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Worsening political impasse................................................Shahbaz reins in unrulyPML(N) workers................................................Focus is sadly drifting awayfrom Zarb-e-Azb

See Page 04

ISLAMABAD: Leader of PAT Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri addressing the participants of Inqilab March.—PO photoby Sultan Bashir

ISLAMABAD: PTI chief Imran Khan addressing to his supporters during Azadi March sit-in at KashmirHighway on Saturday night.

ZUBAIR QURESHI

ISLAMABAD—While it rained heavily in the federal capi-tal, Saturday yet the workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek(PAT) showed discipline and patiently listened to theirleader Dr Allama Tahirul Qadri’s address in which hepresented his party’s charter of demands.

It was the first day of the sit-in of the Inqilab orRevolution March, which according to Allam Dr TahirulQadri will continue until the revolution sets in.Thousands of PAT workers braving heavy rain and harshweather conditions remained glued to their seats Fridaynight and Saturday evening was again a test of their pa-tience and discipline and again they proved their mettle.

Addressing the marchers Qadri paid rich tributes tothe martyrs of Model town tragedy.

PAT chief’s first demand was resignation of PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister ShahbazSharif over Model town tragedy. He also demanded ar-rest of Sharif brothers as per the law of the land. Hissecond demand was dissolution of the national and pro-vincial assemblies as according to him, they were formed‘unconstitutionally.’Observing a restraint unlike his previous fiery speeches,Dr Tahirul Qadri in a calm and confident tone made itclear the sit-in would continue until the assemblies weredissolved.

Qadri floats his populistrevolution agenda

Demands resignation, arrest of PM, CM PunjabWants national govt Opposes mid-term elections

Continued on Page 7

ISLAMABAD—The 14th Au-gust witnessed a final settle-ment, though verbally be-tween PTI and PAT to launchtheir marches side by side todislodge the Nawaz Govern-ment. After reachingIslamabad they are campedside by side but on differentsites with differentprogrammes but with oneagenda not to leave Islamabadwithout bringing down thegovernment of Sharif broth-ers.

A few days back, Imranand Qadri had no programmeto launch a joint struggle, rathersometimes they were critical toeach other. But it was a hardstruggle by leader of PakistanAwami Muslim League ShiekhRashid and other politicalforces including Ch. ShujaatHussain and Pervez Illahi tobring both the leaders on oneagenda. They have still hold-ing different programmes andapproaches to address the is-sues as is evident evidencefrom their latest speeches onSaturday at their sit-ins. Imranis demanding mid-term or re-

elections but Qadri has de-manded national governmentand implementation of his ten-points, change in system beforeelections are held.

Predominantly, a religiousleader, Qadri has strong base ofhis followers, especially inPunjab and wanted to take leadover Imran Khan. But Stringentmeasures by Punjab govern-ment including laying of siegearound his secretariat and resi-dence in Model town, Lahoreforced him to take support fromImran Khan as it had becomeimpossible for him to attract abig crowed and launch Inqilab

March. It was the time whensome stake-holders acted andhelped to free Qadri beforestriking a verbal agreementwith Imran Khan to launch ajoint struggle against theNawaz Government.

This development alsoput Imran in an advantageousposition as his bargaining po-sition has enhanced. Some ofhis party compatriots alsoforced him to join hands withQadri.

The launching ofmarches from Lahore, pass-ing through central Punjab,

Two sites, one agenda of dislodging of govtComment

Liaqat Toor

Continued on Page 7

Imran: Tsunami may marchtowards PM House, parliament

Again asks Nawaz Sharif to step down

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The country’s top intelligenceagencies say terrorists are planning to carry outsuicide attacks on protest rallies in Islamabad,Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan told reporterson Saturday.

“For the past three days, we have been puton a high alert by the intelligence agencies. Ac-cording to reports, two suicide bombers areknown to have entered (Islamabad andRawalpindi),” Nisar said during a press confer-ence in the federal capital.

“Their aim is to target PTI (PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf) and PAT (Pakistan Awami

Tehreek) rallies.” The interior minister said thereports came from military intelligence agen-cies.

“I don’t want to spread fear or panic – but ifsomething happens tomorrow, it will be thegovernment’s responsibility. This information isbased on reports from the country’s top-mostmilitary intelligence agencies,” he said. Nisarurged the leaders and participant of both the PATand the PTI to coordinate with local adminis-tration to ensure better security.

“We have deployed an effective cordon ofover 30,000 security personnel. It’s not a smallsecurity cordon…its massive with very high

Suicide bombers planning toattack PTI, PAT rallies: Nisar

Continued on Page 7

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—A sessions court here has orderedpolice to register murder charges against 21 in-dividuals – including Prime Minister NawazSharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif – overviolence that took place in Model Town in June.

At least eleven PAT workers were killed andover 100 people were injured as police clashedwith workers of PAT on June 17.

PAT workers had submitted an application

with police to file a First Information Reportagainst a total of 21 people, though the policehad so far not filed any charges.

Issuing its orders on the application here,the court directed Station House Officer FaisalTown to immediately register cases against the21 nominees which include the prime minister,CM Punjab, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan,former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah,Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad

Court rules case be registered againstNawaz, Shahbaz and 19 others

Continued on Page 7

Qadri forgives,embraces

armed manISLAMABAD—Workers ofthe Pakistan Awami Tehreekon Saturday nabbed a sus-pected attacker along with apistol, during the address ofthe PAT chief, Dr TahirulQadri.

According to details,PAT workers collared a sus-pected man in the gatheringand found a pistol from hispossession.

Provoked PAT workersthrashed the suspected man,Continued on Page 7

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Punjab Gover-nor Chaudhry MohammadSarwar has said that the armydoes not want any unconstitu-tional change in the countryand emphasized that solution ofissues through negotiationswas in the interest of democ-racy. He was talking to mediapersons after meeting JI AmirSirajul Haq here on Saturday.The Governor said all the par-ties have identical agenda ex-

cept for a few demands.He praised the role of PPP

and JI leaders as well as AltafHussain and Sindh Governor inthe ongoing crisis. JI AmirSirajul Haq expressed the con-fidence that he would be ableto find a solution with the co-operation of all political parties.He said Punjab Governor hasplayed a constructive role in thepresent crisis.

He condemned theGujranwala incident but had

Army not for unconstitutionalchange: Governor Punjab

Sarwar, Siraj trying to break impasse

Continued on Page 7

Judicial Commissionnot blamed Shahbaz

for Model Townincident

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—A spokesman ofPunjab government has said thatno responsibility of the ModelTown incident was fixed on ChiefMinister Punjab in the report ofJudicial Commission constitutedfor Model Town incident receivedby the Punjab government.

The spokesman said that theCommission has asked Punjabgovernment to fix the responsi-bility of the incident in the lightof this report. He further said

Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 7

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STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister MuhammadNawaz Sharif has directed the authorities toimmediately start work on Karachi-LahoreMotorway. He said this project is a continua-tion of PML-N’s economic roadmap which was started in the90s. He issued the directiveswhile chairingd a meeting of Joint China Com-mission here on Saturday.

He said this project would generate eco-nomic activity and create more employmentopportunities for the people besides attractinginvestment.

He said that China, a time-tested friend of

Pakistan, is taking lot of interest in finding en-ergy solutions for Pakistan.

He said Chinese government has commit-ted investment worth $16 billion for Hydal, ther-mal, wind and solar power projects in Pakistanwhich would be completed in next three to four

years ensuring provision ofcheap electricity to the people.He said he would personally

supervise progress on these projects.The meeting was attended by Federal Min-

isters for Finance Mr. Ishaq Dar, Planning Mr.Ahsan Iqbal, SAFRON Lt. Gen. (Retd) AbdulQuadir Baloch, Special Assistant to PM SyedTariq Fatemi, Secretary Finance and SecretaryPlanning and other senior government officials.

PM orders to start work onLahore-Karachi Motorway Modi believes in

military prowess,inducts warshipin Indian Navy

MUMBAI—Indian Prime Min-ister Narendra Modi on Satur-day vowed to modernize thedefence forces terming militarymight as the biggest deterrentto war and to ensure that “no-body casts an evil eye” on thenation.

Modi was addressing a

Pak-US tiesgrowing: JilaniWASHINGTON—Pakistanand the United States arestrengthening their tiesthrough wide-rangingcooperation in differentfields. This was stated byPakistan’s Envoy to theUnited States Jalil AbbasJilani while addressing afunction in connection withPakistan’s Independence Daycelebrations.

Former U.S. SenatorRichard Lugar also spoke atthe event. While extendingPakistan Independence Daygreetings to the gathering atWashington NationalHarbour, Ambassador Jilaninoted that both Pakistan andthe United States are proud ofPakistani-Americans for theimportant contributions they

PCB electsShahryar Khanas chairmanISLAMABAD—The PakistanCricket Board on Saturday

unani-mouslyelectedShahryarM. Khanas the newchairmanof theboard.According

to Pakistan Cricket Boardsources, no one hadsubmitted their nomination

Continued on Page 7

Govt. to releaseRs.15b forZarb-e-AzbSTAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The govern-ment on Saturday has decidedto release Rs. 15 billion forthe Zarb-e-Azb operation.Rs.8 billion will be releasedon Monday while Rs.7 billionwill be released by the end ofthis month, said sources ofFinance Ministry. Moreover,the Minister of Finance hasalso approved Rs. 20 billionsubsidies to meet the energydeficit in the country.

It is expected the Ministryof Water and Power will paydue amount to IndependentPower Producers (IPPs) andPakistan State Oil (PSO).

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief ImranKhan Saturday said enthusiasm can be containedonly to a certain limit and warned that his tsunamican even storm into the Parliament House and PrimeMinister House.

“Mian sahab I am telling you to step down. Ihave been controlling the anger of the marchers butthe control also has a limit,” he warned while ad-dressing the participants of his Azadi March here onSaturday.

Earlier, he congratulated the participants of theAzadi March, saying the first wicket had been blownaway.

“I had told the people of Lahore before embark-

ing on Azadi March that I will return victorious,”Imran Khan clad in black shalwar kameez told thecheering crowd.

Without mentioning any names, he said, in aclear reference to Shahbaz Sharif that FIR is aboutto be lodged against the ‘small pharaoh’ in connec-tion with Model Town tragedy.

“Once the real story behind election riggingcomes to the fore it will also throw the future of‘big pharaoh’ in the oblivion of darkness,” the PTIchief said amid vociferous slogans of ‘Go Nawazgo’.

He said tonight the PTI will celebrate the inde-pendence of Pakistan. Imran Khan gave a choice tothe marchers to go and rest in their homes tonight,saying, ‘I will spend the night here’.

STAFF REPORTER

QUETTA—Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen-eral Raheel Sharif has visited the Pakistan AirForce (PAF) Base Samungli and the Army Avia-tion Base Khalid here on Saturday.

According to the Inter Services Public Re-lations (ISPR), General Raheel Sharif is on avisit to the provincial capital of Balochistan,where he visited the Samungli airbase and theKhalid military airbase.

Gen. Raheel visits Samungliairbase, hails troops’ efforts

He met the troops who fought with the ter-rorists and defeated them, in two different at-tacks that took place a couple of days ago.

The Army Chief praisedthese brave officials and soldiers of the securityforces and paid a tribute to them for fighting theterrorists and foiling all their dirty plans.

Raheel Sharif had said Friday that terror-ists are fleeing here and there due to the opera-tion Zarb-e-Azb, but they will not find any place

Herath stealsthe show onday threeCOLOMBO—MahelaJayawardene scored anunbeaten 49 in his last Test

innings as Sri Lankatook charge of thesecond and finalmatch againstPakistan in Colomboon Saturday.

The hosts, whotrailed by 12 runs on thefirst innings, put on astrong batting performanceto move to 177-2 in theirsecond innings by stumpson the third day at theSinhalese Sports Club.

Jayawardene and hisclose friend and long-timeteam-mate KumarSangakkara batted togetherfor the last time in a Testmatch to put on 98 for theunbroken third wicket.—AFPDetailed story on Sports Page

Picture on Back Page

AKHTAR JAMAL

SIXTY-nine years ago, on 17 of August1945, Indonesian nation declared independence. Ever since, freedom, emancipation,

equality, opportunity, progress, tolerance, de-mocracy, these things are the heart of today’sIndonesia. These are the values that mark thesignificance of Indonesia’s independence,where every Indonesian commits himself/her-self to achieve a greater contribution towards abetter Indonesia. Indonesia is a territory wherediversity means unity and Indonesians areproud of being Indonesians consider it as theirgreatest honor … the greatest inheritance foran immortal thesaurus of life.

Geographically the Republic of Indonesia isa country in Southeast Asia and Oceania but itplays a role in all important regional and interna-tional developments and affairs. Indonesia iscomprised 13,466 islands and 33 provinces. Withover 238 million people, it is the world’s fourthmost populous country, and has the world’s larg-est population of Muslims. Indonesia is a re-public, with an elected legislature and President.

The nation’s capital city is Jakarta. Thecountry shares land borders with Papua NewGuinea, East Timor, and Malaysia. Other neigh-boring countries include Singapore, Philippines,Australia, and the Indian territory of theAndaman and Nicobar Islands. Indonesia, amiddle-income, middle-power country, theworld’s largest democracy, with political stabil-ity and economic dynamism has the largestmiddle class in Southeast Asia.

In today’s integrated world economy, itseems that no economy will escape the impactof the slowdown of the major economies. How-ever, to date Indonesia has been able to main-tain the growth momentum of the past two years.

Few years back in 2011 Indonesia’s economygrew steadily by 6.5 per cent in 2012, and over 6 percent of economic growth in the comingyears.Indonesia is a pluralistic nation. It consistsof about 17 thousand islands, six major religions,300 ethnic groups and 750 local languages anddialects, spread across the Archipelago. Consider-ing these facts, the history of Indonesia, since itsindependence proclamation in 1945, to 2000, has

Indonesia celebrates its69th Independence Day

PESHAWAR: Coordinator of PM’s Easy Business Loans Scheme and Chairperson National Assembly Standing Committee on Information andBroadcasting Marvi Memon enquiring about the health of injured persons due to heavy rain during her visit to Lady Reading Hospital.

always been characterized by so many local con-flicts related to ethnic, religion and cultural groups.

Only after the year of 2000, the IndonesianGovernment decided to embark on a “full flag”democracy, and has achieved stability andpeaceful situation. This decision had causedpositive changes in political life and led to thereforms in political institutions;

The country has decentralized the systemof Government, and embarked on a policy ofd e v o l u t i o nwhich allowsthe local gov-ernments tomanage theirown au-tonomy.

The Gov-ernment alsoestablished asystem ofcheck and bal-ance among ourbranches ofG o v e r n m e n tand took mea-sures to pro-mote and pro-tection of hu-man rights.

I n d o n e s i ais the world’sthird mostpopulous de-mocracy. Atthe same time,it is also thehome of theworld’s largest Muslim population. In Indone-sia, most politicians believe that Islam and de-mocracy can live side by side.

This new understanding is built on the ba-sis of the Islamic concept that Islam is “rahmatullil ‘Aalamin”, or Islam is blessing for all cre-ation. It is the concept that promotes everyMuslim to be tolerant, to honor different ideas,to resort to peaceful consensus, to avoid con-flicts, and to treat minorities as equals.

Indonesia is not only the pioneer and

founder member of Non-aligned movement butit has also played a leading role in the Develop-ing World forums.

Indonesia is also a founding member ofASEAN and a member of the G-20 major econo-mies. The Indonesian economy is the world’seighteenth largest economy by nominal GDPand fifteenth largest by purchasing power par-ity.

On its 69th anniversary, Indonesia aims tostrengthen its mutual relationshipwith all important powers and coun-tries particularly Pakistan.The twocountries have witnessed close co-operation in the field of defence,security, law enforcement, culturaland science, joint ventures as wellas student exchange.

Pakistanis love to visit Indo-nesia as tourists and consider Indo-nesia as their second home. So arethe feelings of Indian officials andcitizens who often visitPakistan.Along with the priority toenhance economic diplomacy, bothcountries have realized that people-to –people contact was an essentialingredient to narrow the geographi-cal distance between the twonations.Delicacies of the Indonesiandishes specially prepared by twoIndonesian chefs in Pakistan are be-coming more popular in Pakistan.

There are so many commoninterests between Pakistan and In-donesia including religion, cultureand customs. The two countriestogether are comprised of world fifty

percent of Muslim population. But majority ofthe population being moderate Muslims, pro-mote peace and tolerance.

Pakistanis cannot forget Indonesia’s stron-gest support to Pakistan during 1965 and 1971wars and Jakarta’s continued support for rightsof self-determination for Kashmiris.

(Akhtar Jamal is the founder editor-in-chief of Pakistan Press Agency, based inIslamabad and can be reached atpakpress@yahoo.com)

LOWER DIR—The Independence Day ofPakistan was enthusiastically celebrated inLower Dir district wherein the main func-tions were held at Muzaffar Khan StaduimOuch and Centennial Model SchoolTemergarah with large gathering in atten-dance.

A function was held at Ouch the underthe aegis of Pakistan Army at MuzaffarKhan Stadium which was attended by hun-dreds of students and area people.

Colonel Arshad Khan in his addresssaid, “We were quite lucky to be born in anindependent country”. “This independencewas achieved through unparalleled sacri-fices of our elders and now it was our dutyto safeguard its every inch of land and workselflessly for its prosperity”.

Pakistan Army, he said was committedto secure its frontiers and discourage anti-state elements who wanted to weaken theimage of our country adding we haveachieved success in our endeavors.

Former MPA, Hashim Khan said on theoccasion we want prosperity in our coun-try but some elements with foreign agendatried to impose their will and with the graceof Allmighty Allah, Pakistan Army defeated

those elements in no time and now therewas complete peace in our region.

He thanked Pakistan Army and assuredall out support of the area people for theirefforts of bringing lasting peace to the area.

The function at Temergara was also at-tended by large number of people alongwith MPA and Chiarman DDAC, MuzaffarSyed, DC Muhammad Suhail, DPO GhulamHabib Khan, DEO Hafiz MuhammadIbrahim, area eliets, parents and students.

The theme of the function was “YumeAzadi se Yume Takbeer Takk” wherein stu-dents presented national songs, musicalbands and declamation contests.

MPA Muzaffar Syed on this occasion saidthe Muslims of sub-continent accomplishedtheir goal of independence by renderingmatchless sacrifices and now it was our obli-gation to secure and put our country on pathof prosperity.Achievement of independence,he said was also not much easy but to main-tain it and achieve a respectable place in thecomity of nation was much difficult and harderthan it. All we have to put our prerequisiteshare in the progress of our country and blockthe way of elements trying to create destabi-lization in our country.—APP

‘We are lucky, born inan independent country’

Chinese languageinstitute soon

ISLAMABAD—China will es-tablish a Chinese languageinstitute at Faisalabad toserve as a strong bridgebringing the people of thetwo countries more closer toeach other.

“There are already twosuch institutes one at Na-tional University of ModernLanguages (NUML),Islamabad and other inKarachi,” according to an of-ficial in Chinese Embassyhere.

He said the decision toset up new institute hasbeen taken keeping in viewenthusiasm to learn Chi-nese among the Pakistaniyouth as it is an essentialtool and a significant bridgefor developing people topeople contact.

The Chinese govern-ment, he said would spareno effort in providing moreand more platforms, pro-grams and materials for Pa-kistani youth to learn Chi-nese.—APP

ISLAMABAD—Central Secretary Infor-mation of Pakistan Muslim League-NSenator Mushahid Ullah Khan hassaid the people had rejected the un-democratic agenda of Imran Khan as avery small number attended his pro-test.

This showed that the people onlywanted the country’s developmentand that they had nothing to do withthe desire of PTI chief Imran khan tobecome the prime minister, he said in astatement here on Saturday.

Mushahid Ullah said the peopleonly wanted that Pakistan should berecognized as a respectable countryof the world.

He advised Imran Khan not toadopt an undemocratic attitude andinstead work for the welfare of peopleof Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where Paki-

stan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was in gov-ernment.

He said,”Everyone should acceptthe decision of the people and respectthe mandate. Imran Khan should pro-vide evidence to the judicial commis-sion for investigation of electoral rig-ging instead of demanding resignationfrom the Prime Minister.”

Mushahid Ullah said ImranKhan’s demand for the PrimeMinister’s resignation wa a “childishand condemnable”. He should haveto wait for four years, he added. Mean-while, it is reported that Pakistan Mus-lim League (PML-N) leader, HanifAbbasi said on Saturday that thePML-N government was respectingthe mandate of other parties in thecountry.

In a statement the PML-N leader

said that no major political party issupporting the long march of PTI.

He said that government allowedboth Pakistan Awami tehrik and Tehrik-e- Insaf to conduct constitutionalmarches and no hurdle would be cre-ated in their way.

He said that PTI Chief Imran Khanand PAT leader, Tahir ul Qadri’s de-mands were unconstitutional addingboth Azadi March and Inqilab marchwill faced failure.

Abbasi said that people have re-jected the politics of agitation. HanifAbbasi said that parliament was theright forum for submitting demandsrather staging unconstitutional pro-tests on roads.

He said that so-called marchesand revolutions would come to anend.—APP

PTI fails to gather announcednumber of people: Mushahid

Masses flay undemocratic agenda of Imran Khan

PESHAWAR—On the directives of PrimeMinister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Chair-person of National Assembly’s StandingCommittee on Information and Broadcast-ing Marvi Memon here on Saturday visitedLady Reading Hospital and enquired aftertheir health.

MNA Marvi Memon remained there forsome time and visited each injured personsadmitted in the hospital after the Friday raincoupled with wind stormed that playedhavoc in and around of Peshawar as 16peoples lost their lives while dozens otherssustained injuries.

Marvi Memon said that she visited thevictims on Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif’sdirective. Federal government will not leavepeople of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the hourof need.On behalf of the government, sheannounced 0.3 million rupees for each fam-ily of the deceased while Rs 0.1 million forthe injured.

While criticizing the leaders of the PTI,she said they did not pay head toward lossof precious human lives and not evenbother that what are their responsibilities,adding that they have locked their officesto join long march in Islamabad.

She said it is now a routine matter forPTI to stage sit-in protests rather to fulfilltheir responsibilities by serving the people.

Marvi visits LRH on PM directives

Centre not to leave KPpeople in hour of need

Accompanied by Provincial YouthWing President, Mian Rashad Ali ShahKakakhail, Ms. Memon said that the con-tainer show of Imran Khan will end soon.

She termed the sit-in protests are creat-ing only hardships for the people besidesthere is less attendance in the governmentoffices.

She said the people of KhyberPakhtunkhwa had given Imran Khan themandates for the solution of their problemsrather to do only failed March and sit-inprotests.

“Look they left them in the hours ofneed but the PML-N will not let any stoneunturned in serving the people,” she added.

“Prime Minister Muhammad NawazSharif is well aware of the hardship andproblems being confronting by the rain-hitpeople and that is why he (Nawaz Sharif) istaking personal interest in solving theseproblems on priority basis,” Ms Memonopined.The government, she said, is readyfor talks with PTI.

She alleged that Imran Khan has showndisrespect to the loss of precious lives inthe rain-hit and wind stormed incidents.

She said PML-N secured millions ofvotes in last general elections and staginglong march against the government will becontempt of the public vote.—APP

President of Indonesia Susilo BambangYudhoyono.

Worseningpolitical impasse

ADDRESSING his charged workers and supporters, who listenedto him and some other leaders with rapt attention despite incessant rain in the Federal Capital, PTI leader Imran Khan once

again reiterated his demand for resignation of Prime Minister NawazSharif and holding of fresh elections. He also repeated a volley of hisallegations regarding rigging in the general elections and ‘weaknesses’of the rulers.

Imran Khan has been making the demand for resignation of the electedPrime Minister despite mainstream view that the demand is unconstitu-tional and hence not worthy of consideration. Political leadership of thecountry, with the exception of one man parties or spent forces, are on theone side on this issue and PTI is on the other side, which amounts to itsvirtual political isolation. But repetition of the demand by PTI Chairmanat the rally on Kashmir Highway is indicative of his hardened stance,which may complicate things further to the detriment of the system. Simi-larly, Tahirul Qadri too seems to be determined not to leave Islamabad tillacceptance of his demands, most of which are not within the ambit of theConstitution and the law. The participants of the two rallies spent consid-erable time in Lahore and in journey from Lahore to the Federal Capital andthe nature did not favour them in Islamabad as they were welcomed byheavy rains that disrupted almost their entire original programmes. Theexhausted and tired participants might not have the enough strength to with-stand vagaries of the weather and other logistic difficulties and therefore,could run out of patience and the situation could turn an ugly turn any timeif prudence did not prevail. It is encouraging that other political leaders aretrying to do fire fighting and they have so far succeeded in preventing anyuntoward incident. JI’s Sirajul Haq, leader of the opposition Syed KhurshidShah, Altaf Hussain, Governor Sindh, Governor Punjab and some otherleaders are making endeavours to find a way out as being stake-holders inthe system. No doubt, the restraining order issued by the Supreme Court ofPakistan, judgement of the Lahore High Court in container case and unani-mous resolution of the National Assembly vowing to safeguard the Con-stitution and democracy, all augur well but given the delicate nature ofthe situation, some intentional or unintentional mistake could spell havoc.Therefore, it is incumbent upon all to show flexibility for the sake of hardearned democracy, security and economic future of the country.

Shahbaz reins in unrulyPML(N) workers

PEOPLE of Pakistan took a sigh of relief that despite fears andwarnings of terrorist attacks, the journey of both Azadi and Revo-

lution marches remained peacefully from Lahore to Islamabad. It wasalso heartening to note that better sense prevailed due to efforts ofsome political players who facilitated understanding between the Gov-ernment and PTI and PAT, which led to the Government agreeing tosafe passage of both the parties from Lahore despite their aggressiveand violent tones.

However, it was highly distasteful that a group of PML(N) work-ers created fuss at Gujranwala, creating difficulties for the Govern-ment and somewhat tarnishing the goodwill gestures of their own partyvis-à-vis PAT and PTI. Though according to some versions, the troublewas started by PTI workers who parked their vehicles in front of theoffice of the local PML(N) leader and threw stones on portraits of topleadership of the party. But whatever the reasons and circumstances,the PML(N) being ruling party, should have shown maturity in deal-ing with the situation. Stone pelting on PTI procession was a myopicapproach as onus of providing security and maintaining law and orderfell on the Government. However, credit goes to Punjab Chief Minis-ter Mian Shahbaz Sharif, who, in line with his reputation of being adoer and achiever, acted swiftly to ensure damage control. He notonly made the person responsible to offer his arrest at the local policestation but also issued firm instructions to police to close down allPML(N) offices on the route of the marchers to avoid possibility ofany clash or confrontation. The wiser approach of the Chief Ministerhelped defuse the situation and deprive PTI of any opportunity to ex-ploit the incident in its favour. While appreciation Mian Shahbaz Shariffor his accommodative attitude, we would urge him to impress uponthe Centre as well to demonstrate similar spirit so that conducive en-vironment is created for national reconciliation.

Focus is sadly driftingaway from Zarb-e-AzbTHERE was a consensus in the country on the need to address the

challenge of terrorism that is inflicting heavy losses in men andmaterial, but there was a divide in the public opinion as to this objectivecould be achieved. The Government very sincerely opted for the pro-cess of dialogue and after the process stuck up because of obstinateattitude of Taliban, a decision was taken to launch military operation towipe out the menace once for all.

It is, however, pitiable that at a time when focus of the nationshould be on Zarb-e-Azb to ensure that it is taken to its logical con-clusion and that too with speed, some forces have created politicalturmoil, and as a result the attention drifted away from the operation.The success of war on terror is directly linked to our very survival andtherefore, there is no option for failure. While the Armed forces aredoing their job well and producing the desired results, there are ap-prehensions that the gains could be lost due to political discord, un-dermining solidarity and unity of the country. Apart from the issue ofproviding firm support to the Armed forces, there is also problem ofIDPs that deserves full concentration of the Provincial and Federalgovernments but here again the Chief Minister of the Province con-cerned is focusing more on politics than mitigating sufferings of thedisplaced population. He did not even bother to care aboutPeshawariites who were lashed by torrential rain causing human andmaterial losses. All this is pitiable and cause for concern.

Protesting recklessly

Troublebrewing in

UK housing?

LONDON house prices haveleaped 25 per cent in a year,the steepest price rise since

1987. The increase across Britain isthe highest it has been in nine years.Official data released this week fromthe UK shows a government unableto contain a rising property bubble:stricter lending measures, introducedin April, have only led to an accel-eration in price rises.

The cost of buying a Londonhome for single first-home buyersis now nine times their average sal-ary — the worst it’s ever been inthe UK. Official measures to try tocool the market have included re-stricting new residential mortgagesworth more than 4.5 times aborrower’s annual income. Theyhaven’t worked, and yet are never-theless formalising just howunaffordable home ownership hasbecome. The IMF and Bank of En-gland have both warned of the po-tential economic consequences ofoverpriced housing. IMF manag-ing director Christine Lagarde saidhouseholds were “becoming morevulnerable to income and interestrate shocks”, while Bank of En-gland governor Mark Carney hasbeen warning the bubble couldburst, bringing down widereconomy. “We have seen time andagain how quickly ‘responsible’can turn to ‘reckless’, creating risksthat ultimately derail the UKeconomy,” he said.

The referendum for indepen-dence, set for September, is allow-ing 16 and 17-year olds to vote onthe move, the voting age loweredwith the reasoning that the teenag-ers will have to live with the conse-quences for a longer period of time.Those new young voters have al-ready registered at an unprec-edented 80 per cent rate, and areamong the most vocal campaign-ers in the process. They would berightly wary of seeing Edinburghbecome more like London, at leastwhen it comes to housing.

The UK capital’s house pricesare 30 per cent higher than their lastpeak in 2007, growing at more than7 per cent a quarter. An online es-tate agent told the UK’s Guardiannewspaper that it was a “super-charged bubble”: “If anythingshouts ‘unsustainable’, it’s annualprice inflation of 25 per cent.”

The huge increases in housingstock necessary to fundamentallyaddress the problem isn’t happen-ing soon. With prices only set tokeep rising in the near-future, thehousing market becomes a game oftrying to make the biggest possiblecapital gains from a volatile rise —by getting out just before the mar-ket comes crashing down again.—Khaleej Times

*****

Protests will notserve Pakistan’s

interests

THE attack by gunmen on twoairbases in south-western Pakistan yesterday, which killed

five people, serves as a relevant in-dicator of how ill-timed the protestsagainst the government of PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif are. Pakistanneeds stability first and foremost.

Thousands of people are march-ing to Islamabad, led by politicianImran Khan, and a separate groupled by cleric Tahirul Qadri, to callfor the resignation of the prime min-ister and for fresh elections. Sharif’sgovernment has recorded a year inpower and allegations that results ofgeneral elections were tainted byrigging perhaps come a bit too late.

If the emphasis is on thegovernment’s overall performanceto date then it must also be acceptedthat the state is grappling with seri-ous internal issues, which arelargely inherited and which needtime to be resolved.

Pakistan’s has problems withmilitancy in both rural and urbanareas. In its cities, there is a sim-mering but genuine threat to thelives of the people. Recent terroristattacks are a case in point.

Failure to tackle this wouldensure that parallel attempts toprop up the economy through fis-cal consolidation in order to dealwith high deficits that have causedmacroeconomic imbalanceswould also falter. Pakistanisacross the board would then beimpacted, which is why unitymust be the policy to employ.—Gulf News

MEDIA WATCH

THE legitimate role of protestcannot be denied in any functional democracy. But when

the leaders of the protest movementsdeliver vitriolic speeches, and issuesthreats of direct actions against thegovernment then the protest takesthe form of vigilantism, which can-not be allowed by any governmentin office. The incumbent govern-ment is facing such a situation; bythe on-going long march on theCapital, on the occasion of the In-dependence Day, by Imran Khan’sTehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and Dr. Qadri’sPakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Both these parties have made itamply clear that after reaching theCapital; they would only disperseafter the overthrow of the Sharif gov-ernment. After PTI and PAT decidedto join hands in marching on theCapital together, a truly critical situ-ation developed for the government.The government seems to be caught,between the rock and a hard place.To better appreciate the present cri-sis, it would be helpful to examinethe role of the four principle protago-nists involved in this theatre of theabsurd. These four main actors be-ing: PTI led by Imran Khan; PAT ledby Dr. Tahir ul Qadri; the PML-Ngovernment and the Army.

The PAT of Dr. Qadri; is the onlyplayer, which dose not have anypolitical stake in the present politi-cal system. It is perhaps, the lack ofany stake in the system; that hasmade PAT so venomous and reck-less in its attack against the presentgovernment. The botched operationof Model Town carried against thePAT, by Lahore Police, in which

The Illusion of destiny?

EVERY now and then, Pakistan is at cross roads. Why?In my forty years of service,

I have yet to see tranquillity in thenational affairs. Our tryst with des-tiny started in 1947 and through thatperiod till today we have been rock-ing ourselves so terribly that per-force we do not need an externalforce to destroy us. This world is fullof conflict between nations andwithin themselves. Much of the con-flicts within nations have been andare the result of poor to bad gover-nance. Pakistan is in terrible straitsand despite what is being arguedhere gives little chance of the situa-tion correcting itself. Should thepresent government stay?

Will the next government be anybetter? Why this ill will? For onethere is massive evidence with ImranKhan and others as well, that prop-erty and assets have not been prop-erly acquired or earned. When sucha situation arises in which perceptionabout the country’s leaders is one ofdeceit and improper behaviour, thenit is difficult to get the public to thinkotherwise. I have seen this percep-tion and its consequences in formerEast Pakistan. We lost it to the worldthat went around that the west wingwas using resources that were gen-erated in the east. The same thing ishappening in Scotland where the na-tionalist party is of the view that theresources generated from the offshoreoil rigs in the North Sea are beingutilized by Britain. There is a need to

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Weekly Magazine

Sadia Zahid MalikEditor

Ph: 2852027-8, Ext: 116Email: magazinesocialdiary@hotmail.com

There are onlytwenty-four hoursin the day.

understand the difference be-tween excluded developmentand the use of resources gener-ated in the poor areas but uti-lized in the rich areas and forthe rich. When the two rein-force each other there is dyna-

mite in the social system.Consider Balochistan and

Rekodick, the mineral rich area whereto surface copper, the impurity of gold.So it is not only a copper mine butalso a gold mine and why shouldBalochistan lose their mineral wealthand allow it to be used by Federal gov-ernment. It is unfair to the people ofBalochistan and it is nearly a decadeand still no decision is there to exploitthose resources and place them at thedisposal of the Provincial government.In any case the decision should nothave been with the Federal govern-ment in the first place and should havebeen with the Balochistan govern-ment. We are such goons. The troublewith us Pakistanis is that we seem toknow and decide what the others haveto do and for our part we have not doneanything wrong; ever seen any one atany level accept responsibility? All thatwe do is deny all wrong doing. Thereis a flip side to this.

The flip side is that the ignorantthat finds himself in power is vindic-tive and malicious to a point that theothers point of view is not only notaccepted but is jeered at. This is ob-vious from the current scenario. Thepolitical scene is not such a messwhen it is analysed psychologicallyand the players that have acquiredwealth and riches by any means arenot willing to let go even though thereis this kind of social happenings. Thisis a curious nation. When ShaheedBB was accused under the officialSecrets Act. The Official Secrets Act

was a colonial document and was forthe Quit India movement. When Gen.Zia wanted an act the jokers in theMinistry simply removed the pre-amble and presented the overnightconstructed act. That was funny. Pre-amble is an integral part of legisla-tion and lays down the macro objec-tives and purposes of what follows.Similarly I have been stating that weneed a Law of Torts so that the rub-bish and stinky speakers are sortedout for their malicious and sometimeswild allegations. Because of elec-tronic media, there is complete break-down of decency. All kinds of alle-gations are propounded. The govern-ment uses the machinery of the statefor malicious purposes.

Normally in any country, there arelobbies and groups but here the rule isthat solitarist groups can be and are inevery field. In such situations reasonis almost always laid down by a pow-erful group. In the Punjab, there arethe Ranas and the Kashmiris in anunholy alliance, one replacing theother. Family appointments and theacquisition of resources are commonphenomena. What do democraticcountries do where such blatant actionsare ordered by the highest in author-ity? It is more of a mockery. What non-sense and rot. These solitarist groupsare based on mutuality of interests andtheir hunger for assets is not satiable.The assets are not limited to the poli-ticians but also to their respectivewives and their sons and daughters.In fact the evidence that I have is thattheir assets are more than the com-bined efforts of their parents. In factPakistan’s corporate sector fell shortof their management structure by notincluding the unborn child onto itsBoard of Governors. We are what wemake of ourselves. No country can

fourteen workers of PATdied; has provided PAT theopportunity to come on theoffensive. Dr. Qadri’s pro-vocative and incendiaryspeeches, exhorting his fol-lowers to confront the police,

if it tries to restrain them, has led to anumber of violent clashes betweenPAT workers and the police, result-ing in the torching of a police stationas well as some police vehicles.

Dr. Qadri’s case is quite curious,that every now and then, his con-science pricks him and he decides toarrive from Canada, and start his ef-forts for bringing about a revolution,without any mandate from the peoplewhatsoever. His core constituencyseems to be the employees of hischaritable organizations and theirfamilies. Some religious zealotsenamoured with his demagoguery,also seem to be among his die-hardfollowers. His speech delivered to hisfollowers on the Yaum-i-Shuhda onthe 10th of August, was very irrespon-sible to say that least. He egged onhis followers to break the hands ofanybody who tries to stop them. Hewent to the extent of telling his fol-lowers, to kill those, who decidedesert the revolution march before theachievement of the objective.

Opportunistic politicians like theChaudhry brothers and Sheikh Rashidare also egging on Dr. Qadri who hasthe ability to wreak havoc - to go aheadwith his revolutionary march. The caseof Imran Khan and PTI is completelydifferent. Imran Khan is very much apolitical players, with a substantialstake in the present political system.PTI, also has a government in theProvince of KPK. Imran Khan hasover the years built a reputation of aprincipled leader for himself. Many illsof the Federal government that Imranpoints out are correct; but the arith-metic about the alleged rigging in20013 elections, which he has made

the central plank of his protest – sim-ply dose not add up. This is far fromsaying, that the 2013, elections wereflawless. There was of course misman-agement, and selective rigging by can-didates in their strangleholds, but norigging of level, to have changed thecomplexion of whole election results,seems to have taken place. The same

PTI, cribbing about rigging in Punjab,won a land slide victory in KPK.

The real aim of PTI seems to beto overthrow the PML-N governmentat any cost, even at the cost of an Armytake-over. Imran Khan, it seems, hasthrown all caution to the winds, andhas decided to play a dangerous gameof brinkmanship. The Federal govern-ment seems to have lost its nerve afterthe Model Town incident. It is afraidof using force against the protesters,lest another mishap takes place; on the

other hand, it cannot allow fired upsupporters of Imran and Qadri, to takeover Islamabad and make its inhabit-ants hostage. There has especiallybeen so much bad blood betweenPAT workers and the authorities;that the probability of a mishap isvery high. According to some re-ports, the government will till thelast moment try to bring the pro-testors to the table. If this optionfails, the government may declareemergency, and hand over, bothIslamabad and Lahore to the Army.The fact that, in spite of PTI’S andPAT’S less than convincing argu-ments for the protest marches, theprotest calls are still getting tractionamong the masses, can be attributedto less than stellar performance of thegovernment in the last one year.

Counting the Army, as a playerin essentially a political crisis may notbe correct in theory; but is very muchin keeping with the reality of our poli-tics. In event of the two long marchesreaching Islamabad, and the situationgetting messy, the Army will havethree choices: to support the govern-ment, support the protestors or stayneutral. My reckoning is that theArmy will try to stay neutral as longas it can. The only condition underwhich the Army may be compelledto intervene; would be when a seri-ous law and order situation arises, andthe beleaguered government becomestotally paralysed and dysfunctional.In the case of this intervention, theArmy will have its own priorities,which may not be to the liking ofneither the government nor the pro-testors. The main irony of the wholesordid drama is the fact, that the PTIand PAT has chosen 14th August - ourIndependence Day, for their protest.This should have been the Day, whenall political forces should have closedranks and shown solidarity.—The writer is author, citizenjournalist and entrepreneur.

help us change our values and atti-tudes. The nature - nurture contro-versy has been laid bare in thiscountry and by the politicians. Na-ture is superimposed by nurturedsystems. That is the genetic formatand is helped on its way by the so-cial format for a limited number offamilies. The politicians have muchto be blamed for.

So where is reason in a demo-cratic format in this country? I amleast bothered about other countries.But there is no option without choice?Consider what is going on in Paki-stan? Can we determine our identity?Is it possible to live in a situationwhere the self is a part of that choice;a country that does not understandwhat is selfishness? For fourteenmonths the ruling party had a choicebefore them but they dilly dallied andthe net result has been that the forcesthat were in opposition finally de-cided to come on the roads. There hasbeen much noise about the constitu-tionality of these actions. But thepowers that be must understand thatmajoritarian rule is no longer valid ina modern democracy. People havenow started to compare this lot withthe tyrannical rule of Musharaf. Thispresent lot brought in Musharaf asarmy chief when reason and choiceshould have gone to Gen. Ali QuliKhan. This ruling party does not be-lieve in merit. It never did.

When choice and reason are notworking in tandem, one has a prob-lem that is difficult to resolve. So-cial conditions deteriorate. It was soin the East Pakistan affair and it willbe so when we next handle any suchcountry wide issue[s]. Grey matterdoes matter; illusions do not matter.—The writer is a retired FederalSecretary.

— Proverb

Dr Zafar AltafEmail:dr_altaf@hotmail.com

Akbar Jan MarwatEmail:marwat.akbarjan@gmail.com

The onlycondition under

which the Army maybe compelled to

intervene; would bewhen a serious lawand order situation

arises, and thebeleagueredgovernment

becomes totallyparalysed and

dysfunctional. Inthe case of this

intervention, theArmy will have its

own priorities,which may not be tothe liking of neitherthe government nor

the protestors.

Voice of the People

Protecting lifeand property?

SRH HASHMI

Sharif Brothers seem to be leastbothered about the plight of largenumber of workers and followers ofDr. Tahirul Qadri who are facing ex-treme misery because of being com-pletely blockaded by their thuggishlaw enforcers, and thus are beingdeprived of food, water and evenbasic medical care; and mind you,the gathering includes women andchildren as well. This takes us backin history to the tactics of medievalkings who used to lay siege to citiesand cut off food and water supply tothe residents in order to make themstarve to death, or surrender. Thesedays, such tactics are employed onlyby the terrorist state of Israel againsthapless Palestinians, especially thosein Gaza but even Israel does not do itto its own people.

Sharif Brothers claim to be do-ing all this in order to ‘save democ-racy’ but their commitment to de-mocracy can be judged by the factthat in more than a year, they arenowhere near to holding the elec-tions of local government which issupposed to take democracy to grassroots level. Also their promise tobring government nearer to peopleby creating news Provinces: HazaraProvince, South Punjab provinceand Bahawalpur province, and theirProvincial Assembly resolution tothat effect is all forgotten.

The Lahore High Court haspassed a judgment, asking the gov-ernment to remove all containersthat Sharif government has placedall over Punjab but the governmentis refusing to obey it and has insteadfiled a petition, requesting the benchto review its decision, stating that ithas taken these measures to protectlife and property. However, the wayits forces killed around a dozenpeople, including women, at Minhajul Quran secretariat, the governmenthardly seems to have tarnished itsreputation as a protector of peoples’lives. As for protecting property, wesaw how a senior police officer em-braced Gullu Butt after he hadsmashed windscreens and damagedmany cars near Minhaj ul QuranSecretariat. When it comes to pro-tecting property, they worry onlyabout their own held abroad, whichthey try to multiply all the time.—Karachi

Long marchMUKHTAR AHMED

Gen Mirza Aslam Beg in his article“Our long march politics” has tracedthe history of long marches but sur-prisingly missed one of the famouslong march conducted by ZulfiqarAli Bhutto against Field MarshalAyub Khan in 1968 that forced AyubKhan to resign. The writer has failedto highlight the role of army in allthese long marches.

Let this be stated categorically itis always the army that decideswhether the long march should suc-ceed or fail. In 1993, the interven-tion by Abdul Waheed Kakar was notin the best interest of the nation as itresulted in the ouster of elected Presi-dent and Prime Minister of the coun-try. The stand taken by Prime Minsterwas his Constitutional right but theguns prevailed. The present situationhas no relevance with Kakar formula,this time there is no dispute with thePresident and Prime Minister is call-ing all shots

As suggested grand democraticalliance had no hand in oustingNawaz Sharif in 1999; it was thedeep differences between the PrimeMinister and the COAS that resultedin over throwing an elected govern-ment by the Army. In this wholegame it was the judiciary of that timethat played dirty role in regularisingGeneral Musharraf’s take over andalso allowed him 3 years with theauthority to amend the Constitution.With such authority any one wouldhave done the same, rest is history.Benazir Bhutto had announced longmarch after the imposition of emer-gency in 2007 but it could not takeplace due to leaders and workers put

Long live PakistanMUHAMMAD WAJID MUNIR

English-Hindu antagonism, topsy-turvy Muslim league, and nationalist-cum-naïve clergy - thiswas the scenario before 1947. Not a single soul in the world was expecting the creation of land of

pure. But our ancestors hoodwinked the opponents and succeeded in their cause. Back to 1971, thenation was divided into two parts due to nexus of India and Mukti Bahini. Everyone in the worlddelineated bleak future but we defied the odds and rose to become ‘atomic power’ in 1998. Moreover,we faced martial laws, Kargil war, earthquake in 2005, Lal Masjid debacle and floods in 2010 - butnever lost faith. Probably no other nation in the world have faced as much challenges as we did andproved our mettle. Now-a-days we are fighting with terrorists as operation Zarb-e-Azab is going onagainst the fake proponents of Islam. Millions of people have become IDPs but we will soon get rid ofthese anarchists who are entering into ‘their paradise’ by turning our homeland into ‘hell’. We shouldhave rotted them into ‘their paradise’ from the beginning but mistakenly stakeholders never acted atright time. On this auspicious day, we have to make some promises with ourselves, that we will shunnepotism, sectarianism and corruption. We will show the world our true worth. For this countrythousands of people accepted martyrdom, scores of women were raped and tens of thousands ofchildren were put on spikes. But our forefathers accepted all this just because of our beloved home-land. Before 1947 we were in search of ‘piece of land’ and now our ‘piece of land’ is in search of‘peaceful nation’. Let us all unite for the sake of this country. Let us all shout – ‘Long live Pakistan’.—Islamabad

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A nefarious alliance against Pakistan

IN a press conference on 23rd July2014 at Kabul, Haseeb Siddiquispokesperson for Afghan secret

agency, DNS, accused that in the lastweek Taliban attack, around 1053Taliban took part and that 300 out ofthose were Pakistanis. He claimed Pa-kistan army’s Operation Zarb-e-Azbin Northern Waziristan as fake, whichhas been started not to crush terroristsbut to mint money from USA. Heclaimed that before the start of the saidoperation Haqqani Network was fa-cilitated to evacuate area. He blamedthat 1100 Kg explosive material seizedat Kabul was dispatched from Karachivia Khost, Afghanistan. He said thatInternational Community should beinformed that Pakistan Army, ISI andother agencies have not changed theirattitude; Haqqani Network is attack-ing Afghanistan with the support ofPakistan; and through such terrorist at-tacks Pakistan army wants to procurecertain privileges by pressurizing Af-ghan puppet government. He furtheradded that Pakistan had issued specialinstructions to local networks resist-ing against US imposed Afghan gov-ernment to target important installa-tions in Afghanistan.

Before this USA also expressedconcerns over Haqqani Network andOperation in North Waziristan. But thepoint that Americans could not raiseopenly, was raised by their paid Af-ghan Intelligence Officer. This is theproof of frustration of US, Indian andAfghan establishments over unex-pected and rapid success achieved byPakistan army in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which was started with the peace-ful evacuation of one million civiliansfrom North Waziristan. Bitter realityis that before fabricating story andblaming Pakistan for 1100 kg explo-sives recovered at Kabul dispatchedfrom Karachi, CIA and RAW did notmention or ignored that the thousandsof tons of dynamite and high tech ex-plosives or equipment which was used

in remote control bomb blasts, suicideattacks, organized guerrilla attacks byterrorists and other terrorist activitieswas provided by which country andthrough which route? One may re-member US Secretary Defense ChukHegel’s lecture in Cameroon Univer-sity, Oklahoma in 2011 (released in2013), when he disclosed, “India hasbeen using Afghanistan as a secondfront against Pakistan. India has overthe years financed the problems for Pa-kistan on other side of border and youcan carry that into many directions”.

The said lecture of US SecretaryDefense created much concerns in theinternational media; India also pro-tested against it but we criminally ig-nored it just we did before. If Paki-stani elected rulers and governmenthad taken it seriously; India might havebeen pressurized to close dozens ofRAW’s training and induction centersfor terrorists alongside the Pakistaniborder operating in the garb of Indianconsulates and stop terrorism in Paki-stan. Our rulers are blind in the loveof India where their business estatesare located but our so-called free me-dia also remained busy in point scoringby showing routine criminal activitieswithin Pakistan as if there existed noworld outside and no one was busy infabricating conspiracies against us. Restof part to deceive nation was beingblamed by a big media group of Indiain Pakistan under slogan of ‘Aman kiAasha’ targeting Pakistan army and in-telligence agencies as weakening thesetwo important pillars of Pakistan’sdefence and making them controver-sial in eyes of the nation.

In the previous post I havebriefly touched the strategy used byUSA and her allies to weaken sig-nificant Muslim countries, fueledlawlessness, weakened their armiesand later on devastated them. In or-der to achieve these goals CIA,MOSSAD, MI6 and other agenciesof these countries continued theiractivities in Iraq and other targetcountries. However, in case of Pa-kistan, India and Indian RAW wasgiven the lead role. Due to the pres-ence of nuclear weapons, Hindu In-

dia did not dare to attack Pakistanopenly; however, she was given freehand to plan and execute terrorist ac-tivities in Pakistan from Afghani-stan; Indian state terrorist agenciesexploited this chance with the helpof few traitors within Pakistan, anIndian sponsored media group andUS Black Water (terrorists availablefor hire). Pakistan had anotherunique feature that a number of thebook have been written against Pa-kistan, Pakistan Army, ISI andPakistan’s nuclear installations in thelast decade. Pakistan is the countrythat had been discussed in foreignpropaganda as a country which if notdisbanded would destroy the wholeworld. No one discussed ISIL,DAISH and other extremist organi-zations that grow like wild berriesin Arab but in order to hide Westernhand behind such terrorist organiza-tion Pakistan is being highlighted asthe country cultivating terrorism;even now after every meeting be-tween US-India rulers, the closingremarks are about the Mumbai at-tacks staged by Indian RAW, but at-tributed to Pakistan.

Lets come back towards presentsituation; once again USA is beatingthe old triumphant of ‘Do more’, shewants to deploy all Pakistan army onAfghan border leaving the border forIndian terrorists to invade Pakistan; af-ter the disclosure of Indian hand andlinks between Indian media group inPakistan and RAW, the death of In-dian created Balochistan issue is evi-dent as public in Europe and US hadknown the truth so now Canada hadbeen selected to revive this conspiracytaking the support of laws supportingfreedom of expression. Here it is sig-nificant to mention that those whohave launched propaganda campaignover Balochistan issue in Canada arenot Baloch but Afghans under the lead-ership of Begum Nigah Jaan. In thissigning campaign over social mediafor ban over Pakistan army and ISI,she also blames Pakistan as creator andsupporter of Taliban and terrorism.

Nigah Jaan belongs to Kabul andgraduate of Magill University of

Views From Abroad

Gaza crisis is linked to Palestine issue

THE trouble with war is that ithas two sides. Everythingwould be so much easier if war

had only one side. Ours, of course.There you are, drawing up a wonder-ful plan for the next war, preparing it,training for it, until everything is per-fect. And then the war starts, and toyour utmost surprise it appears thatthere is another side, too, which alsohas a wonderful plan, and has preparedit and trained for it. When the two plansmeet, everything goes wrong. Bothplans break down. You don’t knowwhat’s going to happen. How to goon. You do things you have notplanned for. And when you have hadenough of it and want to get out, youdon’t know how. It’s so much moredifficult to end a war than to start awar, especially when both sides needto declare victory.

There was a forgotten occupationbefore that. When Israel conquered theGaza Strip and all of Sinai in the courseof the 1956 Suez war, David Ben-Gurion declared the founding of the“Third Israeli Kingdom,” only to an-nounce in a broken voice, a few dateslater, that he had promised PresidentDwight Eisenhower to withdraw fromthe entire Sinai Peninsula. Some Is-raeli parties urged him to keep at leastthe Gaza Strip, but he refused. He didnot want to have hundreds of thou-sands more Arabs in Israel.

A friend of mine reminded me ofan article I had written less than twoyears after the Six-Day War, duringwhich we occupied Gaza again. I hadjust found out that two Arab road-con-struction workers, one from the WestBank and one from the Gaza Strip,doing exactly the same job, were paiddifferent wages. The Gaza man was

paid much less. Being a member ofthe Knesset, I made inquiries. A high-level official explained to me that thiswas a matter of policy. The purposewas to cause the Arabs to leave Gazaand settle in the West Bank (or else-where), in order to disperse the400,000 Arabs then living in the Strip,mostly refugees from Israel. Obvi-ously this did not go so very well —now there are about 1.80 million there.

Then, in February 1969, I warned:“(If we go on) we shall be faced witha terrible choice — to suffer from awave of terrorism that will cover theentire country, or to engage in acts ofrevenge and oppression so brutal thatthey will corrupt our souls and causethe whole world to condemn us.” Imention this not (only) to blow myown horn, but to show that any rea-sonable person could have foreseenwhat was going to happen.

It took a long time for Gaza toreach this point. I remember anevening in Gaza in the mid-90s. I hadbeen invited to a Palestinian confer-ence (about prisoners), which lastedseveral days, and my hosts invited meto stay with Rachel in a hotel on thesea-shore. Gaza was then a nice place.In the late evening we took a strollalong the central boulevard. We hadpleasant chats with people who rec-ognized us as Israelis. We were happy.

A big Dutch harbor-building cor-poration approached me discreetly andasked me to use my friendly relationswith Arafat to obtain the job for them.They hinted at a very large gratuity. Ipolitely refused. During all the years Iknew Arafat, I never asked him for afavor. I think that this was the basis ofour rather strange friendship. If theport had been built, Gaza would havebecome a flourishing commercial hub.True, Prime Minister Ariel Sharonevacuated more than a dozen settle-ments along the Gaza shore. Today,

one of our rightist slogans is: “Weevacuated the entire Gaza Strip andwhat did we get in return? Qassamrockets!” Ergo: We can’t give up theWest Bank.

But Sharon did not turn the Stripover to the Palestinian Authority. Is-raelis are obsessed with the idea ofdoing things “unilaterally.” The armywithdrew, the Strip was left in chaos,without a government, without anyagreement between the two sides.Gaza sank into misery. In the 2006Palestinian elections, under the super-vision of ex-President Jimmy Carter,the people of Gaza, like the people ofthe West Bank, gave a relative major-ity to the Hamas party. When Hamaswas denied power, it took the GazaStrip, with the population applauding.

The Israeli government reacted byimposing a blockade. Only limitedquantities of goods approved by theoccupation authorities were let in. AnAmerican senator raised hell when hefound out that pasta was considered asecurity risk and not allowed in. Prac-tically nothing was let out, which isincomprehensible from the “security”point of view of weapons “smuggling”but clear from the point of view of“strangling.” Unemployment reachedalmost 60 percent. The Strip is roughly40km long and 10km wide. In thenorth and the east it borders Israel, inthe west it borders the sea, which iscontrolled by the Israeli Navy. In thesouth it borders Egypt. Howto square this circle? It is a mark ofthe situation that the US has disap-peared as a mediator. After the futileJohn Kerry peace mediation efforts itis now generally despised throughoutthe Middle East. Israel cannot “de-stroy” Hamas, as our semi-fascist poli-ticians (in the government, too) loudlydemand. Nor do they really want to.If Hamas is “destroyed,” Gaza wouldhave to be turned over to the Palestin-

Uri Avnery

Nothing is changed for Brazil..!

BEING battered by life ispart of living life! No shipis made to sit in the dry

docks or weigh anchor in the har-bor: The test of a ship is when itpits itself against the worststorms and wins. So it is withlife; battered and bruised, weneed to get up and fight, and whatwe need to remember as we getup to do battle again is thatnothin’s changed:

Nothing is: We are the sameperson, slightly dishevel, hurting

a little, maybe much, grieving andshaken but inside we are intact: Aspeaker started off his seminar bytaking a bill from his wallet andholding it up high. He asked his au-dience, “Who would like this brandnew 100 rupee note?” Hands shotup. He continued, “I am going togive this 100 rupees to one of you,but first, let me do this.”

He crumpled the note. He thensaid, “It’s crushed and wrinkled –now, who still wants it?” Again, mostof the audience held their hands high.He was relentless.

“What if I do this?” Hedropped the money, stepped on itand ground it into the floor withhis shoe. He then held up the now

dirty and disreputable bill. “Nowwho wants it?” Hands still wavedin the air. “My friends, here is thelesson,” he said. “No matter what Ido to the money, you still want itbecause it does not decrease invalue. It is still worth 100 rupees.”

Then he gave it to someone inthe audience. “How often are wecrushed by life? Sometimes we areill-treated and discarded. It can evenfeel as if we’re ground into the dirtby poor decisions we make and cir-cumstances that come our way. Wemay feel as though we are worthless.But no matter what has happened orwhat will happen, we never lose ourinnate value. Dirty or clean, crumpledor finely creased, used, refused or

abused, we are still priceless.” Wejudge ourselves all day long. Butnext time you judge yourself, don’tlose sight of the main fact.

No matter what you think ofyourself today, you are still price-less. Yes, nothings changed: Youthought of yourself as somebodybefore the fight and you need to re-alize that you are still the same: Weare all laughing about poor Brazil,but mark my words Brazil will risefrom the ashes and fight back nexttime, because they know they arepriceless, and that nothin’s changedeven if they were down by sevengoals this time! Even if the wholeworld is laughing at them..!—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

in jail. In 2009 lawyers started move-ment but was not supported by army.True that Nawaz Sharif took the ad-vantage and planned long march forthe restoration of judiciary but it wasstopped on the orders of COAS,proves the point any long march musthave the support of the Army. It is in-correct to suggest that it was on ac-count of his success in restoration ofjudiciary that contributed to his suc-cess in 2013 elections. It was alreadydecided that he is going to be the fu-ture Prime Minister of Pakistan, theamendment made in the Constitutionlifting bar on being elected PM thirdtime was on the request of PML(N).Who does not know that there havebeen mass rigging in 2013 elections,the disappointed Chief Election Com-missioner ultimately had to resign foraccepting his failure in conductingfree and fair election.

Army has already been deployedin Islamabad to meet any contin-gency, it will all depend on the crowdImran Khan manages to bring toIslamabad, if it is in millions law en-forcement agencies including armyshall find it difficult to control thesituation, putting them under housearrest would further aggravate thesituation. Let them come and listenwhat they have to say, remove all thebarriers and allow free hand, heavenshall not fall.

The government wasted 12months and reacted very late as theywere living on rhetorics. Had MianSahib listened to Ch Nisar, the situa-tion could have been different andfavourable to the government andwould not have to seek shelter behindcontainers. Our country’s survival nowdepends on change of system aspresent democratic dispensations canno longer work come what may. Thereis no more room for dynastic politics,this has to come to an end otherwisewe should be prepared for the worst.—Via email

Reforms andrevolution!

HASHIM ABRO

The Constitution of Pakistan explic-itly guarantees the fundamental rightsof its citizens but those human, Con-stitutional and democratic rights areculpably violated in this country.

Indeed, human dignity is sacredbut the present government like thepast successive governments has ut-terly failed to respect and protect it.Here people are deprived of life, lib-erty, or property without due processof law and also denied the equal pro-tection of the laws. Believe me. Ev-ery system in this country has failedto deliver and our perpetual rulersprefer to keep the ‘status quo’ in thiscountry. They do not want to see anytiny change in this country. They donot want smile on the faces of the200 million people of this country.Look at their sadism. They feel de-lighted to see the people reeling un-der extreme poverty. They enjoy thedeath of hungry and thirsty peoplein this country. Look! What is stillhappening in Thar and other partsof the country? Poverty and prosti-tution have alarmingly increased inthis country.

But unfortunately, we all live ina hypocrite society whenever we sitin private or in our own circles orsuffer any injustice anywhere in thesociety, then, curse the system andsometimes we do not hesitate to cursethis beloved country. We know thatour system and situation in place andits operators have utterly failed. Theyhave simply not delivered to theirvoters, to the people of this country.These rulers have put the very foun-dation and integration of this coun-try at stake. Their cosmetic measures,their presence in the Parliamentwhere they come to strengthen theirown business and business empires,would never ever reduce the mam-moth miseries and monumental prob-lems of the people.

However, effective remedy or sus-tainable solution to all our problemslies either in reforms as envisaged bythe PTI Chairman Imran Khan or revo-lution (socioeconomic, academic, edu-cational etc.) as envisaged by PATchief Allama Dr. Tahir ul Qadri. Nowor Never to make this country genu-inely welfare state, democratic, pro-

Montreal is residing in Brossard(Quebee) Canada; she is running asigning campaign over social me-dia, so far 1000 signatures have pro-cured, she needs 500 more signa-tures after which she would presentit to UNO. In this campaign Afghanlocal network had been claimed asimportant asset of Pakistan army,few terrorist attacks in Afghanistanhad been mentioned as well blam-ing Pakistan army for all this. Whileblaming Pakistan for creation ofJalalludin Haqqani, she forgot thatUS President Reagan had bestowedhim with the status of forefather andsavior of Americans equivalent to thefounders of America and welcomedhim over red carpet as the most re-spected guest of USA. But she hadblamed ISI for his creation andblamed him as murderer of Afghans.

In her application to SecretaryGeneral UNO, Nigah Jaan blamesPakistan for terrorism in India andAfghanistan and demands ban overPakistan army and ISI by UNO. Ex-treme of criminal negligence count-ing to treason is that Pakistani Em-bassy is criminally silent over thiscampaign as this campaign is againstPakistan army and Pak Army had todefend it despite of being aware ofthis propaganda and fact that throughsuch propaganda armies of Muslimcountries had been weakened in past,whereafter these countries have beenpushed towards stone age leavingbehind the genocide stories ofGenghis Khan and Hitler. Thesecountries were rich in minerals andfuel. Now these international banditsand dacoits have eyes over mineralsof Balochistan. Moreover, trade routebetween Pak-China via Gwadar isalso unacceptable to USA, India andmany other powers; they were to usedirect attack or power against Paki-stan for their goals but for success ofsuch an adventure it was necessary totrap Pakistan army in NorthWaziristan; but Allah’s plan is great-est of all to protect Pakistan; successof Zarb-e-Azb Operation is evidence.— The writer is a Multan-basedcolumnist.

gressive and tolerant as envisaged bythe founding fathers of this country.—Islamabad

Attitude ofPak Ambassador

MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL

Every Pakistani must be shocked tosee a news item in national mediaabout insulting attitude of Pakistan’sambassador in Abu DhabiMohammad Asif Khan Durrani, to-wards Foreign Minister of UAE. ThePak Ambassador was called 10 daysago in an emergency from his resi-dence to the office of UAE ForeignMinistry and was handed overcharge-sheet due to his insulting atti-tude by limiting his diplomatic activi-ties on which he silently signed on.As per news item, Pakistan’s Advi-sor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz wasalso in picture whereas Ministry ofForeign Affairs was planning to callhim back as Mr Durrani was not inposition to carry out his official ac-tivities smoothly.

Sometime back, I met MrDurrani in Kabul where he wasposted as Diplomat in Pakistan Em-bassy and I was working as CountryManager, PIA, Afghanistan at Kabul,in order to get his cooperation forPIA’s official matters in absence ofPakistan’s Ambassador there. But Iwas shocked to meet him due to hisnon-cooperative and arrogant atti-tude. I was also informed by somePakistanis living in Kabul that hispresent as well as past record as Dip-lomat was not good as he was report-edly indulged in corruption, visascandals and smuggling of motor ve-hicles to/from Pakistan through hisclose relatives living at Kabul. SinceAmbassadors are representatives ofPakistan, therefore, their attitudesreflect the country’s image.

I suggest that high level inquirybe ordered against him as to whyhe was appointed in UAE despitehaving corrupt record in the pastand if he proved guilty, he must beremoved from service.—Via email

ian Authority (viz. Fatah). Thatwould mean the re-unification of theWest Bank and Gaza, after all thelong-lasting and successful Israeli ef-forts to divide them. No good.

If Hamas remains, Israel cannotallow the “terror-organization” toprosper. Relaxation of the blockadewill only be limited, if that. Thepopulation will embrace Hamaseven more, dreaming of revenge forthe terrible devastation caused by Is-rael during this war. The next warwill be just around the corner, as al-most all Israelis believe anyhow.

In the end, we shall be wherewe were before. There can be no realsolution for Gaza without a real so-lution for Palestine. The blockademust end, with serious security con-cerns of both sides properly ad-dressed. The Gaza Strip and the WestBank (with East Jerusalem) must bereunited. The four “safe passages”between the two territories, prom-ised in the Oslo agreement, must atlast be opened. There must be Pal-estinian elections with a new gov-ernment accepted by all Palestinianfactions and recognized by the worldcommunity. Serious peace negotia-tions, based on two-state solution,must start and be concluded withina reasonable time. Hamas must for-mally undertake to accept the peaceagreement reached by these negotia-tions. Israel’s legitimate security con-cerns must be addressed. The Gazaport must be opened and enable theStrip and the entire State of Pales-tine to import and export goods.

There is no sense in trying to“solve” one of these problems sepa-rately. They must be solved together.They can be solved together, unlesswe want to go around and around,from one “round” to the next, with-out hope and redemption.—Courtesy Arab News

Sher Muhammad KhanEmail:shermkhan1@gmail.com

Respect ourPakistan flagGHAZANFAR ALI KHAN

The Pakistan flag is a green field witha white crescent moon and five-rayedstar at its centre, and a vertical whitestrip at the hoist side. The flag wasdesigned by Amiruddin Kidwai. Gov-ernment should take action on thosepeople who are printing differentcolour of flag and selling in the mar-ket. Pakistan flag colour is dark green.But light green and even red and bluecolour is also available in the market.

And on other hand, PakistanZindabad, Jashan-e-AzaadiMubarak and picture of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal is alsoprinted on the Pakistan flag. Noth-ing should be written on Pakistanflag. Government should make lawsand take actions who are printingdifferent types of Pakistan flag. Onecan argue that all these slogans andpictures are printed on the nationalflag as a mark of celebration andmemorising those who won us Pa-kistan; but the sanctity of the flagshould never be compromised.

I would suggest that governmentshould ensure the printing of Paki-stan flag in its true and right colourscheme and measurement. After 14th

August the Pakistan flag is lying onthe roads and streets and no one careabout the Pakistan flag. We as a na-tion should respect our flag.—Karachi

Russian military personnel sit atop armoured vehicles outside Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Rostov Region Dozens of heavyRussian military vehicles amassed near the border with Ukraine where the huge Russian convoy with humanitarian aidcame to a halt as Moscow and Kiev struggled to agree border crossing procedures.

URI AVNERY

THE trouble with war is that it has twosides. Everything would be so mucheasier if war had only one side. Ours, of

course. There you are, drawing up a wonder-ful plan for the next war, preparing it, trainingfor it, until everything is perfect.

And then the war starts, and to your ut-most surprise it appears that there is anotherside, too, which also has a wonderful plan, andhas prepared it and trained for it. When thetwo plans meet, everything goes wrong. Bothplans break down. You don’t know what’s go-ing to happen. How to go on. You do thingsyou have not planned for. And when you havehad enough of it and want to get out, you don’tknow how. It’s so much more difficult to end awar than to start a war, especially when bothsides need to declare victory.

That’s where we are now. How did it allstart? Depends where you want to begin. Likeeverywhere else, every event in Gaza is a re-action to another event. You do something be-cause the other side did something. Which theydid because you did something. One can un-ravel this until the beginning of history. If that’stoo remote, let’s start with the beginning ofthe present occupation, 1967.

There was a forgotten occupation beforethat. When Israel conquered the Gaza Strip andall of Sinai in the course of the 1956 Suez war,David Ben-Gurion declared the founding ofthe “Third Israeli Kingdom,” only to announcein a broken voice, a few dates later, that he hadpromised President Dwight Eisenhower towithdraw from the entire Sinai Peninsula.Some Israeli parties urged him to keep at least

Gaza crisis is linked to Palestine issuethe Gaza Strip, but he refused. He did not wantto have hundreds of thousands more Arabs inIsrael.

A friend of mine reminded me of an ar-ticle I had written less than two years after theSix-Day War, during which we occupied Gazaagain. I had just found out that two Arab road-construction workers, one from the West Bankand one from the Gaza Strip, doing exactly thesame job, were paid different wages. The Gazaman was paid much less.

Being a member of the Knesset, I madeinquiries. A high-level official explained to methat this was a matter of policy. The purposewas to cause the Arabs to leave Gaza and settlein the West Bank (or elsewhere), in order todisperse the 400,000 Arabs then living in theStrip, mostly refugees from Israel. Obviouslythis did not go so very well — now there areabout 1.80 million there.

Then, in February 1969, I warned: “(If wego on) we shall be faced with a terrible choice— to suffer from a wave of terrorism that willcover the entire country, or to engage in actsof revenge and oppression so brutal that theywill corrupt our souls and cause the wholeworld to condemn us.”

I mention this not (only) to blow my ownhorn, but to show that any reasonable personcould have foreseen what was going to hap-pen. It took a long time for Gaza to reach thispoint. I remember an evening in Gaza in themid-90s. I had been invited to a Palestinianconference (about prisoners), which lasted sev-eral days, and my hosts invited me to stay withRachel in a hotel on the sea-shore. Gaza wasthen a nice place. In the late evening we took astroll along the central boulevard. We had

pleasant chats with people who recognized usas Israelis. We were happy.

I also remember the day when the IsraeliArmy withdrew from most of the Strip. NearGaza city there stood a huge Israeli watch-tower, many floors high, “so that the Israelisoldiers could look into every window inGaza.” When the soldiers left, I climbed to thetop, passing hundreds of happy boys who weregoing up and down. Again we were happy.They are probably Hamas members now.

That was the time when Yasser Arafat, sonof a Gaza Strip family, returned to Palestineand set up his Hq. in Gaza. A beautiful newairport was built. Plans for a large new sea-port were circulating.

A big Dutch harbor-building corporationapproached me discreetly and asked me to usemy friendly relations with Arafat to obtain thejob for them. They hinted at a very large gra-tuity. I politely refused. During all the years Iknew Arafat, I never asked him for a favor. Ithink that this was the basis of our ratherstrange friendship.

If the port had been built, Gaza would havebecome a flourishing commercial hub. Whydid this not happen? Israel refused to allowthe port to be built. Contrary to a specific un-dertaking in the 1993 Oslo agreement, Israelcut off all passages between the Strip and theWest Bank. The aim was to prevent any possi-bility of a viable Palestinian state being set up.True, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon evacuatedmore than a dozen settlements along the Gazashore. Today, one of our rightist slogans is: “Weevacuated the entire Gaza Strip and what didwe get in return? Qassam rockets!” Ergo: Wecan’t give up the West Bank.

But Sharon did not turn the Strip over tothe Palestinian Authority. Israelis are obsessedwith the idea of doing things “unilaterally.” Thearmy withdrew, the Strip was left in chaos,without a government, without any agreementbetween the two sides. Gaza sank into misery.In the 2006 Palestinian elections, under thesupervision of ex-President Jimmy Carter, thepeople of Gaza, like the people of the WestBank, gave a relative majority to the Hamasparty. When Hamas was denied power, it tookthe Gaza Strip, with the population applaud-ing.

The Israeli government reacted by impos-ing a blockade. Only limited quantities ofgoods approved by the occupation authoritieswere let in. An American senator raised hellwhen he found out that pasta was considered asecurity risk and not allowed in. Practicallynothing was let out, which is incomprehensiblefrom the “security” point of view of weapons“smuggling” but clear from the point of viewof “strangling.” Unemployment reached almost60 percent. The Strip is roughly 40km longand 10km wide. In the north and the east itborders Israel, in the west it borders the sea,which is controlled by the Israeli Navy. In thesouth it borders Egypt. As the slogan goes, itis “the word’s largest open-air prison.”

Both sides now proclaim that their aim isto put an end to this situation. But they meantwo very different things. The Israeli side wantsthe blockade to remain in force, though in amore liberal form. Pasta and much more willbe let into the Strip, but under strict supervi-sion. No airport. No sea-port. Hamas must beprevented from re-arming.

—Courtesy: AN.

How Washington CanBolster Iraq

DAVID PALKKI

THE advance of jihadists in northern Iraq has spurred appropriate responses from Washington on the political andmilitary fronts, though more could be done to undermine

the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Amid the unfoldingevents, the Obama administration will need to apply sustainedpressure on Iraqi politicians to enact meaningful reforms, withintensified military support for the central government contin-gent on those reforms.

ISIS, fighting alongside a mélange of jihadi groups, formerelements of Saddam Hussein’s regime, and Sunni tribes, hasgained control over about a third of Iraq and Syria. Battlefieldoutcomes have created what former U.S. ambassador to IraqRyan Crocker aptly refers to as “Shiastan,” “Jihadistan,” and“Kurdistan.” Years of pro-Shia sectarian policies by Iraqi primeminister Nouri al-Maliki have alienated Iraqi Sunnis, paving theway for even moderate Sunnis to prefer accommodating IS tosubmitting to Maliki’s rule. If Maliki remains prime minister,hope for a unified Iraq seems lost. The ethnic heterogeneity ofmany cities and towns in Iraq suggests that partition of the countrywould be a bloody affair.

Fortunately, Maliki may be on his way out. Iraq’s Kurdishpresident, Fouad Massoum, on August 11 gave Haider al-Abadi,a Shiite deputy parliamentary speaker, thirty days to obtain par-liamentary approval for a new government. He did so after theNational Alliance, a coalition of Shiite parties, nominated al-Abadi as prime minister. Maliki has responded to efforts to un-seat him with fierce rhetoric, tanks in the streets, and threats oflegal action against Massoum. Maliki’s grasp on power, how-ever, has weakened greatly in recent weeks as a result of oppo-sition to his continued rule from the influential Shia cleric GrandAyatollah Ali al-Sistani and Iranian leaders. At this time of gravejihadist threat and political reshuffling, U.S. support for a uni-fied Iraq is vital.

The violence in Iraq puts core American interests at risk. Inhis remarks before the UN General Assembly last year, Presi-dent Barack Obama announced that the United States is pre-pared to use military force to assist partners who confront exter-nal aggression, to ensure the free flow of oil, to dismantle terror-ist networks, and to prevent the development or use of weaponsof mass destruction. More recently, he added humanitarian cri-ses that “stir the conscience” to this list. ISIS activities threatenall of these core interests, with the sole exception (for now) deal-ing with acquisition or use of weapons of mass destruction. Thegroup’s atrocities perpetrated against Yazidi and Christian civil-ians constitute crimes against humanity. The jihadists and theirallies have their hands full fighting a multi-front war, yet harborambitions well beyond Iraq and Syria. ISIS’s recent dropping of“Iraq and Syria” from its title, leaving its new name merely the“Islamic State,” indicates expansionist intentions involving atleast Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

U.S. officials are rightly concerned that jihadis in Iraq andSyria will, sooner or later, attack the United States. Of the twelvethousand or so foreign fighters, at least one thousand are West-erners, approximately 100 of whom hold U.S. passports. Afterreceiving training and combat experience, these individuals maytravel to the United States to wreak havoc domestically. A fewweeks ago, German and Australian suicide bombers blew them-selves up in Baghdad. Last January, the head of ISIS, Abu Bakral-Baghdadi, threatened that his followers would soon be in “di-rect confrontation” with the United States. Shortly before blow-ing himself up in a recent suicide attack in Syria, MonerMohammad Abusalha, a U.S. citizen, excoriated the United Statesfor killing Muslims, threatening, “You think you are safe; youare not safe.”

Such threats have not been lost on U.S. officials. GeneralMichael Flynn, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency,believes that the foreign fighters “have every intention to comeback to this country and do damage here.” Deputy AssistantSecretary of State Brett McGurk says it is only “a matter oftime” before ISIS terrorists, holding Western passports, engagein suicide attacks outside of the region. Attorney General EricHolder calls this threat from ISIS members “more frighteningthan anything I think I’ve seen as attorney general.”

—Courtesy: FA.[Author: Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow].

Western sanctions policyto boost Russianmodernization

CLIFFORD A. KIRACOFE

WORLD tensions are increasing as Washington’s policyof confrontation against Russia intensifies. PresidentBarack Obama has underscored US intentions in a re-

vealing interview with The Economist as well as in remarks dur-ing his Africa summit.

Obama left no doubt that he is committed to a global hege-monic foreign policy based on intervention, and emphasized theUS is the “one indispensable power” which will go to war tosupport Western “ideals and international rules.” In practice, USglobal interventionism takes several forms. It can be undertakenunilaterally, with allies in formal alliance structures, or in loose“coalitions of the willing.”

Obama’s continuation of the interventionist policies of theGeorge W. Bush administration is no surprise despite campaignrhetoric promising “change.” Recent polling data shows the Ameri-can people emphatically reject a policy of intervention and unnec-essary wars. The Economist interview demonstrates that the ColdWar mindset has not been put aside by Obama. Bloc thinking re-mains integral to Washington’s foreign policy establishment. Theformer “free world” versus communist world confrontation is su-perseded by the “democracies versus non-democracies” confron-tation. When it comes to Russia policy, the White House has beenclear about its policy of confrontation. Russia is portrayed as anon-democracy with a dictatorial ruler who is intent on aggressionand who does not play by so-called Western rules. Obama’s dis-paraging comments on Russia indicate that he is poorly advised.On a basic topic, he incorrectly stated that demographic trends arenegative when in fact they are presently positive. While statingthat Russia does not attract immigrants, he omitted the fact thattens of thousands of refugees from the Ukraine are seeking refugein Russia at this time. The president made it quite clear that USpolicy remains ranged against nationalist and patriotic forces inRussia which he called a harmful “deep strain” in Russia. Indicat-ing a lack of cultural understanding, he disapproved of Russia’shistoric mix of Western and Eastern orientations as “Janus like.”

US policy for a number of years aimed against Vladimir Putinin an attempt to split the Russian leadership. Washington playedup to Dmitry Medvedev in an attempt to isolate Putin.

Washington’s transparent game supports so-called Western-oriented Russian policymakers against patriotic and nationalistpolicymakers. Efforts to foment a “color revolution” are part ofthis clumsy political warfare. The president’s negative commentson the Russian economy failed to recognize strengths in the sci-ence and technology sector. Although the manufacturing sectorneeds an update, this can be accomplished by closer relationswith countries such as China. Western-imposed sanctions againstRussia may well have the effect of spurring the modernization ofthe Russian manufacturing sector as Moscow adopts a policy ofimport substitution, alternate sourcing, and cooperation with bothestablished and new partners.

— Courtesy: GT.[The author is an educator and former senior professional staffmember of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations].

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKY, (RUSSIA)—Hundreds of trucks in a Russian aid con-voy waited Saturday near the Ukrainianborder as complicated procedures drag onfor allowing them into eastern Ukraine tohelp civilians suffering amid fighting be-tween Ukrainian forces and separatists.

Ukrainian officials are concerned thatthe mission including around 200 truckscould be a guise for Russia to send inequipment for the rebels, whom Kiev andWestern countries claim are backed byMoscow. But Russia and Ukraine reachedan agreement under which the trucks couldenter with Red Cross accompaniment ifUkrainian border guards and customsagents approve the cargo.

A representative of Russia’s Emergen-cies Ministry, who declined to give hisname, told The Associated Press that docu-ments about the cargo have been given toUkrainian border guards and customs of-ficials who have come to the Russian bor-der town of Donetsk for the cargo inspec-tion. But Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman forUkraine’s national security council, toldreporters in Kiev that as of mid-day theUkrainians had not received documents

Russian aid convoy waitsnear Ukraine

from the Red Cross about what is aboardthe trucks. Fighting continued in easternUkraine and Lysenko said three Ukrainianservicemen had been killed in the past day.He reiterated the claim made a day earlierby President Petro Poroshenko that Ukrai-nian forces had destroyed most of a col-umn of Russian military vehicles that hadentered eastern Ukraine on Thursdayevening. Russia sharply denied that anysuch incursion had taken place and theWhite House said it was looking into whatit called unconfirmed reports that Russianmilitary vehicles were destroyed. None-theless, the reports spooked global mar-kets and overshadowed optimism about theaid convoy.

Fighting has escalated since the insur-gency arose in April and conditions forcountless civilians are deteriorating. Thecity of Luhansk is encircled by Ukrainianforces and reportedly suffering from se-vere electrical outages and shortages offood and medicine. The largest rebel-heldcity, Donetsk, also is suffering throughfighting including frequent shelling.

Lysenko said Ukrainian forces are notusing artillery or air strikes against either

Luhansk or Donetsk. Ukrainians haveblamed rebels for the shelling, while theinsurgents say Ukrainians are firing on ci-vilian targets. While the Russian aid con-voy remained stalled near the border,Ukraine has mounted a smaller but sub-stantial aid mission to parts of the east re-cently freed from rebel control.

Trucks sent from the eastern city ofKharkiv were unloaded Friday at ware-houses in the town of Starobilsk, wherethe goods were to be sorted and transportedfurther by the Red Cross. Starobilsk is 100kilometers (60 miles) north of Luhansk.Other Ukrainian aid was taken to the townof Lysychansk, which retaken by Ukrai-nian forces late last month but has seensporadic clashes until earlier this week.The foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia,France and Germany are expected to meetSunday in Berlin to discuss the crisis.Thefighting in eastern Ukraine has claimednearly 2,100 lives, according to the U.N. -half of those in the last few weeks as theUkrainian troops regained more and morerebel-held territory. It began in April, amonth after Russia annexed Ukraine’sBlack Sea peninsula of Crimea. —AP.

Korean martyrsmodel for

church: PopeSEOUL—Pope Francis beati-fied 124 Korean martyrs onSaturday, telling hundreds ofthousands of people whoturned out for his open-airMass that their ancestors’ will-ingness to die rather than re-nounce their faith two centuriesago was a model for Asian mis-sionaries today.

The streets leading up toSeoul’s iconic GwanghwamunGate were packed with Kore-ans honoring the lay Catholicswho founded the church herein the 18th century. Korea’schurch is unique in that it wasfounded not by foreign mis-sionary priests - as occurred inmost of the world - but bymembers of Korea’s own nobleclasses who learned of Chris-tianity by reading books aboutit. These early Catholics werekilled in the 18th and 19th cen-turies by the Joseon Dynasty,which tried to shut the KoreanPeninsula off from Western in-fluence. Police in Seoul de-clined to give an estimate of thecrowd size, but the Vatican saidabout 800,000 people hadturned out. The number wassignificant given that Catholicsrepresent only about 10 percentof South Korea’s 50 millionpeople.

The Mass kicked off a busyday for Francis as he passed thehalfway mark of his five-daySouth Korea visit. In the after-noon, he traveled to a religiouscommunity that cares for se-verely disabled Koreans andprayed briefly at a monumentto aborted babies - a strong al-beit silent gesture from a popewho prefers to stress other as-pects of church teaching ratherthan emphasize hot-button“culture war” issues like abor-tion. The Mass in Seoul,though, was one of the high-lights of his trip, providingFrancis with an opportunity tostress how the lessons ofKorea’s early martyrs were rel-evant today for Korea’s church,which is small but growing andis seen as a model for the restof the world. “They were will-ing to make great sacrifices andlet themselves be stripped ofwhatever kept them fromChrist - possessions and land,prestige and honor - for theyknew that Christ alone wastheir true treasure,” he said.“They challenge us to thinkabout what, if anything, weourselves would be willing todie for.”

Francis praised in particu-lar the fact that laypeople wereso crucial to the church’s foun-dation and growth in Korea - atheme he stressed later in theday when he met with leadersof Korean lay movements. Thechurch is counting on such lay-men and laywomen to spreadthe faith in Asia, which theVatican considers the future ofthe church. The main reason forFrancis’ visit to South Korea,in fact, was to attend an AsianCatholic youth festival; thechurch sees such rallies as acrucial way of inspiring thenext generation of Catholics toevangelize. “Today as ever, thechurch needs credible lay wit-nesses to the saving truth of theGospel,” Francis said, stressingin particular the need for theiroutreach to focus on the poorand most marginalized—AP.

Al-Sudais calls forglobal politicalconduct code

MAKKAH—The Kingdom’stop religious scholar has calledfor a global code of conduct forleaders, intellectuals and youngpeople to halt a dangerous slideinto chaos and violence. Ad-dressing a large congregationat the Grand Mosque inMakkah during Friday prayers,Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais said there was an urgentneed for an international char-ter to protect the youth frombeing influenced by extremistand nefarious ideologies.

Referring to those whohave unleashed a reign of ter-ror in the Muslim world, Al-Sudais said history was repeat-ing itself. “Even during thetime of the rightly-guided Ca-liphs, there were people whospread sedition and violence,”he said. “Their understandingof religion was different fromthe Companions, and they dis-figured the pure image of Is-lam and deviated from the pathof tolerance and moderation.”He said the motive of thosewho were inciting the Muslimyouth to take to extremism andviolence are clear. “They arehijacking the minds of theMuslim youth and their onlymotive is to tear the Islamicsociety apart,” said Al-Sudais.“The hidden agenda of thosewho took the cover of religionto hide their evil misdeed arenow clear to everyone—AN.

IRBIL, (IRAQ)—Airstrikes pounded the area around Iraq’s larg-est dam on Saturday in an effort to drive out militants who cap-tured it earlier this month, as reports emerged of the massacre ofsome 80 members of the Yazidi religious minority by Islamicextremists. Residents living near the Mosul Dam told The Asso-ciated Press that the area was being targeted by airstrikes, but itwas not immediately clear whether the attacks were being car-ried out by Iraq’s air force or the U.S., which last week launchedan air campaign aimed at halting the advance of the Islamic Stategroup across the country’s north. The extremist group seized thedam on the Tigris River on Aug. 7. Residents near the dam saythe airstrikes killed militants, but that could not immediately beconfirmed. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity outof fears for their safety.

A Yazidi lawmaker and a Kurdish security official mean-while said Islamic State fighters massacred scores of Yazidimen Friday afternoon after seizing the village of Kocho. Both

Iraq dam zone pounded by airstrikessaid they based their information on the accounts of survi-vors and warned that the minority group remains in dangerdespite U.S. aid drops and airstrikes launched to protectthem. Islamic State fighters besieged the village for severaldays and gave its Yazidi residents a deadline to convert toIslam, Yazidi lawmaker Mahma Khalil said Saturday. “Whenthe residents refused to do this, the massacre took place,”he said. Halgurd Hekmat, a spokesman for Kurdish secu-rity forces, said the militants took the women and childrenof Kocho to the nearby city of Tal Afar, which is controlledby the Islamic State group. Their accounts could not imme-diately be confirmed. Areas held by the extremist group arenot accessible to reporters. Tens of thousands of Yazidisfled when the Islamic State group earlier this month cap-tured the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar, near the Syrian bor-der. The Yazidis practice an ancient religion that the SunniMuslim radicals consider heretical—AP.

Mexico protests TexasNational Guard troops

on US borderMEXICO—Mexico’s foreignministry late Friday protestedTexas Governor Rick Perry’sdeployment of National Guardtroops to the southern US bor-der to halt the surge of child mi-grants. Mexico “reiterates, in afirm and categorical way, its re-jection of this measure,” reada statement from the foreignministry. “No circumstance atall or change in border securityexists that justifies this measuretaken by the state.”

The troop deployment“does not contribute in any wayto solving the immigrationproblem,” and is inconsistentwith US-Mexico talks aimed at“building a modern, prosperousand safe border,” the statementread. On Thursday Perry de-ployed some 1,000 NationalGuard troops to the border withMexico. National Guard troopsare soldiers under the author-ity of the state governor.

They cannot detain un-documented migrants, whichis a federal responsibility,but they can take over someduties that allows more USBorder Patrol agents tomonitor the borderl ine.Perry, a Republican and alikely candidate for the 2016presidential race, has takena hard line against immigrantchildren seeking to enter theUnited States from CentralAmerica.

At least 57,000 unaccom-panied children, most fromHonduras, Guatemala and ElSalvador, have crossed the bor-der into the United States ille-gally since October, triggeringa migration crisis that has sentUS border and immigrationauthorities into a frenzy—AFP.

His third demand was formation of a na-tional government that could launch demo-cratic reforms in the country.

The names of Sharif brothers and thecabinet members be placed on Exit Con-trol List (ECL) was another demand ofQadri. After reading out each demand,Qadri formally sought the crowd’s consentand his workers raised their hands to en-dorse whatever he was reading out. An-other point of his charter of demands isthe national government that will holdcorrupt politicians, technocrats and bu-reaucrats accountable. Qadri also de-manded of his proposed national govern-ment to constitute more provinces as thiswas the need of the day. “There should be

23 provinces in the country,” said he. Onminorities’ issues, Qadri said there shouldbe complete protection for minorities andthey should be free to act according to theirreligion, culture and creed. He also de-manded to hold local government electionsin all provinces. Qadri paid rich tributesto the armed forces of Pakistan saying theentire nation was behind them. Everyonewants terrorism and extremism be rootedout from Pakistan, he said in his address.Free education for every child of Pakistanand free health facilities were two othermain demands of Dr Allam Tahirul Qadri.The national government would ensure ev-ery homeless family should have a homeof its own and electricity, gas be supplied

on half rate. Besides, flour, daal, milk andother edibles would be provided on halfrate to the citizens by the national govern-ment, he said.

Earlier, he congratulated Inquilab Marchparticipants over the court verdict against‘Sharif brothers’. Qadri asked police to reg-ister cases against Prime Minister, Chief Min-ister Punjab and 21 others or be ready to facethe consequences. He said he delayed hisspeech scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and waitedfor Imran Khan’s expected address to themarchers that was to take place at 3:00 p.m.

He assured the shopkeepers of the ad-jacent Aabpara Market to open their shopsas PAT workers would not inflict loss ofeven a penny on them.

Qadri floats his populist revolution agendaFrom Page 1

Rafique, the Inspector-Generalof Police Punjab and the CCPOLahore, among others. Thecourt further directed the policeto register cases against the ac-cused persons and ordered thata report should be presentedbefore it after completion of thesaid.

Meanwhile, Shahbaz metthe premier at his Raiwind resi-dence shortly after the court’sorder. Sources said the two dis-cussed the overall situation inthe country as well as thecourt’s decision.

Court rulesFrom Page 1

especially staying over tenhours in Lahore city by boththe leaders was aimed at show-ing to all stake-holders in thecountry that Punjab is no morea strong-hold of Sharif broth-ers now.

Similarly, joining ofsome pure religious partiesincluding Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and SunniIttehad council to strengthenPAT was also carried outwhen some of their condi-tions were accepted. For In-stance Majlis demanded togrant provincial status toGilgit-Baltistan which wasaccepted by Qadri as an-nounced by PAT leader in hisfirst address at the sit-in inIslamabad on Saturday.

Two sitesFrom Page 1

however left him somehow af-ter repeated directives by DrQadri. The attacker was takento the stage, where the PATchief inquired him briefly andlater embraced him, directingall his workers not to cause anyharm to him. Dr. Qadri huggedthe man, saying he forgiveshim.

Dr Qadri said, “We arepeaceful people and we cannotcause harm to anyone irrespec-tive of his character”. The gun-men told Dr. Qadri that he washeading to his home when cap-tured by the PAT’s men. —NNI

Qadri forgives,From Page 1

gathering after dedicating thelargest indigenously built war-ship INS Kolkata to the nation.“When people have a sense ofour military capability, nobodywill ever dare to cast an evil eyeon our nation,” he said.

Stressing the importanceof maritime security in fastexpanding global trade andcommerce, the Prime Minis-ter said India, with its vastcoastline, was playing a ma-jor role in it.

Describing the buildingof the destroyer ship as a bigachievement by India’s tech-nicians, engineers and de-fence experts, Modi said thegovernment was committedto modernising the defenceforces.—INP

Modi believesFrom Page 1

costs. But the security of theprotestors is our responsibility.We want that PTI and PAT co-ordinate security matters withthe local administration,” hestressed. The interior ministersaid that the two parties hadbeen given permission after aset of conditions were agreedupon.

“The conditions are clear.The Red Zone is a red line.Nobody will be allowed tocross it,” he reiterated. “If anyincident occurs, the securityagencies are prepared to takeappropriate action. Even if asingle person crosses the redline, the law will swiftly comeinto action, he said.

Suicide bombersFrom Page 1

that Punjab government hasstarted immediate action forimplementation of this report.

Judicial CommissionFrom Page 1

make to the development ofboth countries. On internal andexternal challenges facing Pa-kistan, the diplomat said thirtyyears of war in Afghanistan hascast a deep shadow on Paki-stan. Despite challenges, Paki-stan is focused on developmentof the country.

Democracy is taking strongroots in Pakistan with a freemedia, a strong judiciary andall state institutions are work-ing in accordance with the Con-stitution, he noted. Islamabadis striving for improvement inthe fields of education, energy,economy, and at the same timecombating the menace of ex-tremism.

The U.S. has been of tre-

mendous help to Pakistan inmaking progress in these ar-eas, he said. Referring to Pa-kistani army counterterrorismoperation Zarb-e-Azb under-way in North Waziristan tribalarea, Jilani said, Pakistan isconfident of getting rid of ter-rorism. Pakistan and theUnited States have been coop-erating very well in the areasof economy and defense. Am-bassador Jilani appreciatedformer Senator Richard Lugarfor his role in advancing Pa-kistan-U.S. relations and alsopraised APPNA for organizingthe event on the IndependenceDay.

The participants celebratedPakistan’s Independence Day

by singing national songs fer-vently. —NNI

Pak-US ties growing: JilaniFrom Page 1

papers tocontest for the position ex-cept Shahryar Khan who hadalso served as the board’schairman in the past.

Friday was the last dayfor submission of nomina-tions for the post which fellvacant with Najam Sethi’sdeparture.

The announcement of hisappointment as ChairmanPCB is expected after over-

hauling of his papers. Hewould thenceforth be unani-mously elected as ChairmanPCB.

A 10-member PCB Gov-erning Board was initially ex-pected to elect the board’snew chairman on Aug 18(Monday) but as no nomina-tion papers were received byanyone against Shaharyar hewas most likely to be declaredas elected unopposed.—APP

PCB elects ShahryarFrom Page 1

accepted bail pleas of nine Pakistan MuslimLeague activists, including Pomi Butt, who hadallegedly attacked activists from PakistanTehreek-i-Insaf’s Azadi march and ordered theirrelease after submission of surety bonds worthRs 100,000 by each person.

Salman Khalid Butt alias Pomi Butt, who isa brother of PML-N MPA Imran Khalid Butt,had allegedly attacked PTI activists travellingin a caravan towards Islamabad. Following ac-cusations of planning the clash between PML-N and PTI, Butt had offered himself for arrestbefore the police.

He was presented in the court of the judi-cial magistrate amidst tight security arrange-ments during which the police requested thatthe nine defendants be sent on a 14-day judicialremand.

Judicial magistrate Rana Sheheryar acceptedsurety bonds of Butt, Liaquat Ali, Malik Fayyaz,Abdul Hameed, Waseem Yaqoob, SajjadAhmed, Aijaz Ahmed, Babar Ali and Malikllyas, and subsequently ordered their release.

Speaking to media representatives outsidethe court, Butt said it had been proven in courtthat he was innocent.

Pomi Butt released on bailFrom Back Page

results and the prospect of facing more rocketfire from Gaza once the truce comes to anend.

An Israeli official said after Friday’smeeting that any deal struck in Egypt had to“provide clearly for security arrangements” forIsrael. The official, speaking on condition ofanonymity, declined to elaborate.

Few precise details of the indirect negotia-tions have emerged, but the broad outlines arewell known: the Palestinians want an end toIsrael’s blockade of Gaza, an extension of the

strip’s maritime and security boundaries and thebuilding of a sea port and reopening of an air-port in the enclave.

For their part, the Israelis want an end torocket fire from Gaza, the full demilitarisationof the territory, and for the Palestinian Author-ity headed by Western-allied PresidentMahmoud Abbas to take over responsibility formanaging Gaza’s 12 km (7.5 mile) border withEgypt at Rafah, an effort to prevent the smug-gling of weapons and other military-use equip-ment.—Reuter

Palestinians accuse IsraelFrom Back Page

a word of praise for the gov-ernment over the arrest ofthose responsible.

Sirajul Haq said it is en-couraging that every one istalking about democracy andconstitution . Punjab Governor who playeda key role in granting permis-sion to PAT for moving out ofModel Town has been hold-ing consultations with leadersof parties. Former InteriorMinister and PPP leaderRehman Malik and GovernorPunjab discussed ways andmeans on how to end the po-litical crisis in the country. Ina telephonic conversation be-tween the two on Saturday,Rehman Malik said that ne-gotiations should be held toend the confrontation of Pa-kistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) with the government.He expressed concerns thatdelaying the negotiations pro-cess will lead to further prob-lems.

“PAT and PTI leadersDr. Tahir-ul -Qadr i andImran Khan are being giventhreats. The security of thetwo leaders should be

stepped up”, Malik said.Chaudhry Sarwar said thatfederal government will wasready to show flexibility andhold talks within the consti-tution and law. Later theGovernor took Punjab ChiefMinister Shahbaz Sharifinto confidence about thetalks with leaders of politi-cal parties.

Earlier, Governor ofPunjab Chaudhry MuhammadSarwar met with Chief Minis-ter Shahbaz Sharif on Saturdaybefore the former’s scheduledmeeting with Jamaat-i-Islamichief Sirajul Haq and said thata democratic solution was amutual wish of all parties.

During the meeting, bothleaders agreed that a demo-cratic solution should be fash-ioned and political consensusbe made a priority.

Shahbaz advised ChSarwar to reach out to leadersof other political parties andrecruit their assistance. Theyalso discussed the agenda andpoints to be later presented toJI emir Sirajul Haq who islikely to mediate between thegovernment and the PTI.

The JI emir had on Fridaypresented a four-point agendaand had asked for the constitu-tion of a mediating party im-mediately in order to resolvethe political deadlock.

Earlier, Ch Sarwar hadalso had a telephonic conver-sation with the PakistanPeople’s Party leader RehmanMalik in which he urged thelatter and his party to play arole in resolving outstanding

issues through consensus. OnFriday, it was reported that thegovernment had started select-ing its team for holding nego-tiations with leaders of thePTI’s long march on their de-mands.

A government official hadsaid that so far the name ofSirajul Haq had been finalisedas one of the interlocutors,while consultations were beingheld for other members of theteam.

Meanwhile, Chief MinisterMian Shahbaz Shairf, in a state-ment issued on Saturday, saidthat Imran-Qadri partnership isa conspiracy against the demo-cratic system that will neversucceed. The chief ministersaid that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader Imran Khan’s de-mand of a technocrat govern-ment is unconstitutional andthat he was neglecting thecourt’s orders.

He alleged that the certainelements wanted to snatch thehappiness of people by creat-ing chaos and feud on the oc-casion of national day but theyfailed miserably. ShahbazSharif further said that peoplewho made the IndependenceDay controversial can never bethe well-wishers of Pakistanand its people.

He said that this is not thetime to stage sit-ins and pro-tests but to strive together topull the country out of themiseries. He said that nega-tive attitudes in politics canprove detrimental for thedemocratic system and sta-bility of the country.

Army not for unconstitutionalFrom Page 1

LAHORE: Members of Christian community offering prayer during protest against killings of Christians in Iraq.

to hide in.He had further stated that

forces are ready to deal withany kind of circumstances andthey will take a sigh after elimi-nating terrorism from the state,with the prayers of the nation.

Gen. RaheelFrom Page 1

KATHMANDU—Flash floods and mudslidesfollowing heavy rains have killed at least 53people in Nepal over the past three days and cutoff remote communities in the mountains, thegovernment said on Saturday. The landslides andflooding were triggered by annual monsoon rainso n Wednesday, causing rain-soaked earth androcks to crash down on homes while riversswelled and washed away low-lying villages.

Nepal’s Home Ministry said 75 people wereunaccounted for and 36 others were in hospitalsand medical centres. It was not immediatelyclear if the missing people were trapped in theirdamaged homes, washed away by floods or outof contact due to snapped communication links,officials said.

Video clips on television showed peoplewading through waist-deep water carrying be-longings as well as submerged houses. Officialssaid more than 25 per cent of Nepal’s 75 admin-istrative districts were hit by landslides or floods.

“More than 200 houses are destroyed whilehundreds of other homes are completely underwater,” the government said. About 3,500 people

have been rescued and housed in school andcommunity buildings, official Punnya Dhakalsaid.

In 2010, British climate consultancyMaplecroft rated mostly mountainous Nepalalong with Bangladesh, India, Madagascar andMozambique as among most vulnerable to cli-mate change impact over the next 30 years.

Experts say climate change was causingexcessive or scant rains, droughts, floods andlandslides. Rains are crucial for impoverishedNepal, which depends on farming. But heavydownpours cause death and destruction everyyear.

Early this month, a massive landslide nearKathmandu buried a village and killed 156people. It blocked the Sunkoshi River forminga dangerous build up of water prompting au-thorities in Bihar in east India to evacuate thou-sands on flood fears. Last year, heavy rainsflooded towns and villages, killing thousandsin Uttarakhand in neighbouring India while doz-ens died in Kanchenpur and Darchula districtsin west Nepal.—AFP

53 killed in Nepalfloods, mudslides

Demand of PM’sresignation

invalid: MemonSTAFF REPORTER

KARACHI: Sindh InformationMinister and Pakistan People’sParty leader Sharjeel InamMemon said on Saturday thatit is incorrect to demand theprime minister’s resignation incurrently scenario as there is alegal way to achieve that.

Talking to media, the infor-mation minister suggested that thefederal government should holddialogues with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan andPakistan Awami Tehreek chief DrTahirul Qadri on immediate ba-sis. The matter should not beblown out of proportion andshouldn’t make it a matter of ego.

BAGHDAD—Jihadists carried out a “massacre”in the northern Iraqi village of Kocho, killingdozens of people, most of them members of theYazidi religious minority, officials said on Sat-urday. Jihadists from the Islamic State group arecarrying out attacks against minorities in Iraq’sNineveh province, prompting tens of thousandsof people to flee.

“We have information from multiplesources, in the region and through intelligence,that (on Friday) afternoon, a convoy of armedmen entered this village,” senior Iraqi officialHoshyar Zebari told AFP.

“They took their revenge on its inhabitants,who happened to be mostly Yazidis who did notflee their homes,” Zebari said, referring to a re-ligious community regarded as heretics byjihadists.

“They committed a massacre against thepeople,” he said. “Around 80 of them have beenkilled.”

Harim Kamal Agha, a senior official of thePatriotic Union of Kurdistan party in Dohuk

province, which borders Nineveh, put the deathtoll at 81 and said the militants had taken womento prisons they control. And Mohsen Tawwal, aYazidi fighter, told AFP by telephone that hesaw a large number of bodies in the village. “Wemade it into a part of Kocho village, where resi-dents were under siege, but we were too late,”he said.

“There were corpses everywhere. We onlymanaged to get two people out alive. The resthad all been killed.” Jihadist-led insurgentslaunched a major offensive in June that beganin Nineveh and swept security forces aside, over-running large areas of five provinces. In one ofthe most dramatic chapters of the conflict, themilitants stormed the Sinjar area of northwest-ern Iraq earlier this month prompting tens ofthousands of people, many of them Yazidis, totake refugee in the mountains.

Kurdish fighters on the ground and US airstrikes eventually helped most of those trappedto escape after more than 10 days under siege,but some remain in the mountains.—AFP

Islamic State massacres80 Yazidis in north Iraq

STAFF REPORTER

QUETTA—Two men infected with the Congovirus passed away on Saturday while a woman,who also contracted the fatal virus, is still beingtreated, District Health Officer Mohammed Shahsaid.

“Thirty-year-old Abdullah Jan died at theCombined Military Hospital, Zhob, while 60-year-old Taween Khan passed away in Multan,”Shah said.

Further, Shah added, Abdur Razzaq, 25, wasadmitted at Jilani Hospital Quetta earlier but had

been discharged after treatment.“A woman was also admitted at Fatma

Jinnah TB Sanatorium Quetta,” DHO Zhob toldmedia, adding that she was still being treated.All patients were reportedly infected in a smallvillage, Killi Blump, comprising 12 to 13 housesnear Mena Bazaar, about 40 kilometres fromZhob city.

“They were infected in July and the viruswas confirmed after blood tests,” Shah added.The patients went to Quetta and Multan formedical treatment where doctors confirmed thatthey had contracted the fever.

Two dead after contractingCongo virus in Balochistan

Politicaltension toend soon:AhsanISLAMABAD—Federal Minister AhsanIqbal has said politicaltension would come to anend shortly as somechannels are openbetween the governmentand the protestingparties. —NNI

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chairing a meeting of Joint Commission on China toreview progress on Pak-China Economic Corridor on Saturday.

GAZA—The Palestinian Interior Ministry inGaza has accused Israel of a cross-bordershooting in violation of a truce that haslargely held since getting off to a shakystart on Thursday.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said:“We have no knowledge of such an inci-dent.”

The Palestinian ministry in the coastalterritory dominated by Hamas Islamistssaid Israeli troops shot at houses east ofthe town of Khan Younis.

The ceasefire, renewed on Thursday forfive days after a previous truce expired, haslargely halted more than a month of fight-ing in which 1,945 Palestinians, many ofthem civilians, 64 Israeli soldiers and threecivilians in Israel were killed.

Palestinians accuse Israelof violating Gaza truce

The truce got off to a rocky start with Israellaunching an air raid early on Thursday inresponse to rocket fire from Gaza in viola-tion of the earlier truce.

The latest ceasefire, mediated by Egypt,gave the parties an additional five days,until late on Monday to come up with acomprehensive agreement to end the warin Gaza.Negotiations hosted in Cairo were expectedto reconvene on Sunday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’ssecurity cabinet debated the emerging dealat a meeting held behind closed-doors onFriday, after a protest by 10,000 Israelis inTel Aviv, angry at the war’s inconclusive

Continued on Page 7

OUR CORRESPONDENT

RAJANPUR—At least seven people werekilled and several others injured in a clashbetween two groups from the Bugti tribeon Saturday in the area of Barro that liesalong the Punjab-Balochistan border.

Firing continued periodically in thearea between the two groups and there

Water dispute claims 7 liveswas no police activity reported in re-sponse to the incident.

According to sources, the fightingwas the result of a dispute over storageof rain water. Inspector General PunjabPolice Mushtaq Sukhera took notice ofthe incident and directed District PoliceOfficer of Rajanpur Zahid Mehmood toimmediately reach the area.

Pomi Buttreleased on bailOUR CORRESPONDENT

GUJRANWALA—A judicialmagistrate in Gujranwala

Continued on Page 7

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister’s Special As-sistant on National Affairs on Saturday ruledout possibility of Prime Minister, NawazSharif ’s resignation as demanded by thePakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ChairmanImran Khan.

Siddiqui rules out Nawaz resignationTalking to the media Irfan Siddiqui

termed the demands of the PTI and the Pa-kistan Awami Tehreek (PTA) as unconsti-tutional.

“The question of PM’s resignationdoes not arise,” he said.—NNI

TINNITUS, an annoying ringing orbuzzing in the ears, was less likelyto occur in women who consumed

the most caffeine, in a large study ofnurses. Tinnitus can happen sporadi-cally, or in some cases may plague a per-son daily. The cause isunclear, and so is thereason why caffeinewould lower one’s risk ofdeveloping the condi-tion, researchers say.

But tinnitus treat-ment guidelines some-times advise cutting outcaffeine, which mayhave no basis.

“In the ear, noseand throat literature andtextbooks they often tellpeople with tinnitus toavoid caffeine becauseit can make tinnitusworse, but there reallywasn’t great data toeven support that,” saidthe senior author of thenew study, Dr. Gary Curhan, of theChanning Division of Network Medicineat Brigham and Women’s Hospital inBoston.

Tinnitus affects approximately 50 mil-lion Americans, but little is known aboutrisk factors other than exposure to loudnoises and that it can be a side effect ofcertain medications, including aspirin.Caffeine has long been thought to con-tribute to the development of tinnitus,but research has been lacking, Curhanand his coauthors write in The AmericanJournal of Medicine.

To assess the relationship, the re-

searchers analyzed data on more than65,000 women participants in the Nurses’Health Study II. The women were in their20s through 40s in 1991 and none hadtinnitus at that point. They filled out di-etary questionnaires every four years

during the study. In 2009, theparticipants were asked ifthey had ringing, roaring orbuzzing in their ears duringthe previous year. The re-searchers found that 5,289women reported havingthose symptoms “a few daysa week” or “daily.”

On average, the womenconsumed about 242 milli-grams of caffeine per day,which is equal to about three8-ounce cups of coffee.

“In our study, indi-viduals who had higher caf-feine intake, usually in theform of coffee, had a lowerrisk of subsequently devel-oping tinnitus than thosewith the lowest intake of caf-

feine,” Curhan said.The incidence of tinnitus was 15

percent lower among women who con-sumed 450 to 599 mg/day of caffeine,equivalent to 6-8 cups of coffee, whencompared to the women who consumedless than 150 milligrams per day, equiva-lent to about a half a cup.

Because coffee was the most com-mon source of caffeine, the researchersalso looked at decaffeinated coffee, butdidn’t find the same apparent benefit,which suggests the association is onlywith caffeine, not some other substancein coffee.

Study links higher caffeineconsumption with lower tinnitus risk

City Reporter

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Institute ofMedical Sciences Saturday handedover dead bodies of two PTI workersto their relatives. They were on theirway to PTI Azadi March venue whentheir vehicle met an accident near LokVirsa Friday night.

According to Dr Wasim KhwajaPIMS spokesman four persons wereseverely injured in the accident and

None of PTI leaders visited hospital

PIMS hands over bodies of two workersthey are being treated. One Sajjad issuffering from internal injuries and heis being kept in intensive care unit.Doctors carried out his surgery forover five hours, Dr Khwaja said fur-ther. Another lady worker Saima whois a doctor is also seriously injured.Vice Chancellor PIMS Dr Javed Akramhas advised all the departments to co-ordinate effectively in carrying outtheir duties.

Meanwhile, none of the PTI local

or national leaders turned up to in-quire after their workers’ health orcondole with the relatives of thedead workers.

A relative of the dead while talk-ing to media outside the PIMS ex-pressed his disappointment at thecallous attitude of the PTI leaders.“Our brothers and sisters are lyingdown their lives for this cause butour leaders don’t have time to evencondole with us,” said he.

City Reporter

I S L A M A B A D — I n t e r i o rMinister Chaudhry NisarAli Khan has assured thatthere is no danger to thesecurity of embassies andhigh commissions as wellas their staff members inthe federal capital.

He said it is the respon-sibility of the governmentis to provide protection tothe diplomatic staff in linewith international law andPolice and FC was extend-ing full security. The Min-ister made the commentsafter advisory issued bydifferent countries to itscitizens in Pakistan duringhis visit to the diplomaticenclave here on Saturday.

He had all the praise forthe Police and FC staff. TheInterior Minister said thegovernment has made nec-essary arrangements formaximum security of thediplomatic enclave anddiplomats in Islamabadare fully satisfied over it.

On this occasion, theInterior Minister directedthe Police and FC to ensuresecurity of the participantsof Marches and ensurepeace and order.

Meanwhile on the in-

Nisar assures full security toembassies, diplomatic staff

structions of the InteriorMinister, additional con-tainers have been placed in

the Red Zone, MargallaRoad and the constitutionavenue to beef up security

after the arrival of Azadi andRevolution marches inIslamabad.

Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan motivating the policemen who were performing their dutiesduring inqilab march and azadi march.—PO Photo by Sultan Bashir

Rangers and FC are de-ployed on important gov-ernment buildings.

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifon Saturday issued special directives toarrange breakfast, lunch and dinner for the‘Azadi March’ and ‘Inqilab March’ par-ticipants. In this regard, the Prime Minis-ter has formed a four-member committeecomprising Tariq Afzal Chaudhry, RajaAshfaq Sarwar, Ashraf Gujar and AbidWaheed Sheikh.

PM Nawaz has ordered the authoritiesto ensure provision of shelters and cleandrinking water to the protestors. He hasalso directed the City Development Au-

thority (CDA) to build temporary wash-rooms for the PTI and PAT activists.

G Islamabad Aftab Cheema has beendirected to ensure all possible measuresfor security of the rally participants.

The PTI marchers took more than 36hours to reach the capital as convoysmade stopovers in various cities along theroad, where they were warmly welcomed.Both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri planto hold sit-in in Islamabad until their de-mands for PM Nawaz Sharif’s resignationand electoral reforms are met.—NNI

Nawaz orders to provide food,water to long march participants

ZUBAIR QURESHI

ISLAMABAD—The inevi-table and the most fearedaspect of the Inqilab orAzadi March has startedtesting local people’snerves and many of themare on the edge of break-down.

It is not the fear of anyterrorist activity or closureof petrol pumps, ATM ma-chines etc but the unpleas-ant smell produced by hu-man discharge mixed withrain water that has made theirlife miserable. One can smellit all across the G-Sector, inand around the Serena Ho-tel as well as the EmbassyRoad and miles beyond. Thedisgusting odor comes fromnowhere else but the greenbelts of the Khayabn-e-Suharwardi and adjacentforests which are freely usedby the marchers for urina-tion and discharge pur-poses.

Embassy Road is con-sidered a posh area whereresidences of ambassadorsand offices of international

Residents close to marchesvenue complain of foul smell

non-government organiza-tions are located and it is notclear by using the greenbelts as toilets which ‘mes-sage’ these marchers wantto convey to the foreigners.According to an official ofcivic agency Capital Devel-opment Authority if the sit-in continues for somelonger period the entire citywill be seen complaining ofthe foul smell and it is likelyto stay for weeks andmonths, he warned.

It was on Friday in theheavy rain, Pakistan AwamiTehreek and PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf workers onemergency basis set up anumber of temporary make-shift toilets but obviouslythey were far less than theoverwhelming number of

march participants. Besides,they did not have the properdrainage system and alltheir pipes were opened inthe green belts. “Islamabadis disfigured by the nui-sance of marches,” said aretired professor who hap-pens to live on the main roadof Khayaban-e-Suharwardi.

“Our children cannotstudy, my wife cannot cookfood because of the smellthat is getting on our nerves,not only on our nerves butalso on the entireneighbourhood,” said thepoor professor.

A worker of NGO whoseoffice is located on Em-bassy Road, on contact byPakistan Observer said shewas thankful to Almightythat Friday, Saturday and

Sunday have been threeconsecutive off-days but Ifeel shivers down my back-bone when I think of resum-ing work from Monday. Lasttime, too when Tahirul Qadriheld his march along theFazl-e-Haq Road it was sucha nuisance and though wewere miles away from thatpoint we had to keep a maskwhile working, she said.

A resident of the SectorG-6/3 Qasim Buttar said themarchers should take sometrouble and use the toiletsof the mosques or the CDApublic toilets instead of re-lieving themselves at theborder of the roads whichis quite uncivil and unhy-gienic. No civilized nationcan think of doing so butunfortunately our leaders

don’t pay attention to thesefundamental human issues.They should have trainedthem before taking them toIslamabad, he further said.

CDA officials are work-ing overtime to remove hu-man discharge but still theycannot do away with thesmell. The organizers of themarch on the other hand at-tributed this ‘mismanage-ment’ to non-stop rain thatthey have not settled down.“The moment we arrive inIslamabad we are facingrains with intermittent inter-vals and today (Saturday)too it seems to go on for thewhole night. Had we gotsome time to sort out thingswe would definitely havethis issue which is indeed agrave civic responsibility.

ISLAMABAD—Advisor to Prime Min-ister on National Security and ForeignAffairs Sartaj Aziz has said Prime Min-ister Nawaz Sharif had done the beststrengthen the federation. In an inter-view, he said Prime Minister had for-mulated a commission to address thepolitical matters.

He said that the situation is get-ting better after the successful opera-

tion launched to eliminate terroristsfrom North Waziristan. To a questionregarding long march during opera-tion Zarb-e-Azab, Advisor to PrimeMinister said credibility of PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf has become suspi-cious.

He said that all the political partiesare in favour of political stability andefforts are being made through a rec-

onciliation committee to hold dialoguewith Imran Khan.

To a question, Sartaj Aziz saidPML-N government is respecting themandate of other parties.

He said that no major politicalparty is supporting the long marchof PTI. He said that reforms shouldbe made through the forum of parlia-ment.—NNI

Govt policies have strengthened federation

Govt to establish NFSCISLAMABAD—The government has decidedto establish a high-level National Food Secu-rity Council (NFSC) in order to develop na-tional policy for long term sustainability ofagriculture on profitable basis.

Prime Minister of Pakistan would be the

Chairman of the council and various federalministers as its members, sources in the Min-istry of National Food Security and Researchsaid. “The council will be aiming at ensuringpolicy coordination across provinces and toensur stable incomes for the farmers.—APP

PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri shows the weapon of an armed individual caught by his supporters during his speech atKhayaban-e-Soharwardy.

Ladies taking cover of umbrellas to protect themselves form rain duing sit-in.

04:50 01:3005:30

09:00

Zohr

Asr

Isha

Fajar

Meghrab at Sunset

Brothers in Islamestablish regularprayers & charity

RAWALPINDI—Rawalpindi police havenetted 14 lawbreakers including five one-wheelers besides recovering six pistols 30bore with 17 rounds, one pistol 9MM andthree rounds and stolen timber from thepossession of arrested accused.

According to Rawalpindi policespokesman, Rawat police nabbed IsrarHussain for having one pistol 30 bore and

Police net 14 lawbreakersincluding five one-wheelers

three rounds. Gungmandi police arrestedMahmood Ahmed for possessing a 30 borepistol with two rounds. Naseerabad policeapprehended Qasir for carrying 30 borepistol. Another accused namely Shehzadwas sent behind the bars on recovery of a30 bore pistol and four rounds. AbdulMajeed, Tamoor Malik, Ashfaq Faizanwere rounded up with illegal pistols and

rounds. Meanwhile, Cantt police bookedfive youngsters identified as Bilal, Kashif,Waleed, Farhan and Qasim as they werefound indulged in rash and negligent driv-ing and one wheeling.

Kalar Syedan police also nabbedWaheed Ahmed and Raja Mahboob as po-lice recovered stolen timber from theirpossession.—APP

RAWALPINDI—Environment ProtectionAgency (EPA), under its ongoing anti-dengue drive, on Saturday inspected 28sites and sealed a junkyard.

EPA teams also removed stagnantwater from different dengue breeding

EPA inspects 28 sites under antidengue drive; seals junkyard

sites and sealed Noor Sayyed junkyard atservice road Sadiqabad.

According to District Officer EPA,Mian Mohammed Nawaz, EPA teams vis-ited 28 points including 16 tyre shops, eightjunkyards, two nurseries and two under

construction sites and checked denguemosquito larvae.

As many as 27 sites were declared clearof dengue larva. The EPA would continueto conduct such raids until the dengue mos-quito was eliminated, he added.—APP

ISLAMABAD—Commuters of federalcapital faced lots of problems, as ma-jority of public transport vehicles re-mained off the road due to sit-ins ofPakistan Tehreek Insaf and PakistanAwami Tehreek (PAT).

The stranded commuters expresseddispleasure over the frequent proces-

sions in federal capital, adding that theseactivities increased the hardships of com-mon men.

The commuters waiting on variousstops said that “We need public transport,as we have only this source to move fromone place to another,”.

Farhan Khan a commuter said that

taxi cab drivers are charging more thandouble fare from the passengers be-cause of shortage of public transportvehicles.

The residents appealed to districtadministration to allot a separate routefor protesters and not to allow such ac-tivities in the public routes.—APP

Commuters suffer fromshortage of public transport

ISLAMABAD—The business community infederal capital particularly of Aabpara mar-ket have shown serious concerns over sit-ins of Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) and Pa-kistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) as such activi-ties have adversely affected their businesses.

The traders said that since almost a week,Islamabad’s traders have been confined totheir homes, due to which they are sufferinga huge loss.

Zahoor Ahmed, a shopkeeper said that

the business activities, especially in Aaparamarket, have come to a complete halt, dueto the marches and sit-ins.

The traders appealed to district admin-istration to allot a separate space for pro-tests and not to allow such activities in thebusiness centres.

The business community had appealed toPTI and PAT to end or change their sit-ins toalternate location as it is affecting their businessas well as creating hardships for citizens.—APP

Sit-ins causing hardships,losses to business community

ISLAMABAD—For helping people withspinal cord injury walk better, researchershave made an artificial connection fromthe brain to the locomotion centre in thespinal cord using a computer interface asbypass.

This allowed participants to stimulatethe spinal locomotion centre usingvolitionally-controlled muscle activity andto control walking said the study publishedonline in the Journal of Neuroscience.

Neural networks in the spinal cord, lo-comotion centre are capable of producingrhythmic movements such as swimmingand walking, even when isolated from the

Computer to help spinal cord injury victims walk

No check onprice hike of

fruit,vegetablesin twins cities

RAWALPINDI—There is nocheck on price-hike,inflationin vegetable markets andbazars of twin cities ofIslambad and Rawalpindi dueto absence of concerned pricemagistrates.

The consumers have facedmore than 100 per cent pricehike in different markets oftwin cities, which was due toabsence of monitoring andprice checking by the con-cerned officials.

According to a marketsurvey conducted by thisscribe on Saturday in differ-ent markets of twins citiesand bazaars includingKarachi company, Stadiumroad Ralawalpindi,Shamsabad andSadiqabad,mangoes are beingsold at Rs 110 to Rs 150 perkilogram in open marketshops, peaches at Rs 110,grapes at Rs 180-200, bananaat Rs 180 per dozen andapples at Rs 110-150.

Similarly, prices of all veg-etables have increased by 100per cent. Potato are being soldat Rs 70 per kilogram,cucumberwas being sold at Rs 100 per ki-logram, Eggs at Rs.110. Simi-larly, prices of fresh milk andyoghurt continuously going upwithout any check.—APP

ISLAMABAD—The concerned depart-ments of Capital Development Author-ity (CDA) and Islamabad Capital Ter-ritory (ICT) have not launched any cam-paign since long to purge the FederalCapital from the menace of stray dogs.

According to a survey conducted bythis scribe, rising numbers of stray dogshave made life of residents very diffi-cult in ‘G’ and ‘I’ sectors.

Small packs of stray dogs roam instreets, parks and markets from morn-ing to night causing serious problemsto pedestrians, Bilal Khalid, a residentof I-10 sector who goes mosque for of-fering prayers said here on Tuesday.

No action to exterminatestray dogs in federal capital

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Planningand Development, Ahsan Iqbal on Saturdayurged Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf chief to pro-vide relief to the people hit by heavy rains inKhyber Pakhtunkhawa areas.

He said, “This is time to help internallydisplaced persons (IDPs), and rain affectedpeople, “ he was talking to newsman.

He said that Chief Minister PervezKhattak alongwith cabinet members had ar-rived in the federal capital and left the IDPsand rain-stricken people in lurch.

Ahsan Iqbal said that people had givenmandate to Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf (PTI), torun the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa(KPK), and resolve the problem of the

Ahsan urges PTI toprovide relief to KP rain

affected people, IDPs

ISLAMABAD—Mr. Justice Athar Minallah, Judge,Islamabad High Court, has said that an efficient and in-dependent justice system not only contributes to trustand stability but also ensures the rule of law in the coun-try. He expressed these views in the certificate-awarding ceremony at the conclusion of a one-week train-ing course on “How to be an Effective Superintendent”-for Superintendents of the Sessions Courts from all overPakistan at the Center of Excellence for Law and Judi-cial Education/ Federal Judicial Academy, Islamabad,

An efficient, independent justice systemcontributes to trust, stability

on Saturday, in which he was the chief guest. He said,“Access to an effective justice system is a fundamentalhuman right and enshrined in our Constitution.

The court personnel, especially, the Superintendentsof Sessions Court play a crucial role in the administra-tion of justice. We know that the machinery of Justiceand the law itself forms the basis for the dispensation ofjustice, when the machinery is faulty, the dispensationof justice itself will not be entirely free from fault.

Failure of the machinery of justice, therefore, shat-

ters people’s trust in the system. You are under an obli-gation to create such an environment with your litigant -public -friendly dealing and effective administration ofjustice, because public first of all at the court comes inyour contact, not the judge, which builds an image ofindependent court system.”

Lauding the training course and its content, the Judgesaid, “Training is an important element to improve thequality and effectiveness. I have gone through the con-tent of the course and I found it very productive and it

will definitely increase the quality and effectiveness ofjustice in the district judiciary.”

Presenting his welcome speech and an overview ofthe course, Dr. Faqir Hussain, Director General of theCELJE/FJA said that this course was designed to pro-vide the participants of the course, whom he called as‘the real face’ of the district judiciary, a comprehensiveunderstanding of the conventional and non-conventionalsubjects so that they can play an effective and efficientrole on their part in the dispensation of justice.—INP

brain. The brain sends commands to thespinal locomotion centre to start, stop andchange walking speed.

In most cases of spinal cord injury,the loss of this link from the brain to thelocomotion centre causes problems withwalking.

“We hope this technology would com-pensate for the interrupted pathways’ func-tion by sending an encoded command tothe preserved spinal locomotor centre andregain volitionally-controlled walking inindividuals with paraplegia,” explainedYukio Nishimura, an associate professorof the Okazaki-based National Institute for

Physiological Sciences (NIPS). Since the arm movements are associ-

ated with leg movements when we walk,they used muscle activity of arm to surro-gate the brain activity.

In the study, the computer interfaceallowed subjects to control magneticstimulator that drive to the spinal locomo-tion centre using volitionally-controlledmuscle activity and to control walking inlegs.

However, without bypassing with thecomputer interface the legs did not moveeven if the arm’s muscles were volitionallyactivated.—APP

masses. He said, “It is very unfortunate thatCM KPK with all official protocol are sit-ting in the federal capital for participatingin PTI march.”

He demanded of PTI to resign fromKPK for not providing relief to the the af-fected people.

Federal Minister said that the peoplewill reject PTI in the next general electionsfor not delivering and developing KPK ar-eas.

To a question he said that Dr Tariq FazalChaudhry member national assembly andAshraf Gujjar of PML-N had provided foodpacks to the people participating in PTI longmarch.—APP

He said it has become very difficultfor citizens to move freely especially af-ter ‘Iftar’ because of a large number ofstray dogs roaming in the streets.

Ejaz-ul-Haq, another resident of G-9 sector informed that the parks locatedin the area are usually packed with straydogs especially in the morning time.

He pointed out that concerned au-thorities in Directorate of Municipal Ad-ministration (DMA) and HealthDepartment,ICT have not launched anycampaign to exterminate stray dogs as aresult their number is rising continu-ously.

Muhammad Iqbal who daily takes

his children to the parks in I-10/2 sec-tor also complained about the threatof stray dogs.

The people held lack of planningby the concerned department respon-sible for increasing numbers of straydogs.

Expressing concern over the situ-ation, they also called for ensuringavailability of required vaccines totreat the dog-bite victims at all publicsector hospitals.

When contacted, a concerned of-ficial informed that different cam-paigns are launched to kill stray dogsevery year.—APP

Policemen standing alert to avoid any untoward incident during PAT and PTI sit-ins.

Participants of long march sleeping alongside a road in capital.

A worker of Pakistan Awami Tehreek presenting food to party workers.

MUZAFFARABAD: AJK Prime Minister Ch.Abdul Majeed giving away Rs. One million cheque to President of CentralBar Association Mr. Raza Ali Khan here.

MUZAFFARABAD: AJK Information Minister Syed Bazal Ali Naqvi addressing Zarb-e-Azb Zindabad Rally here.

Cop goes missingalong with

service rifleSOPORE—Militant turned cophas gone missing along with hisservice rifle in NorthKashmir’s Sopore town inBarmaulla district.

Sources told CNS that po-lice has launched a hunt to nabthe SPO Muhammad Shafi Darson of Muhammad MaqboolDar resident of NowporaSopore who has gone missingfrom SOG camp Sopore alongwith his service rifle. Quotinghis family members, police saidthat Dar after reaching hishouse along with the servicerifle informed his wife that hehas again decided to join mili-tant group.

“Dar was presently postedin SOG camp Sopore. He wasan active Hizb militant and af-ter his surrender before govern-ment forces in 2011, he was en-gaged as SPO and since then hewas working for the depart-ment,” a police official toldCNS on condition of anonym-ity. DIG, North Kashmir con-firmed the development and toldCNS that investigation is goingon and hunt has been launchedto trace the ‘fugitive’—KT.

BAKHSHI STADIUM—Criticizing armyfor opposing revocation of controversialArmed Forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA) from some areas of the State,Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said theproposed NATO pullout from Afghanistanthis year was used as an excuse by somepeople to justify its continuous implemen-tation.

“I am being criticized as to why I re-peatedly stress on gradual revocation ofAFSPA when it is not being agreed to. Youshould know moon was not conquered inone attempt and Everest not dominated inone go”, Omar said after unfurling triocolor at Bakshi stadium, here on Indepen-dence Day.

Later, talking to media persons, ChiefMinster said some people have used trooppullout from Afghanistan as an excuse andclaimed that it will have an adverse im-pact on Kashmir situation. “But the fact isthat there was not single evidence with us,which suggests that Kashmir situation willor have deteriorated by Afghan adversi-ties. It was just an excuse to oppose therevocation of AFSPA,” he said. He saidwith the persistent decline in militancy, theopponents will have to accept the realitythat continuation of AFSPA in some partsof the State has no justification.

The statement issued by Chief Minsterin 2012 that “AFSPA will be revoked from

US Afghan pullout being used asexcuse for AFSPA: Omar

education and healthcare. “I am not goingto tell you who you should vote for butplease make use of your right to vote as ithelps in development process. It is becauseof the votes in 2008 that we have been ableto achieve so much in the past five andhalf years,” he said in his speech at BakshiStadium. Lashing out at separatists, ChiefMinister said, “When we try to give peninto the hands of children to compete inthe challenging global world, some ele-ments in our society give stones to themand keeps them away from schools andcolleges. The politics they played in lasttwenty five years doesn’t reap any fruitsas evident on ground”.

On Kounsar Naag Yatra controversy,Omar criticized separatists for opposingthe yatra, saying some people touch emo-tional issues for the political interests.“Idon’t think some 150 people, who are in-tending to go for pilgrimage to Kousarnag,will damage the environment there the waywe did it with Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens,Gulmarg and Pahalgam,” he said.

“See the mess over there. See the garbagethat we leave behind while visiting these placeson weekends. I think we are doing more dam-age to the environment than 150 people visit-ing Kounsar Naag,” he said. Referring topopulist decisions taken by his governmentrecently, Omar said all such decisions arebased on logic and it is not true that they willempty the coffers of state—RK.

SRINAGAR—Senior pro-resistance leader andchairman of Democratic Freedom Party ShabirAhmad Shah has been incarcerated for most ofhis life. For his prolonged detention during theearly years of armed struggle in Kashmir, he wasaddressed as ‘prisoner of conscience’ by the Am-nesty International. Earlier this year, Shah partedways with Hurriyat Conference led by MirwaizUmar Farooq and launched his own amalgamHurriyat Conference Jammu and Kashmir. Cur-rently, he is busy preparing a road map to launchan election boycott campaign ahead of legisla-tive Assembly polls. In an interview with Kash-mir Reader Correspondent Moazum Mohammad,he details about his personal experiences and vari-ous phases of the unresolved Kashmir conflict

Kashmir Reader: What is your assessment ofthe situation in Jammu and Kashmir given themayhem nowadays across the Muslim world?Shabir Shah: The situation across the Muslimworld, particularly in Gaza, Afghanistan, Iraq andSyria, is disturbing. It is because the Muslimsare not united. While the massacre in Gaza is on,Muslim world is busy in chasing its own inter-ests.

Oppressed nations like us have revoltedagainst the aggressor but the Muslim Ummahhasn’t lend its much needed support and solidar-ity. Sectarianism has to end and we have to fightagainst oppression as unified Ummah. Kashmirmovement started in 1931 and the occupier hasnever been accepted by people since then. De-spite living miserably under the shadow of gun,people here continue to show their resentmentevery day. Muslims world should have forcedIndia to let us exercise our right to determine ourown future but their economic interests deter themfrom helping us.

We need to institutionalize Hurriyat on Hamas Lines: ShahOnly Pakistan supports us morally, diplomati-

cally and politically. In spite of all odds, we stillare optimistic. Once seen as impossible, the with-drawal of Soviet Union and now NATO and USforces from Afghanistan is an apt example of de-termination and persistence for a cause. India toogot its independence after more than 100 years fromBritain. That way we should not lose hope. IfNarendra Modi led government and Sang Parivarwant India to become a superpower, they shouldaddress the Kashmir issue. Otherwise, it is a dreamthat will never come true.

KR: What do you speculate about the situationin valley as US is about to pullout from Afghani-stan and the video statements of Al-Qaeda signify-ing their interest in Kashmir? Shah: It will be pre-mature to comment on such an issue, but after Af-ghanistan, Kashmir, once again, will be in the worldfocus. There are people who support oppressednations but I don’t see Taliban coming to Kashmir.Government of India is trying hard to play this cardto gain sympathy and support from the West so asto legitimize its wrongful position on Kashmir.

KR: You have launched a new chapter of HurriyatConference recently. How is it different from the oth-ers? Shah: My dream was to take Hurriyat to thegrassroots across JK. Unfortunately, the first spilt ofthis pro-resistance party took place under the leader-ship of Syed Ali Geelani sahib. Then I worked hardon re-unification but I was put in jail for such efforts.

Now, we have launched Hurriyat ConferenceJK but no system or constitution has been framedyet. We are still in the process of consultation withwriters and intellectuals in this regard. What is en-couraging is that government of Pakistan has ac-cepted our genuine reasons to split. We are in aprocess as to whether to give it shape of a forum oran organization. We have entered into coordina-

tion with Hurriyat Conference (G).There is an agency war in Kashmir and these

agencies with help of some people, are hell-bentupon thwarting the re-structuring efforts. It is amatter of time when such people will be exposed.we must institutionalize Hurriyat. Due consider-ation to people’s aspirations and expectations hasto be given. We are not into power politics. Werepresent the blood of martyrs. People, who arecommitted and have conviction to uphold the sac-rifices given by the martyrs are bound to come ona same page, may be today or may be tomorrow.

KR: Do you mean Indian security agencies havepenetrated into your ranks? Shah: I can’t say likethat. In conflict zones, agencies play a significantrole and Indian agencies are no exception. In 90’ssome people were with us but today they are withpro-India parties. KR: What led to failure of yourefforts to unite Geelani and Mirwaiz in 2008? [Year]2008 provided a chance and we reached to a con-sensus that past mistakes should not be repeated.In a meeting attended by Geelani, Mirwaiz and restof us, it was agreed that unification on principles isthe need of hour. But we couldn’t make it a realityas I was jailed for initiating this process. Further-more, some people never wanted it to happen.

KR: You parted ways with Hurriyat Confer-ence led by Mirwiaz. What led to the split?Shah: I don’t want to talk about it.

KR: Is Hurriyat Conference responsible forconfining the Kashmir movement to a sect by de-legitimizing armed resistance?

Shah: As per the preamble of Hurriyat Confer-ence, the solution of Kashmir issue lies in a politi-cal process. But, we have never let down the mili-tants. Armed movement is part of the struggle. Butit is not the solution. Ups and downs do come, butwe have never thought of de-legitimizing the armed

struggle. KR: Nowadays, the pro-resistance activi-ties are limited to issuing protest calls and pressnotes. Has any country gained freedom with suchmethods? Shah: (Smiling) No. Azadi can’t beachieved by issuing press statements and throughprotests but there are examples to look for in thesubcontinent itself. On one front, it was MK Gandhiand on other were Subhash Chandra Bose andBaghat Singh. That is why, there is a need to insti-tutionalize Hurriyat Conference on the lines ofHamas in Palestine and other world organizationwho are fighting for independence. We have hugehuman investment and should have garnered worldsupport but unfortunately we aren’t allowed to high-light it properly. We have requested Pakistan to opena Kashmir cell in each of its embassies to awareeveryone about this long-pending issue.

KR: You were the first one to hold dialogue withGovernment of India? Do you regret the decision?Shah: It is wrong. I never held formal talks with anygovernment in power. I had interactions with AtalBihari Vajpayee, IK Gujral, VP Singh,Chadrashekhar but they were not in government atthat time. I do believe that we should put our pointbefore government of India but when I received aninvitation from former Indian Prime MinisterManmohan Singh, I rejected it because the talks heldbetween some Kashmir leaders and the NDA-ledgovernment previously bore no fruitful results. Ini-tially, after a formal invitation, I thought of joiningthe dialogue as KC Pant brought a letter from GoI. Idiscussed it with all the stake holders and peoplewho matter. After proper discussion and delibera-tions, I wrote back to Indian authorities that therewas no mention of Kashmir issue in the agenda setfor the talks. My demand was that GoI should ac-cept Kashmir as a dispute. GoI then invited me againfor talks but with the same agenda. Later, they backed

out. I have met foreign secretaries and point menbut put forward same demand of acceptance ofKashmir issue as a dispute. Like always, GoI be-trayed us. I have never met any sitting Prime Min-ister.

KR: You spent much time of your life in jailfor supporting the right to self-determination dic-tum. All of sudden, you became a proponent ofMusharaf’s four-point formula? Shah: I never sup-ported it. This formula actually proposed a solu-tion to Kashmir issue within the framework ofIndian constitution, which is unacceptable to us.

KR: You had huge public following during theinitial years of your political career but that aura seemsto have vanished? Shah: It happens. Highs and lowsdo come in life. But I am not a pessimist. Time willdecide that whatever I have said, I have done it inpractical. KR: Does Pakistan back your faction?Shah: Since the launch of Hurriyat JK, I couldn’tmeet any representative from Pakistan as I wasunder detention. KR: After the split, why didn’tyou join Hurriyat Conference led by Geelani ifyou claim that the goal is one?

Shah: We do consult each other and are intouch with other like-minded people. In futureanything can happen. KR: Whom would you con-sider responsible for the failures of 2008 and 2010unrest? Shah: Failures do come our way. Humanbeings are full of weaknesses. I neither can blamethe leadership nor the people. Such things hap-pen. It takes time and we must also understandthat the country we are up against has a huge mili-tary might. KR: Former Indian security advisorM K Narayan blamed people within your ranksfor killing Sheikh Abdul Aziz? Shah: SheikhSahib was killed in full media and public glare.Everyone knows that we were fired upon.

—Courtesy: KR.

PULWOM,(IHK)—Two Border Security Force(BSF) troops were killed and four others injuredafter militants attacked their vehicle near air basein Quil area of south Kashmir’s Pulwom dis-trict on Saturday afternoon.

Official sources said that militants openedheavy fire upon a BSF Gypsy bearing registra-tion number WB74J3708 near higher second-ary school Quil Pulwom. In the attack, six BSFmen of 165 bn sustained critical injuries and

Militants kill two BSF troops, injure fourwere immediately shifted to nearby hospitalwhere two of them succumbed to injuries,sources said, adding that the remaining four in-jured were shifted to army’s 92 Base hospitalhere in Srinagar.Soon after the attack, army, SOG and CRPFcordoned off the whole area and launchedsearches to nab the attackers. The BSF providesexternal security to the Indian Air ForceAwantipora airbase in Pulwama district—KD.

Again, no Fridayprayers at Jamia

MasjidSRINAGAR—As India cel-ebrated its Independence Day,the authorities barred peoplefrom offering Friday congrega-tional prayers in central JamiaMasjid by placing the histori-cal mosque under siege amidcurfew-like curbs today.

Dozens of police and para-military personal deployed inNowhatta –where Jamia Masjidis located –restricted peoplefrom coming towards mosqueand directed them to returnback, witnesses said—KO.

SRINAGAR—Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) haswarned the Government for proposed shiftingof the field firing range from Tosamaidan toYusmarg as it would have serious environmen-tal implications in the area. In a statement is-sued here AAP National Executive Member DrRaja Muzaffar Bhat said that any plans of theGovernment to shift the field firing range fromTosamaidan to Yusmarg will be resisted by hisparty at state as well as national level as this is amatter of safety and security not

only of the people of the area but it is anissue which will have serious environmental im-plications as well. “There are some media re-ports that authorities may allocate a large chunk

Won’t allow Yusmarg to bealternative for Tosamaidan: AAP

of land near famous health resort of Yusmarg incentral Kashmir’s Budgam district to IndianArmy for conducting artillery drills after facinga strong resistance of continuing these drills atTosa Maidan meadow. If this is done we willcome on roads along with the locals and wouldresist this move tooth and nail “ Dr Muzaffarsaid “Government can use uninhabited areas ofDrass and Zanskar for conducting such firingexercises , let the areas covered with forests andwildlife be exempted from all these militaryexercises. Yusmarg and its upper reaches aresome of the virgin tourist destinations of Kash-mir ,by allowing such exercises the Govt wantsto destroy the same “ Muzaffar added—KW.

BUDGAM,(IHK)—In occupied Kashmir, the AllParties Hurriyet Conference has strongly de-nounced the house arrest of its Chairman,Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and imposition of strictrestrictions on his social, political and religiousactivities by the puppet authorities.

The APHC spokesman in a statement issuedin Srinagar said that the authorities imposed un-declared curfew in old city Srinagar and pre-vented people from offering Friday prayers atJamia Masjid, yesterday, under the garb ofIndia’s Independence Day celebrations. “Byimposing restrictions on the religious activities

APHC condemns house arrestof Mirwaiz, other leaders

of people, the authorities have usurped the reli-gious freedom of people. Such despotic acts area clear expression of inflicting psychological andemotional harm upon people,” he said.

The spokesman also denounced the housearrest of APHC leaders including Zafar AkbarButt, Javed Ahmed Mir, Syed Salim Gilani andShahid-ul-Islam and illegal detention of MukhtarAhmed Waza, Hilal Ahmed War.“Such dictatorial measures cannot weaken theresolve of the pro-freedom leadership to takethe ongoing liberation struggle to its logicalend,” he added—KMS.

some pockets” had triggered a huge con-troversy between the army and governmentwith latter vehemently opposing its revo-cation. “Let the hog of 2014 in Afghani-stan turn away and I will be in better posi-tion to pitch for AFSPA revocation,” Omarsaid. Stating that he is willing to resolveall land disputes with the army, he said theexpansion work on Jammu airport has beenheld hostage to one such issue. “We werein the process of organizing transfer of landto army for expansion of Jammu airport.Army was asked to shift its camp toSanjivan but it included over 900 acres ofmore land to it and held the airport landhostage to issue,” he said adding the gov-ernment was willing to settle all land andfiring range issues with them.

Omar criticized separatist groups forurging people to boycott elections in Val-ley. “There will be people who will urgeyou not to vote as they claim that it affectsthe resolution of Kashmir issue.”

“What has the boycott of electionsachieved in the past 25 years? Jammu votesin numbers, Ladakh votes in numbers butnot Kashmir,” he said, adding that “boy-cott politics of separatists over 25 yearshas not achieved anything”.

Omar said the 2008 Assembly elec-tions were not contested for resolution ofKashmir issue but only to improve basicamenities like electricity, water supply,

SRINAGAR—years ago, when things were no-where near as better as they are now, the statearmed forces declared a red alert to thwart whatthey termed a possible attack on a major secu-rity installation in and around Srinagar on theindependence day of India.

A labyrinth of complex security arrangementwas put in place across the ten districts of Val-ley. A siege was laid around the venues of thecelebration of I-Day. Strewing the barbed wireover the roads at every entry and exit points torestrict the movement of a common man markedthe I-Day. Network communication was snappedin the era of technology to stop people from com-municating.

It still is ‘celebrated’ the same way in Kash-mir. Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, the venue forthe main I-Day celebration, where chief minis-ter takes the salute, was encircled by all theIndia’s major security agencies. The areas in the

Independence Day: A day ofsiege and pain

neighbourhood were occupied and sharp shoot-ers manned the top stories of the residences. Theonly major maternity hospital of Kashmir, liesin the neighbourhood of the stadium, was keptinaccessible for the needy.

Those who had already reached, were toremain there until the siege was lifted. Pregnantwomen could avail the maternity services onlyif the ambulances were made available at theirdoorsteps which never happens in this part ofthe world.

Shifa (name changed) a mother of twogave birth to her second child on Aug 15,2006. Unpleasant thoughts haunt Shifa ev-ery 15th August as it reminds her of the painand agony she and her family had to gothrough. After Shifa was admitted in the hos-pital on August 14, the family members wenthome late at night, leaving her mother be-hind to take care of her—KR.

Hurriyet leaderscondole death ofYousuf Naseem’s

motherSRINAGAR—In occupiedKashmir, the All PartiesHurriyet Conference (APHC)Chairman, Mirwaiz UmarFarooq and other Hurriyet lead-ers have expressed profoundgrief and sorrow over the saddemise of the mother of APHC-AJK Convener, Syed YousufNaseem. She passed away inGanderbal, yesterday(Friday).The APHC Chairmanin a statement issued inSrinagar expressed solidaritywith the bereaved family espe-cially with Syed YousufNaseem. ZABA high-level del-egation of the APHC visited thearea and participated in the fu-neral prayers of the deceased.The delegation was led by BilalGhani Lone and comprisedZafar Akbar Butt, YasmeenRaja, Javed Ahmad Mir,Hakeem Abdur Rasheed, SyedSaleem Gilani, Abdul MajeedBanday, Shahid-ul-Islam,Farooq Ahmad Touheedi, JafferKashmiri, Ghulam HassanButt, Muhammad MuzaffarMir, Master Abdul Majeed andGhulam Nabi Sheikh. Mean-while, the APHC leaders in-cluding Hilal Ahmad War,Mukhtar Ahmad Waza andImtiyaz Ahmad Reshi.

Three buildings,several shops damagedin Koker Bazaar blazeSRINAGAR—In occupied Kash-mir, three buildings and severalshops were damaged, today, in ablaze at Koker Bazar inSrinagar.Eyewitnesses told mediathat the fire broke out in a build-ing—KMS.

My concern is thatwe live in an

economy in whichstabbing someone

and waiting forthem to complain

before we removethe knife has

become the normalway of doing busi-ness. When did we

lose sight of thefact that it’s not

nice to stab peoplein the first place?

—Simon Sinek

MUZAFFARABAD—Trade between India andPakistan has been continuously rising de-spite recurring border tensions but is yetto tap its estimated potential of USD 12 bil-lion, according to a study compiled by theSAARC Chamber of Commerce and Indus-try. According to the SAARC Chamber’sresearch report, the two nations have beentrade partners since the beginning but thetrade potential has remained under-utiliseddue to conflicts.

The study shows that bilateral tradewas just USD 132 million till 1995 but in-creased in the coming years after Indiagranted the Most Favoured Nation (MFN)status to Pakistan in 1996, immediately tak-ing bilateral trade to USD 180. Pakistan re-sponded by increasing the tradable itemslist to 600 but has refused to give MFN toIndia due to political and economic reasons.At present, of the total 7,200 tariff lines,1,209 items are on the negative list.

Their trade volume stands at an im-proved USD 2.4 billion, which is just a frac-tion of the informal trade between the two

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—A little focus on branding coulddo a miracle at the economic front as it wouldnot only change an ordinary product intospecial one but also attract the buyers. Thiswas upshot of the speeches delivered at aWorkshop on “Branding Pakistan” organizedby the LCCI Standing Committee on NationalOutreach Program. LCCI President EngineerSohail Lashari, Vice President Kashif Anwar,Director General Walled City of Lahore Au-thority Kamran Lashari, former LCCI VicePresidents Shafqat Saeed Piracha, SaeedaNazar, Executive Committee Members HassanAmjad, Naseeb Ahmed Saifi, former EC mem-bers Rehmatullah Javed, Khamis Saeed Buttand Waqar Ahmad Mian, Chairman StandingCommittee Awais Saeed Piracha andTosheeba Sarwar also spoke on the occasion.

The very objective of the Workshop wasto educate the participants about the im-portance of development. Speaking on theoccasion, the LCCI President Engineer

Focus on branding biz can do a miracle at the economic frontSohail Lashari said that nevertheless Paki-stan has all resources in abundance andquality-wise its goods are ‘best of the best’in the entire world but it has so far failed toget its share in the world market only be-cause of poor branding. He said that brand-ing is the tool that not only gives boost toits exports but also adds value to the prod-ucts. He said that in the developed worldthe general consumer gives preference tothe branded products. He said that brand-ing is key to success it not only increasessales at local levels but earns much neededforeign exchange by winning due place inthe global market. He said that the value ofthe brand is determined by the amount ofpremium it generates for the product andthe manufacturer. This is the outcome of acombination of increased sales and in-creased price. Increased sale and increasedprofit as such multiplies the profit of an en-terprise.

He said that we, in Pakistan, are alreadylagging far behind in the war of brands. He

that there is an urgent need to hold suchactivities on a larger scale to guide busi-ness people to equally focus on establish-ing a brand name as much as they pay at-tention to their products and their qualityaspects .

Engineer Sohail lashari said that in Pa-kistan we produce many household goodsand merchandise, especially the textile prod-ucts that are marketed by the foreign com-panies with their own brand names. He saidthat while living in a modern commercial-ized world, we should market and sell ourproducts by our own brand names, becausea brand name becomes synonym to particu-lar quality and traits that we produce. Hesaid that we have seen nations like USA,Germany, UK, Japan, France and Korea etc,which are widely respected in terms of ac-quiring consumer confidence because ofthe quality of their branded products.

He said that it was indeed a matter of greatpride for Pakistan that in FIFA World Cup2014, the footballs were imported from For-

ward Sports (Pvt) Ltd., Sialkot. He said that itis surprising that we have huge potential toprove our worth in international market butthere are very few examples set by us. It is apity that we have yet to make ‘Made in Paki-stan’ a term credible enough to achieve glo-bal consumer trust. Director General WalledCity of Lahore Authority Kamran Lasharibriefed the participants about the various ini-tiatives of the government for revival of cul-ture. He said that

Punjab government is taking all possiblesteps for the promotion of tourism in the prov-ince that has the potential to give consider-able boost to economic activities. He saidevery nook and corner of Pakistan is worth-seeing provided we glorify it in a way that theforeign tourists would come to see our civili-zation which is, no doubt, our pride. Thiswould also help improve the soft image ofPakistan world over. In his address, LCCI VicePresident Kashif Anwar said that Sony,Samsung, Microsoft, McDonalds, KFC,Nokia, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda and scores

of others are the famous brands which giverecognition not only to these branded prod-ucts but also to their respective countries.We can follow their footsteps and try to at-tain a better rank. For that matter, we need tomake up our minds and put in our best ef-forts.

He said that we have to find best possibleways to achieve good results in minimum time.Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Stand-ing Committee Awais Saeed Piracha said thatthe Lahore Chamber Commerce & Industrywould continue to conduct such seminars toupdate its members on latest techniques ofmarketing through various activities so thatthey could enhance their productivity & prof-itability and contribute towards the economicgrowth of Pakistan. He also stressed the needfor development of brand mechanism on sci-entific lines. He said Pakistani products suchas textiles, leather, surgical and exports goodshave no parallel in the entire world but verylittle branded products which have won con-sumers’ confidence locally and globally.

FAISALABAD—Pakistan Textile ExportersAssociation (PTEA) hailed the launchingof vision 2025 and termed it the right stepto transform the country into an economi-cally strong and prosperous nation andenhance exports to USD 150 billion by 2025.In a statement here, Sheikh Ilyas Mahmood,Chairman and Adil Tahir, Vice ChairmanPakistan Textile Exporters Association saidthat the country required economic revolu-tion for which the Vision 2025 has providedthe base.

They appreciated the road map to en-hance country’s exports to 150 billion by2025 and hoped that this would lay the foun-dation for a stronger and prosperous Paki-stan. Implementation of this long term de-velopment plan has the potential to putPakistan on sustainable economic growthas well as improve its global competitive-ness and bring prosperity to the country,they said.

They said seven pillars of Vision 2025which include developing human and so-cial capital, achieving sustainable indig-enous & inclusive growth, governanceinstitutional reforms and modernizationof public sector, energy water and food

PTEA hails vision 2025security, public sector-led growth & en-trepreneurship, developing a competitiveknowledge economic through value ad-dition, modernization of transportation in-frastructure and greater regional connec-tivity, if fully implemented, would help tobring Pakistan as an economic power onthe globe.

Sheikh Ilyas Mahmood said it is en-couraging that emphasis has been givento entrepreneurship development and pri-vate sector-led growth in the Vision 2025programme.

The government should take all pos-sible measures for enhanced role of pri-vate sector through policy measures andfacilitation so that the private sector or-ganizations and entrepreneurs could con-tribute more effectively to the growth ofeconomy and development of our coun-try, he opined.

He said technology constraint hasemerged as one of the main hurdles hold-ing back Pakistan from achieving rapidsocio-economic development and to ensuresustainable growth of the country Govern-ment should focus on introducing latesttechnologies in all sectors.—APP

Indo-Pak trade has increaseddespite border tensions

countries. “They indulge in informal tradeto the tune of USD 13 billion per annumthrough avenues like cross-border smug-gling and personal baggage,” the studysaid. “Their formal trade potential is esti-mated at USD 12 billion,” it said. Pakistanwill greatly benefit through increased tradeactivities between the two countries as itsgross domestic product (GDP) will grow bya further 2 per cent in the next three yearsand exports to India will rise to Rs 250 bil-lion in a short time, an increase of 733 percent from the current level of Rs 30 billion,the study is quoted by the Express Tribuneas saying.

Apart from these, Pakistan could saveRs 100 billion in import of goods from In-dia, which are currently sourced from othercountries, mainly due to the low transportcosts, the study said. Cheap raw materialimports from India could also help in boost-ing exports of finished goods to Rs 200 bil-lion, it said. The study shows that bilateraltrade will generate 500,000 new jobs in dif-ferent sectors in three years.—NNI

Farmers urged tocultivate cut-flowersMULTAN—The businessof cut-flowers is emergingas an industry and canhelp improve livingstandard of farmers, saidDeputy Director Informa-tion Agriculture NaveedAsmat Kohloon. Talkingto APP on Saturday, hesaid that there wasimmense demand of cut-flowers in foreigncountries and theproduction of flowers inPakistan was on the rise.He urged farmers tocultivate flowers andimprove their economicconditions. He proposedfarmers to select fertileland where water, normalair and sunlight could beavailable easily. Cultivateflowers in straight lines ofthree feet. Most cut-flowers are popularchoices as gifts on specialoccasions, he added.About cut-flowers, thedeputy director said rosewas the most popular cut-flower. Carnations,gerberas, and chrysanthe-mums were also in hugedemand in the market.Tulips, gladioli, lilies,alstroemerias andanthuriums are alsopopular with flowerlovers, he concluded.—APP

Malaysia’s economysurges 6.4%KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysia’s economygrew a better-than-expected 6.4 percent inthe second quarter onthe back of strongerexports and robustdomestic demand, thecentral bank said.Southeast Asia’s thirdlargest economy saidexports jumped 14.2percent in the threemonths through Junecompared to the samequarter last year, whichsaw slack externaldemand for Malaysiangoods. Private invest-ment, especially in theservices and manufactur-ing sectors, surged 12.1percent, while privateconsumption grew 6.5percent in the quarteryear-on-year, the banksaid. “Exports and privatesector activity remainedthe key drivers of growthduring the quarter,” BankNegara said in a pressrelease.—AFP

LONDON—Britain’s fraud prosecutorcould decide as soon as next monthwhether to charge former Barclays execu-tives over undisclosed payments the bank

made to Qatariinvestors in2008, threesources famil-iar with the in-v e s t i g a t i o nsaid. In a two-year investi-

gation the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) hasinterviewed former chief executives BobDiamond and John Varley, former financedirector Chris Lucas, former tax advisoryboss Roger Jenkins and other Barclaysstaff.

Barclays and a spokesman for Diamonddeclined to comment. Varley, Lucas andJenkins could not be reached or did notrespond to requests for comment. The SFOhas not specified why it is investigatingthe payments Barclays made to Qatar Hold-

UK nears decisionon ex-Barclays bankers

ings when the Qatari sovereign wealth fundinvested in the bank. SFO head David Greenwould only say: “We are making progresswith this case, and we are not going away.”

The sources said the agency was ex-pected to decide by late-September or Oc-tober whether to charge any of the men,after examining its evidence to determinewhether there is a realistic prospect of con-viction and that a prosecution is in the pub-lic interest. If charged, these would be themost senior bankers prosecuted to date foralleged crimes during the 2007-08 financialcrisis, which brought the global financialsystem to its knees and plunged much ofthe world into recession.

As the credit crisis raged in 2008,Barclays, unlike rivals Royal Bank ofScotland and Lloyds, avoided a state bail-out — and the restrictions that wouldhave come with it — by securing almost12 billion pounds ($20bn) from two emer-gency cash injections, mostly fromMiddle East investors.—Agencies

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim AliShah, has welcomed an offer by the FPCCI del-egation to initiate combined effluent treatmentplants in industrial areas of Karachi and solidwaste management schemes to recycle it forpower generation for which funds would be gen-erated through international donors agencies. ACM House statement on Saturday said that thisoffer was made by a four-member delegation ofFederal Chambers of Commerce and Industry ledby FPCCI Chairman of Standing Committee onEnvironment, Gulzar Firoz.

Other members of the delegation wereSyed Muhammad Shifaaat Zaidi, Mrs ShamaSaeed and Dr. Sami uz Zaman, Director SindhEnvironmental Protection Agency (SEPA),Waqar Phulpoto was also present during meet-ing.

Qaim Ali Shah said that Sindh Governmentwas serious for not only implementing the ex-isting laws for the environmental protectionthrough SEPA but efforts are also underwayto do more legislation for provision of cleanenvironment to the people of Sindh speciallythose living in mega cities like Karachi.

He said that through combined effluenttreatment plants and solid waste managementwe not only address the issues of environ-

Sindh govt serious aboutprotecting environment: Qaim

NEW YORK—Economists raised their fore-casts for US economic growth in the thirdquarter but trimmed their estimates for thebalance of 2014, though the outlook forboth job growth and lower unemploymentwas strengthened. Analysts see theeconomy growing at an annual rate of 3.0per cent in the current quarter, up from aprevious estimate of 2.9 per cent, accord-ing to the Philadelphia Federal Reserve’squarterly survey of 43 forecasters, releasedon Friday.

Fourth-quarter growth was forecast at3.1 per cent, down from a previous estimateof 3.2 per cent, and first-quarter 2015 growthwas estimated at 3.1 per cent, unchangedfrom an earlier estimate of 3.1 per cent.Meanwhile, they see the economy grow-ing at a rate of 2.1 per cent for all of 2014,down from the previous estimate of 2.4 percent in the previous survey in May. Growthin 2015 is expected to come in at 3.1 percent, unchanged from the 3.1 per cent esti-mate in the May survey. The pace of hiringwas expected to accelerate in the current

mental degradation but also power will be gen-erated through these projects which will helpto overcome the energy crises faced by thecountry.

Chief Minister directed the officers of pro-vincial environment department and SEPA tohave consultative meeting with FPCCI delega-tion and thoroughly discuss the proposal andsubmit him final recommendations so that pro-posal could be implemented. He also askedthe FPCCI delegation to invite the interesteddonors who intend to invest in these projectsand arrange his meeting with them by the endof this month so that these projects be materi-alized without further delay.

The chief minister said that solid wasteproper proposal of sewerage water and clean-liness are the burning problems of Metropoli-tan City and prime responsibility to resolvethese issues lies with Karachi MetropolitanCorporation but government of Sindh alsoextending all sorts of administrative and fi-nancial support to KMC to redress the prob-lems of the residents of the city. He informedthe delegation that an agreement for genera-tion of 300 MW of Power from solid waste ofKarachi will be inked with a Chinese companyby the end of this month.

He further said that there was huge potentialfor investment and industrialization in Sindh

province in various sectors including Agricul-ture, livestock, dairy farming and fruit orchardsfor which government of Sindh is providing fa-cilities and incentives to the investors to en-courage them. He said that there were about 6million livestock including cows, goats sheepand camel in Tharparkar district only. He saidthat milk product by cows in Sindh is rich inenergy and quality as compared to other partsof the country.

Qaim Ali Shah also informed the delegationthat a mega milk and meat producing farm wasfunctioning at Bhambhore district, Thatta andprovincial government has planned to launchmore such projects in different parts of the prov-ince.

Gulzar Firoz thanked the CM Sindh for con-sidering their proposal and added that com-bined effluent treatment and solid waste man-agement was essential for industrialization af-ter awarding of GSP plus status for Pakistan.He said un-treated industrial effluent not onlypollutes sea but creates serious health haz-ards for residents of the City which must beaddressed once for all. He added that Italian,Russian and UN environmental agencies wereready to finance these projects. He assuredthe CM for all kind of corporation from FPCCIfor opening more industrial units in Karachias well as other parts of the province.

quarter compared with previous expecta-tions, with an average rate of monthly non-farm job growth seen around 228,600 ver-sus a previous forecast of 204,700. That isexpected to dip in the fourth quarter, aver-aging 211,200, although that is up from aprior forecast of 197,900.

Hiring should average 204,800 a monthfor all of 2014, compared with the prior full-year forecast of 196,500. The jobless rate wasexpected to be 6.1 per cent at the end of thecurrent quarter and 6.0 per cent by the end ofthe fourth quarter. The most recent officialunemployment rate released by the govern-ment showed the jobless rate in July stood at6.2 per cent, up a tenth of a point from June’sreading, which was the lowest since Septem-ber 2008. Inflation was expected to remainmuted, with year-on-year core consumer priceinflation, which strips out food and energycosts, averaging 2.1 per cent in the third quar-ter, compared with a previous estimates of 1.8per cent. Fourth-quarter core CPI was seen at2.1 per cent versus a previous forecast of 1.9per cent.—Agencies

Economists raise third-quarterUS growth forecasts

Pervez urgesbusiness

community’s role insaving democracy

LAHORE—PML-N LahorePresident Pervez MalikMNA has urged the busi-ness community to step for-ward and play its due role inthwarting a conspiracyagainst the country. Talkingto a delegation of business-men here he said the primeminister was ready to go toImran Khan in the interestof progress and prosperityof the country but it was la-mentable that Imran andQadri had joined hands formarches which were aimedat creating anarchy andpushing the country to dark-ness. He said there was nojustification for longmarches and sit-ins at a timewhen the armed forces werefighting against terror-ists.—APP

US yields trim fallon July industrial

output data

NEW YORK—US Treasuriesyields pared their earlier de-cline early Friday after stron-ger-than-expected data on USindustrial output in July miti-gated an earlier disappointingreport on New York state busi-ness activity in August fromthe New York Federal Re-serve. The Federal ReserveBoard reported industrial out-put grew 0.4 percent lastmonth, above the 0.3 percentincrease forecast by analystspolled by Reuters.

Manufacturing produc-tion jumped 1.0 percent inJuly, much stronger than the0.4 percent rise projected byanalysts. The yield onbenchmark 10-year Treasur-ies was down 0.4 basis pointat 2.394 percent. It was 1.1basis points lower shortlybefore the release of the Julyindustrial output data.—AFP

NEW YORK—Holders ofArgentine euro-denomi-nated bonds said they wereappealing a New Yorkcourt’s freeze on paymentby Buenos Aires, an orderthat has pushed the coun-try into default. Lawyers forthe eurobond holders toldthe US district court in NewYork that they would ask anappeals court to overruleJudge Thomas Griesa, whoordered a freeze on theirpayment last month.

Griesa had ruled that thepayment to the eurobondholders could not go aheadunless Argentina simulta-neously pays off the hedgefunds which had sued thecountry to demand paymenton their bonds. Argentinaplaced $539 million into anaccount of Bank of New YorkMellon at the Argentine cen-tral bank at the end of Juneto meet a scheduled paymentto holders of the country’s

Argentina euro-bondholders appealpayment freeze

restructured bonds. ButGriesa forbade the bank fromtransferring the money to thebondholders, in line with hisprevious 2012 ruling.

Argentina, he said, mustfirst comply with an orderthat hedge funds which didnot join the bond restructur-ing programme after thecountry’s 2001 default bepaid in full for the $1.3 bil-lion in bonds they hold. Ar-gentina says the hedgefunds, which it labels “vul-tures”, gave up the chancefor payment when they re-jected the restructuring deal,which was accepted by 92per cent of the country’screditors.

But Griesa has repeat-edly ruled in favour of thehedge funds, NML Capitaland Aurelius Capital Man-agement, and threatened tohold Bank of New York incontempt of court if it trans-fers the money.—Agencies

3 big projectsfor exporters

near completionSIALKOT—Dr SarfrazBashier, President SialkotChamber of Commerceand Industry (SCCI), onFriday said that threeprojects including Busi-ness and Commerce Cen-ter, Sialkot Tannery Zoneand Sports Industry De-velopment Center wouldbe completed within ayear. He expressed theseviews during an exclusiveinterview with APP.

Business and Com-merce Center, he said, is aunique project for the busi-ness community of Sialkotand it would be completedin collaboration withSMEDA and the Punjabgovernment to promotebusiness activities inSialkot. He said that AhsanIqbal, federal minister forPlanning and Develop-ment, showed keen interestto constitute Business andCommerce Center (BCC)under the umbrella of SCCI.

He said that BCC hadoffices, display offices,exhibition hall, conferencerooms and foreign cus-tomers could stay in it.About Sialkot TanneryZone (STZ), the SCCIpresident said, is aimed togather tanneries at oneplace. He said that STZwould have water treat-ment facility which wasessential for tanneries topurify waste water.

Dr Sarfraz said thatland had been acquirednear Sialkot airport whereland development chargeswould be paid by the in-dustrialist. He said thePunjab government andthe United Nations weresupporting the SCCI forthe project. Sports Indus-try and DevelopmentCenter (SIDC), he said,has been working on atrial basis but activelystarted its productionwithin a year.—APP

Sindh Bank, SBIto revive sick

industrial unitsKARACHI—After suc-cessful completion of theScheme” Revival of sickindustrial units in ruralSindh Phase 1 ” an agree-ment has been signed be-tween Sindh Bank Ltd andSindh Board of Invest-ment (SBI) for the Phase 2of the Scheme. This is aScheme to revive sick in-dustrial units lying closed.Disbursement of loansunder phase 1 of thescheme resulted in im-provement in economyand creation of jobs in ru-ral Sindh.

Sindh Bank in collabo-ration of Govt of Sindhoffers Term and WorkingCapital loans for sick in-dustrial units located inrural Sindh. Govt of Sindh(GOS) through SBI initi-ated this scheme by wayof earmarking funds of Rs2 Billion under AnnualDevelopment Program2014-15. Govt of Sindh(GOS) asked Sindh Bankto use its expertise and actas an executing agency ofthe scheme by invitingapplications of loan fromsick industrial units lo-cated in rural areas of theprovince of Sindh, ap-praisal of loan and its re-covery as per State Bankof Pakistan PrudentialRegulations.—PR

Currency Selling Buying

USA 99.00 98.80

UK 165.24 164.90

Euro 132.32 132.06

Canada 90.86 90.68

Switzerland 109.18 108.96

Australia 92.31 92.12

Sweden 14.44 14.41

Japan 0.9655 0.9635

Norway 16.08 16.05

Singapore 79.56 79.40

Denmark 17.75 17.71

Saudi Arabia 26.40 26.34

Hong Kong 12.77 12.75

Kuwait 349.27 348.56

Malaysia 31.26 31.20

Newzealand 84.00 83.83

Qatar 27.19 27.13

UAE 26.95 26.90

Kr. Won 0.0969 0.0967

Thailand 3.104 3.098

REPRESENTATIVES of the GermanGovernment and the Aga KhanDevelopment Network (AKDN)

today inaugurated three water schemesin Gilgit –Baltistan as part of grant of•9.4 million (PKR 1.25 billion) announcedin 2010. Demonstrating a unique public-private partnership between AKDN, theGovernment of Gilgit-Baltistan (GoGB)and the local communities, the schemesinaugurated in Faizabad and Dal Sandhi(Ghizer District) and Aliabad (Hunza-Nagar District) which will benefit almost7,500 people. The schemes will providesafe drinking water, sanitation and sew-erage facilities in Faizabad and Dal San-dhi (Ghizer District) and Aliabad (Hunza-Nagar District) in northern Pakistan,through the implementation of the Wa-ter and Sanitation Extension Programme(WASEP), one of the Aga Khan Plan-ning and Building Service’s award-win-ning, flagship programmes.

The facilities were inaugurated byHis Excellency, Dr Cyrill Nunn, German

German govt, AKDN launch water, sanitation schemes in GBAmbassador to Pakistan. Dr Nunn wasaccompanied by German First Secretary,Ms. Barbara Voss and officials from theAga Khan Development Network(AKDN). Supported by the GermanGovernment through the Federal For-eign Office and funded by KfW Ger-man Development Bank, the project wasadministered and implemented by theAga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF)and Aga Khan Planning and BuildingService, Pakistan (AKPBS,P) respec-tively. Speaking at the inauguration cer-emony, Dr Nunn commended the AKDNand its affiliated agencies in the devel-opment of the region, noting that over300 villages in Gilgit-Baltistan andChitral now have access to safe drink-ing water and sanitation facilities dueto the work done by AKPBS,P. He com-mended the participation of the com-munities who contributed in kind andcash during the implementation of thescheme. “German support and AKDN’sparticipatory development model has

led to significant reduction in waterborne diseases, and saved a lot of wa-ter-hauling labour and time for womenand children in these difficult areas,”he said. “AKPBS,P’s projects havebrought communities together in jointlysafeguarding and using limited waterresources, thus significantly enhancingsocial cohesion and ownership of theinitiatives while further strengtheningthe community’s resilience”.

Hafiz Sherali, Chairman, AKPBS,Packnowledged the longstanding part-nership between AKDN and the Ger-man Government. He also expressed hisprofound gratitude to the governmentof Gilgit-Baltistan and the communityfor the support, cooperation and col-laboration for completion of theschemes. He urged the community mem-bers to “ensure proper maintenance ofwhat is one of your most valuable as-sets” stating that “AKDN’s develop-ment work is based on engaging com-munities to invest in their own devel-

opment and ensuring participation ofwomen in decision making, which helpsstrengthen community institutionalstructures and ensures sustainable de-velopment”. Prior to these schemes, thevillagers had no access to reliable sup-ply of safe drinking water in the area.Nearly half the population in GBC doesnot have access to safe drinking waterand adequate sanitation facilities.Many households have no option butto collect water from open, contami-nated channels thus falling victim towater-borne diseases. During harshwinters, women and children suffer themost as they are the principal collec-tors and bearers of water, and have totravel long distances to collect waterfor drinking, washing and cleaning.

Tasleem Bano, a WASEP beneficiaryfrom Khanabad, Lower Hunza notes, “Wehave been saved from the curse of diar-rhoeal diseases, and I no longer have tospend time and energy hauling wateruphill from the well. I can use the addi-

tional time to help my children with theirhomework or stitch nice clothes for them– a luxury I couldn’t afford before wewere blessed with WASEP.” Aga KhanPlanning and Building Services’ Waterand Sanitation Extension Programme(WASEP) has benefitted more than350,000 people in Gilgit-Baltistan andChitral by providing them access to safewater and sanitation facilities. Theprojects have had positive impacts onhealth, education (improved school at-tendance), economic development (re-duced time burden on women collectingwater to instead engage in recreational/income generating activities), and gen-der empowerment (women are given acentral role in all projects to raise aware-ness with regards to health and hygienepractices). The interventions also pro-mote behavioural change, reduce bur-dens on income resulting from expendi-tures on health, and reduce burdens onwomen and children of collecting waterfrom distant sources.—Agencies

RAWALPINDI—The Acting PresidentRawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Indus-try (RCCI) Malik Shahid Saleem has said thatnational economy is under deep stress ow-ing to prevailing Azadi/Inqilaab Marches andespecially these marches destroy the busi-ness activities of the Rawalpindi. He said datacollected from the trade associations of theCity and Cantt shows that billion of Rupeesloss was witnessed during last 4 days due toclosure of roads and interregional trade ofPoultry, Marble, Fruits and vegetables is com-pletely destroyed but neither media nor gov-ernment take notice of the situation.

He demanded of the government to re-solve the situation at the earliest to put thecountry on the path of economic growth.He stated this while chairing a high levelemergent meeting of former presidents,leaders of traders associations of City andCantt and members’ executive committee atChamber on Saturday. Group leader Shaikh

DUBAI—The Middle East Franchise Expo,the region’s premier franchising event, willbe organised by the Middle East & NorthAfrica Franchise Association, or Menafa,in Dubai on October 21 and 22. The eventis supported by the Federation of GCCChambers of Commerce and Industry. Lo-cal and international brands, products andservices of over 80 companies will be show-cased, alongside workshops, networkingopportunities and meet-the-buyer meetings.

Over the two days, more 500 delegateswill have the opportunity to attend as pro-spective development partners. Using thehighly successful format of World FranchiseForums, the Menafa Expo focuses on bring-ing together many high net worth investorsand franchisors interested in building suc-

NEW YORK—Activist Bill Ackman’s Pershing SquareCapital Management LP filed its second lawsuit in twodays against the U.S. government over bailout of FannieMae and Freddie Mac, court documents show. In Friday’scomplaint with the U.S. District Court, Pershing Squarealleged that the Department of the Treasury illegally seizedtens of billions of dollars in Fannie and Freddie profits.Pershing Square, the largest shareholder of both the mort-gage companies, said in the complaint that it was told theFannie and Freddie stockholders no longer have funda-mental shareholders rights.

Fannie’s and Freddie’s conservator, Federal HousingFinance Agency (FHFA), denied “written demands byPershing Square to the companies’ boards of directors fora books and records inspection”, according to the com-plaint. In the second lawsuit, Pershing suggests the mort-gage companies’ dividends being paid to the Treasuryshould be shared among other common shareholders.Three retirees who own Fannie Mae stock have joined asplaintiffs of the lawsuit.

In a complaint filed on Thursday with the U.S. Court of

Ackman files second lawsuitagainst US government

Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., Pershing accused thegovernment of violating the Fifth Amendment of the U.S.Constitution by taking private property for public use with-out just compensation. Though the lawsuits raise differ-ent legal theories and are in different courts, they are bothdesigned to enable Ackman to recoup sums for the de-pressed value of his Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares.Pershing disclosed last November it had invested close toa half-billion dollars for common share stakes of 9.98 per-cent in Fannie Mae and 9.77 percent in Freddie Mac.

The alleged illegal “dividend sweep” were under waybefore this disclosure. In July 2013, investors such as hedgefund firm Perry Capital LLC and Bruce Berkowitz’s FairholmeCapital Management LLC, for example, sued the govern-ment over Fannie and Freddie, which were bailed out inSeptember 2008 amid mounting mortgage losses. Neitherthe Treasury Department, nor the FHFA were immediatelyavailable for a comment. Jones Day represents Pershingand the three individual shareholders of Fannie and Freddie.The case is Rafter et al v. Department of the Treasury et al,U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.—Agencies

LAHORE: A vendor displaying onions to attract the customers at Vegetable Market.

HYDERABAD: Labourers packing mangoes in wooden boxes and clay pitchers at FruitMarket.

NEW YORK—Amazon is taking direct aimat mobile payment systems such as Squareby introducing the Amazon Local Register,a credit-card processing device and mobileapp designed to help small business own-ers accept payments through theirsmartphones and tablets. The move placesthe largest US e-commerce retailer in com-petition with Square and other establishedmobile payment processing systems suchas PayPal Here and Intuit’s GoPayment.

Amazon’s technology includes a cardreader that attaches to a smartphone, Kindleor tablet. The reader processes credit ordebit card payments via a secure Amazonnetwork, the same one that processesAmazon.com purchases. The service is de-signed to serve on-the-go small businessowners who might otherwise only acceptcash or checks, including massage thera-pists, food truck operators and artists whosell their work at outdoor fairs. Small busi-nesses can start using Local Register bycreating an account. Businesses must buyAmazon’s card reader for $10, and down-load the free mobile app from the Amazonapp store, the Apple app store or GooglePlay. The app works on most smartphonesand tablets, including the Kindle Fire.

Similar to Amazon’s strategy in many ofits businesses, the company aims to com-pete on price in the mobile payment arena.For customers who sign up for the serviceby October 31, Amazon will take as its fee1.75 per cent of each payment processed,

Middle East Franchise Exposet in Dubai

cessful international and national networks.A major highlight of the event will be the

presentation of the Menafa Awards for Excel-lence in Franchising. The categories will in-clude “Best ME Multi-Brand Operator”, “BestME Master Franchisee Operator”, “Best MEFranchise Brand” and “Best ME FranchiseProfessional”, among many others.

Kit Brinkley, director of World FranchiseAssociates, the renowned franchise consult-ants, said: “As the principal sponsors of theevent we are bringing together franchisorsand investors on a common platform, offer-ing them an unrivalled opportunity to meetto do business. In addition we will providereal depth and diversity through high-levelbrand presentations and workshops to en-sure that everyone benefits.”—Agencies

Marches destroyed business activitieswith losses of billion rupees: RCCI

Shabbir, former presidents Sohail Altaf, S.MNaseem, Dr. Hassan Sarosh Akram, NajamRehan and Syed Asad Mashadi and mem-bers of executive committee were alsopresent on the occasion. Shahid Saleemsaid that daily wager class is at large scalebadly affected by the current situation.

He said that business community is not aparty to take sides of govt or the protestersbut it is the responsibility of the governmentto maintain a business friendly atmospherethat’s why Rawalpindi Chamber demandsgovernment to resolve the issue at earliest.He further said that due to closure of interna-tional flights, roads & delay in fulfilling theexports orders creating a negative image ofthe country in the world. RCCI Acting Presi-dent said that containers which were used toblock the roads by the government are full ofdifferent goods, now after one week the com-modities have been rotton and questionedwho will bear the damages.—INP

Amazon debuts mobilepayment app, card reader

or each “swipe” of the card, a special ratethat will last until January 1, 2016. For peoplewho sign up after October 31, Amazon willtake a service fee of 2.5 per cent of eachpayment processed.

The first $10 in transaction fees will becredited back to the customer, essentiallypaying for the card reader. That’s belowmost of its competitors’ rates. Square takesa fee of 2.75 per cent of each transaction.PayPal Here takes 2.7 per cent of each trans-action and Intuit’s GoPayment rates startat 1.75 per cent per transaction if businessespay a $19.95 monthly rate or 2.4 per cent ofeach transaction without a monthly pay-ment. “I’ve actually heard some businessowners say the only thing that would makethem change [point of sale] systems is costsavings,” said Matt Swann, vice presidentof local commerce for Amazon.

“Payments are hard and that’s one ofthe things that gets in the way of servingcustomers, especially for small businesses,”Swann said. “Payment tools need to be in-expensive, simple and trusted to get the jobdone.” Amazon is entering the mobile pay-ment space as the industry continues itsrapid growth. IDC estimates that mobilepayments could top a trillion dollars glo-bally within the next five years. That in-cludes all forms of mobile payments, suchas items purchased online via a phone ortablet, fund transfers and items bought us-ing a mobile gadget as a payment-accept-ing device.—Agencies

Carl Icahnunveils stake

in GannettWA S H I N G T O N—Activistinvestor Carl Icahn has ac-quired a 6.6 percent stake inGannett, saying the mediaconglomerate preparing tosplit in two is “underval-ued.” Icahn late Thursdaymade the announcement ina tweet, linking to a regula-tory filing this week with theSecurities and ExchangeCommission. According tothe filing, Icahn began buy-ing Gannett shares in mid-June through his investmentfirms and continuedthrough Thursday.

The stock purchaseswere made “in the belief thatthey were undervalued andthat value could be createdby splitting the issuer intoseparate print and broad-cast companies.” The bil-lionaire investor has a longhistory of taking positionsin companies that give himthe leverage to forcechanges in management orprovide dividends to share-holders.

Icahn’s filing said thatuntil now his representa-tives have had no contactwith Gannett but that they“intend to have discus-sions” with Gannett “relat-ing to the planned separa-tion, corporate gover-nance, capitalization andcapital allocation.”Gannett on August 5 an-nounced plans to split intotwo separate firms, one forbroadcast and digital, andthe other for newspapersincluding its national dailyUSA Today.

The news came afterseveral other media groupsincluding Tribune Co., NewsCorp. and Time Warner hadmade similar moves to spinoff their print operations thatare struggling comparedwith other parts of the mediabusiness. Gannett will createa new publicly traded broad-casting and digital company,which has yet to be named,and which will remain head-quartered in McLean, Vir-ginia.

The unit includes 46 tele-vision stations includingnetwork affiliates in the top25 US markets. It also willinclude Cars.com and theonline jobs site CareerBuilder.com.

The publishing group,which will retain theGannett name, will includeUSA Today as well as 81other daily newspapers,some 200 weeklies andmagazines, and the commu-nity news serviceNewsquest.—Agencies

RIYADH—Seventy-year-old Saudi Arabianstock speculator Mohammad Al Otaibi sayshe lost hundreds of thousands of dollars inthe crash of 2006, but he’s back trading againas the Arab world’s biggest bourse preparesto open to direct foreign investment. Theactivities of Otaibi and many thousands likehim mean there will be a clash of investmentcultures when international institutions en-ter the $580 billion (Dh2.1 trillion) Saudi mar-ket early next year, under a plan announcedby the regulator last month.

Sitting on a sofa in a trading room at Saudifinancial firm Falcom in Riyadh, Otaibi shunsshares in the country’s heavyweight petro-chemical firms and banks, believing they’renot volatile enough to offer quick profits.Instead, he simply scans an electronic screenfor stocks in which buy or sell orders arebuilding up strongly. These often includecement, agriculture and real estate shares. “Itrade on spot, buy and sell on the same day.Sometimes I wait for two or three days, aweek or a maximum of 20 days, and then sell— whenever I see strong orders in a certainstock.” Saudi Arabia is one of the last majormarkets in the world to open up, so the re-form is attracting massive interest among in-ternational fund managers. But they will facean unusual and in some ways difficult trad-ing environment.

Activity is dominated by about 4.3 mil-lion retail investors who buy stocks straightfrom the market rather than going throughprofessional fund managers. These retailinvestors owned a little more than a third ofshares at the end of 2013, according to Capi-tal Market Authority (CMA) data, but ac-

Foreigners face clash of investmentculture as Saudi bourse opens

count for over 90 percent of daily tradingvolume. The retail proportion of trading ismuch higher than in most other big marketsaround the world, a result of the slow devel-opment of the Saudi fund management in-dustry. In many other emerging markets, re-tail investors account for closer to two thirdsor half of turnover, and the proportion ismuch smaller still in developed markets.

Saudi retail investors like Otaibi tend totake a shorter-term approach than institu-tional investors, chasing quick profits, dump-ing stocks at the first sign of weakness, andbasing decisions on news headlines,rumours or price momentum rather than thelong-term valuations favoured by fund man-agers. This poses risks for the foreigners.One is that local investors, anticipating theentry of foreign money, may bid stocks upsharply in the next few months, making themarket opening less lucrative than interna-tional fund managers hope.

Another risk is that some shares coulddiverge permanently from levels which for-eigners consider appropriate, because thetwo groups of investors use such differentyardsticks. Among the Saudi investors,events such as stock splits — when a firmdivides its shares into smaller units to makethem more liquid, without changing theunderlying value of the company — canattract demand. “The market is short-termand many people are investing on the ba-sis of things like stock splits which haveno fundamental economic value,” said AliAl Nasser, who manages the Duet Group’sMiddle East and North Africa Horizon fundfrom Dubai.—Agencies

KARACHI—The second edition of Asian6-Reds and Asian Team Snooker Champi-onship explode into action at Khorshed Hallof Hotel Avari Towers from Sunday at 4 pm,with 15 -nations in the fray.

6-member Indian team arrived here onSaturday for taking part in the event anddefending their team crown in the week-long championship.

Besides host Pakistan, Afghanistan,Iran, India, and Thailand are among the fa-vorites for the individual team title carryinglucrative purse of over Rs 2.3 million.

While India, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Syria,Qatar teams and officials have landed inKarachi from their respective destinations.Teams from Afghanistan, Iran, Jordan, Ma-laysia, Nepal, Palestine, Singapore, SaudiArabia Thailand, and United Arab Emirates(UAE) are being awaited.

However prominent snooker nationChina is for the first time have not enteredthe event in Pakistan which they does inthe past regularly.

Draws for the 6-Red are yet to be pre-pared and we cannot announce who will beplaying whom. Draws will be prepared latetonight after player reports in Karachi.

Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif will be de-fending his 6-Red crown which he had wonin Doha (Qatar) last year. Besides 6-Red,Pakistan is fielding as many as four teams.

Indian team arrives as Asian 6-Redssnooker explode into action from today

Muhammad Asif will be pairing withMuhammad Sajjad while other teams in-cluded Imran Shehzad-Shahid Aftab, AsjadIqbal-Shehram Changezi and SohailShahzad-Muhammad Bilal.

Pakistan lost to Afghanistan in thequarterfinal of the team championship. Butwith four teams, Pakistan will be hoping todo well.

2012 IBSF World Snooker ChampionMuhammad Asif was confident that Paki-stan is well prepared for 6-Red and Asianteam event.

Last team we lost in the quarterfinals ofthe team event. But this time we got fourteams and bit of luck they can reached semi-finals and beyond, Asif from Faisalabad,said.

He said they have been undergoing hardtraining and practice session and lookingforward to achieve something special forthe country.

In Snooker you needed some luck withgood performances with blessing of Allahwe will bring glory and honor to the coun-try, Muhammad Asif, who with MuhammadSajjad also won the IBSF World Team titlein Carlow (Ireland) last year.

He said Pakistan will be facing stiff chal-lenge from Iran, arch-rival India. Afghani-stan, Thailand, Iran in their bid achieve ex-cellence.—APP

Stoke signMoses on loanfrom Chelsea

LONDON—Chelsea’s Nige-ria winger Victor Mosesjoined Stoke on a season-long loan on Saturday.

Moses has struggled tomake an impact at StamfordBridge sine moving fromWigan for #9 million ($15million) in 2012 and spent

last season on loan atLiverpool.

The 23-year-old, whocan play on both flanks andin a more central attackingrole, is Stoke’s sixth signingsince the end of last season.

Stoke’s chief executiveTony Scholes said: “We aredelighted to have securedthe services of such an ex-citing young talent in Victor.

“He will certainly add toour attacking options andfrom talking to him it’s obvi-ous that he’s really excitedabout the prospect of mak-ing an impact in the PremierLeague with Stoke City.”

Moses, who started hiscareer in England at CrystalPalace, started six PremierLeague games for Liverpoollast term and featured in a fur-ther 13 from the bench, scor-ing his only goal on his de-but against Swansea.—AFP

BERLIN—Germany centre half PerMertesacker, a member of theWorld Cup-winning squad inBrazil last month, has quit theinternational arena in order tofocus on club football.

The 29-year-old Arsenalplayer, who won 104 capsand scored four goals, be-comes the third squad mem-ber to retire since the end ofthe World Cup followingcaptain Philipp Lahm andrecord goalscorer MiroslavKlose.

Mertesacker, who cameon in the last minute of extra-time in Germany´s 1-0 final winover Argentina, told the

German defender Mertesacker hangs int’l bootsBERLIN—Bayern Munich coach PepGuardiola admitted on Saturday he needsto find a replacement for injured Spanishmidfielder Javi Martinez.

Martinez, 25, tore cruciate ligaments inWednesday’s SuperCup defeat byBorussia Dormtund and has been ruled outuntil at least the end of the year by theGerman champions, though Spanish me-dia claim it could be as long as sevenmonths.

“We definitely need a new player,” saidGuardiola, who achieved the domesticdouble in his first season in charge but fellshort of defending the Champions Leaguecrown won under predecessor JuppHeynckes.

Guardiola, who also revealed that Ger-

man World Cup-winning midfielder BastiaSchweinsteiger would be absent for sometime with a tendon injury, refused to givenames, only saying he was looking for ayoung player.

“He must be big, quick, good in the air,capable of playing in different positions andnot be expensive,” he said.

“But for that it is perhaps already a littlelate.” According to media rumours, amongthose on Guardiola’s list who figure areSpanish champions Atletico Madrid’s Uru-guayan defender Diego Godin and defen-sive midfielder Sami Khedira, who is at RealMadrid, and Bayer Leverkusen’s GonzaloCastro—although none could be describedas young in terms of footballers as they are27 or older.—AFP

Guardiola searches forMartinez replacement

LONDON—India summoned a re-sponse from the depths of adversityas they took four England wickets onthe second afternoon at The Oval asthe fifth Investec Test rushed alongwith indecent haste. England’s posi-tion at lunch was so superior that itinvited sloppiness and India took thechance to remedy, at least in part, aposition that had seemed entirely with-out hope.

A wholehearted spell from VarunAaron, who regularly found swing atclose to 90mph, shook India into aconcerted response after England, 148for 1, had achieved parity at the inter-val, their nine remaining wickets as-serting their dominance as plain as arow of pikestaffs.

Between lunch and tea, four ofthose pikestaffs toppled over. AlastairCook was dropped twice at first slipbefore a third edge to the same posi-tion in eight overs was finally held, soending an innings of 79 that had be-gun responsibly but which, in its clos-ing stages, had all the stability of arich curry on an acid stomach.

Cook was twice been reprieved, on65 and 70. M Vijay spurned a straight-forward chance at waist high, slightly

India strike but Englandstill on top in fifth Test

India 1st inningsVijay b Woakes .............. 18Gambhir b Anderson ...... 0Pujara b Broad ................. 4Kohli lbw b Jordan .......... 6Rahane c & b Jordan ...... 0Dhoni b Broad ................ 82Binny b Anderson .......... 5Ashwin b Woakes ........ 13Kumar c Buttler b Jordan ........... 5Aaron c & b Woakes ...... 1Sharma not out ................ 7Extras: (b 6, lb 1) 7Total: (all out) 148Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-10, 3-26, 4-28, 5-36, 6-44, 7-68, 8-79, 9-90, 10-148Bowling ............ O-M-R-WAnderson ........... 17-4-51-2Broad ............... 15.1-4-27-2Jordan ................. 14-7-32-3

SCOREBOARDWoakes ............... 14-7-30-3Ali ............................ 1-0-1-0England 1st inningsAN Cook b Aaron ......... 79Robson b Aaron ............ 37Balance c Pujara bAshwin ........................... 64Bell c Dhoni b Sharma .... 7Root not out .................. 36Ali b Ashwin .................. 14JC Buttler not out .......... 28Extras: (b 14, w 1, nb 9) 24Total: (5 wickets) 289Fall of wickets: 1-66, 2-191,3-201, 4-204, 5-229Bowling ............ O-M-R-WB Kumar ........... 18.3-2-59-0Sharma ................ 18-6-33-1VR Aaron ............ 22-1-98-2STR Binny ............ 9-0-33-0R Ashwin ............ 19-2-52-2

to his right, of Aaron - it was definitelyhis catch, although his lack of under-standing with his wicketkeeper MSDhoni is doubtless preying on hisconfidence. Then Ajinkya Rahanemissed a slightly tougher opportunityas Cook tried to force R Ashwin offthe back foot. Finally, Vijay held one,a dive to his right, a necessary descrip-tion perhaps for the bowler, Aaron,who by then probably did not dare tolook.

Gary Ballance was bemused by hisown misjudgement on 64 when hepushed rigidly at a nondescript deliv-ery from Ashwin, perhaps benefitingfrom a touch of extra bounce, andplanted the ball into the hands of sillypoint.

It was an unexpected error fromBallance, who is basking in one of themost successful starts to a Test careerachieved by an England Test batsmanin history. He is a utilitarian cricketer ofthe best kind, a batsman whose worthhas become apparent as the summerhas progressed. The shot that broughtup his half-century summed up hiscomposure: swaying out of the way ofa short ball from Bhuvneshwar Kumar,who looks spent after five Tests in six

weeks, he calmlyreassessed andsteered it with easeover the slips.

In theover afterBallance’s dis-missal, India struckagain, IshantSharma getting intothe act, Ian Bellpushing at a lengthball that straight-ened just a tad.Moeen Ali’s repu-tation for soft dis-missals will also beentrenched furtherafter he played onagainst Ashwin,suffering for his in-decision overwhether or not toleave the ball.

Joe Root

tightened his expression at recogni-tion of a deteriorating scoreboard - ayoung batsman who knew he neededto get his old head on again. If a 3-1England series victory still lookshighly probable, at least India weredoing more than waiting for the inevi-table. All the money, and all the hubristhat goes with it, could not disguisestheir inadequacies in England condi-tions when they posted a fourth suc-cessive sub-200 total in a row. A bowl-ing attack which could be forgiven forsurrendering to despair had insteadresponded gamely.

At 62 without loss at the close ofthe first day, England already had asolid platform. All that was needed wasfor them to go about their work confi-dently and practically on a quicken-ing pitch and under clearer skies.

But even days of unremittingdomination there can be casualties.Sam Robson could be one such ca-sualty. He made a maiden Test hun-dred in his second Test of the sum-mer, against Sri Lanka at Headingley,but over seven Tests he has barelyaveraged 30 and, for all his earnest-ness, he has struggled to assert him-self.

Robson fell in the second over ofthe morning, poking unconvincinglyat his second ball, from Aaron, steer-ing the next awkwardly through gullyfor four, and then being bowled by anear yorker. It was another stilted dis-missal for a player who has lookedsomewhat manufactured. He might geta chance to bat again in this Test - thelast of the summer - and it will be Aprilbefore England turn to the five-daygame again on a three-Test tour of theWest Indies.

Cook has arrested his decline withthree half-centuries in four, gettingmore bend in his front leg than he didat the start of the summer. But it wouldbe misleading to suggest that all hisproblems are behind him. India’sbowlers lacked hostility and on morethan one occasion fed him hisfavourite cut and pull shots that a fewweeks ago he must have imagined hewould never gorge on again.—Agen-cies

LONDON: Moeen Ali drags the ball onto his stumps during England vs India, 5th Investec Test, at The Oval onSaturday.

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe—South Africa ex-pect to have settled on a 15-man squad fornext year’s World Cup by the end of theirone-day series against Zimbabwe, whichgets underway at Queens Sports Club onSunday.

The Proteas have lost just two out of 32ODIs to Zimbabwe, and captain AB deVilliers confirmed that they will use thethree-match series to assesstheir back-up options aheadof the 50-over showpiece inAustralia and New Zealand.

Fast bowlers Dale Steyn,Morne Morkel and VernonPhilander have all beenrested for the low-key en-counter, giving Kyle Abbott,Marchant de Lange, WayneParnell and the uncappedMthokozisi Shezi an oppor-tunity to stake their claim fora place in a first-choice squad.

South Africa hope to settle on thatsquad before the triangular series againstZimbabwe and Australia which starts inHarare on August 25.

“This series is part of preparing to getto that perfect 15 eventually, and make surewe don’t go to the World Cup with thewrong 15,” De Villiers said.

“So we’ll see some new faces in thisseries, and then I think with the triangularseries we’ll try and get our best 11 on the

South Africa look to firm up WorldCup squad in Zimbabwe series

field and our best 15 in the squad.”With Jacques Kallis having retired

since South Africa’s last one-day en-gagement - a 2-1 series win in Sri Lankalast month - De Villiers confirmed thatFaf du Plessis will take up the numberthree berth.

Zimbabwe have a similar intention totheir opponents, and are likely to give in-

ternational debuts to 19-year-old all-rounder Luke Jongweand 24-year-old seamerNeville Madziva at somestage of the series.

Similarly offspinner JohnNyumbu and wicketkeeperRichmond Mutumbami willgain an opportunity to provetheir worth in the one-dayarena after impressing duringthe nine-wicket defeat toSouth Africa in a one-off Test.

“You can coach them inthe nets and do all the training, but the proofof the pudding is in the eating, so we hopethat in this series we’ll come out with a clearidea of whether they’re up for it or not,”coach Stephen Mangongo said.

Zimbabwe have a poor one-day recordin recent times, having won just seven oftheir last 30 games in the format.

Last month they reached a new lowwhen they drew 2-2 with Afghanistan in ahome series.—AFP

KARACHI—The government has an-nounced Pride of Performance for former

world ama-teur snookerc h a m p i o nM o h a m m a dAsif in recog-nition of hisfeat at Sofia,Bulgaria, twoyears ago.

A s i f ,who beatE n g l a n d ’ sGary Wilson10-8 in theepic final thatlasted forover ninehours in twosessions toclinch the titleon Dec 2,2012, become

the second cueist to get Pride of Perfor-mance after former world championMohammad Yousuf.

Veteran cueist Yousuf reached the ze-nith at Johannesburg in 1994.

“It’s another happiest moment in mylife that the government eventuallyrecognised my feat,” an elated Asif told tomedia.

“I was supposed to get the award lastyear but my name was dropped at the lastmoment and broke my heart he said adding“better late than never.”

Asif, the father of two children, said heand other members of the team were look-ing forward of delivering the goods in thesecond Asian Team Event and third 6-RedsSnooker Championships which begins atAvari Towers on Sunday.

He thanked the government for bestow-ing the honour on him and the PBSF presi-dent, Alamgir Shaikh, for advocating hiscase at every forum.

Asif, a native of Faisalabad, hoped thatthe government will also give his and othercueists cash rewards as per national sportspolicy soon.

“I was amazed when CommonwealthGames medal winners were given cash prizessoon on their return from Glasgow as ourcase lingers on,” Asif went on to say thatthe award has raised confidence of his con-temporaries besides opening door for themto scale new heights.—Agencies

Asif gets pride of performance

P E S H A W A R — M u h a m m a dAurangzeb, from a remote village ofNorth Waziristan Agency ChashmaSaturday declared the best athletesof winning six key medals in the Ath-letic event part of the ongoing Inter-nally Displaced Persons (IDPs)Games being played at Baka KhailCamp, Bannu.

The super-star of the athletic meet,grabbed five gold medals and a silvermedal by bewildering fellow athletespart of the athletic meet. Aurangzebdid nothing wrong but winning med-als. Aurangzeb, a great potentialplayer, spotted by us, organizing sec-retary of the Meet, Director SportsFaisal Jamil Shah told APP.

Inam Ullah another sprinter is a keyto watch, Faisal added. Certainly

through these events many of the tal-ented youth of NWA, who participat-ing in the competition, would be comeup at national and international lev-els.

Faisal Jamil Shah lauded GovernorKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar MehtabAhmad Khan for taking a courageousstep in providing and involving theyouth of North Waziristan Agency insuch games.

Muhammad Aurangzeb grabbedgold medal in 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500mand 3000m and a silver medal in 100msprint race.

Inam Ullah got the honor of be-coming the fastest boy of the IDPsAthletic Meet by winning the 100m,followed by Aurangzeb and ZahirMuhammad. In the 200m Muhammad

Aurangzeb won gold medal, followedby Ishaq and Niaz Muhammad, in400m Muhammad Aurangzeb gotgold medal, followed by Sami Ullahand Tayyab Khan, in the 800mAurangzeb took gold medal, FaheemKhan got silver medal and ShakirKhan grabbed bronze medal. In the1500m Aurangzeb took gold medal,Khalid Khan got silver and FaheemUllah won bronze medal. In the 3000mMuhammad Aurangzeb won goldmedal, followed by Tayyab andShakir Rehman.

In the Discus throw AmeerMuhammad with his distance of 28.2mwon gold medal followed by, Ihsaqwith his throw of 27.6m and FareedUllah with his throw of 26.5m grabbedsilver and bronze medals.—APP

Muhammad Aurangzeb best athletein IDPs Athletic Meet

Sueddeutsche newspaper he wantedto determine whenhis internationalcareer finished.“First and fore-most it was aboutme, after a 10-yearcareer in the team,being able to saywhen the chaptere n d e d , ”Mertesacker said.

Tall andpowerful, the de-fender wasGermany´s firstchoice centre backfor a decade afterwinning his first

cap in 2004.Mertesacker lost his place when

coach Joachim Loew opted for JeromeBoateng and Mats Hummels in themiddle of the back four when theycrushed hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Loew started with the same pair inthe final as well. “That tournament wasa golden finale,” Mertesacker said.“Now I want to be Premier Leaguechampions with Arsenal and also at-tack the Champions League.”

Mertesacker played in three WorldCups and also featured at the 2008 and2012 European Championships.

Arsenal launch their Premier Leagueseason with a London derby againstCrystal Palace on Saturday.—AFP

Chashma Green,Khan Data Khail& PA XI reach

Football semi-finalsP E S H AW A R — C h a s h m aGreen, Chashma, Khan DataKhail and PA XI took berthinto the semi-final after de-feating their rivals in thequarter-finals of the footballevent part of the InternallyDisplaced Persons (IDPs)Games being played atBakakhail Camps, Bannu onSaturday.

In the first quarter-finalsChashma Green outclassedData Khail XI in a thrilling en-counter by 3-1. Data Khail XIof North Waziristan Agencytook the lead in the very 5thminute through Ismail Khanon the field attempt.

After taking lead, DataKhail kept up pressure todouble the lead but theChashma Green goal-keeperIshaq did not let them to doso and thus thwarted somesure goal. It was in the 28thminute when ChashmaGreen slammed in a beauti-ful goal to make the tally 1-1. Sami Ullah was the scorer.

When the teams weretied 1-1, their forwards madesome good attacking movesas a result Sami Ullah scoredanother goal in the dyingmoment of the first-half andmade the tally 2-1. At half-time Chashma Green wasleading by 2-1.—APP

Reus set forreturn to

action in CupBERLIN—German interna-tional Marco Reus is tostart his first match sinceinjury ruled him out of theWorld Cup finals as hestarts for BorussiaDortmund in their GermanCup match with third divi-sion Stuttgarter Kickers onSaturday.

The 25-year-old—whowill play up front on the leftflank—tore ligaments inhis left ankle in the finalfriendly (a 6-1 thrashing ofArmenia) before the WorldCup which Germany wenton to win.

He missed the GermanSuperCup on Wednesdaywhich saw Dortmund beat aweakened Bayern Munich2-0 with Henrikh Mkitaryanand Pierre-Emerick Aubame-yang scoring.—AFP

OBSERVER REPORT

CRICKET has had a long string of controversies attached to it. These controversies not only account for some

amusing experiences and gaffes in cricket, butsometimes embarrassment to the countriesinvolved. They have inadvertently led tosome major changes in cricket rules and leg-islations, but predominantly highlight the sig-nificance of fair play in games.

The issues that created the biggest con-troversies in cricket, from South African rebelstours in 1980s, where Africa defined an inter-national cricket ban due to apartheid regime,to banning flags of overseas countries inBangladeshi cricket stadiums. The game haswitnessed some of its extreme high and lowpoints in past fifty years. These have beenthe defining moments in the cricket and suchis the nature and volume of cricket contro-versies that several books have been writtenabout them.

Pakistan and cricket are inseparable fromthe unique historical perspective. Even be-fore the formation of the country, the firstinternational match was played in Karachi inNovember of 1935 against Australia. Pakistanicricket team steadily climbed the ladder andsince then, it has emerged as one of the stron-gest, yet an unpredictable team. Pakistan’ssuccess in international cricket was alsomarred by several controversies, few of which

are the biggestin the interna-tional cricket,as we see it to-day.The ShakoorRana Case

On aday in 1987 inKarachi the En-glish cricketteam faced theunprecedentedheat. An alter-

cation broke out between England CaptainMike Gatting and Pakistan umpire ShakoorRana. Rana alleged that Gatting cheated bymoving a fielder behind the batsman’s backwhile the bowler, Eddie Hemmings, was inthe process of bowling. The bitter row led

to finger pointing and swearing.Gatting was heard saying, “One rule for

one, one for another”, after his appeal for acatch was turned down. While the umpire al-leged: “Gatting abused me. I cannot tell youwhat did he say but he used filthy language.”The next day the umpires refused to take thefield until Gatting apologised. Gatting even-tually said sorry and the match continued.The tour however marred the cricket relationsbetween England and Pakistan, so much sothat England did not tour Pakistan for an-other 13 years until 2000.

The argument had a positive impact onthe cricket legislations. It helped hasten theintroduction of a panel of neutral umpiresorganised by the International Cricket Coun-cil (ICC), game’s governing body. This squadof umpires now travel around the world offi-ciating in all matches. The panel of neutralumpires has helped bring a new respect forthe laws of the game around the globe.Oval Test Fiasco

On 20thAugust 2006,on the 4th Dayof the 4th Testbetween En-gland and Paki-stan, world sawone of the topcont rovers iesin the cricket.Umpire DarrellHair accusedthe Pakistaniteam of balltampering and

awarded England 5 runs as penalty. As amark of protest, the Pakistani team refused totake the field after the tea break.

At first it appeared Pakistan accepted thedecision but when the players did not returnafter break, situation turned out to be bitter.Pakistan refused to return when the batsmenand umpires went out to the middle to re-sume play. The match was forfeited when Hair,the senior umpire theatrically removed thebails. The umpires declared the match for-feited and awarded the match to England, theonly forfeited Test in the history of cricket.

The match was originally awarded to En-gland, until 2008 when the InternationalCricket Council changed the result to a draw.

The decision was disputed by the MCC andin 2009 the ICC reversed it back to an En-gland victory. Andrew Strauss, the Englishteam captain at the time said: “It’s [forfeit]the only logical result for that situation,” “Ifnot, it could set a precedent for teams walk-ing off the pitch and managing not to losethe game. It was not a good day for the gameof Test cricket.”Drugs Scandal

On the eve of their opening match in Oc-tober 2006C h a m p i o n sTrophy, Paki-stan sendhome fastb o w l e r sShoaib Akhtara n dM o h a m m a dAsif from Indiaafter the pairwas testedpositive for thebanned steroidn a n d r o l o n e .

Shoaib was handed a two-year ban by a PCBtribunal, which also suspends Asif for 12months. The bans were subsequentlyscrapped after both players appeal the pun-ishment.

Saleem Altaf, Director of cricket opera-tions of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said:“They have tested positive for usingnandrolone, which is a performance enhanc-ing anabolic steroid.” The tests were carriedout by the Pakistan Cricket Board three weeksprior to the match and showed positive re-sults for the performance-enhancing steroid.

Shoaib Akhtar denied any foul play. Hesaid:”I have not knowingly taken any perfor-mance enhancing drugs and would nevercheat my teammates or opponents in thisway.” His doctor suggested that he was likelyto have tested positive because of medicinehe took to recover from his knee injury.Spot Fixing Scandal

The 2010 spot fixing scandal was a hardblow to the Pakistani cricket and to the coun-try as a whole. In what can be coined as oneof the biggest betting scandals in the historyof sports, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif andMohammad Amir were convicted of spot fix-ing in a Test match against England at Lords.

An undercover reporter from an English news-

paper exposed the scandal by a video tapewhich filmed Amir, Asif and Butt acceptingmoney from a bookie named Mazhar Majeedfor bowling deliberate no balls at specificpoints in an over.

Undercover reporters from the News ofthe World allegedly paid a middleman£150,000 and in return were told exactly whenthe balls would be bowled. However, YawarSaeed, the team manager, declined to call forthe resignation of Salman Butt, drawn in thescandal. PCB president Ijaz Butt maintainedthat the players were innocent.

Then Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardarilater called for a detailed report from the Paki-stan Cricket Board. The country’s sports min-ister, Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani, promised strongaction against any player who was foundguilty. In November 2011 London court oncriminal charges found Butt and Asif guiltyof spot-fixing charges. Amir and Majeed en-tered guilty pleas on the same charges. Allfour were given prison sentences.Ball Biting Scandal

Shahid Afridi was banned for twoTwenty20 internationals after being foundguilty of ball-tampering in the ODI in 2010.Afridi was caught on TV cameras biting theball on two occasions. This was reported tothe on-field umpires by the TV umpire andthe umpires soon changed the ball.

Afridi was called into a hearing with thematch referee Ranjan Madugalle immediatelyafter the match. Madugalle said Afridi thatpleaded guilty to the charge, apologised andregretted his action. He was charged with anarticle 2.2.9 offence of the ICC Code of Con-duct which relates to “changing the condition

of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws ofCricket”. Afridiconfessed totampering theball but alsoadded the prac-tice was com-mon among allteams.

In later pub-lic comments hesaid: “Ishouldn’t havedone it. It justhappened. Iwas trying tohelp my bowlers and win a match, one match.”He added:”There is no team in the world thatdoesn’t tamper with the ball. My methods werewrong. I am embarrassed, I shouldn’t havedone it. I just wanted to win us a game but thiswas the wrong way to do it.”Bangladesh Flag ban

Bangladesh hosted the cricket’s WorldTwenty 20 in 2014. However, a controversybroke out when the country banned local sup-porters from carrying the flags of any of theother teams competing in the tournament. ABangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesmansaid the board had issued a directive after it“noticed that some local fans were flying for-eign flags flouting the country’s flag rules”.

Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan beforethe 1971 war of independence. Animosity be-tween two nations has since prevailed when in-dependence movement witnessed a bloodbathin Bangladesh. The order came after an outcry inBangladesh when images of locals waving Paki-stani flags during the Asia Cup, previously heldin Bangladesh, made rounds in the country.

The BCB spokesman told the media:“We’ve ordered security officials and guardsto make sure Bangladesh fans cannot carryor fly flags of foreign nations in the stadi-ums.” The BCB order came on the eve ofBangladesh’s 44th Independence Day cel-ebrations, marking the day when the nationwent to war against Pakistan.Former Pakistaniplayers hit out at Bangladesh. Former Paki-stan captain Javed Miandad said the moveviolated the spirit of the game. “I am surprisedat the decision,” Miandad told the media,“Cricket is a game which harbours sportsmanspirit and this decision violates that spirit.”

Cricket controversies and Pakistan

COLOMBO—Junaid Khan was takento hospital for medical assistance af-ter he lost his balance in the dressingroom, according to Pakistan team man-ager Moin Khan. Junaid had been hiton the right side of his helmet grille bya Dhammika Prasad bouncer in the 91stover of Pakistan’s innings but stayedon and remained unbeaten on 13. Moinsaid that Junaid seemed to be fine andwas undergoing routine medical tests.

Twice, in this match, Pakistan’sperseverance had meant Sri Lankawere not allowed to run away too farahead. The home side, sitting on a 1-0lead, won the toss on a batting-friendly pitch, but were restricted to aslightly below-par 320 by Pakistan’sseamers. Rangana Herath thenquaked the Pakistan batting line-upwith a career-best nine-wicket haul -the best by a left-arm bowler, but thevisitors, led by a counterattackingcentury from wicketkeeper SarfrazAhmed, still managed to post a slen-der first-innings lead.

Sri Lanka’s third advance, though,was the one threatening to take thematch, and the series, way beyondPakistan’s reach. It came from familiarquarters: the Kumar Sangakkara-Mahela Jayawardene combine. Thetwo, batting together for the last timein Tests, blunted the Pakistan spin-ners during a period where they wereextracting help from the pitch andadded an unbeaten 98 runs to driveSri Lanka into a strong position. Dur-ing the course of their stand, the twoalso went past Desmond Haynes andGordon Greenidge to become the sec-ond-most prolific duo in Tests.

In the absence of Junaid Khan, whosat out the last two sessions after be-ing hit on the helmet grille while bat-ting, Pakistan’s three frontline bowlerstoiled for 61 out of 63 overs and were

Sangakkara, Jayawardeneprosper after Herath nine

only able to dislodge the Sri Lankaopeners.

As has been the trend in this Testmatch, the SSC pitch offered muchmore to the bowlers in the last ses-sion. Few stayed low, some turned andbounced, and a couple beat the insideedge of Sangakkara’s bat as he wentfor the drive, a rare sight in itself. Butif one had to pick two batsmen for suchconditions, Jayawardene andSangakkara would be top choice formost. They tired out the bowlers withtheir immaculate defence but playedthe most exquisite drives the momentthe bowlers erred. Sangakkara reachedyet another half-century with a paddleto fine-leg boundary in the last overof the day while Jayawardene, un-beaten on 49, was on course to makeit a memorable farewell.

The calmness with whichSangakkara and Jayawardene playedwas in complete contrast with the fran-tic morning session during which thetwo teams traded blows. The pitchwas firmer and there was not much forthe bowlers but that did not have mucheffect on the approach of Herath, whowent on to pick up all four Pakistanwickets to fall.

That Pakistan managed a slender12-run lead was down toSarfrazAhmed, the Pakistan wicketkeeper,who has been prolific in each inningsin this series - he has gone past 50every time. Sarfraz reserved his bestfor the SSC, after Pakistan had slid to140 for 5 on the second day and werein danger of losing the advantage ofrestricting Sri Lanka to 320.

He became the first Pakistanwicketkeeper to hit a century - his firstin Tests - since Kamran Akmal’s un-beaten 158 against Sri Lanka in Karachiin February 2009.

Starting the day 76 short of Sri

Lanka’s total, Sarfraz was the key forPakistan if they were to get close. Andthe batsman’s busy approach meanthe didn’t let the bowlers settle on oneline. The sweep and the cut were hismost profitable allies as he continuedto collect runs at a brisk pace. As SriLanka waited for the new ball, Sarfrazcalmly kept the scoreboard movingwith neat manoeuvres, a powerfulsweep from outside off to AngeloMathews standing out among hisearly runs on the day.

Before reaching his century,Sarfraz lost Abdur Rehman after a 40-run stand - the batsman edging Herathto Jayawardene at first slip - andWahab Riaz, who scored 17. On 90, hetwice swept seamer ChanakaWelegedara off consecutive balls, hit-ting a four and a six to reach his maidenhundred off only 109 balls. The loudshriek of excitement as he celebratedthe landmark reverberated around theground. He received a standing ova-tion from the Pakistan dressing roomthat was relieved to see a possiblesetback had been single-handedlyaverted.

After adding three more runsthough, Sarfraz was dismissed intypical Herath fashion: the flightdrawing the batsman forward, thenturning to take the outside edge. Itwas only the second dicey shotSarfraz played off the spinner afterstaying in command throughout hisinnings. It was also Herath’s eighthwicket. The bowler picked up an-other one with a slider to become thefirst bowler since MuttiahMuralitharan, in 2002, to bag a nine-wicket haul. He already has 18 dis-missals this series, and will have hiseye on Murali’s record of 22 wicketsin a two-match Test series.—Agen-cies

Sri Lanka 1st innings 320Pakistan 1st inningsKhurram b Herath ............. 23Shehzad b Perera ............... 58Azhar b Herath ................. 32Younis b Herath ................ 13Misbah b Herath ................. 5Asad Shafiq b Herath ....... 42Sarfraz b Herath .............. 103Rehman c Jayawardeneb Herath ............................. 16Wahab c Welegedara b Herath ..... 17Saeed Ajmal b Herath ......... 4Junaid Khan not out ......... 13Extras: (lb 3, nb 3) 6Total: (all out) 332Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-110,3-122, 4-131, 5-140, 6-233, 7-273, 8-301, 9-315, 10-332

Bowling .............. O-M-R-WPrasad .................... 16-4-53-0Welegedara ............ 18-2-65-0Herath ................. 33-3-127-9Mathews ................. 9-1-21-0Perera .................... 17-1-63-1Sri Lanka 2nd inningsTharanga b Rehman .......... 45Silva b Abdur Rehman ...... 17Sangakkara not out ............ 54Jayawardene not out ........ 49Extras: (b 9, lb 1, w 1, nb 1) 12Total: (2 wickets) 177Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-79Bowling .............. O-M-R-WWahab Riaz ........... 14-1-50-0Abdur Rehman ..... 24-3-65-2Saeed Ajmal .......... 23-5-47-0Ahmed Shehzad ....... 2-0-5-0

COLOMBO: Sarfraz Ahmed exults after scoring his maiden Test hundred against Sri Lanka in 2nd Test’s 3rd dayon Saturday.

SINGAPORE—Andrea Pirlo’s coollytaken first-half double led Juventus toa 5-0 win over Singapore SelectionSaturday as the Italian championscompleted their summer tour with athird straight win.

The elegant player-maker’s free-kick and penalty sent Juventus on theirway in front of 27,000 fans in what wasthe first football match at Singapore’snew National Stadium.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri, who hasrecently taken over from newly appointedItaly boss Antonio Conte, said Pirlo hadunderlined his value to Juventus.

“He played well and I see him as akey player for next season,” Allegritold reporters. “He performed well andso did the rest of the team.

“We have to keep following thisdirection. This is the last match be-fore the start of the season so let’ssee what happens when we get backto Italy.” France midfielder Paul Pogbaand Sebastian Giovinco both headedagainst the crossbar and Pirlo had afree-kick saved in the opening minutesas Juventus took immediate control.

Their opener came courtesy ofsome typically quick thinking fromPirlo, who slid another free-kick low andunder the leaping wall on 17 minutes.

A minute before half-time, Pirlo

Pirlo at double as Juve thrash Singapore

SINGAPORE: Juventus player Roberto Pereyra is challenged by Singaporedefender Shakir Hamzah during their friendly at Singapore Stadium on Sat-urday.

doubled Juventus’s lead from the pen-alty spot after Shakir Hamzah’s tug onRoberto Pereyra.

Pogba had frequently been a threatand he got on the scoresheet on 48 min-utes when he rifled Juve’s third past busy

Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.After Sunny’s point-blank save

from Pereyra, Giovinco hit the visitors’fourth from the resulting corner whenhe lashed home a fierce shot from theedge of the box.—AFP

COLOMBO—Pakistan fastbowler Junaid Khan wentfor a precautionary checkupafter being hit on the headwhile batting by a deliveryfrom Sri Lanka pacemanDhammika Prasad duringthe third day of the secondtest on Saturday.

“Junaid was feelingdizzy after he came to thedressing room and we havetaken him to hospital forprecautionary check-up,”Pakistan team managerMoin Khan told reporters.

Junaid goes for scan afterbeing hit by Prasad bouncer

“He is under observa-tion and a head scan hasbeen taken.”

The left-arm paceman,who took five wickets in SriLanka’s first innings, did nottake the field during SriLanka’s second innings asPakistan were reduced tothree frontline bowlers.

Junaid was hit on the leftside of his helmet and con-tinued to bat after receivingtreatment on the field to re-main unbeaten on 13.—Agencies

TINNITUS, an annoying ringing orbuzzing in the ears, was less likelyto occur in women who consumed the

most caffeine, in a large study of nurses. Tin-nitus can happen sporadically, or in somecases may plague a persondaily. The cause is unclear,and so is the reason whycaffeine would lower one’srisk of developing the con-dition, researchers say.

But tinnitus treatmentguidelines sometimes ad-vise cutting out caffeine,which may have no basis.“In the ear, nose and throatliterature and textbooksthey often tell people withtinnitus to avoid caffeinebecause it can make tinni-tus worse, but there reallywasn’t great data to evensupport that,” said the se-nior author of the newstudy, Dr. Gary Curhan, ofthe Channing Division ofNetwork Medicine at Brigham andWomen’s Hospital in Boston.

Tinnitus affects approximately 50 mil-lion Americans, but little is known aboutrisk factors other than exposure to loudnoises and that it can be a side effect ofcertain medications, including aspirin.Caffeine has long been thought to con-tribute to the development of tinnitus, butresearch has been lacking, Curhan andhis coauthors write in The American Jour-nal of Medicine.

To assess the relationship, the re-searchers analyzed data on more than

Study links higher caffeineconsumption with lower tinnitus risk

German Consul General Dr. Tilo Klinner keenly looking at pictures regarding world war I at Goethe Institute.—PO photo by Sultan Chakio

65,000 women participants in the Nurses’Health Study II. The women were in their20s through 40s in 1991 and none hadtinnitus at that point. They filled out di-

etary questionnaires everyfour years during the study.In 2009, the participantswere asked if they had ring-ing, roaring or buzzing intheir ears during the pre-vious year. The research-ers found that 5,289women reported havingthose symptoms “a fewdays a week” or “daily.”

On average, thewomen consumed about242 milligrams of caffeineper day, which is equal toabout three 8-ounce cupsof coffee. “In our study, in-dividuals who had highercaffeine intake, usually inthe form of coffee, had alower risk of subsequentlydeveloping tinnitus than

those with the lowest intake of caffeine,”Curhan said.

The incidence of tinnitus was 15 per-cent lower among women who consumed450 to 599 mg/day of caffeine, equivalent to6-8 cups of coffee, when compared to thewomen who consumed less than 150 milli-grams per day, equivalent to about a half acup. Because coffee was the most commonsource of caffeine, the researchers alsolooked at decaffeinated coffee, but didn’tfind the same apparent benefit, which sug-gests the association is only with caffeine,not some other substance in coffee.

Firefighters making efforts to control fire which erupted in a building at II ChungrigharRoad.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—A function, jointly organized byHamdard Public School and Hamdard Univer-sity and comprised hoisting of national flag,national songs, tableaus and speeches, was heldon the occasion of independence day at BilawalStadium, Madinatal Hikmah, Karachi.

Speaking on the occasion, after hoisting thenational flag, the Chief guest and Director Gen-eral, Private Schools Sindh, Mansoob Siddiquisaid that full participation of young generationin the independence day’s function was tanta-mount to a brighter future of our homeland. Headvised to teacher to give full attention to thecharacter building and training of the students.

Dr. Waliuddin, act ing Vice Chancellor,Hamdard University said that after getting toknow the ideas of s tudents through theirspeeches, delivered in this function, if there wasany disappointment about the future of thecountry in his mind, has now been vanishedand he realised that there was need to worryabout the future of the country as it will be insafe hands in coming days.

Young speakers also spoke on the occasion.Dr. Khalid Naseem, Administrator, HamdardPublic School offered vote of thanks. Besidesteachers, students in a large number attendedthe function.

Hamdard School, University Celebrate I-Day

Director General, Private Schools, Mansoob Siddiqui hoisting the national flag atBilawal Stadium, Madinatal Hikmah, at a function, organized by Hamdard Public Schooland Hamdard University.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Sindh Chief Minister (CM) SyedQaim Ali Shah welcomed an offer made by theFederation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerceand Industry (FPCCI) for the initiation of com-bined effluent treatment plants in industrial ar-eas of Karachi and solid waste managementschemes for recycling the solid waste for powergeneration. The FPCCI had also conveyed tothe CM that in order to actualise the proposal asphysical entity, the funds to be required thuswould be arranged through international donoragencies.

According to details, a delegation of FPCCIhad called on the CM. The delegation was ledby FPCCI Standing Committee on EnvironmentChairman of Gulzar Firoz while the delegationcomprised Syed Muhammad Shifaat Zaidi, Mrs.Shama Saeed and Dr Sami Uz Zaman. Sindh En-vironmental Protection Agency (SEPA) DirectorWaqar Phulphoto was also present. The CM saidSindh government was determined for imple-menting the existing laws for the environmentalprotection through SEPA and serious effortswere underway to do more legislation for provi-sioning of clean environment to the people ofSindh, especially to the inhabitants of mega cit-ies as that of Karachi.

He said that through combined effluent treat-ment plants and solid waste management, not

Qaim for speedy implementationon solid waste-based plants

only the issues pertaining to environmental deg-radation would be addressed but also powerwould be generated through those proposedprojects, which would help overcome the en-ergy crises. The provincial Chief Executive hadon the occasion issued directives to the SEPAofficials concerned that they should ensure con-sultative meeting with FPCCI delegation and dis-cuss about the proposal in detail and furnishrecommendations for immediate action.

Syed Qaim Ali Shah also asked the FPCCIdelegation to invite the interested donors intend-ing to invest in those proposed projects andarrange for his meeting with them by the end ofthis current month so that those projects shouldbe materialized without further delay. Proper dis-posal of solid waste, issues of sewage and sani-tation were burring issues of metropolis for whichKarachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) wassolely responsible. However, Sindh governmenthad been extending full administrative and fi-nancial support to KMC to redress the prob-lems of the residents of Karachi, said the CM.

He told the delegation about an agreementwith a Chinese firm for a 300-MW solid waste-based power generation plant to be inked thismonth. There was a huge potential for invest-ment and industrialization in Sindh province inAgriculture, livestock, dairy farming and fruitorchards for which government of Sindh wasfacilitating the investors with incentives, he said,

adding that there were about 6 million livestockincluding cows, goats sheep and camel inTharparkar only and fresh milk being producedin Sindh was of high energy values as comparedto milk produced in other parts of the country.

He also informed the delegation that a megamilk and meat producing farm was fully opera-tional at Bhambhore in district Thatta and theprovincial government had plans to launch fur-ther such projects in different parts of Sindh. Onthe occasion, FPCCI delegation leader GulzarFiroz said that combined effluent treatment andsolid waste management was essential for in-dustrialization after awarding of GSP plus statusfor Pakistan.

He informed the CM that Italian, Russian andUN environmental agencies were ready to fi-nance those projects. Untreated industrial efflu-ent not only pollutes sea but created serioushealth hazards for residents of the city, whichmust be addressed once for all. He thanked theCM for considering the proposals and assuredhim of Full Cooperation on behalf of FPCCI foropening more industrial units in Karachi as wellas other parts of the province.

SEPA Director Waqar Phulphoto informedthe meeting that in order to protect environmentand deal with the menace of polythene bags,which were among major causes of destructionof storm water and sewage drains, drafting of alaw was under way.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Rich tributes were paid to notededucationalists, intellectual and former ViceChairman Labour Coordination Committeelate Anita Ghulam Ali at a condolence meet-ing organized by Pakistan Institute of LabourEducation and Research (PILER) at PILERCentre Saturday. University of Karachi Paki-stan Study Centre Chairman, Dr Jaffar Ahmed,veteran trade union leader Usman Baloch,educationist Dr Jamal Naqvi, HabibuddinJunaidi of All Pakistan Trade UnionOrganisation, CEO of PILER Karamat Ali, Ms.Zeenat Hisam, Lateef Mughal, Zulfiqar Shahand others threw light on various aspects oflife of late Anita Ghulam Ali.

“She was a multi-dimensional person-ality, who not only dedicated her life foreducation, but she supported and activelyparticipated in the activities of trade unionsfor workers rights,” commented KaramatAli. “She was founder member of the PILERand she continued participating in PILER’sactivities despite her physical disabilities,”he added. Karamat Ali pointed out thatwhen General Ziaul Haq imposed MartialLaw in 1977, various rights based organiza-tions protested and a joint action commit-

Tributes paid to lateAnita Ghulam Ali

tee in the name of Labour CoordinationCommittee was formed to resist the MartialLaw’s restrictions. Senior Journalist LateMinhaj Barna was the Chairman of the com-mittee and Ms. Anita Ghulam Ali was madeVice Chairperson.

Late Anita played her active role in im-provement of education standard in Sindhand founded Sindh Education Foundationunder Sindh Government to achieve thatobjective. “Adopt a School” was an inno-vative idea, which has succeeded in im-provement of standard in governmentschools in the province. Similarly, the SindhEducation Foundation has adopted thelearning centres for working children inSITE industrial area, some of which are stillworking, he added.

Late Anita was made minister of educa-tion on two occasions. When General(Retd.) Pervaiz Musharraf appointed her asMinister and after some time she resignedbecause she refused to oblige his some il-legal orders. Similarly, she refused to ap-point the nominees of former Sindh Educa-tion Minister Pir Mazharul Haq in the SindhEducation Foundation. “She was very boldand straightforward woman, who did notcompromise on principles,” he remarked.

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—The Election Tribunal (ET)Judge Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani hadon complaints of rigging in elections sum-moned Sindh Chief Minister Syed QaimAli Shah to record his statement beforethe ET in a case of rigging on a provincialseat of PS-29 at district Khairpur in gen-eral elections-2013. The case was being

ET summons CM forstatement in rigging case

heard at the ET on a complaint of formerSindh Chief Minister and Pakistan Mus-lim League Nawaz leader Syed Ghaus AliShah.

So far, 6 witnesses belonging to thePMLN in the case of rigging had recordedtheir statements at the ET at Karachi whileSindh CM’s counsel Advocate FarooqueH Naek had already completed his argu-ments in the same case.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The Anti-Terrorist Court(ATC) Judge Khalida Yaseen had re-jected bail plea of Islam Ud Din aliasFauji, Muneer Ur Rehman, FaizanHussain and Kamran in a case of mur-der under section 302 of the PakistanPenal Code. The accused Islam UdDin alias Fauji belonged to Muttahida

ATC rejects bail plea ofMQM sector incharge

Qaumi Movement and was Sector in-charge of the party. Pakistan RangersSindh had during a raid arretsed allthe accused from Karachi’s residen-tial area, Surjani Town and had soughtpermission from the ATC to detain theaccused for 90 days under special or-ders.

During the detainment period, aJoint Interrogation Team (JIT) had

interrofated the accused about al-leged heinous crime and the accusedhad confessed to the JIT that theyhad assassinated Pakistan SunniTehreek (PST) worker Zahid. The in-vestigator had also recovered theweapon with which the PST workerwas killed. The ATC would on nexthearing on Sep 1 formally implicatethe accused in murder.

TINNITUS, an annoying ringing orbuzzing in the ears, was less likelyto occur in women who consumed the

most caffeine, in a large study of nurses. Tin-nitus can happen sporadically, or in somecases may plague a persondaily. The cause is unclear,and so is the reason whycaffeine would lower one’srisk of developing the con-dition, researchers say.

But tinnitus treatmentguidelines sometimes ad-vise cutting out caffeine,which may have no basis.“In the ear, nose and throatliterature and textbooksthey often tell people withtinnitus to avoid caffeinebecause it can make tinni-tus worse, but there reallywasn’t great data to evensupport that,” said the se-nior author of the newstudy, Dr. Gary Curhan, ofthe Channing Division ofNetwork Medicine at Brigham andWomen’s Hospital in Boston.

Tinnitus affects approximately 50 mil-lion Americans, but little is known aboutrisk factors other than exposure to loudnoises and that it can be a side effect ofcertain medications, including aspirin.Caffeine has long been thought to con-tribute to the development of tinnitus, butresearch has been lacking, Curhan andhis coauthors write in The American Jour-nal of Medicine.

To assess the relationship, the re-searchers analyzed data on more than

Study links higher caffeineconsumption with lower tinnitus risk

Members of Christian community offering prayer during protest against killings of Christians in Iraq outside Press Club.

Boatmen taking nap of their boats at the bank of River Ravi.

65,000 women participants in the Nurses’Health Study II. The women were in their20s through 40s in 1991 and none hadtinnitus at that point. They filled out di-

etary questionnaires everyfour years during the study.In 2009, the participantswere asked if they had ring-ing, roaring or buzzing intheir ears during the pre-vious year. The research-ers found that 5,289women reported havingthose symptoms “a fewdays a week” or “daily.”

On average, thewomen consumed about242 milligrams of caffeineper day, which is equal toabout three 8-ounce cupsof coffee. “In our study, in-dividuals who had highercaffeine intake, usually inthe form of coffee, had alower risk of subsequentlydeveloping tinnitus than

those with the lowest intake of caffeine,”Curhan said.

The incidence of tinnitus was 15 per-cent lower among women who consumed450 to 599 mg/day of caffeine, equivalent to6-8 cups of coffee, when compared to thewomen who consumed less than 150 milli-grams per day, equivalent to about a half acup. Because coffee was the most commonsource of caffeine, the researchers alsolooked at decaffeinated coffee, but didn’tfind the same apparent benefit, which sug-gests the association is only with caffeine,not some other substance in coffee.

DCO Capt (R) Muhammad Usman is visiting Timber Market, Ravi Road in connectionwith Dengue eradication campaign.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Punjab Chief Minister ShahbazSharif said that he was thankful to his work-ers for showing restraint despite provoca-tive speeches made by rival parties. In astatement Saturday, Chief Minister Sharifsaid: “Our workers demonstrated patience

CM thanks PML-Nworkers for showing restraint

and tolerance and they have proved thatthey are patriotic in real sense.” “Peoplenow have the right to know that who isresponsible for the losses suffered byPakistan’s economy due to politics of agi-tation and sit-ins.” Sharif said that Pakistan’seconomy has suffered losses of billions ofrupees due to anarchy.

CITY REPORTER

LAHORE—Former Punjab Law Minister RanaSanaullah said on Saturday Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) Chairman Imran Khan did not spell out anyfresh point in his speech, adding the PTI chief wentaway from the rally venue to fall asleep at his cozyresidence with no new Pakistan created, as wasbeing claimed. In an interview on Saturday, he chal-lenged his party would hold a bigger rally than thePTI’s, provided that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was given merely ten days.

Imran Khan did not spell outany fresh point in his speech

LAHORE—Jamaat-e-Islami secretary generalLiaquat Baloch on Saturday said that politicalleadership would be responsible if democracyand political system was sabotaged in the coun-try. Talking to media persons here Saturday, hesaid that differences and confrontation amongpolitical leaderships could damage the demo-cratic system. Baloch said that Jamaat-e-Islamiwould continue its efforts to resolve the

current political crises through holding nego-tiations. He urged the government, PTI and PAT

Political leaderships to beresponsible if democracy derailed

He claimed the PML-N’s rally would be far largereven without the participation of Mian Nawaz Sharif.Reacting to the PTI’s demand to unseat Mian NawazSharif, Rana Sana said Imran Khan was rearing tobecome the premier of Pakistan; however, he re-marked no one can assume this office by organizinga mass rally alone. Hence, holding a large publicgathering makes no difference; Imran should sitdown for negotiations, he asserted.

Substantiating his argument, he went on to say,“Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri’s public gathering is far largerthan that of the PTI.” Nawaz Sharif will personally

visit Bani Gala, if so Imran wishes, the former Punjablaw minister observed, and continued, “The PMhas no ego when it comes to the national progress.And, I am all set to be host for Imran, if he is willingto come.” He queried as to why the PTI formed agovernment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had therebeen riggings in the polls; Imran Khan should dis-solve the KPK government over the riggingcharges. Rana Sana called upon the PTI chief tohold elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; the PML-N would follow suit, in case Imran Khan’s partygrabbed victory in the polls.

LAHORE—Punjab Emergency Service(PES) on Saturday provided services tovictims of 491 road accidents in thePunjab during the last 24 hours. Accord-ing to Rescue 1122, three persons werekilled while 412 sustained serious inju-ries in the accidents and 184 drivers, 13juvenile drivers, 94 pedestrians and 319passengers were among victims of theaccidents.

leaderships to leave their differences aside in thebest interest of the country and save the demo-cratic system by resolving prevailing crises. LiaquatBaloch said that PTI president Javed Hashmi gavestatement “no one was acceptable as prime minis-ter except Imran Khan” was unconditional and un-democratic because only people have right to electtheir prime minister in future through general elec-tions. Other political parties should accept themandate of the masses, he added.

He said that the constitution of the country

could be harmed if the crises were not resolved.He said that there are some complications in theElection Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and anydecision should be made in view of these facts.“Protest is a war of nerves. We have spoken toPTI Chairman Imran Khan and the governmentwithin the constitutional limits”, he said. Headded that the two parties should hold talkswithin the constitutional limits and democraticforces should seek solution of the crises withmutual understanding.—INPPES provides services to

victims of 491 accidentsStatistics show that 74 accidents were

reported in the city which affected 78 per-sons placing the provincial capital at topof the list followed by 42 accidents inFaisalabad with 56 victims and Gujranwalaat third with 48 accidents and 49 victims.Over 433 motorcycles, 45 rickshaws, 39cars, 18 vans, six buses, 12 trucks and 52other vehicles and carts were involved inthe accidents.—APP

LAHORE—Hajj training programmes willbe held at four places in the city on Au-gust 17. According to a press release byPakistan Hajj and Umrah Service here onSaturday, the programmes would startfrom 9 am and continue till 2 pm.

The training programmes would

Hajj training programmesat four places

train pilgrims about Hajj rituals and in-formation about travelling. Theprogrammes will be held at Alhamra Hall2, Al-Ahssan Welfare Eye Hospital onShalimar Link Road, Jamia Ashrafia onFerozepur Road and in the auditoriumof DHA Phase 2, R-Block.—APP

LAHORE—Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz SharifSaturday said that the PML-N government wasstill ready to hold dialogue on every issue asnational issues were resolved in the Parliamentnot streets. Talking to a private television chan-

Govt still ready for dialogueon every issue: Shahbaz

nel, the Chief Minister said Azadi March of ImranKhan has vanished into thin air.

He said the elected leadership would alwayscome up to the expectations of the people andconfidence they had reposed into them would

never be squandered. The Chief Minister opinedthat the parties claiming to hold million march wereconsidering few thousand people as the masses’strength. He said the political leaders never leavetheir followers during tough conditions.—APP

Relief itemsLAHORE—CM ShahbazSharif has expressed deepsense of sorrow and griefover the loss of precious hu-man lives due to heavy rainsin Peshawar. In a statementhere Saturday, he said thatwe are sending 12 trucks ofrelief items for the affecteeson behalf of Punjab govern-ment.—NNI