is a bone of con-tention between Chaudhry PervaizElahi and Chaudhry AhmadMukhtar of PPP. President Asif AliZardari and Chaudhry ShujaatHussain are likely to meet on com-ing Tuesday to resolve the issue ofNA-105.

PPP, PML-Qfinalise seat

From Page 1

curity for all candidates in thewake of the shooting.

“He sustained four bullets inhis head and abdomen and diedon the spot,” police officialAkhtar Hussain told AFP.

Islam’s father was not in-jured, but police said he was in“deep shock”.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) spokesperson EhsanullahEhsan claimed that the pro-scribed organisation was behindthe killing of the MQM candi-date in Hyderabad, in continua-tion of the militant group’s ear-lier announcement of targetingof secular parties in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s umbrella Talibanfaction has directly threatenedthe main secular coalition part-ners in the outgoing govern-ment.

The killing of Islam, whowas running for the Sindh pro-vincial assembly, is likely to fuelconcerns that violence will marthe national and regional elec-tions on May 11.

The MQM said Islam hadbeen targeted deliberately andaccused “terrorists” of trying tosabotage a peaceful democraticprocess.

“The way he has beenkilled and his father remainedunhurt shows the precision thekillers have and also their in-tention to target him in particu-lar,” said party spokesmanWasay Jalil.

“Terrorists are threateningto sabotage elections… but theseterror acts will not deter us fromtaking part in elections and ourstance against extremism andterrorism,” he added.

In a statement issued fromLondon, MQM chief AltafHussain condemned the inci-dent in strong words and saidsuch cowardly acts would notdeter the confidence of hisparty’s workers. Hussain de-manded that the ProvincialGovernor and caretaker chiefminister should take immedi-ate notice of the incident andbring to justice those behindthe attack. He further de-manded protection of theparty’s candidates. Hyderabadis the second largest city inSindh and the second largestMQM stronghold.—AFP

MQM electioncandidateshot dead

From Page 1 HR groups should interveneinto killings: AJKPC

British lawmakers insiston Afghan-led peacetalks with Taliban

LONDON—A group of Britishlawmakers following a report in-sisted on Afghan-led peace dealwith the Taliban group in a bidto secure the future of Afghani-stan following British troopswithdrawal.

The lawmakers also warnedthat failure to do so could leadto civil war in Afghanistan.Lawmakers in UnitedKingdom’s defense select com-mit also added that UK had aresponsibility to use its influ-ence to “make Afghanistanwork” after 2014.

This comes as British de-fense secretary announced thatthe last group of Royal Marinecommando unit will leave Af-ghanistan as part of the Britishtroops planned withdrawal from

the country.Defense secretary Philip

Hammon also said that UKwould help Afghans to reach “asustainable political settlement”.In the meantime British law-makers report focused on theplanned withdrawal of UK com-bat troops at the end of 2014 andthe transfer of responsibilities tothe Afghan National SecurityForces (ANSF).

The lawmakers in their re-port also insisted on an open andfree elections and on appropri-ate training and equipment ofAfghan security forces with con-tinued financial support.

The defense committee alsoemphasized on a strong judicialsystem in a bid to protect humanrights in country besides contin-ued development aid and imme-diate steps to tackle corruptionand the drug trade.

The MPs in their reporthighlighted significant gaps inthe capabilities of the ANSF inareas such as helicopters andclose air support and medicalcare.

Committee chairman JamesArbuthnot quoted by BBC said,“We have received starkly op-posing predictions forAfghanistan’s outlook, post2014. “The fact is that the UKhas limited influence. Indeed, itis for the Afghan people them-selves to determine their ownfuture.

“However, the UK and itsinternational partners must showthe Afghan people that they willabide by their obligations to con-tinue to support them in theirefforts.” The MPs said they hadreceived “very little” informa-tion about the involvement ofthe Ministry of Defence and theUK Foreign Office in Afghani-stan beyond 2014.—NNI

JAMMU—Criticising theJammu and Kashmir govern-ment for compromising the se-curity of panchayat members,All Jammu and KashmirPanchayat Conference (AJKPC)has sought the intervention ofinternational human rights agen-cies into the killing of panchayatmembers in the state.

AJKPC also indicted theState and National HumanRights Commissions for theirfailure to pressurise the govern-

ment in saving the lives ofpanchayat members.

“Jammu and Kashmir gov-ernment has failed to protect thelives of elected panchayat mem-bers in the state. We appeal toworld human rights organisationsto intervene and take note of theirbrutal killings,” AJKPC chair-man Shafiq Mir told reporters.

The comment came aftersuspected militants gunneddown a sarpanch affiliated to theruling National Conference in

Pulwama district of south Kash-mir. Ghulam Mohammad Lone(45) was shot by militants insidehis residence at Kulpora village,35 km from Srinagar.

Terming the Centre as“mute spectator”, Mir criticisedthe union government’s attitudetowards safety and security ofthe state’s 33,000 panchayatleaders. “They (the Centre) havebeen mute spectators to the kill-ing of panchayat members,” Miralleged.—NNI

Afghan soldier opens fire onLithuanian troops, injures 2

KABUL—According to localauthorities in western Ghorprovince of Afghanistan, atleast two NATO-led coalitionsecurity forces were injuredafter an Afghan security ser-vice member opened fire onthem.

The officials further added,the incident took place inCheghcharan city. Provincial

governor spokesman Abdul HaiKhatibi confirming the reportsaid the injured soldiers belongsto Lithuania.

He said the incident tookplace after an Afghan soldiercalled on Lithuanian troops tostop their vehicles. Accordingto Mr. Khatibi the Afghan sol-dier fired a rocket propelledgrenade on the armored ve-

hicle of the Lithuanian troops,injuring two of them.

Mr. Khatibi also addedthat the health condition ofone of the soldier is criticaland has been taken out Ghorprovince for treatment pur-poses. The assailant Afghansoldier has reportedly beenarrested and is under the in-vestigation.—NNI

had given decision in theHudabiya Paper Mills case infavor of Sharif brothers. He saidthere are ‘personal reasons’ thathe is unable to hear the case con-cerning Imran Khan whosenomination papers were chal-lenged from NA 122.—INP

Election tribunalrefuses to hear

appeals concerningSharifs, Imran

From Page 1

lenging the nomination ofPervez Musharraf to contestgeneral election from NA-32Chitral.

It may be mentioned thatMushrraf’s nomination paperswere earlier rejected from Na-tional Assembly constituenciesof NA-250, Karachi, NA-139Kasur and and NA-48Islamabad against which he hasfiled appeals.

On the other hand, theelection tribunal of LahoreHigh Court (LHC) has issuednotice to the returning officerto appear on Friday over re-

jecting nomination papers offormer president General(retd) Pervez Musharraf fromNA-139 Kasur.

It may be recalled that Ri-val candidate Javed Kasuri hadraised six objections againstMusharraf ’s candidature inKasur NA-139.

In his objection, Kasuri saidthat Musharraf was unfit to con-test elections in the light of Ar-ticle 62, 62 of the Constitutionfor facing several cases. Afterhearing arguments, ReturningOffice had rejected Musharraf’spapers.

The former dictator hadchallenged the rejection of hisnomination papers from Kasur,NA-139 constituency before theelection tribunal in Lahore HighCourt.

Pervez Musharraf is of theview that he fulfills the require-ments of Article 62 and 63.Moreover, his nomination pa-pers were also accepted fromChitral, NA 32.

Responding over his ap-peal, the election tribunal hasissued notice to the returningofficer to appear before the tri-bunal in April 12 hearing.

Ch Nisar’s nominationpapers accepted

From Page 1

dates of other parties in view.Therefore, both are keeping itsecret. PPP is also very slow forobvious reasons. However, par-ties can not defer this matter fora long time as they have to giveenough time to their candidatesfor campaigning.

Major partiesambivalent on

awarding ticketsFrom Page 1

plaints. The ECP has ordered totransfer Chief Secretary, Addi-tional Chief Secretary and HomeSecretary of Sindh, while Prin-ciple Secretary of Interim SindhChief Minister, City Commis-sioner, Secretary Education,Secretary Local Governmentand Secretary Services and Gen-eral Administrative Departmenthave already been replaced.

According to the ECP or-ders, high-ranking officials ofSindh police department includ-ing District CommissionerJamshoro, District InspectorGeneral Larkana and DistrictCommission Naushero Ferozhave also been transferred.

Sindh: ECP ordersto reshuffle 65 top

bureaucratsFrom Page 1

and Sindhi nationalist partieswould make the announcementpertaining to the alliance on Thurs-day (today). Sources said that dur-ing the meeting held on Wednes-day, the parties decided to bringjoint candidates against the MQMon all provincial and national as-semblies seats. They said that thePML-N would be given one Na-tional Assembly (NA) and fourProvincial Assembly (PA) seatsand the JUI-F would be given threeNA and six PA seats while theJamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP)would get two NA seats and eightPA seats. The JI would be giventhe most seats with eight NA and20 PA. PML-F to be supported onfour NA and eight PA seats, thesources said.—INP

10 political partiesto form anti-MQMelectoral alliance

From Page 1

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Admiral AsifSandila, Chief of the NavalStaff, Pakistan Navy visited Pa-kistan Aeronautical Complex,(PAC) Kamra, Thursday.

The Naval Chief was givena comprehensive briefing on theworking of PAC Board and itsfactories. He also visited vari-ous facilities of the complex andlauded the valuable contribu-tions of Pakistan AeronauticalComplex towards the aerial de-fence of the country by provid-ing prompt support for various

weapon systems of the PAF. Heespecially appreciated the pro-duction capability of the JF-17Co-production Project.

He emphasized on the syn-ergistic prospects between Pa-kistan Air Force and PakistanNavy and appreciated the capa-bilities achieved by PACKamra in this regard. CNS alsounderscored the significance ofvarious facilities of PAC Kamrathat could be utilized for fur-ther strengthen the operationalreadiness of Aviation Fleet ofPakistan Navy and reiterated allout support for fruitful coopera-

tion in aviation related activi-ties.

Earlier, on his arrival he wasreceived by Air Marshal SohailGul Khan, Chairman PACBoard Kamra, who introducedthe members of PAC Board andManaging Directors to the Na-val Chief.

Pakistan Aeronautical Com-plex, Kamra has grown fromstrength to strength over theyears. Being the leading Avia-tion Industry it has placed Paki-stan amongst the elite group ofcountries that manufacturefighter aircraft.

Chief of the naval staff visitsPak aeronautical complex

Karzai promisesObama to keep

dangerousdetainees in prisonKABUL—President HamidKarzai spoke by telephone withhis US counterpart BarackObama, whereby Karzaipledged to not release danger-ous detainees from Afghan pris-ons, the White House said in astatement.

More than a year after sign-ing an agreement to transferBagram prison from US to Af-ghan control - and two weeksafter the final handover tookplace - US concerns about therelease of some detainees re-main high.

According to the WhiteHouse statement, the two lead-ers agreed that officials from theUS and Afghanistan wouldstrive to “keep dangerous detain-ees off the battlefield, and workin partnership at the facility, con-sistent with Afghan sover-eignty”.

Karzai and Obama also dis-cussed the upcoming presiden-tial and provincial polls duringwhich Karzai affirmed his sup-port for fair and inclusive elec-tions, the White House said.

The two leaders also discussedprogress in transferring responsibil-ity for security to Afghan forcesfrom the US-led coalition, with both“looking forward” to Afghan secu-rity forces taking the lead role, thestatement said. Obama welcomedKarzai’s meetings last month withthe Emir of Qatar, Sheikh HamadBin Khalifa Al Thani, to advancepeace talks with the Taliban, thestatement added. US Secretary ofState John Kerry travelled to Kabultwo weeks later and soothed thestrained relationship with messagesof understanding for Karzai andspeeches that pledged the twocountries will come to an agree-ment on some US forces remain-ing after 2014.—NNI

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Provincial Minister forHealth Saleema Hashmi has saidthat there was a need of policymaking and taking numerous solidsteps for ensuring protection of thelives of women and children andprovision of health facilities tothem whereas future elected gov-ernment has to pay special atten-tion to this less privileged segmentof the society.

“Holding of free, fair andtransparent general elections is theprime responsibility of caretakergovernment, while ensuring ofsmooth working of governmentdepartments and monitoring ofgovernment functionaries was also

Saleema seeks women role ineradicating polio, measles, dengue

a priority of caretakers,” she said,while talking to the media men af-ter inaugurating a state-of-the-artnursery ward in Services Hospitalhere Thursday.

Secretary Health ArifNadeem, Additional SecretaryHealth (Tech) Dr. Anwar Janjua,Principal Services Institute ofMedical Sciences (SIMS) Prof. Dr.Hamid Butt, MS Services Hospi-tal Dr. Rehana Malik and other se-nior doctors attended the inaugu-ral ceremony.

Responding to a questionSaleema Hashmi said that it wascrucial time with regard to polio,measles and dengue diseases,however in order to overcomethese problems the whole society

has to participate in the struggleagainst these menace. She empha-sized the role of house women ineradication of dengue, as the den-gue mosquito breeds mostly in-side the houses, and, according tothe experts, 80% dengue residesinsides the houses. She stressedthe need for launching vigorousawareness campaign against den-gue.

She further said that womenand children are very vulnerablesegment of our society and there isa need to take numerous of stepsfor creating sense of securityamong them by taking solid steps.

Earlier, the Health Ministerinaugurated the state-of-the-artnursery ward in Services Hospital.

Pakistan’s womenpolitical leaderspraised for theirdedicated work

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Representatives of themedia, policymakers, civil societyorganizations, intellectuals andwriters participating in a nationalsummit have hailed Pakistan’swomen political leaders for theirdedicated work — at grassroots aswell as policy levels – and urgedthat they be given leading oppor-tunities in the forthcoming generalelections 2013.

The ‘First National Network-ing Summit on Women’s Leader-ship’ was jointly organized bySearch for Common Ground Pa-kistan and Insan Foundation Trustas part of their ‘Women’s Initiativefor Learning and Leadership(WILL)’ campaign to celebratestruggles and achievements ofwomen political leaders, especiallyfrom the provincial assemblies anddistricts of Punjab, KhyberPakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan,Sindh and the Federally Adminis-trated Tribal Areas (FATA).

“Women leaders of Pakistanare vocal, visible, active and upfront today,” said Punjab’s InterimMinister for Women Development,Salima Hashmi, in her opening re-marks as chief guest of the nationalsummit. “They demand theirrights, at least in areas where ac-cess to information and entertain-ment is practiced. For me, thisevent is a point of celebration byand for women.”

BIPIN DANI

OBSERVER

CORRESPONDENT

MUMBAI—South Africa’sformer wicketkeeper MarkBoucher, who had an-nounced his retirementfrom international cricketfollowing eye injury lastyear, underwent yet an-other surgery on Monday.

This was revealed byhis manager, DonneCommins. Speaking fromCape Town, she said,“Boucher has had a num-ber of operations already totry and gain as much visionas possible and his opera-

Mark Boucher regains 50%blurred vision: advised to

avoid ball sports gametion on Monday was to re-move scar tissue and tomonitor the healing”.

“He will need to have anumber more operations overthe course of the year. Hisdoctor is happy with hisprogress”, she further added.

Mark Boucher was in-jured in a match in a warm upmatch in Taunton last year.While not wearing a protec-tive helmet nor glasses thewicketkeeper suffered a seri-ous eye injury after beingstruck on his left eye by a bailwhen leg-spinner Imran Tahirbowled Somerset batsman.

“He will not play cricketat any level and is not al-

lowed to play any ballsports where there is a po-tential risk of further dam-age to the injured eye orpotential damage to theother eye”, the lady man-ager added. “He has thepotential of 50% visionwhen a retina is placed intohis eye but at the momenthis vision is blurred”.

“Mark is involved in theSAB Boucher Non ProfitCompany which has as itsmain aim raising funds tosave our rhinos from poach-ing in SA. He is also in-volved in a number of busi-nesses, does talks etc”, shesigned off.

BARCELONA: Lionel Messi World Player of the Year guides the Spanish giants past Paris Saint-Germain to reachthe semi-finals of the Champions League.

ISLAMABAD—Chief Selector,Iqbal Qasim has said that thePakistan team was still under-going a rebuilding processand what was perceived as

an inconsistent selectionpolicy was actually a “tacti-cal move” to test young tal-ent.

“Realistically, we do nothave a quality pool of reserveplayers,” Qasim was quotedas saying by ESPNcricinfo.

While admitting thatcricket in Pakistan was fac-ing a crisis, Qasim said thatthe selectors were looking at

Pakistan team undergoingrebuilding process: Iqbal Qasim

grooming cricketers to helpthe side overcome a transi-tion phase.

“Most of the spots withinthe playing XI are not fixedand players are not doingenough to retain their place.We are giving them opportu-nities, but they have to raisethe standard of their game andgrab their chances. A goodplayer doesn’t wait for thesecond chance and we needplayers who can fill in for thebest players at every slot.”

Qasim said that handlinga transition phase was diffi-cult for all teams in cricket,irrespective of their past per-formances.

“It happens everywhere,even in Australia,” he said.

“We are trying to look foryoung cricketers, but the situ-ation in domestic cricket isnot encouraging. Critics talkabout the inconsistent selec-tion but the other side of theargument is that we have totry different combinationsuntil we find the best pros-pects for Pakistan.

Our job as selectors is topick the best player and it isthe player’s job to hold on tohis place by performingwell,” he added.

“We want stability in aplayer’s performance so that

we can look at the long term,”he said.

“Unfortunately, they lackconsistency and are neitherhelping us nor themselves.We have a great history ofproducing world-class play-ers who ruled the world. Wehave to be patient and sooneror later, we will definitelyhave a greater depth of qual-ity players in our systemagain. We have marked fu-ture prospects like HarisSohail, Junaid Khan andEhsan Adil and we are look-ing for quality players to filleach slot.”

Qasim said his role waslimited to selecting players,not developing them.

He said that the lack ofinternational cricket in Paki-stan was a setback.

“Players aren’t thriving.Playing domestic cricket isokay but they need exposureto international cricket at theUnder-19 and A-team levels.This is how a player is de-veloped for internationalcricket. We are picking a rawplayer who may have per-formed at the domestic levelbut has never been testedagainst quality teamsaround the world before be-ing selected for the nationalteam.”

Pakistan are currentlyranked No. 5 in ICC Testrankings, No. 6 in ODIs andNo. 4 in T20Is.

Their highest position inTests came in 2007, whenthey made it to No. 3. Qasimwas reluctant to predictwhether the team wouldreach the No. 1 ranking.

“I can’t say whether wecan achieve the No 1 posi-tion with the players we havein the team, but I can be opti-mistic about it.”

Pakistan recentlydropped senior batsmanYounis Khan and had alsodropped Shahid Afridi fromthe ODIs in India last year.

While Qasim said drop-ping a senior member waspainful, there was no cultureof a rotation policy in Paki-stan.

“It doesn’t fit here asplayers are insecure, theynever will want to be rested,”Qasim said.

“The present crop of play-ers are in rebuilding processand we are trying to form agood combination. We are infact in no position to rotateplayers as the phenomenaisn’t feasible in our culture.Players start obsessingabout their place rather thangiving their best.”—APP

K A R A C H I — V e t e r a nallrounder Shahid Afridi saidThursday he is targeting the2015 World Cup after return-ing to the Pakistan side, butvowed to quit if he became aburden on the team.

The 33-year-old was leftout of the squad for the one-day series against India inDecember before staging acomeback for the tour ofSouth Africa, but his woefulrun of form has continued.

Afridi’s 88 in the thirdone-dayer in Johannesburgwas his first half-century inthe past 12 months and hehas also struggled with hisleg-breaks, failing to take asingle wicket in his last sixmatches.

Despite the slide in per-formance, Afridi, who hasscored 7,201 runs and taken348 wickets in 354 ODIs, saidhe was still hopeful he couldmake the World Cup in Aus-tralia and New Zealand.

“My fitness level is goodand I want to continue play-ing at the top level,” Afriditold reporters. “The 2015World Cup is in my mind butit depends on fitness andperformance.”

Afridi was included inPakistan’s initial 30-mansquad for the ChampionsTrophy to be held in Englandin June, but must perform inthe ongoing national one-day cup to make the final 15to be announced next month.

He said he would quit foryounger players to comethrough if he does not per-form.

Afridi eyes 2015 World Cup“When I felt I was not up

to the mark in Tests, I left thefive-day format,” said Afridi,who retired from Test cricketin 2010.

“I will not play by forceneither would I like the se-lectors to select me withoutgood performance.”

Afridi said he was doinghis best to improve his bowl-ing and demanded more re-

spect for players.“Cricket is because of the

players and the cricket boardmust respect the players. Ifthere is a mistake on the partof the players they must betold about that and if selec-tors want to drop them, theyshould tell the players,” saidAfridi.

Afridi was removed asone-day captain in May 2011

LAHORE: Students take part in hurdle race during 113th Annual Sports Day of Government College University atPunjab Stadium.

AUGUSTA: American Ted Potter Jnr won the Masters par-three contest.

AUGUSTA (Georgia)—TedPotter set the stage for the 77thMasters by winning the tradi-tional eve-of-tournament Par-3 Contest on Wednesday,while tennis star CarolineWozniacki provided comic re-lief.

The 29-year-old Americandebutant carded a five-under22 on the nine-hole par-threelayout, which lies adjacent tothe famed Augusta Nationalcourse.

That left him in a five-waytie for the lead along with MattKuchar, Phil Mickelson, NickWatney and Ernie Els.

Potter then sealed a solowin on the second hole of theensuing playoff against justKuchar and Mickelson, thetwo others having opted out.

By winning, Potter invitedthe curse of the Par-3 contestto fall upon his head as, since1960 when the family andfriends knockabout was firstheld, no winner has gone onto win the green jacket fourdays later.

The glamour team of theday, however, was undoubt-edly Rory McIlroy with his ten-nis-playing girlfriendWozniacki on the bag, whichproduced the unlikely scenarioof autograph hunters sur-rounding both player and cad-die.

McIlroy and Wozniackihave been dating for the last18 months and the Ulstermanhas already tried his hand athis girlfriend’s sport, playinga point against MariaSharapova, opposing

Golf: Potter wins par-3crown, Wozniacki flops

Wozniacki in an exhibitionmatch in New York.

The Dane, a former worldnumber one, has often beenseen at McIlroy’s side at tour-naments when her own play-ing schedule allows, but thistime she actually tried her handat hitting a shot competitively.

As it turned out her swingwas not up to the standard ofher serve as her feeble effortoff the tee at the ninth barelycovered 10 yards before plop-ping into the water.

That still produced a con-solation high-five from thewatching McIlroy.

Wozniacki is not the firstwomen’s professional tennisstar to caddie in this event.Chris Evert was on her then-husband Greg Norman’s bagin 2009.

Chinese prodigy GuanTianlang was also in actionahead of his date with historyon Thursday when, at just 14,he becomes the youngest-everplayer at the Masters.

At the other extreme of theage span was the grouping ofthree former legends of thegame — Arnold Palmer (83),Gary Player (77) and JackNicklaus (73).—AFP

BA R C E L O N A—Barcelonasurvived a huge scare fromParis Saint-Germain onWednesday to qualify for theChampions League semi-fi-nals for the sixth successiveseason on away goals after a1-1 draw at the Camp Nou.

The 2-2 draw between thepair in last week’s quarter-fi-nal first leg had handed theadvantage to the Catalans,but with star player LionelMessi only starting the re-

Barcelona survive scare to reach semi-finalsturn as a substitute due to ahamstring injury, theyseemed nervous throughoutand PSG deservedly went infront just after half-timethrough Javier Pastore.

However, with Messisummoned from the bench,Pedro fired home 19 minutesfrom time to send Barca intothe last four.

And the winger was evenmore relieved to have scoredthe equaliser having given

the ball away in the lead upto the PSG goal.

“They went ahead due toan error by me, but in the endwe were able to equalise andwe deserved to go throughto the semi-finals,” he toldCanal+.

However, Pedro admittedthat it was Messi’s introduc-tion that turned the gamearound in the final half hour.

“He made a great effort.He is very important for the

team and this week he hasworked his upmost to gethere,” he said.

“We need to thank himfor his involvement. Theteam turned around com-pletely with his introduc-tion.”

Even without Messi,Barca came within inches ofthe perfect start when Xavicurled a free-kick inches pastSalvatore Sirigu’s right-handpost.—AFP

Int’l womencycling C’ship

on April 15L A H O R E — I n t e r n a t i o n a lwomen cycling champion-ship will be held here fromApril 15 under the auspicesof Pakistan Cycling Federa-tion. “It is going to a grandwomen cycling event inwhich we expect the partici-pation of two foreign teams”,said Kamran Amin, Secretary,PCF, (Idris Haider group) onThursday.

He said the three-dayevent will be participated byall the affiliated units of PCFand Wapda will defend thetitle. “We are awaiting thetravel plan of the two foreignteams and as soon as we re-ceive it we will be revealingtheir names “,he added.

PCF official said thewomen championship willserve as an effective mediumto further polish the skills andbetter the technique of homeriders who are fast coming upin the sport. “Our female cy-clists are rich in talent and theyhave established Pakistan’sname as an emerging womencycling country and this factis known from our cyclistsachievements in South Asiancycling championships andgames “,he maintained. He saidvarious committee have beenformed to hold the premierevent in a befitting manner atthe cycling velodrome wherea number of events will beorganised besides the roadevents .

“We have adequate madesafety and security arrange-ments for conducting roadevents “,said PCF Secre-tary.—APP

Pakistan drawnwith tough

Malaysian sidein Asia Cup

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan willface tough resistance from arising Malaysian hockeyteam as the two outfits havebeen placed in Pool ‘A’ alongwith minnows Japan and Chi-nese Taipei in the 9th Men’sAsia Cup Hockey Tourna-ment, which will run fromAugust 24 to September 1this year in Ipoh, Malaysia.

Although Pakistan is thetop ranked Asian team, No 5,in the world standings, it hasrecently fallen way off theperformance charts, their lat-est disaster coming at the six-nation Azlan Shah Cup wherethey finished rock-bottom.

On the other hand, lowly-ranked Malaysia, the worldNo 13, put on a brilliant showand narrowly lost the final toworld No 2 Australia in thesame event.

While Pakistan is likely toenjoy a relatively comfortableouting against Japan andChinese Taipei, the out-of-form Greenshirts would notwant to put anything tochance.—APP

UBL stuns PIA inPresident’s Cup

KARACHI—Abid Ali hit asparkling 91 and KashifBhatti grabbed four wicketsas United Bank Ltd (UBL)stunned by nine runs inPresident’s Cup at ShaheedBenazir Bhutto Interna-tional Stadium in GarhiKhuda Bakhsh on Thurs-day.

Abid made a fine 91 off127 balls with six fours assent to bat first UBL mustered222 for the loss of eight wick-ets.

PIA in reply was bowledout for 213 in 48.3overs.Sheharyar Ghaniscored 52 in 73 balls withthree boundaries.

Kashif Bhatti in sterlingdisplay captured four wick-ets for 38 runs to cause theslide in airlines batting.

Summarized scores:UBL 222-8 in 50 overs

(Abid Ali 91, Eitmad-ul-Haq 28, Mohammad Irshad23, Shabbir Ahmed 22,Anwar Ali 2-40, AizazCheema 2-45, GhulamMohammad 2-46).

PIA 213 in 48.3 overs(Shaharyar Ghani 52, AghaSabir 40, Anwar Ali 25,Kashif Bhatti 4-38, ZubairKhan 3-35, Shabbir Ahmed2-27).—APP

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, presiding over 70th Formation Commanders’ Confer-ence at General Headquarters.

Army officers’postal ballotsISLAMABAD—Postal ballotsof Pak Army soldiers includ-ing officers would be dis-patched to Returning Officers(ROs) till the mid of thismonth. Postal balloting pro-cess has been started and ECforms of the officers would besent to ROs till 15th of thismonth. It is worth mentioningthat it is the very first timein the history of countrythat a mechanism has beenmolded for military officersand their families regardingcasting of vote.—Online

Blast outsideMatni HospitalPESHAWAR—Explosive mate-rial planted outside hospitalhere in the suburbs ofPeshawar by unknown miscre-ants exploded on Thursdaymorning but fortunately nocausality or injury was re-ported. According to police,unidentified miscreants hadplanted explosives with theboundary wall of Matni Hos-pital located in sub-urban areaof the provincial capital ofKhyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP)which went off with a big bang.However, no injury or humanloss was reported as the placewas vacant at the time of ex-plosion. The boundary wall ofhospital was partially damageddue to the blast. Police cor-doned off the area after theblast and launched search forthe miscreants.—INP

FormationCommanders

moot concludesSTAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—The 70th For-mation Commanders’ Confer-ence chaired by GeneralAshfaq Parvez Kayani, theChief of Army Staff (COAS),concluded at General Head-quarters Thursday, the halfyearly conference was at-tended by Corps Command-ers, Principal Staff Officersand all Formation Command-ers.

The forum was givencomprehensive briefings onexternal and internal securityenvironment and profes-sional matters. Plans to pro-vide security during Mayelections as asked for by theElection Commission of Pa-kistan (ECP) were also dis-cussed and deliberated.

Drone attacksaffecting common

man: CJ PHCPESHAWAR—Chief JusticePeshawar High Court (PHC)Justice Dost MuhammadKhan has remarked that if at-tacks on Salala can be stoppedthen why not drone strikes.

LHC chief justice madethese remarks while hearingpetition against drone strikesin the tribal areas of Pakistan.He said common people areaffected more by such attacks.

Justice Dost Muhammadsaid the parliament makes theforeign policy but it is notimplemented. Commenting onHamoodur Rahman commis-sion, the chief justice said ‘welost half of the country but thecommission’s report has notbeen made public yet.’ He fur-ther said Abbottabad Com-mission report had been final-ized, however, the commonman is unaware about thefacts.—Online

Rohani to runfor president

TEHRAN—Director of theIranian Expediency Council’sCenter of Strategic StudiesHassan Rohani has officiallyannounced his candidacyfor the country’s forthcom-ing presidential election.

Rohani said on Thursdaythat he will prepare a “civilrights charter” if he succeedsin winning the presidentialelection.

Iran’s former chiefnuclear negotiator vowed toform a “government of wis-dom and hope” in case ofachieving victory in therace.—PressTV

TARIQ SAEED

PESHAWAR—With the Armysupervised security force’sgrand operation, kicked offagainst the militants chal-lenging the writ of govern-ment in Khyber agency, en-tering seventh day, 15 moreinsurgents were moweddown by the forces on Thurs-day bringing the death toll ofthe militants to more than115. Thursday’s clashes alsoled to the martyrdom of an-other man in uniform and thecasualties on part of the se-curity forces during the oneweek rose to over two dozen.The martyred security per-sonals include one major anda lieutenant.

The Security forces,which have been operatingagainst the trouble makers inKhyber agency with particu-lar reference to volatile re-mote Tiraah valley since long,it may be recalled, had initi-

ated a grand operation in thearea Friday lastin the wake ofcontinuous infightings be-tween banned out fitsLasher-e-Islam, Ansaar UlIslam and Tehreek-e-TalibanPakistan (TTP) in Tiraahsince their activities were notonly creating a serious Lawand Order situation in the re-gion but was also posing se-rious threats to the writ of thegovernment.

The Inter Services Pub-lic Relations said in Peshawarthat the security forces andthe miscreants clashedThursday in Jarobi Sectorand other areas in Khyberagency that resulted in kill-ing of at least 15 militants andmartyrdom of a soldier.

While the forces wereconsolidating their positionsin the parts of Tiraah valley,they have also destroyednumber of militants hide outsin Maidan area on Thursdaybesides taking control over

number of insurgent’s keypositions. The officialsources told Pakistan Ob-server.

The local sources saidthe security forces engagedthe trouble makers in the ar-eas in and around Tiraah val-ley of Tehsil Bara yet themilitants continue to holdMalik din Khel, Bur KumberKhel, Shalober and in TehsilLandi Kotal the Koki Khelareas. On the other hand theTehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) spokesman claimedthat his comrades still en-joyed control over vast areain remote Tiraah valley andcontrary to official claimsthey suffered little losses. Healso claimed to have lunchedattack on a center of the pro-government peace commit-tee on Thursday inflictingheavy losses on them. How-ever, his claims could not besubstantiated through thecredible sources.

Tirah clashes continue

15 militants killed,soldier martyred

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan haswelcomed foreign observersfrom different countries toshow them impartiality in theforthcoming general electionsscheduled for May 11. For-eign Office Spokesman AizazAhmed Chaudhry in hisweekly briefing here at For-eign Office on Thursday said,“Pakistan welcomes foreignelection observers becauseour leadership is committed tohold free, fair and transparentelection in the country.”

He said this exercise willhelp improve the credibilityamongst the international

community. Regarding thedecision of European UnionElection Observers, to not totravel to FATA andBalochistan, the spokesmansaid, after getting accredita-tion from the Election Com-mission of Pakistan, all theobservers are issued a traveladvisory by the Interior Min-istry.

He said so far they havereceived requests from Na-tional Democratic Institute,Commonwealth, United King-dom, Turkey, Malaysia, Aus-tralia, Mauritius and Maldivesfor sending their election ob-

servers and their case is un-der process.

About threatening state-ments by North Korea, theForeign Office Spokesmansaid Pakistan shares the con-cern of international commu-nity on the recent tension anddeteriorating situation in Ko-rean Peninsula. He said Pa-kistan always supportsnuclear free Korea Peninsula.He said, “We monitoring theevolving situation in KoreanPeninsula and taking neces-sary measures to ensure thesafety of our diplomats andstaff there.”—APP

Pak welcomes foreign observersto show impartiality in polls

ISLAMABAD—Secret agen-cies have revealed that mili-tants were planning to targetPakistan People’s Party (PPP)leader Awais Muzaffar Tappiand Bilawal House to disruptthe ongoing electoral pro-cess.

According to a reportconveyed to the authoritiesconcerned, the secret agen-cies said that militant groupsincluding Tehreek-e-TalibanPakistan (TTP), Jundullahand Lashkar-i-Jhangvi (LeJ)are preparing to attack 31 keypersonalities in Karachi.

“President Zardari’s rela-

tive Muzaffar Tappi might beattacked with a bomb whilethe attack on Bilawal Houseis also possible,” the reportsaid.

The target list of the mili-tants include names of ajudge, six policemen, 10 po-litical leaders, 12 religiousleaders and two journalistsand businessmen each. “At-tack on foreign dignitaries isalso possible as militantgroups would seek ransomand release of prisonersthrough the abduction ofhigh value targets,” itadded.—INP

Militants may targetBilawal House, warn PPP

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The SupremeCourt of Pakistan was informedon Thursday that work hadbeen completed to materialisethe inclusion of overseas Pa-kistanis in the forthcominggeneral elections.The apexcourt was further apprised thata recent meeting of the Elec-tion Commission of Pakistan(ECP) and other functionariesof the government, discussedthe issue of providing votingrights to overseas Pakistanisand concluded that their par-ticipation would be ensured.

This was told to a three-judge bench comprising ChiefJustice Iftikhar MuhammadChaudhry, Justice GulzarAhmed and Justice SheikhAzmat Saeed, when it resumedhearing of constitutional peti-tions by PTI chairman Imran

Khan and others.During thecourse of the proceeding, ECPDirector General Sher Afganinformed the bench about themeetings held at the ECP be-tween all the stakeholders onApril 9th and 10th.Giving thereport, he stated that duringthe meetings it was decidedthat the inclusion of overseasPakistanis in the coming elec-tion was possible, and said thatit was decided initially Paki-stanis residing in ten countrieswould be included in this exer-cise.

“About 4.5 million regis-tered voters are residing inother countries, out ofwhich 3.5 million are in theMiddle East and 2.9 millionout of this figure are cur-rently living only in twocountries of Saudi Arabiaand the United Arab Emir-ates,” he informed the court.

Overseas Pakistanis to bepart of election process

WASHINGTON—The US as-sistance to Pakistan hashelped in reducing the con-ditions that foment extremismin the country, US Secretaryof State John Kerry said asthe State Department in itsannual budget sought USD1.3 billion in economic andmilitary assistance for theSouth Asian nation.

“Our economic and mili-tary assistance to Pakistanhelps reduce the conditionsthat enable extremism and itscalling card - terrorism - todisrupt and destroy,” saidJohn Kerry in an eight-pagebudget letter to the US Con-gress.

“We are helping Paki-stan to continue its devel-

opment as a responsible andresponsive internationalpartner. For Pakistan we re-quest USD 1.3 billion in Fi-nancial Year 2014 to fundcivil and military assistancealong with supporting theexisting diplomatic plat-form,” Kerry said.

According to a State De-partment fact sheet, the bud-getary provisions for Paki-stan includes programs thatincrease stability, strength-ens democratic institutionsand helps in countering vio-lent extremism.

It also invests in energy,economic growth,stabilisation of border areas,education, health andcounter insurgency and

counter terrorism capabilities.The budgetary provisionssupport the USGovernment’s civilian pres-ence in the country andmodernises security forcesbut eliminates the PakistanCounterinsurgency Capabil-ity Fund, the State Depart-ment said.

“In Pakistan, we’re look-ing at programs to make surethat we are putting the dollarwhere it’s going to have thegreatest impact,” the StateDepartment said. The USD1.3 billion proposed by theState Department includesUSD 860 million as non-mili-tary assistance and aboutUSD 300 million as militaryassistance.—Online

US assistance to Pakistanhelps reduce terror: Kerry

ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Minis-ter for Information and Broad-casting Arif Nizami said onThursday that the prime focusof the caretaker set up was toensure free, fair and impartialelections in the country.

This he said while chairinga meeting at Press InformationDepartment (PID) here. He saidthat PID would provide not onlyprofessional assistance to Elec-tion Commission but also facili-tate media in the coverage ofcoming general elections.

The PID should remain im-partial and work for creating apositive environment for mediaso that it can provide a level

playing field to all politicalparties,said Arif Nizami. Theminister also emphasized on theneed to evolve a mechanism fortransparent and equitable ad-vertisement policy. Earlier PIOImran Gardezi briefed the min-ister regarding the functioningof PID.

The meeting was also at-tended by Secretary Informa-tion Agha Nadeem and seniorofficials from Information Min-istry and PID. Meanwhile, fed-eral Minister for Informationand Broadcasting Arif NizamiThursday asked Pakistan Elec-tronic Media Regulatory Au-thority (PEMRA) to play an

active role in balanced and un-biased coverage of cominggeneral elections on the elec-tronic media in the light of theSupreme Court and ElectionCommission directives.

While addressing a highlevel meeting in PEMRA, theminister said that the author-ity should play pro-active roleto ensure balanced coverageof elections without any com-promise on freedom of expres-sion. Secretary InformationAgha Nadeem, ChairmanPEMRA Rashid Ahmed andother senior officials ofPEMRA were also present inthe meeting.—APP

Prime focus of caretaker set-upto ensure free, fair polls: Nizami

Imran seeksintervention toensure right tovote for expats

I S L A M A B A D — P a k i s t a nTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chair-man Imran Khan on Thursdayexpressed grave concern overthe refusal of right to vote tothe overseas Pakistanis byElection Commission of Paki-stan and urged Chief ElectionCommissioner (CEC) Justice(retd) Fakharuddin G. Ebrahimto intervene and implement thedirection made by SupremeCourt of Pakistan in this regard.

The PTI chief made thisstatement during his meetingwith a 30-member delegationcomprising eminent membersof the overseas Pakistanis whocalled on him here to discussthe matter.

The Election Commissionof Pakistan (ECP) had reiter-ated its stance that it might beimpossible to include overseasPakistanis in the polling pro-cess with days left in the gen-eral elections due to legal andother factors.

“The overseas Pakistanisare an asset for the countryand denying them the right tovote is a grave injustice. It wasPTI that had filed a petition inthe Supreme Court for givingright of vote to overseas Paki-stanis and after the decisionof the apex court every effortshould have been made to en-sure that this became pos-sible,” a statement issued herequoted Imran Khan as tellingthe delegates.

The PTI chairman said un-necessary bureaucratichurdles were being made as anexcuse just to deny the over-seas Pakistanis of their rightand this was cause of graveconcern for his party.—APP

Saudi Arabia provides200 tons of datesISLAMABAD—The Govern-ment of the Kingdom of SaudiArabia provided 200 tons ofDates to the Government ofPakistan as a gift. On behalf ofthe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,HE Mr. Jassim MohammadKhalid Al-Khalid, DeputyHead of Mission, Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia Embassy inIslamabad formally handedover the consignment to Mr.Omar Hamid Khan, Sr. JS/Di-rector General (ERC), CabinetDivision, here on Thursday.Senior officials of Foreign Of-fice and Cabinet Division werealso present there. OmarHamid Khan, DG (ERC), Cabi-net Division expressed sin-cere thanks.—APP

QUETTA—Caretaker PrimeMinister Mir Hazar KhanKhoso Thursday appealed thepolitical forces in the countryto cooperate with the govern-ment for holding free and fairelections.

In a meeting held here toreview the arrangementsmade by the provincial gov-ernment to maintain law andorder and conduct generalelections, the Prime Ministeralso urged the disgruntledBaloch leaders to submit tothe will of the people irrespec-tive of their differences withthe government.

The meeting was at-tended by Caretaker ChiefMinister Balochistan NawabGhous BakhshBarozai,Governor Balochi

PM appeals disgruntled Balochto submit to will of people

stan Nawab ZulfiqarMagsi,Chief Secretary BabarYaqoob Fateh Muhammadand heads of law enforce-ment agencies.

The meeting was told thatdespite the fact that numberof the voters had decreased byone million, stringent securityplan was in place. “All possiblemeasures have been taken sothat people may cast theirvotes in a peaceful environ-ment,” they said.

The meeting was toldthat an exercise has been car-ried out by provincial gov-ernment to identify sensitiveareas where extra securitymeasures were to be taken toensure safety of the voters,candidates as well as the poll-ing staff. The Prime Minister

was told that in view of thelife threat faced by the Elec-tion Commission’s employ-ees, special security arrange-ments have been firmed upfor security of the pollingstaff and administration haschalked out contingencyplan to avert any eventual-ity.

Prime Minister Khoso di-rected the provincial govern-ment to adopt a proactive ap-proach and interact with me-dia so that people can begiven confidence and com-fort for exercising their rightto cast vote without any fear.

Stressing the need for re-structuring information de-partment, he emphasizedthat it should mobilize theentire process carried out bythe government.—APP

Punjab govt toobserve five daysworking weekSalim AhmedLAHORE—Punjab govern-ment has decided that fivedays working week will beobserved henceforth in theprovince and Saturday &Sunday will be closed days.The office timings for Mon-day to Thursday will be from08:00 AM to 04:00 PM withhalf an hour lunch/prayerbreak at 01:00 PM while onFriday it will be from 08:00AM to 04:00 PM with Lunch/Friday Prayer break from12:30 AM to 02:00 PM.Thepolicy of five working dayswill however not apply.

PEOPLE who have recently lost their jobsare more likely to suffer a heart attackthan their employed peers, in some cases

running a risk as high as 35 percent, accord-ing to a study.

Researchers, whose results appeared inthe Archives of InternalMedicine, found that eachsuccessive job loss was tiedto a higher chance of heartproblems among more than13,000 older adults, al-though it’s not clear how un-employment itself mighthave caused the extra heartattacks, Khaleej Times Re-ported.

A combination ofstress, worsening lifestyleand poor management ofchronic conditions withouthealth insurance may be toblame, said Matthew Dupre,the lead researcher from theDuke Clinical Research In-stitute in Durham, NorthCarolina.

“Those without a job may be unable tocontrol their high blood pressure or to man-age their diabetes (with their usual medica-tion), or rates of smoking may be exacer-bated,” Dupre told. But it’s still too early toknow for sure what’s behind the link, he said,which means it’s also too early to recommendways to ward off heart problems among therecently-employed.

The data came from a large US study of13,451 adults who were interviewed everyother year, for an average of 12 years, abouttheir health, lifestyle and life events such asemployment and job loss.

The study participants were 55 years old

at the onset, on average, and twothirds ofthem were overweight or obese. One in sevenpeople was initially unemployed. During theresearch period, 1,061 of the participants -almost eight percent had a heart attack.

Dupre’s team found that the more timespeople had been let go lead-ing up to the latest survey, thehigher their chance of havinga heart attack. Unemploymentwas still linked to a 35 percentincreased risk of heart attackafter the researchers had ac-counted for the effects of pov-erty and education, as well asrace, age and other heart risks.

“We weren’t surprisedto find the association, but wewere surprised to find that theeffects were so large, on parwith classic risk factors suchas hypertension and diabetes,”Dupre said.

“The associations arestrong, and they remain de-spite accounting for a wholehost of possible explanations.”

People were especially likely to have a heartattack during their first year of being out ofwork, they reported.

Dupre said people who have recentlylost their jobs, as well as the doctors whotreat them, should be aware of these addedheart risks and be extra vigilant about thesigns and symptoms of a heart attack.

The author of a commentary that ap-peared with the study said more research isneeded to understand the link and who maybe most at risk. Studies have shown “a fairlyconvincing relationship between job loss andadverse health,” said William Gallo, fromCity University of New York.

Heart attacks more commonamong the unemployed: Study

ISLAMABAD: Prominent Opera Singer Sarah Long Holland performs at Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts, organized by US Em-bassy.—PO Photo by Sultan Bashir

Silver jubilee, graduation ceremony of Roots DHA1STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Roots SchoolSystem DHA1 Flagship cam-pus Islamabad celebrated it’ssilver jubilee and highachiever’s award ceremony to-gether with the students, proudparents, guests of honor, mem-bers of the diplomatic commu-nity, social dignitaries ofIslamabad & Rawalpindi, cor-porate society, heads of NGOs,educationists and members ofRotary International.

The honorable chief guestsfor the ceremony included Mr.Javed Laghari Chairman HECPakistan, Mr Chaudhry QamarZaman, Federal Secretary ofEducation & Training and Mr.Barrister Feroze Jamal ShahMinister of Overseas Paki-stanis. Ms. Khadija Mushtaq,the legendary dynamic mentor,recipient of Tamgha-Imtiaz.Executive Director of RootsSchool System, DHA-1 flag-ship campus, Islamabad wel-comed the guests.

The proud parents wereoverjoyed to celebrate the out-standing success and achieve-ments of the graduating stu-dents who had worked hardthroughout the year to achievethis enormous success.

It was really overwhelmingto hear the life altering storiesof students like Danish Shabbir

belonging to the rural areas ofPakistan who could not dreamof studying in a prestigious uni-versity like Oxford, Cambridgeor top IVY League Universitieswith 100% scholarship. Rootsstudents have received a collec-

tive scholarship amount of overRupees 1 Billion 725 Million forfour years of undergraduatestudy which is simply remark-able. Aun Zaidi, a brilliant A-Level, final year student re-ceived admission offer from

Cambridge University for its en-gineering program. He was alsoawarded university of Cam-bridge 800 years anniversaryscholarship amounting to1,42,872 pounds and has re-cently received acceptances from

five top IVY league universitiesincluding Harvard, Yale, Brown,Dartmouth, Columbia and DukeUniversity on 100% scholarship.

He said, “I entered Roots asa fledgling, but now as I finallyleave Roots, I have grown in to

ISLAMABAD: Dr Sania Nishtar, Federal Minister for Education, Science and Technology,Health and Information Technology addressing the participants of World Health Day walkat Fatima Jinnah Park.

ISLAMABAD—Islamabad po-lice on Thursday nabbed threealleged killers including a maninvolved in murdering his step-brother, a police spokesmansaid.

According to details,Zaman was found dead in anunder construction house atGhouri Town in Phase-1 onMarch 30 after which Koralpolice registered case no. 81/13under section 302, 34 PPCagainst unknown accused andstarted the investigation intocase.

IGP Islamabad Bani AminKhan and SSP IslamabadYaseen Farooq assigned task toSHO Koral police station In-spector Arshad Ali to trace thekiller. He constituted a teamunder his supervision includingSub- Inspector MuhammadArshad and others. This teamsucceeded to trace the killer

Eight including alleged killerof step-brother arrested

identified as Farzand Ali whowas the step brother of the de-ceased.

He confessed to kill ZamanAli after developing differenceswith him over property disputeand then dumping his body atunder-construction house.

Meanwhile, Sub-InspectorSher Ahmad from Tarnol policestation arrested five personsSohail Aktar, Gull Siraj, Riasat,Basheer Ahmed and Nadeeminvolved in murder of GhulamRasool.

Sub-Inspector MuhammadTasneem from Golra police sta-tion also arrested two accusedGhulam and Allah Dad in-volved in murdering SafdarIqbal.

IGP Islamabad Bani AminKhan and SSP IslamabadYaseen Farooq have appreci-ated this performance of policeteams and announced special

prizes and commendation cer-tificates for the members of thispolice team.—INP

ISLAMABAD: Students and guests at Roots DHA1 function to celebrate silver jubilee.

a hawk, ready to take flight!This marks the end of my in-fancy, and the start of my jour-ney. But I feel that Roots hasadequately prepared me for thechallenges that may lie ahead,that I’ll always have the support

of my family, and by the Graceof Almighty Allah, I’ll continueto soar through the skies.

Speaking on the occasion,Maida Nadeem’s mother a doc-tor said, “Today I stand here asa proud mother, unable to name

the architects of fortune, andthank Almighty Allah for Hiskindness. I thank all the teach-ers at Roots. They all are themagicians I attribute mydaughter’s success to. I respectyou all for your dedication andhard work. I admire you all foryour selflessness and commit-ment. I love you all for the loveyou extend towards my chil-dren.

Mr. M. Qazi from the ruralareas of Sindh also spoke aboutthe remarkable achievementsof Roots and shared the excru-ciating story of his son Khizer:“My son studied on full schol-arship throughout his academicyears at Roots.

It is due to the great effortand dedication of Ms. KhadijaMushtaq, Executive DirectorRoots School System DHA1campus and most accom-plished student counselor thatcompletely changed the livesof many deserving individualsand made a mark on the worldmap.

At the end, Dr. Cyrill Nunncongratulated the graduatingclass and applauded the tirelessefforts of Ms. Khadija and theentire staff.

He said to the students,“You are the future leaders ofthe world, the future is truly inyour hands, so make the bestof it.”

Paintings exhibitonattracts art lovers

ISLAMABAD—Art lovers fromtwin cities of Islamabad andRawalpindi took keen intresetat an exhibition of miniaturepaintings started here atJharoka Art Gallery.

Country Director, HeinrichBoll Shiftung, Pakistan, BrittaPetresen inagurated the event,showcasing 27 masterpieces ofart by Sheikh Mansoor.

Renowned artist Prof. S.M.Mansoor displayed his latestmodern miniature paintings, inwhich he reflected a more toler-ant vision towards culture andsociety.

His paintings which have afocus on modern uniformiotybrought forth subconscious ob-servation of the painter and im-mediately attracted attentiondue to their unique colourscheme.

Mansoor has welcomedpopular ideas to construct his artin a new light. Artistic anarchy hadnegative connotations in the past,when multiplicity was sacrificedat the name of totality.—APP

April 12

HIGH Achievers ceremonyand silver jubilee celebra-tions, organised by theRoots College International,at the Jinnah ConventionCentre, Islamabad, 3:30 pm.

April 13

PAF Retired Officers’ Asso-ciation (PAFROA)Rawalpindi / Islamabadchapter is holding monthlymeeting at Officers’ Mess,PAF Base Nur Khan at 1630hours on 13 April, 2013. Allmembers and their familiesare cordially invited and arerequested to intimate abouttheir attendance to SecretaryPAFROA, Wg Cdr (Retd)Zafar Hameed on TelephoneNo – 9525811, 9280376.PAF retired officers whodesire to become member ofthe association are also cor-dially invited.

AIOU’S VC holdsauthentic degrees

ISLAMABAD—The Vice Chan-cellor of Allama Iqbal OpenUniversity (AIOU) Prof. Dr.Nazir Ahmed Sangi holds au-thentic and verified educationaldegrees from the relevant uni-versities, copies of which areavailable in the university’srecord, says AIOU’s registrarMuhammad Bashir Chaudhry.

The impression given insome media reports questioningthe authenticity of the degree hasno truth whatsoever. The vicechancellor had done his PhDfrom the University ofLiverpool, United Kingdom.The degree has already been gotverified from the University’sRegistrar. Original documentsare also displayed to media lastweek, the Registrar said whileclarifying the position. He hadalso received special award fromthe Liverpool University for hisoutstanding academic work.

Dr. Sangi had completed hisBachelor of Engineering degreefrom Mehran University of En-gineering and Technology,Jamshoro with distinction earn-ing gold medals. The originaldegree to this effect has alsobeen verified by the controllerof the concerned University.

The University’s administra-tion has already issued a denial,refuting the allegations about theVC’s degrees.—Online

ISLAMABAD—Mostly tuitionacademies in the twin cities ofIslamabad and Rawalpindi arebusy fleecing students under thegrab of entry test/exam prepa-rations.

Tuition centers in twin cit-ies are publicizing their entrytest packages throughout the cityusing newspaper ads, banners,posters and fliers to aspire stu-dents to join different profes-sions.

Waleed Arif a medical stu-dent while talking to APP saidcenters charge students Rs 7,000to 18,000 for preparing them foradmission in various varsitiesand institutes.

Business of entry test books

Tuition centres fleecing studentsis also on the rise, as academiescoaching students, also publishtheir own books for entry testsand ask students to buy these,he said.

An academy owner claimedthat they had to increase fees dueto raising costs of electricity.

He said that the academyneeds a huge amount for genera-tor fuel in order to cope withload shedding, whereas salariesof teachers have also been in-creased due to high inflation.

The academy owner saidthat extensive preparation of twomonths could change the wholelife of a student due to whichthousands of students enroll forpreparation.—APP

ISLAMABAD—A group of 24-children patients of “Thalas-semia Major” along with theirparents, doctors, President andmembers of Thalassemia Aware-ness & Prevention in Pakistan(TAPP) called on Chief JusticeJustice Iftikhar MuhammadChaudhry in the Supreme Courthere Thursday.

Talking to the children theChief Justice said that Constitu-tion of Islamic Republic of Pa-kistan guarantees equal rights toall and it is the duty of state toprovide basic necessities andmedical facilities to all withoutdiscrimination.

Approximately 10 Millionpeople in Pakistan are carriersand suffering from this diseasewhich is an alarming situation.This disease can only be con-trolled by taking preventive mea-sures and spreading awareness

Children of thalassemiamajor call on CJ

amongst the masses.He further added that now

it is incumbent upon all of us totake steps to spread awarenessso that preventive measures aretaken to control the disease.

He observed that few yearsback illegal business of livertransplantation of human organswas being carried out. Suo motuaction was taken by this Courton this issue and ultimately theFederal Govt. Passed the Trans-plantation of Human Organs &Tissues Act 2010. As such thepersons indulging in such an il-legal business are being dealtwith under the said law.

Chief Justice of Pakistanappreciated the efforts of Ms.Ayesha Abid, President andother office bearers of Thalas-semia Awareness & Preventionin Pakistan (TAPP) in promot-ing awareness and prevention of

the disease in Pakistan so thatour future generations are savedfrom it. He hoped that they willsoon achieve the goal of a thalas-semia free Pakistan.

Chief Justice distributedbouquet of flowers and giftsamong the patient children andprayed for their healthy and longlife.

Earlier Dr. Faqir Hussain,Registrar, Supreme Court ofPakistan welcomed the children,their parents, doctors and Presi-dent and members of the Thalas-semia Awareness & Preventionin Pakistan (TAPP).

The doctors briefed theChief Justice of Pakistan aboutthe causes of spread of this dis-ease and threw light on the waysand means to control thalas-semia minor and underlined theneed for an effective legislationon the subject.—APP

CITY REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—Spokesman ofthe City district government hassaid that no new tax has beenimposed on electoral banners,

No new tax on electoral banners, postersposters and hoardings in publicplaces and only normal fees isbeing charged.

He said that rules and regu-lations of Election Commissionof Pakistan (ECP) regarding the

size of posters, hoardings andbanners would be observedstrictly.

The violators against the de-marcated rules of ECP would bepunished sternly, he added.

I find it rather easy toportray a businessman.

Being bland, rathercruel and incompetentcomes naturally to me.

— John Cleese

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The PakistanBusiness Council (PBC), anapolitical think-tank cum policyadvocacy forum representing 42of Pakistan ’s largest corpora-tions/business groups, will beholding the second edition of thePakistan Economic Forum(PEF) on April 17, 2013 at theKarachi School of Business &Leadership in Karachi . ThePEF, modeled on the World Eco-nomic Forum, brings togetherthe best available intellectualcapital in the country, to debateon major issues confronting Pa-kistan .

The panels of the Forum,headed by their own Chairs &Co-Chairs and comprising ofsector specialists, debate variousissues and come up with prag-matic recommendations. Theserecommendations are thenshared with a wider audience inthe form of PBC position pa-

PEF II to be held on April 17pers. It is expected that the qual-ity of the recommendations andthe involvement of the stake-holders will ensure that the rec-ommendations become part ofthe national discourse and hope-fully, form part of future poli-cies of the new government fol-lowing the general elections inMay.

Sikandar Mustafa Khan, theChairman of the PBC stated,“Like all countries, Pakistan alsofaces a number of issues andchallenges which change interms of gravity and characterover a period of time. For thewell-being and progress of thecountry in the 21st century, it iscritical that these issues andchallenges are identified, priori-tized and debated annually lead-ing to pragmatic recommenda-tions for the decision-makers atthe very highest level, and thisis exactly what the Pakistan Eco-nomic Forum has been estab-lished to do.”

Each of the 6 key focus ar-eas identified by the PEF forurgent attention is tasked to aseparate Panel. The 6 Panels andtheir Chairs and Co-Chairs are:Education Panel – ShamshKassim Lakha and Abdul RazakDawood, Energy Panel – FarooqRahmatullah and Ali Ansari,Macroeconomic Reform Panel– Dr. Ishrat Hussain and MohsinNathani, Regional Trade Panel– Dr. Ijaz Nabi and Bashir AliMohommed Social ProtectionPanel – Dr. Asad Sayeed andAsif Saad and Water Panel,Sikandar Mustafa Khan andSuleman Najib Khan

PEF II will be attended byPBC members, academia, me-dia and other stakeholders. Itwill generate discussion and ex-change of thoughts, allowingdiscourse on various view-points that can then be taken upfor further consideration and in-corporation into PEF’s ongoingwork.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—IFC, a memberof the World Bank Group, andManagement Development in-stitute (MDi) have worked to-gether to develop and deliver theDiploma in Entrepreneurship toprofessionals and aspiring entre-preneurs. The diploma is in-tended to equip business-peoplewith real-world skills to buildand expand their enterprises.

IFC helped MDi develop thediploma with Business Edgematerials, a proprietary trainingsolution designed to improvemanagement capacity and busi-ness performance. The first in-take of 21 entrepreneurs havenow completed the course—

IFC diploma opens doors foraspiring entrepreneurs

supported by the Ministry ofFinance’s Business SupportFund—and received their diplo-mas at an award ceremony onApril 10.

“The program attracted in-dividuals from diverse profes-sional backgrounds,” said AsadZaidi, Chief Executive Officer ofMDi. “It was heartening that 40percent of participants werewomen. All of the 21 individu-als who were shortlisted for theprogram and completed thecourse have successfully earnedcertification after rigorous assess-ments. Due to popular demand,we are launching the second Di-ploma in Entrepreneurship pro-gram on April 16, 2013.”

The diploma is part of wider

effort by IFC to enhance entre-preneurial capacity in Pakistan,promote small and medium en-terprises, stimulate economicgrowth and create jobs.

“We will continue to helpBusiness Edge training partnersto develop broader links, pack-age better training products, andreach out to industrial hubs,”said Asim Chishti, BusinessDevelopment Coordinator, IFCPakistan.

The diploma, which waslaunched in January, is con-ducted over 12 weeks and is atotal of 60 hours. It covers busi-ness planning, marketing strat-egy, sales and customer care, fi-nancial management, and per-sonal effectiveness.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Agriculturegrowth is imperative to allevi-ate poverty in Pakistan and ag-ricultural scientists should ex-plore new ideas to cope withnew challenges faced by agricul-ture sector. This was stated byDr. Iqrar Ahmad Khan, ViceChancellor University of Agri-culture, Faisalabad while ad-dressing participants of 3rd In-ternational Conference of Paki-stan Society of Agronomy heldat AARI, Faisalabad.

Two day conference wasarranged by Pakistan Society ofAgronomy and prominent agri-cultural scientists within coun-try and abroad attended the con-ference. The conference with atheme of “Achieving the goal ofself sufficiency in agriculturalproductivity was aimed atachieving sustainable crop pro-ductivity.

Dr. Abdul Majid CountryManager, ICARDA, Islamabad

Agri scientists should explore newideas to increase crops: Iqrar

in his address elucidated the nu-merous challenges faced by ag-riculture sector. He emphasizedthe need to find new approachesto mitigate ill effects of climaticchanges. He said that presentcropping systems are exhaustingrapidly and new cotton patternsmust emerge to improve soil fer-tility and control of pests.

The scientists must intro-duce new techniques to in-crease water use efficiency headded and stated that new tech-niques of crop sowing savewater upto 40 percent. Solaroperated supplemental irriga-tion system must be introducedto avert energy crises he said.Dr. Nazir Hussain Shah, Direc-tor General Agricultural Re-search, Khyber PakhtoonKhawa in his address stressedthe need of strengthening co-operation among the scientistsof different provinces as wellas agricultural research insti-tutions to increase quality ofresearch.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The Bank ofAmerica Merrill Lynch arrangedthe Asean Stars Conference inSingapore which was attendedby various Asset ManagementCompanies and Fund Managersof the world, OGDCL represen-tatives attended the conferenceand highlighted financial state ofOGDCL which attracted theFund Managers to invest inOGDCL in Pakistan. There wasa reasonsable demand and appe-tite for OGDCL share in the in-ternational market. The inves-tors raised the issue germane tonon availability of OGDCLshare in the market and indicatedtheir interest in OGDCL shareand expected that Government

International investors keento invest in OGDCL shares

of Pakistan will decide to makedivestment a prompt, positiveand encouraging response is ex-pected from the internal market.

The OGDCL team inter-acted with foreign investorswhich includes Morgan StanleyInvestment Management Inc,Putnam Investments, LLC,Walter Capital Partners SA,Nomura Asset Management Co.Ltd, Dws Investments, SloaneRobinson LLP, Prince StreetCapital Management Inc, HSBCHolding Plc, TCW Group, Ab-erdeen Asset Managers Ltd,NTUC Income Insurance Co-Operative Limited, Natixis As-set Management (International),Rovida Asset Management(Singapore) Ltd and SomersetCapital Management LLP.

The investors raised quiresabout the overall economic as-pects to understand some mis-conception about certain rel-evant areas which investors typi-cally consider while making in-vestment decisions. The percep-tion was developed on accountof repenting of domestic law andorder situation; the institutionalinvestors have a better insightabout financial and securitiesmarket and were likely to take amature position with long terminvestment prospective.

The other issues raised dur-ing the conference were Energyshortfalls with ramifications,effect of circular debt on theability of OGDCL to meet itsfunding requirements, gas sup-ply arrangements with the fer-

tilizer sector and resulting ben-efits for OGDCL, overall stateof revenues, profitability, cost ofdoing business, earning pershare and share value of thecompany, dividend policy of thecompany, availability ofOGDCL shares in the marketand possibility of further divest-ment by the Government, Incen-tives for the E&P sector underthe existing regulatory andpolicy regimes governing E&Psector, challengers in generaland for E&P sector in specificand security situation in thecountry. According to the inves-tors big lots of OGDCL shareswere not available in the mar-ket as major share holders pre-ferred to retain their share in thecompany.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum, Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui having a meetingwith Federal Minister for Interior, Malik Mohammad Habib Khan.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Shahzada Ahsan Ashraf Sheikh chairing the briefing ses-sion of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority.

Rates for conversionKARACHI—The followingrates will be applicable forconversion into rupees ofForeign Currency Deposits,Dollar Bearer Certificates,Foreign Currency BearerCertificates, Special U.S.Dollar Bonds and profitsthereon by all banks and forproviding Forward Cover onForeign Currency Deposits(excluding F.E. 25 deposits) bythe State Bank on April 12,2013. The rates are U.S.Dollar Rs 98.2510, JapaneseYen Rs 0.9864, Pound SterlingRs 151.0117 and Euro128.5909.—APP

SBP foreign reservesKARACHI—The total liquidforeign reserves of Pakistanstand at $ 11.758 billion, saidState Bank of Pakistan here onThursday. According to SBPweekly statement, the foreignreserves held by State Bank onApril 5, amounted $ 6,697billion and the net foreignreserves held by banks otherthan SBP figured $ 5.061billion.—APP

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The fruits ex-ports of the country increased by1.82 percent during first eightmonths of current fiscal year(2012-13).

The exports of fruits duringthe period July-February (2012-13) were recorded at $276.159million against the exports of$271.233 million during sameperiod of last year.

According to data of Paki-stan Bureau of Statistics (PBS),the fruits exports on month onmonth basis also increased by3.02 percent during February2013 against same period of last

Fruits exports rise 1.82pcin 8 months of FY 2012-13

year whereas when compared toJanuary 2013, the fruits exportsdecreased by 21.3 percent.

The fruits worth of $54.7million were exported duringFebruary 2013 whereas its vol-ume remained $53.1 million and$69.51 million during February,2012 and January 2013 respec-tively.

Similarly the vegetables ex-ports from the country duringJuly-February (2013-12) surgedby 51.08 percent against sameperiod of last year.

The vegetables exports in-creased from $78.616 million inJuly-February (2011-12) to$118.77 million in July-Febru-

ary (2012-13).The vegetable exports, on

month on month basis increasedby 46.58 percent in February,2013 when compared with samemonth of last year and it de-creased by 2.93 percent in Feb-ruary 2013 against January2013.

The vegetable exports in-creased from $20.125 million inFebruary 2012 to $29.5 millionin February 2013 whereas theexports in January 2013 re-mained $30.388 million.

The overall food exports of thecountry during first eight monthsof current fiscal year (2012-13) in-creased by 9.22 percent.

PSO to set uprefinery in KP

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—PSO has signed aMemorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the Government ofKhyber- Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP)for setting up a state-of-the-artoil refinery in the province.

A PSO statement issued hereon Thursday said that the MoU toinitiate this landmark project wassigned by Additional Secretary,Ministry of Petroleum and Natu-ral Resources, Naeem Malik; CEOMD PSO, Naeem Yahya Mir andSecretary Energy and Power Gov-ernment of KPK, Zaffar Iqbal.

Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tariq PervaizKhan, Minister for Energy andPower, Muhammad YunisMarwat, Minister for Informa-tion, Mossarat Qadeem, and se-nior officials of the Ministry werealso present. According to theMoU, PSO will set up a techno-logically advanced refinery witha capacity of 40,000 barrels perday (BPD) in district Kohat.

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—A meeting wascalled in EPZA to take imme-diate steps to increase invest-ment in Export ProcessingZone Authority (EPZA) Thurs-day. During the meeting a com-mittee was formed by Chair-man EPZA, Saadat S Cheemawith a mandate to initiate stepsto open and revive the sickunits which stopped function-ing due to any reasons n thepast. This Committee will soon

EPZA leading country to achieve goal of prosperity: Saadat S Cheemasubmit its findings and recom-mendations to Chairman EPZA.

It was mutually decided inthe meeting that in order to re-vive the sick units certain relax-ations will be given to the in-vestors so that operations couldstart on ASAP basis in theseunits.

Cheema while talking tothe committee members saidthat there was a substantial in-crease in investment trend indifferent EPZAs located invarious parts of the country,

which was a good sign for oureconomy. We offer many incen-tives and secure working envi-ronment which is hard to findin any part of the country. Re-vival of sick units will not onlyincrease economic activity andforeign exchange reserves inthe country but will also gen-erate much needed employmentopportunities for the people ofPakistan.

On this occasion EPZA Di-rector Investment Hassan Naqvitold the committee that recently

2 units had been revived, whichwill soon start production.

He said that by virtue of“Sick Unit Revival Plan” imple-mentation of EPZA our exportswere likely to increase substan-tially.

In this regard, the EPZAChairman while talking to Pa-kistan Observer said that theEPZA was established throughan Ordinance IV of 1980 withthe mandate to plan, developand operate Export ProcessingZones in Pakistan. EPZA was

an autonomous body workingunder the Ministry of Indus-tries. It had a 9-member Boardof Directors. EPZA is mandatedfor setting up EPZ’s in Paki-stan.

He said that the EPZAworked very well in Pakistanespecially in Karachi. As an al-ready established, known andtried system for attracting in-vestments and generating ex-ports from Pakistan; it can pro-vide almost risk free economicuplift. As an organizational

concept, EPZA facilitates, pro-motes and provides businesssupport to those who wish tosetup their units in EPZ’s. Pri-marily it was a service-ori-ented organization for promo-tion of export. EPZA itselfdoes not involve in physicalbusiness.

While underlining the primeresponsibilities of the EPZA.Cheema said that the main ob-jective of EPZA as an exportpromotion, service-oriented or-ganization was to improve in-

dustrialization through commer-cial and marketing activities.The EPZA provided country-specific investment linkages onreciprocal basis. It reduced andsimplified the paperwork andprocedures and transfer of tech-nology through foreign invest-ment.

In reply to a question, theEPZA Chairman said that theincentives that the EPZA hadoffered included the developedland on highly competitive ratesfor 30 years lease, well-defined

security parameters enclosed inboundary wall, duty-free im-port of machinery, equipmentand materials, freedom fromNational Import Regulations,exemption from ExchangeControl Regulations,repartition of capital and prof-its allowed, no Sales Tax oninput goods including electric-ity/gas bills, duty-free vehiclesallowed under certain condi-tions, domestic market avail-able to the extent of 20 percent.Exception may be available.

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—GIZ TVET Re-form Support Programme Ex-pert Dr. Michael Guder onThursday called for active in-volvement of private sectorfor skills development in Pa-kistan.

He was talking to LCCIVice President Mian AbuzarShad here at the LahoreChamber of Commerce andIndustry. LCCI ExecutiveCommittee membersMumushad Ali, Mian ZahidJavaid Ahmad and IftikharBashir Chaudhry also spokeon the occasion.

He said that quality tech-nical and vocational training is

Private sector role for skillsdevelopment sought in Pakistan

inevitable for provision of re-quired demand driven skills toPakistanis as 1.5 million newyouth annually enters the labourmarket.

Dr. Michael Guder saidthat Pakistan has the biggestpotential of youth, whichneeds to be equipped with de-mand driven skills and thatcannot be possible without par-ticipation of the industry. Heinvited the private sector tocome forward and be part ofthe TVET Reform SupportProgramme.

Success of a demand-driventraining highly depends on theactive involvement of business-men. He said growing youthpopulation is a big challenge, but

at the same time it is an oppor-tunity if Pakistan has an effec-tive TVET Programme. Heopined the industry, being theultimate beneficiary, has tocome forward and play its duerole.

Dr. Michael Guder saidthat the industry should find ef-ficient solutions leading tohigh impact of internships, theapprenticeship scheme andnew forms of cooperativetraining.

Technical and VocationalEducation and Training(TVET) is a key element of anypolicy initiative that aims toimprove socio-economic con-ditions, create jobs and allevi-ate poverty.

KESC’s valuecreation model

lauded at HarvardUniversity

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Karachi Electric Sup-ply Company (KESC) Chairman,Tabish Gauhar, recently addressedtwo classes at the Harvard Busi-ness School and presented KESC’sturnaround story that revolvesaround a unique value creationmodel that ensures environmental,social and governance (ESG) gainsas means to sustainable economicand financial value creation.

Harvard Business School andHarvard Kennedy School recentlydid a joint Case Study on KESC’sturnaround strategy to holisticallycapture the unique public-privatepartnership model that was aimedat transforming the ailing powerutility with a long public sectorlegacy. The Case Study was taughtat the Harvard Business School andat several other business schoolsaround the world, as a unique ex-ample of how private sector inves-tors could endeavor to make sucha meaningful impact on sustainabledevelopment in emerging markets.

Addressing a diverse 150+ stu-dent community present there,Tabish Gauhar explained how atKESC sustainability goals work inharmony with operational and fi-nancial goals of the organizations.“We firmly believe that KESC’sown turnaround and sustainabilitywas fundamentally linked to theeconomic, social and environmen-tal gains for a diverse set of ourstakeholders. Gauhar also in-formed the audience that underKESC’s Stakeholder Engagementand Enrichment Drives forSustainability (SEEDS), a holisticvalue creation approach, we fullyrecognize the impact of our perfor-mance in sustainable developmentacross our stakeholders’ universe,essentially driving four distinct pro-grams– ESG Initiatives, Social In-vestments, Stakeholder Engage-ment and Thought Leadership.

Car sales increase6pcStaff ReporterISLAMABAD—Despiterestriction on car import,local car sale increased sixpercent during the month ofMarch 2013 as compared toprevious month. Industrialsources told Online that inMar’13, 13,344 units sold ascompared to 12,628 units inprevious month. LCVs saleshave increased by 37%month on month (MoM)basis to 1,763 units mainlywith the support of newlylaunched Toyota ‘Fortuner’.However, passenger carsales improve by 2% to11,581 units in the month.Amongst individualcompanies, Pak SuzukiMotor company (PSMC)sales declined by 32% to55,428 units in 9MFY13versus 81,360 units in thesame period last year.However, on monthly basis,PSMC sales remained stableat 7,100 units in Mar’13 ascompared to 7,000 units lastmonth. Similarly, IndusMotor (INDU) sales alsowent down by 34% to25,829 units in 9MFY13 asagainst 38,858 units in thesame period last year.

Oil down in AsiantradeSINGAPORE—Oil was downin Asian trade Thursday onconcerns over weaker USenergy demand indicated byrising inventories, analystssaid. New York’s maincontract, light sweet crudefor delivery in May dropped26 cents to $94.38 a barreland Brent North Sea crudefor May delivery shed 17cents to $105.62 in mid-morning trade. “Prices areslipping back a little asdealers realise that crudeinventories have risen to justabout record levels,” DavidLennox, resource analyst atFat Prophets in Sydney, toldAFP.—APP

PEOPLE who have recently lost their jobsare more likely to suffer a heart attackthan their employed peers, in some cases

running a risk as high as 35 percent, accordingto a study.

Researchers, whose re-sults appeared in the Archivesof Internal Medicine, foundthat each successive job losswas tied to a higher chance ofheart problems among morethan 13,000 older adults, al-though it’s not clear how un-employment itself might havecaused the extra heart attacks,Khaleej Times Reported.

A combination of stress,worsening lifestyle and poormanagement of chronic con-ditions without health insur-ance may be to blame, saidMatthew Dupre, the lead re-searcher from the Duke Clini-cal Research Institute inDurham, North Carolina.

“Those without a jobmay be unable to control theirhigh blood pressure or to manage their diabe-tes (with their usual medication), or rates ofsmoking may be exacerbated,” Dupre told. But it’s still too early to know for sure what’sbehind the link, he said, which means it’s alsotoo early to recommend ways to ward off heartproblems among the recently-employed.

The data came from a large US study of13,451 adults who were interviewed every otheryear, for an average of 12 years, about theirhealth, lifestyle and life events such as employ-ment and job loss.

The study participants were 55 years oldat the onset, on average, and twothirds of them

were overweight or obese. One in sevenpeople was initially unemployed. During theresearch period, 1,061 of the participants -almost eight percent had a heart attack.

Dupre’s team found that the more timespeople had been let go leadingup to the latest survey, thehigher their chance of having aheart attack. Unemploymentwas still linked to a 35 percentincreased risk of heart attackafter the researchers had ac-counted for the effects of pov-erty and education, as well asrace, age and other heart risks.

“We weren’t surprisedto find the association, but wewere surprised to find that theeffects were so large, on parwith classic risk factors such ashypertension and diabetes,”Dupre said.

“The associations arestrong, and they remain despiteaccounting for a whole host ofpossible explanations.” Peoplewere especially likely to have

a heart attack during their first year of beingout of work, they reported.

Dupre said people who have recently losttheir jobs, as well as the doctors who treatthem, should be aware of these added heartrisks and be extra vigilant about the signs andsymptoms of a heart attack.

The author of a commentary that ap-peared with the study said more research isneeded to understand the link and who maybe most at risk. Studies have shown “a fairlyconvincing relationship between job loss andadverse health,” said William Gallo, fromCity University of New York.

KARACHI: Former chief minister Qaim Ali Shah addresses a press conference. Formerprovincial information minister Sharjeel Memon and Taj Haider are also present.

KARACHI: Founder Member of Karachi Council of Foreign Relations and Ex Governor Sindh Lt. Gen(RTD) Moinuddin Haider presenting CouncilShield to Chief Minister Justice (RTD) Zahid Kurban Alvi at CM House.—PO photo by Sultan Chaki

KARACHI: IGP Sindh Shahid Nadeem Baloch addressing SHOs of Karachi Police at ahigh level meeting held at Saleem Wahidy Auditorium, D.L Branch, Clifton. Addl IGP KarachiGhulam Shabbir Shaikh and Zonal DIGs also attended.—PO photo

KARACHI: Rangers conducting targeted operation at Rabia area. They detained sev-eral suspects.

Heart attacks more commonamong the unemployed: Study

Elections not tobe suspendedfor a singleday: HudaSTAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Sindh caretakerMinis ter for Informat ionNoor Ul Huda Shah said thatthe power i s a t rus t o felected representatives.

The caretaker govern-ment would hand over thepower after general electionsto them. If anybody did haveany doubt, he should rectifybecause elections would notbe suspended for a singleday.

This she said while talk-ing to a delegation of jour-na l i s t s a t he r o ff i ce onThursday. She said to hold apeaceful and t ransparentgeneral election was the firstpriority of the caretaker gov-ernment.

All possible and effec-tive measures were beingtaken in this regard while theservices of the law enforce-ment personnel includingvolunteers and retired policepersonnel had been hired sothat the voters could casttheir votes fearlessly.

She said that the role ofpress was very important inthe elections and it shouldplay its role properly. Elec-tion cells were being estab-lished in all districts, divi-sional headquarters includ-ing Karachi in order to en-sure provision of informa-tion to the journalists re-garding general elections.

Director Press Informa-t ion Muhammad YousufKaboro was also present inthe meeting.

KCFRdelegation

calls on CMSTAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—.A 6-member del-egation of Karachi Council onForeign Relations (KCFR)called on Sindh caretaker ChiefMinister Justice(Retd) ZahidKurban Alavi at CM HouseThursday. The Delegation dis-cussed political scenario inSindh, forthcoming generalelections and various maters ofmutual interest. Talking to thedelegation, the caretaker CMsaid that present interim provin-cial government was taking allout efforts to ensure free, fairand non-partisan general elec-tions. For this purpose electioncommission would also be ex-tended whatever support orassistancethey need from theprovincial government.

KCFR delegation was ledby its founding member andformer Sindh Governor Lt. G(Retd) Moinuddin Hyder whileKCFR members Ahsan MkhtiarZubair, Kazi Asad Abid, ZahidHussain and Javed AshrafHussain were also present.

KCFF delegation head in-vited the Caretaker Chief Min-ister Sindh to attend Council’s10th Anniversary celebrations.He also presented council’s hon-orary shield to Justice ( R ) ZahidKurban Alavi.

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—Former SindhChief Minister Syed Qaim AliShah said that the PakistanPeople’s Party had prepared itsstrategy for the elections andwas confident to sweep the pollswith gross majority in the prov-ince in particular.

He was addressing the firstmeeting of the PPP ElectionsCell at his residence Thursday.In-charge of the PPP ElectionsCell Taj Haider, members of thecell N D Khan, RukhsanaZubairi, Lal Bukhsh Bhutto,Habib Ud Din Junaidi, WaqarMehdi, Lateef Mughal andShama Mithani attended.

The former CM said that thePPP had during its previous ten-ure served the people across the

PPP elections cell calls forsecurity of former CM

board and despite negative pro-paganda, the PPP was the popu-lar party of the people at thegrass root level and wouldsweep the general elections-2013.

He said that the previousprovincial government of thePPP had followed the philoso-phy of Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto andvision of slain PPP leaderBenazir Bhutto.

The PPP government hadduring devastating floods inSindh in 2010 and 2011 rehabili-tated more than 150 millionpeople that had been renderedhomeless.

He said that the PPP govern-ment in recent past had providedjobs to more than 165000 youthand imparted technical trainingto more than 200,000 youth,

which opened doors of prosper-ity to them.

On the other hand, the elec-tions cell of the PPP had se-verely criticised the caretakergovernment for withdrawing thesecurity of the former SindhCM.

The elections cell said thatit was the responsibility of thecaretaker government to ensureprovisioning of the required se-curity to the former CM of theprovince but the withdrawal ofthe security gave rise to premo-nitions regarding some unto-ward incident.

The elections cell said thatit looked as if the caretaker gov-ernment was waiting for anyuntoward incident by with-drawing the security of theformer CM.

Altaf condemnskilling of MQM

candidateFakhrul Islam

KARACHI—Muttahida QaumiMovement (MQM), chief AltafHussain has strongly con-demned the brutal killing of hisparty’s candidate for election toPS-47 Hyderabad, Fakhr-ul- Is-lam near Hala Naka inHyderabad.

In a statement issued byMQM here on Thursday, Altaftermed it a cowardly act and bla-tant terrorism. Fakhrul Is-lam was the Joint Unit In-chargeof Unit 16 of the MQMHyderabad Sector and he hadalso been elected as a council-lor in the past.

Altaf Hussain said that hisparty had passed through manyan adverse times during its longstruggle spanning over 35 years.Thousands of untiring, selflessand sincere workers of his partylaid down their lives and it wasbecause of their sacrifices thatthe movement was moving for-ward and achieving successes.

Altaf called upon the au-thorities concerned to take seri-ous notice of the killing ofFakhrul Islam. He said that thekillers should be brought swiftlyto justice and steps should betaken to give protection to theMQM candidates.

He extended heartfelt sym-pathies to the grieving familymembers and said that their griefwas equally shared by everyworker of the MQM. He prayedAlmighty Allah to rest the de-parted soul in eternal peace andgive courage—APP

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Arif Raza, aprominent member of AligarhMuslim University Old BoysAssociation (AMUOBA) hashoped that the newly electedPresident of AMUOBA andChancellor Sir Syed Universityof Engineering and Technology(SSUET) will carry out hisrespponsibility well and the uni-versity will benefit from his ex-perience and wisdom.

In a letter to Engr AdilUsman, who assumed the chargeas President AMUOBA andChancellor SSUET after the saddemise of Z.A. Nizami, Mr Razawas confident that the newchancellor has the capability of

‘SSUET to benefit fromEngr Adil Usman’s experience’

administration of bothAMUOBA and SSUET.

He said, as a sincereAligarhian, his advise to himwill be to focus on the missionand objectives of the institutionwithout falling prey to the lob-bies trying to carry their ownagenda.

In his letter, he said, hewould be failing to project theAligarh Muslim Univerrsity’straditions of fair play whichsome of us feel had been ignoredand defaced by rushing to nomi-nate the Chancellor in unduehaste.

The situation and Aligarhspirit demanded that first weshould have paid solemn andhonorable last rites to the de-

parted soul of Mr Nizami whoserved the Aligarh cause excep-tionally well.

He pointed out that when MrNizami was still alive in a pre-carious condition, leaving himto die and cashing on the theopportuunity to select the nextChancellor was in a bad taste.

Some of us even say that itwas murder of Aligarh spiritwhile there were better ways andsystem to select a new Chancel-lor.

He said that keeping his ser-vices for AMUOBA and missionof Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, itwould have been far better if hisNamaz-e-Janaza had been of-fered within the premises ofAMUOBA Head Office.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—At least two peoplewere injured when a crackerbomb was lobbed in the metropo-lis’ area of-Zahra Garden earlyThursday morning, while theghost of target killing re-emergedin Karachi, after 10 people in-cluding policemen were killed indifferent parts of the city. Accord-ing to police, some unidentifiedmiscreants hurled a cracker inMalir area of Zahra Garden thismorning which wounded twopeople, who have been shifted toa nearby private hospital.

Meanwhile the ghost of tar-get killing re-emerged in Karachi,where 10 people including po-licemen were killed during 24hours in different parts of the city.

According to police, a CIDpolice member was killed inGulberg area of the city whiletwo policemen were shot deadwithin the limits of SITE-B po-lice station after unknown motor-cyclists opened fire on them. Thepolicemen were identified asZahid and Khalid.

A man identified as Shoaib

Cracker blast hurts 2, targetkilling claims 10 more livesPolice to remain on high alert during polls

was shot dead in Yousuf Gotharea of the city while two peoplewere gunned down in Korangi.

Five people were also killedin Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Baldia Town,Shahra-e-Noor-Jahan, NewKarachi and SteelTown.

Meanwhile, a spokesman ofthe Sindh Police said in a state-ment the police will remain onhigh alert during the process ofgeneral elections 2013.

He said that the InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Sindh,Shahid Nadeem Baloch, ad-dressed the police officers at theSalim Wahidi Auditorium inClifton here and issued the nec-essary directives. Regarding thecriminal elements, ‘surgicalraids’ would be carried out in theidentified areas and detailed re-port would be submitted. Fixedbarriers/ impediments on variousthoroughfares, areas in the citybe removed. In the areas wherethere are guards to operate the‘barriers’ the procedures willhave to be evolved in consulta-tion with the people.

The IGP called for taking thepeople in to confidence for the

removal of barriers. Measures betaken for checking crimes in theareas where barriers are removed,he added.

He said that there should beaction without any discrimina-tion in the areas affected bycrimes and criminal elements.

The IGP also called for ‘flagmarches’ for instilling sense ofconfidence among the people.

Regarding elections, it wasstated that the Station House Of-ficers (SHOs) would ensure thevisit to the identified polling sta-tions. The strategy and the mea-sures should be coordinated andeffective for foolproof securityaddressing also the apprehen-sions regarding the security dur-ing the election.

In addition to deployment ofpolice personnel and picketing onthe entrance and exits of all the dis-tricts, effective communicationsystem should also be ensured. TheAdditional Inspector General ofPolice (AIGP), Karachi, GhulamShabbir Shaikh, Zonal DIGs andSDPOs Karachi were also presenton the occasion, the police state-ment added.

144 imposed oncarrying arms

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Sindh caretakergovernment in pursuance of thenotification issued by Ministryof Interior Government of Pa-kistan had withdrawn all thepermission letter/ orders for car-rying and displaying of weap-ons in relaxation of ban underSection 144 and there will be acomplete ban on carrying anddisplaying all kinds of weaponsin the province.

RESEARCHERS have found thathealthy watermelons can do just asgood of a job to normalize blood

pressure without all side effects, whichhave been linked to statin drugs.

In a study published in the AmericanJournal of Hypertension,food scientists at FloridaState University foundthat consumption of sixgrams of L-citrulline ex-tract from watermelon ex-tract for six weeks normal-ized the blood pressure ofall nine adults in the studywho previously had el-evated blood pressure, re-ported a private newschannel.

The large watermelonfruit is the richest ediblesource of the amino acid L-citrulline, which regulateshealthy blood pressure. L-citrulline is converted toanother amino acid, L-argi-nine, once in the body.However, taking L-arginine as a dietarysupplement can cause nausea, gastrointes-tinal problems and diarrhea, especiallyamong adults who already suffer fromraised blood pressure.

“Individuals with increased bloodpressure and arterial stiffness - especiallythose who are older and those withchronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes -would benefit from L-citrulline in either thesynthetic or natural (watermelon) form,”Figueroa said.

Helping lower and control bloodpressure is just one of many health ben-efits for the large summertime favorite.

Watermelons lowerblood pressure

Watermelons have the highest watercontent of any fruit and, in addition tobeing a supreme thirst quencher, areexcellent sources of several vitamins:vitamin A, an antioxidant which helpsmaintain eye health; vitamin C, which

strengthens immunity,heals wounds, preventscell damage, and promoteshealthy teeth and gums;and vitamin B6, whichhelps brain function andhelps convert protein toenergy.

Watermelons alsohave plenty of thiamine,magnesium, and potassiumwhich are all vital for opti-mal health.

Thus if your children,or perhaps yourself, are re-luctant to dig into spinach,other dark green leafy veg-etables or lima beans on aregular basis, servings ofwatermelon would be a veryhealthy substitute - and

would make a healthy addition at anyrate. Watermelons help muscle and nervefunction and help maintain the body’sproper electrolyte and acid-base balance.They also reduce the risk of colon can-cer, asthma, heart disease and rheuma-toid arthritis.

Watermelons are also excellent forkidney health as it can both flush the kid-neys and dissolve kidney stones. One ofthe most popular and effective naturalremedies for kidney stones is a tea madefrom watermelon seeds, though often thejuice alone in plentiful quantities will dothe trick.

LAHORE: Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif meeting with Sardar Akhtar Mengal.

LAHORE: An attractive view of seasonal flowers flourishing and blooming at roadside.

LAHORE: Saleema Hashmi, Ammara Durrani and Tabinda Zubairi with the partici-pants during Networking Conference.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The election tri-bunals working at the prin-cipal seat of the Lahore HighCourt Thursday heard 143election appeals against de-cisions of returning officers.

Two election tribunalsdismissed 42 appealswhereas 83 appeals wereadjourned and five appealswere allowed.

However, the tribunalsreturned 13 appeals to theElection Commission with arequest to fix it before an-other tribunal after judgesrefused to hear the matters.

The tribunal, comprisingJustice Nasir Saeed Sheikhand Justice Shahid Waheed,heard 74 appeals and al-lowed one appeal whereas

18 were dismissed and re-maining 54 adjourned.

But, the tribunal referredan appeal against acceptanceof Liaqat Abbas Bhati’snomination paper from NA-103, to the Election Commis-sion for fixing it before an-other tribunal after JusticeShahid Waheed observedthat he had been associatedwith the parties.

The tribunal allowed ap-peal filed by Rana LalBadshah against rejection ofhis nomination papers fromPP-135 by returning officerconcerned and accepted hisnomination papers.

Meanwhile, the tribunal,comprising Justice KhawajaImtiaz Ahmad and JusticeMuhammad KhalidMehmood Khan, heard 69

election appeals and allowedfour appeals whereas 24 ap-peals were dismissed, 29 ad-journed and 12 appeals werereferred to the Election Com-mission for fixing it beforeanother tribunal after judgesrefused to hear matters.

Justice Khawaja ImtiazAhmad refused to hear ap-peals against acceptance ofPML-N leaders Nawaz Sharifand Shahbaz Sharif nomina-tion papers from NA-120and PP-161 respectively, ob-serving that he had alreadyheard a case regarding them.

Justice MuhammadKhalid Mehmood Khan alsorefused to hear appealsagainst acceptance of ImranKhan’s nomination papersfrom NA-122 for personalreasons.

Appeals: 42 dismissed, 5 allowed,83 adjourned, 13 returned

The tribunal referredthe matters to ElectionCommission with a requestto fix it before another tri-bunal.

The tribunal allowed ap-peals filed by Ahmad SaeedBhatti, Sarfraz Ali, BadarMunir Bhatti andMuhammad Akram Chistiagainst rejection of their nomi-nation papers and acceptedtheir nomination papers.

The tribunal issued no-tices on appeals filed byGeneral (retd) PervezMusharraf (NA-139),Seemal Kamran (Reserveseat), Samina KhawarHayat (Reserved seat) andKashmala Tariq (Reservedseat) against rejection oftheir nomination papers forApril 12 and 15.

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Provincial Min-ister for Health SaleemaHashmi has said that therewas a need of policy makingand taking numerous solidsteps for ensuring protec-tion of the lives of womenand children and provisionof health facilities to themwhereas future elected gov-ernment has to pay specialattention to this less privi-leged segment of the soci-ety.

“Holding of free, fair andtransparent general elec-tions is the prime responsi-bility of caretaker govern-ment, while ensuring ofsmooth working of govern-ment departments and moni-toring of government func-tionaries was also a priorityof caretakers,” she said,while talking to the mediamen after inaugurating astate-of-the-art nurseryward in Services Hospitalhere Thursday.

Secretary Health Arif

Saleema seeks womenrole in eradicating polio,

measles, dengueNadeem, Additional Secre-tary Health (Tech) Dr. AnwarJanjua, Principal Services In-stitute of Medical Sciences(SIMS) Prof. Dr. Hamid Butt,MS Services Hospital Dr.Rehana Malik and other se-nior doctors attended the in-augural ceremony.

Responding to a ques-tion Saleema Hashmi saidthat it was crucial time withregard to polio, measles anddengue diseases, howeverin order to overcome theseproblems the whole societyhas to participate in thestruggle against these men-ace. She emphasized the roleof house women in eradica-tion of dengue, as the den-gue mosquito breeds mostlyinside the houses, and, ac-cording to the experts, 80%dengue resides insides thehouses. She stressed theneed for launching vigorousawareness campaignagainst dengue.

She further said thatwomen and children are veryvulnerable segment of our

society and there is a needto take numerous of stepsfor creating sense of secu-rity among them by takingsolid steps.

Earlier, the Health Min-ister inaugurated the state-of-the-art nursery ward inServices Hospital.

Project Director Prof. Dr.Muhammad Ali informed theMinister that this well-equipped nursery ward hasbeen completed at a cost ofRs. 14 million, with a capac-ity of providing healthcareup to 80 infants.

He informed that ICUand high dependency unithave also been establishedin the ward. He said that alatest fire fighting systemhas also been installed inthe ward.

On this occasion, Ser-vices Hospital Administra-tion also arranged a briefingand a demonstration for theMinister regarding comput-erized token system, re-cently introduced for theconvenience of patients.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Minister LawPunjab Shams MehmoodMirza has said that Ulema andMashaikh and representativesof the world religions are play-ing their vital role in the pro-motion of peace, brotherhood,tolerance and religious har-mony in the country but Ulemawould have to work more forensuring forbearance, accep-tance and religious coexist-ence in the society.

Call for promoting peace,brotherhood

The Minister expressedthese views while addressingat Universal Peace Conferenceat a local hotel here today. Theconference was addressed byMaulana Abdul Khabir Azad,Minister for Minority AffairsJamshaid Rahmatullah, Dr. JanMalik, Al-Shaikh BadarTayyabi, Allama Zubair Zahir,Allama Niaz Hussain Naqvi,Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi,Sardar Bishan Singh, Dr. LiefHetland, Chairman Global Mis-sion Awareness and other reli-

gious scholars also addressed.Shams Mehmood Mirza

said that Pakistan is facing se-rious challenges of terrorism,security issues, law and ordercrisis.

However, maintenance ofpeace is essential for theprogress of the country, headded. He said that only peaceand tranquility would helppromote economic and tradeactivities, increase investmentand generate job opportuni-ties in the country.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Representatives ofthe media, policymakers, civilsociety organizations, intellec-tuals and writers participatingin a national summit have hailedPakistan’s women political lead-ers for their dedicated work —at grassroots as well as policylevels – and urged that they begiven leading opportunities inthe forthcoming general elec-tions 2013.

The ‘First National Net-working Summit on Women’sLeadership’ was jointly orga-nized by Search for CommonGround Pakistan and InsanFoundation Trust as part oftheir ‘Women’s Initiative forLearning and Leadership(WILL)’ campaign to celebratestruggles and achievements ofwomen political leaders, espe-

Pakistan’s women political leaderspraised for their dedicated work

cially from the provincial assem-blies and districts of Punjab,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP),Balochistan, Sindh and theFederally Administrated TribalAreas (FATA).

“Women leaders of Paki-stan are vocal, visible, activeand up front today,” saidPunjab’s Interim Minister forWomen Development, SalimaHashmi, in her opening remarksas chief guest of the nationalsummit. “They demand theirrights, at least in areas whereaccess to information and en-tertainment is practiced. For me,this event is a point of celebra-tion by and for women.” TheMinister urged civil society andother stakeholders to suggestways that could bring socialchange in Pakistan in favor ofwomen leaders and young girls.

Kainat Nizamani, President

Women Wing (PMLF) - BadinSindh, Raheela KhadimHussain, Ex-MPA (PMLN) –Punjab, Begum Nargis SaminJan Ex-MPA (PPP) - KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Najmi SaleemiEx-MPA (PPP) and ZarinMajeed Ex-MPA (MQM) wereamong the many women politi-cians who participated in theSummit.

Additional Secretary Elec-tion Commission of Pakistan,Afzal Khan; Rtd. Justice NasiraJavid Iqbal; DG Pakistan Broad-casting Corporation, MurtazaSolangi; Dr. Rubina Saigol; Dr.Rakshanda Parveen; ActorSania Saeed; Editor The Newson Sunday, Farah Zia; Execu-tive Director Simorgh ResourceCenter, Neelam Hussain; Ex-ecutive Director SFCG Paki-stan, Ammara Durrani alsospoke on the occasion.

PTI’s manifestotermed a joke with

peopleSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Pakistan MuslimLeague-Nawaz (PML-N)leaders Rana Sanaullah,Rana Mashhood and ZaeemQadri Thursday termed thePTI’s manifesto a joke withthe people of Pakistan.

In a statement, they saidthe PTI’s manifesto was a setof illusions made by thosewho were oblivious of thesufferings of common man.“Imran Khan had promisedduring his rally at Minar-e-Pakistan that he would nevertell a lie but this manifesto isitself a pack of lies,” they said.

They said that peoplequestion whether the PTIwould be able to fight landgrabbers through AleemKhan; end drone strikesthrough Khursheed Kasuri;provide affordable educationthrough Fauzia Kasuri andcollect taxes through Arif Alvi.“The PTI also claims it will endcorruption in 90 days but it isthe only political party whoseleaders and middlemen haveallegedly made millions of ru-pees by selling tickets to itscandidates,” the PML-N lead-ers said.

PPP wantsimpartial judges

in HudabiyaPaper Mills’ case

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Former leader ofopposition in Punjab Assem-bly Mr. Raja Riaz Ahmad, hasrequested the Chief Justiceof Lahore High Court to re-view the decision of the ap-pointment of Khawja Najam-ul-Hassan as referee judge inthe Hudabiya Paper Mills’case because of his well-known acquaintances withSharif family and theJustice(Rtd) KhawjaMohammad Sharif. BothKhawja Najam-ul-Hassanand Khawja MohammadSharif were juniors of KhawjaSultan Ahmed who was fam-ily lawyer of Sharifs besidesvery close to the family.

He also suggested thatthe judge should himself re-gret voluntarily and disasso-ciate from the case for thesake of justice which is notonly be done but also be seento be done.

He said that the verdictof the referee judge was con-sidered as final in such casestherefore he should be moreneutral among the neutrals tomeet the imperatives of jus-tice and fair play.JI govt to overcome

energy crisisLAHORE—Jamaat-e-IslamiSecretary General LiaqatBaloch has said the JI, oncoming to power, would im-prove law and order, over-come the energy crisis andend loadshedding within sixmonths.

Addressing corner meet-ings in his constituency NA-126 on Thursday, he saidmenace of loadshedding hadfurther increased due towhich industrial units andfactories were being closed.

He demanded the care-taker Punjab government togive up the idea of Basant andtake practical measures to im-prove law and order.—APP

DG Radiocalls on Sethi

LAHORE—Director GeneralRadio Pakistan MurtazaSolangi called on caretakerChief Minister Punjab NajamSethi here on Thursday andinformed him about arrange-ments made to ensure impar-tial and comprehensive cov-erage of electoral process inthe province.

Director General also as-sured the caretaker ChiefMinister that Radio Pakistanwill fully cooperate with care-taker administration in edu-cating and providing infor-mation to the people aboutelectoral process.

Caretaker Chief Ministerexpressed his satisfactionover the elaborate arrange-ments of National Broad-caster and assured thatPunjab government will fullycooperate with Radio Paki-stan in its goal to provide un-biased and impartial cover-age of elections 2013.—NNI

Car theftincidentsincrease

LAHORE—Car theft incidentshave increased manifold atMayo Hospital, the oldest hos-pital of south Asia in city.

Doctors, the victim, toldAPP here Thursday “can any-body believe that during nightduty, complete engine is re-moved with sophistication froma car of Dr Yasir parked at eyeward”. While Dr. Fatima, MsAysha Saleem,and Dr. RashidNawaz were deprived of theirMehran cars in a broad daylight by the dare devil car lifters.The expensive side mirrors ofDr,Afshan Ali, Dr. Azeem andDr. Ali were also stolen not onetime but several time from eyeward parking and no action hasso far been taken by the hospi-tal administration.

Doctors expressed theirutter resentment over ex-tremely poor security arrange-ments and lack of deploymentof proper staff at parking ar-eas of the hospital.—APP