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Pakistan exerting Pakistan continues to Pakistani cinema’s insufficient pressure consider India existen - going through a on militant groups: CIA tial threat: US rough patch: Ali PAGE 22 NATIONAL | PAGE 06 PAGE 15

Rs15.00 Vol ii no 217 22 pages islamabad — peshawar edition pakistantoday.com.pk thursday, 2 February, 2012 Rabi-ul-awal 9, 1433 PM will be indicted Pakistan not aiding taliBan g Secret NaTO report says ISI aware of the locations of if Zardari immunity senior Taliban leaders g Khar says charges are ‘old wine in an even older bottle’ is not proved: SC ISLAMABAD/LONDON Shaiq huSSaiN/aGENCiES

Pakistan strongly refuted NATO allega - ISLAMABAD Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Os - KaBul: foreign Minister MaSOOd rEhMaN many, Justice ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz tions on Wednesday that it was assisting hina rabbani Khar Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Taliban militants fighting the US-led for - shakes hands with her USTICe Nasirul Mulk, the head of Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed, told Aitzaz eign troops in Afghanistan, warning that afghan counterpart the seven-member special bench of Ahsen to conclude his preliminary arguments such baseless accusations could further zalmai rasool after a the Supreme Court (SC) hearing the by Thursday (today). harm the already strained relations be - joint press conference National Reconciliation Ordinance Justice Mulk told Ahsen that if he could tween Islamabad and Washington. on Wednesday. afp (NRO) implementation case, told not convince the court that President Zardari A secret NATO report obtained by AJitzaz Ahsen, counsel for Prime Minister enjoyed complete immunity under Article 248 the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC said. “A BBC correspondent says to non-interference in Afghanistan. Yousaf Raza Gilani, during a hearing on of the constitution, it would proceed in the (BBC) had said the Taliban in the report is painful reading for inter - Pakistan has suffered enormously be - Wednesday to convince the court that Presi - matter in accordance with the law and frame Afghanistan were being directly as - national forces and the Afghan govern - cause of the long conflict in dent Asif Ali Zardari had immunity or the charges against the prime minister. He said sisted by Pakistani security services. ment,” it added. The report also alleges Afghanistan. A stable and peaceful court would indict the prime minister for con - the prime minister should have written to “The leaked report, derived from thou - that Pakistan knows the locations of Afghanistan is in our own interest and tempt of court. Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against sands of interrogations, claims the Tal - senior Taliban leaders. However, For - we are very much cognizant of this.” Ahsen stuck to his position that no mala the president before invoking the defence of iban remain defiant and have wide eign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit fide was involved in the prime minister’s state - immunity for the president. Ahsen then re - support among the Afghan people,” the said in a statement: “We are committed Continued on page 04 ment before the court and it should be treated quested the court to give the premier the ben - as informal. His argument was that the prime efit of doubt, as he said his client had obtained minister was an ordinary citizen, but the court proper advice and then decided not to write did not agree to his submission and ques - letter to the Swiss authorities. Justice Mulk 15 FC men, 7 militants killed in Bolan gun battle tioned how he could be an ordinary citizen told Ahsen that if he proved the president’s when all resources of the government were immunity, the court would not proceed fur - QUETTA FC had held Baloch self-exiled leader Wednesday morning, reinforcements available to him and he was also a legislator. ther in the matter. Ahsen continued to argue Shahzada zulfiqar Nawabzada Hairbyar Marri responsi - and choppers were sent to the Margut Ahsen, however, did not budge from his posi - that the prime minister honestly believed the ble. According to reports, the Baloch area to collect the dead and injured. All tion that the letter to the Swiss authorities president enjoyed immunity. Justice Mulk At least 15 soldiers of the Frontier militants were estimated to be over dead bodies and injured were moved could not be written as long as the president noted that the prime minister had stated be - Corps Balochistan were killed and 12 three dozen in number and attacked through a helicopter to Quetta. The in - was in office. He also said there was no harm fore the court that the decision of not writing others left injured in a fierce gun battle checkposts in the coalmine fields of jured were admitted to Combined Mil - in case the letter was written but argued that the letter was his own. between security forces and Baloch Margut area of Bolan on Tuesday after - itary Hospital (CMH) for treatment if the letter was not written, it did not warrant Justice Khosa noted that the prime minis - militants in Bolan district, the FC said noon using light and heavy weapons. while the bodies were sent to their an - contempt of court. From his arguments before ter had stated that he was ready to go to jail on Wednesday. The paramilitary forces returned fire cestral villages for burial. Some sources the court, it seems that the government is but would not write the letter. “Is that not dis - Seven attackers were also reported that led both parties into a gun battle reported that the FC Balochistan per - adamant not to reopen cases against President obedience of the court order?” he asked. He to have been killed in the clash, how - which lasted several hours in the diffi - sonnel on Tuesday came across seven Zardari as the court was again informed that said further that the prime minister was acting ever, no official source or militant group cult mountainous region. bodies of civilians during a search op - the letter could not be written because the on the advice of his subordinates but was not confirmed the toll. The Balochistan Lib - Due to darkness and difficult ter - eration, believed to be those of the at - president enjoyed immunity under Article 248 ready to obey court orders. eration Army claimed responsibility for rain, reinforcements could not reach tackers. However, official sources as of the constitution. The special bench, headed the attack later at night, however, the the battle site on Tuesday. However on well as FC spokesman did not confirm. by Justice Mulk and comprising Justice Asif Continued on page 04 ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:40 AM Page 2

02 News Thursday , 2 February 2012 iSLAMAbAd NEwS ForEigN NEwS Today’s 173 graduates awarded ‘friendship Scholarships’ Pakistan to reset uS ties on equitable basis: Sherry romney leads uS republicans after big florida win Quick Look Story on Page 08 Story on Page 05 Story on Page 17

Police probe anthrax parcel sent to PM’s House fIa seals three firms ISLAMABAD afP/STaff rEPOrT manufacturing deadly Isotab Police on Wednesday said they were investigating how and why a parcel containing anthrax was sent to the prime g minister’s official residence in Islamabad last month. It Efroze chemicals, Swiss Pharmaceutical and Zafa Pharmaceutical raided appeared to be the first reported case of anthrax sent to a g government office in the country. “The parcel containing Names of Nadir, Abdullah Feroz and Khurram Munaf put on ECL anthrax powder was sent last month, about 20 days ago. After the laboratory test confirmed that the parcel con - KARACHI tained anthrax we registered a case against unknown peo - iSMail dilaWar ple,” said police officer Hakim Khan. He Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) In his application, PM Secretariat Administration Deputy on Wednesday raided at least three Secretary Abdul Hafeez told secretariat police that on Oc - pharmaceutical firms for manufactur - tober 18, 2011, during the scanning of Prime Minster’s ing medicine Isotab, which claimed mails, they found a letter which carried anthrax. Upon T several lives in various hospitals of Lahore. this, the secretariat police registered an FIR under section According to FIA, while seizing raw material (270) against unidentified accused on Tuesday night. from two of the raided firms, Swiss Pharmaceuticals There was no immediate confirmation from the Prime and Zafa Pharmaceuticals, the agency also sealed a Minister’s House. Neither was it immediately clear who Karachi-based factory of efroze Chemical Indus - was responsible, or how they could have accessed anthrax, tries. The FIA also put names of three owners of the of any quality, in Pakistan. Police said the parcel was raided firms on the exit Control List (eCL) besides posted from the Jamshoro district in Sindh. blocking the official website of efroze Chemicals. “We have sent a police team to investigate it and to find The sealed factory was located at Godam Chowrangi the culprits there,” said Khan, an officer at the secretariat in Korangi Industrial Area, while its head office was police station. But in Jamshoro, 180 kilometres (113 situated at PeCHS. miles) northeast of Karachi, police said they had not been “I had ordered the raids in which we sealed asked why only efroze Chemicals was singled out for the seized raw material would be sent for further informed by Islamabad of any anthrax delivery, instead efroze Chemicals while some raw material was also being seized, Ansari replied that because the com - laboratory tests, after which owners of the firms finding out through local media reports. seized from two other firms,” FIA Sindh Director pany had “negative” reports given by lab researchers would be arrested. “We have not yet received any instructions from the gov - Moazzam Jah Ansari told Pakistan Today. He said from London. “The other two companies Swiss The efroze Chemicals chairman reportedly ernment to investigate this matter,” local police official that during the raids, around 47 kilogrammes raw Pharmaceuticals and Zafa were not rated as nega - claimed that the scandal was a conspiracy against Bashir Ahmed told AFP. “We have asked the local post of - material used for manufacturing Isotab was also tive,” he added. The laboratory tests proved that the his firm. He claimed that the chemical, which fice protectively to check their records to know about the seized. Ansari said that the FIA had restricted for - substandard medicine, which contained an over- proved fatal in Lahore, had been stolen from his fac - sender. “We can’t say how long it will take to complete the eign travel of three owners of drug manufacturing dose of anti-malarial chemical 14 times more than tory in September. The issue got further politicised investigation. We expect a quick result if the sender’s companies. “Nadir, Abdullah Feroz and Khurram the required quantity, caused deaths of scores of pa - when Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri and identity is not fake.” Munaf’s names have been put on the eCL,” Ansari tients suffering form cardiac diseases in Lahore. FIA Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif issued statements said. Feroz was CeO of efroze Chemicals. When Deputy Director Akbar Baloch reportedly said that against each other’s governments. Jet strike kills 20 Taliban PESHAWAR afP Cabinet misled by finance secy on POL levy collection? Pakistan Air Force (PAF) warplanes pounded militant hide - outs in Orakzai Agency before dawn on Wednesday, killing at ISLAMABAD was apparently misled by finance of collection of Rs 153 billion under a strategy in consultation with the least 20 Taliban insurgents, security officials said. MiaN aBrar secretary on collection of petroleum petroleum levy. provincial governments to ensure The jets targeted hideouts and at least four compounds were levy as Information Minister Dr Fir - “OGRA had, however, recom - provision of daily routine items at hit, officials said. “At least 20 Taliban militants were killed in The apathy and indifference of the dous Ashiq Awan informed a press mended to the federal government controlled rates. the bombing,” a military official said. Local intelligence offi - members of the federal cabinet is briefing that the cabinet was told that POL prices be kept unchanged The cabinet meeting, Firdous cials also confirmed the air strikes. The hideouts belonged to evident from the fact that none of that the government had missed its by absorbing the said increase in said, also approved the decision of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders Mulla Tufan them paid any heed to the woes of target of petroleum levy collection. petroleum levy to provide relief to the economic Coordination Commit - and Commander Moheyuddin, a security official said. There the people who have been massively She said a target of Rs 120 bil - public at large. OGRA had also tee (eCC) to procure 478,000 tonnes are reports that Moheyuddin may have been killed in the burdened with the hike in the prices lion had been fixed by the govern - highlighted that estimated receipts of sugar from domestic millers, bombing, he said. A military official in Peshawar said “four of petroleum products and the im - ment under petroleum levy, but the of the federal government from Pe - which the government was claiming hideouts have been destroyed and the death toll may go up”. position of a 10 percent cess on the government was still short of its troleum Levy (PL) and sales tax for as panacea to resolve timely payment compressed natural gas (CNG). target, as only Rs 20 billion had the period July-December 2011 to the sugarcane growers failed to A source told Pakistan Today been collected in six months. amounted to Rs 153.3 billion, which yield the desired results as Prime that towards the end of the federal “This means that we are already was Rs 9.2 billion higher than July- Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani directed cabinet meeting, Minister of State facing a deficit of Rs 40 billion. This December 2010 receipts of Rs 144.1 the Trading Corporation of Pakistan for Human Resource Development deficit has cropped up as the gov - billion,” said a brief statement is - (TCP) to find some middle way to re - Shaikh Waqas Akram made a point ernment did not pass on the impact sued by OGRA on Tuesday. solve the issue. that the increase in POL prices was of increase in oil prices in the inter - However, when the information Meanwhile, the prime minister too much, but no one bothered to national market to our people. If we minister was confronted for quoting also took the cabinet into confi - discuss or raise the issue and all, in - did not pass on this raise this wrong figures to the media, the dence on the overall constitutional cluding the prime minister, kept month, we would have had to meet minister said that finance secretary requirements of the election com - mum and the meeting was called off. the deficit by printing new notes had told these figures during the mission with regard to holding by- “We are elected representatives which would ultimately lead to a cabinet meeting. polls in different constituencies. of the people and answerable to rise in inflation,” she said. “The finance secretary is a re - Gilani briefed his cabinet col - them. How would we face them in The claim by the information sponsible person and one must not leagues regarding by-polls and their the upcoming election,” said Waqas minister was in contradiction to a doubt him,” she asserted, suggest - legal and constitutional aspects for SaNGla: a speaker shares his views with the audience Akram, but the prime minister did statement issued by the Oil and Gas ing that OGRA may be at fault. She which the National Assembly ses - during a seminar on Mr hameed Nizami organised at the not respond. Regulatory Authority (OGRA) only said that the prime minister had di - sion had been summoned to pass Government hameed Nizami Technology College for Boys. Meanwhile, the federal cabinet a day earlier that had put the figure rected minister for finance to evolve the 20th Amendment Bill, she said. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:41 AM Page 3

Thursday , 2 February 2012 News 03 ArTS & ENTErTAiNMENT SPorTS CoMMENT Katrina to do daredevil stunts for ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ Pakistan keen to complete England whitewash Price hikes: Tough decisions but have to be taken. Karachi’s unending woes: Today’s Target killings in Karachi again. Nazir Naji says: Our dogged democracy: Even with problems, it’s still alive. ahmed Yusuf says: Quick Faultlines in Sindh’s politics: Mechanisms are in place to stop Sindh’s division. imran husain says: A winning streak: Team Pakistan deserves kudos. Look Story on Page 15 Story on Page 18 Articles on Page 12-13

SC directs NAdrA Ministers scolded chairman to resolve MPs play politics as for being absent eunuchs’ guardian from Senate ISLAMABAD issue they discuss PIC deaths Tahir Niaz ISLAMABAD Amidst protest calls to ‘wind up’ the Upper STaff rEPOrT ISLAMABAD tors who were responsible for drug and manufacturing of the drugs. House of parliament, irritated senators STaff rEPOrT testing were appointed by the provin - The officials believed that the La - from both the treasury and opposition The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the cial government or the federal gov - hore incident might be the outcome benches on Wednesday sought stern action National Database and Registration Authority ARLIAMeNTARIANS ernment. of some mistake in the laboratory or against federal ministers for their constant (NADRA) chairman to resolve the issue related representing the National Shakeela repeatedly asked the some annoyed employee of a medi - failure to show up in the House, with some to the registration of the eunuchs by their Assembly Standing Com - Cabinet Division officials as to why cine firm might have tampered with suggesting Senate Chairman Farooq H guardian name according to the rules.The court P mittee on Human Rights had the Punjab government not ap - the raw material used in the manufac - Naek to withdraw their security squad and also ordered him not to register fake eunuchs. on Wednesday played politics and pointed a health minister but the of - turing of the medicine. The chairman car flag for a week. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice tried to expose the Punjab and the ficials and committee chairman Riaz formed a five-member committee to “It has become a routine that ministers Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the peti - federal governments through specific Fatyana laughed away the question. take up health issues with the Sen - don’t come in the Senate particularly dur - tion filed by Aslam Khaki seeking welfare of eu - questions as they discussed the Dr Attiya Inayatullah asked the ate’s standing committee concerned ing the question hour to respond to supple - nuchs. The chief justice said in his remarks that deaths caused by the spurious drugs officials whether drug regulation and propose measures so that such mentary questions. If they (ministers) jobs should be provided to eunuchs and the in Lahore. came under the provincial govern - cases did not resurface. cannot run the government affairs they government should get their services in the PPP female parliamentarians, in - ments or the federal government. The committee asked the Min - should go for fresh elections,” senators said polio campaign. The court was informed that cluding Shakeela Khanim Rashid, The representatives of the Cabi - istry of Human Rights to prepare two while protesting against the absence of some eunuchs wanted their guru’s name to be Mahreen Razaque Bhutto and Yas - net Division told the committee that draft bills aimed at compensation for ministers. As the question hour started, registered as that of their guardian, but NADRA meen Rehman were most interested it was agreed that until a DRA was civil victims of terrorism and natural none of the ministers concerned was pres - had rejected it. The court then directed the in knowing why the Punjab govern - formed, under an interim arrange - disasters to protect the witnesses and ent in the House. Leader of the House Syed NADRA chairman to resolve the matter accord - ment had not appointed a health min - ment, the Cabinet Division would the victims. The committee expressed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari endorsing the sen - ing to the rules. During the hearing, some eu - ister, why had it not given consent to look after the affairs of the defunct concern over the killings of missing ators’ views and said that the ministers nuchs from Muzaffargarh told the court that form a drug regulatory authority health ministry which was supposed persons in the custody of the law en - were informed but they did not turn up. they had got a tender of Rs 0.6 million for the (DRA) and whether the drug inspec - to oversee research, import, export forcing agencies. Senator Ismail Buledi proposed to wind up construction of a drainage system in the area. the Upper House and pointed out the quo - Upon this, the court appreciated their efforts. rum but the quorum was complete. The All provinces submitted their reports about Senate chairman observed, “When these their efforts regarding the welfare of eunuchs. ‘Shahbaz shouldn’t blame Centre for his failures’ people (ministers) enjoy privileges, they The court was told that the Balochistan govern - ISLAMABAD: Calling Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz “He (Shahbaz) himself is a chief minister and a must also fulfill their duties also”. ment had started the registration of eunuchs Sharif a “political actor”, Information Minister Firdous health minister. He can’t blame others for his failure as Khurshid Ahmed, Ishaq Dar, Raza Rabbani and 135 eunuchs had been registered in Quetta. Ashiq Awan on Wednesday said he was trying to shift the federal government does not supervise the supply of and Buledi asked Naek to take stern action The Balochistan government said it was ready the blame on the federal government for his govern - drugs in Punjab. This is the responsibility of the Punjab against the absent ministers, who were not to provide jobs of Rs 10,000 to eunuchs in the ment’s failure in checking the distribution of a toxic government and whoever is responsible should be respecting the Upper House of parliament. income tax department. On the other hand, an batch of drugs distributed by the Punjab Institute of brought to justice,” she said, advising the chief minister Afterwards, three ministers, including official of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told the court Cardiology (PIC) that killed around 120 people. to refrain from political point-scoring and fix the respon - Babar Ghauri, Umar Gorgeij and Dr Asim that 36 eunuchs had been registered in the Briefing journalists on the cabinet’s decisions, Fir - sibility for a failure which caused dozens of deaths. Hussain appeared in the House to face the province. Punjab’s representatives informed the dous said the prime minister had decided to convene a “This point-scoring would not help in resolving the chairman’s anger. “You have wasted 15 court that 480 eunuchs had applied for regis - meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on issue. even if the chief minister himself is responsible, minutes of the House by not coming on tration, of which 331 had been registered. February 9 to resolve all issues between the federal and he should be taken to task,” she said, adding that the fed - time,” the chairman said to Asim, who was Sindh’s officials said the provincial government provincial governments, including the issue of Drug Con - eral government was ready to facilitate the Punjab gov - supposed to be there to respond to adjourn - had issued NICs to 34 eunuchs. trol Authority. ernment in dealing with the situation. STaff rEPOrT ment motions on the recent fuel prices hike. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:41 AM Page 4

04 News Thursday, 2 February, 2012 baloch nationalists Spot-fixer amir released 7 PiA airhostesses ppp Balochistan ministers’ PM will be indicted force shut broadcast of held in New York Continued FRom page 1 cousin killed Ahsen then stated that the news channels early from prison MONITORINg DESK matter of implementation of QUETTA murdered by his guard or the court order should have STaff rEPOrT some other individuals. Police QUETTA: On call by Baloch MONITORINg DESK Sport against a five-year ban Seven PIA airhostesses were been referred to the high handed over the body to Students’ Organisation-Muhi - imposed on him by the Inter - arrested on Wednesday at court. Justice Mulk ob - Two persons, including a Rajab’s heirs after autopsy. uddin and Balochistan Na - Cricketer Muhammad Amir national Cricket Council. New York Airport for al - served that Article 204 of cousin of Pakistan People’s Separately, unidentified tional Party-Mengal, cable has been released from jail, Amir, along with team- legedly smuggling cigarettes the constitution empowered Party (PPP) provincial minis - men hurled a hand grenade at operators suspended the trans - where he was serving a six- mates Muhammad Asif and and mobile phones. A PIA the apex court to take action ters, were killed and five oth - a house in Killidur Muham - mission of news TV channels month term for spot-fixing, Salman Butt, were punished spokesman confirmed the in - against those who did not ers, including three women, mad area of Sibi and escaped. across the province, including around three months ahead by ICC bans in February last cident, adding that the implement its orders. “Sev - were wounded in separate gun One man was killed and five in the provincial capital of schedule. year. Asif and Butt, serving airhostesses had been re - enteen judges have unani - and hand grenade attacks others, including three Quetta. BSO-M and BNP had Amir, 19, was detained one year and two and a half leased shortly after their de - mously passed a crystal across Balochistan on women, were wounded. The threatened a week ago that for six months in a young of - years respectively, both re - tention. The spokesman also clear order in the NRO case. Wednesday. house was allegedly used for they would suspend transmis - fenders’ institution after he main behind bars. said that an enquiry has been Do you want another excise Inspector Rajab immoral activities. Police cor - sions of all TV channels from admitted bowling two inten - Pakistan Cricket Board ordered into the matter. order?” Justice Khosa asked Umrani, who was the cousin doned off the area and started February 1 in Baloch-domi - tional no-balls in the Lord’s Chairman Zaka Ashraf has Ahsen, who replied that ac - of PPP ministers Mir Sadiq investigations after registering nated areas throughout the Test against england in Au - left the door open for him to Elahi flays Punjab tion on the order was cur - Umrani and Mohammad a case. In another incident, province against their partial gust 2010. He was found eventually return to interna - rently not possible. He said Amin Umrani, was found dead robbers looted Rs 10.9 million role towards Balochistan and guilty and jailed at the start tional cricket. “Whenever he govt for PiC deaths if the prime minister had in the Mirwa area in Naseer - from the education Depart - its issues, ignoring the excesses of November 2011. is cleared by the Interna - KArAchI: Senior Federal obtained advice, there was abad district. Before his death, ment’s office in Kharan dis - and cruelties being done in the As part of the sentence, tional Cricket Council and Minister Chaudhry Pervez no harm, but if he did not, it Rajab was riding a motorcycle, trict. Police said that four province, particularly the tar - Amir is to return to Pakistan, serves his punishment, we elahi said on Wednesday that did not warrant a crime. along with an armed guard – masked men armed with geted killing of political ac - though he is expected to re - think he needs intense coun - the Punjab government was Justice Ather Saeed en - an Afghan national, who could weapons barged into the de - tivists and recovery of bodies main in London for meetings selling and then the selectors responsible for killing of 140 quired who would be re - not be located. Police said it partment’s office and escaped of Baloch missing persons. with his lawyers over an appeal can decide about him,” people caused by use of sub - sponsible if the Rules of was not clear if Rajab was with Rs 10.9 million. STaff rEPOrT to the Court of Arbitration for Ashraf said last month. standard drugs. STaff rEPOrT Business were used wrongly. pakistan not aiding Taliban Continued FRom page 1 ArMY DISMISSIVE: “We have not seen the Pakistan’s army opted for report, and therefore can - He said: “Our stakes in silence over the NATO re - not offer comment on it peace in Afghanistan are far port with the Inter-Services specifically,” Pentagon higher than any other coun - Public Relations (ISPR) did spokesman George Little try.” Terming the NATO ac - not consider the leaked re - told AFP. “[But] we have cusations as ridiculous, he port worth commenting on. long been concerned about said they were “frivolous, to “So the BBC has moved ties between elements of put it mildly”. from ‘secret Pakistan’ to the ISI and some extremist “We have long been ‘NATO secret (leaks) re - networks,” he added. concerned about ties be - port’. The report is not In its conclusion, the re - tween elements of the ISI available and leaks are not port said there had been (Inter-Services Intelli - worth commenting on,” unprecedented interest in gence) and some extremist said the ISPR. joining the Taliban cause in networks,” Pentagon However, a security of - 2011 - even from members spokesman Captain John ficial who declined to be of the Afghan government. Kirby said according to a identified by name said “Afghan civilians frequently foreign news agency re - such baseless accusations prefer Taliban governance port. However, he added could harm the already over the Afghan govern - that the US Defence De - strained ties and also dam - ment, usually as a result of partment had not yet seen age the ongoing efforts on government corruption,” it the report. the part of both sides to put was reported as saying. Foreign Minister Hina relations back on track and PAKISTAN hINDErING Rabbani Khar said on revive counter-terrorism rEcONcILIATION: The Wednesday that Islamabad cooperation. Times, in an editorial, said had no hidden agenda in ThE LEAKED rEPOrT: Pakistan was “actively hin - Afghanistan. The NATO report said the dering reconciliation” be - Khar told reporters Pakistani security services tween the Taliban and after meeting Afghan Presi - were secretly helping the Kabul. “Islamabad appears dent Hamid Karzai that Taliban, who assumed their to be engaged in a system - claims against Pakistan’s victory was inevitable once atic effort to destabilise the sincerity in the war against Western troops left. The Kabul government of (Pres - terrorism had been made leaked “State of the Tal - ident) Hamid Karzai prior “many, many times”. “Pak - iban” report - seen by the to the withdrawal of West - istan stands behind any ini - BBC and British newspaper ern forces, and to assist tiative that the Afghan The Times - was compiled those attacking and killing government takes for from information gleaned those forces. The ISI peace,” she said. from insurgent detainees emerges from this docu - Responding to the and was given to NATO ment looking considerably NATO report, Khar said al - commanders in more villainous, even, than legations in the NATO re - Afghanistan last month, the the Taliban itself,” it said. port were “old wine in an media reports said. “The picture that is even older bottle”. She said It claims that Pakistan painted is very much one of Pakistan wanted to have and its ISI agency were a force that both expects, deep and long-standing re - aware of the locations of and is widely expected, to lations with Afghanistan. senior Taliban leaders. The have a big stake in control - “The intention of my BBC said the report was ling the Afghanistan of the visit here was to give a very based on material from future,” it concluded. strong message to Kabul 27,000 interrogations of ‘NOT A STrATEGIc about Pakistan’s desire to more than 4,000 captured STUDY’: Lieutenant have a long-standing deep Taliban and al Qaeda oper - Colonel Jimmie Cummings, relationship with atives, plus other foreign a spokesman for the NATO- Afghanistan,” Khar told a fighters and civilians. led International Security joint press conference with “Pakistan’s manipula - Assistance Force (ISAF), her Afghan counterpart Zal - tion of the Taliban senior confirmed the existence of mai Rasoul. leadership continues un - the document but said it During her visit she also abatedly,” the report was was not a strategic study. allayed the Afghan govern - quoted as saying. “ISI offi - Hours after The Times ment’s concerns, saying cers tout the need for con - report, the Afghan Taliban Pakistan did not have any tinued jihad and expulsion said that no peace negotia - secret agenda in of foreign invaders from tion process had been Afghanistan. “Pakistan Afghanistan.” agreed with the interna - stands for Afghanistan’s in - The Times quoted the tional community, “particu - dependence, Pakistan report as saying the Tal - larly the Americans”. stands for Afghanistan’s iban’s “strength, motiva - Taliban spokesman Zabi - unity, and in this regard, tion, funding and tactical hullah Mujahid said in a any threat to Afghanistan’s proficiency remains intact”, statement that prior to any unity and integrity is a despite setbacks in 2011. negotiations, confidence threat against Pakistan,” “Many Afghans are already building measures must be she said. bracing themselves for an completed, putting pres - She also held a meeting eventual return of the Tal - sure on Washington to meet with Afghan President iban… Once ISAF is no demands for the release of Hamid Karzai and ex - longer a factor, Taliban five Taliban in US custody. changed views on bilateral consider their victory in - The hardline Islamist relations between the two evitable,” it said. movement also said it had neighbouring countries. The US Department of no plans to hold prelimi - She invited Karzai to visit Defense said it could not nary peace talks with Pakistan and attend the comment on the report but Afghanistan’s government summit of Pakistan, Iran set out its fears about Pak - in Saudi Arabia, dismissing and Afghanistan scheduled istan and its influence in media reports of talks in the for this month. Afghanistan. kingdom. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:41 AM Page 5

Thursday , 2 February , 2012 News 05 Pakistan to reset US ties on equitable basis: Sherry WASHINgTON mentary review of Pakistan’s relations curity to the Afghans. “We are looking for trade, not aid — ONliNE with the United States neared its comple - “Pakistan wants to see a responsible we are looking for a level playing field in tion, more than two months after the No - withdrawal of international troops from trade relations, for our textile products.” AKISTAN’S Ambassador in vember 26 strikes on Pakistani Afghanistan,” she said, recalling reper - However, she would not go into specifics Washington Sherry checkposts, which claimed lives of 24 sol - cussions that Pakistan had to contend of the kind of relations Pakistan would Rehman has said that her diers in a major blow to bilateral ties. with in the aftermath of post-Soviet with - like to have with the United States, saying country wanted to forge a Islamabad, Sherry Rehman said, drawal in 1990s as the world powers left she would await the release of the parlia - relationship with the United stood for peace and stability in the region Pakistan alone to deal with the wreckage mentary review. PStates based on principles of mutual trust and was working to improve its bilateral of war that included social and security The envoy identified terrorism as a and respect. relations with its neighbours, including problems. Any instability in Afghanistan, major menace for Pakistan and noted “We want to reset our relations on a Afghanistan and India. the top Pakistani diplomat in Washing - that the country, its forces and people more equitable, consistent and pre - She particularly referred to the situa - ton said, would affect Pakistan more than have suffered the most in the anti-terror dictable basis,” she said in her first inter - tion in Afghanistan where NATO was any other country in the region. fight. Sherry assured the Pakistani- action with Washington-based Pakistani preparing to hand over security to Afghan Sherry also drew attention to Islam - American community of facilitation by media representatives since assuming forces as it moves to the year 2014 dead - abad’s longstanding demand that it gets the embassy in providing consular serv - her ambassadorial assignment. line to end combat operations in a fair treatment in terms of trade access ices and issuing identity documents in - Ambassador Sherry spoke as a parlia - Afghanistan and completely transfer se - to the United States. cluding passports. Extremists admit plot to blow up London Stock Exchange

LONDON afP

Four British extremists inspired by a former al Qaeda leader admitted in court on Wednesday to plotting to blow up the London Stock exchange in 2010. The men belonged to a group of fundamentalists who plotted a spate of mail bomb attacks during the run-up to Christmas that year and discussed launching a “Mumbai-style” atrocity, Woolwich Crown Court in London heard. Mohammed Chowdhury, 21, and Shah Rahman, 28, both from London, admitted preparing for acts of terrorism by planning to plant an improvised explosive device (IeD) in the toilets of the London Stock exchange. Brothers Gurukanth Desai, 30, and Abdul Miah, 25, both from Cardiff in Wales, admitted the same count. Five others, four from the central city of Stoke and another from Cardiff in Wales, also admitted involvement in the group. Police seized a hand-written target list that included the mayor of London, two rabbis and the US embassy during the arrests. Although they were not members of al Qaeda, prosecutors said they were inspired by the terror KaraChi: Oil tankers are parked at Shireen Jinnah Colony due to suspension of NaTO supply. ONLINE network and specifically Anwar al- Awlaqi, a suspected leader of the group in Yemen who was killed in September in what is thought to have been a US drone strike. The nine defendants “were implementing the published strategy of Politicians played a smart game AQAP” (al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the group’s deadliest global and convinced Nawaz that the opposi - ting his response in the apex court on Relations (ISPR) once again stated that branch), said prosecution lawyer tion parties should not use the memo to the memo issue, General Kayani held a the chief of army staff and the ISI direc - Andrew edis. The group, who met destabilise the Pakistan People’s Party meeting with Gilani. Following the tor general were obliged to narrate facts because of their membership of various MIAN ABRAR (PPP) government, which is already on meeting, a statement issued by the known to them in their responses to the extremist groups, had originally the verge of completing its tenure with Prime Minister’s House read: “The apex court on the memo issue. “Alle - challenged the charges against them and ITH the memo controversy nothing to lose. Fazl reasoned that the prime minister and the Army chief also giance to the State and the Constitution were due to stand trial, but at the 11th running out of steam, the PPP could earn political sympathy if its agreed that replies forwarded by the is and will always remain a prime con - hour they changed their pleas to guilty. W country’s civilian leadership government was toppled, sources said. COAS and DG ISI were in response to sideration for the respondent, who in They will be sentenced next week. has emerged successful in handling the Fazl also suggested that negotiations the notice of the court, through proper this case has followed the book,” said the situation with the support of top politi - were a better way forward to ensure a channel and in accordance with the rules ISPR statement. cians from both the ruling coalition and neutral caretaker government to hold of business and should not be miscon - The top general later held a detailed the opposition parties. next general elections under an impar - strued as a standoff between the Army meeting with Zardari, and a foreign 12 killed in road But one should also reckon the tial election Commission. Sources said and the government.” media outlet had claimed that during the sagacity demonstrated by Army Chief that Fazl even assured Nawaz that he However, on December 22 Gilani meeting, General Kayani had demanded accident in dir General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and his would convince President Asif Ali made two emotional speeches, claiming a statement by the government to dispel colleagues who made every effort to keep Zardari to step down as a prerequisite that conspirators were plotting to bring the impression created by Gilani. DIR the democratic system on track by bow - for general elections. This meeting gave down the democratic government. He also On January 25, the prime minister STaff rEPOrT ing to the civilian rule. way to Nawaz’s unscheduled visit to said that “a state within the state” would once again retracted his previous version This was no doubt the first rare oc - London and a drop scene to the memo not be allowed. He also claimed that the about his tirade against the COAS and DG controversy came, although the matter rules of business had been violated in ISI, saying he wanted to dispel the impres - Around 12 passengers, including women casion, when despite tensions cropping up between the government and the still remains with the apex court. sending replies to the court by the Army sion that Kayani and Pasha’s statements and children, were killed and eight armed forces, no opposition leader, in - According to defence analyst Hassan chief and the head of the Inter-Services In - had been submitted in the Supreme Court others injured in a road accident near cluding Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Askari Rizvi, backdoor channels worked telligence (ISI), and that the government in an unconstitutional manner and in vio - Sheringal town of Upper Dir on (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif who actu - quietly to soften the hard stance taken had been bypassed in this regard. lation of the rules of business. Wednesday. According to details, a ally took the memo to the Supreme by Kayani and Nawaz. “This case was The following day, Kayani rub - Talking to journalists at Chaklala Air passenger van bearing registration Court, became part of any conspiracy floated in the media by the armed forces bished Gilani’s allegations and a state - Base before leaving for Davos to attend number PSD-176, which was part of a against the democratic government. No and later it was none other than Nawaz ment by the military said that the army the World economic Forum meeting, three-vehicle convoy taking a dead body politician made any backdoor contacts Sharif who approached the apex court. would support the democratic process the prime minister said that his state - from Timergara to Doog Darra, plunged to invite the military for a takeover, as Though the matter is still pending with in the country. However, after a short ments regarding responses of General into a ravine at Jitkot. The dead were the tense situation in recent weeks could the court, both the army and Nawaz lull, Gilani once again hit back at Kayani and Lt General Shuja Pasha were identified as Siraj, Owais, Muhammad take an unexpected turn. have retreated which is self-explana - Kayani by telling a Chinese online daily relevant in certain situations. Yar, Shamim, Saeeda Bibi, Said In a recent meeting held at Punjab tory,” he said. on January 9 that General Kayani and “There were a lot of events taking Hakeem, Nawab, Amir Alam, and Inam. House, chiefs of opposition parties re - With the memo making headlines in General Pasha had violated the rules of place and there was overlapping by a lot The injured, including seven women, portedly advised the PML-N chief not to the media, it was none other than the business while submitting their re - of government functionaries on many is - prime minister, who after finding him - sponses to the Supreme Court in the sues, and I said in that context,” said the were taken to Dir DHQ Hospital. pursue his petition on the memo, as any self caught in a quagmire, took a bold memo case without the approval of the prime minister and added that later Police and local residents said that the ensuing tensions might lead to military intervention. Nawaz, who is the most re - initiative and opted for a hot pursuit competent authority. The government when he found out that some of the dis - other two vans did not notice that the cent victim of a military coup in 1999, against the army leadership, and when released the contents of Gilani’s inter - crepancies had been made by certain van had met an accident. Snow had agreed to the advice. his rhetoric worked, like a true politician view at a time when Kayani was on an functionaries, he took action against turned the roads slippery in the area but According to sources, Jamiat Ulema- he did not hesitate in mincing his words, official visit to China. them and those remarks were not un - the injured said that the driver’s e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur not once but twice, in a fortnight. However, Kayani kept his cool and a constitutional or against the rules for the drowsiness caused the accident. Rehman played the peacemaker’s role On December 16, a day after submit - rejoinder by the Inter-Services Public Army chief and the ISI chief. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:41 AM Page 6

06News Thursday, 2 February, 2012 Husband, wife burnt Pakistan continues to consider to death India existential threat: US

KHANEWAL WASHINgTON However, despite these appreciative STaff rEPOrT ONliNE steps in improving ties, India is expected to adopt a go slow policy in its talks with isi assisting Haqqani network AKISTAN continues to Pakistan on the issue of Siachen Glacier A husband and wife were burnt to consider India an existen - and Sir Creek, Clapper said. WASHINgTON death in their bedroom due to fire, tial threat despite the two “Less progress has been made in dis - ONliNE which erupted due to short-circuit. countries taking significant cussions over the difficult border issues According to details, Zahid, 30, and his appreciative steps in im - of Siachen Glacier and Sir Creek, and we A top Republican Senator has said that the pProving their ties, a top American intel - judge New Delhi will maintain a go-slow US should base its relationship with wife Saeeda, residents of Chak No ligence official said on Wednesday. approach in these negotiations,” he said. 39/10R Kacha Khu were sleeping in Pakistan with the full knowledge that the “Pakistan and our interests are not “Progress expanding trade ties has ISI, Pakistan’s military spy agency, their bedroom when fire erupted due to always congruent... Their existential also helped improve relations, and Is - continued to help the Haqqani Network short circuit due to which both of them threat continues to be India,” Director of lamabad in November publicly that attacks American troops in were seriously burnt and shifted to National Intelligence James Clapper told committed to a proposal for granting Afghanistan. “There is enormous political Khanewal DHQ Hospital by Rescue lawmakers at a Congressional hearing. most favored nation trade status to turmoil in Pakistan, and we have to base 1122 where both of them succumbed to Clapper said after a four-year pause, India,” he said. our relations on them with the full and their injuries. India and Pakistan revived expert-level The American intelligence official certain knowledge that the ISI is assisting In another incident near Chak No 5 discussions on conventional and nuclear also said India was unlikely to send the Haqqani Network, who are killing Kassi, two people Imran and Sajid were confidence-building measures (CBM). troops or heavy equipment to young Americans,” Senator John McCain Indian and Pakistani prime minis - Afghanistan, fearing a backlash from critically injured when two told the CNN in an interview. “We have to ters had cordial meetings during the Pakistan. motorcyclists collided. In another approach our relationship from a much more practical side,” McCain, the April international cricket champi - “New Delhi in the near term is un - Republican presidential nominee in 2008, said in response to a question. incident near Kassi Kohiwala, a tractor onships and the November South Asia likely to send troops or heavy equipment McCain’s remarks come a day after President Barack Obama confirmed that and motorcycle collided critically Association for Regional Cooperation to Kabul because it does not want to pro - American drones regularly targeted terrorists in the Federally Administered Tribal injuring two people Dildar and Haider. (SAARC) meeting, he said. voke Pakistan,” Clapper said. Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. NATO begins debate on France’s early Afghan exit g Leaked report accusing Pakistan of secretly aiding the Taliban also likely to be pondered upon

BRUSSELS $30 billion (22.8 billion euros) worth of afP military materiel in the mountainous, land - locked nation. NATO defence ministers begin talks today “Removing all the equipment and (Thursday) facing dilemmas after France forces we have there will take a long while,” abruptly decided to end its Afghan combat the official told AFP on condition of mission early and a leaked report accused anonymity. Pakistan of secretly aiding the Taliban. The French decision revived fears that The French move is set to dominate other allies, influenced by war-weary vot - two days of talks meant to review progress ers, would return home earlier. in the Afghan military transition, discuss “We are concerned there might be a ways to keep strong military capabilities in rush to the exit with one important ally times of austerity and prepare a May sum - opting out of the (transition) timeframe,” mit in Chicago. said an alliance diplomat. “The end of 2014 But allies will now also be confronted is realistic. This is the goal we should all with a NATO report, leaked to British aim for.” The report of Pakistani collusion media and based on interrogations of de - with the Taliban will also cast a shadow tainees, claiming that Islamabad, via its ISI over the meeting amid already tense rela - intelligence agency, is “intimately in - tions with Islamabad. volved” with the insurgency. “Pakistan’s manipulation of the Tal - President Nicolas Sarkozy announced iban senior leadership continues unabat - last week that France would end its combat edly,” the report, based interrogations of role in Afghanistan in 2013, a year early, more than 4,000 captured Taliban and al after four French toops were killed by a Qaeda operatives, was quoted as saying by renegade Afghan soldier. the BBC. The debate on Afghanistan will He also encouraged all allies to do the likely continue at the Munich Security Con - same, but officials indicated that NATO ference from Friday to Sunday, an annual would maintain a carefully crafted plan to gathering of top officials and military ex - hand Afghan forces full control of the bat - perts from around the world in the German tlefield by the end of 2014. city. In Munich, US Defence Secretary “We stick to the roadmap that was out - Leon Panetta will be joined Saturday by US lined at the NATO summit in Lisbon in No - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and vember 2010,” NATO chief Anders Fogh French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe for Rasmussen said on Monday. discussions on transatlantic relations and British Prime Minister David Cameron ties with Russia. cautioned against abrupt withdrawals. Former US secretary of state Henry “I don’t want to see some sort of cliff Kissinger will then lead a debate on US, edge in 2014 when all of the remaining europe and Asia with eU foreign policy troops come out at once,” Cameron told re - chief Catherine Ashton, Australian Foreign porters after talks Saturday with Afghan Minister Kevin Rudd and US Senator John President Hamid Karzai. McCain. “We don’t want to make it a Chi - With 130,000 foreign troops in nese-American debate. We also want to see Afghanistan, one senior NATO military of - how europe is viewed in Asia,” said veteran ficial said changing the calendar would be German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, the a logistical headache, noting that there is event’s chairman. France hopes to seal indian jet fighter deal in 9 months PArIS: France is confident that it can sign and seal a firm $12 billion deal to supply India with 126 Rafale fighter jets “within six to nine months”, government spokeswoman Valerie Pecresse said on Wednesday. The Rafale, a modern multi-role jet built by Dassault Aviation, has been selected by India as its preferred next generation interceptor, but details of the immense contract remain to be ironed out. “It needs to be finalised, but the French offer is the most competitive and that has been recognised by our partners,” Pecresse said, after President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the deal at a cabinet meeting. India on Tuesday announced it had selected the French firm Dassault over the eurofighter consortium for “exclusive negotiations” as the preferred bidder in a contract estimated to be worth $12 billion. If concluded, the contract would mark the first time the jet had found an export partner, despite being in service with the French military since 1998 and having proved itself in several conflicts. afP ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:41 AM Page 7

Thursday, 2 February, 2012

Two injured in cylinder blasts PAgE 08 Govt invites people’s wrath over fuel prices Citizens say rulers should cut their own expenditure through austerity

ISLAMABAD Talking to Pakistan Today, the people tors would go up. He complained that sential food items, electricity and gas were lief to the public but the government was MahTaB BaShir reacted severely on the rise of petroleum wheat flour, vegetables, beef, chicken and increased but no facilities had been doing the contrary. prices, saying that there was no place for sugar were being sold at ‘revised rates’ granted to the common people by the Talking to Pakistan Today, traders He recent increase in prices poor people to live in. “Inflation, power and the transporters were overcharging present government, despite the fact they claimed the cost of production and trans - of petroleum products has outages, water shedding and Sui Gas and with the excuse that the petrol prices had were not tax- evaders. She said it was very portation of goods would increase due to drawn stern reaction from CNG suspension has already put the increased. Muhammad Aftab, a private difficult to make both ends meet for the the increase in POL prices. They said that people who see it as another masses in deep trouble. Now we are wait - company employee, said that the govern - middle and lower class families. the government should have considered factor to cause inflation in ing for when the government will impose ment increased the pay of its employees “The poor is getting poorer and the the matter carefully before increasing the Tthe coming days. According to a notifica - a tax on breathing,” commented Kashif but its trickle-down impact was yet to be rich, richer. More and more people are fuel prices. tion issued by OGRA, the price of petrol Pervaiz, a resident of I-10. registered. committing suicides due to increasing Shiekh Muhammad Rashid, a busi - has been increased by Rs 5.37 per litre, The citizens said that the government Another employee of the company, poverty and unemployment,” said Sam - nessman, proposed that the government High Octane Blended Component was not interested in solving the prob - Tahir Saleem, said the price hike in POL ina Shakil, a housewife. should hold up increasing POL prices in (HOBC) by Rs 6.29, kerosene oil by Rs lems of the common man but engaged in products would result in increase in daily She said the prices of essential food global market for preventing local indus - 2.59, High Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs prolonging its tenure by hook or by crook. problems, adding that it seemed the gov - items had gone beyond the reach of a tries from collapsing. 4.64 and the price per litre of Light Diesel They said that instead of increasing pe - ernment was trying to kill the poor eco - common man and the situation would Sikandar Hayat Khan, an agricul - Oil (LDO) has been increased by up to Rs troleum prices, the government should nomically. He said that the POL price hike worsen after the recent surge in petro - turist, said that the increase was an 3.43, with immediate effect. have cut its own expenditure through had exposed the hollow claims of the gov - leum prices. “In these days of inflation, anti-farmer measure and would ruin After the massive increase announced austerity. ernment of stabilising the economy. He managing a kitchen has become very dif - the agriculture sector. He said that the by the authorities, the new price of petrol Arshad Malik, a government em - claimed that the increase was unjustified ficult,” she added. farmers were already facing financial has been fixed at Rs 94.91, HOBC Rs ployee, said that the unprecedented price because oil prices in the international Najmus Saqib, a medical representa - crunch due to shortage of irrigation 118.20, HSD Rs 103 46, LDO Rs 90.21, hike would affect the quality of common market were falling. tive, said the increase in petroleum prices water and high prices of agricultural while the kerosene oil will be sold at Rs man’s life as the cost of production in Lalarukh Farooq, a resident of would burden the salaried class further, inputs. Therefore the increase in fuel 126.11 per litre. agriculture, transport and industry sec - Rawalpindi Cantt area, said prices of es - adding that it was the time to provide re - prices would aggravate the problem. Another CdA ‘blue-eyed’ takes charge ISLAMABAD SalMaN aBBaS

Another favourite of the Capital Devel - opment Authority (CDA) chairman has taken charge as new CDA member plan - ning and design after the sudden trans - fer of his predecessor Tahir Shamshad, it has been learnt reliably. Abdul Aziz Qureshi, who earlier served in the planning commission, also the previous department of CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal, has been appointed as new member of planning and design of the city’s prime agency. However, some officials of the authority have opposed the move of appointing the outsiders on senior posts instead of considering the competent officials who have already been serving in the CDA for the last cou - ple of years. “The CDA is going through a critical phase and it will be difficult for its chief to run all the matters with his new team,” said a senior CDA official seeking anonymity. He said the present reshuf - fling in the authority had created fear among the senior staffers including CDA’s board members as most of the of - ficials were allegedly replaced for oppos - ing the projects being supervised by some influential persons. iSlaMaBad: She-male foundation of Pakistan President almas Bobby talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court. STaff phOTO Just few days back, the CDA chief re - placed engineering Abrar Shah with for - mer DG water management wing of the CDA, Sanaullah Aman, who is also said terror tHreat to be a class fellow of the CDA chief. Sources said Shah was appointed as member engineering for the sake of con - troversial Rs 8 billion Light emitting Diode (LeD) streetlight project which Rangers to secure Margalla Hills involved the replacement of 65,000 con - ventional streetlights with LeD lights. ISLAMABAD week. The intelligence agencies got the form security duties on the top and mid - firmed the report. The DC said the Sindh But he was removed from his office for STaff rEPOrT information from terrorists arrested dle portion of the hills; the FC would se - Rangers will provide 100 deer to the publishing a tender of Margalla Avenue from Taxila for their alleged involvement cure the foothills while the police would zoo. without consulting the stake-holders of Following a terror threat, the security for in the attack at the PMA Kakul Academy patrol the area on foot. The DC stated that during the pro - the CDA, the sources added. On the Margalla Hills was beefed up by deploy - last Friday. IcT TO SET UP rUrAL zOO: The Is - ject’s first phase, the ICT will utilise 136 other hand, Former Member P&D Tahir ing 200 more rangers on Wednesday. During the investigations, the terror - lamabad Capital Territory (ICT) admin - kanals of its own land, with simple fenc - Shamshad was also replaced with The Rangers were deployed at the ists said two of their aides were hiding in istration has decided to establish a zoo ing for keeping in the deer. Later a state- Qureshi for opposing the release of Rs 1 middle portions of the hills while the the Margalla Hills and planned to target in an Islamabad rural area. of-the-art zoo would be established billion for Kashmir Highway notwith - aerial surveillance of the area also con - sensitive installations from there. The zoo will be established in the there. standing the said funds were to be allo - tinued. Meanwhile, an important meeting Kirpa Village near Miraj Dam II. The Is - He added that the deer would be cated for Park enclave housing scheme. earlier, 10 sensitive points on the was held at the Chief Commissioner’s lamabad district, which has 12 Union kept in open areas and visitors would use However, CDA Member Planning Abdul top of the Margalla Hills were handed Office to review the city’s security. Councils, does not have any recreational elevated walkways to view them. He said Aziz Qureshi told Pakistan Today that over to the Rangers. The meeting was chaired by Islam - facility. The zoo would be the first facility the zoo’s fencing work would be started he had good experience in development It is relevant to note here that intel - abad Deputy Commissioner Amir for the population of 0.8 million. in the first week of March. work that he would exploit for the capi - ligence agencies warned the Islamabad Ahmed Ali and was attended by Security An ICT administration official said Islamabad has only one zoo, the tal city. “I have now become a part of police on Monday that terrorists might DIG Dr Majeeb-ur-Rehman, Major Bah - the survey of the area had been com - Marghazar Zoo, which is situated in the that team which is committed to work launch a missile attack on important city dar from the Rangers and Frontier Con - pleted and 136 kanals of land set aside urban area of the district. However, the for the development of federal capital,” buildings from the Margalla Hills in an stabulary officers. for the purpose. zoo does not house any exotic animals, he said, adding he had served on senior attack similar to the hit in Kakul on the A source told Pakistan Today that it When contacted, Islamabad Deputy such as lions and is in dire of attention posts and was capable of dealing with Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) last was decided that the Rangers would per - Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmed con - from the city managers. the matters of civic body smartly. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:42 AM Page 8 08Islamabad Thursday, 2 February, 2012 wEATHEr uPdATES Joint BisP-CFPd venture 16° C 173 graduates awarded High ‘Friendship Scholarships’ 08°C CLoudY Low g Chinese envoy lauds efforts of benazir income Support Programme FridAY SATurdAY SuNdAY ISLAMABAD 12° C i 10°C 11°C i 09°C 13°C i 07°C STaff rEPOrT

He Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has firm belief that a nation cannot make progress without catering to PrAYEr TiMiNgS the needs of poor segments of soci - Fajr Sunrise Zuhr Asr Maghrib isha ety and the Benazir Income Support TProgramme (BISP) has followed the same ap - 06:00 07:02 13:30 16:00 on sunset 19:00 proach while laying the foundation of a social welfare state three years back. BISP Chairperson Farzana Raja said this while speaking at a certificate-distribution cere - mony among 173 male and female graduates of CiTY dirECTorY the three-month vocational training course of ‘Pak-China Friendship Scholarship’ - a shared venture of BISP and China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD). The services to the poor is a practical mani - EMErgENCY HELP festation of the dreams and vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, PoLiCE EMErgENCY 15 she added. AMbuLANCE 115 During the ceremony, Waseela-e-Haq cheques worth Rs 14 million were also distrib - rESCuE 1122 uted among 92 families. HiLAL-E-AHMEr 9250488 Besides others, Ambassador of China in Pak - EdHi FouNdATioN 2827844 istan Liu Jian, PPP Punjab President Imtiaz Saf - dar Warriach, PPP MNAs Raja Pervaiz Asharf, boMb diSPoSAL 9270698 Qamar Zaman Kaira and Nadeem Afzal Chan FirE brigAdE CENTrE 16 were also present. CiViL dEFENCE 9262830 Farzana Raja said they were grateful for the The BISP was intending to enroll more than ture endeavours as well. He said the mutual co - cooperation of Chinese government and CFPD one million children through Waseela-e-Taleem operation between BISP and CFPD in vocational for curbing poverty in Pakistan. She said finan - initiative from the beneficiary families in schools training was improving ties between the two HoSPiTALS cial self-sustainability for the poor and the in April 2012 to secure their future, she main - countries. He also congratulated BISP for downtrodden was being sought through voca - tained. launching the successful vocational training pro - tional training programme under Waseela-e- The Chinese Ambassador said that BISP was gramme. MAHrooF iNT 2222920 Rozgar and interest-free loan for business doing remarkable job regarding poverty allevia - Imtaiz Safdar Warriach and Raja Pervaiz PiMS 9261170 through Waseela-e-Haq. tion, and China would keep on supporting its fu - Ashraf also spoke on the occasion. PoLY CLiNiC 9218300 CdA 9221334 SHiFA iNTErNATioNAL 4603666 Two injured in cylinder blasts ALi 4444435 diSTriCT HqS 5556311-14 ISLAMABAD uLTrASoNiC CLiNiC 2824862 STaff rEPOrT HoLY FAMiLY 9290319 Two persons have been injured in cylinder explo - sions at a re-filling shop here on Wednesday in bLood bANK Sector G/12. Some five cylinders ex - ploded at Hafiz Gas Point PiMS bLood bANK 9261272 near at Hamza Chowk in Mara Abadi. PoLY CLiNiC bLood bANK 9209123 The blasts caused due to fire which erupted after short circuiting, eyewit - CoMPLAiNT nesses and police said. The area falls in the juris - diction of Ramna Police wAPdA 111-000-118 Station. A worker, Majid Mahmood, and owner of Sui gAS 1199 the shop, Abid, suffered injuries during the inci - dent. However, they are reportedly in stable con - rAiLwAYS dition. Two other shops were also badly damaged in the ex - CiTY STATioN (ENquirY) 117 plosions. rESErVATioN 9273614 The incident sparked panic and fear in the rAiLwAY PoLiCE 1333 neighbourhood, however, heavy contingent of police and Bomb Disposal Squad officials reached the scene AirPorT iSlaMaBad: firefighters struggle to extinguish the fire caused by a gas cylinder explosion in a shop near Sector G-11/1. STaff phOTO to control the situation.

FLigHT ENquirY 114 PiA rESErVATioN 111-786-786 sorry Juliet! silent WHisPers drumming CirCle CoLLEgES / uNiVErSiTiES

iNTErNATioNAL iSLAMiC uNiVErSiTY 9260765 bAHriA uNiVErSiTY 9260002 NuML 9257677 dATE: F EbruArY 03 — 05, 2012 dATE: J ANuArY 25 — FEbruArY 11, 2012 dATE ANd TiME: FEb 4, AT 05:00 PM, wEEKLY EVENT quAid-E-AZAM uNiVErSiTY 90642098 VENuE: THE 3rd bASE, iSLAMAbAd VENuE: NoMAd gALLErY, iSLAMAbAd VENuE: T HE CENTrE For ArTS ANd CuLTurE Arid AgriCuLTurE uNiVErSiTY 9290151 est Ever Musical Comedy!!!!! Silent whispers is about the ability to hear the voice our drumming circle is a (free!) ongoing FJwu 9273235 of agony and pain that is around us. The artist within event and is held every Friday from 5 to 6 “Sorry Juliet! romeo Loves Paaro” is about the me is sensitive enough not only to listen to these riPHA iNTErNATioNAL uNiVErSiTY 111510510 Montagues and Capulets are two rivalry p.m. NCA rAwALPiNdi 5770423 families. They are involved in a family feud whispers but also to empathize with the ... we are having a great time, and want to that goes back years before an ... share the good time with you! our PuNJAb LAw CoLLEgE 4421347 drumming circle has children ... ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:42 AM Page 9

Thursday , 2 February , 2012 Islamabad 09 world wetlands day to be celebrated today ISLAMABAD STaff rEPOrT

The World Wetlands Day will be celebrated on February 2 (today) to raise public awareness about the values and benefits of wetlands. This year, World Wetlands Day celebra - tions will focus on the theme ‘Wetland and Tourism’, with a slogan ‘Wetland Tourism: A Great experience’, which has been de - signed to create awareness about the role tourism plays in our environment. Wetland tourism has both local and na - tional benefits for people and wildlife, such as stronger economies, sustainable liveli - hoods, healthy people and thriving ecosys - tems. Wetlands also provide water and food and other services such as water pu - rification, erosion and control to benefit tourists and their accommodation. Wetlands are habitats that fall on the envi - ronmental spectrum between the land and water. They sustain both terrestrial and aquatic life and possess a unique mixture of species. Therefore, the wetlands are among the earth’s most diverse habitats. Wetland soils, also known as hydric soils, are shaped by water. These soils are satu - rated or submerged throughout the year. The hydric soils vary depending on the composition of soil and water in the area and therefore, wetlands vary greatly throughout the world. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan Wetlands Programme has been a trend-setter in developing a firm base for iSlaMaBad: argentine ambassador rodolfo J Martin Saravia and his wife, dr Shahzad Waseem and artist Mehar-un-Nisa asad during a craft exhibition mainstreaming the values of wetlands at the argentine embassy. STaff phOTO across Pakistan. The programme, being implemented by the WWF Pakistan, would announce the celebration of one of its mega events that is held each year on Feb - body to select new ruary 2, to mark the date of adoption of the International Convention on Wetlands in PNCA painting exhibition iiui president Ramsar, Iran in 1971. ISLAMABAD: The new president of In - ternational Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) would be selected by a committee Na’at competition marks Kashmir Day comprising senior government officials. Rector Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik on today ISLAMABAD Jehanzeb Malik, Sardar Muhammad, of lives for their freedom. “The Pak - Wednesday formed a search committee to STaff rEPOrT Ghulam Qasim, Abdul Rahim Abbas, istani and Kashmiri people will con - shortlist three suitable candidates for the ISLAMABAD Tahir Alam and Abbas Shah dis - tinue to raise their voice against post of the president of the university. STaff rEPOrT RTISTS from across the played contemporary art works in Indian atrocities and will keep pres - Justice Agha Rafique Ahmad, Federal All Pakistan Annual Na’at Competition country presented their various mediums to highlight the surising the international commu - Shariat Court Chief justice Dr Javaid H is being held at ZA Bukhari Auditorium work at the National Art miseries of the Kashmiri people. nity to play its role in giving the Leghari, HeC Chairman Shehnaz Wazir Ali of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation A Gallery (NAG) of the Pak - Most of these paintings depicted Kashmiri people the right of self de - MNA, former SBP governor Dr Ishrat Hus - (PBC) here in the city today for celebrat - istan National Council of the Arts the brutality of Indian forces to - termination,” he said. sain and Salman Bashir are members of ing eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH). (PNCA), to mark the Kashmir day wards the Kashmiri people. The Talking about the exhibition, the committee. IIUI Rector Prof Fateh Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and express their solidarity with the artists in Gallery No.11 of National Nasir said the Pakistan National Muhammad Malik is member secretary of Syed Khurshid Shah will be the chief people of Kashmir. Art Gallery paid rich tributes to the Council of the Arts had arranged the the committee. The committee aims to en - guest of the event which will be co- 25 established artists from all Kashmiri martyrs. The tainted faces exhibition as a part of its activities sure transparency in the process of selec - hosted by the Pakistan Broadcasting over the country, including Afshar and bodies of the Kashmiri people, to mark the Kashmir Day on Febru - tion of a suitable candidate for the post of Corporation and Pakistan Television Malik, Rahat Saeed, Humaira Ijaz, the Indian occupation and the pic - ary 5. “Through these paintings and the president of the university. In terms of Corporation (PTV). All AM and FM-93 Quddus Mirza, Raja Changez Sultan, turesque valleys and fields were the other scheduled programmes, the relevant provision of the rules, the IIUI stations of Radio Pakistan will put the Asma Mehmood, Mubina Zuberi, artists’ prime focus. Pakistan National Council of the rector is authorised to propose a panel of programme on air live at 10:10 am. All Hajra Mansoor, Salima Hashmi, Pakistan National Council of the Arts wants to show the world that three names to the authority concerned for stations of FM-101 will broadcast Musarrat Nahid Imam, Masood Arts DG Tauqir Nasir said the Kash - the Kashmiris are not alone, and we consideration of the appointment of the recording of the programme on Sunday. Hameed, Mansur Rahi, Anwer miri people had been fighting are standing firm beside them,” the president, But the rector preferred the case Pakistan Television Corporation will Saeed, Ali Raza, Shehbaz Malik, against a despotic power for the last Pakistan National Council of the to the committee for processing in a trans - also telecast the event live. Dervesh, Arif Minhas, Aftab Zafar, 65 years and had sacrificed millions Arts chief said. parent manner. STaff rEPOrT USaID to build education facilities at seven universities

ISLAMABAD ernment’s long-term commitment to STaff rEPOrT help build a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan.” The USA will build new buildings for Higher education Commission faculty education at six Pakistani uni - Chairman Dr Javaid Laghari appreci - versities and renovate a seventh educa - ated the efforts of the USAID for im - tional facility. proving the quality of education in The $15 million construction initia - Pakistan. tive was officially launched at the USAID will construct new buildings Higher education Commission, where at the Sardar Bahadur Khan Women the United States Agency for Interna - University in Quetta; the Hazara Uni - tional Development (USAID) represen - versity in Mansehra; the University of tatives signed a Memoranda of education in Lahore; the University of Understanding with representatives of Sindh in Hyderabad; the University of the seven universities. Karachi and the Sardar Abdul Latif Uni - The construction will take place versity in Khairpur (Sindh). The agency over the next two years. The new and will also renovate the Institute of edu - renovated buildings will eventually fa - cation and Research at the University of cilitate 2,000 students and 100 faculty the Punjab. These new facilities will members each year. support the implementation of two new USAID Deputy Director for Pak - degree programmes, including a four- istan Karen Freeman said: “Pakistan year Bachelor’s Degree in education and the United States have enjoyed a (B.ed.) and a two-year Associate Degree long and productive relationship that in education (ADe) designed in collab - spans over more than 60 years and cov - oration with the US to increase the ers a variety of fields. Today’s ceremony quality of the training given to college iSlaMaBad: federal Minister Mir hazar Khan Bijarani administers anti-polio drops to a child at directorate of health Services. is yet another expression of the US gov - and university teachers. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:42 AM Page 10

10 Islamabad Thursday, 2 February, 2012 CDA to resume construction on Potohari Village

ISLAMABAD the CDA chairman Farkhand Iqbal and ect which resulted in higher costs as itage representatives. village would serve as a showcase for SalMaN aBBaS attended by the CDA Board Secretary, compared to the original estimates. Iqbal directed the committee to traditional crafts and handloom her - Director Arts and Crafts Village, Indus The village was to be built near come up with a comprehensive plan to itage, generate income and provide Is - He Capital Development Au - Heritage (IH) representatives and other Shakarparian on 26 acres of prime land. start arts and crafts activities in the vil - lamabad with a unique shopping and thority (CDA) decided on senior officials of the civic body. It aimed to provide poor artisans a plat - lage and to ensure that the necessary entertainment experience. Wednesday that the Poto - The controversial Arts and Craft vil - form for displaying their work in cul - maintenance work was completed at a He said that the Potohari Village T hari Arts and Crafts Village lage is not functional and investigation tural exhibitions. faster pace. He also directed the author - was constructed to promote indigenous would be made fully functional and its agencies have been looking into the During the meeting various propos - ity’s formations to complete the land - arts and to enhance inter-provincial maintenance completed faster. anomalies in the project. als came under discussion, including scaping in the village. harmony. He said the exhibitions at the The decision was taken during a Former CDA chairmen, including the constitution of a high level commit - Iqbal said the CDA will invite artists village would promote a softer image of meeting regarding the village held at Tariq Mahmood and Imtiaz Iniyat elahi tee to be headed by the CDA Chairman and craftsmen from across the country the country as foreign diplomats and the CDA headquarters, presided over by did not take much interest in the proj - and comprising of CDA and Indus Her - to display their creations. He said the delegates would visit the village. bahria university to hold orientation session ISLAMABAD STaff rEPOrT

Bahria University, Islamabad Campus, is going to hold a two-day orientation session on February 2 and February 3 for its fresh batch of spring 2012. During these two days, students will be made familiar with the environment of the university and briefed on the rules and regulations. The students will be ac - quainted with the working of the univer - sity, its examination process, academic policies, co-curricular activities and the general rules which the students are ex - pected to abide by. The campus director along with the heads of departments will address the students. After the briefing session, they will be taken on a tour to the campus, including the library, aca - demic blocks, gymnasium, cafeterias and other important places. Ngo to get rs 8.3m from Japan ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan has decided to extend financial support of Rs 8.3 million to the NGO RORWALI for the construction of a concrete irrigation iSlaMaBad: PPP information Secretary qamar zaman Kaira talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court after the hearing of PM Gilani’s contempt case. STaff phOTO channel in Village Thakhtabad, District Pe - shawar. The agreement for the project was signed on Wednesday between Hiroshi Oe, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, and SAFroN minister Dr Shabir Ahmad Khan, Chairman of pakistani students in Cuba show RORWALI, at the Japanese ambassador’s lauds uNHCr role residence in Islamabad, says a press re - excellent performance lease issued here by the Japan embassy. It ISLAMABAD says the purpose of the project is to achieve STaff rEPOrT ISLAMABAD percent, Bolivia 97.69 percent, China by the end of February 2012. The sec - constant and timely provision of irrigation United Nations High Commissioner for STaff rEPOrT 97.28 percent and Nicaragua 96.77 ond batch of 602 students has com - water in the project area by cementing ex - Afghan Refugees (UNHCAR) Antonio percent, said a press release issued by pleted three years of medical study isting unpaved and muddy irrigation chan - Guterres called on Federal Minister for The Higher education Commission the HeC. The scholarship of Pakistani along with a comprehensive course in nel. Through this project, farmers in the SAFRON engineer Shaukatullah Khan (HeC) on Wednesday said that Pak - students includes tuition fee, books, Spanish and their fourth year will also village and its surroundings will get water Wednesday and discussed with him all the istani medical students in Cuba have free laundry, halal food, lodging, start by the end of February 2012. with consistent flow throughout the year, issues regarding repatriation of the Afghan shown remarkable performance health insurance and other miscella - The students would return to Pak - and even farmers on the tail of channel refugees. The federal minister said repatri - among students from over 120 coun - neous expenditures. In addition, the istan in 2013 and 2014, after successful would also have sufficient water to irrigate ation of the Afghan refugees was the most tries. Over 900 Pakistani students are government of Pakistan is providing a completion of their studies in Cuba. It their farmlands. The project is expected to important issue in Pakistan and they knew pursuing medical studies funded by monthly stipend of 50 euros per month is expected that these students would benefit about 1,300 households. At the that all Afghans could not return to their the government of Cuba. to all the students and return air ticket. be able to make a substantial contribu - ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador homeland due to the non-conducive envi - The results for the academic year The first batch of 310 students has tion to improve the health sector of stressed that improvement of irrigation fa - ronment in Afghanistan. The government 2010-11 show that the cumulative re - completed four years of medical study Pakistan and would also further cilities and rural development was one of of Pakistan has approved a repatriation sult of Pakistani students was 99.67 along with a comprehensive course in strengthen the bilateral relations be - the priorities of the Japan’s assistance pol - strategy that envisages temporary manage - percent followed by ecuador 98.28 Spanish and their fifth year will start tween Pakistan and Cuba. icy towards Pakistan. STaff rEPOrT ment of the Afghans in Pakistan through a flexible visa regime, work permits, student visas and such other arrangements, he maintained. The minister added that reha - bilitation and reintegration efforts inside ‘20 commodities registered 7% price hike in January’ Afghanistan required immediate attention, adding the RAHA initiative for the Afghans ISLAMABAD the prices of all the poultry items with The change in prices of vegetables percent. Only the price of salt powder in Pakistan for skill development, educa - STaff rEPOrT broiler chicken live registering the was due to the seasonal effect, the registered an increase of 2 percent. tion and health facilities was a momentous highest increase of 29 percent, fol - prices of potatoes (19 percent) and Despite an increase in the price of and crucial aspect in this regard. The fed - The Free and Fair election Networks lowed closely by broiler chicken meat tomatoes (10 percent) came down as kitchen fuels, the prices of plates of eral minister expressed appreciation and (FAFeN) report on Wednesday said (28 percent). There was a 19 percent the harvesting season of these crops cooked beef, vegetables and dal de - gratitude on the behalf of government of the prices of 20 commodities increased hike in the price of eggs per dozen continued across the country. How - creased by 1 percent each. However, a Pakistan for the UNHCR’s role and its in January, compared to the preceding while beef and mutton registered an ever, onions recorded a 6 percent in - prepared tea cup registered a 2 percent services for the Afghan refugees, flood af - month, while the prices of 25 com - increase of 2 percent and 1 percent, re - crease in price. increase. fectees and internally displaced persons in modities decreased and seven re - spectively. The prices of all the ob - Similarly, as the harvest of the sug - Among medical services, the cost of Pakistan. He assured that Pakistan would mained unchanged. served kitchen fuels - LPG (11 percent), arcane crop continued, desi shaker, blood and urine tests increased by 2 continue to adhere to the principles of vol - The FAFeN collected the prices of firewood (1 percent) and kerosene oil sugar and gur, registered a respective percent and 1 percent, respectively. untary and gradual repatriation of the 52 commodities from 179 retail outlets (1 percent) - also went up. Among decrease of 9 percent, 7 percent and 7 The average prices of yoghurt, Afghans to their homeland. Antonio Guter - in 91 districts across the country on fruits, oranges (24 percent), red apples percent in prices. fresh milk, branded cooking oil and res thanked the federal ministry and the January 10, 2012. (5 percent) and bananas (3 percent) The prices of all the observed rice vegetable ghee, blood sugar test, wheat government of Pakistan for their coopera - Twenty commodities that included registered an increase in prices while varieties decreased as well, with irri-6, flour and Disprin tablets remained un - tion with the UNHCR in implementing the poultry products, kitchen fuels, meat, that of golden apples fell by 2 percent. basmati-386 and basmati broken de - changed between December 10, 2011 strategy, mechanism and procedure for the medical services and fruits registered Afghans’ repatriation. Representative of Gram pulse and chickpeas each creasing by 2 percent, 1 percent and 1 and January 10, 2012. UNHRS in Pakistan, Federal SAFRON Sec - an average increase of 7 percent but 25 registered a 1 percent increase, percent, respectively. FAFeN is a network of 42 civil so - retary Habibullah Khan Khattak, Chief commodities, including pulses, rice va - whereas the prices of pulses, masoor (4 Among condiments and spices, ciety organisations working to foster Commissioner for the Afghan Refugees, rieties, cooked items, vegetables and percent), moong (3 percent), mash (3 garlic and ginger registered a decline democratic accountabilities in Pak - Fida Muhammad Wazir and high officials condiments saw a 4 percent decrease percent), red beans (2 percent), black of 8 percent in their respective prices, istan. It is governed by the Trust for of the ministry of SAFRON were also pres - in prices. gram (2 percent) and white beans (2 while the price of turmeric decreased Democratic education and Accounta - ent during the meeting. A major increase was recorded in percent) registered a decline. by 4 percent and red chili powder by 3 bility. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:42 AM Page 11

Thursday , 2 February , 2012 Editor’s mail 11 Flight safety violations in defence of CM Punjab If reports and letter by a passenger, out safety inspections should be sacked and the airline permission for grant of to rumours that bribery and corruption These days some PPP stalwarts are which has been published by all newspa - and their licenses cancelled for life. AOC have no business to be involved are rampant in CAA. All those who are targeting unfairly CM Punjab for deaths pers of Pakistan that a local airline, reg - This is a very serious flight safety vi - with aviation. It is our airports that on the board of governors, including due to faulty or expired medicines sup - ulated and permitted by CAA had olation and the very purpose for cre - have the highest incidences of bird hits, chairman and concerned secretary plied by dubious dealers. The CM Punjab installed passenger seats obstructing ac - ation of CAA stands nullified if such because the CAA failed to assert its au - should face criminal charges for this has been trying his level best to run af - cess to emergency exit door of an air - naked violations are occurring, which thority to prevent mushrooming of resi - criminal negligence that could have re - fairs of 100 million people of Pakistan craft, operating schedule commercial are visible to naked eye. PIA flights to dential societies, marriage halls etc in sulted in deaths of hundreds, if this air - but he is not an angel but a human being passenger flights are true, then DG CAA, eU airports were suspended from oper - the sterile zone surrounding our major craft had ever to face an emergency who in spite his best efforts to run the af - Director Flight Safety Standards and Di - ation for much minor violations. All airports located in Karachi, Lahore, Is - evacuation. fairs honestly and efficiently is blamed rector Aeronautical Inspection Division those responsible for overlooking this lamabad, Peshawar and Multan. GULL ZAMAN by vested interests. How can he be held and those inspectors assigned to carry gross violation and giving this aircraft Such violations only give credence Peshaw ar responsible for dishonesty of some sup - pliers when he personally cannot hu - manly ensure that nobody plays dirty? NATo supplies His record of rehabilitating kidney There are reports of the NATO supply centres for poor masses and in setting up route being opened from Pakistan’s side of model schools for poor masses are not this month. Americans have been giving small matters to be ignored by his fault the impression that this halting of Nato finders. Unfortunately, when the top containers from Pakistan was not impact - man of the country is known for mega ing its supply or affecting the cost that is scams how can we ensure that every per - much cheaper than the Northern Distri - son in Punjab would work honestly? bution Network (NDN). The Central There is a climate of corruption and poor Asian states host the NDN that enables CM has tried is level best to set the mat - movement of NATO supplies and troops ters right. How about Rs 10 billion scam to Afghanistan. According to US esti - in Sindh education department about mates, 55 percent of non-lethal cargo at ghost teachers which is not highlighted present goes through NDN using road by PPP leaders? and rail network. The long distance, the DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI unfriendly terrain, the environment and Lahore roads condition take the US to pay six times more than the cost it spends while democracy at work but… using the Pakistan route. Though the plans are underway to The democracy is indeed at work in further increase the NDN capacity, yet it the country but unfortunately our balky is facing a lot many hurdles which are not and boisterous bureaucracy in our public likely to be overcome. Presently the cargo sector organisations is not working with passing through Pakistan only is subject due democratic sense, thanks to decade– to terrorist attacks. However, when lethal long dictatorial legacy and mindset cargo is added to the traffic on NDN which are a real handicap in their work - routes, it is definitely going to invite the ing. They are designed to resonate with wrath of the terrorists much to the cha - each other. They are busy in wasting grin of Central Asian leaders. Hence, the time and other resources. They don’t NDN just cannot replace Pakistani route have their mission statements and vi - for sustaining NATO forces in To the safer shores, then sion. “Where there is no vision, the peo - Afghanistan. ple perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Let’s develop vision and ESCHMALL SARDAR After an uneventful Memogate saga, the former ambassa - the commission even though he was offered countless assur - promote the rule of law so as to perpetu - Peshawar dor, Mr Husain Haqqani has left Pakistan for a Gulf country ances of security. The situation only details how fragile an in - ate this country and its countrymen. from where he is expected to fly to the United States. This vestigation process can be if some big fish are involved. HASHIM ABRO Safety precautions was only possible after the only witness and key evidence ALI ANJUM Islamabad As many as 11 miners succumbed in - holder Mr Mansoor Ijaz failed to appear before the court or Lahore side a mine near Abbottabad where the The bleak situation entrance was blocked by a big boulder. Killer drugs articles. Quite obviously, the commuters American drones which are striking on The rescue operation, hampered by non- will be paying more for journey by buses, militants in the Pakistan’ tribal areas! The metropolitan city of Karachi is availability of earthmoving machinery, For the past two weeks, few anchors wagons or rickshaws. Yes, we all know these are American facing target killings again. Terror is in - took 48 eight hours and this time was and politicians have been spreading Cutting the long sad story short, the drones, but it was never acknowledged creasing day by day in the heart of inno - enough for stranded miners to lose their venom and playing politics on the death latest three-drone attack by the federal for legal reasons as the US and Pakistan cent people. They have to think hard lives. Miners’ security and lack of appro - of over 100 innocent citizens of Pakistan. government across the board on the peo - are officially not at war with each other. before going out. Their life is in danger. priate rescue machinery has always re - What concrete positive purpose is served ple has necessitated the need for hectic There is no doubt that drones have I hope for the best and pray to Allah mained a critical issue in our country. by such talk shows other than exposing search for technological innovations in been quite effective in eliminating scores to give tolerance and understanding to The miners, people who do mucking in - their biases and hidden agendas? It is fuel saving. of infamous militants but at the same innocent people’s families who have lost side mines, are one of the poorest and about time that the electronic media DANIYAL A NAJMI time trigger-happy CIA operators were their loved ones in target killing. uneducated segments of our society. Un - stopped sensationalising and produce for Lahore careless in avoiding civilian causalities. MUHAMMAD ADEEL aware of security measures to be adopted their viewers analysis based on profes - Such an open claim by the US president Karachi inside mines, they work hard for meagre sional opinion in the field related to the banning concerts will put the Pakistan government on de - sum of money, just to keep their bones fensive to either force the US to stop the issue, so that the public is made aware of After the stampede tragedy at the Al - and flesh together, with great perils en - attacks or strike back on the drones – ap - drug regulatory authority facts, instead of what they have been hamra Cultural Complex, the Punjab compassing their lives. parently both are impossible tasks but doing. government has banned concerts in edu - Due to lack of rule of law, everything Mines Act, promulgated in 1923, good enough to further damage the pres - Private media television channels cational institutes through a resolution. is possible in the country. Multinational need various modification and onus must ent government’ credibility in the eyes of which earn billions from advertisements Personally, I am in favour of this ban but and local pharmaceutical companies are be put upon mine owners to provide se - its own people. and sponsorships have helped society in democracy majority is the power. If engaged in minting money. There is no curity apparatus to miners to ensure their This chest thumping policeman of through their investigative reporting in - majority of the youth wants this, Punjab drug regularity authority in the country. safety. Recently, the rescue operations the world is sitting next to the very peo - stead of relying on fantasy. Few of these government should reverse this contro - The government has no proper check carried out in Brazil indicate how human ple it is targeting in Pakistan’ tribal areas. anchors, who had been calling for the versial resolution. This shows non-seri - and control on these companies. Local lives are respected in other countries. The The American and Taliban talks are get - scalp of CM Punjab, should now, by the ousness and casual attitude of our companies pay heavy fee for registration 11 poor miners who lost lives due to mine ting underway in Qatar (though at low same logic, call for the scalp of the parliamentarians who passed this resolu - of drug and subsequently get approval collapse and delayed rescue activities level representation); strangely both provincial minister for health where the tion without finding any facts and fig - from labs. For instance, Glaxo is a multi - show how inhumane we are. The govern - Afghan and Pakistani governments are factory is located, but will they? ures. In stead of punishing the culprits, national company operating in Pakistan. ment should pay reasonable monetary out of these talks. Apparently, the US ad - SYED JAWAID HUSSAIN Punjab assembly banned any entertain - Zantac is a product of Glaxo which is compensation to the families of these de - ministration is looking for a break - Multan ment event in the province. What an used for the treatment of ulcer. Its price ceased miners. through in Afghanistan prior to the amazing way to solve a problem! in Pakistan is Rs 88 per strip (10 tabs) IFTIKHAR MIRZA Petrol bombs presidential elections. But solo flights – whereas Zantac’s price in India is only Rs Islamabad ZAHID RASHID Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir whether in form of drones or isolated 5 (10 tabs). After hurling petrol bombs for sev - talks with Taliban – are not going to end There is a clear price discrimination difference in attitude eral months together, the federal govern - the conflict any time soon. between the two countries. A proper ment has resorted to throwing of double dealing I read in a newspaper that a mass It’s regrettable that the Americans medicine saves one life whereas a spuri - homemade drones on the people hitting wedding was held in Karachi where 50 As Republican presidential candi - will leave the region with a mess behind ous drug becomes a threat to life. I think them very hard indeed. Such high in - couples married. The event was organ - dates are increasing the rhetoric against manifold in gravity as compared to their a proper drug regularity authority should ised at the YMCA Ground by the Upleta crease in petrol and diesel prices and levy Obama, the American administration exit in 1989. Peace in the region will re - be created in the country. By taking con - Memon Association and Welfare Trust. of surcharge on CNG has not only in - seems to be confused in its response. main an illusion, especially when the US crete measures, we can save ourselves Karachi Commissioner Roshan Ali creased financial burden on those using This is what one can conceive from the is going to leave a triumphant group in from incidents like the one that hap - Shaikh attended the mass wedding cere - petrol, diesel or CNG in their vehicles but American actions in the Af-Pak region. Afghanistan, ready to strike on its foes. pened at the PIC. mony on behalf of President Asif Ali also set the vicious circle of price-hike of What forced Obama to accept on a public MASOOD KHAN TARIQ HUSAIN KHAN Zardari and announced that the presi - almost every item, in particular daily use chatting social network forum that it’s Jubail, Saudi Arabia Karachi dent would bear all the expenses of the ceremony. when to resign Also in the newspaper I read that in I joined the Pakistan Army in 1963. gifted to her by her mother-in-law to Major events including drill. In couple of years failed to convince him not to resign as it Indian city a mass wedding was organ - Those were good days; the army had Shafqat Baloch for defending Lahore. he was to be promoted as Subedar Major. was not such a big issue. But Sub Lal ised by a local politician and in this wed - pride and honour. The officers mostly In the unit there were a lot of stories One fine morning as duty JCO he was to Khan stood firm and said if I continue to ding ceremony 1000 couples get married. travelled to office on bicycles, only a few of unit’s performance under Brig Nowsh - mount the guard at unit quarter guard. serve I shall not be able to face the NCO The local politician who organised the officers had private cars. The staff cars erwan Khan of 1948 Kashmir battle. While inspecting the guard he missed his as well as my family. The only hon - event is an MLA and he also got married were used only for official duty. Any sen - There was also a story of Subedar Lal steps and could not keep in step with the ourable thing for me is to go home with in this mass wedding. ior officer passed over used to resign. Khan, who resigned in 1948 at Abb - guard commander and NCO. After the my honour and dignity. This shows that in Pakistan high pro - I joined 17 Punjab; the same from otabad but the story was still fresh in the guard mounting, he came straight to the This is the army I grew up with and file personalities and politicians neither which Raja Aziz Bhatti got Nishan-e- minds of soldiers in 1965. Adjutant’s office, took off his cross belt, fought two wars with India. There were go to these events nor they bear the ex - Haider and Shafqat Baloch SJ for defend - Subedar Lal Khan was a very hon - saluted and said, “Sir, I hereby resign my no NROs. An officer must know when to penses. ing Hudiara in 1965.The nation was so ourable and brave JCO, who had fought commission because I was outsmarted by quit honourably. MUBASHIR MAHMOOD proud of the army that a widow from well during the Second World War and the guard commander this morning.” LT COL (retd) M SHAHBAZ THUTHAAL Karachi Karachi sent her family gold necklace was outstanding in all professional All efforts by the officers and SM Lahore

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12 Comment Thursday , 2 February , 2012 Price hikes Someone’s got to do it Our dogged democracy ince the secular trend of all prices, not just those of Still alive. Still kicking petroleum products, is always going to be sloping upwards, news flashes of “historic high” for a new ble. Those who write in his favour had to be that the military leadership had said to the rate, though correct factually, lead one to believe cautious. Many of them just limited them - Saudi government that they were ready to S selves to praise and adulation. But those who oust the Zardari government if they got them that most new prices are not historic highs. That is incorrect. On the price hike itself: we have seen, since the past objectively sized up the situation and de - the clearance from the US. This attempt was fended democracy with the force of argument done under the perception that the Saudis several days, some debate, not only in the press but also on were few. I myself have been accused of being too were not happy with Zardari. Another the floor of parliament, that too within the treasury benches, an apostle or propagandist for the president such instance was Nawaz Sharif’s long on the roles of the petroleum ministry and Ogra. The issue and the government. But I merely want to de - march. Many people thought it would be im - started when the petroleum minister revealed, in advance, fend democracy because people are trying to possible for the government to survive that. the upcoming price hike. Many, most notably the law damage democracy through ad hominem at - Many established analysts went so far as to minister and then the premier himself, took exception to tacks on the president. I had to be circum - give specific expiration dates on the govern - this. The notification of new prices is the job of the spect in my defence because many of those in ment. People surmised about how and when, regulatory body, not the petroleum minister, they said. The government today are not performing prop - not if, President Zardari would exit. There minister’s revelation allowed hoarders to do their thing. erly. Moreover, there are many stories in cir - were even open invitations to General Kayani Neoclassical economics is, after all, the management of By Nazir Naji culation about the prime minister and his to takeover. But it was not to be. expectations; managing information is critical there. Far be associates that are increasingly indefensible. I will not talk of the opposition here like it from the newspaper demanding anything less than full Hence, I tread warily because I did not want the members of the PPP do (i.e. Nawaz Sharif disclosure but in this particular case, the notification body is ixteen days from today, it’ll be ex - to be labelled as a defender of corruption as I made many attempts to depose the govern - clearly stipulated and the repercussions of premature actly four years since our last gen - attempted to defend democracy. ment). Any opposition leader, looking at the disclosure are not too hard to imagine. eral elections were conducted. While I wrote these articles, the situation ostensible instability and the socio-political These four years have not been easy was such that many corrupt elements had turbulence, would not have discounted the The decision itself, however, is a different matter. Ogra is for the detractors of democracy. upped the ante on their looting spree think - option of early elections. And that is what to regulate the sector and the ministry to lay out policy but BSut they haven’t been easy for the supporters ing that the government was on the way out. Nawaz Sharif did. But whenever he saw that pricing itself can be fought out over. except, when it comes of democracy and the public either. The de - So, they thought to make hay while the sun the military was looking to capitalise on his to keeping prices down and footing the bill for the public’s tractors wished to see the democratic setup was still shining. Not only did many court actions as a way in, he always came out in welfare. Then, it becomes the ownership of the finance wrapped up as soon as possible. judgements expose cases of gross defalcation, support of democracy and said that military ministry. Whether the exchequer can afford it or not is the Not a year had passed after the elections they also took back a great amount of the rule was unacceptable. The government’s Q-block’s call in Islamabad, not the magnanimity of either when calls to the army to step in started to be stolen money. This situation led me to advise naysayers were sorely disappointed that NS’ Ogra or the petroleum ministry. In this particular case, for issued and it was predicted again and again the president about a year ago that he should actions could not be used in a scheme to de - instance, both the petroleum ministry and Ogra had that the incumbents’ days were numbered. take serious notice of corruption. And if he pose the government. Thus, flew the accusa - recommended tweaking the petroleum levy to keep the price President Zardari was especially targeted. cannot take any action, he should at the very tions of ‘friendly opposition’. Nevertheless, at the same level; Finance, however, rejected the proposal. Those trying to undermine democracy least write a letter to the prime minister to democracy trudged through. Domestic oil prices should reflect international prices. thought that if they labelled a democratically formally register his and the public’s reserva - A few days later, the government fifth There is a lag with which those prices affect us, yes, but affect elected government as ‘Zardari’s govern - tions. This is the most I could do as a citizen year – the election year – is about to begin. us they must. It is only when the Finance Division tries to ment’, they could incite anti-democracy sen - who supports democracy and try to defend it But uncertainty still loomed large a few days timent in the public more effectively. This against the many things undermining it. ago. Two three weeks ago, I said on Hamid cover the fiscal deficit through an increase in petroleum levy strategy rested on the fact that a smear cam - As the tenure of the government pro - Mir’s how that the Senate elections will take or cess that we should voice concerns. paign has been run since long against the gressed, the attacks on democracy had be - place as scheduled and this government will Petroleum price hikes affect millions across the country. president. He has been embroiled in many come so fast and furious that even the also present the budget. No one agreed with But a rationalisation of prices, not just those of oil but also long drawn out court cases. He has been ac - members of parliament were uncertain. You me except ANP’s Senator Zahid Khan. But power tariffs, is the mature approach to go about the issue. quitted in many a case but his critics have fo - can imagine how disheartening it must be for the air is much clearer now. It seems that the Footing the bill here will leave nothing for elsewhere. cussed exclusively on the ones sub-judice. the supporters of democracy to hear as far as Senate election will indeed take place and the Asif Ali Zardari spent 9 precious years of a specific month in which the COAS purport - budget too will be presented. The general his life behind bars. When he was made pres - edly will take action. I talk here of a column a elections, God willing, will be in October. Karachi’s unending woes ident, it was a new beginning for him. Not senior journalist wrote in 2009. He said that Bringing democracy to this juncture was - only did he have to look after the party but he he had had a long meeting with the COAS n’t easy. It was the public’s perseverance and had to look after democracy and take the op - and that the general was going to take some the president’s strategy. But Pakistan’s A new spate of attacks position along as well; all while facing this re - action in March. This columnist also talked democracy should never be thought to be to - lentless slander. But most importantly, he of an unnamed witness (who later turned out tally out of the woods. As long as the effects he interior minister had been rewarded with a had to make sure that the army didn’t fall to be Shafqat Mahmood) to these proceed - of the generation raised under martial laws doctorate by Karachi University for restoring peace prey to the anti-democracy cheerleaders ings. But March came and went and the gov - will remain, so will these dangers. They will in the city. The Rangers had been given the extra shouting and coaxing from the sidelines. ernment was still standing. still be ever-present for some years to come. T powers they had demanded to curb the terrorist While the president’s detractors are a But the pot-shots at democracy contin - activities. The Karachiites, however, are now facing a new dime-a-dozen, on the other hand, the num - ued. This was done be fuelling rumours and The writer is one of Pakistan’s most surge of terrorist attacks. During the last nine days, three cell ber of his supporters in the media is negligi - uncertainty. More recently, it was revealed widely read columnists. phone franchises have been attacked by unknown terrorists, killing four and wounding several employees and customers. By Tuesday night, ten persons had fallen victim to terrorism within twenty four hours. The latest attack on a Telenor franchise was carried out with an uncanny efficiency within 30 seconds. faultlines in Sindh’s politics Most of the attacks reveal a fairly high level of expertise on the part of the terrorists who appear to be steps ahead of Trouble between the MqM and the Sindhi nationalists the CID. earlier on January 7, the crime investigation struggle for recognition. At the to be their own struggle. aimed at altering the imbalance of department had announced that they had killed the chief of time, the two had teamed up, with But all this is past. Or the federation – something which the TTP’s Balochistan chapter and arrested one of his the Sindhi nationalists providing should be. reinforces the establishment’s en - accomplices who according to the department had been support – logistical and otherwise Sindhi nationalism has two trenched position in politics. This involved in attacks on cellphone franchises. The claim was – to the MQM, then the united strands: one that wants to engage process of realignment needs time exposed as hollow when another franchise was attacked on Mohajir Qaumi Movement. Altaf with the state through the process to mature, and if it does, will entail Tuesday. The police has acquired the CCTV footage of the Hussain’s first public gathering in of electoral politics; the other is a stronger provinces and a compar - incident. One cannot predict with confidence that with its Hyderabad was organised by the separatist strand, of which the atively stronger Pakistan. Because present level efficiency, the CID alone would be able to trace nationalists, with Qadir Magsi – largest group is the Jeay Sindh of this reason alone, there is a key out the criminals. As the terrorists have countrywide now the chief of his own party, the Qaumi Mahaaz (JSQM) led by question for the nationalists to an - networks, and frequently shift operatives from one province Sindh Taraqqi-Pasand Party (STP) Bashir Qureshi. The former, in - swer: is their move to strike against to another, there is a need for the pooling of real time – acting as his bodyguard. The re - cluding the STP of Qadir Magsi the proposed 20th Amendment intelligence from all major agencies in the country. This By Ahmed Yusuf lationship soured soon after when and the Awami Tehrik (AT) of Latif akin to playing to the tune of the should be put at the disposal of a high level body comprising MQM activists tried to rename a Palijo, are currently looking for Pakistani establishment? elements drawn from all these agencies to combat terrorism busy chowk in Hyderabad, origi - larger anchors to become voices in There are democratic mecha - in the mega city. midst the backdrop of the nally named after the iconic pro - the mainstream. Mian Nawaz nisms in place to stop the division proposed 20th Amend - gressive peasant leader, Haider Sharif has been trying to become of Sindh, but in the larger context Reacting to the new spurt of target killings, Altaf Hussain A ment to the Constitution, Bux Jatoi. that anchor for the mainstream, of the realignment of power shar - has claimed that the city is being handed over to the terrorists tensions between the MQM and To cut a long story short, with and most recently, contact has also ing, siding so violently with one under a conspiracy. He has called on the Karachiites to come Sindhi nationalist parties went to the MQM going mainstream, and been made by the Pakistan option reinforces the perception forward to guard their streets, shops and workplaces against the boil. The disagreement was subsequently going on to become a Tehreek-e-Insaf. For this second that some Sindhi nationalists have terrorists instead of solely depending on the police. It would seemingly on the question of new fixture in government, there is lit - strand to succeed, they need to been working in cahoots with the have been understandable if the message which can only provinces, with the nationalists es - tle by way of a “relationship” be - perpetuate an anti-MQM line as establishment – an allegation that cause despondency had come from an opposition leader. sentially accusing the MQM of tween the MQM and Sindhi well as an anti-PPP line. At the stems from within the nationalist Coming as it does from the MQM chief this shows that while conspiring (with the PPP) to divide nationalists to speak of. For the na - level of Sindh, this would give the movement in Sindh. Ultimately, his party is keen to have a share in power, it is not willing to Sindh through their plan of creat - tionalists, though, the MQM’s PPP-MQM alliance some real op - both the MQM public meeting and take responsibility for the acts of omission and commission ing new provinces elsewhere in the move to become part of the status position. At the level of the Centre, the nationalists’ strike was one by the government of which it is a part. country. The rage was such that quo spoke volumes about how it would aid either Nawaz Sharif or about posturing: pro-Sindh, pro- apart from Karachi and a small much, or how little, they could Imran Khan to gain legitimacy in Pakistan for the MQM; anti-MQM section of Hyderabad, Sindh went trust the MQM. Veteran MQM Sindh. and anti-PPP for the nationalists. on strike. The MQM, through their activists share similar sentiments An anti-MQM line is a histori - Unfortunately for the nationalists, iconic chief, responded with the of betrayal, arguing that Sindhi cal one. But the MQM’s steadfast the PPP and the MQM are not in - assurance that the division of nationalists had first assured support of the PPP and in particu - terested in being relegated to be - Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami Sindh is a no-no. them of parity but then re - lar, of President Asif Ali Zardari, in coming provincial forces just yet. And yet, the acrimony persists sponded violently when they tried all the recent crises has meant that On an unrelated note, don’t Arif Nizami and distrust has widened. to rename Haider Chowk as the anathema status given to the you think Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has Editor There is much history and Shuhada (Martyrs) Chowk. For MQM has lowered to a certain de - been out of the picture for too long? Lahore – Ph: 042-36298305-10 Fax: 042-36298302 much love lost, literally, between the MQM, this was seen as a real - gree. Both the PPP and the MQM Karachi – Ph: 021-34330811-3 Fax: 021-34330900 the MQM and the Sindhi national - isation that they could not piggy - have a larger experience in dealing The writer is a Karachi-based Islamabad – Ph: 051-2287414-6 Fax: 051-2287417 ists, their relationship having back on Sindhi nationalist forces with the establishment, and the journalist. Connect with him on Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: [email protected] started during the MQM’s days of to gain popularity; rather, it was move to create new provinces is Twitter @ASYusuf ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:42 AM Page 13 Thursday , 2 February , 2012 Comment 13

Bridging the divide a winning streak in a melting pot of a classroom let’s build on it

There were four Americans read their posts and their ongratulations Team Pakistan! Two big paid off effectively each time it has been sought, (from Minnesota, Ohio, comments on their colleagues’ victories, done in style and with huge re - especially against england’s left-handers. Virginia, and New Jersey). posts, or when I saw them just C solve! Finally, they appear to have gotten The bowlers on both sides have performed They were joined by mingling with one another in it right. With few exceptions, it has been a splendidly. england’s pace attack has matched colleagues from: the UK, the cafeteria, it became clear united and consolidated performance. Proof the prowess of its spin attack. And Pakistan’s Denmark, Bosnia, Kenya, what a remarkable thing was that a dedicated and hard working leadership spin attack has been outstanding. The ball has India, Indonesia, and South being done here. does drive potential to the fore. And of course dominated the series on a wicket that has pro - Korea. Though different in so There were times I felt as this series is a confirmation that england needs vided a very level playing field. The spin and many ways, they were, for the though this were a sort of to get its act together in away mode. Just as bounce extracted by the spinners on both sides most part, “cut from the same Hogwart’s Castle. And that teams that visit england need to. is a salute to their talent. cloth”, variations on a theme. these little wizards had been The past few weeks, to my mind, have been Batting is a worry to both sides. Known per - They were bright and plucked from their respective evidence of the thrill of test cricket and the mas - formers have let the sides down, leaving it to Washington Watch inquisitive, expressive and worlds and brought together tery required to play it as opposed to any other others to carry the burden and build the in - insightful, and open to where their special skills form. Fantastic series between South Africa and nings. When this happens repeatedly, the pres - By Dr James J Zogby learning from each other. could be developed before Sri Lanka, Australia and India and the cap - sure has adverse effects. The english top order After interviewing each of they were to be sent back tioned one have enthralled cricket aficionados has failed more often than not. They’ve been ’ve just finished teaching the students on the first day, home. But I came to realise beyond belief. From 5am to 9pm literally every tentative and played back to spin and paid the a three week January it became clear to me that that this wasn’t the case at all. day there has been the mad scramble towards penalty. The ball has come off quicker leaving I term course at New York while they were eager to learn The students weren’t magical, TVs. Sleep has been at a premium. What a great them stranded, at times unable to read the de - University’s Abu Dhabi about the place they were in, nor was the place. It was the game this is. livery. Strauss has failed. Pietersen has been a campus (NYUAD). I’ve had and the Arab World, in opportunity that had been Kudos to the UAe ground management. It’s disaster. Bell has struggled desperately. Morgan the great fortune to teach general, they also had a great created for meeting and quite incredible how they’ve put together su - has tried to hit his way out and has not suc - before at some wonderful deal to share about their own learning from each other that perb cricketing wickets that lend themselves to ceeded. Cook and to an extent Trott have held schools across the US. But experiences in confronting the was the magic. It was the results rather than the mundane ones usually their own, but for not long enough. this, for me, was a special many “divides” that make up vision behind this place that prepared on the sub-continent that are specifi - Pakistan’s batting has faired marginally bet - experience, the result of the our modern world. My had brought these few cally designed to do the opposite (or, at the ter. The openers have gotten off to good starts unique mix of students who students from Columbus, hundred very bright young least, favour the home side). The preparation but Azhar and Younis have failed leaving Mis - had been brought together in Ohio and St Paul, Minnesota, men and women from every has been immaculate. The wickets looked good bah, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq to bring a sem - this one place. for example, wanted to tell continent to learn together, even at the end of five days of hard fought test blance of order. And Azhar and Asad have The course I had been about how their respective that would create lessons that cricket. The grass and outfield of billiard table responded courageously. There has been little invited to teach was called communities were dealing would last a lifetime. quality. The bat and ball have else to commend. When you look at the statis - “Bridging the Divide between with the influx of large The UAe will be bidding random Thoughts been fairly and squarely pitted tics for the last match, 72 runs separated the the Arab World and the numbers of Somali refugees. to host the World expo in By Imran Husain against each other. two sides. A total of 870 runs were scored in 5 West”. It was to be an The ethnic and religious 2020. Their theme is Its obvious that its not just days at an average of 174 runs a day. In the same examination of how the West divides that have shaped the “Connecting the World, Butt’s departure, although I time 40 wickets fell. and Arabs have interacted modern histories of India, Creating the Future”. In many believe it has a lot to do with it, To maintain this winning streak, Team Pak - with each other in the past Indonesia, and Bosnia ways, this is being done across it’s a lot of hard work and Mis - istan will have to dig deeper. The complacency century, their mutual became subjects for this young country every day, bah deserves recognition and witnessed in the past can quickly change for - misperceptions, and the conversation, as did the more in business, in culture and the admiration for turning a bunch tunes. Long term plans for the team, apparently resultant and often tragic recent tensions that have arts, and in the meetings of of individuals into a cohesive being considered by the chairman, including the problems that have ensued, confronted Muslim peoples in everyday life. This team. The atmosphere on the appointment of a foreign coach should continue putting both sides at risk. immigrants to the UK, US and also describes the NYUAD field is certainly commendable. to dominate the thinking table. Changes in man - In the lead up to the start Denmark. experience – in every There is a synergy. An edu - agement must be of a permanent nature; ad-hoc of the course, I had planned Some of my American classroom and in every lunch cated guess is that the dressing appointees should be thanked and sent home, my lectures and prepared students shared the table conversation. The room and post game situation regardless of the current success. To exceed the class exercises. The students apprehension expressed by students who are fortunate has followed suit. It’s amazing sell-by date can only prove to be disastrous. would create, conduct, and their parents and peers when enough to be a part of this how the departure of a few Pakistan must find replacement for its quick analyse their own polls of US they made known their choice experience are being negative influences can impact attack. The selectors need to travel the width and Arab attitudes and would to go to a school in the Arab connected to the world in a performance. and breadth of the country looking for serious develop their own class blog World, while some of my Arab very personal way and out of This Pakistan side is cur - potential now that it is known that Amir will not about the divide and the ways students told of similar this experience a new rently undergoing a transition. be returning to the game. They also need to be they experience it. On day reactions they received when generation of global leaders is Its front line bowling attack looking for a serious replacement for Younis. He one, I was set to begin and to they declared their intention being created. And because has been severely depleted be - has had a long and good innings but it’s over proceed according to my plan, to attend an American school. these students are being cause of the spot-fixing deba - when it’s over. We dragged Inzamam to the and then I met my students. We had much to talk and transformed by their cle. No real successors have point of him becoming a liability in more ways The class was made up of write about, and we did. What encounters here, they will be been found. It is an area where than one. Look where it took us. mostly first year students. was so extraordinary was how better able to heal the many Pakistan needs to look deep To win is great. The applause is deafening. There were sixteen in all - supportive the students were divides they face in our and hard. The compensation Too many get lost in the euphoria. While we from twelve different of one another. Although increasingly complex world. lies in the spin department re - need to join the applauders and support the countries on four continents! NYUAD is only two years old, I leave here enriched and sponding as a very strong team next weekend, we need to emphasise that The range was extraordinary. a new culture had been invigorated by the time I fighting force. Ajmal, although there are innumerable challenges in getting to Four were Arabs (one each created in this remarkable spent with my students in this not young, is outstanding and the spot on top. Face them and it’s yours. Best from the UAe, egypt, Libya, place, itself an important place. continues to improve. Rehman of luck! and a Palestinian from learning experience. As I is still evolving and can only Lebanon - each with a watched the students engage The writer is President of get better with proper guid - The writer may be contacted via e-mail at fascinating story to tell). in conversation, or when I the Arab-American Institute. ance. Hafeez’ intervention has [email protected] ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:43 AM Page 14

14 Thursday , 2 February , 2012 sOciETy Adele announces Grammy comeback 12 show, has been out of action since Oc - tober when a throat problem forced her to cancel all engagements for the rest of the year. “I’m immensely proud to have been asked to perform at this year’s Grammy Awards,” said Adele, whose hits include ‘Someone Like You’ and ‘Rolling in the Deep’, in a statement issued by Grammys organisers-The Recording Academy. “It’s Aman Sheikh Areeba Ayesha, Anum,Adia & Aimen an absolute honour to be included in such a night, and for it to be my first perform - ance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking, but what a way to get back into it all,” she added. Adele, 23, has continued to attract awards nomina - tions and wins despite being dogged by her health problems last year, and was second only to Kanye West in Grammys nods. The US rapper is up for seven prizes. Initially, there was concern that the Grammys would suffer if Adele, who is up for six awards, would not be able to sing on the telecast. Already the proud owner of two Grammys, Adele’s nomina - tions this year include Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The Grammys, the music indus - LOS ANgELES try’s top star-studded awards bash, will afP also feature performances from pop leg - end Paul McCartney, as well as Coldplay, RITISH soul singer Adele is Rihanna, the Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, to make her much-awaited Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. Iconic US Dania with a friend Farha & Maha Fazail Jassi Singh comeback after throat sur - band The Beach Boys announced in De - gery at the upcoming Gram - cember that they expect to appear at the mys show, organisers of the Grammys, ahead of a 50th anniversary Bmusic industry awards bash said. Adele, reunion tour, although they were not in - who is nominated for six awards including cluded in the lineup so far put out by Triple a three of the key categories at the February Grammy organisers. Communications presented Taiba’s Jewellery in a angry Veena fashion show at PC hotel vents on Twitter Photos by: Murtaza Ali Pakistani starlet Veena Malik seems to have courted many contro - versies ever since she made her appearance on indian TV in 2010. Mariam & Mirrat Mrs Waqar & Mrs Imran The actress from across the border was recently accused of assaulting her co-star Vedita Pratap while shooting for her bollywood film ‘Mumbai 125 kms’. And that seems to have got the better of her. To vent out her frustration, Veena took to Twitter and wrote, “dnt hve enuf words to ex - press my feelings 4 some pple...... i wish i had more middle fingers!!!(sic). Looks like the actress is mighty peeved with the way things took shape in the recent past. Not too long ago, Veena was embroiled in a nude photo shoot controversy that reportedly led her father to disown her. He had apparently asked the Muslim clerics in Pakistan to take se - vere action against his daughter for shaming him. To de-stress and get rid of all the anxiety, the lady shopped like crazy yesterday. Talking about her passion for shopping sprees, Veena wrote, “i`m stressed...i shop! i`m happy...i shop! i have nothing to do...i shop!i have something to do...i shop!!!(sic). “i go shopping other stuff but end up buying more shoes... Some Addition to my shoe store!!!(sic),” she added. NEWS dESK Mr & Mrs Khurram Mr & Mrs Kashif Nauman, Ainy, Mehnum, Amna, Abu Bakar Kareena Kapoor: Kangana replaces Katrina On marriage and films on to do daredevil stunts MuMBai: Kareena Kapoor has three films with for ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ three Khans coming up over the next five Vidya months –‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ with imran on MuMBai: After a box office dud ‘Yuvvraj’, Salman and February 10, ‘Agent Vinod’ opposite Saif on Katrina will once again share screenspace in YrF’s ‘Ek March 23 and ‘Talaash’ co-starring Aamir on Ekta Kapoor’s list Tha Tiger’. Katrina Kaif is shooting in Havana for the June 10. quiz her on her favourite Khan and she Kabir Khan film and Hollywood action director Conrad MuMBai: Ekta Kapoor was considering her blue-eyed girl Vidya balan for Palmisano is making the actress do daring stunts like says, “i am a huge Aamir fan and it’s an honour their next big project ‘Shootout at wadala’. but after much delay and doing back-to-back movies with him. imran was free-falls. Katrina, under the protective eye of co-star deliberation she is finally replaced by Kangana ranaut in the film. The and friend Salman Khan, is doing what one member the biggest reason for doing ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk underworld film to be directed by Sanjay gupta has John Abraham, Anil Tu’, he’s a cool guy who, even after seven films, of Cuban unit describes as “the real thing”. “These Kapoor and Tusshar Kapoor in lead roles. “For quite some time, Vidya are stunts that any macho hero would think twice be - still looks so natural and fresh on screen. i share balan was being considered for the female lead, to be paired opposite amazing chemistry with both these Khans, but i fore daring. Katrina is really pushing the envelope as John Abraham. John plays the character of the notorious gangster far as the female machismo is concerned. She is know that i’ll make the best ‘jodi’ with Saif in Manya Surve and Vidya was to play his girlfriend,” says a source closely 2012.” ‘Agent Vinod’ has taken its time coming doing free-falls with Salman by her side. we hear Ka - associated with balaji Films. However it seems like Ekta Kapoor herself reena in ‘Agent Vinod’ and Kangna ranaut in ‘Krrish 2’ but, she points out, it’s a big-budget action was responsible for making Vidya so big with the success of ‘The dirty movie. “we’ve finally locked on a release date. would also be attempting the hi-jinks,” said the unit Picture’ that the actre ss wasn’t sure whether she would want to do member. when asked about her daredevil act, Katrina The reactions to the first poster and promo have been overwhelming,” she smiles, adding, “Saif and i look great together, i this role in the male-centric underworld drama. “So she opted out know Agent Vinod will be the film for us.” Post its release, Saif and she are supposed to announce their marriage date. A jew - said: “Yeah, it’s scary but great fun. i’ve only done of the project but on a very amicable note and there is very feminine delicate roles so far. This is a new chal - eller in rajkot claims he’s got an order for a rs. 40 lakh royal necklace for her. Kareena retorts, “From india to Pakistan to Los absolutely no bad-blood,” adds the source. So the makers Angeles, everyone’s planning our wedding. it’s discussed more than the Lok Pal bill. imran’s the only co-star who hasn’t asked lenge for me. i guess that’s what i’m looking for at replaced Vidya by their other favourite - Kangana ranaut this stage of my career.” Palmisano, who has super - me when i’m getting married. i respect him for that, and wish others wouldn’t too. when two people are in love, it’s obvious who worked with balaji in ‘once upon a Time in that they’ll take the relationship forward when they think the time is right.” right now, she says, both their energies are fo - vised the stunts for over 200 topnotch films and tel - Mumbaai’. Apparently Kangana ranaut’s role is based evision series, oversaw Sheila Lebeouf’s stunts in cused on ensuring the best launch for their movie: “After that we’ll decide what to tell the world. i understand everyone is cu - on a real-life character and much against the rious but it’s our choice. They should respect that.” in her Valentine’s day release, Kareena and imran get married in a drunken ‘Transformers: dark of The Moon’, Nicolas Cage in the glamorous roles we have seen her in the past, she forthcoming ‘Seeking Justice’ and Jackie Chan in stupour. “Most films end with a marriage, ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ starts with one, even though my character, riana braganza, is has a performance-oriented part in this shootout not interested in getting married. She’s lost her job, is alone in Vegas, but she’s no ‘bechari’. rather she’s a sunshine girl like ‘rush Hour’, informed the source from on-location. saga. “The fresh pairing of John and Kangana should Apparently Palmisano initially suggested “something me,” says Kareena. “only i’m far more conservative when it comes to marriage and i will do it right.” aGENCiES add to the merit,” adds the source. aGENCiES softer” for Katrina. The actress prepares for the ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:43 AM Page 15 15 Pakistani cinema’s going through a rough patch: Ali Zafar NEWS DESK istani films-‘Bol’ and ‘Khuda Kay Liye’ by Shoaib Mansoor - were not only appreciated on their home turf but also won crit - INGeR-ACTOR Ali Zafar says Pakistani cinema is ical acclaim in the international arena. Mehreen Jabbar’s ‘Ram - going through a bad patch for want of good stories but chand Pakistani’, which had Indian actress Nandita Das, too feels that with the entry of new age directors and the was appreciated globally. Pakistani filmmaker Mian Adnan social media, the content quality is expected to im - Ahmad’s short film ‘Heal’ won the Best Science Fiction-Fantasy prove. “Pakistani cinema is going through a rough Film award at this year’s Comic-Con International Independent pSatch, but slowly it is getting better, with new age directors get - Film Festival. Although Ali hasn’t done any films in Pakistan, ting into filmmaking and producing films like ‘Bol’ and ‘Khuda he worked as a model for several commercials. He has also acted Faisal & Khadija Kay Liye’,” Ali said in an interview. The 31-year-old actor admits in Pakistani TV serials like ‘Lunda-Bazar’ and ‘Kanch Ke Par’ that the new generation in Pakistan is opening up to fresh and and the highly popular teenage sitcom ‘Kollege Jeans’. He is de - realistic stories. “It feels very nice to see that youth and people lighted to see the quality of shows being produced in the coun - are aware, they are more politicised. They all want change. It is try. He also expressed his gratitude to the government for taking a myth that Pakistan is a conservative country,” he added. Once note of Mehdi Hassan’s ill health. Zafar, who admits the ghazal a prolific moviemaking country, Pakistan had 1,300 cinema maestro’s divine music is his biggest inspiration, dedicated a halls in the 1970s with an average annual production of around song to him in his latest album ‘Jhoom’, ‘Jaane man’. This, along 300 movies. But by 2005, the country had only 270 cinema halls with his tweets wishing Hasan, a swift recovery, has helped turn and made about 18 movies a year. The rest of the movie halls the spotlight on the ailing singer. The Information Minister of have been converted into gas stations, shopping malls or car Sindh, Shazia Marri, visited him in hospital and offered to bear showrooms. In 2010, just eight Pakistani movies were pro - the expenses of his treatment, sating that if need be Hasan duced. Movie buffs in Pakistan have a hearty appetite for Hol - would be sent abroad. “The government has taken the right lywood and Bollywood movies, but have to watch pirated copies steps. I’m happy to hear they’ve taken charge of his medical fa - of films as access to movie theatres is limited for most people. cilitations. I’ll pray for his health. He is a great asset to music. In 2008, the Pakistani government lifted the ban on Indian There is no singer like him, never was and never can be,” says a films and that gave a much-needed boost to the cinema busi - relieved Ali, who unveiled his first Bollywood score for London ness, says Ali. “Since Indian films have started coming to Pak - Paris New York yesterday. Unlike fellow Pakistani actor-sing istan, people are going to cinemas more often. Now more Atif Aslam, Ali doesn’t think he can judge a talent hunt contest cinema halls are being constructed. The government has made even though he’s been offered several on both sides of the bor - the rule that every mall should have a theatre and screens and der: “Some of the contestants are far better than me. So, I’d like it is certainly getting better,” he added. In recent times two Pak - to concentrate on films and acting.”

Mr & Mrs Nasir Rachel Weisz Justin Timberlake to play L’oréal Ad banned in britain Clint Eastwood rival in LONDON ‘Trouble with the Curve’ aGENCiES LOS ANgELES aGENCiES For a local girl, Rachel Weisz sure just got the cold shoulder in London. L’Oréal Paris be - Justin Timberlake is in talks came the latest cosmetics company to run to join Clint eastwood and afoul of the United Kingdom’s Advertising Amy Adams in ‘Trouble with Standards Authority, which deemed a print ad the Curve’, eW has confirmed. for Revitalift Clinical Repair 10 featuring the eastwood, in his first acting Oscar winner to be, well...not fit for print! Is role since 2008’s Gran Torino, it that racy? No, the L’Oréal ad didn’t get stars as an aging baseball banned for the same reasons that highly scout on one final trip with his stylised fragrance ads featuring Dakota Fan - daughter (Adams) to find the ning and Hailee Steinfeld were outlawed. sport’s next big star. Timber - (Too provocative and supposedly romanticising suicide, respectively.) Instead, it was banned lake would play a rival scout- for the same reason that Lancôme ads starring Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington were nixed. and a possible love interest for Weisz is beautiful, for sure, but the ASA just couldn’t get behind the 41-year-old’s smooth-as- the daughter. Matthew Lillard a-baby’s-bottom visage in ruling that the advertisement “misleadingly exaggerated” the prod - has a supporting role as an - uct’s promised effect, as it was “heavily retouched”. Meanwhile, L’Oréal, which admits to other rival scout. eastwood’s touching up the photo, as it does all photos, is standing firm (no pun intended). “The ad sought longtime producing partner to represent Rachel Weisz as favourably as possible and therefore every effort had gone into Robert Lorenz is making his ensuring the most flattering set-up,” the Paris-based company said in a statement. “Rachel feature directing debut with Weisz had been professionally styled and made-up and then lit and shot by a professional pho - the film-it’s the first time tographer in a studio setting.” Although it’s hard to tell from looking at most magazines and eastwood has acted for a di - billboards, this sort of anti-airbrushing campaign isn’t singular to the UK. Procter & Gamble rector other than himself voluntarily pulled a CoverGirl ad with Taylor Swift (who’s 22!) after the U.S.’ National Adver - since 1993′s ‘In the Line of tising Division deemed the ad too Photoshopped to be a reliable indicator of just how thick Fire’. Production is set to your lashes could get with NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara. begin in March.

stunts every morning. “She wakes up at the crack of dawn to get warmed up for Palmisano’s stunts. Then she gets down to action. Very risky Priyanka given the ones, i might add which many of our bollywood heroes would insist on being done by doubles. Daniel Radcliffe Katrina is out to prove she can do action scenes as well,” said the source.. aGENCiES royal ignore comfortable in MuMBai: despite being the heroine of ‘Ag - neepath’ Priyanka Chopra was noticeably ab - sent from the film’s success party that his own skin Hrithik and Sussanne hosted. After rumours of Shah rukh and Priyanka’s closeness MuMBai: ‘Harry Potter’ star daniel radcliffe, set to go started gaining more than its share of naked for his new film ‘Kill Your darlings’, says he is media attention, all the star wives, right comfortable with nudity and his own body. The actor from Hrithik’s wife Sussanne to others, have first stripped off for psychological drama ‘Equus’ on been giving PC quite the cold shoulder. Sus - the west End stage. “i’m comfortable with my body,” sanne didn’t invite PC to the ‘Agneepath’ radcliffe told Heat magazine. However, the actor success party because gauri was there. also admits he will never be able to compete This news is especially shocking since with “Harry Potter” co-star rupert grint’s Priyanka is the ‘Krissh 3’ heroine and has a muscular body. “i’m not going to try to longstanding friendship with Hrithik and the compete with rupert on the arms roshan family at large. The snubs don’t just front. His dad is a big guy, so if any - stop there — Priyanka was excluded at one was going to get the proper gauri’s Christmas bash and was also appar - muscleman build, it was rupert. ently ignored at Parmeshwar godrej’s bash You’d have to search pretty hard in honour of oprah winfrey. who could also to find a more handsome ginger. forget the famous cold shoulder that PC got He’s also a dude. i wish i could be when she went to greet gauri at the Zee that calm. i’m lucky to have found Cine Awards? gauri didn’t respond to an industry where this level of Priyanka’s greeting and completely ignored hyperactivity is encouraged. her. wow! guess PC better watch out – it otherwise i’d just be a nui - looks like she has some star wife enemies sance,” he added. aGENCiES in the making. aGENCiES ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:43 AM Page 16 16 Foreign News Thursday , 2 February , 2012 iraq executes 17 people in one day, 51 this year BAgHDAD afP

Iraq executed 17 convicted criminals in one day this week, the justice ministry said on Wednesday, bringing to at least 51 the number so far this year. “The justice ministry carried out (death) sentences against 17 people condemned for terrorist and criminal crimes ... on Tuesday,” a statement said. “The ministry is continuing to carry out punishments against criminals according to the law and the constitution,” Justice Minister Hassan al-Shammari was quoted as saying. Last month, ministry spokesman Haidar al-Saadi said Iraq had so far executed 34 people this year, including two women and a Syrian. That is half the entire figure of 68 for all of 2011, including three foreigners and three Iraqi women. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed shock last week at the number of executions, criticising the lack of transparency in court proceedings and calling for an immediate suspension of the death penalty. “I call on the government of Iraq to implement an immediate moratorium on the institution of the death penalty,” she said. “even if the most scrupulous fair trial standards were observed, this would be a terrifying number of executions to take place in a single day,” said Pillay, a South African high court judge. “Given the lack of transparency in court proceedings, major concerns about due process and fairness of trials, and the very wide range of offences for which the death penalty can be imposed TEhraN: Schoolgirls wave iranian flags during a ceremony marking the 33th anniversary of ayatollah ruhollah Khomeini’s return from exile at Khomeini’s mausoleum on Wednesday. afp in Iraq, it is a truly shocking figure,” she said. The United Nations estimates that more than 1,200 people have been sentenced to death in Iraq since 2004, but it does not have comprehensive statistics iAEA chief inspector on executions. Death sentences in Iraq must be signed by the country’s president, says still ‘work currently Jalal Talabani, but the chief Iran’s economy to grow executive may delegate that authority to either of the two vice presidents. As to do’ with iran Talabani is an ardent opponent of the death penalty, that is what he does. VIENNA despite sanctions: Nejad afP WikiLeaks chief The chief UN nuclear inspector declared TEHRAN size of the economy. But the imposed by the United States and the that there was still “a lot of work” to be afP International Monetary Fund european Union in an effort to done on his return Wednesday from a trip assange takes case estimates that 2011 GDP (from January pressure Tehran to drop nuclear to Iran, as the Tehran government ReSIDeNT Mahmoud to December) was $480 billion at the activities suspected to include research confirmed his team visited no atomic sites. to Britain’s top court Ahmadinejad predicted on official exchange rate, around 2.5 for an atomic bomb. Herman Nackaerts told reporters that his Wednesday that Iran’s percent higher than the previous year. US President Barack Obama said team had had a “good” visit which was economy would grow eight Ahmadinejad did not refer to the last month the sanctions had reduced organised in the wake of a damning report LONDON percent over the next 12 government’s estimated price for oil, Iran’s economy to a “shambles.” Iran, afP by the UN’s atomic watchdog on Iran’s mPonths despite severe Western sanctions, which accounts for more than half of which insists its nuclear programme is nuclear ambitions and was planning to as he presented his government’s annual budget revenues. peaceful, has reacted angrily as the WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange took his return soon. “We had three days of budget to parliament. The last budget calculated oil West has sought to isolate it by fight against extradition to Sweden over intensive discussions about all our Gross domestic product (GDP) revenues at $82 per barrel. Iran gets 80 curtailing its oil exports and rape allegations to Britain’s top court on priorities. We are committed to resolving would swell significantly, percent of its foreign revenues from oil operations by its central bank. Wednesday in a case that could trigger a all the outstanding issues and the Iranians Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by exports. Nor did Ahmadinejad mention Ahmadinejad, though, has insisted major upheaval in european law. The 40- said they are committed too,” Nackaerts the official IRNA news agency, the exchange rate the government was that Iran has sufficient foreign reserves year-old Australian’s lawyers told the said at Vienna airport. “But of course there without providing any details on what counting on for the Iranian rial against and oil customers elsewhere to shrug Supreme Court in London that the Swedish is still a lot of work to be done, and so we components of the economy would the dollar. The rial has slipped sharply off the sanctions. Parliamentary prosecutor who issued the european Arrest have planned another trip in the very near generate the growth. That would Warrant in December 2010 was not a against the dollar in the past three speaker Ali Larijani again underlined future,” said Nackaerts, one of six-person proper judicial authority. “This appeal continue a trend seen in recent years months, losing around half its value as that threat on Wednesday, saying that International Atomic energy Agency team involves a single issue of law which can be as Iran — OPeC’s second-biggest Western sanctions have piled up. State while Iran considers “the Strait of to visit Iran. “We had a good trip ... I will very simply stated. The question is whether producer — profits from historically television, however, reported that the Hormuz as the strait of peace, it will now go back to headquarters and inform a Swedish prosecutor has judicial authority high oil prices. Ahmadinejad set out a exchange rate would be calculated at cut the hands of anyone who seeks the DG (IAeA director general Yukiya for the purposes of the extradition act,” $416 billion (316.6 billion euro) state 11,500 rials to the dollar. That was (military) adventurism in the Persian Amano) about the mission,” he added, Assange’s lawyer Dinah Rose told the court. budget for Iran’s calendar and fiscal stronger than the new official rate of Gulf and the Sea of Oman,” IRNA declining to comment further. The visit Rose said legal principles going back 1,500 year, which runs this year from mid- 12,260 rials announced last week — reported. The United States, which took place against a backdrop of heightened years were “undermined” by the fact that March. That was 14 percent less than and far stronger than the 18,500 rate keeps warships deployed in the Gulf, tensions following the publication in the warrant for Assange’s arrest was issued for the 2011-2012 budget, which was the dollar is fetching on the black has warned any attempt to close the November of an IAeA report that by a prosecutor, saying there was no set at $484 billion. market. Iran’s economy has been Strait of Hormuz would be a “red line” significantly raised suspicions Iran had guarantee they would be “independent and The president did not quantify the grappling with ratcheted up sanctions not to be crossed. done work on developing nuclear weapons. impartial” like a judge. She said it was a “a serious interference with individual liberty”. Seven judges — six male and one female — are hearing Assange’s appeal over two days at the court in London and are not expected turkey warns europe against mounting racism, islamophobia to return their judgement for several weeks. Dozens of supporters gathered in bright ANKARA Union matter,” he emphasised. Turkey re - tentious legislation — from both the Sen - ment would punish Paris with unspeci - winter sunshine as Assange arrived as a afP acted furiously last week when the French ate and the lower house of parliament — fied retaliatory measures if French Presi - peace activist outside sang “he shall be Senate approved the law, which threatens said they had requested the constitutional dent Nicolas Sarkozy signed it into released”. He sat in court flanked by female Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip er - with jail anyone in France who denies that council to examine the law. The council is law.Ankara has already halted political supporters and near supporter Vaughan dogan on Wednesday warned of rising the 1915 massacre of Armenians by Ot - obliged to deliver its judgement within a and military cooperation with France and Smith, at whose mansion in eastern racism and Islamophobia in europe as he toman Turk forces amounted to genocide. month, but this can be reduced to eight was threatening to cut off economic and england Assange has spent most of the last once again denounced a recent French Turkey would not remain silent to rising days if the government deems the matter cultural ties.France has already officially year under virtual house arrest. If the court bill outlawing denial of Armenian geno - racism and Islamophobia in europe, erdo - urgent. “I believe and hope that the con - recognised the killings as a genocide, but rejects his appeal, the former computer cide. The French bill, was a “serious man - gan said, calling on friends of Turkey in eu - stitutional council will act with common the new law would go further by punish - hacker will have exhausted all his options in ifestation of an insidious danger in rope to urgently address the problem. sense and reach a conclusion that is com - ing anyone who denies this with up to a Britain but he could still make a last-ditch europe”, he said. “Turkey is a not a country that ... will bow patible with French values and european year in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros appeal to the european Court of Human “There is an undeniable racist ap - to insidiously growing racism, xenophobia Union principles,” said erdogan. If the ($57,000).Armenians say up to 1.5 mil - Rights, prosecutors have said. Assange proach, a racist mentality ... hidden behind and Islamophobia in europe,” he said. “I French senators had not taken the “racist lion of their forebears were killed in 1915 denies the rape and sexual assault this bill,” erdogan said at a meeting of his would like to sincerely warn our friends in and discriminatory” law to the constitu - and 1916 by the forces of Turkey’s former allegations made by two women in Sweden, ruling Justice and Development Party europe that the situation in France is a se - tional council, Turkish-French relations Ottoman empire. Turkey disputes the fig - and insists the sex was consensual. He has (AKP) in Ankara. “This is not an affair that rious manifestation of an insidious danger.” would have suffered “irreparable harm”, ure, arguing that 500,000 died, and de - also claimed that the allegations against him only concerns Turkey and France. This is On Tuesday, two separate groups of he said. Last week, the Turkish Premier nies this was genocide, ascribing the toll are politically motivated. directly a european matter, a european French politicians who oppose the con - warned that his Islamist-rooted govern - to fighting and starvation during ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:44 AM Page 17 Thursday , 2 February , 2012 Foreign News 17 Deaths mount as Russia resists UN drive on Syria

DAMASCUS ian Observatory for Human Rights said. ister Gennady Gatilov appeared to snuff Thani, speaking at the Security Council on ply does not have the mandate to do so.” afP Activists said the unrest had killed out any hopes of an early vote. “Attempts behalf of the Arab League, said Assad’s The key sticking point appeared to be the nearly 200 people nationwide over the pre - are being made to find a text that is accept - regime had “failed to make any sincere ef - Arab League call for Assad’s speedy depar - ReSH bloodshed swept Syria vious three days. US Secretary of State able to all sides and would help find a po - fort” to end the crisis and believed the only ture. “Regime change is not our profes - on Wednesday after Western Hillary Clinton, backed by her French and litical solution for the situation in Syria. solution was “to kill its own people.” sion,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei powers and the Arab League British counterparts and Qatar’s premier, Therefore there is going to be no vote in “Bloodshed continued and the killing ma - Lavrov said during a trip to Australia. The demanded immediate UN ac - led the charge on Tuesday for a tough UN the next days,” he told Interfax news chine is still at work,” he said. draft resolution, introduced by Arab tion to stop the regime’s resolution that would call on Assad to end agency. The United Nations says more But Russia, a longstanding ally of League member Morocco, calls for the for - F“killing machine” but holdout Russia said the bloodshed and hand over power. “We than 5,400 people have been killed in Syria Assad and one of the regime’s top suppliers mation of a unity government leading to any vote needed more time. Wrangling at all know that change is coming to Syria. since the pro-democracy uprising began in of weapons, declared that the UN body did “transparent and free elections.” the United Nations came as fierce clashes Despite its ruthless tactics, the Assad mid-March . not have the authority to impose such a Meanwhile, the Free Syrian Army said raged across Syria’s powder keg regions regime’s reign of terror will end,” Clinton But UN human rights chief Navi Pillay resolution. China voiced support for Rus - half of the country was now effectively a between President Bashar al-Assad’s secu - told the UN Security Council. said on January 25 her organisation had sia’s position. Moscow’s ambassador to the no-go zone for the security forces. “Fifty rity forces and rebel fighters of the Free “The question for us is: how many stopped compiling a death toll for Syria’s UN, Vitaly Churkin, argued that Syria percent of Syrian territory is no longer Syrian Army. At least eight civilians and 15 more innocent civilians will die before this crackdown on the protests because it is too should “be able to decide for itself” and under the control of the regime,” its soldiers were killed during fierce fighting country is able to move forward?” But on difficult to get information. Qatari Prime said the council “cannot impose the pa - Turkey-based commander Colonel Riyadh in the central Syrian city of Homs, the Syr - Wednesday, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Min - Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al- rameters for an internal settlement. It sim - al-Asaad told AFP.

Freeze claims more lives in eastern europe WARSAW afP

europe shivered in some of the coldest temperatures seen in decades Wednesday as the freeze claimed more lives overnight and countries battled to clear snow from roads and railways. At least 28 people froze to death overnight in eastern and central europe, bringing the toll to more than 80 in the region since the cold snap began last week. Italy meanwhile struggled to clear its motorways and railways after heavy snow falls ed to the cancellation of a number of top football matches on Tuesday, including Juventus-Parma. In Ukraine, officials said 13 people had died of hypothermia over the past 24 hours, bringing the overall toll to 43 over the past six days. Most were homeless people who froze to death on the streets, but seven died in their homes and more than 800 sought medical help for frostbite and hypothermia as temperatures plunged to minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions. Poland reported five found dead overnight, bringing the overall toll to 20 since temperatures plummeted there on Friday. The victims, most of whom had been homeless, were four men aged 29 to SOfia: a woman protects herself from the cold on Wednesday as two more people died in Bulgaria amid a cold snap that has seen temperatures drop to their lowest levels in a 61 and an 83-year-old woman, police said. century in some parts of the country. afp Temperatures plunged to minus 30 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country, officials said. Most of the victims had been homeless, or individuals who got drunk All 25 Chinese and fell asleep outdoors, they said. Romney leads US Republicans workers kidnapped ‘Trained separatists’ in Egypt freed behind Tibetan after big florida win BEIJINg afP

unrest, says China TAMPA Romney and Gingrich. “A competitive China said Wednesday that 25 Chinese afP primary does not divide us, it pre - workers kidnapped by egyptian Bedouins BEIJINg pares us and we will win,” Romney demanding the release of their Islamist afP Mitt Romney marched ahead with a said. “When we gather back here in relatives had been released. The incident commanding lead in the US Republi - Tampa seven months from now for comes days after 29 Chinese nationals in China has blamed “trained separatists” for can race for the White House after our convention, ours will be a united Sudan were captured by rebels who a wave of unrest in Tibetan-inhabited areas trouncing his main rival Newt Gin - party with a winning ticket for Amer - attacked their camp in the volatile South last week that left at least two people dead grich in a bitterly-fought Florida pri - ica.” But in a sign of how bitter the Kordofan state, where they were involved and dozens injured, state press reported mary on Wednesday. campaign has become, Gingrich in a road-building project. They have still Wednesday. The southwestern province of The margin of victory — 46 per - broke with tradition by neither con - not been released. “I can confirm that all Sichuan — which has big populations of cent to 32 percent — dealt a bitter gratulating Romney nor calling him 25 people have been released. Right now ethnic Tibetans, many of whom complain blow to former House speaker Gin - after the vote. The economy seemed they are being taken care of by the of religious repression and a lack of grich, who faces a Herculean task to to be on the minds of many voters in egyptian government and are staying in freedom — was rocked by three violent try to catch up with Romney, a multi - Florida, including businessman Paul army accommodation,” the assistant to the clashes last week. Rights groups say millionaire businessman and former Jackson, who said he voted for Rom - Chinese ambassador to egypt told AFP. security forces shot dead peaceful Massachusetts governor. Gingrich, ney because “he has the best chance “They are all well, with no injuries. There protesters in each of the incidents but 68, shocked the party establishment of beating the president — the current was no need to send them to hospital,” the China has acknowledged only two of them, when he thumped Romney, 64, in president. “I don’t agree with every - Cairo-based assistant, who would not give and says they were triggered by a violent South Carolina earlier this month, but thing that he stands for, but I need to his name, said over the phone. He refused crowd of demonstrators. “Initial evidence his support sank fast in the larger and see a change that satisfies my selfish to give details of how the workers were showed that the riots and assaults were more diverse state of Florida, and needs as a small business owner,” he released. The Chinese nationals — well planned befo rehand and instigated by Romney now has all the momentum. said. Florida has been badly hit by technicians and engineers who work for a trained separatists against the country,” the Romney’s double-digit win in the the “Great Recession” wrought by the military-owned cement factory in central official China Daily newspaper said, citing Sunshine State demonstrated his 2008 financial crisis — unemploy - Sinai — were abducted on Tuesday on the Sichuan government. It said protesters strength in a key general election bat - ment is close to 10 percent and the their way to work, an egyptian security attacked police stations with stones and tleground, and he used his victory America and make it something per - state was at the epicenter of the official said. The protesters who seized molotov cocktails, prompting the police to speech to urge Americans to evict haps we wouldn’t recognize. I want to housing collapse. Many residents them were demanding the release of five take action and “defend themselves”. President Barack Obama from the restore to America the values and have seen their homes repossessed or Bedouins held in connection with an Chinese authorities have barred foreign White House in November. “Mr. Pres - principles that made us the hope of have mortgages now worth more attack on the tourist resort of Taba in 2004, part of a series of bombings claimed journalists from going to the affected ident, you were elected to lead. You the earth,” Romney said. than the value of their homes. De - by an Islamist group. They said the ruling areas, making independent attempts to chose to follow, and now it’s time for It was a warning shot at Democ - spite the stinging defeat, Gingrich Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, verify the situation there near impossible. you to get out of the way,” he said, to rats who have been salivating over promised to wage a long-haul battle which took power last year when a popular “The riots were serious crimes plotted by chants of “Mitt! Mitt! Mitt!” from the increasingly caustic tone of the all the way to the August 27-30 con - uprising ousted egyptian president Hosni Tibetan separatist forces in and outside of hundreds of supporters in a packed Republican campaign — marked in vention, which will formally crown a Mubarak, had repeatedly promised to China,” the english-language Global Times Tampa ballroom. “President Obama Florida by a heavy exchange of in - nominee to go head-to-head against release the Bedouins. said, also citing the Sichuan government. wants to fundamentally transform creasingly personal attacks between Obama on November 6. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:44 AM Page 18

Thursday , 2 February , 2012

wozniacki parts company with coach Page 21 iCC to assess Pakistan keen to complete Pakistan security for cricket revival DUBAI England whitewash afP DUBAI afP Cricket's governing body will carry out a proper assessment of security in Pakistan PIN-WeARY england will be before deciding on sending match officials desperate to avoid the humilia - for a proposed tour by Bangladesh, an offi - tion of a series whitewash cial said Wednesday. International cricket against Pakistan in the third and has been suspended in Pakistan since the final Test which starts at Dubai terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team Stadium on Friday. Andrew Strauss's men, bus in March 2009, which killed eight peo - pulverised by Pakistan spinners Saeed ple and left seven visiting players and their Ajmal and Abdul Rehman, are also in dan - assistant coach wounded in Lahore. The at - ger of losing their world number one spot tacks also injured reserve umpire Ahsan after a dismal 10-wicket defeat in Dubai Raza of Pakistan and horrified match ref - and the 72-run capitulation in Abu Dhabi. eree Chris Broad of england and Australian Pakistan have never inflicted a Test se - match umpires Simon Taufel and Steve ries whitewash on england, who topped Davis. The incident forced Pakistan to play the Test rankings in August last year with its home series at neutral veunes. Their an unbeaten nine series sequence, but have team is currently playing england in the seen 34 of their 40 wickets tumble on tour United Arab emirates. Pakistan have in - to Pakistan's spinners. vited Bangladesh for a three-match one-day Off-spinner Ajmal has led the destruc - series in April this year in their bid to revive tion with 17 scalps while left-armer international cricket at home. The Rehman has claimed 12 wickets and Mo - Bangladesh government will send a delega - hammad Hafeez five. england need to win tion to Pakistan in mid-February to assess to guarantee their top spot on April 1 -- the security in the country before clearing the cut-off date for a $175,000 award to the tour. The International Cricket Council side sitting at the top of the ICC Test cham - (ICC) had formed a Task Team to revive pionship table. But their celebrated batting cricket in Pakistan in 2009. The ICC chief order has so far failed to answer the chal - executive Haroon Lorgat said the ICC will lenge laid down by Pakistan's wily spin - carry out their own assessment before send - ners. Jonathan Trott (141 in four innings) dubAi: Asad Shafiq tosses a ball during a practice session. (right) Misbah ul-Haq (L) speaks with teammate Taufiq umar (r) during ing match umpires and referees for the tops their batting chart, while Andrew a practice session at the iCC global Cricket Academy. afp Bangladesh series, once it is cleared. "Safety Strauss (68) and Alastair Cook (109) have their victory in the series," he said. "We’ve think you’ve got to, that you learn as much will try our level best to do the same we did and security is a serious issue," said Lorgat failed to provide strong starts. been below where we want to be and we from your defeats as you do from your vic - in the first two Tests, we have the best team in reply to a questionn whether the ICC will Key batsmen Kevin Pietersen (17 in need to come back and bounce back tories then I think we’ve learned some valu - up against us so they can come back in the send officials to Pakistan. "There are grave four innings), Ian Bell (36) and eoin Mor - strongly from this. able lessons going forward," Strauss said. series, but what is in our control we will responsibilities on any of us who send gan (41) have also struggled to cope with "As a batting unit we have to hold our "It’s not easy in these conditions, in do," said Misbah, who has not lost a series teams or match officials (to Pakistan) and the slower ball as england lost the first Test hands up and say we haven’t been good these circumstances but we’re good enough since taking over in October 2010. we need to do a proper assessment before in three days and the second in four. enough, it’s been pretty apparent, we need players to be able to adjust to the condi - "We need to do our hundred percent we come to any conclusion about touring The tourists will resist the temptation to be better than that," said Strauss, whose tions we’ve encountered." Under Strauss' and be focused for good cricket." The Dubai Pakistan." Lorgat said Wednesday's Board of replacing Morgan with Ravi Bopara last hundred came 30 months ago. stewardship england have won only twice Stadium pitch, which provided help to meeting in Dubai did not discuss the possi - whose last Test innings was a 44 not out, The defeats have left no doubt about on the subcontinent -- both times against spinners from the first day of the opening bilities of international cricket returning to against India at The Oval. england's vulnerability to the slow ball on minnows Bangladesh. Test, is likely to continue its assistance to Pakistan. "The board did not discuss inter - Speaking after the Abu Dhabi defeat subcontinental wickets, a weakness they Pakistan are chasing the whitewash as slow bowlers. Pakistan may consider re - national cricket returning to Pakistan as Strauss said his chastened team needed to will need to address before tours to Sri they look to climb the Test rankings and placing left-arm seamer Junaid Khan with you all know they are presently engaged bounce back after two dismal perform - Lanka and India later in the year. captain Misbah-ul Haq has vowed his team Wahab Riaz, who has been part of the with a potential tour from Bangladesh and I ances. "Pakistan have thoroughly deserved "If you take the point of view, which I will be going for the jugular in Dubai. "We squad without taking the field. think we need to see what unfolds before we get into that sort of discussion.

Board reCommends sPlit role For President Anderson ICC hikes Test cricket stakes upbeat despite DUBAI be an ambassadorial role appointed on a one year ro - between 2012 and 2014. Accordingly, the nomination afP tational basis, while a chairman will lead the board. received of Kamal, the Bangladesh Cricket Board pres - spin pitches The name of Mustafa Kamal (Bangladesh Cricket ident from 2012-14 will be considered as a part of this The Board of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board president) was put forward for nomination process. Kamal said he was not disappointed over his DUBAI on Wednesday recommended to split the role of presi - jointly by Pakistan and Bangladesh. The amendment nomination being deferred. "Why should I be disap - afP dent with a new chairman's post from 2014, and de - will be discussed at the next ICC Board meeting before pointed," Kamal told AFP. "The Board had been think - ferred the nomination of Bangladesh's Mustafa Kamal being submitted for approval by the ICC annual meet - ing along the lines of these recommendations for some england spearhead James Anderson has as vice-president. ing in June this year, the ICC said. time now and we have found the best possible solution denied seamers were discouraged by the "Following Board discussions since October 2011 India's Sharad Pawar is the current ICC president in the meeting of the Board of which I am a part. spin-friendly pitches here, saying he was and consistent with the recommendations in the Jus - while New Zealand's Alan Isaac, the current vice-pres - "I can still be the president in the post 2014 pe - fully focused on how to win the third and tice Woolf's report, the Board passed a unanimous res - ident will take over from Pawar in June this year. riod," said the 65-year-old Kamal, president of the final Test against Pakistan starting from olution recommending to the ICC Council an The ICC had said the governance review was con - Bangladesh Board since September 2009. Friday. Spinners have dominated Pak - amendment to the ICC article of association so that ducted in April last year in order to adopt a new strate - The ICC also enhanced incentives for Tests, the istan's wins in Dubai in the first Test and from 2014 the current presidency role is split," said a gic plan as one of the key initiatives to build a bigger five-day format which is in danger from the rapidly in Abu Dhabi in the second with 34 of the ICC release after a meeting here. The recommenda - and better global game. The Board will also consider growing Twenty20 brand of the game. "A total of $3.8 40 wickets going to slow bowlers. Off tions create a new system whereby the presidency will the position and role, if any, of the ICC vice-president million in prize money will be shared among the top those, Saeed Ajmal has taken 17 wickets, four sides on 1 April 2013, 2014 and 2015, after the ICC Abdul Rehman 12 and Mohammad Hafeez Board approved a proposal to promote Test match five. england's left-arm spinner Monty cricket," the ICC announced. That incentive will run Panesar took seven wickets in the second until the ICC Test Championship event in 2017, origi - Test while his spin partner Graeme Swann nally scheduled for 2013. ICC chief executive Haroon has fetched nine. But despite these statis - Lorgat backed the prize money increase. "This worthy tics, Anderson refused to accept the spin- increase in prize money for the top four teams in the friendly nature of the pitches was Test rankings can only be right," he said. discouraging for fast bowlers. "I don't "We are delighted at the growing interest and qual - think so," Anderson said on Wednesday. ity of Test cricket and we must continue to promote the "Seamers have got plenty wickets, (Stuart) pinnacle form of the game before and beyond the Test Broad bowled well in the last game and Championship in 2017." Umar Gul got four wickets in the first, so it Previously, the top team in the ICC Test rankings is just that the spinners have outshone us received a cheque for $175,000 but in future will re - in the first two Tests." Broad, who took 4- ceive a minimum of $450,000 rising to $500,000 in 47 in the first innings of the second Test, 2015. From 2016 there will be further increases in Test has taken eight wickets in the series while prize money, the ICC said. Anderson's tally stands at five. Anderson The ICC also approved an initial amount of $12 said he was happy with england's bowling million for a programme aimed at developing more performance to date. "Our job is to get 20 competitive teams among full, associates and affiliate wickets in any Test match and we thought members. The ICC has ten full, 36 associates and 59 af - it might be a difficult job here but proba - filiatee members. The Board was also presented with bly we have exceeded our expectations in an independent review of its Anti-corruption and secu - that department, so we are pretty dubAi: iCC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat (r) addresses a press conference as Vice President Alan isaac (L) looks on. afp rity unit (ACSU) presented by Sir Ronnie Flanagan. pleased," said 29-year-old Anderson. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:44 AM Page 19

Thursday , 2 February , 2012 Sports 19 Awais claims Mohsin admits there is stiff opening day honours in Punjab Cycling LAHORE competition in the squad STaff rEPOrT LAHORE where a player knew that if he was strug - level he is at now and that he has no in - Awais Ali of Faisalabad claimed opening STaff rEPOrT gling for form or fitness then a suitable tention of letting his form dip and his fit - day honours in the 46th Punjab Cycling back up was ready to take his place," Pak ness levels to drop," he added. Championship that paddled off here on AKISTAN'S interim coach Passion quoted Mohsin, as saying. Mohsin rejected claims that Pak - Wednesday. According to organizing sec - Mohsin Khan has admitted "I wanted to have a backup for every istan's batting was one dimensional and retary Qaisar Saddiq Bhatti, Awais Ali won that there is stiff competition position in the team and wanted to erad - negative. two gold medals, 1km time trial and 4km in the squad for the final XI icate the comfort zone mentality and en - "I've been hearing and reading criti - individual pursuit. Syed Shahid Ali, IOC ahead of the third Test against sure that a ready-made replacement was cism of the Pakistani batting line up about Member in Pakistan and President Punjab ePngland. He added that making Pak - there if a spot in the starting eleven be - it not being up to the mark and the lack of Olympic Association was the chief guest of istan's cricket competitive was his prior - came available," he added. big scores. I agree to a certain extent that the opening ceremony and awarded ity during his tenure as chief selector to He lauded Pakistan's cricketer Abdur our batsmen did not go on and make a big medals to the winners. Latif Butt, former ensure that the team had a back-up for Rehman who recorded the best Test score in Abu Dhabi but you have to realise secretary general Pakistan Olympic Asso - every position and no player maintained scores in the Abu Dhabi game. that the opposition contains six top class ciation was also among the guests and a comfort zone mentality. "There is a lot of healthy competi - batsmen in their ranks, professional, tal - presented a shield to the chief guest. "When I came into the role of Chair - tion now in Pakistan cricket for places in ented and experienced players, yet they OPENiNG daY rESulTS: At cycling velodrome results are man of Selectors my priority was to have the starting eleven in every format. struggled on that type of surface, so let's as under: 1km Time Trial: Awais Ali Faisalabad 1m 21S 50P, more competition for places and an envi - Abdur Rehman is a perfect example of put things into perspective before criticis - Tallah babar Lahore 1m 24S 75P, Shafaqt Ali Multan 1m 34S ronment where nobody felt that they were this way of thinking, he knows that he ing the Pakistani batsmen about their 30P. 4km individual pursuit: Awais Ali Faisalabad 6m 21S 90P, an automatic selection. An environment has worked extremely hard to get to the strike rates," he added. Sunny Lahore 6m 03S 97P, Nasir gujranwala 6M 23S 03P. guard rice get Aisam to pakistan can slender margin win LAHORE visit Lok Virsa STaff rEPOrT In the Caanchi and Lugari Polo Cup 2012, Museum whitewash England Guard Rice had a slender margin win over Newage Cables here at the Lahore Polo LAHORE KARACHI hungrier for success and that is always Club ground on Wednesday. Guard Rice STaff rEPOrT aGENCiES the first sign of a team turning into a top having half a goal advantage got another class side," he said. seven goals in the field to beat Newage Ca - Pakistan's ace tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Pakistan's former captain Shahid Afridi "Another good thing is that all the bles which managed six in their hunt for Qureshi will be visiting Lok Virsa Mu - feels the team is capable of handing out a players realise their responsibility and an in vane cause. Hamza Mawaz Khan and seum as part of his endeavour to show - 3-0 whitewash to world number one are contributing and supporting each Taimur Ali Malik managed two goals in the case the cultural activities in the country. england given the way it dominated the other on the field." The all-rounder, who opening chukker for Guards and Shaukat He has always tried his best to promote first two Tests. Pakistan enjoy an unas - will join the team for the one-day and Ali Malik had one for the Newage Cables. the cause of Pakistan at all platforms na - sailable 2-0 lead over the english. Twenty20 matches against england from Taimur added another two in the next tionally as well as internationally, espe - "I think Pakistan will complete a next week, said Pakistani players have chukker but Shah Shamyl Alam and Santi - cially among the youth. “Not many people clean sweep in the third Test. They can made winning a habit. ago Mendivil kept the Newage hopes alive know that there exists a "Lok Virsa Mu - whitewash england," Afridi told re - "After winning the first two Tests, the with the same number of goals. Raja seum" at Shakarparian Hills in Islam - porters at a function to launch the auto - morale and confidence in the team is very Temur Nadeem, however, gave an edge to abad. This museum has excellent display biography of former chief selector high," he added. Afridi, who was captain Guard Rice in the third chukker with a 60- of many objects of national independence Salahuddin Ahmed. Afridi said Pakistan of the one-day side until last May, said yarder, which was the only goal scored movement,” a source close to Aisam said. enjoyed a psychological hold over the that the way Pakistan are improving, they during that period in time. Santiago got Aisam will be visiting the arena at 6 PM english batsmen. could soon match the feats of other great three more goals for Newage to start the on Thursday at Shakarparian Hill Islam - "I see this series as the best opportu - teams. "Pakistan has the potential to be final chukker which provided his team a abad to pay respect to the independent nity for Pakistan to win the series 3-0. As as good as the Australians were at one one goal lead. But Temur with his two back movement heroes of Pakistan. they keep on winning they are getting time," he said. to back penalties got Guard Rice the win.

Chelsea refuse to give up chase SWANSEA was well taken." Villas-Boas was happy with afP his side's overall performance and felt that his side could have gone on to win the game Andre Villas-Boas believes Chelsea are ca - had they have scored a little earlier in a one- pable of closing the gap on the top three de - sided second half. spite slipping seven points behind "I think if the first goal had have come a third-placed Spurs on Tuesday. An own goal little bit earlier, a second might have come from Neil Taylor in stoppage time spared because of the motivation and momentum Chelsea's blushes after their former winger we would have had. "But Swansea defended Scott Sinclair had given Swansea City the well and although we scored, we had no lead six minutes before half-time. time to get the winning goal. Chelsea, who had Ashley Cole sent off "I thought Swansea were excellent. four minutes from time, for a second yellow Their style collides a bit with what is cultural card, have now taken only two points from in english football, but we have to praise it. their last two games, against Norwich and "I think first half we conceded the space Swansea. "It is a gap that has grown tonight, to them and they are magnificent in finding but two weekends ago it was reduced," said those gaps. They play in between you, but Villas-Boas. "So, we go back to where we when you press them it is more difficult for were before. A seven point gap is nothing in them." Villas-Boas was not too despondent the Premiership. about another goalless night for Fernando "It is never satisfying only to get a point, Torres who has gone 1,000 minutes without but Tottenham are still within our reach and scoring. "I think the confidence is there. We let us see what we can do from here. have to persist with him and he helped the "At the moment it makes no sense for team today with his movement, his lay-offs me to speak about the league. We are com - and his passing. peting for the Champions League and that "So again, it is the same situation, we is our main objective. "We will face what have to continue creating enough opportu - will probably be the new league leaders, nities, maybe more." "Fernando and Didier next weekend, and after that game, we can Drogba are fighting for the striker's position see if the first spot is within our reach or so when Didier arrives back from the not." Villas-Boas meanwhile was happy with African Cup of Nations it will be further Chelsea's transfer window dealings. competition for Fernando." Swansea man - "We strengthened in the most impor - ager Brendan Rodgers praised his side's at - tant position and we have made a deal for titude. "I am very proud of the players and Gary Cahill which we pursued for some for them to feel so disappointed about not time," he said. "That was what we needed beating Chelsea, says it all. for the squad." Cahill started on the bench "We will deal with the disappointment at the Liberty Stadium with Branislav well. That's the third big club we have had Ivanovic preferred at the heart of the back here in a row and we have drawn twice and four in the absence of John Terry. "There beaten Arsenal. "You must remember also, has been solidarity in our defensive displays that we have not lost two league games in of late and the team has been playing well. a row all season. I think it is only us and Because of that, we decided not to change Manchester City can say that. So, no, we the dynamic of the team for this game. "I won't have a hangover from the disap - spoke to Gary regarding the decision and it pointment of this. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:44 AM Page 20

20 Sports Thursday , 2 February , 2012 India remain winless in australia with T20 defeat SYDNEY Wade raced to 70 before a rain afP SCOrEBOard delay affected his concentration and he was out two runs later auSTralia: India have still to win on their Aus - d. Warner c raina b Vinay Kumar 25 after the restart in play. David tralia tour after losing the first of M. Wade b raina 72 Hussey cracked 42 off 30 balls two Twenty20 internationals by 31 T. Birt c raina b ashwin 17 with three sixes and a four be - d. hussey b Sharma 42 runs to the home side at the Syd - G. Bailey not out 12 fore he was out attempting a big ney Olympic stadium on Wednes - M. Marsh not out 0 slog only to be bowled by Rahul day. Before the biggest crowd for a EXTraS: (lb1, w2) 3 Sharma on the penultimate de - TOTal: (4 wickets for; 20 overs) 171 single day's cricket in Sydney of al - fall of wickets: 1-38 (Warner), 2-79 (Birt), 3-135 livery of the innings. most 60,000, Australia rattled up (Wade), 4-170 (hussey) India again started disas - BOWliNG: ashwin 4-0-34-1, Kumar 3-0-34-0, trously, losing Virender Sehwag 171 for four off their 20 overs after Vinay Kumar 4-0-28-1 (1w), raina 3-0-22-1, being sent into bat and reduced rahul Sharma 3.4-0-27-1 (1w), rohit Sharma on the third ball of Brett Lee's India to 140 for six. 0.2-0-2-0, Jadeja 2-0-23-0 opening over for four and he was did not bat: d. Christian, J. faulkner, B. hogg, B. followed by a steady procession of India were hoping to bounce lee, X. doherty back to form in the shorter version iNdia: teammates back to the dressin - after being thrashed 4-0 in their G. Gambhir c Marsh b hussey 20 groom. Opening partner Gautam V. Sehwag c hussey b lee 4 Test series against Michael V. Kohli c Warner b hogg 22 Gambhir made 20 off 14 balls and Clarke's Australians. Matthew S. raina b Christian 14 Virat Kohli was splendidly caught Wade, who is keeping wicket - rohit Sharma b hussey 0 near the boundary ropes by M.S. dhoni not out 48 keeper Brad Haddin out of Aus - r. Jadeja c Warner b Christian 7 Warner for 22 giving 40-year-old tralia's T20 and one-day teams, r. ashwin not out 15 legspinner Brad Hogg his first justified his selection with a man- EXTraS: (lb3, w6, nb1) 10 wicket for Australia in four years. TOTal: (6 wickets for; 20 overs) 140 of-the-match performance with fall of wickets: 1-6 (Sehwag), 2-47 (Gambhir), Rohit Sharma, who has 72 off 43 balls and slick glovework 3-53 (Kohli), 4-53 (rohit Sharma), 5-72 (raina) waited all tour for a chance to bat behind the stumps. 6-81 (Jadeja) for India in the Test series, was BOWliNG: lee 4-0-36-1 (4w), doherty 4-0-23- "I got a little taste for it a few 0 (1w), faulkner 2-0-18-0, Christian 4-0-35-2 bowled for a first ball duck by months back in South Africa and (1nb), hussey 2-0-4-2, hogg 4-0-21-1 David Hussey and Raina scored 14 I'm looking to take my opportu - australia won by 31 runs off 15 balls before he was bowled Man-of-the-match: Matthew Wade (auS) nity batting at the top of the Toss: india by Dan Christian. Only skipper order with Dave (Warner)," umpires: Bruce Oxenford (auS), M.S. Dhoni showed any resistance Paul reiffel (auS) with three sixes and a four in an Wade said. "It's always good to TV umpire: Simon fry (auS) be scoring runs and I'm just unbeaten 48 off 43 balls, while looking to play my role in the Test series win over India, Ashwin remained 15 not out. team and I'll do that in Mel - thrilled the large crowd with an Christian and Hussey finished bourne (T20 on Friday) and audacious six as he switched with two wickets each for Aus - hopefully make my one-day from his normal left handed grip tralia. The crowd of 59,659 broke debut in Melbourne (on Sunday) to right hand to send the ball ca - the previous record of 58,446 set too." Wade smashed three sixes reering over deep extra cover 83 years ago when Australia and five fours opening the in - into the stands. Warner hit two played england in a Test match at nings with David Warner, who sixes and took 19 off Ravi Ash - the Sydney Cricket Ground on De - made 25 off 14 balls before he win's second over before he was cember 15, 1928. The second T20 was the first wicket down. out when he skied Vinay Kumar match takes place at the Mel - Warner, coming off Australia's to Suresh Raina at extra cover. bourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

PFF ‘d’ Certificate Coaching Course begins

LAhOrE: The Pakistan Football Federation in line with its emphasis on PFF Vision Plan 2020 and Youth Development Program is hosting PFF D Certificate Football Coaching Course at Qayyum Sports Complex, Pe - shawar. The five-day coaching course that started on Wednesday will be conducted by Akhter Mohi-ud-Din as Instructor and will conclude on February 5. Najeeb Ullah Najmi will act as Assistant Instructor, Salah-ud- Din Awan, Refree Instructor, and Course Coordinator will be Abdul Shakoor. Director General KPK Sports Board Khan Zaib Khan inaugurated the Course as chief guest and said: “The PFF is committed to provide football coaches from beginner to most advance with up-to-date theoretical, physical and practical knowledge for coaches from all regions i.e. Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and FATA which can ensure that players develop their skill to full potential”. Zaib further added that KPK being the most fer - tile province for the game of football, this program at Peshawar is being given due importance which he hopes will bear fruit in the shortest possible time. The Course will enable the 24 participants to take this challenge. The participants are: Muhammad Tauseef (Lucki Marwat), Zubair Muhammad (Bannu), Sohail Ghaffar (Dir), Shafaat Ullah (Karak), Yasir Sarfraz (Abbotabad), Farman Ali (Bunner), Altaf Ahmed (Mardan), Adnan Khan (Noshehra), Umer Ahmed (Chitral), Yasrab Nawaz (Karak), Amjad Khan (Kohat), Aftab Alam (Haripur), Samiullah (D.I. Khan), Mahtab Ullah (Karak), S. Shafatullah (Hangu), Junaid Mahboob (Mansehra), Zia Ullah (Swabi), Yaqoob Khan (Peshawar), Shah Nawaz (Peshawar), Hussain Bukhsh (Peshawar), Jaffer Shah SudNEY: india's MS dhoni loses control of his bat during a T20 match against Australia. REUTERS (Peshawar), Naqeebullah (Peshawar), Suleman Ghani (Peshawar), Shiraz (Charbagh). STaff rEPOrT

India in disarray as Pakistan blaze a trail Comment They released some inspired propa - sive 100th international century, Rahul needs to be at least some consequences outwardly charismatic (his partnership ganda with the invention of the teesra. Dravid, who batted beautifully in eng - for an 8-0 thrashing.” with Nasser Hussain worked so well be - TANYA ALDRED And in the 14 matches since Misbah-ul- land, struggled in Australia and VVS Lax - What India seem to be so desperately cause Hussain provided the explosives). Haq took over the captaincy, they lost man, scourge of the baggy greens in times searching for is what Ugra calls a Harbhajan Singh has been dropped, Once upon a time there was a romantic, only one Test and won eight, including past, looked awkward and distracted. firestarter. They need someone to stoke, Yuvraj Singh is undergoing treatment for gifted, talented, charming cricket team, the two against the No 1 nation, england. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gamb - and needle and prickle the team into a a tumour on his lung in the United States. all wrist and nectar, rulers of the uni - Meanwhile, the team from Olympus hir failed to stick together an opening frenzy. There is no one to rub the flints ur - verse, World Cup winners and No1 Test fell suddenly and without warning to partnership of more than 26 in eight in - Another Pakistani writer has written gently together. They seem at the mo - nation. Not so far away was a team of un - earth. nings. MS Dhoni, once so charismatic, is about how when Pakistan are on a roll ment to lack the ability to suddenly ruly, ebony-maned scoundrels whose India, so talented, so natural, have struggling, the younger players are find - they get into a state of haal — a higher switch everything on. leader turned out to have his hand in the now lost their last two away Test series 8- ing it hard to flourish in a rusty team. consciousness recognised by Sufism, that Despite the deification of the players till, as did a couple of his most talented 0. Only Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the There have been rumours of rifts, and we might more prosaically call the zone. this team have been watchable, loveable, lieutenants. West Indies during their lost decade have outbreaks of ignoble behaviour. Think of Pakistan on the last day at since they beat Australia, then invincible, This team were nomads, forced to done worse in the last 80 years. In India, the media can smell blood. Abu Dhabi, or India during the tied in 2000-2001. Following that series on play their home matches across the water everyone had said India’s away series They call for the axe, to fell the big three: World Cup match against england, or teletext was a vicarious thrill. because of threats of terrorism, plagued against england would be close, it was Dravid, VVS, Tendulkar. The Indian peo - england at Headingley 1981. To see them suddenly human brings by indiscipline and generally regarded as not. Neutrals, nay Ian Chappell, thought ple are not so sure. The players wind each other up into a a real sadness, of time passing and talent a bit of a rabble. they might at last win in Australia this As Sharda Ugra, Cricinfo’s senior ed - sort of group excitement: you can smell spent. By the time they play their next And then, with three of their number southern summer — but the narrowest itor, says: “We are by and large a senti - in the wind that something is going to away Test series in South Africa in late awaiting trial and subsequently sent to margin of defeat was 122 runs. mental people. These are distinguished happen. What India have is Tendulkar, 2013 India and the world will have moved jail, the scoundrels turned. They em - India are sitting naked and cold in the long-serving players, and they deserved Dravid, Laxman — calm and serenity per - on. Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, braced discipline, a captain with a man - empty bath and someone has run away dignified goodbyes. sonified. Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma will agement degree and a coach who looks with the towels. "At the moment they are bigger tar - Dhoni’s form is so flat that he lacks probably have replaced the familiar like Johnny Cash. They flirted with cau - The stellar batting line-up has stalled: gets than the younger batsmen who have the energy for a spark of mischief. Dun - names. And those from the north-west tion, successfully. Sachin Tendulkar waits on for that elu - also failed. But logically speaking there can Fletcher has never pretended to be may well have usurped the crown. ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:45 AM Page 21

Thursday , 2 February , 2012 Sports 21 MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s midfielder Park waTCh IT LIve Ji-Sung (up) vies with Stoke City's Andy Wilkinson Spot on United STAR SPORTS during the English Premier Women’s T20: Australia League football match. aFP V New Zealand as Stoke 08:30AM TEN SPORTS Italian Serie A: Udinese V Lecce pay penalty 12:40AM MANCHESTER the first period was spent with United Punjab Sports afP patiently trying to break down Stoke's dogged resistance. Paul Scholes teed Festival in full swing AVIeR Hernandez and Dim - up Michael Carrick for a promising itar Berbatov each claimed a early shot which was charged down by LAHORE penalty as Manchester Ryan Shawcross and another Carrick STaff rEPOrT United's 2-0 victory over strike won a 21st minute corner. Stoke drew them level with That resulted in Scholes shooting The Punjab Sports Festival 2012 en - JManchester City at the top of the Pre - from outside the area sending a fierce tered its 10th day with the competitions mier League. With injury and illness strike just wide of the post and into being held successfully throughout the to Anders Lindegaard and David de the advertising hoardings. provincial union councils. Gea, respectively, forcing United to Patrice evra appealed in vain for in Lahore’s union Council 93, badminton tournaments hand a league debut to 21-year-old a penalty after his run into the area were held with Shehriar beating Mohammed bilal 2-0, in deputy Ben Amos, the penalty deci - was halted by slight contact from uC 10, Fiaz beat Mohammed Awais 2-0, in uC 5, Arslan sions ensured the defending Premier Dean Whitehead and Berbatov's defeated Hassan 2-0, in uC 9, Hamza beat Azad Khan 2- League champions enjoyed a comfort - telling pass then freed Valencia down 0, in uC 92, Khalique outplayed Zubair 2-0, in uC 90, able evening. the right but his cross was too close to Zubair Khan beat Hamza 2-0, in uC 93, Zubair beat Jawad United took the lead after 38 min - Sorensen who parried the ball to 2-0, in uC 11, Shokat outplayed Zahid 2-0 and uC 93, bilal defeated inam 2-0. in the cricket matches, Mohammed utes when Jermaine Pennant was safety. Carrick then linked intelli - Akbar Xi from uC 28, imran Xi from uC 30, Faisal Xi from judged to have tripped United's South gently with Park and Berbatov before uC 68, Sheraz Xi from uC 80 and Zahid from uC 69 won Korean international midfielder Park rolling a left-foot shot inches wide, a their respective matches. in Model Town, uC 130 bad - Ji-Sung in the area. miss followed moments later by the minton teams participated in which Nadeem Park de - In the absence of regular penalty opening goal. feated Mughal club 2-0. in Cantt/Shalamar, uC 41 team taker Wayne Rooney, who has failed even after taking the lead from participated in which Combined Xi beat Sajad Xi, Hassan on four of his last eight attempts, Her - the penalty, United might have had a Abbas Xi scored Chaudhry Xi by 3 runs. Combined Xi nandez strode up and calmly beat second spotkick when a Hernandez scored 63 runs win against universal Xi. in Football uCs Thomas Sorensen with a shot into the cross struck Shawcross's hand al - 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 54 and 55 got walkover. in athletics, uC bottom left-hand corner. Seven min - though referee Jones clearly viewed 44, 5 players participated in four events, in uC 44, eight utes into the second half, Antonio Va - the infringement as accidental. After players participated in 5 events, in uC 48, 8 players partic - ipated in 6 events. The winning players were Sadaat, Mo - lencia surged into the area with Jon Chris Smalling created an early sec - hammed Yasin, Aslam, Awais, Abdul Sami and Mazhar Walters tugging at him from behind, ond half opening for Berbatov, which Awais. in cricket, uC 41 waqar beat imran 15-8. Maqsood a move which referee Mike Jones in - was charged down by the visiting de - beat Khalid 6-5. Asim beat Sanaullah 9-5. in uC 43, rana stantly deemed worthy of a penalty. fence, Jones finally decided United Aslam beat Mohammad Maqsood 15-8. Sultan Ali beat This time, surprisingly given Her - merited a second penalty and, there - Khalid Hussain 15-2. Hafiz Abbas beat Shoaib 15-6. in uC nandez's earlier success, Berbatov after, the game looked well beyond 44, Mazhar, Aslam, Shoaib and Tahir were the winners. in strode up to the mark and scored just Stoke. uC 48, Tariq beat Hammad 15-8, Mohsin beat bilal 15-4, as convincingly as his team mate had, Pennant's free-kick almost pre - Faisal beat Farukh 15-0. in uC 54, Aslam butt beat Mohsin low into the bottom right. sented Jones with a chance and the 15-9, usman Pervez beat Zubair 15-6. Nadeem beat Abbas The opening goal was inevitable Stoke winger also crossed well for 15-4. in gujranwala, 16 union councils participated in cricket, 8 union councils in volleyball, 10 in football, 4 in in a game in which Stoke's primary substitute Cameron Jerome whose kabaddi and 24 in badminton. in Faisalabad, 39 union aim appeared to be to test United's header was first fumbled, then saved councils participated in cricket, 21 in badminton, 10 in rookie goalkeeper with long-range on the line, by Amos. Amazingly, it hockey, 5 in football, 14 in kabaddi and 18 in volleyball. shots. appeared that United should have had Similarly a large number of union councils are participat - Walters chanced his arm from 25 a third penalty decision after evra ap - ing in all cities at union councils level throughout Punjab. yards and Kenwyne Jones volleyed peared to be brought down by White - The union council events phase will conclude on February wide from outside the box inside the head after 70 minutes following 2, (today) while the next phase of the events at Tehsil opening 10 minutes. But the bulk of another flowing passage of play. level will start from February 4 till 15.

COPENHAgEN Gabon maintain perfect afP Wozniacki parts Former women's world number one Caroline wozniacki has company with coach run, Morocco deny Niger parted company with her Span - ish coach ricardo Sanchez after LIBREVILLE inated teams ended in a 1-0 win for Mo - some of the players because they have al - only two months of collaboration, afP rocco over Niger. The nation's eyes ready been booked and we did not wish to the Ekstra bladet daily reported though were trained on events in the risk them before the quarter-finals. "How - on wednesday. Gabon continued their charmed run at the country's second city where Aubameyang, ever, those who played today showed The decision, announced by Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, toppling one of the Panthers' main stars, bagged a many good qualities because we played wozniacki's father and confirmed Tunisia to emerge from the first round with 62nd minute goal when he collected a well but we could not win the match." by Sanchez, comes after her a perfect nine points. Gernot Rohr's al - loose ball before wrong footing goalkeeper Aubameyang is now joint top scorer elimination in the quarter-finals ready qualified side added the noted scalp Rami Jeridi for his third goal of the com - with Angola's Manucho and Morocco's at the Australian open, which of the 2004 winners to those of Morocco petition. Tunisia fought to restore parity Houcine Kharja, whose campaign ended saw her fall to fourth place in and Niger to finish winners of Group C and but the home heroes were resolute in de - prematurely and painfully when he was the wTA ranking. earn a quarter-final date with the Group D fence to hold on for another famous vic - stretchered off with a knee injury in Libre - in december, Sanchez broke off runners-up. With Ghana favourites to tory. "This was our most difficult game so ville. Morocco denied Niger their first ever his partnership with Serbian for - claim Group D that could prove a major far against a very good Tunisia team, who Nations Cup point when Younes Bel - mer world number one Jelena boost to the co-hosts' outlandish bid bid to dominated the game from start to finish," handa broke the deadlock 11 minutes Jankovic to work with wozniacki, make it to the February 12th final. admitted Rohr. "It was not easy because from time - however the biggest cheer who had dropped her father, Day 11 saw simultaneous games being we were already qualified for the quarter- from a tiny crowd came earlier when tel - Piotr, as her coach in August. played in Franceville, where Pierre-emer - finals. But thanks to the professional atti - evision images showed Gabon scoring. "we decided to evaluate the col - ick Aubameyang's' goal did it for 2004 tude and fighting spirit of the players, we Morocco coach eric Gerets said his laboration and we agreed to winners Tunisia, and in the Gabon capital won to finish top of the group." Tunisia players had given him the respone he was bring it to an end," Piotr wozni - where the dead' tie between the two elim - coach Sami Trabelsi said: "We rested hoping for after getting knocked out with acki told Ekstra bladet. defeats to Gabon and Tunisia. "We are Sanchez told the newspaper that like a boxer in the ring who gets a kick in the decision was due to his dif - the head, he's down but he will stand up ferences with wozniacki's father, and fight again," the Belgian said. who had been the dane's only "The crisis after the second game (3- previous coach. 2 defeat to the co-hosts) was terrible, but "i have great respect for Piotr, the players stood up and showed the first who has never played tennis signs of life tonight, that's what I needed himself, and for the work he has to see. "My players tried to leave this Na - done," said Sanchez. tions Cup with their heads held high, hav - "but he has his way of doing ing said that our campaign was things, and i have mine." catastrophic." With 2014 World Cup qual - Sanchez added that "Caroline ifying starting in June the Belgian con - was just confused" by having firmed he would not be walking away two coaches "who wanted differ - from his job. Rolland Courbis, the team ent things". consultant who assumed control of Niger despite the failure of her part - from manager Harouna Doula after their nership with Sanchez, Caroline shambolic opening loss to Gabon, said wozniacki has not ruled out tak - Morocco had deserved to win. Like Gerets ing on a new coach, according to a former coach of Marseille Courbis her father. added: "Niger has lots of qualities and "if Caroline finds a coach that FrANCEViLLE: Tunisian defenders Houcine ragued and bilel ifa shield gabonese skipper Michel limits, but we were in a difficult group, I she thinks might suit her, we'll Cousin (C) from the ball during the match between the two teams in Franceville Stadium. wouldn't be surprised if one of the two take him," he said. gabon defeated Tunisia 1 - 0 to top group C in the African Cup of Nations tournament. afp qualified teams goes alll the way." ISB 02-02-2012_Layout 1 2/2/2012 4:45 AM Page 22

Thursday , 2 February , 2012 22 sPurious drugs issue Shahbaz points finger at ‘someone’ in Islamabad

g ators as they had done during the out - Cm says PiC deaths were caused by too break of dengue, and undeterred by the intrigues of the opposition, the Punjab much anti-malaria medicine in isotab drug government would continue to serve the ailing humanity. LAHORE supplied by effroze Chemical Industries, The CM said that immediately after STaff rEPOrT a Karachi-based pharmaceutical com - receiving the report about the reaction of pany. excessive use of this medicine af - the harmful medicines, a comprehensive UNJAB Chief Minister Shah - fected the bone marrow and if this strategy was adopted and effective meas - baz Sharif on Wednesday process was not controlled, it might result ures were taken. He said samples of the said that during the outbreak in the death of the patient, the CM added. drugs were sent to Britain and various of the dengue virus, “a high He said according to the report re - european countries by hand so that facts profile personality of Islam - ceived from Britain, the quantity of anti- could be ascertained in the light of the re - aPbad” had conspired to send back the malaria medicine pyrimethamine, ports of impartial international laborato - medical team of a friendly country from manufactured by effroze Chemical In - ries. He said not only doubtful medicines Lahore and he was now ready to expose dustries, was 14 times more than the but the samples of blood, bone marrow this conspiracy in the Supreme Court. usual quantity. He said a thorough inves - and the skin of the patients and the de - Talking to reporters at a press confer - tigation would be carried out at every ceased persons were also sent to Britain. ence on the issue of deaths caused by spu - level to determine whether it was a con - He said this strategy proved fruitful and rious drugs, Shahbaz said the cause of the spiracy or a disastrous mistake. Shahbaz through these samples european experts reaction and deaths from the use of spu - said the reports regarding analysis of the reached the conclusion that these pa - rious drugs distributed by the Punjab In - medicines would be presented to the ju - tients had used anti-malaria medicine ex - stitute of Cardiology (PIC) had been dicial commission and the Supreme cessively. He said because of the efforts of cists and experts of Punjab started to con - now available in the form of injections. ascertained and the analysis report by the Court, and would also be made public. the government and the hard work of template measures to counter the effects Shahbaz said no laboratory from Pe - British Regulatory Agency of the samples POLITIcS ON DEAD BODIES: He doctors, the cause of the reaction and the of the medicine. He said after hard work shawar to Karachi had been able to detect of medicines had been received. He said said the opposition should show sense resultant deaths had been determined and consultation with foreign experts the mixing of anti-malaria medicines in according to the report, a large quantity and not indulge in politics based on within a month. through video conferencing, the antidote the Isotab, and it would be thoroughly in - of the drug for the treatment of malaria dead bodies. He said that people would He said after receiving the report to the spurious drug, Folnic Acid and Cal - vestigated whether it was a conspiracy or had been found in the medicine ‘Isotab’, foil the nefarious designs of the conspir - from Britain, specialist doctors, pharma - cium Folinate, had been found and were a result of bribery and corruption.

pakistan exerting insufficient pressure on militant groups: CIa

WASHINgTON said. “I think I and most of us believe that ONliNE having a positive relationship with Pakistan as a nuclear power, a significant nuclear power, Pakistan was exerting insufficient pressure on is very important. The question I have is how militant groups, including the Haqqani net - you assess this relationship, which certainly work, Afghan Taliban and some other allies of had its low in December, may or may not be al Qaeda, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) improving,” she said. Director General (r) David Petraeus has said. Senator Saxby Chambliss, vice chairman “There’s been insufficient pressure on the of the committee, agreed with Feinstein. “Tal - Haqqani network, on some of the other ele - iban senior leaders continue to enjoy safe ments, the allies of al Qaeda such as the Com - havens in Pakistan, which enables them to mander Nazir group, the IMU and then some provide strategic direction to the insurgency others,” Petraeus told US lawmakers. “Then in Afghanistan without fear for their safety,” needless to say, the Afghan Taliban has not he said. “Does the community assess that Tal - been pressured sufficiently in the sanctuaries iban reconciliation is likely to have a great deal that it enjoys in Balochistan and in other areas of success, considering that the group is re - as well,” Petraeus said in response to a ques - silient, maintains the ability to challenge the tion at a Congressional hearing at the Senate United States, and continues to enjoy sanctu - KaraChi: a petrol pump worker Select Intelligence Committee, chaired by Sen - ary in Pakistan? And those are the timelines displays the new price tag after ator Dianne Feinstein, who said Pakistan re - under which we plan to withdraw US forces an increase in prices of petroleum mained a huge problem. from Afghanistan?” he asked. “The Taliban’s senior leaders continue to “The safe havens that do exist have been products on Wednesday. ONLINE enjoy safe haven in Pakistan,” she said. “To pretty obvious and well-documented publicly. me, Pakistan is a very puzzling country. We How is our relationship with Pakistan at this know that thousands of Pakistanis have been point in time allowing us to address those safe killed by terrorists, and we suspect that what havens and the cross-border activity that’s government comes under Pakistan is doing is trying to essentially, to use taking place there, from a Taliban standpoint,” a vernacular, walk both sides of the street,” she the senator added. fire for increasing fuel prices

ISLAMABAD prices of petrol and diesel were not in also staged a walkout from the House STaff rEPOrT the hands of the government as the Oil in protest against the raised prices of and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) fuel. In the National Assembly, speak - The government came under fire in the calculated it on a monthly basis accord - ing on a point of order, PML-N MNA Senate and the National Assembly on ing to a formula. “When there is Ahsan Iqbal said the recent increase in Wednesday where up-in-arms parlia - change in oil prices in the international POL prices was made against the rec - mentarians, including those from the market, when there is change in dollar- ommendations of OGRA. “The current Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), rupee parity, there will be a change in hike in POL prices is adding to the peo - took it to task over massive increase in oil prices,” he added. He said that Gen - ple’s woes,” he said, adding that the prices of petroleum products and eral Sales Tax (GST) and petroleum PML-N would bring forth a resolution walked out of both Houses of parlia - levy (PL) were part of the Money Bill for reversal of the recent hike in POL ment in protest. and added that if anyone wanted to re - prices. He asked the PPP’s allies to sup - The three major coalition partners verse it, they could choose a legal op - port the PML-N resolution. of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), tion. Senator Tahir Mashhadi of the Separately, the MQM staged a walk - the MQM, the Pakistan Muslim MQM shouted at the minister, saying out from the Lower House to register its League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Awami he had misinformed the Senate and protest against the increase in POL National Party (ANP), strongly twisted the facts, and announced a prices. MQM MNA Wasim Akhtar asked protested against the increase in POL walkout in protest. Senator Ishaq Dar the government to reverse the increase as prices and demanded a reversal of the also contradicted the petroleum minis - it would cause further inflation in the government’s decision, the MQM stag - ter’s statement, saying he should give a country. PML-Q MNA and National As - ing a token walkout from the Senate breakdown of the petroleum prices so sembly Standing Committee on Petro - and National Assembly on the issue. as to determine the actual price of the leum and Natural Resources Chairman The PML-Nawaz (PML-N) also staged petroleum products and the tax the Talib Nakai also condemned the in - a walkout from both Houses against in - government had imposed on it “to mint crease, saying the standing committee crease in POL prices, accompanied by money”. “It is an effort to generate had unanimously rejected the hike. “I, as PPP-Sherpao and some lawmakers more and more revenue,” said Dar. He chairman of the parliamentary body as from the PML-Likeminded. said further that last year the govern - well as representative of my party (PML- In response to the adjournment ment had withdrawn the GST and PL Q), condemn the increase in POL prices motion submitted by various members through an administrative order. and demand its reversal,” he said, adding on increase in petroleum prices in Sen - Later, the PML-N, Jamiat Ulema- that such increases and mounting infla - ate, Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hus - e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), PML-Like - tion would invite the people’s wrath for sain said in his brief statement that minded and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) elected parliamentarians.

Published by Arif Nizami for Nawa Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad. Editor: Arif Nizami, Executive Editor: Sarmad Bashir, Resident Editor: Rana Qaisar