SUBSCRIPTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015 THULQADA 3, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwaiti dead, Libya risks Iraqi PM scraps Murray ends wife injured becoming third of cabinet drought against in head-on ‘another posts in reform Djokovic with collision3 Somalia’7 drive13 Montreal20 win Shuaiba oil refinery Min 35º Max 49º High Tide fire ‘not terror act’ 02:05 & 13:50 Low Tide KNPC shuts down Shuaiba refinery after fire 08:15 & 20:35 40 PAGES NO: 16613 150 FILS KUWAIT: A fire at Kuwait’s 200,000 barrel-per-day Qatar launches Shuaiba oil refinery yesterday which led to its total shut- down was not the result of a terrorist act, the country’s labor reform for spokesperson for the oil industry said in a statement. Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah said that any talk of a migrant workers link to terrorism was, “completely devoid of any truth.” DOHA: Qatar yesterday officially launched The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire one of its most “significant” labor reforms to led to the refinery’s total shutdown but there were no guarantee migrant workers’ wages, but casualties, an official at state refiner Kuwait National rights groups are concerned over imple- Petroleum Company (KNPC) said. Ahmed Al-Jemaz, act- mentation of the new regulations. The Wage ing chief executive, said in a statement on the compa- Protection System (WPS) aims to ensure ny’s Twitter account that a fire at the heavy oil cracking that migrant laborers, many working on unit at Kuwait’s smallest refinery had been brought 2022 World Cup-related projects, will finally under control. receive their pay on time. Under the new “No injuries were recorded so far. All the refinery’s system, workers will be paid either twice a units have been shut down and all employees were month or monthly, and the wages electroni- evacuated as a precautionary measure,” Jemaz said in a cally transferred direct to their bank statement. He said firefighters and emergency teams accounts. were on high alert. A KNPC source said because of Failure to pay salaries on time, especially refined products in storage, the country’s exports deals for blue collar workers, has been one of the would not be affected by the shutdown. It was too early biggest complaints voiced by rights groups to say when Shuaiba would be back to full operations against companies in the energy-rich Gulf and authorities would investigate the cause of the fire, state. A 2013 academic study, “Portrait of the source said. Low-Income Migrants in Contemporary An industry source had said earlier that there was an Qatar,” found that around a fifth of migrant explosion at Shuaiba. OPEC member Kuwait has three workers were “sometimes, rarely or never” refineries with a combined capacity of 930,000 bpd. paid on time. Today, a six-month grace peri- The ageing coastal Shuaiba refinery in southern od for businesses to ready for the electronic Kuwait, commissioned in 1968, is due to be mothballed payment system expires. after the new 615,000-bpd Al-Zour refinery comes on Continued on Page 13 KUWAIT: Fire erupts at Kuwaitís 200,000 barrel-per-day Shuaiba oil refinery yesterday. The fire led to the refinery’s total line by 2019. shutdown but there were no casualties, an official at state refiner Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) said. Continued on Page 13 LOCAL TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015 Amir sends condolences to Egyptian President KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi yesterday on the passing of his mother. His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent cables of similar sentiment. —KUNA KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Faisal Nayef Al-Duwaish at Seif Palace yesterday.—KUNA KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (center) and his deputies Anas Al- (From left) Ministers Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah, Ahmad Al-Jassar, Yaqoub Al-Sane, Ali Al-Obaidi and Sheikh Saleh (far right), Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled (second right), Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled (second left) and Khaled Al- Salman Al-Humoud. Jarrah (far left) are pictured during yesterday’s cabinet meeting. — KUNA Cabinet briefed on Shuaiba refinery fire Ministers informed about readiness to host Gulf Cup KUWAIT: The Cabinet listened to an explanation by The Cabinet also was briefed on a message sent to His Minister of Oil and Minister of State for National Assembly Highness the Amir from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Affairs Dr Ali Al-Omair on the fire that broke out at Al- Modi on the importance of supporting international efforts Shuaiba oil refinery yesterday. The ministers lauded efforts and promoting cooperation among UN member states so by workers of the oil sector and the firemen who managed as to maintain security, peace and human rights, and to control the fire. achieve sustainable development in all countries across This came during the Cabinet’s weekly meeting held the globe. yesterday at Seif Palace under the chairmanship of Prime Afterwards, the Cabinet discussed the latest develop- Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. ments at Arab and international levels. It expressed its Meanwhile, the ministers were apprised of the recommen- deep sorrow over the explosion on a marketplace in the dations of the standing committee for youth affairs during Iraqi city of Al-Sadr that killed and injured dozens, stressing its meeting regarding a message to His Highness the Amir that the continuation of such acts targets security of Iraq Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the Olympic move- and Iraqis. ment in the country, and the readiness of the State of Kuwait to host the 23rd soccer Gulf Cup as planned. Condemnation The ministers announced that the State of Kuwait Relations renewed its strong condemnation of all terror acts that run (From left) Ministers Hind Al-Subaih, Ali Al-Omair, Yasser Abul and Yousuf Ali. Following the meeting, Minister of State for Cabinet counter to all religions, and all humanitarian and moral val- Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubark Al-Sabah ues, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. It reiterated for such an attack, stressing that the State of Kuwait place in Sadr city leaving scores killed and wounded. said that the ministers were briefed on a message sent to Kuwait’s condemnation of the explosion in a marketplace renews its strong condemnation of all terror acts that run Yesterday’s meeting came a day after an extraordinary one His Highness the Amir from Senegal’s President Macky Sall in the Iraqi city of Sadr that killed and injured dozens, counter to all religions, and all humanitarian and moral val- headed by His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al- on relations between the two countries and means of pro- stressing that the continuation of such acts targets security ues, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. A blast that was Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah that focused on the security situ- moting them in all fields. of Iraq and Iraqis. The Cabinet expressed its deep sorrow perpetrated by IS last Thursday ripped through a market- ation in the country. — KUNA Pakistani embassy hosts 69th Independence Day celebration KUWAIT: An impressive function was held yesterday at Pakistan Economic Corridor project was attracting the Embassy Chancery to celebrate the 69th world attention and investors, both domestic and for- Independence Day of Pakistan. A record number of eign, were queuing up for the opportunities opening Pakistan nationals living in Kuwait attended the func- up in Pakistan. tion. Touching on the government’s achievements in the The ceremony began with a flag hoisting ceremony. realm of foreign policy, the Ambassador noted that This was followed by a crowded function in the Quaid- Pakistan’s influence was growing among the comity of e-Azam Auditorium, which started with recitation from nations as a result of the Prime Minister’s vision of the Holy Quran, followed by Naat in praise of the Holy “peaceful neighborhood”. Prophet (PBUH). The program included a beautiful seg- He concluded by noting that peace and stability was ment of singing of popular national songs by school returning to Pakistan and the nation, under the leader- children, which was enthusiastically appreciated by the ship of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, was audience. well poised to rid Pakistan of militancy and terrorism The Ambassador read out the messages of the and realize the dream of the founding fathers of build- President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan. In his own ing a stable and prosperous Pakistan. remarks on the occasion, the Ambassador touched on This was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony with the distinguishing features of the Pakistan movement the participation of community members and serving and highlighted the major successes achieved recently of traditional Pakistani breakfast. The crowd was fully including the extraordinary resilience demonstrated as involved in the celebrations, enthusiastically chanting a nation in overcoming the challenges of terrorism and the slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, Pakistan ka matlab extremism, the vast improvement in the security situa- kia, and Pak Fouj Zindabad. tion in the country thanks to the heroic sacrifices made Another highlight of the Independence Day celebra- by our brave armed forces and the people of Pakistan tions this year was a colorful cultural event organized at under the banner of “Operation Zarb-e-Azb”; the stabili- a local five star hotel in collaboration with the Pakistani ty of state institutions; democracy taking roots; and the Community.