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Wake up call for SindhGovernment................................................Make SECP credibleregulatory authority................................................India gains ground in Sri Lanka

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CommentS M Hali

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping of Chinaand his Pakistani counterpartMamnoon Hussain had designated

2015 as the “China-Pakistan Year ofFriendly Exchanges” in a Joint Statementon “Deepening China-Pakistan Strategicand Economic Cooperation” issued aftertheir summit last year.

In pursuance to the presidential dec-laration, the year was formally launchedearlier in Beijing by Chinese Vice Presi-dent Li Yuanchao and Pakistan’s NationalAssembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq andlater reiterated when Chinese ForeignMinister Wang Yi, made a two day visitto Islamabad last week.

Wang attended the launch of ‘2015Pakistan-China Year of Friendly Ex-changes’, co-hosted by the Ministry ofForeign Affairs and the Chinese Embassyin Islamabad. The inaugural ceremonywas attended by several federal ministers,chief minister of Punjab and other digni-

Sino-Pak year of friendship takes offtaries; Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker Na-tional Assembly, was the chief guest onthe occasion.

During the Year of Friendly Ex-changes, Pakistan and China haveplanned a series of activities in the par-liamentary, cultural, education, media,business, and other spheres to furtherstrengthen their strategic partnership and‘all-weather friendship’.

China and Pakistan—described as‘iron-brothers’—base their cooperativestrategic partnership on a mutual trust thathas stood the tests of times. The year 2015has made a promising start with increasedinteraction at all levels and people fromdifferent strata of society are expected tomake exchange visits to further cementthe bonds between China and Pakistan.

The relations between Pakistan andChina are unprecedented and are etchedin the hearts and minds of the two peoples.Over the past six and a half decades sincethe establishment of diplomatic ties,China and Pakistan have developed aproven friendship wherein bilateral rela-tions grew even closer while the political

foundation of their friendship becamemore solid. The secret of this deep rela-tionship is treating each other with mu-tual trust and sincerity, supporting eachother and cooperating for mutual benefits.

The visit of the Chinese Foreign Min-ister reiterated the fact that Sino-Pakfriendship is the cornerstone of eachother’s foreign policies. The most impor-tant visit of the “year of friendly visits”confirmed by the Chinese Foreign Min-ister is the forthcoming visit of ChinesePresident Xi Jinping to Pakistan. The visitwill be Xi’s first trip to China’s “ironbrother” since assuming office — lastyear, Xi had to cancel a planned visit toPakistan due to large-scale protests inIslamabad.

Wang Yi’s productive trip to Pakistan,his first as Foreign Minister, covered nu-merous themes. Sino-Pak’s coordinatedefforts to provide for Afghan stability andachieve reconciliation and reconstructionin Afghanistan. Wang’s declaration ofChina’s backing for “the Afghan govern-ment in realizing settlement between vari-

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AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—KSE-100 although closed in redonce again with a minor decline of4 at 33,801 level yet it seemed thatthe correction spell had come an endTuesday.

The market volume alsoshowed some improvement at 217million shares traded in today’s ses-sion amid brisk trading activity.

K-Electric which has im-proved its financial health was thevolume leader of the day with over30 million shares traded to theircredit, while DG Khan Cement and

KSE-100 in minor declinePIA were the second and third volume lead-ers with 16 million and 14 million shares re-spectively.

LAHORE: People shifting an injured man from the site after a blast outside Police Lines. (Left) Relatives of victims ofsuicide blast consoling a lady at Sir Ganga Raam Hospital.

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Pak-Turkey ties to blossominto robust strategic partnershipBoth countries share ‘joint destiny’: Nawaz; 11 agreements,

MoUs signed; Ahmet, Gen Raheel discuss defence coop

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglusigning joint declaration for strengthening cooperation between the two countries at thePM Office on Tuesday.

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IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—The Sindh minister for informationSharjeel Memon says, former Sindh Home Min-ister Dr Zulfiquar Mirza has crossed all limitsand he used derogatory language against the

leadership of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) es-pecially the PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.The allegations Mirza leveled against PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari were manifest of hispersonal grudges and were against political ide-

PPP disowns Mirza: Sharjeel

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RAFIULLAH

MANDOKHAIL

ZHOB—Bodies of a polioworker, his driver and twoBalochistan Levies constableskidnapped four days ago inZhob district were found onTuesday.

According to a Levies of-ficial, the polio worker, driverand Levies guards were shotdead before their bodies werethrown in a desolated part ofGowal Ismailzai area in Zhobdistrict. “Some passersby spot-ted the bodies in GowalIsmailzai and informed the of-ficials,” he said.

A day before, on February16, two suicide bombers blewthemselves up in the same areawhile briefly encountering se-curity forces during a searchoperation to find the polioteam.

The operation was jointlylaunched by Balochistan Lev-ies and security forces in

Barkwal and Murghab Kibzaiareas, a Frontier Corps (FC)spokesperson had confirmed onMonday. The ambulance inwhich the polio team was trav-elling when it went missingwas found from the area.

The deceased were iden-tified as polio vaccinatorAbdul Hameed, driver AbdulSamad and Balochistan Lev-ies constables MohammedAyub and MohammedNaseem. They all were resi-dents of Zhob and a hugecrowd had gathered at the hos-pital the bodies were taken toafter they were found.

The enraged relatives re-sorted to aerial firing to expresstheir anger. All the shops andmarkets in Zhob city wereclosed after relatives andpeople took to the streets. “Thesituation is very tense andpeople are angry at securityforces who are unable to tracethe culprits,” a senior officialsaid when reached via phone.

Kidnapped polio workers,police guards bodies found

Notoriousterrorist shot

dead in BunerTARIQ SAEED

PESHAWAR—The securityforces in a targeted operationTuesday mowed down keyTaliban saboteur who waswanted in number of subver-sive acts in various parts of thecountry including Karachi andbelieved to be providing finan-cial assistance to the militantsin carrying out terrorist activi-ties.

“Bakht Raj alias AsadUllah was killed in Buner in anintelligence based operation bythe security forces in GagarBuner on Tuesday. He was anotorious terrorist and financierof Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistaninvolved in number of terroristactivities in Karachi as well asBuner district”.

Highly placed militarysources told Observer. The keyterrorist Bakht Raj who is alsosaid to have supervised many

Hindu templevandalized inWashingtonWASHINGTON—A Hindutemple in Washington Statewas vandalized on the eve ofits planned celebrations ofMaha Shivaratri. Whenmembers of the HinduTemple Cultural Center inBothell, 36 km from Seattle,went there on Sunday theyfound a swastika painted on itand “Get Out” scrawled inlarge letters with spray paint.In the U.S, white suprema-cists have adopted the Naziswastika as an ideologicalsymbol.

Media reports said, “InHinduism, swastikas signifiedpeace long before it became aNazi symbol. In this case,temple leaders say it’s nowbeing used not just to hurttheir believers but a neighbor-hood.” The Bothell temple

Imamia Masjidblast suspectsarrestedSTAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—In a keydevelopment on Tuesday, theKhyber Pakhtunkhwa anti-terrorism department andintelligence agencies arrestedsuspects said to be involvedin the Imamia Masjid suicideblast in Peshawar thatclaimed 20 lives.

Sources said that thesuspects, whose identitieswere not revealed, werearrested by security forcesfrom different areas ofPeshawar and Khyber

New Zealandbeat Scotland bythree wicketsNELSON—New Zealandlaboured to a three-wicketvictory over Scotland on

Tuesday to register theirsecond World Cup win in twomatches.

Chasing just 143 to winthe Pool A clash at University

Oval in Dunedin, the BlackCaps reached their target inthe 25th over.

Earlier, Scotland battledtheir way to 142 all out

Power tariffslashed byRs 3.24 per unitISLAMABAD—NEPRA hasdecided to slash power tariffby Rs 3.25 per unit againstFuel Adjustment Surcharge(FAS). Decision will standapplied to all power distribu-tion companies except KElectric. The applicationseeking reduction in powertariff was filed by CentralPower Purchasing Agency(CPPA) with NEPRA.

Application was heard byNEPRA on Tuesday.Representative of Punjab

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See also Sports Page

8 killed inLahore blast

near Police LinesTTP claims responsibility

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—Fear and panicspread here on Tuesday whena suicide bomber blew himselfup near Police Lines in QilaGujar Singh. Eight people werekilled while 27 people got in-juries.

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pa-kistan (TTP) took the respon-sibility of the attack and saidthe attack was carried out bythe splinter group.

The blast was so powerfulthat it shattered windowpanesof nearby buildings, damaging

at least eleven cars parked out-side office of a travel agency.

Due to the panic, rumors ofmore bombs planted in publicplaces were also heard and inthis regard, the Children’s Wardof Mayo Hospital has been cor-doned off after an unidentifiedman warned of a bomb in thebuilding which would soon gooff. The Bomb Disposal Squadhas reached the hospital and issweeping the premises.

According to initial inves-tigation of police, it was a sui-cide attack while some sourcesinside police are claiming that

the bomb was ignited by re-mote control put inside a carparked near the police Lines.However, Inspector General(IG) of Punjab Police MushtaqSukhera said police got evi-dences from the spot which in-dicated that it was a suicide at-tack. He said that seven to eightkilogram of explosives wasused in the blast.

According to CCPOLahore, the suicide bomberblew himself up prematurelyand could not enter the PoliceLines. A senior Lahore police

ASHRAF ANSARI

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Tur-key have decided to transformthe cordial bilateral relation-ship into a robust strategic part-nership in diverse fields includ-ing economy, energy, commu-nication and defense.

This was stated in a jointdeclaration issued after talksbetween Prime Minister NawazSharif and Turkish Prime Min-ister Ahmet Davutoglu inIslamabad. The two sides em-phasized the common visionfor peace and development fortheir peoples and the region.

Pakistan and Turkey reaf-firmed the resolve to fight ex-tremism and terrorism in allforms and manifestations.

The declaration stronglycondemned the defamation

campaign against the HolyProphet (PBUH) and the reli-gion of Islam and called forcriminalization of all acts ofIslamophobia.

The two sides agreed tointensive exchanges at the lead-ership, parliamentary, business,cultural, civil society, mediaand people-to-people levels.

Both sides agreed on theneed to make the United Na-tions Security Council morerepresentative, democratic,transparent, effective and ac-countable, and that UNSC re-form should be comprehensiveand it should take place by wid-est consensus possible.

Both sides decided to in-tensify politico-military coop-eration, while defence-relatedindustries would focus on joint

defence production and relatedresearch and development ac-tivities.

The declaration said thatcooperation in the fields of fi-nance and banking includinginsurance, capital market, anti-money laundering, budget, fi-nancial reporting and auditshall be enhanced.

Both sides expressed theirwillingness to improve energycooperation with focus on pe-troleum, natural gas, coal, hy-droelectric, geo-thermal andrenewable resources such aswind and solar power.

Pakistani side invited Turk-ish companies to invest in en-ergy sector projects in Pakistan,especially in the field of coalbased power generation and

OBSERVER REPORT

I S L A M A B A D / K A B U L —Pakistan Army chief GeneralRaheel Sharif askedAfghanistan on Tuesday tohand over six Peshawar schoolsuspects in Afghan custody toPakistan.

While meeting AfghanPresident Ashraf Ghani, ChiefOf Army Staff (COAS) assuredhim that Afghanistan’s enemyis also Pakistan’s enemy.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, Af-ghanistan pledged to continueoperation on their respectiveside of the borders and vowednot to let any use their soilagainst each other’s country.

The Army Chief, accompa-

Pakistan asks Afghanistanto handover APS suspects

Your’s enemy is our enemy, says Army Chiefnied by Director General ofInter Services Intelligence (ISI)Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, arrivedin Kabul on Tuesday on a day-long visit for talks on securityissues amid warm military-to-military relations.

General Raheel Sharif,leading a high level delegation,called on President AshrafGhani at the Presidential Pal-ace in the afternoon.

According to sources thearmy chief also raised the is-sue of the handover of six sus-pects of the attack on ArmyPublic School attack who hadbeen arrested in Afghanistan.

Last week during a mediabriefing, the army spokesper-son Maj Gen Asim Bajwa said

that the six men suspected ofbeing involved in APS attackhad been arrested by the Af-ghan authorities on intelligencepassed on by Pakistan.

During a meeting betweenCOAS and Afghan president,both appreciated the improvingrelationships betweenneighbouring countries. Ac-cording to Inter Services Pub-lic Relations, they furtherpledged to continue securityoperations against extremistelements on their respectivesides of borders and vowed notto let their soils be used againstother.

“The Army Chief also ap-prised the Afghan president of

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26 cops die inAfghan anti-Taliban drive

KANDAHAR—At least 20 Af-ghan policemen were killed onTuesday in a Taliban attacknear Kabul, bringing to 26 thenumber of officers to die sincethe start of an army offensiveaimed at weakening the insur-gents.

The assault saw Talibangunmen and suicide attackersstrike police headquarters inPuli Alam city, south of Kabul.Provincial police chief AbdulHakim Ishaqzai told AFP thatin addition to those killed, ninewere wounded.

The attack came as policeand troops, in their first majorassault since US-led Natoforces ended their combat mis-sion last December, began tar-geting militants on Monday inrestive Helmand province, ahotbed of the Taliban insur-gency and a hub for drug traf-ficking.

The defence ministry said76 insurgents were killed onMonday, the first day of theoperation, which will also tar-get militants in six districts inneighbouring Kandahar, Farah,and Uruzgan provinces. Theoffensive is designed to hurt theTaliban before the start of theso-called “fighting season”.

“This is a totally Afghan-planned and Afghan-led opera-tion. It will continue until suc-cess is achieved,” said GeneralAbdul Khaliq, who commandsthe operation.The Taliban’sspokesman was not immedi-ately available for comment.

The defence ministry saidthe assault, code-named“Zolfiqar”, was the first in aplanned series of large-scale op-erations by Afghan forces afterNato ended its combat missionin December. “This is not the firstand will be not be the last opera-tion against the Taliban and theirallies,” said ministry spokesmanGeneral Dawlat Waziri.

Experts and Afghan mili-tary officials anticipate a surgein Taliban violence with thestart of the traditional springand summer fighting season inApril or May.—AFP

IN BOX NEWS

India’sinterferenceto be takenup at FSsmeetingISLAMABAD—Adviser onForeign Affairs Sartaj Azizterming Kashmir, Siachenand Sir Creek as disputedissues said that along withthese issues India’sinterference in Pakistan willalso be part of agenda offoreign secretaries meetingof the two countries. In astatement Sartaj Aziz saidthat it will be premature tosay whether Pak-IndiaForeign secretaries meetingwould be result oriented.He said that it has beenmade clear before thearrival of Indian secretaryForeign Affairs thatKashmir issues will also bediscussed in the talksbetween neighbor counter-parts. In the agenda, talksof Indian interference inPakistan and their aggres-sion on line of Control,where innocent people arekilled will also be dis-cussed.—Online

FAISALABAD: Boys on the way with kite despite the Punjab Chief Minister ShahbazSharif issued instructions to provincial administration to ensure strict implementationof ban on kite flying and to take action against violators without any discrimination.

KARACHI: Turkish Navy Ship TCG BUYUKADA arrived to participate in the Pak-Turkish Navy bilateral exercise commencing from tomorrow.

ISLAMABAD: Maulana Atta Ur Rehman, Mir Hasil bizenjo, Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Asfandyar Wali Khan,Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and others sitting on stage during the ANP all parties confer-ence on Pak China Economic Corridor.

ISLAMABAD/QUETTA—TheAll Parties conference onPak-China Economic Corri-dor while supporting themultiple routes has de-manded the building of origi-nal route decided by thePlanning Commission andwarned that any changeswould create lot of depriva-tion and alienation in FATA,Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa andBalochistan and they wouldoppose it strongly. . In a jointcommuniqué, the APCorganised by Awami Na-tional Party here on Tues-day, the political leaders saidwe want to make it abun-dantly clear that we are notagainst multiple routes butit cannot be done at the costof original route that is notonly short and economicalbut also passes through themost backward areas of thecountry. This is the area thatis very badly hit by terroristmenace. The construction ofthis route will go a long wayto revive the area and defeatextremism and terrorism. Thecommuniqué warned that ifthe federal government goesback on its word about theoriginal route of the pro-posed economic corridor itwill create a lot of depriva-tion and alienation in FATA,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa andBalochistan. It demandedfrom the Federal Governmentto remove ambiguity andclarify the situation insteadof telling stories to thepeople. The political leaderssaid we are not against mul-tiple routes, but that should

APC opposes Pak-China Economic Corridor route changeWarns any shift will be another KBD issue; Alienates FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan

come later. Among otherthings N45 of Malakand viaChakdara can also be builtas alternative route passingthrough Lowari to Chitral. Itis very important to take therepresentatives of thepeople of Gwadar andBalochistan in confidence.Since Gwadar is a port inBalochistan, ignoring theopinion of Baloch people willbe like playing Hemlet with-out the prince of Denmark.

The APC welcomed thegrowing economic coopera-tion between Pakistan andour great neighbor andfriend China and particu-larly the proposed Pak-China Economic Corridorthat is expected to write anew chapter in socio-eco-nomic development of theregion. It fully supportedthe efficient and on timeimplementation of the megaproject that can prove to be

a game changer in regionalcooperation in a regionwhere traditionally regionalcooperation has lagged be-hind other parts of theworld. The APC welcomedthe forthcoming visit of thePresident of China to Paki-stan. The political leaderssaid we are concerned tosee that initially choosingan economical, logical andconsiderably short routefor building the proposed

economic corridor by thePlanning Commission of Pa-kistan that is to pass throughsouthern districts ofPakhtunkhwa intoBaluchistan and go onwardto Quetta and Gwadar. Butrecently the federal govern-ment seems to have devel-oped second thoughts. Thenew line of argument saysthat since the original routewill take a lot of time to build,the government will use the

LAHORE—PPP President PunjabchapterMian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoosaid there is no difference betweengood Taliban and bad Taliban becausethey are neither Muslim nor Pakistani.

Speaking to a delegation of stu-dents of a local University, he said thenation is united to defeat the evil andwilldefinately succeed adding thatZarb-e-Azab military operation againstterrorists was underway and whole na-tion is standing behind the army in thefight against extremism and terrorism.He expressed his grave concern overthe surge of sectarian violence whowere made target in the mosques,,imambarghas, travelling, shrinesetc inthe country.

He said that the so called scholarsindulge in hate speeches and incite theinnocent people to violence that killthe fellow Muslims of other school ofthoughts. It is not condoned by ourreligion that clearly describes the mur-der of a human being as the murder ofwhole humanity. He observed that

PESHAWAR—The Inspector General ofPolice Khyber Pakhtunkhwa NasirKhan Durrani Tuesday directed po-lice high-ups to put in place foolproofsecurity for the sensitive and vulner-able establishments on priority basisand take prompt action on any threatalert.

Presiding over a District PoliceOfficers (DPOs) conference here, hedirected the DPOs to personally visit

KP arrest 255 in search operationsIGP direct DPOs to nab those minting money from Afghan refugees

the sensitive and vulnerable placesalong with district administration,localpolice team and register cases againstthose who were not following the op-erational guidelines issued to them.

He further directed to intensifyaction against illegal Afghans, misuseof loudspeaker, hate and provocativespeeches, hate material and registercases against the violators.

The IGP directed the DPOs to ar-

rest those who are minting money fromthe public especially from Afghan refu-gees in the name of checking and alsodismiss them from service.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PoliceTuesday claimed to have arrestedas many as 255 suspects and recov-ered a huge cache of arms and am-munition during the ongoing Searchand Strike Operation thoughout theprovince.—APP

No difference between good, bad Talibanoverwhelming majority of the religiousscholars were against the wrong in-terpretation of the religion because Is-lam stood peace,security and toler-ance adding the el-ement of extremismin our religion hadbeen incorporatedby those Mullhaswho wanted to re-main relevant byhook or crook.

He said that allthose who had leftthe country due tothe fear shouldcome back to Paki-stan because we asa nation had tofight out the menace to secure the fu-ture of our generations so that theycould live in peace and harmony andprogress in all walks of national life.

He said that sectarian killing wasdeliberate and being unleashed on the

behest of the enemies of thecountry.He said that the founder of thenation made it abundantly clear that

in Pakistan all citizens willenjoy equal rights regardlessof creed, faith, gender andethnicity. He stated that thegovernment was not doingenough as per the mandategiven by the political partiesin Peshawar because the pro-scribed organization wereholding rallies in the citieswithout fear of any legal con-sequences and indeed chal-lenging the writ of the gov-ernment.

He further said thatthese organizations haveestablished their safe ha-

vens in all parts of the country butthe government was looking otherway in the face of their carrying outtheir illegal activities with impunityand the government looked like ly-ing supine in front of them. —Online

Youth Summit 2015

KPBOIT,WB to hold IT

conferencein May

STAFF REPORTER

P E S H A W A R — K h y b e rPakhtunkhwa InformationTechnology Board(KPBOIT) in collaborationwith World Bank and otherpartner organization is go-ing to hold a mega IT con-ference titled “Digital YouthSummit 2015” in May thisyear to showcase and utilizethe innovative thinking andpotentials of the youth of theprovince. This two- dayconference will provide aplate form for the IT relatedyouth to showcase their in-novative talents andthereby provide them ampleopportunities of career.

This was disclosed byKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Se-nior Minister for ST&IT,Shahram Khan Tarakai in afunction held to this effectat Peshawar Press Club onTuesday.

He said that the pro-vincial government wasworking on a number ofini t iat ives to effect ivelyuti l ize the informationtechnology for finding outsolutions to the day today issues of citizens, im-proving the capacity ofgovernment department.

ISLAMABAD—Around 20,000 Pakistanis die of kidneyfailure every year as ChronicKidney Disease (CKD) israpidly growing in Pakistandue to late diagnosis, highvolume of kidney stone dis-ease and increasing numberof patients with diabetesand high blood pressure.Around 600 million personsworldwide have some formof kidney damage. ChronicKidney Disease (CKD) ispredicted to increase by 17percent over the next de-cade, is now recognized asglobal public health issue.

This information wasgiven to the 10th BiennialPSN Conference held hereorganized by the PakistanSociety of Nephrology(PSN) and the event fo-cused on Chronic KidneyDisease. This year ’stheme is focused onChronic Kidney Disease inSouth Asia, Progression,Outcome and preventiveStrategies.

It is to raise awarenessabout the dangers of kid-ney disease and to send aclear message to the gen-eral public and govern-ments that CKD is com-mon, harmful and treat-able. During thedeliberations,Experts saidconsuming junk and lowquality food, self-medica-tion and excessive use of

20,000 Pakistanis die ofkidney failure every year

medicine, low water in-take, obesity, diabetes, hy-pertension and renalstones were a few causesof the kidney disease.

The disease can also beinherited and stressed toknow all the possible causesof kidney diseases, living asimple and active life andadopting preventive mea-sures to avoid complica-tions.

The best way to preventkidney failure is early diag-nosis of underlying diseaseand aggressive treatment.Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is the presence of kid-ney damage, or reducedfunction of the kidneys, fora period of three months ormore.

They said thoughsymptoms of CKD oftengo undetected until laterstages of the disease,some indicators may in-clude: high blood pres-sure, puffiness of theeyes, hands and feet, dif-ferences in urination (pas-sage of bloody, cloudy ortea colored urine; proteinin urine; excessive foam-ing of urine; frequentpassing of urine at night;passing less or difficultiespassing urine), Fatigue ordiff iculty concentrat ing,Loss of appetite or weightand Persistent generalizeditching.—INP

ISLAMABAD—Anti Narcot-ics Force (ANF) has recov-ered 240 kg heroin, 0.5 kgcocaine and 42.2 kg charasworth of Rs.1639 million ininternational market, arrest-ing 6 drug offenders includ-ing a lady smuggler.

ANF conducted fiveoperations in various citiesincluding Rawalpindi,Peshawar, Lahore andKarachi, said a press re-lease.

According to details,ANF Karachi on pursuanceof an intelligence report,raided a rice godown situ-ated in Sector F-6, MehranTown, Industrial Area,Korangi, Karachi and re-covered 240 kg heroin and40 kg charas from thegodown.

ANF recovers28.5 kg narcotics

An accused present onthe occurrence place wastaken into custody.

As per preliminary in-vestigations, the godownwas being used as a cachesite and drugs were to behanded over to some otherNarcotics Gang for smug-gling abroad, reportedly toHolland.

ANF Karachi Airportteam during routine profil-ing at Jinnah InternationalAirport, Karachi, arrested apassenger, identified asMuhammad Iqbal, a resi-dent of Khushab on suspi-cion of having gulpedheroin filled capsules. Dur-ing interrogation, he con-fessed of having 65 heroinfilled capsules in his abdo-men.—APP

ing the PPP government ten-ure. He said they thoughtthat the 18th amendmentwould strengthen the fed-eration but unfortunatelythe government was makingimportant projects contro-versial. He warned that suchan attitude would weaken thefederation.

PTI Vice Chairman ShahMahmood Qureshi warnedthat if the provinces were nottaken into confidence aboutthe corridor it would widenthe gulf between the federa-tion and the provinces. Hesaid the government has in-cluded $ 1.6 billion LahoreOrange Line Railway projectin the Economic Corridor. Hesaid the actual route wasfrom Khyber Pakhtoonkhwato Mianwali and his partywould only support theoriginal route.

Qaumi Wattan PartyChief Aftab Sherpao saidgovernment at the centre isformed with majority inPunjab by a party and it doesnot need other provinces.He said the provinces havegot rights over their naturalresources which was due tothe broadmindedness ofAsif Ali Zardari. NationalParty Balochistan leader MirHasil Bizenjo said the Fed-eral should not make theroute controversial other-wise it would become an-other Kalabagh issue.

He said the Pakistan-China corridor would bringprosperity in Balochistanand Khyber Pakhtoonkhwawould also contribute to theprosperity of Pakistan.—INP

existing road systems afterfilling some of the gaps.They said they know theproposed economic corridoris not just a big road but itincludes rail tracks, oil andgas pipelines, fiber opticcable, projects for energy re-sources and Industrialparks. Question is will thisheavy infrastructure be builttwice? Addressing the con-ference ANP PresidentAsfandyar Wali Khan saidthe Prime Minister MrNawaz Sharif creates crisisafter getting out of the pre-vious one. He warned that ifthe route was changed, theywould make it anotherKalabagh. He said insteadof asking prices of con-sumer items in Islamabad,the Prime Minister shouldhave gone to Miranshah andZhob and he would haveknown the difference.

The ANP President saidwe can strengthen Pakistanby strengthening the prov-inces as we have heavily suf-fered by losing East Pakistanwhile trying to strengthen thecentre. Leader of the oppo-sition in the National Assem-bly Syed Khursheed Shahsaid the project should be gotapproved by the CCI andwarned the government togive up thinking about inter-est of a particular province.

He said the governmentwas unnecessarily makingthe project controversialwhich is meant for the de-velopment of the country.He said the all parties con-ference supported the corri-dor which was decided dur-

CwardlyattacksISLAMABAD—Information andBroadcastingMinister Senator PervaizRashid has underlined theneed for collective effortsto address national issuessuch as energy, economyand terrorism. Talking to aprivate TV channel, he saidPrime Minister NawazSharif held a meeting inKarachi and reviewedimportant matters includingthe National Action Planand Baldia Town incident.Pervaiz Rashid saidPakistan Tehreek-i-Insafchief Imran Khan shouldalso attend such meetingsto discuss strategy foraddressing the issues. Heasked Imran Khan to cometo the Parliament, which isthe best forum for takingup issues.—Sabah

ReformingeducationsystemPESHAWAR—KhyberPakhtunkhwa Minister forFinance Muzaffar SaaidAdvocate has asked theeducationists to deliberatereformation in the existingeducation system and helpevolving a strategy tomeet challenges of currentera. He expressed theseviews as a chief guest ininaugural ceremony ofnewly establishedMicrobiology and PakStudies blocs at theHawelian campus ofHazara University. ViceChancellor HazaraUniversity, Dr. SohailShezad, Chairman Phar-macy Department, Dr.Azhar Sherkheli, ProfessorDr. Mukhtar Hassan andAmeer of Jamaat IslamiAbbottabad, Abdur RazaqAbbasi also spoke on theoccasion. Muzaffar Saaidsaid that teaching was asacred profession and itssignificance in characterbuilding of youth cannotbe undermined.—APP

WAHCANT: Chairman POF Board Lt General Muhammad Ahsan Mahmood flanked byChairman of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Air Marshal Javed Ahmed, ChairmanHeavy Industries Taxila Lt Gen Syed Wajid Hussain and Advisor to the Chairman POFMuhammad Sharif unveiling the plaque of foundation stone of 1 MWp solar power project.

NOWSHERA: A large number of people stands outside the gate of Government Degree College Pabbi after rumourof bomb in the college premises.

WAH CANTT—The groundbreaking cer-emony of 1 MW Captive Mode SolarPower Project at Wah Nobel ChemicalLtd was held at Pakistan Ordnance Fac-tories here on Tuesday.

Lt Gen Muhammad AhsanMahmood, Chairman POF Board andMuhammad Sharif Ex-Member POFBoard and Technical Advisor to Chair-man laid the foundation stone of 1 MWCaptive Mode Solar Power Project atWah Nobel Chemical Ltd. by unveilingthe plaque on the site.

Chief Executive Wah Nobel SyedNaseem Raza, Inam ur Rehman ChairmanReon Energy Solution and senior offic-ers of POF attended the ceremony.

Addressing on this occasion, Lt GenMuham-mad Ahsan Mahmood, Chair-man POF Board remarked that this SolarPower Project is a landmark event in therealm of solar energy projects in thecountry as the said project is the largestcaptive solar power project in the coun-try.

The project will meet the energy re-quirements of Wah Nobel ChemicalsLtd.and other industrial units in the area.

Chairman POF Board congratulatedboth Nobel Energy and Reon Energy So-lutions for initiating the project as it willprove to be a landmark in the history ofcaptive solar projects in the country.

POF gets largest captivesolar power plant of country

He further added that this endeavorwould create confidence into the peoplewho had apprehensions regarding theutility of solar power projects.

It would prove to be a role model forindus-trialists to generate solar energyfor their factories and industries to meettheir energy needs.

Chairman POF Board appreciated theefforts of Wah Nobel Group for initiat-ing this unique project in pursuit ofgreen energy solutions.

He said that, “The successful com-missioning of this landmark project willcontribute to the economic nourishmentof our company and will help to buildconfidence of consumers and industriesin the domain of solar power.

He said Nobel Energy Ltd. and ReonEnergy solutions have approached thisproject with a true collaborative spiritand on the basis of their past experi-ences .

“I am hopeful, both of them will joinhands and work together to completethis project on time.”

POF Chairman congratulated SyedNaseem Raza Chief Executive Wah Nobeland Inam ur Rehman, Chairman ReonEnergy Solutions and their teams for tak-ing initiative of this project and prayedfor i ts successful completion”, headded—APP

LHC summonsDAG on bailplea of NGO

headMULTAN—Lahore HighCourt (LHC) Multan BenchTuesday summonedDeputy Attorney Generalfor Wednesday (Feb 18 to-day) to assist the court onbail application of the headof an NGO.

Petitioner Zia Ur Rahman,head of an NGO Awaz Foun-dation, contended that heconducted an exercise of lo-cal government election af-ter getting permission fromPunjab government and dis-trict administration.

He maintained that hehad not done any illegalthing but a case under sec-tions 420, 468 and 471 of thePakistan Penal Code andSection 13 of the Preventionof Anti-National ActivitiesAct 1974 was registeredagainst him.—APP

ISLAMABAD—The met office Tuesday fore-cast rain and snowfall with psrtly cloudlyconditions in various parts of the countryincluding the federal capital during next 24hours.

According to details,partly cloudy weather condi-tions will prevail in upper partsof the country, while rain-thunderstorm with snowfallover the hills is expected atisolated places of Islamabad,Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha,Peshawar, Malakand, Hazara divisions,Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

Moreover, cold and dry weather is ex-pected elsewhere in the country.

Meanwhile, a western disturbance isaffecting upper parts of the country andexpected to prevail during current week.

During the last 24 hours, rainfall oc-curred at isolated places in Malakand,

Rain likely in various parts of countryHazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Lahore,Gujranwala divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan andKashmir.

Parachinar -4øC, Gupis -2øC and Kalatand Astore -1øC

remained the coldestpalces.

The minimum tempera-tures of main cities will be ex-pected at Muzaffarabad 7øC,Islamabad 9øC, Rawalpindi10øC, Lahore and Multan

12øC, Karachi 19øC, Hyderabad 18øC,Quetta 3øC and Peshawar 8øC during next24 hours. The Multan Met office has fore-cast partly cloudy (PC) weather for the cityand its suburbs during the next 24 hours.

On Tuesday, maximum and minimumtemperatures were recorded as 24.8 C and13.2 degree centigrade respectively.

The humidity was recorded 83 per centat 8 am and 57 per cent at 5 pm.—APP

ISLAMABAD—The Government of Japan hasdonated US$ 5 million to the United NationsWorld Food Programme (WFP) to help feed In-ternally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of NorthWaziristan Agency as well as those who will havereturned in the coming weeks and months as perthe FATA Secretariat plan.

With this valuable contribution, WFP willbe able to assist 91,000 families (555,100 people)for three months, according to a press releaseissued here on Tuesday.

Monthly relief food distributions, con-ducted by WFP and partners under the lifesav-ing humanitarian relief component, have en-sured that basic food needs of those who tem-porarily left their homes as a result of law en-forcement operations in FATA are met.

The family food basket consists of wheatflour, peas, fortified vegetable oil and salt.

Japan donates $ 5m to support IDPs To address micronutrient deficiencies, wheat

is being milled and fortified locally with a premixcontaining iron, folate and other vitamins andminerals.

Vegetable oil is enriched with vitamins A andD. Furthermore, upon return, WFP provides asix month return ration followed by school feed-ing, nutrition and livelihoods rehabilitationprogrammes focusing on the enhancement offood security and resilience.

The donation from Japan will provide fund-ing to transport, mill, fortify and distribute 16,400mt of wheat supplied by the Government of Pa-kistan (as part of the 155,000 mt contributed in2015) as well as purchase 1,400 mt of yellow splitpeas and 718 mt of vegetable oil.

Japan has been a critical partner for WFPin Pakistan having donated US$97 millionsince 2010.

In January 2011, WFP welcomed a recordone-off donation of US$70 million from the Gov-ernment of Japan in support of its emergencyresponse and recovery assistance for crisis-af-fected populations in Pakistan (the largest singleJapanese donation to WFP to date).

“WFP is very grateful to Japan for its gener-ous donation and continued support. It will en-able us to provide food rations to people dis-placed from North Waziristan Agency and as-sist in their return as well as rehabilitation onceback home, which will ultimately contribute tothe peace and stability in the region” said PeterScott-Bowden, WFP Pakistan Representative.

WFP aims to assist 7.5 million people be-tween 2013 and 2015 at a total cost of US$595million seeking, amongst others, to improve eco-nomic opportunities and promote social inclu-sion in FATA, boost —APP

PESHAWAR—The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KP) Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE)in its report issued here Tuesday said thatthe government exchequer suffered Rs 1.14billion losses in last eight months due tocorruption.

It said the ACE detected in investiga-tion the loss of Rs. 1.14 billion to the Gov-ernment exchequer, out of which Rs. 7.748million were recovered from the accused

KP suffers Rs 1.14b lossesowing to corruption

government officers and officials while therest of recovery was yet to made.

The performance report of ACE re-vealed that 138 cases were registeredagainst the accused, while arrest warrantsof 524 accused officers and officials wereissued, adding that most of the cases weresubmitted in Special Courts of anti-corrup-tion for trial, while investigation in the re-maining were being completed.—APP

HYDERABAD—The Hinducommunity celebratedShivratri festival here onTuesday to mark the wed-ding anniversary of LordShiva with Mata Parvati.

Hindu married womenobserve fast for long life oftheir husbands while unmar-

Hindu communitycelebrates Shivratri

ried girls do it in the hope ofbeing rewarded with a hand-some and able husband.

In early morning, devo-tees flocked to Shivatemples to perform the tra-ditional Shivalinga worshipand hence hope for favoursfrom the Lord.—APP

Wake up call forSindh Government

THE fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif dashed to Karachi on Monday in the perspective of Baldia Town report is reflective of his concern over deteriorating law and order situation in the economic capi-

tal of the country and the need to improve things there. That he drove di-rectly from Airport to the Corps Headquarters to attend a high-level brief-ing and brainstorming session followed by a meeting of the Apex Commit-tee further indicated the level of urgency being given to check lawlessnessin Karachi.

Despite claims by successive Governments to have taken a number ofmeasures to curb terrorism and crime in Karachi, there is no noticeableimprovement in the situation. An operation is also underway in the city butthat too has apparently no visible impact on the overall law and order situ-ation in the Provincial capital. It was in this backdrop that the Army Chief,DG ISI and other top brass of the Army were present in the briefing givento the Prime Minister, reflecting anguish of the commanders over worsen-ing security environment in the city of Quaid. The Prime Minister did wellby personally visiting the city and chairing two important meetings, whichwould, hopefully, go a long way in bringing about a change in the situation.Former President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim AliShah also attended the briefing at Corps Headquarters where the partici-pants call a spade a spade and reportedly criticized performance of the Gov-ernment especially the police force. It is an established fact that Sindh Po-lice in general and that of Karachi in particular is completely politicized asdifferent political parties have inducted their loyalists in its ranks. It is mainlybecause of this that no operation succeeds and crime rate is rapidly increas-ing in the city. Bureaucracy is also lacklustre and corruption has seeped intoalmost every branch of the administration. A stage has come where decisivecorrective steps will have to be taken by the Sindh Government to stem therot. The meetings in Karachi were wakeup call and onus rests on Asif AliZardari, who is in the know of every thing as he held the office of thePresident for five years, has the necessary background and experience andis also Co-Chairperson of the PPP that rules the Province.

Make SECP credibleregulatory authority

FINANCE Minister Ishaq Dar visited offices of Securities and ExchangeCommission of Pakistan (SECP) in Islamabad on Monday where he

was given detailed presentations by the SECP chairman and commission-ers in relation to its reform agenda and areas requiring the governmentsupport. The Finance Minister while appreciating the SECP’s efforts askedit to adopt policy of zero tolerance against insider trading and set exampleby identifying and penalizing black sheep in stock market so that it servesas deterrence and the menace is curbed.

SECP being a regulator of the capital market and corporate sector canplay important role in the development of the economy. It also has the man-date to encourage and facilitate investment in the country through listing onthe stock exchanges. As the Government is seeking an all round improvementin economy, the SECP can play a supplementary role in realizing this cher-ished objective provided there are coordinated efforts for encouragement ofinvestment in the country through public participation, development of thecapital market and encouragement of new listing on the domestic stock ex-changes. In the past, the SECP could not deliver effectively for a variety ofreasons including the general attitude of neglect but things have now startedimproving. This is particularly so after assumption of its leadership by newChairman Zafar Hejazi, who has undertaken a comprehensive process of re-forms and change. This has boosted confidence of all stakeholders as SECP isworking in a transparent manner focusing on investor education and expand-ing outreach of the capital market to masses; encouraging new listings, intro-duction of new products; improving coordination with various regulators andgovernment bodies and revamping legal framework. As Ishaq Dar is a vision-ary personality, we are sure his patronage and attention would help the Com-mission turn into an effective and vibrant regulatory body.

India gainsground in Sri Lanka

IN a possible sign to build new allegiance, Sri Lankan President MaithripalaSirisena was accorded a red carpet welcome on arrival in New Delhi, his

first foreign visit abroad after taking over. During their talks Indian PrimeMinister Narendra Modi and Maithripala Sirisena on Monday decided toexpand bilateral nuclear, defence and security cooperation, indicating NewDelhi’s intentions to achieve its hegemonic designs.

After the Presidential elections, there were reports in the Indian and SriLankan media that RAW played a role in the elections to defeat formerPresident Mahinda Rajapaksa who was opposed to Indian lust for hege-mony and working closely with China for various development projectsincluding construction of ports and energy plants. The RAW Chief in Co-lombo was reportedly instrumental in building the rainbow coalition in SriLanka that toppled Mr Rajapaksa unexpectedly. The coalition was the re-sult of secret meetings over 18 months in London, New Delhi and Colombobetween an odd mix of right and left-wing politicians, intellectuals, lawyersand Buddhist clergy. The election results and the visit of the new Sri LankanPresident is a major gain for Narendra Modi who is following an aggressiveforeign policy. Rajapaksa’s unexpected defeat after two terms in office co-incided with growing concern in India that it was losing influence in SriLanka because of the former President’s tilt toward China. The concernturned to alarm late last year when Rajapaksa allowed two Chinese subma-rines to dock in Sri Lanka without informing India. New Delhi had beenwatching Beijing’s growing influence and heavy investments in Sri Lankaunder Rajapaksa, with serious concern. After these developments Indianleadership started thinking steps to regain foothold in Sri Lanka and RAWplayed its role. With the signing of the civil nuclear cooperation agreementwith Sri Lanka and assuring it of military and security cooperation, Modihas tried to give the Sri Lankan President an indication that it could gainmore from India than China. It is not only Sri Lanka, Narendra Modi isgiving meaningful dimensions to relations with all neighbouring countriesto reduce Chinese influence in the region and isolate Pakistan as well.

Futility of Pak-India talks

Geo-engineeringwon’t solve

climate change

EFFORTS to reduce emissionsof climate-disrupting greenhouse gases are moving at a

pace that is, well, glacial. Humanactivity continues to spew tens ofbillions of tons of carbon dioxideinto the air every year. And eventhough a bone-chilling cold snaphas the eastern US shivering thisweek, the globe as a whole contin-ues to warm at a scary pace. So it’snot surprising that some scientists,economists and politicians havebegun to discuss a Plan B. Variouslyknown as solar geo-engineering,radiation management or albedomodification, Plan B involvesspraying particles into atmospherethat would reflect sunlight and coolEarth’s surface. Particle injectionwould be cheaper than emissionsreduction and, like a volcanic erup-tion such as Mount Pinatubo in Phil-ippines in 1991, could produce rela-tively rapid results.

But not so fast, as a NationalAcademy of Sciences panel re-ported last week, solar geo-engi-neering is no substitute for effortsto reduce greenhouse gas emissionsand adapt to a changing climate.Here’s why: (a) Squirting sulfateparticles or other aerosols into theatmosphere doesn’t address the rootcause of climate disruption, norwould it counteract ocean acidifi-cation and other effects of elevatedcarbon dioxide levels. Once particleinjection began, it would have to goon for centuries, unless ways weredeveloped to remove large amountsof carbon dioxide from the atmo-sphere. (b) The risks posed by thisglobal science experiment arepoorly understood. Some areasmight get floods and others drought.Blue skies and starry nights wouldprobably be replaced by milkyhazes and red sunsets. (c) Some sortof international body would need tooversee the injection program. It’shard enough for a husband and wifeto agree on the best bedroom tem-perature. Imagine the nations of theworld trying to set the planet’s ther-mostat. The government-sponsoredpanel had a more favourable viewtoward another form of “climateintervention” — removing CO2from the atmosphere. This approachis far less problematic, but it’s slowand uneconomical. As for injectingparticles into atmosphere to coolplanet, scientists recommendedmore research to determine whethersuch ideas could be viable some-day. That’s fine, as long aspolicymakers treat particle injectionas a last-ditch scheme is less PlanB than it is Plan Z. — USA Today

*****

Disarm Iraq’smurderous

militias

THE recent killings of triballeaders has to be firmly dealtwith by Prime Minister

Haider Al Abadi’s government. Hispredecessor Nouri Al Maliki didgrave damage to the Iraqi army bymerging all sorts of sectarian forcesinto the regular units, and Al Abadihas at least started to reverse thatdisastrous policy. He has also im-posed government control on themilitias that sprung up in responseto Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani’scall to defend Iraq against the firstwave of attacks from Daesh whenthe Iraqi army stood unable to de-fend Mosul last summer.

Nonetheless, the killing thisweek of an important tribal leaderand his son shows how fragile thisnew sense of peace in Iraq still is.Sunni politicians have had a sharpreminder that even if Al Abadi ismore secular in spirit, many of theforces in Iraq remain firmly sectar-ian and are willing to go to anylength to wreck any reconciliation.The way forward is for Al Abadi todisband and disarm the militias andshow that the government is incharge. Al Abadi has to stop thesevicious killings and make sure thatall Iraqis have to obey the law. Thisis not only vital for the success ofIraq as a country, but it is also es-sential so that after the eventual as-sault on Daesh-held territory in thewest, the government will be ableto offer the liberated Sunni popula-tions of the west a more inclusivepolity which they will want to re-join. — Gulf News

MEDIA WATCH

PRESIDENT Obama’s half anhour phone call to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has set the

stage for resumption of Pakistan-India dialogue. Malice underlyingPakistan-India relations has a muchbroader canvass and much largerdepth than what is generally per-ceived. India had taken a policy de-cision long time ago that it will con-tinue to make all-out effort tosqueeze Pakistan on all counts atbilateral, regional and global levels.

New Indian Foreign Secretaryis likely to visit Pakistan to resumethe process from the point his pre-decessor had disrupted. However, atthe same time, worrisome estimatesare pouring in from divergentsources that during coming weeks,India is likely to conduct a premedi-tated false flag operation leading toan eye-catching act of terrorism inIndian occupied Kashmir. Such in-cident would be promptly blamed onPakistan. By doing so India wouldachieve multiple objectives: offsetinternational (read American) pres-sure to resume dialogue with Paki-stan; divert public attention fromBJPs horrible defeat in Delhi elec-tions; gain time for further politicalwheeling dealing in Indian occupiedJammu and Kashmir (IoK); and todisrupt evolving regional consensusfor Afghanistan end game. In run upto this false flag operation, Indianleadership is orchestrating mediahype using beaten tracks—infiltra-tion, weapon supply etc.

India is purposefully sustainingtense situation over the Line ofControl (LoC) and the WorkingBoundary (WB). Unprovoked andindiscriminate firing and shellingalongside threats of disproportion-

Indian secularism on way to exit

THE only good thing PrimeMinister Indira Gandhi did inher repressive rule during the

emergency was to include thewords, secularism and socialism, inthe preamble of the constitution.Morarji Desai who succeeded herhad all the changes she made in theconstitution deleted, but retained theamendment to the preamble. TheJana Sangh, the earlier carnation ofthe BJP that had merged with theJanata Party, raised no objection.Both L.K. Advani and Atal BehariVajpayee, the Jana Sangh stalwartswho had joined the Janata, wereamong the enthusiastic leaders toretain the words of secularism andsocialism in the preamble.

It has been apparent that theomission of the two words from anadvertisement issued by the Minis-try of Information and Broadcast-ing should not be construed as the“real” intention of the government.The ministry has admitted its mis-take. The matter should have endedthere and then. But the situation haskept the controversy alive by BJPchief Amit Shah. He has said at apress conference that the old pre-amble is the real one. However, theInformation and Broadcasting Min-ister Arun Jaitley has stated thatwhat held the field was the new ver-sion of the preamble which omitsthe mention of socialism and secu-larism. The confusion has beenconfounded by Law and JusticeMinister Ravi Shankar Prasad who

While there’s life

there’s hope

stated that the omission ofwords, secularism and social-ism, gives an opportunity todebate the matter all overagain. It is a pity that the LawMinister should say so with-out realising the sanctity of the

constitution. That a liberal person likehim should say it is all the more rep-rehensible. The matter was debatedfully when the two words were in-cluded.

The only inference one can drawfrom this episode is that the RashtriyaSwayansevak Sangh (RSS), whichguides the party, wants the words“secularism and socialism” dropped.For them, at least the word ‘secular-ism’ is an anathema. Because of thecountrywide furore the BJP has notpursued the matter. Maybe, PrimeMinister Narendra Modi, who stayedsilent in public, advised the party thatthe country was not yet ready to jet-tison secularism and socialism. TheRSS probably considered it a reverse,not the defeat and will comeback tothis agenda when the climate isfavourable. True, the lessening sup-port of the Congress, which is ideo-logically secular, has adversely af-fected secularism. But the party andthe ideology are not synonymous. Infact, secularism has suffered becausethe Congress deviated from it in ac-tion. In its race to grab power, theparty pushed ideals into the back-ground.

Congress president SoniaGandhi’s commitment to the ideol-ogy has never been in doubt, nor wasthat of her son Rahul Gandhi’s. Butthere are many state leaders who donot hesitate to take a parochial linefor the sake of votes. She is report-edly unhappy but is afraid of takingaction against them because their exit

from the Congress may hit the partyin a way which may be fatal. TheCongress is in the midst of gatheringinformation from the ground, accord-ing to its leader Anand Sharma, andmay come out with a report in March.Yet what it does not realize is that ithas lost contact with the workers whoare disillusioned that the Congresshas distance from the ethos of secu-larism and socialism in pursuit ofpower at any cost.

Mahatma Gandhi is still the icon.But the party has given space to suchelements who are trying to put up amemorial to pay homage to NathuRam Godse who shot Gandhi dead.His name was nowhere in the picturetill recently. But a few days ago anunderpass at Alwar, Rajasthan, wassought to be named after Godse. TheCongress and other secular organiza-tions, including the leftist parties,should analyse their action and theway in which they have been push-ing their programme because Godserepresents an ideology which smacksof Hindutva that Mahatma Gandhifought against tooth and nail.

Socialism became the socialistpattern during Jawaharlal Nehru’slifetime because he felt that the ide-ology was difficult to practice. Theconcept has got so diluted over theyears that the public sector undertak-ings which were supposed to attainthe commanding heights are at thebackburner. Over the years, the pri-vate sector has been encouraged bydifferent political parties because theindustrialists provide the money forelections. This nexus cannot be bro-ken until there are drastic electoralreforms to lessen the role of money.

Welfare is not dependent on so-cialism, but egalitarianism is. If theindustry and business expand, at least

ate use of force point towards India’sdangerous desire to create a spacefor war. Pakistan appreciates US in-terest in South Asia and expects itto play a constructive role for stra-tegic stability and balance in the re-gion, by encouraging a focus on theobjectives of economic developmentand poverty reduction; and, as a cor-ollary, reduce the possibility of a re-invigorated arms race in the sub-continent. For the last couple ofyears, India has been the biggestimporter of sophisticated weaponsystems,—including from theUnited States. Notwithstanding, Pa-kistan expects the US to continueplaying a balancing role in bringingstrategic stability to South Asia.

Pakistan is increasingly con-cerned that growing influence of In-dia inside Afghanistan could be det-rimental to its interests in the region.In his statement, Sartaj Aziz has urgedthe international community for notrepeating the mistake of the past. “Webelieve this precious moment of hopeand optimism in Afghanistan must bedefended, by not repeating the mis-takes of the past. Internationalcommunity’s continuous engagementis a major imperative…The new Af-ghan government must be providedcontinuous economic and financialsupport for economic revival and fordelivering on its reform agenda… AllAfghan stakeholders must be con-vinced that their country wouldemerge stronger only if they workedwith each other, not against eachother…”

A peaceful neighbourhood forPakistan cannot be realised withouta qualitative transformation inPakistan’s relationships with Af-ghanistan, India and Iran. While re-lationship with Iran and Afghanistanare on a better trajectory, the Modigovernment in India is not forthcom-ing to Pakistan’s overtures. In linewith its track record, India has not

reciprocated Pakistan’s robust peaceinitiatives. Cancellation of foreignsecretary-level talks by India on thepretext of Pakistani HighCommissioner’s meeting withKashmiri leaders was found uncon-vincing worldwide, as such prepara-tory meetings have been a norm sinceAB Vajpayee’s time. Moreover, Modihas an elaborate plan to unilaterallyalter the status of IoK. Any such ef-forts by India would further obfus-cate already complicated situation.

Asia’s importance has beengrowing through centuries and theregion has been home to the greatestcivilizations and empires of all times.As the United States and westernpowers look towards the east, it isimportant for the Asian continent torealise its strength, identify politicaltrajectory through a show of indepen-dent stance in global politics. Key tothis approach lies in peaceful SouthAsia. To realize this objective, Paki-stan wants meaningful and result-ori-ented dialogue with India for resolu-tion of all outstanding issues. Andsuch dialogue with India must includethe Kashmir issue, otherwise it wouldbe futile. There are reports that USPresident Barack Obama, during hisrecent visit to India, tried to persuadeIndia to resume dialogue with Paki-stan. Reportedly India initially re-sisted such persuasions, but lateragreed to do so. However, negativepropaganda about the Line of Con-trol is indicative of Indian intransi-gence; by doing so, it wants to keepa handle on the negotiations, and re-tain essential leverage for calling offthe talks, which it is resuming underAmerican pressure.

Due to America’s misplaced de-sire to employ India as cheap deter-rence against China, its leverage overIndia is on downslide, especiallysince 2005. Moreover, American sup-port for India’s claim for a permanentseat in the UNSC and entry into stra-

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the wealth will increase. But thenexus between politicians and thebureaucracy does not allow rapidprogress. Red tape apart, corruptionat every step saps the energy whichcan be infused for the society to goahead. Communalism is the realproblem. The nation’s strong reac-tion has stopped the ‘ghar wapsi’movement. Christians are still thetarget. But their number is limitedand does not count much in elec-toral politics. Otherwise, the BJPgovernment would not have daredto declare even the festival ofChristmas into a Good GovernanceDay! As the archbishop at Delhisaid, the measure was the result ofa hate-campaign.

The Muslims, nearly 15 per centin the country, have not got their due,particularly in jobs. But they havebeen able to stall the relentless ef-forts to push them aside. Their votecomes in good stead to them. If theydo not fall prey to the mechaniza-tions of Akbaruddin Owaisi, who istrying to attract Muslims in the nameof religion, the realization that thereis no go from secularism will takeroots. Yet the nation has to ponderover seriously how it is being forcedto compromise with communalism,the opposite of the ethos of freedommovement. How many of us todayremember Maulana Abul KalamAzad and Khan Abdul GhaffarKhan, the Frontier Gandhi, whostood boldly during the hay days ofthe Muslim League? They were vi-sionary and unlike the present lead-ers saw the redemption of multi-cul-tural and multi-religious society thatIndia is.—The writer is a veteran Indianjournalist, syndicated columnist,human rights activist and author.

— Proverb

tegic trade cartels has added to In-dian hubris. Unless America ratio-nalizes its China policy, this trendis likely to continue. Prime Minis-ter Nawaz has done well by tellingObama that India is a violator ofUN resolutions—especially onKashmir— and as such it does notqualify for a permanent UNSCseat. Moreover, Pakistan does notsubscribe to adding new centres ofpower in the UN. Moreover he hasalso informed the US President thatPakistan also wishes to joinNuclear Suppliers Group.

Pakistan should continue tohold its ground on vital issues. Pa-kistan has sent a correct signal toIndia that it is contemplating toapproach the International Court ofJustice (ICJ) for arbitration regard-ing violation of provisions of IndusWater Treaty (ITW) with regard toconstruction of Kishanganga Damon River Jhelum and four otherdams on the Chenab. In addition toKishanganga, Pakistan had raisedtechnical objections over the de-signs of 850MW Ratle, 1,000MWPakal Dul, 120MW Miyar and48MW Lower Kalnai hydropowerprojects at River Chenab in IoK.India is actively supporting anti-dam movements in Pakistan, sothat it could project it to the inter-national community that Pakistanis unable to utilize its water re-sources efficiently; this mantra isexpected to create a favourableinternational lobby to support In-dian bid for construction of damson Eastern rivers—Indus, Chenaband Jhelum. Financial trails ofsome of anti-dam movements origi-nate from India. Pakistan should becautious in dealing with India andshould not dole out concessionswithout securing proportionatequid pro quo.—The writer is consultant to IPRIon policy and strategic response.

Email:kuldipnayar09@gmail.com

Kuldip Nayar

Iqbal KhanEmail:wonderous101@gmail.com

Voice of the People

Lack of properdialysis centres

HIRA AHMED

The number of renal dialysis pa-tients is increasing day by day butthe proper dialysis centres where thepatients can get a satisfied treatmentare very few. Beside this fact, in Pa-kistan there is not even a single in-stitute for technicians of dialysis ma-chines where they could learn aboutthe machines properly and the mainthing they should learn about is ashow to prick the needle withoutdamaging the fistula (surgicallymodified blood vessel created byconnecting an artery to a vein), with-out fistula dialysis is nearly impos-sible. And it is very expensive tohave an operation for fistula again.

It is a request to the govern-ment to introduce a proper di-ploma for the technicians of dialy-sis machines and establish properdialysis centres for suffering pa-tients against affordable fees.—Karachi

Non-stop cricketfor Pak fans

ASLAM MALIK

It’s all about cricket these days. Es-pecially the social media is abuzzwith favourite teams and match fix-tures. Guys like myself that are crazyabout cricket, select our favouritechannels that we’d like to stick tofor world cup matches. While I wassearching for match viewing optionsI came across the Smart TV APPadvertisement in the paper thatclaims to stream cricket world cupnon-stop without any commercials.And guess what? It is developed bynone other than our own PTCL.

For a moment I was unsure if itwas the same PTCL as in the na-tional telephone company in Paki-stan. I felt good that we will have aPakistani APP on cricket that we canuse to stay up-to-the-minute statsand view live streaming of allmatches. It does cost a little but Ithink it’s all worth it if they reallyare going to stream advertisementsfree. Well let’s see how this app per-forms when the matches begin. Ihave it on my android and ipad andreally look forward to viewing theworld cup matches. I myself as aPakistani IT professional also feelthat large technology companiesshould help encourage the local APPindustry by undertaking similar ini-tiatives in APP development.—Via email

*****MANZAR KHAN

The cricket match between Pakistanand India is not less than a war. Thesupporters of both teams were hos-tile to each other. Pak team playedsenselessly so loss became the fateof them. Many hearts were brokenbecause its supporters were so opti-mistic about their performance.There were many loopholes in Pakteam. India played it very intelli-gently, India’s batting line was itsstrength combined with wellequipped fielding.

Many senior players like YonusKhan, Shahid Afridi and UmarAkmal didn’t prove their worth andplayed immaturely. On the other sideMisbah ul Haq played commend-able but cricket is not a one mansport .The piece of advice forGreen’s is to improve their battingby adopting a well planned andchalked out approach otherwise,they will face the music in future aswell. If they want to crown them-selves as world champions, theymust focus on their performance andplay wholeheartedly, not only forthem but for the whole nation. —Peshawar

*****SHAHID QURESHI

The Pakistani team once again lostWorld Cup 2015 match from rivalcountry. There is nothing new orextra-ordinary in this news as thePakistani cricket team has beenmaintaining its tradition for the last23 years. It was of course intriguingfor the Cricket lovers to recall that

Traffic police needs brainstormingSHAHID AHMED QURESHI

The Traffic Police deployed at various crossings and heavy traffic rush points are supposed to regulate the flow of traffic in an orderly manner; but it has been observed that these officials in uniform

are more interested in harassing the commuters, fleecing the small vehicle owners or motor cyclists andtrying to make money over negligible tiny offences. They are not seen interested in counselling theoffenders and providing them awareness on traffic laws but instead hunt the commuters ambushing ondead-end turning of the roads. The worst comes when some detracted hawks indulge in one-wheelingon busy roads or luxurious costly cars blatantly violate the one-way arrangements and create a trafficmess, but remain unchecked, un-noticed, overlooked and ignores. However, it there is a small or old car,a motorcycle, a Qingqi Rikshaw or some poor-looking commuter, he becomes the victim of police highhandedness. Will the high-ups in the Police Department arrange some kind of brain storming refreshercourses, capacity building trainings and moral education sessions for the cops to make them a publicfriendly force, by applying the law on all irrespective of commuters financial or nuisance status. In caseany driver violates the law, they should guide them, even challan them, but for a reason and not to stopanybody and ask for papers only to harass them or to make money.—via email

DISCLAIMER

Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

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

—Editor

View From Abroad

The fight against extremists

ONE of the weaknesses of theUS-led coalition against theIslamic State is that America

isn’t trusted as a messenger in muchof the Arab world. So it is importantthat Jordan’s King Abdullah II seemsready to play an unusually visible rolein organizing Arab opposition to theextremists. Abdullah is movingagainst the jihadists on two fronts,ideological and military. He is bol-stered by a rare national consensusin Jordan after Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh was burned alive in acage by the jihadists. The pilot wasfrom a bedrock tribal family in theEast Bank town of Karak, and hisdeath angered and unified the coun-try. Jordanians who have been car-rying placards saying, “We are allMuath,” seem to mean it.

What’s crucial about Jordan’snew activism is that it could give thecoalition an Arab and Muslim face,rather than just an American one. TheUnited States is viewed with suchdeep suspicion in the region that Arableaders who cooperate too openly areoften branded as puppets of the “Cru-saders.” At some political risk,

Abdullah has decided to break thattaboo. The ideological side of thecampaign will begin with an effort togather a core group of Arab and Mus-lim countries that share opposition tothe Islamic State. In addition to Jor-dan, this nucleus would likely includeEgypt, Saudi Arabia, the United ArabEmirates, Morocco and Pakistan.

This Muslim coalition plans toconvene a conference within the nextmonth or so at Al-Azhar Universityin Egypt, which for centuries has beenthe arbiter of mainstream Sunni doc-trine. The hope is that Al-Azharwould provide religious authority fora continuing battle against extremism.The United States would help thecoalition create a global network ofcounter-messaging centres. This ap-proach will be discussed this week ata White House conference on coun-tering violent extremism.

On the military side, the Jorda-nians have for weeks been bombingIslamic State targets in Iraq and Syria.But a more important move may betheir effort to work with the Iraqigovernment to arm and train a Sunni“national guard” that can eventuallyhelp liberate Sunni areas that wereoverrun last year by the Islamic State.This cooperation with the Shiite-ledgovernment in Baghdad would once

have been heresy for Jordan. The Jor-danians seem convinced that IraqiPrime Minister Haider al-Abadi,though friendly with Iran, is also se-rious about outreach to Sunnis. Thegroundwork for cooperation was laidwhen Iraqi Defence Minister Khaledal-Obeidi visited Amman in Decem-ber. Gen. Mashal al-Zaben, Jordan’smilitary chief of staff, paid a recip-rocal visit to Baghdad last week tonegotiate details of the training plan.But the deal hasn’t been pinneddown yet, which makes some Sunnisworry that it’s just talk.

Sunni tribal leaders in Iraq arecaught between their resentment ofIslamic State fighters who haveseized their towns and their mistrustof Abadi’s government. This am-bivalence was evident Friday whenI interviewed two tribal leaders,Sheikh Zaydan al-Jibouri and Jalalal-Gaood. They were wary of coop-erating with Baghdad so long asAbadi allows Shiite militias to op-erate in Anbar province. An angryJibouri showed grisly cellphone pic-tures of the corpses of two membersof his tribe who had been brutallymurdered a week earlier by Shiitemilitiamen in Ramadi.

But Sunni support for coopera-tion seemed to increase Friday night

Time to reform SAARC

BORDERS which shape thepeople’s trends and politicalbehaviour are not

permanent.Western colonial powershad developed a ‘psychology’ thatonly seven countries are the part ofSouth Asia and divided the traderoutes and resources of theregion.The formation of South AsianAssociation for Regional Coopera-tion (SAARC) was also based on thisparticular ‘psychology’ that onlyseven countries should be the mem-bers of this regional organization be-cause these seven countries are within‘South Asian’ region.

Now these‘Psychological re-gional borders’ of South Asia are in-adequate to compel security issues asthey did in the time of Cold war. Indo-Sino war 1962 gave indication firsttime that South Asian security issuescannot be fully addressed until andunless China becomes part of thisprocess. Moreover, in 1979, coupleof incidents occurred outside SouthAsian security complex but affectedSouth Asia by different means. Af-ghan war and Inqelab-e-Iran (Iranian

Revolution) paved a way for expan-sion of South Asian security complex.Afghan war imposed extremism andterrorism in South Asia which wasnot inherent in the region In 1985,during the formation of the SouthAsian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), all the abovementioned incidents could not getattention in the eyes of those whowere establishing a comprehensiveregional organization. Therefore, theformation process restricted the geo-graphical boundaries and incorpo-rated seven states into the securitycomplex of South Asia.

After almost 20 years, theseseven states realized that withoutAfghanistan’s inclusion intoSAARC, the security complex ofSouth Asia would remain inadequate.As a result, Afghanistan was incor-porated into the organization, and wasrecognized as an important state forthe South Asian security complex.Ironically, South Asian countries onceagain did not recognize the impor-tance of China and Iran, both in termsof the security and economic issueslinked with South Asia. But it is arecognized fact that if Afghanistancan become part of the South Asiansecurity complex, then China and Iranhave several reasons to become part

of SAARC.Why China? PeoplesRepublic of China has direct bordersharing with five out of eight SAARCcountries. Significant security mattersregarding territorial and water disputeon Brahmaputra and Tibet issue withIndia, economic and defence coop-eration in various sectors with Paki-stan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, SriLanka and Bhutan deeply involvesChina into South Asian security andeconomic affairs. This direct coop-eration-competition paradox makesChina eligible to be the member ofSAARC and needs to be recognizedas an important state of South Asiansecurity complex. The establishmentof Pak-China economic corridor willfurther make it eligible for the per-manent membership of SAARC.

Why Iran? Iran shares borderwith Pakistan and Afghanistan, twoimportant states of South Asia.Gawader-Chabahar competitive en-vironment and cooperation of IranPakistan (IP) gas pipeline coupledwith narcotics issues as well as bor-der insecurity due to non-state actorsrefer to Iranian interests in the SouthAsian region.Iran’s key role in Af-ghanistan due to direct border con-nection upsurges its importance forthe South Asia.The Iran’s inclusionin South Asian security complex can

David Ignatius

provide South Asian states a betterchance of cooperation and tradewith energy surplus state (Iran) un-der the banner of South Asian FreeTrade Agreement (SAFTA).

The idea of expanding regionalsecuritycomplex further strengthensby emerging nuclear neighbours’cooperation. Three states China, In-dia and Pakistan are declared nuclearstates while Iran allegedly acquiringnuclear arsenals. “Nuclear four” or“Nuclear 3+1” will have great op-portunities to discuss their nuclearissues and cooperation mechanismunder the forum of SAARC. Mostsignificantly post US and NATOdrawdown situation has further in-tegrated these two states into SouthAsian security paradigm due to un-predictable situation of Afghanistan.The bipolarity in South Asia leftmany issues unresolved. The chang-ing strategic environment of SouthAsia from bipolar to multipolar canpromote stability in the region. Itseems increasingly clear that secu-rity issues in South Asia cannot besolved by South Asian countriesalone. Therefore, it is high time toincorporate these two states into theSouth Asian security paradigm forthe stability of the region.—The writer works at IPRI.

after more than 50 tribal sheikhs metin Amman with the governor ofAnbar province and the head of thegoverning council there. The visit-ing Iraqis said that the Sunni speakerof the Iraqi parliament, Salim al-Jibouri, would convene a Baghdadconference soon to rally resistanceto the jihadists. The sheikhs cameaway encouraged. The dealbreakeris the expanding role across Iraq ofthe Shiite militias. If Abadi can’tprevent these Iranian-backed fight-ers from operating in Sunni areas,the budding alliance betweenAmman and Baghdad is likely tofail. It’s an example of the centraldilemma in the US strategy, whichrequires cooperation between twogroups that have been fighting asectarian war.

Until there’s solid evidence thatAbadi is serious about arming aSunni national guard and contain-ing the Shiite militias, I’m scepti-cal about whether this strategy willwork. But I agree with Gaood, aleader of the Albu Nimr tribe thatwas ravaged last fall by the extrem-ists. Even after such disasters, hetold me, if a just balance can befound in Iraq, “we are all broughtback from the brink.”— Courtesy: The Washington Post

our top leader received some callsfrom world leaders including ourPM’s beloved Indian Modi, a coupleof day before the start match, in whichthey presumably fixed the match.These disgruntled cricket fans, disap-pointed by the poor performance ofPak cricket team, also tend to believethat we watch a final match before afinal match. It was an awfully appall-ing performance in fielding, batting,bowling; rival team defeated us be-cause we have dropped lot of catches,and as a result they won match.

On the other hand, national teamis suffering from casual wicket keep-ers as well as irresponsible bowlers.We request to Pakistan CricketBoard’s selection committee to se-lect a regular wicket keeper andshould select strong players’ team –and also spend a bit on their trainingand physical fitness – for such inter-national events to motivate them towin for the country’s name.—Via email

Inam Ghar Plus:A flop show

JAVAID BASHIR

Allama Dr Aamer Liaquat Hussainhas done it again. He opened his welladvertised and over rated extravagantgame show ‘Inam Ghar Plus’. He wasrunning like a road runner from onecorner of the huge stage to the other.He tried to create fantasyland likeDisney Land, but failed miserably onthe opening day. I do not see any roomfor improvement in the show or thebehaviour of the presenter. He hasperhaps under estimated the aestheticsense, and intellectual ability of theviewers. One cannot buy appreciationby giving out Prizes and food.

He started his first lap and yapon the beat of the music. Audiencewere spell bound by his antics, andJugglery. He proudly showcased hisStage and variety of games with greatzeal. He has heavily borrowed fromother shows to create this strangeconcoction. He was bragging abouthis innovations and ideas before theshow. Geo should re-evaluate andassess the monetary damage to itsempire, and cancel this monstrousprogramme, a sheer waste of time andmoney. It has failed to create imagi-nary effect, and earn revenue throughadvertisements. Sponsors might haveto withdraw their support too.

The poor thing was at loss in thelabyrinths of the stage. One could noteven laugh at the ridiculous mockeryof Prize show. In my opinion theshow was a complete flop. The Jokercould not impress the viewers and theparticipants. Only saving grace is theattraction of getting prizes and moneythrough this show.—Via email

Changing tradecorridor route

FARMAN NAWAZ

The Provincial Assembly of KPKadopted a resolution against the de-cision of the Federal government tochange the route of the proposedmulti-billionaire Kashghar-Gwadartrade road and advised Islamabad tostick to the same route as agreed uponbetween governments of Pakistan andChina. The resolution states that itwill be a sheer injustice with peopleof war-torn Province.

The proposed change will divertthe route from the Province KhyberPakhtunkhwa and central Baluchistanto thickly populated and relativelydeveloped areas of Punjab and Sindh.Few days back opposition senatorsof the Provinces of KPK andBalochistan staged a brief walkoutfrom the Senate session in protestagainst the proposed change andwarned that “the initial route was pro-posed by China; and should not bechanged”. Though the Federal gov-ernment tried to convince them byexplaining the interim change in thetrade route because of the possiblethreats, but an ANP senator did notlook convinced.

In March and December 2014,the national dailies of Pakistan TheExpress Tribune and Dawn high-lighted the protest of Baloch SenatorHamayoon Khan Mandokhail againstthe changes in the route of economic

corridor from the Provinces ofKhyber Pakhtoonkhwa andBalochistan. The senator Mandokhailthreatened to resign from Senate andsaid “we will not allow Balochistanto be bypassed in everything”. InAugust 2013 a similar story was re-ported by The News about the RikoDiq project. Senator Sana Baloch hasmade this allegation: “deals in thename of brotherly relations have de-prived the people of Balochistan ofany benefits they can get from theseresources.” Though these voices areheard in Pakistani and Chinese me-dia but bear no results. Here in Paki-stan the opposing voices which onlyinsist on the original trade route planare labelled as propaganda of vestedinterests to make the strategic projectcontroversial. But the fact is that pro-posed route change will affect the wartorn provinces of KhyberPakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan.Gawader port is located inBalochistan and should be ensuredthat the benefits should also go to thisever neglected Province.

On the pattern of Chineseprogramme of ‘Great Western Devel-opment Strategy, or the open up theWest Programme’ China would alsolike a uniform developmental projectfor Pakistan. Although the Kashger-Gawader trade route project can be-come a lever for whole of subconti-nent but a shortcut route to Gawadercan also be easily linked with Chi-nese projects in Afghanistan. The re-lations between Pakistan and Chinaare excellent.Pakistani politiciansrespect Chinese efforts to developPakistan. An initiative to settle thedispute of proposed route change willstrengthen Pakistan as a whole.—Via email

Responsibilitiesof retired officers

MUKHTAR AHMED

This refers to your editorial” AsadDurrani dwarfs himself”(Feb 15) hasrightly criticised former ISI chief LtGen(R) Asad Durani for makinghighly irresponsible statement aboutOBL that ISI knew hiding place ofOBL in Abbotabad. It is so unfortu-nate that most of our retired generalsafter retirement start indulging inloose talk that otherwise attracts pro-visions of official secret act. The gen-eral should have known that he washeading most important and sensitiveorganisation of the state and his loosetalk at a time when Pakistan is en-gaged in battle of its survival woulddo no good to country and the army.

The tragedy of this nation is thata junior officer who makes a smallmistake at time loses his job but whenit comes to senior bureaucrats or gen-erals they get away easily. This is nota case in isolation, some other civiland army officers have also been in-dulging in loose talk without any fearof accountability. This is no way toproject personal agendas at the costof national institution.

However, it is not totally incor-rect to suggest that there are someflaws somewhere in the system toensure that right people reach to top.In fact apart from professionalism,there are other considerations too thatdetermine the top slots and it has itsown disadvantages. But once you areassigned a responsible job it is ex-pected that due care shall be exer-cised. There is definite need to en-sure that no violation of official se-cret takes place and the only way isto hold accountability of those whoviolate. The retired generals and bu-reaucrats should have pity on thisnation and stop indulging in loose talkthat does no good to the country butbring more harm and expose weak-nesses of our system—Via email

Pulling up a crop..!

HOW often we are so impatient to see the results ofsome effort we are putting

into some venture or other! Wemight have to study day and nightand wonder whether it is worth itand whether we are wasting ourtime. “If only we could see ourfuture!” we tell ourselves, “To seewhether we are investing our ef-forts well!” But that is not the wayit is supposed to be. We invest our

time, put in effort and the rewardscome at their own time. Chineseproverbs are common and often havestories behind them. The proverb“pulling up a crop to help it grow” isabout an impatient man in the SongDynasty. He was eager to see his riceseedlings grow quickly. So he thoughtof a solution. He would pull up eachplant a few inches. After a day of te-dious work, the man surveyed hispaddy field. He was happy that hiscrop seemed to have “grown” taller.

But his joy was short-lived. Thenext day, the plants had begun towither because their roots were nolonger deep. Which means impa-

tience to see results can only put anend to your investment of time andeffort you are putting into an enter-prise or event. Look at teachers andtheir hard work! Can they see the endresult? Are they able to see if stu-dents they mould will reach the top,or be good for nothing? Like farm-ing, moulding students can be con-tinuous, hard labour.

You have to plod on. You plow,you sow, you wait, you pray. Youdesire to see the fruits of your labourquickly, but growth takes time. Andas the Chinese proverb so aptly illus-trates, any effort to hurry the processwon’t be helpful. ‘As we labour faith-

fully, we wait patiently on the Lord,who makes things grow.’

Our prayer in this seeminglyuncertain investment should be,“Dear Lord of the harvest, help usto work faithfully as we wait pa-tiently on You for the fruit. Encour-age us when we are discouraged andstrengthen us when we are weary.Help us to persevere, for You arefaithful!”

Because the Lord of the harvestknows even now how good yourfruit will be, and if God knows thenthere is nothing to worry about, butto carry on and not pull up a crop..!—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

Good governance

NO doubt, good governance ispanacea where public takeheart in public affairs at their

level. It substantiates that conduciveenvironment is facilitated by sincere,committed and visionary leadership.The nation’s productive contributionis prone to boost economic develop-ment activities. Sustainability ismaintained. Government revenuesare increased. People feel pride to paytaxes. Social justice becomes the hall-mark of the government.

In modern time, democracy isconsidered one of the best and ac-ceptable system of governance. Itoperates on the principle of society,decentralization, inclusiveness,peaceful conflict management, root-ing out corruption, independent ju-diciary and free but responsible me-dia. Governance is derived fromLatin word ”cybern” means to guide.While cyberneties stands for the sci-ence of control. It can be appliedfrom international to local levels in-cluding corporate entities. Pakistan’s

political history is combination ofcivil/military rules. Since its incep-tion, Pakistan is confronted withmultiple challenges including Kash-mir dispute which has become anuclear flash point. One of the basiclacuna in our governance system isnon-continuation and non-imple-mentation of policies. Pakistan hasone of the lowest tax to GDP ratioof around 9%. The revenue target for2014-15 is cut by Rs.119 billion toadjust the shortfall by revising theoriginal revenue target of Rs.2.81trillion down to Rs.2.691 trillion. Pa-kistan is lagging behind in achiev-ing education related MDGs andEducation For All (EFA) targets byDecember 2015. We are also unableto achieve other development goalsin food and healthcare.

Reports of training in gun usingto teachers in the aftermath of ArmyPublic School Peshawar tragedy puta question mark on our system ofgovernance. Why the guns are beingpushed into educational institutionsknown as cradle of books and pens?It is a manifestation of perverted glo-rification of the very tools. EveryPakistani is fed up with Thana cul-ture. It is a byword for virtual plight

of ordinary citizens and shows highdegree of apathy of the police authori-ties to address public grievances. Pa-kistan is facing the worst ever energycrisis. The International FinancialInstitutions are business-oriented en-tities. Their conditions aim not to losetheir money and increase their clients.IMF dictations stifle developmentspending. Due to our weak economicposition we seek IMF assistance.Reportedly, under an understandingwith the IMF, the government has tocut public spending developing byover 20%.Ethnic, linguistic, reli-gious, sectarian issues are being ex-ploited by the self-centered elementsfor personal gains. Different mafiasare active. The serpent of terrorismhas put the very survival of the coun-try at stake. Parliamentary approvalto the establishment of military courtis parable.

Today Pakistan is facing the gov-ernance crisis. People see no hope ofredemption despite very resilient anddynamic. The petrol crisis exhibitedlack of capacity/expertise in crisismanagement. There seems to be com-munications gap. Media reports sug-gest that circular debt is the primarycause. Pakistan State Oil cannot im-

port oil due to non-clearance ofbills. Electricity cannot be regulatedas the privileged class and well con-nected individuals do not pay bills.And the Kunda culture has becomea common phenomenon.

We need to empower theyouth. Make the society demo-cratic partner rather just a primeagent. I believe that all sectors canbe put on the right track includingunbuckling economics’ straightjacket if good governance is facili-tated and made visible. Keeping inview South Korea’s all round mi-raculous stability, sustainabilityand economic development, thereis a need for hectic cooperation in-cluding exchange of expertise/bestpractices in good governance. TheKorean International CooperationAgency (KOICA) is executing dif-ferent projects. It is essential thatthe agency may organized work-shop on good governance inIslamabad with a broad-based par-ticipation including South Koreanexperts as to how better engagecitizens and motivate collectiveaction from top to bottom.—The writer is Islamabad-basedpolitical analyst.

Khurram MinhasEmail:khurram.minhas89@yahoo.com

Fazal HakeemEmail:ddsaarc22@yahoo.com

LEO HINDERY JR.

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has called onCongress to grant him fast-track trade authority for his Trans-Pacific Partnership

free-trade agreement. The administration in-sists the authority, which would give Congressonly an up-or-down vote on the agreement, isneeded to get the best possible terms from itstrade partners along the Pacific Rim.

During his 2008 presidential campaign,Obama promised to renegotiate and improvethe North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA). But it now looks like what he reallymeant is to expand on that flawed trade modeland extend it to other countries. Twenty-oneyears after NAFTA and four years after Obama’s2011 U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement,there is abundant data documenting how thistrade model has been disastrous for most U.S.businesses, farmers and workers.

Since the pacts were implemented, U.S.trade deficits, which drag down economicgrowth, have soared more than 430 percentwith our free-trade partners. In the same pe-riod, they’ve declined 11 percent with coun-tries that are not free-trade partners. Since fast-track trade authority was used to pass NAFTAand the U.S. entrance into the World Trade Or-ganization, the overall annual U.S. trade defi-cit in goods has more than quadrupled, from

As free trade pacts expand, US trade deficit soars. Why add one more?$218 billion to $912 billion.

The United States now has an annual $177-billion trade deficit in goods with its 20 free-trade partners. Over the past decade, however,U.S. export growth to countries that are not free-trade partners exceeded the growth of free-tradepartners by 24 percent. U.S. President BarackObama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak hold a joint press conference in the EastRoom of the White House

Barack Obama (R) and South Korean Presi-dent Lee Myung-bak in the East Room of theWhite House, October 13, 2011. REUTERS/Jason Reed Under NAFTA, small U.S. firms’share of exports to Canada and Mexico hasfallen. Had these businesses not lost their shareof exports, they might instead be exporting $13.5billion more each year to Mexico and Canada.

Nearly 5 million U.S. manufacturing jobs —one in four — have been lost since NAFTA andthe various post-NAFTA expansion deals wereenacted through fast track. These free-trade agree-ments have fundamentally transformed the typesof jobs and wages available for the 63 percent ofall U.S. workers without a college degree.

Three of every five displaced manufactur-ing workers rehired in 2014 are earning lowerwages, according to the Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics, with one-third taking a pay cut greaterthan 20 percent. As the unemployed manufac-turing workers began competing for service-in-

dustry jobs that can’t be shipped offshore, suchas hospitality and retail, real wages have alsofallen in these sectors. U.S. wages, overall, havebarely increased in real terms since 1974 — theyear fast track was enacted — even as U.S.worker productivity has doubled.

When asked how U.S. workers will fareagainst Vietnam’s 58-cents-an-hour averageminimum wage, Washington trade officials hidebehind the wording of the Trans-PacificPartnership’s labor chapter. Yet this section onlyrehashes labor standards that President GeorgeW. Bush included in his pacts with Colombia,Panama and Peru, which, according to a newGovernment Accountability Office report, havefailed miserably in improving working condi-tions in free-trade partner countries.

At the same time, cuts in consumer goodsprices have not been enough to offset the losses tomiddle-class wages under these agreements. U.S.workers without college degrees have lost roughly12.2 percent of their wages — even after account-ing for the benefits of cheaper imported goods.This means less, not more, consumer demand forU.S. manufacturing and service-sector firms.

Obama administration trade officials say thatthis is old news. They insist their agreements aredifferent. But Obama’s 2011 trade deal with SouthKorea, which serves as the template for the newTrans-Pacific Partnership, has resulted in a 50 per-cent jump in the U.S. trade deficit with South Korea

in its first two years. This equates to 50,000 U.S.jobs lost. Small-businesses’ exports to SouthKorea have also declined sharply, falling 14 per-cent. In just one month, October 2014, the UnitedStates had a $3- billion trade deficit in goodswith South Korea, the highest on record. Recenttrade flows, economists widely agree, have beena significant contributor to the historic rise inU.S. income inequality. The only debate is aboutthe degree of trade’s responsibility. The PetersonInstitute for International Economics, for one,found that trade accounts for 39 percent of thegrowth in wage inequality.

This makes it particularly perverse thatObama, who’s announced that his priorities arebattling income inequality and creating middle-class jobs, is pushing a Pacific region trade pactthat replicates the odious NAFTA terms thatfavor job offshoring and bans responsible “BuyAmerican” procurement preferences.

It’s no surprise that the U.S. Chamber ofCommerce praises Obama’s trade agenda be-cause the chamber mostly represents the in-terests of the largest multinational firms, whilerunning roughshod over the interests of MainStreet chamber members. But the oppositionto Trans-Pacific Partnership and Obama ad-ministration trade policies by prominenteconomists and policymakers who supportedpast free-trade agreements is notable.

—Courtesy: Reuters

Ukrainian armed forces ride on a multiple rocket launcher system near Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine.

NIKISHINE (Ukraine)—Pro-Russian rebels bombarded gov-ernment troops encircled ineast Ukraine on Tuesday and aplan for both sides to pull backtheir heavy guns stalled, push-ing a fragile peace deal closerto collapse. A Reuters witnessnear the front line said artilleryrounds rocked the town ofDebaltseve every five secondsand black smoke roseskywards, despite a truce thathas eased fighting in many ar-eas since the European-brokered deal took effect.

The rebels said they hadcaptured parts of Debaltseve,which sits on a strategic rail-way junction, and that someUkrainian soldiers had surren-dered, but Kiev denied this.

“At the moment there isfierce fighting on the outskirtsof the town. There are clashesaround the station. But ourforces are holding their posi-tions and they are completelywithin their rights to open firein response,” Ukrainian mili-tary spokesman AndriyLysenko said.

Hopes that the deal reachedlast Thursday would end a con-flict that has killed more than5,000 people were always lowafter a rebel advance in Janu-ary scuppered an earlier truce.

But the ferocity of thefighting at Debaltseve was un-expected and has heightenedconcerns in Kiev and the Westthat the separatists and RussianPresident Vladimir Putin wantto cement the latest rebel gainsbefore peace takes hold.

Military trucks and tankscame and went in the largelydestroyed village of Nikishineas the rebels pounded nearbyDebaltseve with Grad rockets,heavy artillery and mortarbombs. Palls of smoke hungover Debaltseve, which has apeacetime population of about25,000 and has been under firefor weeks.

Monitors from the OSCEsecurity group were expected

Ukraine truce fades asfighting rages, pullback stalls

to try to reach the besieged town afterGermany said it had agreed steps withthe leaders of Russia and Ukraine toensure they had “free access” in the east.

But a new call by Berlin for peaceand for the withdrawal of heavy weap-ons to start as scheduled on Tuesdayunder the peace deal, reached at all-nighttalks in the Belarussian capital Minsk onThursday, fell largely on deaf ears.

“We do not have the right (to stopfighting for Debaltseve). It’s even amoral thing. It’s internal territory,” saidDenis Pushilin, a senior separatist rep-resentative, setting the goal of “destroy-ing the enemy’s fighting positions”.

The leader of one of the two rebel-held regions in the east, Luhansk, saidseparatist fighters had started withdraw-ing heavy weapons. But there was nosign of this in areas held by separatists

in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’sRepublic.

“We will not do anything unilater-ally. That would make our soldiers tar-gets,” Pushilin told Reuters in the cityof Donetsk. Ukraine’s military reiteratedin Kiev that its forces could not pull backtheir big guns until there was a total truce.

“In the last 24 hours there has beenfiring so there is no ceasefire and sothere is no precondition for a pull-backof heavy weapons,” Lysenko said. TheEuropean Union kept pressure on Rus-sia and the rebels by announcing a newlist of separatists and Russians targetedwith sanctions on Monday. Moscowpromised an “adequate” response.

The United States said it was“gravely concerned” by the fighting atDebaltseve and that it was monitoringreports of a new column of Russian

military equipment heading to the re-gion. “We call on Russia and the sepa-ratists it backs to halt all attacks imme-diately,” U.S. State Department spokes-woman Jen Psaki said.

Russia denies sending arms or troopsto back the rebels in mainly Russian-speak-ing areas of east Ukraine despite what Kievand the West say is clear proof. The sepa-ratists said soon after the ceasefire cameinto effect they had no intention of observ-ing it at Debaltseve, where they have beenadvancing since January.

Fighting began in east Ukraine af-ter the overthrow of a Moscow-backedpresident in Kiev a year ago andRussia’s annexation of the Crimea pen-insula a month later. Several hundredthousand refugees have fled the conflict,which has devastated Ukraine’s alreadystruggling economy, and relations be-

tween Russia and the West are at theirworst since the Cold War.

The West fears Putin, who hascalled parts of Ukraine “New Russia”,wants the conflict to fester for years sothat Kiev cannot control east Ukraineand is prevented from joining NATO,while Russia can retain influence in theindustrial east.

Moscow accuses the West of wag-ing a proxy war in Ukraine to seek “re-gime change” in Moscow and “contain”Russia. Western countries reserve theoption of expanding economic sanctionson Moscow over the crisis, hopinggrowing financial problems in Russiawill force Putin to use his influence withthe rebels to stop the fighting. Wash-ington has also held out the threat ofgiving Kiev lethal weapons if peacemoves fail.—Reuters

President Xi extends festivalgreetings, stresses family bonds

BEIJING—Chinese President Xi Jinping and otherleaders on Tuesday extended Lunar New Yeargreetings to Chinese people at home and abroad.In a speech to a gathering at the Great Hall of thePeople on Tuesday morning, Xi expressed appre-ciation for efforts in deepening reform, develop-ment and advancing rule of law in the past year.

“We are proud of our great country and we are

SUSAN V. OPLE

THE Philippines is in deep mourning. Flying the nationalflag at half-mast, declaring a National Day of Mourning,and tending to the financial needs of the widows of forty-

four slain highly-trained policemen are not enough to quell thepain, silence the doubts, and restore normalcy across all levels ofPhilippine society. We are in pain. A month ago, such a tragicencounter between police operatives and Moro rebel forces wasunimaginable. Everyone was busy: Pope Francis had just con-cluded a successful evangelical visit, preparations for the forth-coming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit were in full-swing, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had initiatedthe formation of its own political party in anticipation of the 2015plebiscite and the 2016 first regional Bangsamoro elections, se-cure in their belief that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Lawshall soon be passed into law. The Philippine National Policewas busy with the usual peace and order problems as well asencounters with communist insurgents. In Mindanao, peace washolding. The Senate and House hearings on the proposed lawwere on track.

Then, on a quiet Sunday last Jan. 25, came the breaking news:A long-drawn gunbattle broke out when the special action forcesof the national police entered the Moro community ofMamasapano to seize two international terrorists. The police-men were outnumbered and out powered by the men and guns ofcombined armed groups composed mainly of the BangsamoroIndependent Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Moro Islamic Lib-eration Front. The first target was killed; the second was able toescape. Unfortunately, among the casualties were the brave po-licemen that endured 11 hours of gunbattle only to be left fordead in a bloody cornfield.

With their deaths, a new constituency was awakened:Many citizens who before the carnage in Mamasapano,Maguindanao, were not proactively concerned with the con-tents of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,are now speaking up against the proposed Bangsamoro BasicLaw (BBL). Their basis? In a single word: Trust. They ask:How can we trust the Moro Islamic Liberation Front with themandate to govern when they took part in the massacre of theforty-four Special Action Forces (SAF) policemen? Amid thissearing public debate, the Moros countered: “Why was thereno coordination considering that there are ceasefire mecha-nisms in place?”

The lack of coordination within the Philippine NationalPolice and Department of Interior and Local Governments,and outwardly, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, andthe local government as well as joint peace monitors, is nowthe subject of intense legislative inquiries. President Aquino,in his address to the nation, admitted knowing about the planto capture “Marwan,” a notorious Malaysian terrorist, whichwas actively discussed in his presence prior to its executionby suspended PNP Chief Alan Purisima. Aquino has beenforthright in admitting his long friendship with Purisima.However, he said that there were telltale signs that the opera-tions should have been aborted by the SAF’s ground com-mander when the original design of the plan was no longertenable due to strong river currents, lack of coordination, andother critical factors. Enraged citizens regardless of religiousbelief, are entitled to ask, who should be held accountable? Whatwill happen to the BBL? When asked about its passage, legisla-tors are quick to retort, “Not now.” Is there and should there evena Plan B? Amid this interregnum, how do we keep hopes forpeace alive? So many questions, amid so much pain. Trust begetspeace. We solemnly pray for both.

—Courtesy: Arab News

A country in pain

China’s top leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan,Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attend a Spring Festival gathering at the Great Hall of thePeople in Beijing, China.

proud of our great people,” Xi said. “We must giveour respect to the work of the industrious and cou-rageous Chinese people and their extraordinary in-novative spirit and achievements.” “This year, weare facing situations no less challenging and com-plicated, and we must stay close to the people andpromote reform, innovation, justice and a better stan-dard of living with more vigorous efforts.—Xinhua

Saudi Arabia to hostcrucial anti-IS meetingRIYADH—Saudi Arabia willhost a high-powered meeting ofthe defense chiefs of the anti-Islamic State coalition here onWednesday. The meeting, to beattended by military chiefs,group commanders and chiefsof staff from the 22 countriesin the US-led coalition, willdiscuss ways and means tocombat the IS, possibly deploytroops and expand attacks on IStargets across the region.

“The meeting, to be coor-dinated by the Saudi Ministryof Defense, will discuss theoverall situation regarding theIS terror group,” said an offi-cial source on condition of ano-nymity, here Monday. MajorWestern countries including theUS, France, Britain and Ger-many will participate in theconsultation that will go a longway in mapping out a new strat-egy to combat IS and its influ-ence.

“Germany will be repre-sented by Lt. Gen. PeterSchelzig, vice chief of de-fense,” said MichaelOhnmacht, deputy head of theGerman mission. “Britain andTurkey will also participate theRiyadh meeting,” confirmedlocal diplomats. Necdet Ozel,

Turkish chief of staff, and thechief of New Zealand DefenseForces, Lt. Gen. Tim Keating,will be traveling to Riyadh toattend the meeting.

There will also be substan-tial participation on the regionallevel. Lebanese Army com-mander Gen. Jean Kahwagiwill take part in the meeting.“The meeting will be a goodopportunity to receive updateson the situation and to makenew plans,” said a Western dip-lomat, pointing to the fact thatthe coalition is gaining on onefront and losing ground on an-other as far as fight against ISis concerned.

The ISIS, of late, hasshown its real face by indulg-ing in bloodbath in differentcountries where it has its pres-ence. The killing of 21 Egyp-tian workers in Libya is its lat-est act of genocide. Egypt’s AirForce bombed ISIS targets inLibya at dawn on Monday, aday after the militant group re-leased a video purporting toshow the execution of theEgyptian workers.

It was the first time Egyptconfirmed launching airstrikesagainst the group in neighbor-ing Libya.—AN

Iran parliamentto promote ties

with ChinaTEHRAN—Iranian parliamentwill play its role in promotingbilateral ties with China, Par-liament Speaker Ali Larijanisaid here. Cementing ties withChina has become a consensusamong Iranians, to which theIranian parliament will makedue contribution, Larijani saidin a meeting with visiting Chi-nese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China has become increas-ingly more influential onworld affairs and plays a posi-tive role in the efforts to settlethe Iranian nuclear issue,Larijani added.

Wang, for his part, thankedLarijani for his long-standingefforts to promote China-Iranrelations. He said China at-taches great importance to re-lations with Iran and wishes tofurther enhance bilateral parlia-mentary exchanges.

China wants to enhancemutual trust with Iran and ex-pand cooperation in sectorssuch as infrastructure, energyand industry, Wang added.

China will continue to con-tribute to the proper settlementof the Iranian nuclear issuewhile insisting on solving itthrough peaceful negotiations,Wang said.—Xinhua

DR AHMED MOKHTAR

WITHOUT any apparent connection between them, twomajor events were experienced in Cairo last week andshowed that Egypt is on the right track. By the begin-

ning of last week, some faked leaks were spread over onlinesocial networks as part of the Muslim Brotherhood’s continuingefforts to hurt the deep rooted relations between Egypt, the King-dom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, justhours before the first visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The first event was like a test to the strength of Egypt-Gulfrelations amid an attempt to drive a wedge between Egypt andits brothers, as well as to prevent the Economic Conference fromtaking place next month in Sharm El Sheikh.

The timing of the leaks didn’t affect the Russianpresident’s visit because Egyptians showed persistence incooperating with major powers on equal footing withoutdamaging relations with other countries. The malicious ob-jectives behind the attempts to weaken the strong ties be-tween Egypt and the Gulf States came amid a historic stancefrom the Gulf to back Egypt. The attempts only strength-ened ties between the Arab brothers because of their wiseleadership.

Al Sisi called the leaders of the KSA, the UAE and Kuwaitto assure them the leaks are phony right after they were pub-lished, along with an official statement from the presidency ad-dressing the public. On the public level, any visitor to Egypt cansee how grateful Egyptians from all walks of life are to the Arabcountries that supported them.

Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s ForeignMinister said recently: “We should be effective in achieving sta-bility and development for our dear Egypt that has always sup-ported its Arab brothers”, and his words came as a strong replyto stress on the UAE’s appreciation to Egypt. And we as Egyp-tians value the UAE’s continuous support starting from lateShaikh Zayed Al Nahyan till today.

We know that the true feelings of brotherhood between thepeople of the two nations are a result of values and traditionsinstilled by a wise man in his enlightened sons who believe indefending what is right and spreading peace. This was evident inthe speech of Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan before theGovernment Summit in Dubai last week when he said: “Ourmessage to the world has always been peace and love. We be-lieve in providing security and stability to achieve sustainabledevelopment and luxury for the nations.”

The Egyptian Prime Minister, Ibrahim Mehleb, also saidduring the summit: “we thank our brothers for what they havedone for Egypt. I wanted to convey the feelings of love andappreciation Egyptians hold towards their brothers in theUAE.”

Similarly, Saudi Arabia King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,said that relations with Egypt are stronger than any misleadingattempt trying to weaken them. So did the Kuwaiti Amir, HisHighness Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber.

Egyptians know very well that the infinite support of theUAE, the KSA and Kuwait is not limited to standing by a certainleader, but is rather stemming from deep roots of brotherhoodthat go beyond geographical boundaries and politics. That is whythe Arab assistance, especially that of the UAE, focused on imple-menting projects that directly affects the lives of ordinary people,such as hospitals, housing units for low-income citizens and sew-age systems.

All Egyptians are now waiting for the Economic Confer-ence in Sharm El Sheikh, filled with hopes that leaders and offi-cials from friendly and neighbouring countries will participateso that it will represent a true addition to potential investments,and a strong message that Egypt and its friends are hand in handwhile walking on the road towards achieving stability for theArab World and the whole region.

—Courtesy: Khaleej Times[Dr Ahmed Mokhtar is the deputy editor-in-chief of Al Ahram

Al Massai]

Tribute to Arabfraternity

incident comes ten days af-ter President Barack Obamacriticised India at an inter-reli-gious prayer meeting saying in-tolerance there “Would haveshocked Gandhiji.” It alsocomes a couple of days after aChristian Church was vandal-ized in Indian capital Newdelhi.—INP

Hindu templeFrom Page 1

Agency.Sources in the provincial

anti-terrorism department saidfurther arrests of key suspectsinvolved in the blast will soonbe carried out.

At least 20 worshipperswere killed when four suicidebombers attacked the ImamiaMasjid in Hayatabad Town dur-ing Friday prayers last week.

Imamia MasjidFrom Page 1

8 killed in Lahore blastFrom Page 1

ology of the party.Sharjeel Innam Memon

said this while addressing apress conference at the PPPMedia Cell Sindh Tuesday.

He was flanked by Sena-tor Maula Bux Chandio, mem-ber national assembly (MNA)Kamal Chand, MNA ShahidaRehmani, Sindh Health Minis-ter Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar,member provincial assembly(MPA) Mukesh KumarChawla, MPA Tariq MasoodArain and MPA Imdad Pitafi.

The Minister said there wasnothing new in allegations asthe PPP leadership had facedtremendous allegations andhardly any institution includingthe judiciary that did not ignorethose allegations and carried in-vestigations but failed to proveany of the allegations.

PPP disownsFrom Page 1

ous political factions including[the] Taliban,” has been widelyhailed.

The other importantagenda points included talkson the China-Pakistan Eco-nomic Corridor (CPEC), partof China’s broader Silk RoadEconomic Belt and MaritimeSilk Road projects.

Like the Silk Road,CPEC focuses on building anintegrated trade and com-merce network.

President Xi’s expectedvisit to Pakistan will helpfast-track CPEC early har-vest projects like augmentingthe port of Gwadar, energy,transportation infrastructure,and industry cooperation.

Pakistan’s work is cut outto allay Chinese concerns re-garding the security environ-ment. Beyond the threat to

economic cooperation, Chinais concerned that terrorist ac-tivity in Pakistan will spillinto Chinese soil.

Members of the EastTurkestan Islamic Movement(ETIM), a terrorist group thatsupports Xinjiang indepen-dence, have been appre-hended from Pakistan andhopefully the military opera-tion “Zarb-e-Azb” in NorthWaziristan will destroy theirtraining camps.

Wang Yi’s meeting withGeneral Raheel Sharif

should have assuaged someof Chinese apprehensions.

In a world, which is tornwith strife and the milieu ismarred with trials, tribula-tions, conflict and distrust,the deep rooted friendshipbetween Pakistan and Chinaholds an air of promise notonly for the region but for theworld.

It is not a relationship be-tween two governmentsalone but it is between twopeoples as “friendship growsin the hearts of the people”.

Sino-Pak year of friendshipFrom Page 1

Terrorism, sectarianism can beeliminated through quality education

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The Provincial Minister for Law,Excise & Taxation, Finance Mujtaba Shuja urRehman has said that terrorism, extremism andsectarianism can be eliminated through promo-tion of quality education to all segments of soci-ety. He said that success in war against poverty,unemployment and terrorism also depends uponpromotion of education and keeping in view thisfact maximum funds are being provided for thispurpose. He said that the government has in-creased education budget during past six yearsin the province, whereas, target has been fixedto enroll every child of the province till 2018.

While talking to various delegations at hisresidence, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said thatincreasing population affects our socio-eco-nomic conditions also as 40 million people areliving low poverty line, 58 million people haveno access to safe & clean drinking water, 59million people are living in one room house unit,whereas, only 20 percent population have thefacility of trained birth attendant. He said thateducation can also help in promotion of toler-

ance, harmony and brotherhood in the societyand in view of this fact, Punjab government isattaching top priority to the uplift of educationsector and has taken revolutionary measures forthis purpose. He said that in result of govern-ment economic policies and current fiscal year’sbudget, job opportunities will be offered to 40lakh people whereas 20 lakh people will be pro-vided technical training so that to make themself-sufficient.

Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said that Rs.121.80 billion which is 11.66 percent of the to-tal budget is being utilized on the provision ofhealth facilities, whereas Rs. 274 billion havebeen provided which is 26.25 percent of the to-tal budget.

He said that British educationist Sir MichaelBarber while lauding the efforts of Punjab gov-ernment, said that the attendance of teachers inschools has considerably improved due toimplementation of the reforms programme be-ing jointly implemented by Punjab governmentand DFID and the rate of attendance of teach-ers in schools of the Punjab has reached up tothe level of the British schools.

against a dominant NewZealand in their World CupPool A match on Tuesday, withthe minnows recording fiveducks against the in-form hosts

Matt Machan top-scoredwith 56 and Richie Berringtoncontributed 50, while CoreyAnderson and Dan Vettori tookthree wickets apiece for co-hosts New Zealand.

The Black Caps were deter-mined not to drop their standardsagainst unfancied opposition af-ter crushing Sri Lanka by 98 runsin their opening match.

They proved true to theirword, fielding an unchangedline-up against Scotland, one ofcricket’s non-Test playingnations.The result was five ducksin the innings, the second high-est total in ODI history, includ-ing four first-ball “golden”ducks.From there it was simplya matter of wrapping up the tailas Scotland’s resistancecrumbled.—AP

New Zealandbeat Scotland

From Page 1

official told media persons that it was asuicide attack on the police building , add-ing that body parts of the bomber havebeen recovered.

Several vehicles parked near the siteof the blast caught fire and window panesin nearby buildings were also shattered.The heavily populated area has been cor-doned off by security personnel. Hugeplumes of smoke was visible in the air.Emergency has been imposed in hospitalsacross Lahore and the injured are beingtaken to the Mayo and Ganga Ram hospi-tals in the provincial capital.

The site of the explosion lies close tothe headquarter of Pakistan Railways andPress Club.

A police Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI)was among those killed in the attack whilethe wounded also included a policewoman,according to police sources.

Inspector General Punjab PoliceMushtaq Sukhera told media representa-tives that the target of the attack was po-lice lines but chances are that the bombermay have been searched on his way insideso he exploded himself prematurely.

He added that, “Ever since operationZarb-i-Azb began the army has been tak-ing action against militants and this wasperhaps in reaction to that. We will exam-ine CCTV footage to get more details onthe attacker.”

Khawaja Salman Rafique, the Punjabgovernment’s adviser on health, confirmedthat four people had died while 23 others

were wounded in the blast. He added thatthe condition of one injured was reportedas critical.

Giving a breakup of the patients, hesaid that six patients were admitted inMayo Hospital, 13 in Ganga Ram Hospi-tal and four others were brought to theServices Hospital.

Lahore DCO retired Capt MuhammadUsman said that the wounded also includedwomen and a child.

Eye-witnesses said gunshots wereheard from inside the Police Lines, how-ever security personnel have said that theshots were only fired by members of thelaw enforcement agencies after the blast.

According to an eye witness he sawtwo headless dead bodies lying on the spot.He says there was a loud sound which reso-nated in the entire area. “Within no time,the adjoining shops, cars and several mo-torcycles caught fire,” he narrates.

According to another eyewitness, elec-tricity supply to the area is disrupted aftermain wires were damaged in the blast.

While on the other hand, condemna-tions poured in following a suicide blastin Lahore Police Lines area. Prime Minis-ter Nawaz Sharif, President MamnoonHussain, Chief Minister Punjab ShahbazSharif, PTI chief Imran Khan, PPP leaderAsif Ali Zardari, MQM chief AltafHussain and others condemned the attack,expressing their grief and sorrow over lossof lives. Prime Minister Mian NawazSharif has directed police authorities to

submit their investigation report within 24hours.

The blast comes just days after 22people were killed in a gun and suicideattack in Peshawar, and on the day whenTurkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu,is in Pakistan on a two-day visit.

Punjab Chief Minister MuhammadShahbaz Sharif has strongly condemnedthe suicide blast outside Police Lines QilaGujjar Singh and sought a report from In-spector General Police.

He expressed deep sense of sorrow andgrief over the loss of precious human livesand directed that best treatment facilitiesbe provided to the injured persons.

The Chief Minister announced finan-cial assistance of Rs 500,000 each for thefamilies of deceased persons and Rs.75000for the seriously injured. A sum ofRs.25000 will be given to the persons whoreceived minor injuries. He said thatPunjab government fully shares the griefof the families of those who lost their livesin the tragic incident while best treatmentfacilities are being ensured to the injured.

The Chief Minister said that such cow-ardly terrorist activities cannot weaken theresolve of the nation in the war againstterrorism and the scourge of terrorism willbe rooted out with the force of nationalunity. He said that time has come to give astrong reply to the terrorists who do noteven deserve to be called human beings.He said that terrorism will be eliminatedfrom the country on permanent basis.

Pak-Turkey ties to blossomFrom Page 1

power transmission sector.The declaration said both

countries will enhance coopera-tion in in the field of food andagriculture. Both sides shall ben-efit from each other’s experienceand strengths in diverse sectorsincluding agricultural research,

plant and animal health and ag-ricultural infrastructure and irri-gation systems.

Meanwhile Pakistan andTurkey signed 10 documents in-cluding six protocols, threeMOUs and one agreement tobolster cooperation in differentfields particularly energy, scienceand commerce.

The signing ceremony wasalso witnessed by the Prime Min-ister Nawaz Sharif and TurkishPrime Minister AhmetDavutoglu.

An MOU was signed be-tween Oil and Gas DevelopmentLimited, Pakistan PetroleumLimited and Turkish National OilCompany for exploration of oiland gas in the country. The twocountries sides signed an MOUfor sister seaport relations and co-operation.

The third MOU was signedbetween Pakistan National Ac-creditation Council and TurkishAccreditation Agency.

For the scientific coopera-tion, Pakistan Academy of Sci-ences and the Turkish Academyof Sciences inked an agreement.The two institutes also signed anexecutive protocol for coopera-tion in the field of science.

Islamabad Chamber ofCommerce and Lahore Chamber

of Commerce also signed threeprotocols with Ankara Chamberof Commerce and KayseriChamber of Commerce forgreater linkages.

The two countries signed anadditional protocol for promo-tion and protection of invest-ment. Cooperation protocol wasalso signed between TurkishPatent Institute and the Intellec-tual Property Organization.

Later, the two prime minis-ters also signed the Joint Decla-ration aimed at strengtheningstrategic relationship between thetwo countries.

While addressing the Paki-stan-Turkey Business Forum onTuesday, Prime Minister NawazSharif paid tribute to the ties be-tween the two nations, statingthat both countries share a ‘jointdestiny’.

“Words cannot do justice tothe special bond between Turkeyand Pakistan, we are bound to-gether by our common faith andculture, we share a distinct senseof a joint destiny,” PM said.

The gathering was attendedby the visiting Turkish PrimeMinister Ahmet Davutoglu aswell as Finance Minister IshaqDar.

The premier also com-mended the business forum for

its work to enhance socio-eco-nomic development in both Pa-kistan and Turkey.

“I welcome all of you to thisforum; I welcome Prime Minis-ter Ahmet Davutoglu and amconfident this initiative will cre-ate new avenues for trade be-tween Pakistan and Turkey aswell as helping the economicgrowth of both countries,”Nawaz said.

The PM told the forum thatboth countries have struggledand made great sacrifices for de-mocracy adding that it was aproud moment that two demo-cratically elected governmentswere working to enhance eco-nomic ties.

“Today a multi-track en-gagement is working on socio-economic spheres. We intend tocreate an investment friendlyenvironment in Pakistan,” hesaid.

The premier also addressedthe security situation in Pakistanand stated that the country wasfacing difficult times, but wouldemerge stronger.

“I am aware of the hugechallenges facing our country.We are fighting a war on terrorand even though it will be diffi-cult, I am confident victory willbe ours,’ he said.

The prime minister alsocredited Ishaq Dar with helpingto stabalise the economy andputting it on the path to recov-ery.

“Our economy has startedto bounce back within the firsttwenty months of our govern-ment. The Pakistani rupee hasnot only stabalised but im-proved… Our stock markets arebreaking records daily,” Nawazsaid.

He also said that efforts werebeing made to overcome the en-ergy shortage in the country,which he stated would help bootinvestor confidence.

Pakistan asks Afghanistanto handover APS suspects

From Page 1

Pakistan’s efforts to push thepeace process forward,” aPashto-language statementfrom issued by the Palace said.

“The messages from thePakistani delegation werepositive and their commit-ments have raised hopes thatresults will be clear withinweeks.”

“The Afghan gov’t hopesthat the Pakistani pledges and

steps will yield positive results,”the statement further said.

The army chief also metAfghan Chief ExecutiveAbdullah Abdullah during hisvisit. Abdullah acknowledgedthe positive developments inbilateral relations between twocountries including progress inoperations, border manage-ment and intelligence sharing.

Medicalprofessionals

From Back Page

“The severity of the issuecould be gauged from the factthat many members of our fra-ternity shifted abroad overnightwithout informing anyone,” DrAzhar said, adding that “Whenwe question them about theirmysterious move, they repliedthat they were kept under ob-servation by the extortionists.”

“We have placed four de-mands before the Sindh govern-ment and the provincial govern-ment accepted all of our de-mands,” Dr Azhar said, addingthat “We ask the government tocompensate the families of vic-tim doctors, issue arms licenseto doctors for their own protec-tion and to refer cases of doc-tors to the martial courts.”

“The Sindh governmentagreed to compensate the heirsof doctors, who were killedover non-payment of extortionmoney and issued notificationin this regard,” Dr Azhar said,adding that “The provincialgovernment also agreed to is-sue arms licenses to the doc-tors for self-defense and to re-fer cases of doctors killers tomilitary courts.”

NotoriousFrom Page 1

subversive acts in Karachi andother parts of the country, thesources said, had come toBuner district from Karachithese days and was beingtracked by the intelligenceagencies.

The security forces on theconfirmed intelligence reportsraided a house in the Gagar areaearly in the morning to nab theculprit yet he offered resistanceto the forces and was eventu-ally killed by the law enforc-ers.

raised objection during thecourse of hearing that statisticsof power production fromGuddu and Nandi pur powerprojects were not included inthe application.

In a statement issued hereNEPRA spokesman said NEPRAhas decided to provide relief to allcompanies except Karachi Elec-tric Company by Rs 3.24 per unitin the cost of electricity. Powertariff has been reduced under thehead of FAS..—Online

Power tariffFrom Page 1

Ogra chief moves courtFrom Back Page

He requested the court to set aside the order for sending himon forced leave or as an interim arrangement the order for send-ing him on forced leave may be suspended till the decision onhis petition.

Standing counsel of the federal government Jahangir KhanJadoon, on the other hand requested the court not to grant exparte stay without hearing the other parties as cited respondentsin the petition.

The petitioner has cited secretaries establishment, cabinetdivision and FPSC as respondents.

It may be mentioned that the inquiry report on the Januarythis year’s oil crisis besides officials of the petroleum ministry,Pakistan State Oil also held private oil companies responsiblefor the crisis, saying they did not ensure 20-day ‘statutory stocks’.

Cowardlyattackscannotdeter waragainstterrorismISLAMABAD—FederalMinister for Information andBroadcasting PervaizRasheed on Tuesday said thatthe ‘cowardly attacks’ byterrorists cannot deter the waragainst terrorism, adding thatthe whole nation is united toroot out terrorism. In astatement issued after theexplosion in Lahore, PervaizRasheed said that terroristsare enemies of the countryand the nation. He said thatthe attacks by the terroristswill not affect the ongoingwar against terrorism and thatthe whole nation is unitedagainst terrorism. He said thatthe war against terrorists willcontinue until the eliminationof last terrorist from thecountry.—Online

Aminconveysreservationsto BilawalLONDON—President Pakistan PeopleParty Amin Faheem met withparty chairman BilawalBhutto Zardari on Tuesday, inwhich he expressed hisreservation on various issues.According to media reports,Amin Faheem requestedParty chairman to return toPakistan and take manage-ment of Party matters into hishands. Party president wasdejected because he wasn’ttaken into confidence in theparty matters. Amin Faheemcommunicated to BilawalBhutto about the problemfaced by party workers. Inmeeting issues of Sindhgovernment and strategies tounite various divisions ofparty was discussed. Partychairman Bilawal Bhuttoassured Amin Faheem that allthe reservation of Partyworkers and leaders will beresolved on immediate basis,so that People party willemerge as public party in nextelections.—Online

BabarcriticisesZulfiqarMirzaISLAMABAD—Pakistan People Party’s(PPP) Senator Farhat UllahBabar has said that ZulfiqarMirza should respect party’sdecisions. Talking to mediain a local hotel, he said thateven Chairman PPP BilawalBhutto Zardari has alsomentioned that peopleinvolved in criticism againstparty are not loyal to PPP.While talking about Pak-China corridor, he said thatgovernment should focus onits execution rather thangetting trapped in pettyissues. —Online

KABUL: Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif meeting with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—A parliamentary delegation com-prising members of the European Union (EU)paid a visit to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inIslamabad on Tuesday.

The delegation comprised Ambassador andHead of Delegation of the EU to Pakistan Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Chief EU Observer MichaelGahler, Sajjad Karim, Richard Howitt and JeanLambert. The prime minister emphasised in themeeting that Pakistan lays great importance onits relations with EU countries and that he is infavour of regular consultations between the Pa-kistani and EU parliaments.

Speaking to the delegation, the prime min-ister noted with satisfaction that the GeneralisedSystem of Preferences (GSP) status granted toPakistan in 2013 had greatly benefited itseconomy as its exports to the EU had increasedto around US $1 billion.

In response to a question, Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif stated that the Kashmir conflictshould be resolved in light of UN resolutions.

The divided, mostly Muslim Himalayan re-gion of Kashmir is at the heart of hostility be-tween the neighbours and was the cause of twoof their three wars since independence fromBritain in 1947.

On Jan 5, 1949, the United Nations Com-mission for India and Pakistan’s resolution statedthat the question of the accession of the State ofJammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan wouldbe decided through a free and impartial plebi-scite.

But the Indian government has been opposedto a referendum, excusing itself by saying thatthe irregularities in Kashmir must be eradicatedbefore carrying out any referendum.

The delegation was assured by the primeminister that his leadership is committed to eradi-cating the menace of terrorism from the coun-try. The delegation informed the prime ministerthat this was their first official visit to Pakistanduring the current government’s tenure.

They also expressed their condolences forthe victims of the attack on Peshawar’s ArmyPublic School in on Dec 16 last year.

Kashmir issue shouldbe resolved under UN

resolutions: NawazEU delegation meets PM

LONDON—United Nations Envoy for GlobalEducation Gordon Brown on Tuesday proposeda plan for school security in Pakistan includingimproved safety measures, said a report carriedby BBC. The former British premier held talkswith Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to makeschools safer in the wake of the Peshawar schoolattack which left more than 150 students and fac-ulty members dead. Mr Brown stated that he wantsto help schools “stand up to terrorist violence”.His proposal was followed by an agreement withPremier Nawaz to improve the security situationof schools.

The proposal included safety measures suchas armed guards, metal detectors, security fences,emergency communication systems and more. Thesecurity plan being promoted by Mr Brown wasdevised by the education charity, World at School,focusing on the best safety practices being used inparts of Pakistan or conflict zones in other coun-tries. The practice calls for creating peace zonesaround schools in negotiation with the local com-

Gordon Brown devises securityplan for Pakistani schools

munity and religious leaders. There are also pro-posals for a systematic approach to safety includ-ing security checkpoints, boundary walls and ra-zor wire. The proposals also call for strategic place-ment of armed guards on vantage points like roof-tops. Concern over school transport was also raisedand calls for buses to be checked daily for explo-sive devices. The report further says that if schoolsare attacked, there must be a way of quickly call-ing for assistance and alerting other schools. Thesafety proposals also suggested that smaller schoolsin isolated area could be brought closer or movedto areas where better security can be provided. TheUN envoy also called upon the international com-munity to help fund security improvements forschools. According to Mr Brown, measures tomake schools safer will “reassure parents andpupils that everything is being done to counterextremist threats”. A spokesperson for PMNawaz “reiterated his personal commitment”to working with Brown to improve the secu-rity of children in school.—INP

Pakistan, TurkishNavies to hold

joint Exercise atNorth Arabian Sea

KARACHI—Pakistan Navy andTurkish Navy will hold a bilat-eral naval exercise commencing19 Feb with an aim to enhanceinteroperability and operationalunderstanding. Turkish NavyShip TCG BUYUKADA ar-rived at Karachi Tuesday to par-ticipate in the exercise, whichincludes an elaborate Harbourand Sea phase.

The visiting ship was re-ceived by Turkish NavalAttaché in Pakistan and seniorofficials of Pakistan Navy.

The exercise; being first ofthe series is a landmark reflec-tion of the historic ties be-tween the two navies as wellas a true manifestation ofconvergence of strategic in-terests of the two countrieswhich will go a long way inpromoting maritime secu-rity and stability in the re-gion. —Online

ISLAMABAD—Supreme Court (SC) has soughtcut off date from federal government and prov-inces for uploading country’s laws on websiteand their translation in regional languages. Thecourt ordered federation and provinces to filereply in this respect by February, 24. JusticeJawwad S Khawaja remarked “ translation ofcountry’s constitution and law is highly poor.

The culture of not working will have to bechanged in the country. Budget of federal andprovincial law ministries stand at Rs 1.34 bil-lion but the work is next to nil practically. Law-lessness has increased in the country owing tolack of explanation of law. Who stopped from

translating of law and constitution 1973 since1973 todate. He further observed “ how willpeople achieve their rights if they are not awareof law of their country. Facilities are providedin all the world countries on different forums tounderstand country’s law. But here this is notdone.

Even those knowing the law largely remainunaware of the law practically. He gave theseremarks while presiding over a 3-member benchof SC during the course of hearing of wrongtranslation of the law books case here Tuesday.Law secretary told the court that websites havebeen made users friendly. —Online

No culture of doing workprevails in country: SC

ZUBAIR QURESHI

ISLAMABAD—Chairman Oiland Gas Regulatory Authority(Ogra) Saeed Ahmed Khan onTuesday challenged his ‘forcedleave’ in the Islamabad HighCourt (IHC) and the court on hispetition sought reply from thefederal government.

The Cabinet Division onFebruary 11 had sent Khan on‘forced leave’ in connection withhis alleged role in the January2015 oil crisis.

As the chairmen and mem-bers of regulatory bodies are pro-

tected under the law, the govern-ment had sent a reference againstOgra Chairman Saeed Khan tothe Federal Public Service Com-mission (FPSC) for his ‘miscon-duct’ and also sent him on ‘forcedleave’ for three months.

In his petition Saeed Khanadopted before IHC JusticeNoorul Haq N. Qureshi that un-der Ogra Ordinance the chairmanhad a four-year job security un-less he is found physically ormentally incapable or commit-ting misconduct therefore hecould not be sent on forced leave.

Ogra chief moves courtagainst ‘forced leave’

Two includingMQM worker

killed in KarachiKARACHI—At least two peopleincluding a worker of MuttahidaQuami Movement (MQM) werekilled and two others injured indifferent areas of Karachi.

A targeted killer riding a mo-torcycle opened gunfire over-night at Amir and Naveed inNazimabad area of Paposh nearKhilafat Chowk, injuring both ofthem. They were rushed toAbbasi Shaheed Hospital; how-ever, 28-year Amir succumbedto injuries on the way. Amir wasan MQM activist. Party workersin large number gathered at thehospital. —Agencies

Gas pipelineblown up inKandhkot

KA N D H K O T—Unknownmiscreants blew up 16-inchdiameter gas pipeline inKandhkot late on Mondaynight.

Police have confirmed theincident and said that it occurredin Ghora Ghat of Kacha area.

The adjacent areas ofKandhkot were deprived ofgas after the pipeline wasblown up.—Online

KARACHI—Though the Sindh governmenthas accepted all the demands of the pro-testing doctors to ensure security to them,the medical professionals have decided towrap up their operations and move abroad,the Pakistan Observer has reliably learnt.

The Pakistan medical Association(PMA) claims that 3,000 doctors have leftthe country because of the prevailing fearof being murdered over refusing or beingunable to pay extortion money and 3,000more medics are in the process of shiftingto business-friendly countries.

Recent investigations into collectingextortion money from the doctors haverevealed that some of the groups involved

Medical professionals under threatPakistani medics plan to move abroad

in extorting medical professionals wereoperating from out of the country. Fewdays back, the doctors boycott hospitalsand staged a protest demonstration overkilling of doctors in the city.

At least 64 doctors were shot dead byunidentified armed persons in Karachi. Alarge numbers among them were killedover non-payment of extortion and ran-som money while others were killed onpolitical and sectarian grounds.

At least eight doctors were targetedand killed in 2010; four in 2011, 11 in2012, 14 in 2013 and 17 healthcare pro-fessionals were silenced for ever over non-payment of extortion or ransom money in2014. At least five doctors were targetedand killed in first month of 2015 so far.

A senior officer associated with a

counter-terrorism department told thisscribe that extorting doctors has becomean organized crime. “Some groups in-volved in collection of extortion or ran-som money are based in Africa,” theofficer said, adding that “These groupshave hired some people in Pakistan forcollection of demanded money.” “Later,the extorted money transacted to thebanks operating in Africa,” he main-tained.

“Almost 3,000 doctors shiftedabroad by winding-up their operationsfrom Pakistan and equal number of doc-tors have planned to move other coun-tries because of fear,” PMA KarachiPresident Dr Mirza Ali Azhar said.

Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 7

CommentAAMIR MAJEED

WE ARE all familiar with the saying,“laughter is the best medicine.” Andthis motto may ring true when it

comes to tackling age-related memory loss; anew study from Loma Linda University in Cali-fornia finds that humour may reduce brain dam-age caused by the “stresshormone” cortisol, which inturn, improves memory. Theresearch team, led by Dr.Gurinder Singh Bains, re-cently presented their find-ings at the Experimental Bi-ology meeting in San Diego.

It is well known that toomuch stress can negativelyaffect health. Medical NewsToday recently reported ona study suggesting that stressmay worsen allergies, whileother research indicates thatit makes the brain more sus-ceptible to mental illness.Past research has also shownthat stress can worsenmemory and learning abil-ity in elderly individuals.This is because stress increases production ofcortisol - a hormone that can cause damage toneurons in the brain.

Since it is well known that laughter can bea stress reliever, the research team wanted todetermine whether humour may reduce braindamage caused by cortisol. Watching a funnyvideo ‘reduced cortisol levels and boostedmemory performance’ The researchersanalysed one group of elderly individuals whohad diabetes and another group of elderlypeople who were healthy.

Laughter may reduce neuron damagecaused by “stress hormone” cortisol, thereforeimproving memory in older individuals. Both

groups were required to view a 20-minutehumorous video, before completing amemory test that measured their visual rec-ognition, learning ability and memory recall.A third group of elderly individuals wereasked to complete the memory test without

watching the funny video. Theteam then compared the resultsof all three groups.

The investigators found thatboth groups who watched thehumorous video showed a sig-nificant reduction in cortisol lev-els, compared with the groupthat did not view the video. Thegroups that watched the funnyvideo also showed greater im-provement in memory recall,learning ability and sight recog-nition, compared with those whodid not watch the video. The dia-betic group demonstrated thegreatest improvement in bothcortisol levels and memory testscores.

Study co-author Dr. LeeBurk says these findings sug-

gests that the less stress a person has, thebetter their memory performance, andhumour may be the key to reducing stresslevels. “Humour reduces detrimental stresshormones like cortisol that decrease memoryhippocampal neurons, lowers your bloodpressure, and increases blood flow and yourmood state,” he explains. “The act of laugh-ter - or simply enjoying some humour - in-creases the release of endorphins and dopam-ine in the brain, which provides a sense ofpleasure and reward.” He says that theseneurochemical changes in the brain also in-crease “gamma wave band frequency,”which can improve memory.

Laughter may be the best medicinefor age-related memory loss

President Mamnoon Hussain addressing the participants of 2nd Pakistan Conference on Sanitation on Tuesday.

RAZA UR REHMAN

I S L A M A B A D —Pres iden tMamnoon Hussain Tuesdaysaid health and future ofcountry’s children were su-preme and dedicated effortswere afoot to eradicate Poliovirus from Pakistan.

Speaking at the inaugura-tion of second Pakistan Confer-ence on Sanitation, the Presidenturged the international commu-nity to be considerate towardsPakistan instead of imposingtravel related sanctions due toPolio cases. The Presidenthoped Polio would soon beeliminated from Pakistan.

Referring to the impor-tance of sanitation the Presidentsaid that one of the cardinalteachings of Islam relates tocleanliness and personal hy-giene.

He said Islam equatescleanliness with half the faithand exhorts believers to stead-fastly follow this principle.

The President said thatConventions on Human Rightsto Sanitation have been adoptedby the United Nations and sub-sequently endorsed by the Gov-ernment of Pakistan.

The President said in theaftermath of 18th amendment,efforts were being made to re-new and realize the joint com-mitment through legislativepolicy and institutional mea-sures at the federal and provin-cial level to bring sanitation andhygiene at the forefront of na-

Dedicated efforts afoot toeradicate Polio virus

President represents Pakistan at Chinese new year function

tional and provincial priorities. The President highlighted that poor

sanitation and hygiene services in thecountry were one of the contributing fac-tors to high mortality rate for childrenunder the age of five.

President Mamnoon Hussain empha-sized that he would personally commithimself towards the advancement of thesanitation and hygiene movement in thecountry and would also urge others tochampion this cause.

President Mamnoon Hussain here onTuesday represented Pakistan’s at formal

launching of Chinese New Year, 2015 andconveyed good wishes to the governmentand the people of Chinese on this auspi-cious occasion. He exchanged pleasant-ries with Chinese envoy Sun Weidong onthe occasion. The function was markedwith art and culture performance by theChinese artists. It was most impressiveshow which received profound apprecia-tion from the audience. Most fascinatingperformance (a traditional dance) wasfrom the lady staff of the Chinese Embassyin Islamabad.

Federal Minister Abdul Qadir Baluch,

leader of the House in the Senate RajaZafarul Haq, Syed Mushahid Hussain anda number of senior civil and military offic-ers, besides diplomats were present on theoccasion. Chinese envoy reiterated thestrong desire of the Chinese leaders and thegovernment to further strengthen their all-round partnership with Pakistan.“We are theiron friends, having unique friendship thatis a source of peace, stability and prosper-ity in the region.” He said China’s Presi-dent Xi Jinping will soon visit Pakistan thatwill bring their time-tested and all-weatherfriendship to a new height.

ISLAMABAD—Speaker SardarAyaz Sadiq has urged the Euro-pean Union Member States tojoin hands with the leading de-mocracies of the Muslim World,including Pakistan, to promoteinter-faith harmony and respectfor cultural diversity. He wasspeaking to a four-member par-liamentary delegation of the Eu-ropean Union, which called onhim in his Chamber here at theParliament House. The delega-tion, comprising Ms Jean Lam-bert, Chair, Green/EuropeanFree Alliance, from the UnitedKingdom, Mr Richard Howitt,1st Vice-Chair, Socialists andDemocrat from the United King-dom, Mr Michael Galher, Euro-pean People’s Party, from Ger-many and Mr Sajjad Karim,Standing rapporteur in the Inter-national Trade Committee, Eu-ropean Conservatives and Re-formists group, from the UnitedKingdom, is currently on a visitto Pakistan to review the exist-ing ties between the two sides.The EU parliamentarians praisedPakistan’s continued strides to-wards democracy and parlia-mentary supremacy.

They also vehemently con-demned the spate of terrorismin Pakistan and sympathisedthe tragic loss of innocent livesin Peshawar and other places.The Speaker explained the vis-

EU urged to promote inter-faithharmony for cultural diversity

iting delegation the backgroundof the passage of the 21stAmendment, which paved theway for the establishment ofthe military courts. He termedthe parliamentary approval tosuch courts as an “extraordi-nary move taken to counterextraordinary circumstances.”He said that these courts were

time-bound and were intendedto be a “stop-gap” arrangementwith a two-year mandate, asenvisaged by the National Ac-tion Plan. He said it was im-portant for the World to realisethat Pakistan was the biggestvictim of the War on Terror asit had lost more than 60 thou-sand citizens while it had

European Union Parliamentary delegation with NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at Parliament House.

Ambassador of Brazil Alfredo Leoni with Pakistanis who recently returned from Brazilafter getting training in Capoeira art.—PO photo

LIAQAT TOOR

ISLAMABAD—Two Pakistani ath-letes, Shayan Ali and Mirwais areback from Brazil after getting threeweek advanced training course inCapoeira, a traditional wrestlingsports of Brazil, also known as Bra-zilian martial art.

A welcoming ceremony was heldin their honour on Tuesday by theEmbassy of Brazil which also holdstraining courses of Capoeira for Pa-kistanis on regular basis.

Trained at “ABADA Capoeira”training centre in Rio de Janeiro,

Pakistan Capoeira athletesare back from Brazil

both the athletes will also help intraining other Pakistanis in this artin the embassy.

Alfredo Leoni, Ambassador ofBrazil in his remarks on the occasionsaid trip to Brazil by both the ath-letes was a significant additional stepin making Capoeira known in Paki-stan and, at the same time, establish-ing another important bridge be-tween Brazil and Pakistan, and Bra-zilians and Pakistanis.

The Ambassador said he stronglybelieves in people-to-people diplo-macy. Capoeira is not only sports butit is also education and culture.

A video documentary, made byShayan on his experience inCapoeira training in Brazil, was alsoshown on the occasion.

Shayan Ali said: “Pakistan is nowaffiliated with ABADA Capoeira inBrazil and for the first time Capoeirais officially going to start in Pakistan.

Mirwais said: “I am very hope-ful for the future of Capoeira in Pa-kistan. With the help of Capoeira weare engaging our young generationto healthy activities. Capoeira notonly builds self-confidence but isvery helpful in developing socialskills”

played havoc to the country’seconomy and progress.

He also said that it was im-portant to send strong messageto the terrorist groups, who wereplaying with the lives and prop-erty of the innocent and law-abiding citizens. No state couldtolerate such heinous crimesagainst humanity and hence it

was essential to meet them withiron hand. The Speaker stressedthe world community to firmlystand by Pakistan. “We arefighting a war for global safetyand security. At this criticaljuncture, we expect the worldcommunity to be on our side,”said the Speaker.

The EU Parliamentarianstook keen interest in the work-ing of the parliament and soughtquarries form the Speaker on theElectoral Reforms, enhancedparliamentary scrutiny of theExecutive and its legislative per-formance.—INP

RAWALPINDI—At least one child died while twoothers sustained injuries in a gas explosion inChaklala, Rawalpindi whereas on the other hand,fire broke out at shoe factory turning goods worthmillion into ashes on Tuesday. As per details, gasleakage became the cause of explosion andclaimed the life of one minor in Chaklala.

Gas explosion leavesone dead, two injured

A view of the destroyed house after an explosion due to gas leakage in Rehmatabad Area.

On getting the information regarding the inci-dent, police along with rescue teams arrived at thescene and shifted the injured to the hospital. Onthe other hand, a shoe factory near Peer Wadhaicaught fire and destroyed goods worth million ru-pees. The fire was extinguished by the fire briga-dier staff after the struggle of one hour.—INP

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—German Ambassador Dr. CyrillNunn along with Commander CarstanKlennke, General Defence Attache called onMinister for Defence Khawaja MuhammadAsif here on Tuesday.

Defence Minister Khawaja MuhammadAsif told the German ambassador that Paki-

Avenues of military coop discussedstan has a growing the defence industry andlittle support will add to its key potential. Dur-ing the meeting Pakistan showed interest inacquisition of technology, machinery and rawmaterial for its defence equipment manufac-turing factories. German side appreciated theagreement of a joint venture between defencefirms of Pakistan and Germany for develop-ment and up-gradation of heavy machinery.

06:25 01:3004:00

07:15

Zohr

Asr

Isha

Fajar

Meghrab at Sunset

Brothers in Islamestablish regularprayers & charity

February 18Report launch

PILDAT Report Launch andNational Roundtable onAssessment of the Qualityof Democracy in PakistanJune 2013 – December 2014on Wednesday, February 18,2015, 01:30 pm at Kehkashan1, Serena Hotel.

February 23Literary conference

TO observe 33rd Death Anni-versary of great revolutionaryPoet Hazrat JoshMalihabadi,Josh Adabi Foun-dation will organize incollibration with Sukhanwarand Rawalpindi Arts Council,Josh National Literary Confer-ence on 23rd February ,Mon-day at 3.00 pm at RawalpindiArts Council, Cultural Com-plex, Shamsabad ,MurreeRoad ,Rawalpindi. FederalMinister for Information andBroadcasting, SenatorPervaiz Rashid will presidethe occasion.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—An interactive American Edu-cation Spring Fair 2015 was held at RootsDHA1/Ivy International School exclusivelyfor all students yesterday according to apress release. Representatives from thirteenrenowned American universities participatedin this exhibition to inform the studentsabout their respective US institutes, thecourses they offered and outlined the ad-missions criteria. The college/university rep-resentatives came from Emporia State Uni-versity, Hiram College, Luther College, MinotState University, Murray State University,Northeast Wisconsin Technical College,Purdue University, State University of NewYork College at Plattsburgh, University atBuffalo, the State University of New York,University of Bridgeport, University ofNorthern Iowa, Western Kentucky Univer-sity and Saint Peter’s University.

It was a very productive networking ses-sion for the students to get a detailed in-sight of all the program outlines and qualityof campus experience. The exhibition offeredstudents with the opportunity of a one on

Roots DHA1/IVY International School American Education Spring Fair 2015one session with the representa-tives.

Students were encouraged todiscuss any queries regarding anyaspect of the college/university. Adetailed orientation on various de-gree programs was given to the stu-dents highlighting the educationalstandard and system in the US.

Roots School DHA1/IVY Inter-national is recognized for offeringstudents with quality educationand is a pioneer for amiable, well-learned, intelligent andhardworking individuals that showcommitment towards the social,economic and financial growth ofthe nation.

The efforts of Ms. KhadijaMushtaq to sustain the amity be-tween Roots School/IVY Interna-tional and American colleges anduniversities will open doors of op-portunity for many students to gaininternational education and experi-ence. The consistent efforts andsupport to students have made itpossible for hundreds of students

after graduating from Roots tostudy in 150 top universitiesacross the world including Ox-ford, Cambridge, Yale, Harvard,Stanford, MIT, LSE, UCL, etc.with 100% scholarships.

The education fair was con-cluded by Khadija Mushtaq,CEO, Roots Ivy International, bysaying words of inspiration tothe students. She thanked eachesteemed representative indi-vidually and expressed utmostgratitude towards all the univer-sities and colleges that came toRoots School DHA1/Ivy Interna-tional to make the American Edu-cation Spring Fair such an enor-mous success. Students werevery excited to attend the Ameri-can Education Spring Fair 2015and were encouraged to apply toUS universities for their higherstudies program. CEO KhadijaMushtaq and Vice PrincipalAnjum Zaidi presented theschool mementos to all the es-teemed representatives.

ZUBAIR QURESHI

ISLAMABAD—Islamabad High Court(IHC) on Tuesday issued bailable arrestwarrants of a retired army officer BrigSaadullah Fatmi, the former Administra-tor of the Defence Housing Authority(DHA). The brigadier was issued noticesfor his continuous absence in a con-tempt of court case.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui di-rected issuance of the bailable orders.

IHC issues arrest warrant ofDHA’s ex-administrator

Justice SIddiqui in a case had orderedappointment of an arbitrator for settlinga dispute between a private builder andthe DHA. The judge had also issuedshow cause to Brig Fatmi and DHA Sec-retary Col (R) Ijaz Haroon and directedthem to reply by February 18.

Last year, too, Justice Siddiqui onthe petition of private developer MultiNation Venture Development (Private)Limited (MNVDL) had appointed Jus-tice (R) Munir A. Sheikh as an arbitrator

to settle a dispute between DHA andthe builder on a fee of Rs2 million to bepaid by the both the parties.

In this matter, DHA and MNVDLsigned an agreement for constructionof Shop-A-Shop project in the DHAphase II extension at overseas sector.However, the agreement could not bematerialized and was terminated accord-ingly. The private builder then demandedthe DHA to pay the cost which was oc-curred during the feasibility and other

related work.The MNVDL then filed the petition

in the IHC for the appointment of an ar-bitrator for settling the dispute. In thecontempt petition, the builder adoptedbefore the court that they had paid Rs1million for the arbitration but the DHAhas not paid the similar amount. Thecourt for the last few weeks had beensummoning Brig Fatmi in this matter buthe did not comply with the orders.

On Tuesday, when the court re-

sumed hearing of contempt petition,Ilyas Siddiqui advocate appeared andinformed the court that Brig Fatmi hadengaged him as lawyer in this case.

When the court asked him why MrFatmi was absent, the counsel repliedthat since the DHA had challenged theorder before a division bench thereforehis client did not come to attend the pro-ceedings. On this the court issuingabove-mentioned orders adjournedhearing with date in office.

ISLAMABAD—Speaker Sardar AyazSadiq has termed Baroness SaeedaWarsi, the former Cabinet Minister andChairperson UK’s Conservative Party,as “Muslim women’s role-model anda bridge between the East and theWest”. The Speaker made these re-marks during a call-on by the visitingBritish Member of the House of Lordson him in his Chamber, on Tuesday.

The Speaker stressed that leaderslike Saeeda Warsi had an important roleto play in portraying the true image ofIslam as a progressive and forward-looking message. He further called forcontinued dialogue between civiliza-tions and urged the Baroness to leadthe course.

The two leaders shared views onthe rise of extremism and in this re-gard, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiqbriefed the Baroness on “OperationZarb-e-Azab” and the enactment ofthe 21st Amendment. While describ-ing, the Speaker said that the estab-

Pakistani nation on onepage in combating terrorism

lishment of the military courts wassanctioned by the Parliament keepingin view of the gruesome attack onSchool children in Peshawar had leftthe nation with little choice.

While strongly condemning thePeshawar carnage and the subsequentterrorist attacks, the Baroness praisedthe resolve of the Pakistani nation andsaid that she had found the Pakistanination on one page in combating ter-rorism. She agreed with the SpeakerSardar Ayaz Sadiq that in such criticalmoments the world community mustsupport Pakistan’s democratic gov-ernment in its fight for global security.

Referring to her interaction withthe youth in Lahore, Baroness saidthat it was heartening to see the po-litical awakening of youth. She saidthat democracy is ever evolving pro-cess so it is time for all sides of thepolitical divide to show maturity tobuilt systems. The Speaker also in-formed the Baroness of his personal

efforts in getting a unanimous resolu-tion passed from the 53-Member Par-liamentary Union of the Islamic Coun-tries in its recently concluded sessionin Istanbul, Turkey.

The Speaker also noted that Bar-oness Warsi, a British with Pakistaniorigins, made several headlines dur-ing her carrier when she was elevatedto be the youngest Member of theBritish Upper House and later beingthe first Muslim to become a CabinetMinister under Prime Minister DavidCameron.

It was however, her principled res-ignation over the Gaza stand-off in2014, which earned Warsi worldwiderespect and admiration, said SpeakerSardar Ayaz Sadiq. The Baronessthanked the Speaker and assured himof her continued support to democ-racy in Pakistan. The Speaker alsohanded over an invitation letter toBaroness to attend the 23rd MarchPakistan Day celebrations.—INP

ISLAMABAD—Mr. Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Chief Justice of Pakistan admin-istered the oath of office to Mr. Jus-tice Maqbool Baqar, Chief Justice,High Court of Sindh as Judge of theSupreme Court of Pakistan here on

Justice Maqbool Baqar swornin as Judge of Supreme Court

Tuesday at Chief Justice House,Islamabad, in a simple but dignifiedceremony. Judges of Supreme Courtof Pakistan, Attorney General for Pa-kistan, President of Supreme Court BarAssociation attended the ceremony.

Syed Tahir Shahbaz, Registrar Su-preme Court of Pakistan conductedthe proceedings of oath taking cer-emony. Officers and staff of the Su-preme Court of Pakistan were alsopresent on the occasion.—INP

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, administering oath to Mr Justice Maqbool Baqar, Chief JusticeHigh Court of Sindh as Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan at Chief Justice House on Tuesday.

RAZA UR REHMAN

ISLAMABAD—PEMRA held meeting of allits Regional General Managers and Opera-tions staff at its Headquarters to review theprogress performance vis-à-vis the enforce-ment activities, implementation of PEMRAlaws and recovery of dues. The meetingwas chaired by the Chairman PEMRA whileit was attended by all the officers at Head-quarters as well as regional and sub-re-gional offices.

Executive Member PEMRA Mr. KamalUddin Tipu apprised the house about sig-nificant decisions taken by the Authoritywhich would prove to be the trail blazer forthe growth of private electronic media incountry. Major Authority decisions includereduction of tariff for landing rights per-missions and relaxation of conditions / tar-iff for mobile TV licenses in Pakistan. It wastold that the Authority in its last meetinghad also approved hiring of an InternationalConsultant for initiating DTH licensing inPakistan, however, same has been delayeddue to stay in the Islamabad High Courtwhich has now been vacated. PEMRA man-

PEMRA managers conferenceto review performance

agement resolved to take all possible mea-sures to facilitate the development of elec-tronic media in country in pursuance to itsmandate.

Chairman PEMRA, Mr. Parvez Rathoredirected all the field officers and staff tostrictly implement PEMRA laws in letter andspirit. He urged zero tolerance for violatorsand their abettors. He categorically empha-sized action against illegal DTH and thosecable operators which are involved in air-ing illegal content in violation of copyrights. It was directed that action must alsobe taken against cable operators and TVchannels airing live world cup cricketmatches in infringement of legal rights con-ferred to PTV and TenSports channels inPakistan.

Progress on creating awareness on theDigitalization of Cable TV in Pakistan wasalso reviewed. It was briefed that two semi-nars in consultation with stakeholders havebeen held on the topic at Islamabad andKarachi whereas; similar seminars wouldalso be conducted at Lahore and Multanregions in next month to apprise stakehold-ers about benefits of digitalization.

STAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—Fatima Jinnah WomenUniversity (FJWU) has signed theMemorandum of Understanding(MOU) with Khana-e-Farhang Iran,Islamabad. Prof. Dr. Samina AminQadir, Vice Chancellor and Mr.Muhammad Akbri, Director General/Cultural Attaché, have signed thisdocument of MoU for academic co-operation in Vice Chancellor’s Office.In this MoU special attention wasgiven for the establishment of collabo-ration to provide education, infrastruc-

Fatima Jinnah University signsMoU with Khane-E-Farhang

ture, skills orientation, and access tolibrary, local and international expo-sures, Persian language Courses andpeer networks.

During this meeting Vice Chancel-lor briefed the guests about the aca-demic programs, facilities, infrastruc-ture and history of the Universitybuilding. They have also discussedstudent’s involvement and scope ofnational and International linkages andacademic partnership.

While appreciating the infrastruc-ture and facilities available at the cam-pus Mr. Akbari said that they would

like to conduct joint research as thereis many commonalities between theculture and history of both countries.

Mr. Akbri also mentioned that, thiscooperation will be continue in futureand will be beneficial for the studentsof both countries, which will eventu-ally help to improve the unity and co-operation between both countries.Prof. Dr. Naheed Zia Khan, Dean Fac-ulty of Arts and Social Sciences, Prof.Samina Bokhri, Registrar and Dr.Shamim Zaidi, Media Adviser havealso attended the MoU signing cer-emony.

Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage Parvez Rashid taking interest in paintingsdisplayed during an exhibition at a local gallery.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir

MIRPUR (AJK): President Azad Kashmir, Sardar Yaqub Khan prays after planting a sapling at the MUST.

DHIRKOT: Manager HR DN, Sajid Iqbal handing over to Dr. Abdul Sattar of Hill Hospital and Dr. Liaqat Ali of THHospital tile of agreement on cooperation.

MUHAMMAD RAZA MALIK

KASHMIRIS have been rendering unparalleled sacrifices since 1947 in their indigenous struggle to get freedom from the ille-

gal occupation of India. During all this period, Pa-kistan is the only country of the world that has ex-tended all-out support to the just cause of theKashmiri people. The government and people ofPakistan, at home and across the world, observethe Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February, ev-ery year, to reaffirm the pledge to continue theirsupport to their Kashmiri brethren who are carry-ing on a peaceful struggle to achieve their inalien-able right to self-determination promised to themby the international community including India.

The observance of the day since 1990 is aimedat conveying a strong message to usurper India thatthe Kashmiris are not alone in their just struggleand sooner or later it will have to give them theirright to choose their fate by themselves as grantedby the UN resolutions. Pakistanis on this day holdseminars, conferences and demonstrations.Through these activities important aspects of theKashmir dispute and the gross human rights viola-tions being perpetrated by Indian troops in occu-pied Kashmir are highlighted. At the same time,the world community is reminded that settlementof the Kashmir dispute is imperative for sustain-able peace and stability in South Asia.

There are many legitimate and genuine reasonsfor the people of Pakistan to express solidarity withtheir oppressed Kashmiri brethren because bothshare strong bonds in respect of religion, geogra-

Why Kashmir Solidarity Day!phy, culture, aspirations and economy.

It is a historical fact that India had illegallyoccupied Jammu and Kashmir by landing its troopsin Srinagar on 27th October, 1947, against thewishes of the Kashmiri people and in total disre-gard to the Partition Plan of the Indian subconti-nent that had resulted in the formation of two newindependent counties – Pakistan and India. ThePartition Plan had given all the Princely States thechoice to accede to either of the two countries.Being a Muslim majority State, Jammu and Kash-mir was destined to become part of Pakistan, butIndian rulers in connivance with the British rulersand Maharaja Hari Singh destroyed the future ofmillions of Kashmiris under the so-called “Instru-ment of Accession” document. Many neutral ob-servers including renowned British historian,Alistair Lamb, reject the existence of any suchdocument with the argument that had it been there,India would have made it pubic at some nationalor international forum.

Since 1947, India’s brutal occupation has beenthe cause of continued sufferings of the people ofJammu and Kashmir. Due to the atrocities of Indiantroops, hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri peoplehave migrated to Pakistan from the occupied terri-tory and main driving force behind their movementhas been their strong emotional attachment to thecountry. This affiliation has been accepted even bythe first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.When asked a question in 1965 about holding ofplebiscite in Kashmir, he had responded, “Kashmiriswould vote to join Pakistan and we would lose it.No Indian government responsible for agreeing to a

plebiscite would survive.”Similarly, the ideological cohesion between

Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir can well begauged from the fact that the Jammu and KashmirMuslim Conference had passed a resolution in itsmeeting in Srinagar on 19th July, 1947, in favourof accession of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan.This development had happened about a monthbefore the creation of Pakistan. The slogans like“Pakistan Zindabad” and “We want Pakistan”raised by the people of the occupied territory fromtime to time depict the unfathomable affection ofthe Kashmiris with Pakistan. Pakistani flags arehoisted in Jammu and Kashmir on the national daysof the country, whereas such days of India are ob-served as black days.

The leaders of Pakistan never betrayed the faithreposed on them by the Kashmiri people. It washis commitment to the interests of the Kashmiripeople that drove father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to visit Jammu andKashmir three times before 1947 (in 1926, 1936and 1944). He had rightly said that Kashmir is the“Jugular Vein” of Pakistan. Former Prime Minis-ter, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, had vowed to wage a thou-sand-year war for Kashmir. The Army Chief, Gen-eral Raheel Sharif, has time and again called forsettlement of the conflict over Kashmir in accor-dance with the Kashmiris’ aspirations for ensuringdurable peace in South Asia. Prime Minister,Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, right from assumingoffice in June 2013 has been calling for settling alloutstanding issues between Pakistan and India in-cluding the conflict over Kashmir through peace-

ful dialogue process. He participated in the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi with the hopethat the move would help the two countries endtheir differences. Later, he even refused to resumetalks with India which were suspended by NewDelhi in August 2014 on the pretext of meetings inthe Indian capital between Pakistani High Com-missioner, Abdul Basit, and the Kashmiri Hurriyetleaders. This shows that Pakistan would not en-gage with India at the cost of the interests ofKashmiri people.

The deplorable aspect of the matter is that onone side, India wants to put pressure on Pakistanso that it stops supporting the Kashmir cause, whileon the other, it has been employing brutal tacticsto suppress the Kashmiris’ just struggle for secur-ing their right to self-determination. Since 1989,when the people of Kashmir intensified their lib-eration struggle, Indian troops have killed nearlyone lac innocent Kashmiris and subjected thou-sands to custodial disappearance. During the massuprising in occupied Kashmir from 2008 to 2010,hundreds of thousands of people took to the streetsin Srinagar and other towns of occupied Kashmirwith the demand of their inalienable right. How-ever, instead of showing respect to the sentimentsof these people, Indian forces’ personnel respondedwith use of brute force, killing over two hundredpeople during the period. At the same time NewDelhi is staging election dramas in occupied Kash-mir to mislead the world opinion about the Kash-mir dispute and the prevailing deteriorating humanrights situation in the occupied territory. The presentPrime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, even takes

a more harsh stand. He talks of abrogating the Ar-ticle 370 of Indian Constitution that gives specialstatus to Jammu and Kashmir. He has a totally anti-Kashmir agenda of a complete integration of theterritory with India and also to change the demo-graphic composition of Jammu and Kashmir.

Unfortunately, the international community isturning a blind eye to India’s actions in Kashmirresulting in the continued sufferings of theKashmiri people.

In view of this harsh reality that the Kashmirdispute has become a nuclear flashpoint as it in-volves two nuclear-armed neighbours – Pakistanand India – it is responsibility of the world com-munity to realise the sensitivity of the issue. It musttake cognisance of the fact that due to India’s un-realistic and intransigent attitude, the peace andstability of the entire South Asia are at stake.

These are the reasons for observance of theKashmir Solidarity Day. 5th February is a reminderto the world powers that they should use their in-fluence on New Delhi to settle the conflict overKashmir. At the same time the supreme sacrificesof Kashmiri people needed to be acknowledgedbesides India warrants to be censured for disre-specting the UN resolutions and continued humanrights violations in occupied Kashmir. The 5thFebruary reminds the world about the urgency in-volved in an early resolution of the Kashmir dis-pute for the global peace, prosperity and security.

—Courtesy: KMS[The writer is working as Senior Editor at

Kashmir Media Service, Islamabad, and can bereached at razamalik849@yahoo.com]

SRINAGAR—The veteran Hurriyetleader, Syed Ali Gilani has criticizedthe international community for dem-onstrating double standards vis-à-visKashmir dispute.

Syed Ali Gilani in a statement fromNew Delhi questioned that if referen-dum could be held in Scotland, South-ern Sudan and East Timor to honourpeoples’ aspirations then why it couldnot be held in Jammu and Kashmir.

The veteran leader said that the timehad proven that neither the Kashmir dis-pute could be resolved through militarymeans, nor the Kashmiris’ quest forfreedom could be suppressed by the dintof gun over the last 68 years.

He pointed out that the lingeringKashmir dispute was augmenting po-litical uncertainty and instability in theSouth Asian region.

Int’l community censuredfor duplicity on Kashmir

Glowing tributes paid to martyrs of Haigam & othersThe All Parties Hurriyet Conference

in a statement issued in Srinagar wel-comed the recent assertions made by theUS State Department wherein it statedthat America would make all-out effortsto bring India and Pakistan closer.

However, the APHC made it clearthat any dialogue process aimed at set-tling the Kashmir dispute could not bearfruit without the inclusion of Kashmirisas the primary party to the dispute.

The Tehreek-e-Hurriyet Jammu andKashmir in a statement denounced theIndian authorities for implicating ille-gally detained Hurriyet activists in fakecases to prolong their detention. It de-manded immediate release of al lHurriyet leaders and activists withoutany further delay.

The Jammu and Kashmir LiberationFront in a statement paying rich trib-

utes to the martyrs of Haigam on theiranniversary reiterated the Kashmiris’pledge to take their mission to its logi-cal end.

Indian troops had killed severalpeople, who were protesting against thekilling of a liberation leader, JalilAhmad Shah in Haigam on 15th Feb-ruary in 2001.

APHC leader, Mukhtar AhmadWaza at a meeting in Srinagar said thatthe settlement of the Kashmir disputewas the only way to ensure peace inSouth Asia.

The Jammu and Kashmir NationalFront and Jammu and Kashmir MuslimLeague in their statements rememberedGul Mohammad Khan alias PrinceKhan, Ghulam Mohammad Bulla andthe martyrs of Haigam on their martyr-dom anniversaries.—KD

JKML vowsto continue

freedom struggleSRINAGAR—The Jammu andKashmir Muslim League(JKML) has reiterated that theKashmiri people will con-tinue their struggle till theyachieve their right to self-de-termination.

The JKML spokesman,Muhammad Rafiq Ganai, in astatement in Srinagar payingtributes to the Kashmiri mar-tyrs said, “These martyrs haveinstilled a new life into ourfreedom movement with theirsacred blood.”

He said that the Kashmiriswere offering sacrifices forfreedom of their motherlandand they would not accept any-thing less than complete free-dom from India. “Kashmiripeople will continue thestruggle till they take the mis-sion of their martyrs to its logi-cal end,” he added.—KW

NEW DELHI—India was infuriated over dis-play of a map showing Jammu and Kashmir asnot part of India during a presentation by a topUN official in New Delhi.

The territory occupied by India borderingPakistan and China in Jammu and Kashmir wasnot shown as part of India in the map by SueCoates, at a water summit to discuss the sanita-tion situation in India.

Coates made the presentation at the open-ing session of the ‘India Wash Summit’organised by the WaterAid, a global NGO.The NGO is working to transform lives by

Map at UN event in Delhishows J&K as not part of India

improving access to safe water, improvedhygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorestcommunities.

The panelists of the opening session in-cluded bureaucrats, social activists, academi-cians and bank representatives.

Coates completed the presentation justfew minutes ahead of arrival of Rural Devel-opment Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh.Singh launched the three-day ‘India WashSummit’ along with many dignitaries includ-ing Coates by floating diyas in a vessel filledwith water.—KW

A.H.RAO

MIRPUR—Thirty participants representingdifferent regions of Jammu & Kashmir Statecame together in a dialogue initiative orga-nized by the Centre for Dialogue and Rec-onciliation (CDR) in Jammu city of Indianoccupied Kashmir, says a report reachinghere Tuesday from across the line of con-trol.

“The participants of the two-day inter-regional dialogue held on February 14 and15, 2015 at Jammu jointly look at the possi-bilities to continue and sustain inter-regionalexchange of ideas, views and opinions on is-sues related to all stakeholders”, the reportsaid quoting an official joint statement is-sued by the host CDR organization at theconclusion of the conference.

“This initiative aims to bring togetherall regions of Jammu and Kashmir to un-derstand each other’s viewpoints and per-ceptions on contentious issues and buildbridges of understanding and cooperation”,it said.

Dialogue held to View ways tobridge gaps among J & K regions

The report continued that the group willwork on trust building among regions andpeople by jointly tackling issues that other-wise we shy away from.

The report further said that it was alsoaimed at to take away people from allegedrhetoric and falsehood propagated forvested interests, and help bring to fore com-plexities, perspectives and possible way for-ward.

“The group’s initiative also will strive toorganize meetings, seminars and workshopsamong well-meaning people in regionswhere people have grievances — social, po-litical or economic - and will not remain lim-ited to Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh,but ensure participation from all regions andsub-regions”, the report said.

The report said quoting an official jointstatement issued by the host CDR organiza-tion at the conclusion of the conference. Thisgroup also unanimously recognizes and ac-knowledges the aspirations and voices of allthe communities and regions living in Jammuand Kashmir, according to the report.

SRINAGAR—The Jammu and Kashmir NationalFront while remembering Gul Mohammad Khanalias Prince Khan, Ghulam Mohammad Bullaand the martyrs of Haigam on their anniversa-ries, has vowed to continue their mission, againstall odds. Gul Mohammad Khan alias PrinceKhan was the younger brother JKNF Chairman,Nayeem Ahmad Khan.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Frontheld a special meeting at its office in Srinagarto pay tributes to the martyrs. The speakers onthe occasion said that India had committed trag-edies on every step in Kashmir. The speakers

Special prayers held forPrince Khan, other martyrs

remembered Gul Mohammad Khan Khan alias,Prince Khan whose martyrdom was also relatedto the Haigam tragedy. The Speakers praised thesacrifices rendered by Nayeem Ahmad Khan andfamily in the way of the struggle.

Nayeem Ahmad Khan, on the occasionsaid that accomplishment of any missionneeded sacriice. He said that India had bro-ken even the records of Changez Khan’s bru-talities in Kashmir. Special prayers were heldfor Gul Mohanmmad Khan, GhulamMohammad Bulla and the martyrs of Haigamin the meeting.—KD

SRINAGAR—Two days after Member of Legis-lative Assembly (elect) Engineer Abdul Rasheedaddressed people from the dais of Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) during an ‘interactive congregationsession’ in winter capital of the State, the partyon Tuesday said inviting the ‘pro-India politician’was a ‘mistake’ and assured strict action afterconducting probe against those who invited him.Rasheed, who also heads Awami Ittehad Party(AIP) addressed people at Masjid Ibrahim inRajindra Bazar area of Jammu City on Sunday,wherein he called for the resolution of ‘burningissues’ of Kashmir and Palestine.

“Yes, we accept that inviting a pro-Indianpolitician was a mistake,” the JeI spokesman,Advocate Zahid Ali Lone, told GNS over phone.He said the group would hold inquiry followedby ‘strict action’ against those who invitedRasheed. “As of now, we don’t know who actu-ally invited Rasheed. But, the enquiry would

Inviting pro-India politicianwas mistake: Jama’at-e-Islami

figure out and we assure that no one would bespared and action would be taken according tothe constitution of Jama’at,” he said.

The Jama’at spokesman said though the non-Muslim intellectuals and academicians are invitedduring interactive congregation sessions, ‘butthere is no tradition of inviting pro-India politi-cians and those who don’t accept the realities ofKashmir issue’. In reply to a question, Lone said:“The Lawmaker was invited without the permis-sion of central authority of Jama’at. It is not per-missible to allow such persons.”

Lone further said that ‘the unfortunate inci-dent’ that occurred at Jammu ‘has not onlyshaken the inner circles of Jama’at but also itssympathizers’. “A negative effect has prevailed.People think Jama’at has retracted from its standon Islam and ‘Azadi’. There is no question ofsell out. But, we assure all the people includingpro-freedom groups.—KD

BJP-PDP pactstuck over

370, AFSPA?NEW DELHI—Talks on a pro-posed alliance between PDPand BJP for government forma-tion in Jammu and Kashmirseem to be running into roughweather over issues like Article370 and AFSPA as both sidestry to iron out their differencesover the contentious matters.

With PDP asserting duringback-channel talks with BJP thatthe Common MinimumProgramme will be a public docu-ment, the saffron party, which has25 MLAs, is finding it hard to givea written assurance on not rakingup the issue of Article 370, whichgives special status to the state,sources said. BJP leaders from thestate have also made it clear to theparty’s central leadership that anydecision of AFSPA will have tobe taken in consultation with thearmy.—KR

The reality is thatbusiness and

investment spend-ing are the true

leading indicatorsof the economy andthe stock market. Ifyou want to knowwhere the stock

market is headed,forget about con-sumer spendingand retail salesfigures. Look to

business spending,price inflation,

interest rates, andproductivity gains.

—Mark Skousen

ANUSHA RAMZI

PAKISTAN is endowed with enormous natural resources including minerals; and if theseminerals are explored and utilized properly,

the country can become one of the developedcountries of the world. It is due to the interactionof Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif with Chi-nese government and entrepreneurs that Metal-lurgical Corporation of China has been able to dis-cover major reserves of iron ore of approximately500 million tons in Chiniot.

The Chinese company was given the explora-tion rights in a transparent manner, unlike the dealsdone by the previous governments. The companyhas also expressed interest in setting up a steelmill on the site. The extracted iron has been testedin Swiss and Canadian laboratories, who havefound 60-65 percent of it to be high grade. It is,indeed, Allah’s blessing in the form of reward forunrelenting efforts of Shahbaz Sharif.

Addressing a function on the occasion of dis-covery of reserves of iron ore and copper inChiniot-Rajwa, Shahbaz Sharif said: “These re-serves would change the destiny of the nation;eliminate poverty and unemployment from the

Punjab’s role in economic turn aroundcountry; break the begging bowl and Pakistanwould achieve a respectable place in the comity ofnations.” He said that these reserves are not onlyfor the ten crore people of Punjab but also theproperty of 18 crore people of Pakistan. Of course,exploration of the Iron ore and copper and estab-lishment of steel mill will provide job opportuni-ties to the people of Chiniot, as they have the firstright over these resources.

PML-N government is striving for sustainableeconomic growth, which is linked to political sta-bility. And it is political stability that motivates theinvestors and attracts investment, which helps ingenerating revenues.

The government can then invest in human andphysical infrastructure development. It goes with-out saying that first and foremost challenge is themobilization of local resources including local in-vestment to overcome the challenge of low invest-ment. Only when local investors feel safe and con-fident, foreign investment will come. There is nodenying that economic situation has improvedsince PML-N government is at the helm, andPunjab CM’s performance is exceptionally good.Of course, Shahbaz Sharif has been working dayin and day out to serve the people of Punjab. Even

his opponents acknowledge him as a good admin-istrator, as he has proved his mettle not only dur-ing his first stint as a chief minister of Punjab in1990s but also after assuming his office secondtime as CM after February 2008 elections.

In his third stint, he does not seem to be relent-ing in his efforts, as that he does not want to liveon his past performance. Which is why, he is keep-ing a vigilant eye on the performance of all thedepartments to solve the problems of the peopleand ensure good governance.

He has undertaken reforms in police, health,livestock and other departments to ensure goodgovernance in the Punjab province. Not only inPakistan Shahbaz Sharif is revered but also abroad.During his visit to China immediately after assum-ing office as CM, he had impressed Chinese in-vestors who promised to invest in Punjab in vari-ous projects. His interaction with German andTurkish leadership has also produced prodigiousresults. For the convenience of public, he hadplanned a number of projects for infrastructuredevelopment.

This included construction of an elevated ex-pressway, Ring Road and mass transit system inthe provincial metropolis to cope up with the traf-

fic problems. Most of these projects have beencompleted or are in their completion phases; andPunjab government has started similar projects inother cities of Punjab. Mian Shahbaz Sharif seemsto have a lot more political acumen and the visionas compared with other leaders of the PML-N, andfor that matter even the leaders of other parties. Itwill not be wrong to say that PML-N got heavymandate in 1997 elections, and once again in 2013elections because of his track record in develop-ment of Punjab province, and of course good gov-ernance. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and ShahbazSharif are striving to break the begging bowl.

They are aware that the nation cannot progressso long as our country depends on the handoutsfrom international lenders and donors. The poli-cies of international lenders have strangulated thecapacity of the ordinary citizen to live a life ofdignity and honour. This is the reason that Sharifsare committed to restoring Pakistan’s political andeconomic sovereignty and self-reliance. They aretrying to forge unity between the federating units.The government is trying to establish such soci-ety which will be based on human values andwhich could put the country on the road toprogress and prosperity.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar chairing ameeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee.

MIAN ARSHAD

ISLAMABAD—The Finance Minister Ishaq Dar,Tuesday, expressed grave concern on the rise in

the prices of pulses and dairy products. The pricesof dairy products were declining globally but theimpact was not being reflected in the domesticprices. While chairing a meeting of the NationalPrice Monitoring Committee (NPMC), he directedthe provincial governments to take proactive mea-sures and identify where they needed assistancefrom Islamabad. The Federal Government was readyto provide maximum support at all level for the ben-efit of common man in the country, he added.

The Chair further said that the government wastaking all possible measures to keep a check on prices

Dar expresses concern over pulses, dairy products prices hikeof daily needs with the support of all stakeholders sothat cartels, profiteers, and hoarders would not makeundue profit. As a result of these efforts, governmenthad succeeded to bring inflation down to 3.9 % dur-

ing January2015, whichwas the lowestin last 12 years.The NationalPrice Monitor-ing Committee(NPMC) wasinformed thattransport faresin the fourprovinces hadbeen de-creased aimingto transfer ben-efit in reduc-

tion of oil prices to the general public.The provincial governments had issued notifi-

cations to this effect and were also taking measuresto ensure implementation, the meeting was furthertold. The NPMC noted with satisfaction that in com-parison with countries in the region, Pakistan hadthe lowest prices of Petrol, Diesel and a number ofother items. Dar said that the Prime Minister hadinstructed the provinces that benefit of decrease inpetrol and diesel prices should reach the consumersthroughout the country.

The decline in inflation was broad-based as food

inflation was recorded as 3.0%, Non-Food 4.5%, whileinflation in core commodities, sensitive prices andwholesale prices had also depicted significant de-clining trends. The Finance Minister showed con-cern on the rise in the prices of pulses and dairy prod-ucts. The prices of dairy products were declining glo-bally but the impact was not being reflected in thedomestic prices. The Minister directed Ministry ofFood Security & Research to bring a viable plan toovercome the production & consumption gap ofpluses and other minor crops by taking all stakehold-ers on board, so that price stability and smooth sup-ply could be maintained in a consistent way.

He directed for constituting a sub-committeecomprising Ministries of Food Security and Re-search, Industries and Production, Commerce, Fi-nance and other concerned departments to developan actionable plan, which should not only suggestmeasures for removing shortages but contributeto stability in the prices of pulses and other minorcrops. He emphasized that this work should betaken in hand immediately and a report be readywithin 10 days. Ministry of Food Security and Re-search also informed the meeting about the newinitiatives which they had taken to enhance pro-duction of pulses, tomatoes and other minor crops.

The Chair further emphasized that CompetitionCommission of Pakistan should gear up its role in aneffective manner to control hoarding, profiteering,breaking cartelization and taking corrective measuresso that benefits of decline in oil and other commodi-ties’ prices may be passed on to general consumers.

The Chair also emphasized for expediting the pro-cess of Executive Magistracy System. The Ministryof IPC informed that the as directed by the Council ofCommon Interest, all provinces have become partyto the petition being heard in the Supreme Court.

The meeting reviewed the trend of inflationaryindicators including the Consumer Price Index (CPI),Food, Non-Food, Core, Wholesale Price index(WPI) and Sensitive Price Index (SPI). The CPI re-corded at 3.9 percent during January 2015, simi-larly SPI and WPI also registered at 1.1 percentand -2.4 percent respectively. The SPI for the weekended on 12th February 2015 decreased by 0.57percent due to better supply of commodities & vigi-lant monitoring of prices both at federal and pro-vincial level. Out of 53 items, prices of 09 itemsregistered increase, while prices of 16 items de-creased and prices of 28 items remained stable.

The items that registered decrease in theirprices were Tomatoes 10.84%, Eggs 9.64%, ChickenFarm 6.33%, Garlic 5.40%, LPG 4.72%, Potatoes4.43%, Onions 3.32%, Rice Irri-6 1.15%, Rice Basmati0.61%, Sugar 0.46%, Wheat Flour 0.34%, MustardOil 0.32%, Vegetable Ghee (Tin) 0.32%, VegetableGhee (Loose) 0.23%, Wheat 0.17% and CookingOil (Tin) 0.17%.The items which registered increasein their prices were Tea 2.09%, Bananas 0.99%, MilkPowder(Nido) 0.67%, Gram Pulse 0.49%, MoongPulse 0.35%, Masoor Pulse 0.32%, Mash Pulse0.28% and Red Chilly 0.22% while prices of BreadPlain, Beef, Mutton, Milk Fresh, Kerosene Oil,Petrol and Diesel remained stable

ISLAMABAD: Rt. Hon Francis Maude British Minister for Cabinet of office Paymas-ter General called on the Federal Minister for Textile Industry Abbas Khan Afridi.

Afridi reiteratescommitment to doubletextile exports by 2019

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Federal Min-ister for Textile IndustryAbbas Khan Afridi, Tues-day, said that governmentwas committed to doublethe exports textile productsto $26 billion by 2019.

“It may appear ambitiousbut only value addition to 13million bales / annum that weproduce can easily help usachieve the desired target”Afridi observed while talkingto the visiting British Ministerfor Cabinet Office and Pay-master General Rt. Hon FrancisMaude here. British HighCommissioner Mr. PhilipBarton, Secretary Textiles AmirMarwat and other officialsfrom British High Commissionand Ministry of textile indus-try were also present in themeeting. Afridi expressed hisresolve for the full utilizationof the GSP-plus status. Thefederal minister admitted thatprovision of uninterrupted en-ergy remains an issue, but thegovt is tackling the energy cri-sis quite well.

The Federal Ministeradded that public-private part-nership initiative for labour

law compliance between ILO& PTEA would result in en-hanced compliance to inter-national standards. Thiswould help to maintain GSPplus status as well as enhancebusiness productivity andsustainability

The Federal Minister ap-prised the British minister ofthe potential of the textile sec-tor of Pakistan. The federalminister added that the textilesector is one of the most im-portant industrial sectors ofthe country. It is not only thehighest foreign exchangeearner but also provides em-ployment to 40% of total in-dustrial workforce of thecountry. Due to its impor-tance, the Government has al-ways been taking measuresaimed at textiles sector’s pro-motion and developmentthrough various supportschemes, policy interven-tions and capacity building.

Minister Afridi men-tioned that the Textile Policy2014-19, would address theissues of all the sub-sectorsof value-chain by layingdown a comprehensive planfor the sustainable growthfor the next five years.

AMISP issuesrates of

commoditiesL A H O R E — A g r i c u l t u r eMarketing Information Ser-vice Punjab (AMISP) issuedrates of different agricultureproducts as per 100 kg inlocal market on Tuesday.Rice (Super Karnal BasmatiNew) minimum Rs 8000 andmaximum Rs 10000, whitesugar minimum 5190 andmaximum Rs 5200, whitegram minimum Rs 5800 andmaximum Rs 6000, Red ChiliWhole (Dry) minimum Rs23000 maximum Rs 24000.

Potato Fresh minimum Rs1400 and maximum Rs 1600,Onion minimum Rs 1400 andmaximum Rs 1600, Tomatominimum Rs 3600 and maxi-mum Rs 3800, Cucumber mini-mum Rs 3300 and maximumRs 3500, Garlic (China) mini-mum Rs 11400 and maximumRs 11800, Garlic (Local) mini-mum Rs 13500 and maximumRs 14000, Peas minimum Rs2100 and maximum Rs 2200,Cauliflower minimum Rs 1500and maximum Rs 1600, Brinjalminimum Rs 2600 and maxi-mum Rs 2800. Apple KalaKulu (Mandi) minimum Rs7000 and maximum Rs 7300,Dates (Aseel) minimum Rs15000 and maximum Rs15600, Guava minimum Rs3800.—APP

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Habib Bank Limited (HBL) hasannounced its full year results for 2014, withConsolidated profit after tax of Rs 31.8 billion,an exceptional growth of 38% over 2013. Earn-ings per share rose from 15.59 to21.63 over the same period. Profitbefore tax rose by a solid 34% toRs 48.5 billion. This extraordi-nary performance was driven bya 25% increase in total revenue,improving efficiency and stableprovisions. Net Interest Incomeincreased by 25% to Rs. 69.1 billion, driven bya 9% growth in the average Balance Sheet anda phenomenal 25% growth in domestic cur-rent accounts which grew by nearly Rs 80 bil-lion. Total deposits grew to a massive Rs 1.5trillion, while the overall Balance Sheet set anew record at Rs 1.9 trillion.

Non Mark-up Income increased signifi-cantly to Rs. 23.5 billion, based on a 20%increase in fees and commissions asBancassurance, Investment Banking andgeneral banking products all deliveredstrong results. HBL’s Treasury was suc-cessful in capturing higher customer flowsand grew revenues by 30%, while HBL’sbanking and insurance associates demon-strated superior performance, with a 37%increase in revenue contribution.

HBL profit surges 38pcto record Rs 31.8b

During 2014, the Bank continued to in-vest heavily in people, technology and in-frastructure in line with its philosophy ofusing technology to improve the customerexperience and further its financial inclusionobjective. Administrative costs increased by

14% over the previous year,but efficiency gains were madeto reduce the cost/income ra-tio from 48.6% in 2013 to 44.6%in 2014.

HBL remains committedto financial inclusion by pro-viding the widest access to fi-

nancial services and is now the market leaderwith 1,592 ATMs and the largest number ofdebit cards in Pakistan. During the year theBank launched an Internet Payment Gate-way which will enable it to serve the grow-ing e-commerce market and also initiated POSacquiring. HBL is now one of the main insti-tutions for G2P payments on account of so-cial transfers. HBL maintains its leading po-sition in Rural Banking in line with its visionof being a national institution and support-ing the mainstay of the economy with a 23%growth in lending. The Bank has been work-ing on a unique value proposition for womencustomers to facilitate their access tofinancialservices. The Bank remains the largest pro-vider of cash management services with overRs 1.5 trillion in volumes.

KARACHI: Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources,Senator Muhammad Yousuf presiding over a meeting at Sui Southern Gas CompanyHead Office.

ISE-10 index witnessesbullish trendISLAMABAD—TheIslamabad Stock Ex-change on Tuesdaywitnessed bullish trendas the ISE-10 index wasup by 9.19 points andclosed at 3999.26 points.A total of 216,800 shareswere traded, up by 25,200shares than previousday’s 242,000 shares. Outof 151 companies, shareprices of 54 companiesrecorded increase whileshare prices of 97companies registereddecrease. The share priceof Ferozsons Laborato-ries increased byRs.29.05 and that ofSiemens PakistanEngineering decreasedby Rs.51.34.—APP

LSE shows mixedtrendLAHORE—Lahore StockExchange here Tuesdaywitnessed mixed trendand slightly downed by0.12 point, as the LSEIndex-25 opened with6072.99 points andclosed at 6072.87 points.The market’s overallsituation, however,corresponded to anupward trend as itremained at 1.248 millionshares to close againstprevious turnover of970,900 shares, showingan upward move of278,000 shares. While,out of the total 95 activescrips 14 moved up, 16shed values and 65remained equal. TheMajor Gainers of the daywere Kot Addu PowerCompany, HascolPetroleum Limited andMaple Leaf CementFactory by recordingincrease in their per sharevalue by Rs 2.36, Rs 2.00and Rs 1.07 respec-tively.—APP

SBP urged toresolve KASBBank issueLAHORE—All PakistanPaper MerchantsAssociation (APPMA)Tuesday demanded ofState Bank of Pakistan(SBP) to resolve the issueof KASB Bank emergentbasis, as depositors are indeep trouble due toseizing of their accounts.The APPMA leadersKhawaja Nadeem SaeedWain, Khamis Saeed Buttand Muhammad Ajmal, ina joint statement here,said that most of theaccount holders of KASBBank were businessdoing people and afterseizing of their account,they were facing massivefinancial crunch. TheAPPMA leaders urgedthe State Bank of PakistanGovernor to revisit theaffairs of all other smallerbanks that failed toincrease their capitalaccording to its (SBP)regulations. KhawajaNadeem Saeed Wainurged the Federal FinanceMinister to take notice ofthe situation and worriesof KASB Bank accountholders and ensure earlyreimbursement of theirdeposited amounts.—APP

Services tradedeficit narrows

20.7 percentI S L A M A B A D — S e r v i c e strade deficit during first halfof current fiscal year nar-rowed by 20.7 percent asservices exports increasedby 16.24 percent while im-ports witnessed a nominalincrease of 2.09 percent ascompared to the same pe-riod of last year. The exportsof services during the pe-riod July-December 2014-15were recorded at US $2.822billion against last year’sexports of $2.428 billion.

Similarly the importsalso increased from $3.934billion in July-December2013-14 to $4.017 billion thisyear. The services trade defi-cit during July-December2014-15 was recorded at$1.195 billion as against thedeficit of $1.507 billion re-corded during same periodof last year. On month ofmonth basis the deficit alsodecreased by 27.22 percentagainst that of November2014 while on year on yearbasis it increased by 0.34percent as compared to De-cember 2013.

According to the latestdata of Pakistan Bureau ofStatistics (PBS), the exportsof services from the coun-try during December 2014were recorded at $435.14million against the exportsof $424.77 million recordedduring December 2013 and$306.71 million during No-vember 2014. On the otherhand, the imports into thecountry during the periodunder review were recordedat $635.31 million against theimports of $624.26 million inDecember 2014 and $581.76million during November2014.

Based on the figures, thetrade deficit in December2014 was recorded at $200.17million against the deficit of$199.49 million in December2013 and $275.05 million inNovember 2014.—APP

EPL, CMECsign joint

venture accordAMANULLAH KHAN

K A R A C H I — E n g r oPowergen Limited (EPL)signed a joint venture agree-ment with China MachineryEngineering Corporation(CMEC) for development of2 x 330 MW coal basedpower plant in Thar BlockII. The joint venture com-pany, Engro Powergen TharLimited (EPTL) will enter intoa coal supply agreementwith Sindh Engro Coal Min-ing Company (SECMC) forpurchase of 3.8 metrictonnes per annum coalwhich will be used for powergeneration.

The joint ventureagreement was signed byMr. Shamsuddin A. Shaikh– CEO EPL and Mr. ZhangChun – President CMEC.The ceremony was wit-nessed by Mr. Syed TariqFatemi Honorable Minis-ter of State for foreign af-fairs, Mr. ZaffaruddinMahmood Special EnvoyCPEC , Mr. Shajahan Mirza– MD PPIB and Mr. EjazAhmed Khan MD TCEB.The ceremony was alsoattended by other share-holders, Thal Limited andHabib Bank Limited.

At the occasion Mr.Shaikh and Mr. ZhangChun briefed the Pakistandelegation on the progressbeing made on the projectfor both mining and power.Mr. Zhang Chun on wel-coming the delegation saidthat “CMEC is a pioneer indeveloping power projectsin Pakistan and we see Tharproject to be the key to solv-ing future energy crises inPakistan”. Mr. Shaikh fur-ther explained the key mile-stones achieved in Tharand said, “this joint venturebetween the two compa-nies shows our resolve andcommitment to see thisproject completed by 2017.We have successfullyachieved all milestones andare now actively workingtogether to solve Chinesefinancing issues”

EatOye to acquireUrbanite’s

customer baseISLAMABAD—Food Deliv-ery market is poised fortremendous growth in Pa-kistan. EatOye Pvt. Ltdoperating as an indepen-dent subsidiary ofFoodpanda Global hasannounced its acquisitionof urbanite.pk customerbase and domain –Pakistan’s pioneeringonline food orderingwebsites - for an undis-closed amount.

This acquisition is thelatest in a string ofbuyouts that have oc-curred in the red-hotonline food ordering in-dustry within the region.Urbanite.pk’s founder andCEO, Ozair Bokhari said:“It has been a pleasure tohave served Urbanite cus-tomers and moreover towitness the industry growin just 3 years- from Ur-banite being the sole op-erator to this dynamiccompetitive market today.I am convinced that thisdevelopment will provebeneficial for urbanite’scustomers and I wishEatOye all the best.”

Urbanite successfullylaunched online deliveryacross Karachi.—PR

Currency Selling Buying

USA 101.20 101.00

UK 155.57 155.27

Euro 114.96 114.73

Canada 81.27 81.11

Switzerland 108.57 108.36

Australia 78.92 78.76

Sweden 12.03 12.01

Japan 0.8532 0.8515

Norway 13.37 13.35

Singapore 74.67 74.52

Denmark 5.44 5.41

Saudi Arabia 6.98 26.92

Hong Kong 13.05 13.02

Kuwait 342.11 341.44

Malaysia 28.17 28.11

Newzealand 76.07 75.92

Qatar 27.79 27.74

UAE 27.55 27.50

Kr Won 0.0918 0.0916

Thailand 3.106 3.100

LAHORE: Chairperson TEVTA, Irfan Qaiser Shaikh briefing former President LCCIFarooq Iftikhar and MNA Choudhary Iftikhar Nazir about technical education andvocational training being imparted to the youth.

RAWALPINDI: President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Syed Asad Mashadipresenting shield to Ambassador of Greece, Dimitrios Zoitos during his visit to RCCI.

KARACHI: Chairman EPZA, Dr. Muhammad Khawar Jameel briefing to Shaikh AftabAhmed, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs by during his visit.

KARACHI: Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra, President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and In-dustry presenting crest to Barrister Shahida Jamil, former Federal Minister of Law,Justice & Human Rights during her visit to KCCI.

AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—A delegation of the Karachi Chamberof Commerce and Industry (KCCI) comprising Se-nior Vice President KCCI, Muhammad IbrahimKasumbi and Former President KCCI, Mian AbrarAhmed visited Indonesia on an invitation ex-tended by the Consulate General of Indonesia inKarachi to look for possibilities of enhancing tradebetween Pakistan and Indonesia. KCCI delega-tion was accompanied by Consul General of Indo-nesia in Karachi, Hadi Santoso and Chairman RiceExporters Association of Pakistan, Rafiq Suleman.

During its visit, KCCI delegation visited Depokto attend an information session on Asia, Pacificand Africa which was attended by prominent en-voys and around 100 representatives of variousbusiness communities from these regions. Besidespromoting KCCI’s forthcoming My Karachi Exhi-bition, the delegation particularly focused on seek-ing ways and means of how to promote trade be-

tween the two countries. Highlighting some of thedetails about the visit on his return from Jakarta,Former President KCCI, Mian Abrar Ahmed in-formed that KCCI delegation and Chairman REAPheld a meeting with Director General of NationalExport Development (NED), Mr. Nus Nuzulia Ishakand Director NED Dody Edward in which the pos-sibility of enhancing trade by focusing more ondiversification of Pakistan’s export to Indonesiawas discussed in detail.

Mian Abrar further advised that both coun-tries should not just remain limited to exportingtraditional goods only, but must focus on diversi-fying the product range. In this regard, Pakistanshould focus on exporting textiles, value-addedproducts, lentils, sugar and other commoditieswhich are produced in bulk across Pakistan. Hefurther said that the two countries can also col-laborate in defense production.

Keeping in view the high consumption andshortfall of rice in Indonesia, Senior Vice Presi-

dent KCCI, Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi sug-gested that this was an area which can be priori-tized for enhancing trade between the two coun-tries as Pakistan produces high-quality rice, par-ticularly the IRRI-6 which was widely being con-sumed in Indonesia. However, due to complex pro-cedures, Pakistani exporters have not been able toenhance exports of this important commodity toIndonesia, he added.

In this regard, Kasumbi emphasized that bothgovernments must simplify stringent procurementprocedures with a view to enhance exports of Pa-kistani rice whereas the Indonesian governmentmust also facilitate rice exports from Pakistan as itwas much better when compared with the Indianrice which was currently being imported by Indo-nesia. “Currently the balance of trade between thetwo countries was in favor of Indonesia but if weseriously focus on improving our rice exports andgo for export diversification and value-addition,we would surely succeed in making trade balance

favorable for us”, he added.SVP KCCI, Muhammad Ibrahim Kasumbi

pointed out that the existing trade volume wasstill far below the potential keeping in view thelarge population of both countries who share manysimilarities and have been enjoying strong andcordial relations.

He also invited the business community in In-donesia to visit and attend My Karachi- Oasis ofHarmony exhibition scheduled to be organized atthe Karachi Expo Center from April 10 to 12, 2015which would provide a perfect platform to Indo-nesian business community for B2B meetings andthey can also explore Pakistani products and ser-vices exhibited at this mega event. During a meet-ing with Mr. M. Wahid Supriyadi, Senior Advisorfor Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs, Minis-try of Foreign Affairs, SVP KCCI Ibrahim Kasumbistressed to need to improve business-to-businessand people-to-people contacts between the twocountries.

Biz delegation visits Indonesia to explore trade opportunities

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Tourism Cor-poration KhyberPakhtunkhwa (TCKP) un-derstands that impressionof favoritism in case ofMalam Jabba Ski / Chairlift /Hotel Resort in a section ofelectronic media in not onlyincorrect rather baseless.TCKP in collaboration withKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Boardof Investment & Trade (KP-BOIT) and Sarhad Develop-ment Authority (SDA) hasadvertised the project on 3rdMarch, 2014.

Seven interested partiesresponded and the bidswere placed before a highlevel committee headed bythe Additional Chief Secre-tary. These proposals werescrutinized by a sub-com-mittee headed by MD-TCKP with a composition ofKP-BOIT, SDA and FinanceDepartment representatives.

The Sub-committee in aseries of meetings scruti-nized the bids and finallyshort listed three (03) firmsfulfilling the required crite-ria laid down in the Adver-tisement. On the basis ofreport of the sub-committeeall three (03) firms made apresentation to the commit-tee headed by AdditionalChief Secretary.

All three (03) firms haveapplied for whole projectcomprising three (03) com-ponents including Ski /Chairlift / Hotel. Highest of-fer amounting to Rs 12 mil-lion was of M/S SamsonGroup of Companies Lahoreand awarded the project tothe company. The Projecthas been awarded in atransparent manner andpurely on merit. The projectis to promote tourism in theregion besides providingjob opportunities to the job-less youth.

TCKP denies favouritismin contract award

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The InternationalLabour Organization (ILO) and thePakistan Textile Exporters Association(PTEA) have signed a partnershipagreement to promote Decent Workin Textile Industry in Faisalabad. Thesigning ceremony was held at localHotel Islamabad. Dignitaries from theGovernment of Pakistan, representa-tives of Employers and WorkersOrganisations, representatives of dip-lomatic missions in Pakistan includ-ing the European Union Delegation,United States Embassy, German Em-bassy and the Royal Embassy of Neth-erlands participated amongst otherbilateral development partners.

The Partnership Agreement in-cludes a comprehensive framework onimproving productivity through train-ing and compliance with InternationalLabour Standards including occupa-tional safety and health, wages, con-tracts of employment, discriminationand other forms of mal labour prac-tices as well as strengthening employ-ers’ and workers’ bilateral arrange-ments in textile industry.

The cooperation will continue forthree years and will cover more than 200industrial units (small, medium and large)

PTEA, ILO sign agreement for decentwork promotion in Textile Industry

that are engaged in the textile export.After successful piloting, this interven-tion will be replicated in other IndustrialAssociations across the country.

At this occasion, Sikandar IsmailKhan, Secretary, Federal Ministry ofOverseas Pakistani and Human Re-source Development (OPHRD) saidthat, “GSP Plus is an opportunity forPakistani industries and this collabo-ration between ILO and PTEA will helpimprove the image of Pakistan textileindustries as responsible workplacesthat are compliant with national laws,including those based on InternationalLabour Standards”.

Amir Marwat, Federal Secretary,Ministry of Textile Industry endorsedthe partnership and said that the Min-istry has also reflected compliance tolabour laws in the new Textile Policywhich is of immense importance in or-der to reap the benefits of trade pref-erences such as GSP Plus. Ishrat Ali,Secretary, Labour and Human Re-source Department, Government ofPunjab, ensured district level supportthrough effective and systematiclabour inspection.

Francesco d’ Ovidio, Country Di-rector, ILO remarked that, “Issues inthe garment industry are systemic andrequire action that helps develop ef-

fective industrial relations and pro-mote respect of international labourstandards. There is therefore an ur-gent need to establish strategic andcomprehensive public private collabo-rations and the signing of today’sagreement is a positive step in thisdirection. I hope that other institutions,inspired by PTEA, will soon join thisinitiative. ILO’s honoured to provideits technical support ”.

At the same occasion, Mr SohailPasha, Chairman PTEA said that, “thiscooperation is a great opportunity tofurther strengthen our work towardsthe establishment of well-functioningindustrial units to increase sectoralproductivity and competitiveness andreap the benefits from GSP Plus”.

Representatives of the Employers’and Workers’ Organisations (EFP andPWF) fully supported the partnershipframework and stressed on the impor-tance of establishing a coordinationmechanism between textile industries,related workers organizations andLabour Departments on complianceand reporting on labour laws. Thesigning ceremony featured a presen-tation on the partnership frameworkthat defined in detail outcomes andoutputs envisioned as part of this col-laboration.

Aftab vows forsustainablesolution of

EPZA problemsSTAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Minister ofState for Parliamentary Af-fairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmedhas visited Export Process-ing Zones Authority(EPZA), Head Office inKarachi where the ChairmanEPZA, Dr. MuhammadKhawar Jameel, briefed him.

The State Ministertook keen interest in theoperations of EPZA andassured EPZA manage-ment that all out efforts arebeing made by the FederalGovernment to promoteexport based industrializa-tion in the country and inorder to achieve this ob-jective all the stakeholdersare taken on board to re-solve their issues.

On this occasion, Dr.Muhammad KhawarJameel, Chairman, EPZAgave an overview of theoperat ions at differentzones, EPZA performanceand the facilities & incen-tives available for the in-ves tors . Federal Minis-ter also took note of theproblems being faced byEPZA in different areasand assured a sustainablesolution.

Oman Air offers‘buy one get one

free’ ticketKARACHI—Oman Air todayannounced a special offerfor passengers travellingfrom Pakistan, under whichpassengers who purchaseone Business Class ticketwill receive a second ticketfree for the entire Oman Airglobal network, except forflights to and from LondonHeathrow.

“We consistentlystrive to offer the most ex-ceptional and enticing pro-motions for our travellersfrom Pakistan,” said KenMarshall, Oman Air, Coun-try Manager for Pakistan.“We are confident that ourSindbad members & busi-ness class travellers willtake advantage of this greattwo-for-one opportu-nity.”—PR

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—Chairman Punjab Industrial Es-tates Development & Management Com-pany (PIEDMC) S M Tanveer has said saleof industrial plots has started at Rahim YarKhan Industrial Estate. The Developmentwork is going according to the Schedule.Industrialists have been encouraged to startfactory construction immediately. PIEDMCis in a position to provide all facilities when-ever an industrialist desires to start con-struction. He said PIEDMC, under thepeople friendly visionary approach of ChiefMinister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif regardingjob creation through industrial Estates inthe province, completed development workat RIE on priority.

He said the asphalt work, roads andboundary wall, sewerage pipeline and watersupply at RIE have been completed whilework relating to installation of electricalpoles, electricity connections is in progress.Chairman PIEDMC said construction workat RIE was started in 2012 on 456 acres ofland. It is ideally located at approximately20KM from Rahim Yar Khan City towardsSadiqaabad on main National Highway, headded. S M Tanveer said the PIEDMC hasensured state of the art infrastructure afteranalyzing needs of industrialists. He said theamenities including asphalt road network,underground sewerage system, electricitydistribution system, walled industrial estatewith limited entry/exit points, secured envi-

Tanveer affirms RIEdevelopment as planned

ronment, telecommunications system, estatemanaged electrical distribution system in-formation signage are well in place at RIE.

According to him, RIE is ideal for in-dustrial units like animal poultry feed, alu-minum, dates processing / packing, fruitjuices, pickles & squashes (especially man-goes pulp), hosiery, hatchery and breedingpoultry farms, meat and poultry process-ing units, pesticides, packages, plasticsproducts, sizing units, solvent oil extrac-tion plants, tannery, wheat value addedproducts (biscuit, cookies etc.), textile, seedcompanies, auto industry and vegetablesprocessing.

He has further appreciated PIEDMCmanagement for speedy development workat RIE. Besides RIE, he said, PIEDMC isalso developing other industrial estates,including Bhalwal and Vehari IndustrialEstates. Development of Multan IndustrialEstate has been completed by PIEDMC andalmost sold completely. Various multina-tional companies have setup their factoriesin Multan Industrial Estate which reflectshuge confidence on the quality works.

PIEDMC is actively pursuing develop-ment work at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park. Startof development work at Quaid-e-Azam Ap-parel Park Sheikhupura M2 is also on thecards, he said and added that credit goesto the PIEDMC management for develop-ing state of the art industrial estates for in-dustrialization and job creation activities inthe province of Punjab.

KARACHI—JCR-VIS Credit Rating Com-pany Limited (JCR-VIS) has maintained theentity ratings of JDW Sugar Mills Limited(JDWSML) at ‘A/A-1 (single A/A-One).JCR-VIS has also assigned instrument rat-ing of ‘A+’ (single A plus) to the outstand-ing privately placed team finance certifi-cates-II (TFC-II), said press release here onTuesday. Outlook on the assigned ratingshas been revised from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’.The previous rating action was announcedon October 7, 2013.

The ratings reflect JDWSML’s diversi-fied source of revenue generation; mainlythrough sale of crystal line sugar and elec-

JCR-VIS revises JDWSML ratingstricity. The company is the largest sugarmill operating in the country. The combinedoutput of three units of JDWSML alongwith a wholly owned subsidiary currentlycontributes around 17% of the country’stotal sugar production.

Domestic sugar industry is character-ized by price in-elasticity. The demand overthe long-term is driven by changing con-sumption patterns and growth in popula-tion. Despite a decline in forecasted sugarproduction in 2015 vis-a-vis previous year,prices are expected to remain range- boundover the foreseeable horizon on account ofcarry over stocks.—APP

Shippingactivity at

Port QasimKARACHI—Two ships car-rying containers berthed atQasim international Con-tainers Terminal respec-tively. Meanwhile four moreships carrying containersand edible oil also arrived atouter anchorage of PortQasim during last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was35% at the port on Tues-day where four shipsnamely Safmarine Ngami,Petro Hue, Edquator Har-mony and MT Shalamar arecurrently occupyingberths to load/offloadcontainers, coal and fur-nace oil respectively dur-ing last 24 hours.

A cargo volume of 94186tonnes comprising 67012tonnes imports and 27174tonnes exports inclusive ofcontainerized cargo carriedin 2972 containers (TEUs)were handled at the portduring last hours.—APP

KARACHI: A view of match of Shuhada-e-Army Public School Peshawar under-12 Football Championship at Kakri Ground.

SALAHUDDIN HAIDER

NEW ZEALAND narrowlysurvived from being beatenin their second cricket World

Cup match Tuesday, and their earlyadvantage of four wickets for just 12runs , soon became a nightmare astheir own batting collapsed like ahouse of cards

That the Kiwis never wanted, andeven if they dontadmit that, theywould surely beconvinced in theheart of their heartsthat their matchagainst lowly-ratedScotland, was ascary one.

Kiwis captainMcCullum’s deci-

sion to bowl first at Dunedin univer-sity Oval, paid handsome early divi-dends but a 97-run partnership be-tween Matt Machan and RichieBerrington ensured they wouldn’t setany unwanted records, but the restof their batting fell away and NewZealand wrapped up their innings injust 36.2 overs.

As one critic said a target of 143was never going to test NewZealand, but they made the chaseunnecessarily interesting with theirrecklessness. Of the seven wicketsthey lost, only that of Grant Elliottwasn’t thrown away. Three batsmenwere caught on the fence, two gave

Newzealand early advantage turned a nightmare

BIPIN DANI

OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT

MUMBAI—Brian Sterling saw his son PaulStirling being out to Khan the first ball inthe 2011 World Cup in India.

On Monday, he was in front of TV setwhole night (logistically time zone differ-ence between Northern Ireland and NewZealand) and saw his 25-year-old son grab-bing the Man of the Match award.

The right-handed opening batsmanPaul Stirling had scored 92 runs.

Speaking exclusively over his mobileon Monday night, he said, “I watched thegame all night here. I am delighted with thewin and for Paul to win the MoM. It was agreat team effort”.

“My wife and I will fly to Australia nextweek”.

“We are unlikely to win CWC, but wedo want very much the respect of thecricket world. India is the biggest part ofthat world. We do not yet have the respectof ICC who keep reducing the number ofteams. All other sports are expanding their

We want more for our childrenthan for ourselves, says dad of

Ireland’s MoM winnerWorld Cups”.

“I am not sure about the Test statusyet, but guaranteed ODIs against TestNations would be important. We thinksome Test teams don’t want to play us.Pakistan have played us. We are thankfulto them”.

“I was an international rugby Refereemyself, but all parents will know we wantmore for our children than for ourselves!”,he added.

Interestingly, Paul Stirling’s elderbrother, Richard was in the Ireland U19squad at the 2006 World Cup in Sri Lanka,according to team’s manager, Barry Cham-ber.VVS Laxman’s coach

“Paul has 2 big brothers who bowledto him when he was little. He thought fastbowling was normal.

We think our coaching set up in Ire-land is good. Ten players of todays teamhave learned the game in Ireland. One ofPauls coaches has been Bobby Rao, whoalso coached India’s VVS Laxman”, hesigned off.

their wickets away minutes after be-ing dropped, and even KaneWilliamson - solid, reliable KaneWilliamson - couldn’t resist an uglyheave across the line.

In the end, New Zealand wrappedup the win with more than half theirovers remaining, but the team man-

agement will surely wonder how theirapproach transformed so dramaticallybetween innings.

There was certainly no compla-cency at the start of the match. Scot-land had beaten Ireland and run WestIndies uncomfortably close duringtheir warm-up games, and NewZealand retained the same eleven thathad taken on Sri Lanka.

Two balls into the fifth over,

Southee was on a hat-trick, after KyleCoetzer had clipped him straight toshort midwicket and PrestonMommsen had been pinned in frontby one that nipped in off the pitch.Scotland were sinking rapidly.

There were no more boundariesfor the next eight overs but Machanand Berrington were looking increas-ingly assured as Scotland reached 60for 4 at the end of the 20th. Southeecame back into the attack for the 21stover and the fifty partnership cameup with both batsmen hitting him forfours. His next over was still more ex-pensive, Machan hooking him for sixand Berrington rolling his wrists overa powerfully struck square cut.

Daniel Vettori was typically tightin his first six overs but he too tooksome punishment in his seventh, whenMachan brought up his fifty with anurdled single before Berrington cel-ebrated his partner’s achievement bytonking the next ball down the groundfor six. Scotland brought up 100 in thenext over - the first fifty had taken them101 balls, the second only 59.

New Zealand turned to CoreyAnderson to try and break the part-nership, and he went one better bydismissing both batsmen, both outto top-edged pulls. Their dismissalsended Scotland’s resistance, and thelast six wickets fell for 33 runs. Ander-son finished with three wickets, asdid Vettori, whose drift and changesof pace proved far too vexing for theScotland lower order.

NBP rewardsplayers for

HockeyChampionssilver medal

KARACHI—National Bankof Pakistan (NBP) ChiefIqbal Ashraf Hussain re-warded bank’s national play-ers for winning the HockeyChampions Trophy silvermedal in India.

According to an an-nouncement of NBP SportsDivision a cash reward ofRs.2.1 million was given tosix Pakistan players repre-senting NBP and Rs.300,000to assistant coach AbuzarUmrao.

Players, who were givencash reward of Rs.250,000each included Amjad Ali,Syed Kashif Shah,Muhammad Rizwan,Muhammad Tausiq, Paki-stan Champions Trophyhero Arsalan Qadir,Muhammad Dilber and AliShan.

“It was good and en-couraging as incentive forthe players for bringing andhonor and glory to the coun-try,” Head of CSR and Sportsand former Test cricketerIqbal Qasim said.—APP

Omar Associates,A.O.Clinic win inwomen’s cricket

KARACHI—Omar Associ-ates and A.O.Clinic teamswon their matches on theopening day ofDr.M.A.Shah Women’sCricket Tournament here atAsghar Ali Shah Stadium,said a news release issuedon Tuesday.

Omar Associates beatAmber Academy by 140runs. Omer Associates bat-ting first scored 175/2 in 20overs.

Kainat Imtiaz scored 76with seven fours. Areeba Hanifmade 38. In reply Amber Acad-emy were bundled out for 35runs. Azra took 2/12.

In the other matchA.O.Clinic defeatedA.O.Pioneer by ten wickets.A.Pioneers was bowled outfor 35. Rameen Shameem 3/01, Sumaya Siddiqui 2/05,Fatima Sana 2/01 took sevenwickets between them.

In reply A.O.Clinicachieved target without los-ing wickets. Javeria Raufmade 12 no.. Earlier ChiefGuest D.C.Central.—APP

KARACHI—Legspinners duo of ShahidAfridi and Yasir Shah can play crucialrole in their important upcoming matchagainst West Indies at Christchurch onFebruary 21, legendary left arm spinnerIqbal Qasim said on Tuesday.

“Cricketers from the Caribbean Is-

lands had always shown their traditionalvulnerabil i ty against quali tylegspinners,” he told APP in an interviewhere.

“Afridi and Yasir Shah can capitalizethat weakness if they bowled smartly,”he added. “Remember Afridi bulldozedthe West Indies batting in 2011 WorldCup quarterfinals in Dhaka with fourwickets haul,” he recalled.

He said Yasir looked under pressureand excited and wasn’t able to show

Afridi,Yasir can play winningrole for Pakistan vs Windies

good performance.He hoped that Yasir Shah will flight

the ball and come up some wicket-tak-ing googlies and so will Afridi.

However at the same t ime, IqbalQasim warned Pakistan team to bewareof West Indies flamboyant style because

like Pakistan they arehighly unpredictable and adangerous team.

He said there are sev-eral players who were partof the West Indies team in2011 World Cup and theycan turn the table.

Pakistan will be enter-ing the match with sorememories of their stunningdefeat at Dhaka in 2014 ICCWorld T20 when they werebowled out for 86 last year.

He said after losingtheir opening t ies, bothteams will be battling tobounce back in the event.

Pakistan suffered 76runs loss to arch-rival Indiain Adelaide while Irelandstunned West Indies at NewZealand city Nelson by four

wickets. He said West Indies have dan-gerous batsmen like Chris Gayle, MarlonSamuels, Lendl Simmon, Bravo, DarrenSammy and Andre Russel could posethreat to Pakistan bowling.

“If our batsman showed form andspinners struck to the task they can beatWest Indies,” he said.

Former chief selector Iqbal Qasim saidPakistan batt ing is big worry for thecoaching staff but they had the f ire-power to comeback.—APP

MUMBAI—India’s top financial policingagency is probing world cricket bossNarayanaswami Srinivasan and others overan alleged $69 million “facilitation fee” paidover broadcast rights for the Indian Pre-mier League, an official said Tuesday.

The Enforcement Directorate has is-

sued “show cause notices” to Srinivasan,disgraced former Indian Premier League(IPL) chief Lalit Modi, the country’s cricketboard and foreign media companies overthe fee for the 2009 tournament, the offi-

India probes Srinivasanover IPL broadcast fee

cial said.Part of the fee was allegedly illegally si-

phoned off to unknown individuals, spark-ing the probe into the Board of Control forCricket in India (BCCI) of which bothSrinivasan and Modi were senior members,according to local media reports Tuesday.

“Srinivasan, Modi and the BCCI havebeen issued the show cause notices,” anenforcement directorate officer told AFP oncondition of anonymity.

Former IPL chief operating officer Sun-der Raman and president of Sony PicturesHome Entertainment Manjit Singh were alsounder the agency’s scanner, the officer said.

“Notice issued to BCCI, MSMSSingapore, WSE Mauritius, Lalit Modi &others “over alleged breach of foreign cur-rency regulations over the 4.25 billion ru-pee ($69 million) facilitation fee, the direc-torate said in a tweet on Monday.

The Multi Screen Media (MSM) ofSony Entertainment paid the fee to theMauritius arm of World Sports Group(WSG) as part of a contract for taking overthe broadcast rights of the IPL, the popularTwenty20 tournament overseen by theBCCI, local reports said.

The BCCI, Srinivasan, the WSG andMSM were unavailable for comment.

Modi was removed as IPL head in 2010and later banned for life for holding anypositions in the sport over corruption alle-gations involving a separate case.

Modi, the founder of the money-spin-ning IPL, now lives in London.—AFP

NASIB SHAH SHINWARI

LANDIKOTAL—Muhammad ArshadJan, President PakistanShinkyokusinkai Karate Federationtalking mediamen at Landikotal PressClub the other day said that FATAmartial art players were a great honorand proud for Pakistan. MuhammadArshad Jan said that FATA playerslack resources but due their interestand tireless efforts of martial arts play-ers of Landikotal, theShinkyokushinkai karate was alive inLandikotal.

Jan said urging the authorities toextend their full financial cooperationwith the martial art players of

FATA martial art players, a proud for PakistanLandikotal adding that this sport is akey to avoid the young generationfrom the drugs and other negative ac-tivities.

“FATA martial art players haveearned good name for Pakistan andFATA on national and internationallevel” Jan said adding that sportsmenwere the representatives of any na-tion who represent their nations inworld.

Muhammad Arshad Jan appreci-ated the struggles of senior martial artplayers and coaches Hayat NazirShinwari, Farhad Shinwari and NoorAslam Shinwari for the developmentof karate.

Jan demanded the Governor of

KPK, Additional chief secretary FATAand Political Agent of Khyber Agencyto compensate the martial art playersin Landikotal that they could run themartial art academy properly whichthey have set up to carry out this sportin Landikotal.

Later, Muhammad Arshad partici-pated in a training camp held at gov-ernment high school of Landikotalwhere a large number of martial artplayers and coaches were present.

Muhammad Arshad Jan taughtmodern techniques and exercises ofShinkyokushinkai karate(Japani ka-rate) to the players and coaches andurged them to use the sport as weaponagainst drugs and other adverse acts.

IShuai Peng of China plays a backhand in her match against Elena Vesnina of Russiaduring day two of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship at the Dubai Duty Free.

NEW DELHI—Former Indian captain andbatting great Sunil Gavaskar has ratedPakistan’s current squad as their “weakest everin World Cups”, expressing his disbelief atthe decision by Misbah-ul-Haq to go into thecrunch match against India with a part-timewicketkeeper.

Defending champion India extended itswinning streak over regional rival Pakistan tosix matches at the World Cup with a lopsided76-run victory Sunday at the Adelaide Oval.For Pakistan, it was another major disappoint-ment at the showpiece event for the one-dayversion of the game.

In an interview with NDTV, Gavaskar, whois now a well-known voice in the commentarybox, cited a lack of self-belief and confidenceas the major reason for Pakistan not beingable to beat India in World Cups.

Gavaskar rates Green Shirts as,‘weakest ever in World Cups’

The first World Cup meeting between thetwo teams was in 1992 - the last time the tour-nament was co-hosted by Australia and NewZealand - and India has continued its win-ning sequence in head-to-head World Cupmatches since then.

According to Gavaskar, though, the cur-rent squad Pakistan has fielded at World Cupslacks quality and depth.

“This Pakistan side is the weakest ever tohave competed at the World Cups. In bigmatches you should always go with your bestplayers.

Virat Kohli being dropped by part-timerwicketkeeper Umar Akmal was the turningpoint of the match. Pakistan always had achance when they restricted India to 300 butthey seem to lack self-belief when they faceIndia in World Cup matches.”—APP

LHC dismissespetition seekingseizure of spot-

fixing trio’s assetsMUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—Lahore HighCourt (LHC) on Tuesdaysaid a petition seeking theseizure of assets of dis-graced cricketers SalmanButt, Mohammad Asif andMohammad Aamir was notadmissible.

The tr io was bannedon February 5, 2011 by ananti-corruption tribunal ofthe International CricketCouncil (ICC) for arrang-ing no-balls to order dur-ing the Lord’s Test againstEngland in August 2010.

“All three players areyoung and by continuouslypunishing them, we willonly hurt the national team,”Lahore High Court (LHC)said.

Jovago.comhosts WC

screening forThar victims

STAFF REPORTER

KA R A C H I —Jovago.com,Pakistan’s largest hotelbooking platform, collabo-rated with the Social WelfareAnd Trust (SWAT) societyof IoBM (CBM) to supportthe victims of Thar by host-ing a live screening of thePakistan and India world cupmatch.

With over 2000 attend-ees, all the money raisedfrom selling tickets has beensent to the victims of theThar drought.

Scotland:Coetzer c Elliott b Southee1MacLeod lbw b Boult ... 0Gardiner lbw b Boult ..... 0Machan b Anderson .. 56Mommsen lbw b Southee0Berrington c Milne bAnderson ..................... 50Cross b Anderson ....... 14J.Davey not out ........... 11Taylor st Ronchib Vettori .......................... 4Haq c Taylor b Vettori . 0Wardlaw lbw b Vettori .. 0Extras: (b1, w5) .............. 6Total: (all out, 36.2 overs)142Fall of wickets: 1-, 2-1, 3-12, 4-12, 5-109, 6-117, 7-129, 8-136, 9-142, 10-142Bowling: ......... O-M-R-WSouthee .............. 8-3-35-2Boult ................... 6-1-21-2Milne ................... 7-0-32-0

Vettori .............. 8.2-1-24-3Elliott ................... 2-0-11-0Anderson ........... 5-1-18-3New Zealand:Guptill c Cross b Wardlaw17McCullum b Wardlaw . 15Williamson b Davey .... 38Taylor c Taylor b Haq ... 9Elliott c Cross b Wardlaw29Anderson b Davey ..... 11Ronchi c Gardinerb Davey ........................ 12D.Vettori not out ........... 8A.Milne not out ............ 1Extras: (lb1, w5) ............. 6Total: (7 wickets,24.5 overs) .................. 146Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-48, 3-66, 4-106, 5-117, 6-133, 7-137Bowling: ......... O-M-R-WWardlaw .......... 9.5-0-57-3Taylor .................. 4-0-27-0Davey ................. 7-0-40-3Haq ...................... 4-0-21-1

Matt Machan and Richie Berrington added 97 for the fifth wicket, New Zealand vs Scotland, World Cup 2015, GroupA, Dunedin.

Tendulkar wary ofSouth Africa threat

NEW DELHI—Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has issueda warning to triumphant India about their upcomingWorld Cup match against South Africa, saying the Pro-teas were “far, far superior” to arch-rivals Pakistan.

Batting superstar Tendulkar helped India win theWorld Cup four years ago with victory over Sri Lanka athis Wankhede Stadium home ground in Mumbai and alsoplayed in six World Cups before retiring from interna-tional cricket in 2013.

India started the defence of their title with a convinc-ing 76-run win over Pakistan in Adelaide last Sunday,with Virat Kohli—the new idol of his country’s adoringfans in Tendulkar’s absence—making a brilliant 107.

However, Tendulkar said India would need a strongopening partnership and careful running between thewickets to beat South Africa, one of the pre-tournamentfavourites, inthis comingS u n d a y ’ sclash at theM e l b o u r n eC r i c k e tGround.

“It won’tbe so easy topick singles,”T e n d u l k a rtold Head-lines TodayTV on Mon-day.

“ T h e y(South Africa)are muchfaster, theirthrowing armis more pow-erful and theiroutfielding ...they cover thearea muchbetter thanPakistan.”

Tendulkarsingled outS o u t hAfrica’s spearhead Dale Steyn as the man India’s bats-men needed to fear.

“Without any doubt he’s their strike bowler. He’sbowled unbelievably well,” he said.

“You can’t pre-decide how to play Steyn, he couldalso have a bad day, you have to decide in the momentbut you have to respect Dale Steyn, you need to bewatchful upfront but take your opportunities.”

Tendulkar also backed India opener Rohit Sharma tocome good at the World Cup, despite managing just 15runs against Pakistan, along with captain Mahendra SinghDhoni who recently led the side on a miserable three-month tour of Australia. “I wouldn’t put any pressure onRohit. Next time you’ll get it right,” said Tendulkar.

‘The Little Master’ also insisted India could retainthe World Cup trophy, saying “definitely we can matchup” to the standards of co-hosts Australia and SouthAfrica. “(But) To win the World Cup the whole team willhave to play consistently play well... It’s not just about acouple of individuals.”

It is pertinent to mention that the International CricketCouncil has named Sachin Tendulkar as ICC World Cupambassador. It is second successive time that the Sachinis the Ambassador of ICC’s pinnacle tournament, afterhe fulfilled the role in the previous event in 2011.

In his role as ambassador, Tendulkar is supposed topromote and support a variety of ICC initiatives to en-hance the profile of the tournament, which is the thirdbiggest sporting event in the world.—AFP

DUNEDIN—New Zealand laboured toa three-wicket victory over Scotlandon Tuesday to register their secondWorld Cup win in two matches.

Chasing just 143 to win the Pool Aclash at University Oval in Dunedin,the Black Caps reached their target inthe 25th over. Earlier, Scotland battledtheir way to 142 all out against a domi-nant New Zealand in their World CupPool A match on Tuesday, with theminnows recording five ducks againstthe in-form hosts

Matt Machan top-scored with 56and Richie Berrington contributed 50,while Corey Anderson and Dan Vettoritook three wickets apiece for co-hostsNew Zealand

Scotland made a disastrous startwith the loss of four early wickets be-fore Matt Machan (56) and RichieBerrington (50) combined for a 97-runpartnership.

The Scots, who are in their thirdWorld Cup but still searching for amaiden win, lasted 36.2 overs afterbeing put into bat as Corey Andersonand Dan Vettori took three wicketsapiece at 18 and 24 respectively.

The Black Caps were determinednot to drop their standards againstunfancied opposition after crushingSri Lanka by 98 runs in their openingmatch. They proved true to their word,fielding an unchanged line-up againstScotland, one of cricket’s non-Testplaying nations.

The result was five ducks in theinnings, the second highest total inODI history, including four first-ball“golden” ducks.

Scotlandwere teetering at 12 forfour in the fifth over as New Zealand’sdecision to bowl first paid early divi-dends, with Trent Boult and TimSouthee both squandering the chance

Shaky New Zealand sink braveScotland by three wickets

to snatch hat-tricks.“It was nice to win the toss and

bowl,” said Anderson. “Trent and Timwere unbelievable at the start. Theyare classy swing bowlers and theyshowed it. “Anderson said that evenwhen Machan and Berrington put on97 for the fifth wicket, the Kiwis al-ways felt in control.

“There was no need to panic, wejust kept doing what we were doing.There was movement in the morning,then the pitch flattened out a little bit.“Boult trapped Calum MacLeod lbwwith a sharply turning inswinger thendismissed Hamish Gardiner next ballwith an almost identical delivery.

The BlackCaps loaded theslips cordon asMachan came tothe crease butBoult’s search fora hat-trick provedfruitless when hefired his deliveryoff target.

Southee thendismissed KyleCoetzer when hedrove the ballstraight to GrantElliott at mid-wicket and claimedthe scalp of skip-per PrestonMommsen lbw fora golden duck.

With the homecrowd chanting asSouthee steamedin, South African-born Berringtondefended calmly todeny another hat-track opportunity.

Machan and Berrington steadiedthe innings, taking Scotland to 47-4 atthe end of 15 overs.

Sussex batsman Machan grew inconfidence as the innings progressed,bringing up a half century off 71 balls,including six fours and one six.

Anderson finally broke the part-nership when Machan miscued an at-tempt to go over the bowler’s head.Anderson claimed a second in his nextover, pitching it short to snare a top-edge off Berrington just after the bats-man had reached 50.

From there it was simply a matterof wrapping up the tail as Scotland’sresistance crumbled.—AFP

Scotland sound warning after scare for KiwisDUNEDIN—Scotland’s bowling per-formance against New Zealand onTuesday sent another warning tothe major cricketing nations that the

associate members were not atthe World Cup to make up the num-bers .

A day after Ireland stunned the

West Indies to chase down the Carib-bean total of 304 for seven in Nelson,Scotland had a sniff of a massive up-set at University Oval in Dunedin

when they reduced theWorld Cup co-hosts to 137for seven, chasing 143 for awin.

“We were right in thegame,” Scotland captainPreston Mommsen said af-ter New Zealand snuck athree-wicket victory. “All ittakes is one or two goodballs ... and they’re ninedown.

“So we were veryclose.”

With only Iain Wardlawtruly threatening of pace andMajid Haq a more than ca-pable off-spinner, NewZealand were expected tocanter to victory.

Too often, their bats-men went for risky shotsas they at tempted to in-crease the team’s net runrate and Mommsen saidthat had influenced theway they approached therun chase.—AgenciesTrent Boult struck twice in his first over , New Zealand v Scotland, World Cup 2015,

Group A, Dunedin.

CANBERRA—Canberra’s streets are soquiet even during the day, you wonderwhen you might next spot some lifearound, forget coming to know that thereis a World Cup in town. That will changenext afternoon, when Bangladesh takeon Afghanistan in both teams’ tourna-ment opener. Like all the four major SouthAsian teams, Bangladeshhave plenty of support inAustralia, particularly aroundSydney, from where a lot offans are expected to make thedrive to Canberra.

Mashrafe Mortaza wasoptimistic of receiving back-ing from the stands duringthe match, but Bangladesh’sform in the warm-ups has notgenerated the same confi-dence. The loss to Pakistan,albeit close, was not unex-pected but the defeat to Ire-land would have hurt.Bangladesh have trainedhard post those losses, and Mortazaappreciated the efforts put in by hisplayers.

The onus has to be on Bangladeshhere, given they are the Full Memberside with nearly 15 years of Test his-tory. However, Afghanistan beatBangladesh the only time they metthem in the ODI format in the Asia Cuplast March, and have taken down Zim-babwe twice in four meetings. The factthat all those three wins came at the

Bangladesh eye opener asconfidence-booster

home of the opposition is revealingtoo, and Afghanistan believe Austra-lian conditions suit them better.

Ireland chasing 300-plus againstWest Indies in Nelson has already setan early standard for Associates in thisWorld Cup, and not only Afghanistan,but Bangladesh are also taking that

result as an inspiration.In the spotlight

The Afghanistan fast bowlers aretall and quick. The usually shortBangladesh batsmen will have tohandle the extra bounce, somethingthey are not used to at home and some-thing they have been working on inthe nets. The likes of Tamim Iqbal andMushfiqur Rahim have the strokes, butit will be a matter of getting in first.Teams news

Bangladesh’s four fast bowlersskipped optional training on Tuesday, asdid left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. The bats-men, however, had a hit. Mominul Haqueprovides them a solid option in the toporder but he has not clicked in the warm-ups. Soumya Sarkar can bat up the orderand provides a few overs of seam-up too.

Bangladesh: (probable) 1Anamul Haque, 2 Tamim Iqbal,3 Soumya Sarkar, 4Mahmudullah, 5 Shakib AlHasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim(wk) , 7 Sabbir Rahman/NasirHossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza(capt), 9 Taijul Islam, 10 TaskinAhmed, 11 Rubel Hossain

Afghanistan chose totrain under lights late in theevening before the match.Fast bowler Shapoor Zadranhad a knee niggle but wasexpected to be fine to play.

Afghanistan (probable):1 Javed Ahmadi, 2 Usman

Ghani, 3, Asghar Stanikzai, 4Najibullah Zadran, 5 SamiullahShenwari, 6 Mohammad Nabi (capt),7 Afsar Zazai (wk), 8 Gulbadin Naib/Mirwais Ashraf , 9 Dawlat Zadran, 10Hamid Hassan, 11 Shapoor ZadranPitch and conditions: Manuka Oval isknown to be full of runs. Just last month,England collected 364 and 391 in two prac-tice one-dayers before the tri-series here.In the second one, the opposition repliedwith 331.—AFP

Emotional Afghanistan needcalm on WC debut: Coach

SYDNEY—Afghanistan are excited about their WorldCup debut against Bangladesh on Wednesday, but must

stay calm on the field lesttheir emotions over-whelm them, coach AndyMoles said.

The match atCanberra’s Manuka Ovalis arguably Afghancricket’s biggest sincethe Taliban lifted a banon the game in 2000 andcounts as another step inthe fairytale journey thatstarted in Pakistan refu-gee camps for many ofthe players.

“They feel a real,genuine honour to be

here and they want to do well for the public at home,”Englishman Moles told reporters in Canberra on Tues-day ahead of the Pool A match.

“It’s a massive inspiration generally for the players.They want to do well for the public at home and that’s areally important message.

“It’s been well documented the hardships that theplayers and the general public have at home all overAfghanistan.

“The next 24 hours... is getting ready for the game,is to make sure we’re calm, we’re calculated and makesure we execute our plans and if we do that Bangladeshcan look forward to a very hard game tomorrow.

“What happens is when we don’t play our bestcricket, we just get a bit excited. We want to hit foursand sixes.” One of four non-test playing nations at theWorld Cup, Afghanistan are well-placed to bring downBangladesh, two days after Ireland rocked the cricketestablishment by toppling West Indies in Nelson, NewZealand.—AFP

Wasim slams critics,offers to help Pakistan

KARACHI—Former captain Wasim Akram is eager tohelp the Pakistan players salvage their World Cup cam-paign in Australia and New Zealand, he said on Tues-day.

Pakistan lost their opening match of the tournamentby 76 runs to arch-rivals India.

“The irony is neither the Pakistan cricket authori-ties nor anyone in the team has approached me to help

or advise them,”Wasim said in an inter-view to a local newschannel.

One of the world’sgreat fast bowlers dur-ing his pomp, Akram isworking as a broad-caster at the WorldCup.

“I am here in theWorld Cup and I wantto go and help ourplayers adjust and dowell in the tournamentin these conditions.But I can’t do this with-out an invitation,” hesaid.

The 48-year-oldAkram, who took 414 Test and 502 one-day interna-tional wickets, helped Pakistan win the 1992 World Cupin Australia and New Zealand.

“I am often criticised for not helping Pakistani play-ers but giving tips to players from other countries,” hesaid. “This is unfair as even now if they ask me I will goand help in anyway because I know a lot about modernday cricket and players in this World Cup and I want tosee Pakistan reach the knockout stage.”

Pakistan play West Indies on Saturday with groupmatches against South Africa, the United Arab Emir-ates and Ireland to follow.

“Our batsmen will keep on struggling until they alsoplay on the front foot,” Akram said.—AFP

Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan administering oath to Justice Faisal Arab as Chief Justice of Sindh High Court. Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah isalso present on the occasion.

Workers of Pakistan Awami Tehreek stage a protest in support of demands on completionof one year of Model Town incident, outside Karachi Press Club.

A view of traffic jam on MA Jinnah Road on Tuesday.

WE ARE all familiar with the saying,“laughter is the best medicine.” Andthis motto may ring true when it

comes to tackling age-related memory loss; anew study from Loma Linda University inCalifornia finds that humourmay reduce brain damagecaused by the “stress hor-mone” cortisol, which in turn,improves memory. The re-search team, led by Dr.Gurinder Singh Bains, re-cently presented their findingsat the Experimental Biologymeeting in San Diego.

It is well known that toomuch stress can negatively af-fect health. Medical News To-day recently reported on a studysuggesting that stress mayworsen allergies, while otherresearch indicates that it makesthe brain more susceptible tomental illness. Past research hasalso shown that stress canworsen memory and learningability in elderly individuals. This is because stressincreases production of cortisol - a hormone thatcan cause damage to neurons in the brain.

Since it is well known that laughter can bea stress reliever, the research team wanted todetermine whether humour may reduce braindamage caused by cortisol. Watching a funnyvideo ‘reduced cortisol levels and boostedmemory performance’ The researchersanalysed one group of elderly individuals whohad diabetes and another group of elderlypeople who were healthy.

Laughter may reduce neuron damagecaused by “stress hormone” cortisol, thereforeimproving memory in older individuals. Both

Laughter may be the best medicinefor age-related memory loss

groups were required to view a 20-minute hu-morous video, before completing a memorytest that measured their visual recognition,learning ability and memory recall. A thirdgroup of elderly individuals were asked to com-

plete the memory test withoutwatching the funny video. Theteam then compared the re-sults of all three groups.

The investigators foundthat both groups who watchedthe humorous video showeda significant reduction in cor-tisol levels, compared with thegroup that did not view thevideo. The groups thatwatched the funny video alsoshowed greater improvementin memory recall, learningability and sight recognition,compared with those who didnot watch the video. The dia-betic group demonstrated thegreatest improvement in bothcortisol levels and memorytest scores.

Study co-author Dr. Lee Burk says thesefindings suggests that the less stress a personhas, the better their memory performance, andhumour may be the key to reducing stress lev-els. “Humour reduces detrimental stress hor-mones like cortisol that decrease memory hip-pocampal neurons, lowers your blood pressure,and increases blood flow and your mood state,”he explains. “The act of laughter - or simplyenjoying some humour - increases the releaseof endorphins and dopamine in the brain, whichprovides a sense of pleasure and reward.” Hesays that these neurochemical changes in thebrain also increase “gamma wave band fre-quency,” which can improve memory.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Francois Dall’orso, ConsulGeneral (CG) of France in Karachi calledon Chairman Sindh Board of Investment(SBI) Dr Asif A. Brohi at his office hereon Tuesday. Francois Dall’orso extends hisfull support in the area where need is iden-tify. He said, French entrepreneur will pro-vide technical expertise to local entrepre-neur to equip dairy installations. Francoisapprised that in France lot of exhibitionsare organized on different specialized sec-tor.

The CG said Government of France islooking forward to be a part of Projects inSindh and there is a huge investment po-

France to providetechnical expertise

tential. The positive initiatives in terms ofbusiness and trade by the Sindh Govern-ment are ever welcoming to French Con-sulate.

He also offered their support in up-grading different sector in Pakistan.Chairman SBI Dr Asif A. Brohi saidSindh Government is looking forwardfor mutual cooperation with Frenchcounterparts in different socio-economicuplifting projects specially agriculture,dairy, livestock, fisheries, education,agribusiness value addition, aquaculturefarming and so forth.

The aim of this meeting is to high-light the existing potential of the prov-ince and to attract foreign direct Invest-

ment, we are expected to meet the iden-tical sector specialist in France to dis-cuss and promote quantum of trade be-tween the two.

Dr Asif Brohi assured FrançoisDall’orso regarding continuous and seri-ous interventions by the SBI to promoteinvestments in diversified sectors of alter-nate energy especially Thar Coal, Windand Solar.

Chairman SBI said that serious effortswere also being made for containment ofenergy crisis in Pakistan through multiplemeasures. Other than promoting invest-ments in Thar coal, the SBI is workingclosely with private sector to examine in-terventions under solar energy.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The Council of PakistanNewspaper Editors (CPNE) SecretaryGeneral and Editor and Publisher ofAwami Awaz and three other publica-tions Dr Jabbar Khattak, came to theImplementation Tribunal for Newspa-per Employees (ITNE) on the third dayof hearing in compliance with the bail-able warrants of arrest issued againsthim by the tribunal for non-implemen-tation of the Seventh Wage Award in hispublications.

ITNE conducted hearing of casesfiled for non-implementation of 7thWage Board Award in various publica-tions for the second time in Karachi.Headed by Justice (Retd.) Rauf AhmedSheikh, the tribunal heard 175 cases andgave orders on many issues confront-ing newspapers employees. This timeagain, the Tribunal issued 46 bailablewarrants of arrest against owners, print-ers and publishers of various publica-

Non-implementation of 7th Wage Award

Dr Jabbar Khattak appears before ITNE incompliance with bailable warrants of arrest

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)Sindh chapter General Secretary Senator TajHaider and Information Secretary Waqar Mehdihad welcomed the decision of Ghulam MurtazaJatoi of National People’s Party (NPP) formerger of his party into PPP. In a statement is-sued from PPP Media cell Sindh, they said thedecision would provide a gigantic canvass to theNPP leaders for serving the people and their

Taj Haider welcomesNPP merger with PPP

decision would also strengthen democracy.They said late Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, fa-

ther of Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, the patron of NPPwas among those founding leaders of the PPPand had served the people from the PPP’s plat-form. The decision of Ghulam Murtaza Jatoiwould bridge the gap because the PPP was infact his own party. They expressed well-wishesto Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi and all those from theNPP, who would be the part of this historicmerger.

tions.Amin Yousuf, Secretary-General of

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists(PFUJ) and Sheher Bano FEC memberPFUJ and President

The News Employees Union attendedthe hearings and represented newspaperemployees. Earlier, notices were also is-sued to weekly Akhbar-e Jahan and Magin compliance with court orders. ChairmanJang Group and Editor in chief of the twopublications Mir Javed Rahman, also madean appearance before the Tribunal alongwith his advocate.

On fourth day of the hearing, Editorof the Newsline also came to the Tribunalin compliance with the orders served inthe last hearing.

Though she said that she has alreadysold her publication to another party, andthe take-over of the publication is underprocess these days, the Tribunal asked theEditor to submit an application stating thepresent status of the Newlines. The maga-zine is one of popular monthlies of Paki-

stan, known for its quality reporting.The cases of publications, which are

not in print anymore, have been dis-posed of by the Tribunal while some ofthe cases were adjourned for the nextday of hearing in May this year whenthe Tribunal will again come to Karachi.

Another important development ofthese hearings was the confiscation ofproperty of Shumaila Matri, Editor-in-Chief, Millat daily under the Land Rev-enue Act. This amount was due to bepaid to employees of Millat whose casesfor non-implementation of Wage BoardAward were pending before the Tribu-nal since long.

Justice (Retd) Rauf Ahmed Shaikh,during the hearing of cases, made it clearthat he would try to resolve all cases inthe shortest possible time. He resistedadjournments on many cases, saying thatdelaying the cases would simplydemoralise press workers who werewaiting for the solution of their prob-lems since long.

Justice FaisalArab takes overas Chief Justice

of SHCCITY REPORTER

KARACHI—Justice FaisalArab took oath as Chief Jus-tice of the Sindh High Courton Tuesday in ceremony heldat Sindh High Court (SHC).

Talking to the media af-ter taking oath, Justice Arabsaid judges were imperativeto justice and that corruptjudges in the district and ses-sion courts have brought abad name to judiciary whichwould not be tolerated anyfurther.

He informed that 220 seatsin district and session courtsand 10 in SHC were vacant.Ensuring law and order situa-tion is not judiciary’s butadministration’s responsibil-ity, he added.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Habib University, a first of its kind Liberal Arts andSciences institute of Pakistan, held an inaugural lecture of theHabib Guest Scholar-in-Residence program, featuring Dr Tho-mas Blom Hansen, Director of Stanford’s Centre for South Asia,titled, ‘Modi & the Rise of Hindu Nationalism: A View fromBombay’.

This stimulating lecture was attended by students and mediawhile the genre attracted a great number of participants in theaudience who though might not be directly associated with HabibUniversity, displayed great enthusiasm in being given a chance toattend it. The purpose of opting for this topic was to get studentsacquainted with international political developments, especiallythose taking place in neighbouring countries and the impact that

Dr Hansen sheds light onModi’s nationalist government

would be elicited not just at a local level but the world at large.“The transformation of religious dominance in terms of

politics burgeoning from rural to urban centers is shaping mod-ern democracy in India while giving secularism a less domi-nating stance,” said Mr. Wasif Rizvi, President Habib Univer-sity, “for a country like ours with many political parties itself,it is of utmost importance for our students to understand thescope of political progress in neighbouring countries whilegrasping our own.”

Dr Hansen spoke about Narendra Modi, a self-avowed Hindunationalist, and how India witnessed a unique turn in the historyof its politics since he took the charge. He further elaborated uponthe long term social transformations pertaining to caste and classformation that enabled the RSS and BJP, the two leading politicalparties of India, to take dominant positions in Indian politics.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Former President and Co-Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Asif AliZardari has strongly condemned the bombblast near Police Lines in Lahore and ex-

Zardari condemns Lahore Police Lines blastpressed deep grief and sorrow over the lossof scores of precious and innocent humanlives. “The monster of terrorism continuesto strike as entire nation has united to giveit a final blow through unanimous and co-ordinated efforts of the country,” he added.

Asif Ali Zardari said there is no op-tion except complete defeat to the menaceof terrorism, which has already given somuch pain to the people of Pakistan. Hestressed that best medical facilities shouldbe provided to the injured.

Norway’s Ambassador to Pakistan Leif H Larsen and UNODC representative Cesar Guedes called on Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada.

Students taking interest in the books and other items displayed during book fair at UET.

Punjab University teachers are rallying against torture on lecturer Nadeem Shahd and non-arrest of accused atNew Campus.

WE ARE all familiar with the saying,“laughter is the best medicine.” Andthis motto may ring true when it

comes to tackling age-related memory loss; anew study from Loma Linda University inCalifornia finds that humourmay reduce brain damagecaused by the “stress hor-mone” cortisol, which in turn,improves memory. The re-search team, led by Dr.Gurinder Singh Bains, re-cently presented their findingsat the Experimental Biologymeeting in San Diego.

It is well known that toomuch stress can negatively af-fect health. Medical News To-day recently reported on a studysuggesting that stress mayworsen allergies, while otherresearch indicates that it makesthe brain more susceptible tomental illness. Past research hasalso shown that stress canworsen memory and learningability in elderly individuals. This is because stressincreases production of cortisol - a hormone thatcan cause damage to neurons in the brain.

Since it is well known that laughter can bea stress reliever, the research team wanted todetermine whether humour may reduce braindamage caused by cortisol. Watching a funnyvideo ‘reduced cortisol levels and boostedmemory performance’ The researchersanalysed one group of elderly individuals whohad diabetes and another group of elderlypeople who were healthy.

Laughter may reduce neuron damagecaused by “stress hormone” cortisol, thereforeimproving memory in older individuals. Both

Laughter may be the best medicinefor age-related memory loss

groups were required to view a 20-minute hu-morous video, before completing a memorytest that measured their visual recognition,learning ability and memory recall. A thirdgroup of elderly individuals were asked to com-

plete the memory test withoutwatching the funny video. Theteam then compared the re-sults of all three groups.

The investigators foundthat both groups who watchedthe humorous video showeda significant reduction in cor-tisol levels, compared with thegroup that did not view thevideo. The groups thatwatched the funny video alsoshowed greater improvementin memory recall, learningability and sight recognition,compared with those who didnot watch the video. The dia-betic group demonstrated thegreatest improvement in bothcortisol levels and memorytest scores.

Study co-author Dr. Lee Burk says thesefindings suggests that the less stress a personhas, the better their memory performance, andhumour may be the key to reducing stress lev-els. “Humour reduces detrimental stress hor-mones like cortisol that decrease memory hip-pocampal neurons, lowers your blood pressure,and increases blood flow and your mood state,”he explains. “The act of laughter - or simplyenjoying some humour - increases the releaseof endorphins and dopamine in the brain, whichprovides a sense of pleasure and reward.” Hesays that these neurochemical changes in thebrain also increase “gamma wave band fre-quency,” which can improve memory.

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—A high level delegation of Glo-bal Alliance for Vaccines and Immuniza-tion (GAVI) led by its Chief ExecutiveOfficer Dr. Seth Berkley met Punjab ChiefMinister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, hereTuesday. The meeting decided to furtherpromote cooperation in a coordinated man-ner with regard to immunization againstpolio, measles and other infectious dis-eases.

Talking to the delegation, the ChiefMinister said that Punjab government isimplementing a comprehensiveprogramme for the provision of modernhealth facilities to the masses and reformsare being introduced in public health sec-tor under Health Sector Reforms Roadmapfor ensuring quality health services to the

GAVI delegation meets Shahbaz

Comprehensive programme forprovision of modern health facilities

common man. He said that Punjab gov-ernment has taken solid steps for control-ling polio, measles and other diseaseswhile serious efforts are also being madewith regard to routine immunization andconcerned departments are playing an ac-tive role in this regard.

The Chief Minister said that he is per-sonally monitoring improvement in healthsector, control over polio, measles andother diseases as well as routine immuni-zation. He said that the effective measurestaken by Punjab government have helpedcontrol polio and measles. He said that noeffort will be spared for the achievementof the targets fixed in health sector.

Referring to the protective measurestaken during the outbreak of dengue a fewyears ago, the Chief Minister said thatelected representatives, doctors, paramed-

ics, nurses, officers and all segments ofthe society played an active role in the anti-dengue campaign and set a glorious ex-ample of commitment and efficiency bydefeating dengue virus within a year.

He said that the same spirit will bedisplayed in future as well for achievingthe targets in health sector. He said thatPunjab government is fully benefiting formodern technology for the implementationof reforms programme in health sector andthe performance of vaccinators is beingmonitored through android phones.

Chief Executive Officer GAVI Dr.Seth Berkley while speaking on the occa-sion appreciated the steps taken under theleadership of Chief Minister ShahbazSharif for the improvement of health sec-tor and with regard to controlling polio andmeasles besides routine immunization.

Norway extendingcooperation for

capacity-buildingof police

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Provincial HomeMinister Col. Retd. ShujaKhanzada has said that Norwayis extending commendable co-operation for the capacity-building of Punjab police andlaw enforcement agencies.

He was talking to Ambas-sador of Norway in PakistanLeif H. Larsen and CountryRepresentative United Nation’sOffice on Drugs and CrimesCesar Guedes who met him inhis office here Tuesday.

While discussing mattersof mutual interest, the Norwe-gian Ambassador said thatmore than 50 thousand Paki-stanis are serving in varioussectors in Norway and playingan important role in the Nor-wegian economy. He said thathis government is closelymonitoring implementation ofNational Action Plan againstterrorism and will extend allout cooperation to the Punjabgovernment in this regard.

Khizar Hayatvisits Ganga

Ram HospitalLAHORE—Chief SecretaryPunjab Khizar Hayat Gondalhas said that the nation is fullycommitted to eliminate terror-ism and nefarious designs ofterrorists will be foiled. Hestated this during a visit toGanga Ram Hospital on Tues-day to inquire after the personsinjured in bomb blast outsidePolice Lines Lahore.—APP

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—Punjab University Aca-demic Staff Association on Tuesday tookout a protest rally from UndergraduateBlock to Institute of Education and Re-search against torture on Institute of Ag-ricultural Sciences’ lecturer NadeemShad and non-arrest of the nominatedaccused of Islami Jamiat Talaba in FIR.

Dean Faculty of Law Prof Dr ShaziaNaureen Qureshi, Dr Hafiz MuhammadRafiq, Dr Abid Hussain Chaudhry, Dr

PU ASA rally againsttorture on lecturer

Faheem Aftab, Dr Mahboob Hussain, DrNoshina Saleem, Dr Abdul QayyumChaudhry, Sonia Omer, Nadeem Shad anda large number of teachers participated inthe rally.

The teachers were wearing black rib-bons on their arms and holding placardsand banners demanding arrest of IJT cul-prits.

Talking to media, Dr Shazia Qureshicalled upon Punjab government and po-lice high-ups to take notice of the brutalincident and take action against the ac-

cused. She said that such rogue elementscould not be tolerated at all in order tomaintain peaceful environment on cam-pus.

She said that the participants ex-pressed solidarity with the teachers andcondemned the incident.

She said it was the responsibility oflaw enforcing agencies to control vio-lent elements so that they could not takelaw into their hands. The participantsdisbursed peacefully after peaceful dem-onstration outside Faisal Auditorium.

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—A Two-day book fair started firsttime in the history of UET at University of En-gineering and Technology, Lahore here on Tues-day. UET Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. FazalAhmad Khalid inaugurated the book fair whowas the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion the Vice-Chan-cellor said that books are our best friends andbook fairs play a great role in encouraging thereading habit among people of all age groups.“Books are your best friends” who keep them-selves abreast of the importance of constantlychanging times and their modifying influenceon readers, especially children and youngsters,”

First two-day bookfair starts at UET

adding he said a book fair is that it can play animportant role in developing the habit of read-ing books among the people. It is a device tospread culture, education, and knowledge. Itchanges our outlook on life and widens our do-main of learning.

He further said that 80% books are publishedin Pakistan and about one lac and 50 thousandbooks on important topics like Engineering Sci-ences, Management, English Urdu Literature, So-cial Sciences, Islamic Studies and research areavailable in this book fair. Up to 10 to 50% dis-count on all books are also provided to the stu-dents. The Vice-Chancellor also visited the bookstalls in the Auditorium Complex. A large numberof students gathered there to enjoy the book fair.

Staff Reporter

LAHORE—The Provincial Minister forLaw, Excise & Taxation, FinanceMujtaba Shuja ur Rehman has said thatterrorism, extremism and sectarianismcan be eliminated through promotion ofquality education to all segments of so-ciety. He said that success in war againstpoverty, unemployment and terrorismalso depends upon promotion of educa-tion and keeping in view this fact maxi-mum funds are being provided for thispurpose. He said that the governmenthas increased education budget duringpast six years in the province, whereas,target has been fixed to enroll everychild of the province till 2018.

While talking to various delegations

Terrorism, sectarianism can beeliminated through quality education

at his residence, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehmansaid that increasing population affects oursocio-economic conditions also as 40 mil-lion people are living low poverty line, 58million people have no access to safe &clean drinking water, 59 million people areliving in one room house unit, whereas,only 20 percent population have the facil-ity of trained birth attendant. He said thateducation can also help in promotion oftolerance, harmony and brotherhood in thesociety and in view of this fact, Punjabgovernment is attaching top priority to theuplift of education sector and has takenrevolutionary measures for this purpose.He said that in result of government eco-nomic policies and current fiscal year’sbudget, job opportunities will be offeredto 40 lakh people whereas 20 lakh people

will be provided technical training sothat to make them self-sufficient.

Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said thatRs. 121.80 billion which is 11.66 per-cent of the total budget is being utilizedon the provision of health facilities,whereas Rs. 274 billion have been pro-vided which is 26.25 percent of the to-tal budget. He said that British educa-tionist Sir Michael Barber while laud-ing the efforts of Punjab government,said that the attendance of teachers inschools has considerably improved dueto implementation of the reformsprogramme being jointly implementedby Punjab government and DFID andthe rate of attendance of teachers inschools of the Punjab has reached up tothe level of the British schools.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The Punjab government is committed to introducingworld’s best practices of learning in schools to ensure quality educa-tion for all segments of the society. This was stated by EducationMinister Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan while addressing the par-ticipants of ‘Ilm Bazaar’ technical workshop jointly held under theaegis of Ilm Ideas and Punjab Education Foundation at a local hotel

World’s bet practices of learningat educational institution

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The 11th meeting of the AcademicCouncil was held under the chairmanship of Dr.Naveed A. Malik (S.I.), Rector Virtual Univer-sity of Pakistan here on Tuesday. Important deci-

11th Academic Council meeting at VUsions related to the growth and development ofacademics, research and associated matters weretaken with the unanimity of the views of the par-ticipants. These new programs will realize thevision of the Virtual University, that of an edu-cated, enlightened and progressive Pakistan.

on Tuesday. The Education Minister said that the Punjab govern-ment has introduced and implemented the most modern learningtechnology in collaboration with the Department for InternationalDevelopment in the under-privileged far-flung areas which hasproved a success story. Provincial government is encouraging col-laboration between private sector’s edu-preneurs and mentors hav-ing innovative ideas which would result in further expansion of uni-versal primary school education programs in the province.