1

[contents]

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

Wednesday
FEBRUARY 1, 2012 RABI-UL-AWWAL 8, 1433 A.H. Rs20 tribune.com.pk

PA RT N E R OF

ELECTION COMMISSION

A THE DRONE CAMPAIGN

New CEC will be appointed after consensus

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani PAGE 9

Despite tactical advantages, drones are unacceptable

Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit

21

14%
37%
D m m
m m

C mmu h u h

Yes, we kill

A NATIONAL

Legal, ethical strikes on Obamas drone admission

As US president defends the covert campaign, Amnesty seeks explanation
A HUMA IMTIAZ
WASHINGTON

In a rare, yet non-startling admission, US President Barack Obama on Monday confirmed that US drones have targeted Taliban and al Qaeda militants in Pakistan, in a programme that has escalated under his administration. The confirmation of an otherwise clandestine programme brought to fore a host of ethical and legal questions surrounding it. Obama himself, during an interview on Monday, attempted to justify the unpopular programme that Islamabad insists causes more harm than good. Notwithstanding tactical advantages of drone strikes, we are of the firm view that these are unlawful, counterproductive and hence unacceptable, Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit told AFP on Tuesday. Islamabad appeared to shrug off the confirmations implications though.

" Pakistan military leaders have had limited success against al Qaeda, other foreign fighters and Pakistani militants
Director National Intelligence James Clapper

Justifying drones
Asked about drones in a chat with web users on Google+ and YouTube, Obama said a lot of these strikes have been in Fata Pakistans semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border. For the most part, theyve been very precise strikes against al Qaeda and their affiliates, and were very careful

in terms of how its been applied, Obama said on Monday. This is a targeted, focused effort at people who are on a list of active terrorists, who are trying to go in and harm Americans, hit American facilities, American bases, and so on. Obama said that many strikes were carried out on al Qaeda operatives in places where the capacities of that military in that country may not be able to get them. For us to be able to get them in another way would involve probably a lot more intrusive military action than the ones were already engaging in.

said Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. The hearing, attended by leaders of the US intelligence community, including the heads of the CIA and National Intelligence, focused on worldwide threats in 2012. There was admission of Pakistans support in counterterrorism operations, though. CIA Director General (retd) David Petraeus said that, on the level of intelligence services, relations with Pakistan were productive and there was also communication going on. He said that in October, they had captured or killed four al Qaeda leaders, which was also due to some cooperation with Pakistan. Petraeus added that while Pakistan had conducted operations in Fata and Swat, they had not pressured the Haqqani network or Mullah Nazirs group, nor pressured those present in Balochistan.

"For us to be able to get them [militants] in another way would involve probably a lot more intrusive military action
US President Barack Obama

SC to form larger bench for Benazir murder case

Issues notices to Musharraf, Malik, Babar Awan PAGE 12

A INTERNATIONAL

The secret weapon against Aids

It reduces the chance of infection by 60% IHT PAGE 9

Holder will reportedly reference US legal arguments in support of such killings by drone attacks in a speech on national security in coming weeks. Past justifications offered by US officials have invoked legal theories based on a global war between the US and al Qaeda, a concept not recognised by international humanitarian or human rights law. The US must disclose the relevant legal and factual documentation necessary for a meaningful assessment of the lawfulness of the deliberate killings it is carrying out simply trying to find another way to say trust us, its legal will not be good enough, Zarifi added.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP )

A ANALYSIS

The US is acting over and above the law

NIAZ A SHAH

Amnestys questions
The US must give a detailed explanation of how these strikes are lawful and what is being done to monitor civilian casualties and ensure proper accountability, said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty Internationals Asia-Pacific director, in a press release. What are the rules of engagement? What proper legal justification exists for these attacks? Zarifi asked. US Attorney General Eric

Pakistans limited capacity

Obamas justification for drone strikes was seconded at a hearing of the US Senate Select Intelligence Committee. Pakistan military leaders have had limited success against al Qaeda operatives, other foreign fighters and Pakistani militants who pose a threat to Islamabad,

While drone attacks might have some tactical advantage against al Qaeda and its affiliates, as is being argued, they are against the UN Charter, the law of armed conflict and international human rights law. Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against another state. The Charter allows for the use of force in only one form, ie, under Article 42, wherein the Security Council may allow the use of force as an enforcement mea-

sure when all peaceful means are exhausted. There, however, is one exception to this rule: States are allowed to use force in self-defence against an armed attack. This is a temporary right, ie, until the Security Council is activated to respond to an armed attack an issue of international peace and security. The US has traditionally relied on the argument of the right of self-defence. However, al Qaeda and its affiliates are non-state actors hence three ANALYSIS, PAGE 9

A LIFE & STYLE

Lahore gets some Josh

The band will capture the citys beauty in their latest video PAGE 20

Costs a ton

Diesel shatters Rs100 barrier

Fuel prices rise by up to 6%
A ZAFAR BHUTTA
ISLAMABAD

VIOLENCE

A SPORT

10 more killed in Karachi

A OUR CORRESPONDENT
KARACHI. At least 10 more people were gunned down in drive-by shootings in Karachi, where about 30 people have lost their lives in fresh sectarian and political violence in January. A Shia from GilgitBaltistan, Naeem Abbas, 26, who had arrived in Karachi two months ago, was shot in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. A vegetable seller from Swat, Omar Rahman, 40, was shot dead in Bawani Chali. A 56-year-old watchman Mohammad Ahmed was VIOLENCE, PAGE 9

What was once an exaggerated expression to bemoan inflation has now become reality: The price of diesel has crossed Rs100. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) announced an increase in oil prices by up to 6% per litre effective from Wednesday (today), on account of an increase in global oil prices. Sources said that Ogra had recommended keeping oil

prices unchanged but the finance ministry resisted the proposal and supported an increase in prices to avoid any subsidy.

Ogra has raised the per litre price of petrol by Rs5.37, High Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs4.64, High Octane Blending Component (HOBC)

by Rs6.29, kerosene oil by Rs2.78 and Light Diesel oil (LDO) by Rs3.43. The new per-litre price of petrol is Rs94.91, kerosene oil

Rs92.02, HOBC Rs118.20, LDO Rs90.21 and HSD Rs103.46. While the rationale for this months price rise is global oil price hike, the government had increased prices of petrol and HOBC in January, too, despite a decline in international crude prices and Ogras recommendation to keep prices unchanged. Meanwhile, Ogra had calculated an increase of Rs3.11 perlitre for diesel, in line with the hike in global oil prices, but the government raised the hike to Rs4.64 per-litre, in a bid to earn more revenue through petroleum levy.

Mohsin gets nod from Latif, Afridi

Good results should lead to continuity, say players PAGE 16

Major assault on Kurram

News in Brief
BALOCHISTAN ASSEMBLY SENATE ELECTIONS

Troops repulse Taliban attack on strategic post

Ensuing fighting kills eight soldiers and 35 militants
A OUR CORRESPONDENT
PESHAWAR

Sindh asked to Big three carve out probe Domki killings Punjab seats
The Balochistan Assembly passed a resolution condemning the killing of Nawabzada Bakhtiar Khan Domkis wife and daughter PAGE 2
30-YEAR ISSUE

CASUALTIES

15
is the number of troops who were wounded while defending the Jogi check-post
on Tuesday. Security forces foiled miscreants attempt to dislodge

Security forces repulsed a major Taliban attack on a strategic check-post in the Kurram tribal region, triggering bloody clashes that left 43 people, among them eight troops, dead and dozens others wounded, the military said

a newly-established checkpost on Jogi heights in the Mamozai area (of Central Kurram). And in the (ensuing) exchange of fire 35 miscreants were killed, said a short statement issued by the militarys public relations wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations. Eight security personnel also embraced martyrdom and 15 were injured, it added. Independent confirmation of death tolls is largely impossible in the tribal region. The

wounded troops were ferried to the Combined Military Hospital in Thall area. On January 25, security forces had wrenched back control of the strategic Jogi heights from Taliban insurgents. Six paramilitary Frontier Corps troops were killed in the operation described by the military as a big success. The post was established to sever a frequently used route MAJOR ASSAULT, PAGE 9

Kurram shares its eastern border with the Orakzai and Khyber Agency, and western border with Afghanistan

All three major political parties in the Punjab Assembly have finalised their negotiations over the upcoming Senate elections PAGE 3
DISSENTING VOICES

150,000 Afghans to be granted visas

The minister for states and frontier regions has said that 150,000 Afghan refugees are likely to be granted long-term visas PAGE 3

Senate adopts private power bill

Despite reservations by opposition groups and a coalition partner, the Senate passed the Private Power and Infrastructure Board Bill, 2011 PAGE 9

14
R

A
Th m m Th m m

A
w M

A A

A
W

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

11
DOLLAR VS RUPEE
inter-bank
90

KSE-100
index
11,991.37

0.97 %

0.11

GOLD
per 10 grams
50,057

3.55

EURO VS RUPEE
inter-bank
118.68

1.38

KIBOR 6 MONTHS
in percentage
11.85

0.25 %

Co tt on
per maund
5,800

1.72 %

11,991

90

118.68

11.85

5,800
5,775

11,962.25

89.975

49,607

50,057

118.2775

11.8375

11,933.13

89.95

49,157

117.875

11.825

11.82

5,750

11,904.01

89.925

48,707

117.4725

11.8125

5,725

11,874.89
Tu W

11,874
Th F M T u

89.9
89.8
W Th F S

48,257 SOURCE: Forex

M T u W

48,343
Th F S M T u

117.07
W

117.07
Th F S M T u

11.8
W Th F S M Tu

5,700
W Th F S

5,700
M T u

SOURCE: KSE

SOURCE: KARACHISARAF

SOURCE: Forex

SOURCE: SBP

SOURCE: KCA

KARACHI
w
H

Tax collection falls short of target

FBR expects to receive Rs130b against target of Rs140b
A OUR CORRESPONDENT
ISLAMABAD

EU market access to make headway soon

With objections declining, bloc likely to open doors for two years
KARACHI

CURRENCY

Rupee weakens against dollar

rupee ended weaker at 90.40/45 to the dollar, compared with Mondays close of 90.35/42, driven by increased import payments. The rupee touched a record low of 91.28 to the dollar on January 9, pressured by concerns about higher payments for oil imports and the countrys economic health, especially a weakening current account. The current account recorded a provisional deficit of $2.15 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2012, compared with a surplus of $8 million in the same period last year, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan. The deficit is likely to widen further in the coming months because of debt repayments and a lack of external aid. In the money market, overnight rates ended flat at 11.90 per cent, unchanged from Mondays close, due to a lack of liquidity in the interbank market. REUTERS
KARACHI. The

Tax collection in January has fallen Rs10 to 16 billion short of the target, which may make it difficult for the government to meet budget estimates. Sources in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) told The Express Tribune that according to provisional figures Rs124 billion in taxes were collected in January against the target of Rs140 billion. However, the figure was Rs15.6 billion or 14.8 per cent higher than the same month last year. It was probably for the first time in the ongoing fiscal year that the growth in revenue collection has fallen below nominal gross domestic product (GDP) growth (12 per cent inflation plus 4 per cent GDP). According to tax experts, any growth which is above the nominal GDP rate is considered the result of FBRs efforts. The figure is likely to touch Rs130 billion as some of the

Analysts express fear that in the absence of a full-fledged chairman, the FBR may not be able to reach the tax target
transactions are still in the pipeline, said Mahmood Alam, Officiating Chairman of FBR. The government has set budget deficit target at 4.7 per cent of total size of economy or Rs985 billion on the basis of Rs1,952 billion tax collection. Any shortfall in tax revenues will widen the gap by the same amount. In first half (July-December 2011) of the current fiscal year, the FBR managed to achieve average growth of around 25 per cent. It needs to keep the same growth rate to achieve the fullyear target. Last year, tax collection stood at Rs1,556 billion. Analysts express fear that in the absence of a full-fledged

chairman, the FBR may not be able to reach the tax target. Former chairman Salman Siddique retired on January 20 and the government has yet to appoint a new chief. However, in seven months the FBR has managed to main-

tain the 25 per cent growth rate on the back of a strong performance in the first half. From July through January, it collected Rs964 billion, higher by Rs194 billion or 25.2 per cent than the corresponding period of previous year.

The European Union aims to bolster Pakistans faltering economy by fulfilling a 16-month-old pledge to slash tariffs on dozens of textile products this spring. With Wo r l d Tr a d e Organisation hurdles cleared, the EU could enshrine trade terms as soon as April or May, said EU ambassador to Pakistan Lars-Gunnar Wigemark. We are hopeful these trade concessions will finally be approved by the WTO, and then adopted into law by the European Union, Wigemark told the Financial Times. It looks very positive. The bloc had agreed to grant greater market access to Pakistani exports as a goodwill gesture after devastating floods that tore through the country in 2010. But the proposal has been held up in a series of negotiations at the World Trade Organization, which must approve the exemptions. EU officials are optimistic

Countries that had raised objections including India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam are now prepared to endorse the measures
that countries that had raised objections including India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam are now prepared to endorse the measures at a series of WTO meetings in February. France, Italy and Portugal had also initially been wary of the deal, fearing it might hurt their domestic textile industries. EU hopes the concessions which are due to last at least two years will buttress a broader drive by Brussels to improve relations at a time when Pakistans ties with the US are at their most strained in a decade. Pakistan has lobbied western countries for greater access for its textiles which account for some 60% of its exports with limited success. Under the deal, EU will remove tariffs on a list of more than 70 items, mainly textile products but also some ethanol. PPI

1845

1960

OPEN MARKET EXCHANGE RATES

US Dollar UK Pound Sterling Euro Japanese Yen Chinese Yuan Saudi Riyal UAE Dirham Indian Rupee Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar

90.3 141.2 118.2 1.167 13 23.95 24.45 1.75 95.3 89.5

90.65 143 120 1.180 13.5 24.35 24.85 1.85 96.4 96.4
SOURCE: FOREX.COM.PK

1916

A RESULT

Permission granted

ECC allows export of 100,000 tons of sugar

A SHAHBAZ RANA
ISLAMABAD

1.44%
is the increase in profit of Netsol Technologies to Rs170.6 million during July to December 2011 against the preceding years Rs168.13 million. OUR CORRESPONDENT
FORECAST

Decision comes in face of price drop in local market, expected bumper sugarcane crop
The government on Tuesday relaxed a ban on sugar export and allowed the private sector to export 100,000 tons, a move aimed at stabilising prices in the local market and resolving cash flow problems of mills. The decision was taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, the highest economic decision-making body. Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the meeting. The government had banned sugar export in 2009. On Monday, sugar contracts were settled at $634.2 per ton in the London Futures Exchange. Javed Kayani, President of All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the lobby working to safeguard the interests of sugar mills, cautiously welcomed the move. Its a good beginning that will partly resolve our cash flow problems but sugar mills had sought permission to export 500,000 tons, he said. The government has already decided to purchase 478,000 tons of sugar to arrest the price fall after millers complained that they were suffering heavy losses. Ex-factory price of sugar is Rs45-46 per kg while in the wholesale market it is being sold for Rs48-50 per kg. A few months ago, the prices were above Rs65 per kg. The decision will partly help increase prices but the government will likely allow export of another 200,000 to 300,000 tons by the end of March due to an expected bumper crop, said Senator Haroon Akhtar Khan of PMLQ, whose family owns and runs sugar mills. He said production this year was expected to jump to over 5.2 million tons. The decision to allow export was taken after a detailed review of the sugar situation in the country, said the finance ministry. In its previous meeting, the ECC had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Textile Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin to assess the impact of

Kinnow export target to be missed

ISLAMABAD. Despite achieving bumper crop this year, Kinnow export target of 0.3 million tons is expected to be missed following the loss of the Iranian market, according to Harvest Tradings. Besides, the Indonesian market, where at least 45,000 tons export of the fruit was expected to be made after concluding the already approved Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), also remained untapped due to negligence of the relevant public sector, said Harvest Tradings Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jawad. So far, around 88,000 tons of kinnow against the expected 0.1 million tons have been exported by the mid-Jan with total revenue touching only $54 million, he said adding that overall export of the fruit is now hardly touching 0.2 million tons this year against target of 0.3 million tons. APP

Cotton purchase proposal rejected

The ECC rejected the textile ministrys proposal, seeking purchase of one million cotton bales from the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association for stabilising falling prices of the commodity. The ministry had proposed cotton purchase at Rs6,500 per maund. Had the decision been taken, it would have cost the exchequer Rs6.5 billion. However, during the ECC deliberations it was observed that only a small stock of less than 10 per cent was left with the cotton growers and any intervention in such a situation would not be prudent. The ECC decided that the policy of free market should continue and market forces be allowed to define the prices of cotton, said the finance ministry. The committee deferred a summary moved by the Ministry of Water and Power for levy of sales tax on hydroelectric power sector and asked the ministry to revisit the committee along with Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) chairman.

C n

m m

n h

TENDER

TCP buys sugar at Rs45,720 per ton

KARACHI. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), in response to a tender for purchase of sugar floated on January 23, has awarded contracts to two sugar mills for 10,000 tons at a price of Rs45,720 per ton. Earlier, the TCP received 53 bids from local sugar mills quoting rates in the range of Rs45,720 to Rs50,000 per ton. Two mills, Hunza Sugar Mills Unit-I and Unit-II offered the lowest price of Rs45,720 per ton for 5,000 tons each. Being the lowest and conforming to all tender terms and conditions, the offers of these mills were accepted and they were awarded contracts for a total quantity of 10,000 tons, the TCP said in a press release. However, the TCP said in order to complete the purchase of total targeted quantity of 100,000 tons, rest of the bidders, who quoted higher rates in the tender opened on Tuesday, had been asked to match the lowest bid price by Wednesday. OUR CORRESPONDENT

MEETING HALFWAY: All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the lobby working to safeguard the interests of sugar mills, had sought permission to export 500,000 tons. PHOTO: FILE
sugar export and submit recommendations. The committee, in its recommendations, suggested that 200,000 tons may be exported by the private sector on a first-come-first-served basis. In the meeting, the ECC was briefed that sugar stocks from the 2010-11 crushing season stood at 900,000 tons and this years crop is expected to give a record production of 4.5 to 4.9 million tons. Annual consumption is estimated at 4.2 million tons. Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh cautioned the ministries concerned to ensure that no single party benefitted from the export permission and finalise modalities in coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Pak-China ties

National Power Construction Company

Islamabad gets a slight upper hand in trade

Medical and chemical products among the highest gainers
BEIJING

Pakistan-China bilateral trade registered an overall growth of 22% by reaching the mark of $10.6 billion in 2011 with Islamabad achieving a slight upper hand over the worlds largest exporter. Pakistani exports increased 23% to $2.12 billion while imports from China the worlds largest importer grew 22%. If we have more exportable surplus, the vast Chinese market will be able to absorb our commodities and services. I have no doubt about that, said Pakistans Ambassador to China Masood Khan, adding that the appetite for Pakistani products was increasing. Pakistan and China have resolved to increase their trade to $15 billion in the next two to three years. Pakistans exports to China

were $1 billion in 2008, however, exports have doubled since then following implementation of free trade agreement between the two countries. In the past three years, the bilateral Free Trade Commission (FTC) met twice to boost Pakistan-China trade. Pakistani traders have been especially focusing on textiles, leather products, precious stones, and handicrafts. Pakistani traders are now looking eastward towards China with greater interest. This trend is growing, the ambassador said. In the years to come, entry points of agricultural produce from Pakistan would also be increased, added Khan. The biggest increase in exports to China during the year was in cotton yarn, home textiles, garments, copper and copper scrap, plastic scrap, leather goods, fish products, medical and surgical instruments, chemical products, and food stuffs. APP

Privatisation Commission shortlists bidders

Govt also finalising secondary public offering of Pakistan Petroleum
A OUR CORRESPONDENT
ISLAMABAD

Crop production lowest in the region

The region is Agriculturalist producing 50-60 blames lack of maunds of wheat per research and government support acre compared
A OUR CORRESPONDENT
LAHORE

The board of the Privatisation Commission on Tuesday declared five interested parties eligible for participating in the bidding for strategic sale of 88 per cent government shares in the National Power Construction Company. Headed by Federal Minister for Privatisation Ghous Bux Khan Mahar, the Board endorsed the recommendations of the Transaction Committee of the NPCC and pre-qualified five potential parties for participation in the due diligence and bidding process, said the PC. Ten parties had initially submitted Expressions of Interest for the transaction

at the initial stage while AlArab Contracting Company of Saudi Arabia withdrew. The government wants to make strategic sale of 88 per cent of its shares of the NPCC while the remaining 12 per cent shares have been allocated for distribution among employees under Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS). KASB Bank is providing Financial Advisory Services for the transaction. The pre-qualified parties include three Saudi, one Korean and one Pakistani company. The Saudi companies include Saudi Cable Company, Mansour Al Mosaid Company and Durat Al Masana. The other pre-qualified parties are GS Engineering and Construction Corporation Korea and Consortium of Fatima Trading Company Limited, Fatima Sugar & PakArab Fertilizer, Pakistan.

The pre-qualified parties include three Saudi, one Korean and one Pakistani company
Per Gola Holding Company, Consortium of Irink tech WLL Bahrain and Messes Tahir, Consortium of Lilley International Pakistan and Consortium of Mishal Sania Private Limited could not prequalify for the bidding, said an official of the PC. The NPCC currently rated amongst top contractors and is a specialist contracting outfit for turnkey management of Power Projects. The PC Board also decided to fast track the capital market transactions and decided to table the timetable for the Secondary Public Offering of Pakistan Petroleum Limited

in the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation. The government wants to off load its 2.5 per cent shareholding in the PPL in the Karachi Stock Exchange and has estimated that it will get $70 million through the transaction. It has 69 per cent stakes in PPL. In March 2011 the PC Board had finalised a roadmap for 12 capital market transactions to fetch $830 million. So far, no transaction has been completed. A six member Transaction Committee is in the process of finalising the Secondary Public Offering of Pakistan Petroleum Limited. The committee is headed by a senior PC board member Iftikhar ul Haq with Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Farid Malik PC Board members and the federal Secretaries Petroleum and Natural Resources, Privatisation, Finance, Chairman SECP and MD PPL as its members.

to yields of 27-30 maunds in Pakistan

Despite being home to some of the best natural resources and favourable weather conditions, Pakistans agricultural production is almost 40 per cent less than neighbouring countries, says Kisan Board Pakistan Central Vice President Ahmad Khan. Speaking to newlyelected office-bearers of the Agriculture Journalists Association here on Tuesday, Khan pointed out that in all major crops Pakistans production was the lowest in the region, which was mainly due to lack of research and government indifference. Giving comparisons, he said that in sugarcane, through research and good farming practices, regional countries achieved production of 1,200 to 1,500 maunds (37 kg) per

acre while Pakistan harvested 500 to 600 maunds. Similarly, the region is producing 50-60 maunds of wheat per acre compared to yields of 27-30 maunds in Pakistan. However, Khan said, some big farmers had reached higher levels, indicating the country has a similar potential. Elaborating, he said a small number of big and influential farmers had knowledge and access to modern research. However, about 86 per cent farmers, having 12.5 acres or less land, have no access to research and modern technology. Stressing the need for new research in all areas, he said the country needed high-yielding, weather and pest-resistant seed varieties that could produce crops with less water.

16

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

17
FOOTBALL TENNIS

"Rehman: Ajmal and I support each other " Re without thinking about who gets the wickets. with Our aim is to simply help the team win
Pakistan spinner Abdul Rehman feels there is no element of jealousy or insecurity when he partners Saeed Ajmal in the attack spin

Tevez lodges appeal over City fine

LONDON. Troubled striker Carlos Tevez has appealed to the Premier League against the six-week fine imposed on him by Manchester City after he returned to Argentina without permission in November. City imposed the punishment on the 27-year-old after finding him guilty of gross misconduct on December 22. REUTERS

Seppi, Ljubicic advance in Zagreb

ZAGREB. Fifth-seed Andreas Seppi from Italy beat Germanys Daniel Brands 6-4, 7-6 to advance to the second round of the Zagreb Indoors tournament. Earlier, top seed Ivan Ljubicic the 2006 champion and finalist in 2007 and 2008 also secured his progress with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of Slovakian Karol Beck. AGENCIES

L fe Style
n n
Th

A SCHEDULE

Mohsin saga

BOOK LAUNCH FORMULA ONE

C h Coach gets approval from A Latif, Afridi

Good results should lead to continuity, says former wicket-keeper
A OUR CORRESPONDENT
KARACHI

Sutil handed suspended sentence

Sallu shares his story

A CRICKET

"Dhoni: Captaincys not a position that belongs to anyone and its not something I want to cling on to. If theres a better replacement for me, its a very open thing he can come in
MS Dhoni clarifies that his main concern is to see India win matches, regardless of whether he retains captaincy or relinquishes it for someone more able. AGENCIES

With another impressive series-win in the bag, Pakistans interim coach Mohsin Khan, who was first appointed for the series against Sri Lanka, continues to draw support from various quarters with Rashid Latif the latest voice to back his full-time appointment. Pakistans unprecedented show under Mohsin, according to Latif, which has seen the team register Test and One-Day International (ODI) series triumphs over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before gaining an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Test series against England, remains a huge plus for Mohsin. While the triumphs over Bangladesh and a struggling Sri Lanka were not deemed high-profile scalps, the twin wins over England have earned Mohsin and captain Misbahul Haq much accolade, with the coach using these results to influence his appointment. However, the former opener is not on the Pakistan Cricket Boards (PCB) list of candidates for the head coachs position,

with, according to reports, a deal being finalised with Dav Whatmore after his visit to Lahore last month. Mohsin is doing a good job, Latif told reporters in Karachi on the sidelines of former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmeds book launch. Weve seen a lot of good results under him. Weve hardly seen such a successful coaching stint from anyone before. Meanwhile, Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi also supported Mohsin, albeit through covert articulation. The results are in front of us, said Afridi. The players dont have any issues and importantly the team is progressing well under Mohsin. But its up to the PCB and who they feel will be good for the team.

Series triumph through hard work: Rehman

Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman refused to accept that Pakistans success over the world number one Test team was a big surprise, saying the team achieved the 2-0 lead through sheer hard work. Rehman starred in his teams 72-run win in the second Test, claiming a career-best six for 25 to bundle England for 72 in the second innings. That gave Pakistan an unassailable lead in the series with the last match in Dubai starting from February 3. Its not surprising, Rehman told AFP. We won because we worked really hard before the series and in the two Tests. However, Rehman admitted Englands capitulation was a bit surprising. We had no idea that it would finish in three or four days, but since the team did well and the pitches helped us we won. Were trying to contain them so that they make mistakes. That was the game-plan. They made mistakes after getting fed up.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP)

MUNICH. Former Force India driver Adrian Sutil was found guilty of grievous bodily harm by a Munich court and given an 18month suspended sentence along with a $262,300 fine for a night club brawl in China last year. The 29-year-old German, who has failed to secure a seat for the new season so far, was found guilty of injuring Eric Lux, chief executive of Renault F1 team owners Genii Capital, in a Shanghai nightclub after the Chinese Grand Prix. Lux needed several stitches for a neck wound after Sutil injured him with a champagne glass. Sutil had denied it was his intention to hurt Lux but rather to throw a drink in his face. REUTERS

is the amount former Argentina midfielder Hernan Crespo was bought for at the Premier League Soccer auction, making him the most expensive player in the Indian tournaments first edition. AGENCIES

$0.84m m
A VALUE
TENNIS

Zubair books spot in final

NEWS DESK. Talha Zubair cruised into the final of the 17th Sindh Tennis Association (STA) Development Series Ranking tournament with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Fahim Ramzan, according to information provided by the STA. Zubair will face either Omer Shahid or Saud Shoaib in the decider after both posted wins in their last-eight fixtures. Shahid eased past Salman Butt 6-0, 6-2 while Shoaib was leading 7-5, 1-0 when his opponent, Nazif Ahmed, retired hurt. In the under-17 juniors competition, Saud Shoaib earned a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 victory over Marib Malik to secure a berth in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, in the U13 semi-final, Hania Naveed beat Imran Lohya 8-6.

27C

IN GOOD COMPANY: Former Test cricket and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu presents his book to Hanif Mohammad at the launch of Sallu Aap Beeti in Karachi yesterday. Apart from Shahid Afridi, other guests included Jahangir Khan, Moin Khan, Rashid Latif, Jalaluddin and Saeed Anwar. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Only four queens to woe the kings

Lack of female players worries chess event organisers
A NATASHA RAHEEL
KARACHI

Port Qasim keep Navy at bay

Haseem scores match-winning brace in hockey championship
A OUR CORRESPONDENT
KARACHI

CRICKET

Warne faces legal action from cyclist

We should go all out in final Test

On the Test series against England, Afridi said Pakistan should seek a whitewash in Dubai. Im hoping for a 3-0 win. Itll be important for the continuity and will give confidence to the team before the limited-overs leg.

A TENNIS

Rashid Latif
Mohsin is doing a good job. We have seen a lot of good results under him and weve hardly seen such a successful coaching stint from anyone before in Pakistans history.

Shahid Afridi
The players do not have any issues and importantly the team is

GUIDANCE: Mohsins impressive stint with the team includes Test triumphs over Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and England and has seen the team lose just one match a One-Day International out of 17 games. PHOTO: AFP

The Pakistan Chess Players Association (PCPA) is looking for more women players to participate in the Zahiruddin Farooqi Trophy that starts tomorrow at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi. The tournament will see Briton Nigel Short, an international Grand Master, and offers a Rs200,000 prizemoney, the highest among all chess events held in the country. The event features over 60 players of which only four are female, a matter of great concern for the organisers. According to the PCPA Secretary Shehzad Mirza, womens chess is still in its infancy in the country and the PCPA will shortlisti four or five of the best female performers from the International School Olympiad and invite those players to take part in the competition. We still dont have many professional women chess players so were giving a chance to the students, Mirza told The Express Tribune. One of the women chess

players, who will be taking part in the Zahiruddin Farooqi Trophy, said that females are discouraged from participating in local events because of the discriminatory behaviour of their male counterparts. Added to this is the attitude of the national federation, which refrains from investing money in women players.

Chess federation refuses to recognise event

Meanwhile, the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) President Altaf Ahmed Chaudhry has said that the Zahiruddin Farooqi Trophy is not an event recognised by the body. The organisers didnt consult us before organising the event, so were not supporting them, said Ahmed. We cant bar anyone from holding chess events because we need to promote the sport but the PCPA is not a part of the CFP.

Pakistan international Haseem Khan scored a brace to hand Port Qasim a muchneeded 2-1 victory over Navy in the National Hockey Championship underway at the Hockey Club of Pakistan, Karachi. Haseem drew first blood for Port Qasim in the 27th minute and struck again in the 47th minute to help his team notch a rare win in the competition. Navy pulled one back through Sabir in the 66th minute but his effort was not enough to save his team from defeat.

FINE EFFORT: Haseems goals either side of the break helped his side to a rare win in the competition. PHOTO: FILE AFP

Butt scores in WAPDA win

In the last match of the day, former Pakistan captain Rehan Butt continued his good form, helping Wapda stage a fightback to defeat NBP 2-1. Mohammad Atiq gave NBP the lead in the 16th minute. However, Butt levelled for Wapda just four minutes later. Aleem Bilal converted a penalty corner in the 53rd minute to put Wapda in the lead, which they maintained till the end of the match. PIA and Wapda head the table with 10 points, having secured three wins and a draw. NBP are third, while SSGC occupy fourth place.

Army outclass PAF

Meanwhile, Army continued their good run in the competition, beating PAF 3-1. Army put PAF on the defensive as early as the third minute when Shahid Saleem scored the first goal of the match. Zeeshan Dilshad helped PAF draw level but Mohammad Safeer put Army in the lead in the 39th minute with Hassan Arif scoring 10 minutes later to complete the win.

MELBOURNE. Shane Warne faced legal action after a cyclist involved in a road rage incident with the Australian legend plans to sue for damages to his bike. Web designer Mathew Hollingsworth, 28, is launching a civil claim in the Melbourne Magistrates Court seeking $1,575 for repairs to his hi-tech bicycle plus damages, interest and costs. Hollingsworth alleged that Warne drove his sports car into him after a robust exchange of words in peak-hour traffic in Melbourne on January 17. Warne, meanwhile, had used a series of tweets on the evening of the incident to describe his version of events while lashing out at antagonistic cyclists. AFP

ATHLETICS

Gul, Mardan bag K-P event honours

PESHAWAR. Sadia Gul of Bannu was declared the best athlete as Mardan clinched the overall trophy at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Region Girls Youth Athletic Championship. Gul bagged gold medals in the 200-metre (m), 400m and 800m to earn the best athlete award. Meanwhile, Mardan secured the overall trophy by recording 39 points with three gold, three silver and three many bronze medals. Peshawar finished second on 23 points with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals while Hazara Region were third with two gold and two silver medals. APP

TENNIS

Pakistan-India series

"Murray: Im gutted to miss out on the Davis Cup but since its the start of an important season, which includes the Olympics in London, its probably a sensible decision
World number four Andy Murray announces his decision to skip Great Britains Davis Cup tie against Slovakia in order to recover from a few minor injuries picked up in Australia. AGENCIES

BCCI president keen on revival: PCB chief

Zaka Ashraf holds constructive meeting with Srinivasan
A FAWAD HUSSAIN
KARACHI

Balochistan bowlers toil against Punjab

Federal Areas in control against K-P in Pentangular Cup
A NEWS DESK

Twenty20 series

Davydenko snaps losing streak

Shorter format, bigger chance

Dhoni looks to young guns as Bailey takes up Australias captaincy
SYDNEY

NETBALL

Sindh gear up for national event

KARACHI. Sindh are set to launch their title defence at the 10th National Womens Netball Championship as the tournament gets underway from February 6 at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. The event will feature 11 teams: Pakistan Army, Wapda, Higher Education Commission, Sindh, Punjab, KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Fata, Lahore Grammar School as well as the hosts. There has been growth in the popularity of netball in recent years and we are attempting to capitalise on this trend, with different universities actively holding events to promote the sport among the youth in the country, said Pakistan Netball Federation Secretary Mudassar Arain. OUR CORRESPONDENT

TENNIS

National event for juniors kicks off

ISLAMABAD. The National Junior Ranking Tennis Tournament featuring over 100 male and female players starts today at the Shalimar Tennis Club, Rawalpindi. The tournament has been organised by the Punjab Tennis Association in collaboration with the Pakistan Tennis Federation. Talking to The Express Tribune, tournament director Inamul Haq said there was much unexplored talent in the country which needed to be promoted through tournaments such as this. The tournament has been divided into four categories to accommodate girls and boys in under-18 and U14 singles and doubles competitions. The event concludes on February 5. OUR CORRESPONDENT

Attempts to revive bilateral series between Pakistan and India keep being made but the road seems to end at the Indian governments doorstep. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been looking for a breakthrough that will bring an end to the deadlock which has deprived fans on both sides of the border of bilateral action since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008. In a bid to resume ties, Ashraf and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President N Srinivasan met on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Dubai. The PCB chief said the meeting held to specifically discuss the resumption was constructive as the Indian board chief showed keen interest in reviving cricket ties. We held a meeting to discuss the revival of bilateral series, Ashraf told The Express Tribune from Dubai. It was a constructive meeting as the BCCI president showed keen interest in resuming cricket ties. Srinivasan agreed to resume the series. However, he said the BCCI requires its gov-

UNDER CONSIDERATION: While the BCCI president agreed on principle that a series should be held, he can only finalise plans after an approval from the Indian government, according to Ashraf. PHOTO: AFP
government, the PCB chief hinted at having the approval from its end. The PCB is making efforts with support from the Pakistan government and the foreign ministry. Its because fans are keen to see Pakistan and India play again on a regular basis. ernments nod over the matter before finalising anything. ing a huge breakthrough. The meeting itself is a positive development, said the official. Its because the two cricketing chiefs finally met after a long time. Initially, we failed to hold talks despite repeated attempts, he said while referring to the Asian Cricket Council meeting in December, where the PCB chief failed to meet Srinivasan. But now the chances have increased. Hopefully, the Indian government will soon give the green signal as well.

Usman Salahuddin scored an unbeaten centur y and, together with Nasir Jamshed, helped Punjab reach an impressive 335 for four on the opening day of their Pentangular Cup clash against Balochistan. According to information provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Salahuddin made 103 off 210 balls after Jamshed fell short of a century, hitting 80, as Balochistan searched for breakthroughs at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Former captain Shoaib Malik scored 60 off just 78 balls and Ahmed Shehzad contributed 46 to the total as well. Rahat Ali took three for 109 to be the only note-worthy contributor for Balochistan. Punjab have played two matches in the tournament, winning one and drawing the other. Balochistan have lost the only match they have played.

Saad troubles K-P batsmen

Elsewhere, Saad Altaf s five-for enabled Federal Areas to take control of proceedings against KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P) on the opening day of their clash at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar. Altaf took five for 65 as K-P were bundled out for 205 in the 53rd over before Federal Areas reached 130 for one to trail by just 75 runs at stumps. Yasir Shah, with 49, and Waqar Ahmed (35) were the only notable scorers for K-P. In reply, Afaq Raheem made 67 and Umair Khan hit 44 to take Federal Areas to a dominant position. K-P have lost both their encounters in the tournament and Federal Areas are searching for their first win after managing a draw in their opening clash.

Meeting a breakthrough: Official

Uncertainty still revolved around the schedule and the Indian governments approval is still in the pipeline but a PCB official termed the meet-

PCB has governments approval

While the BCCI rested the burden of resumption on its

Following a disastrous Test series, the limited-overs leg of Indias tour of Australia kicks off today with the first of two Twenty20 Internationals as the touring captain MS Dhoni looks to leave behind the horrors of the 4-0 whitewash. India should be more comfortable playing in a format in which they have been world champions and have also won three of their last five Twenty20s. With India and Australia having won two Twenty20s each against each other, both teams would be looking towards improving their records. Dhoni believes that the inclusion of talented youngsters in the team will help him do just that, feeling that the younger brigade has helped in lightening up the dressing-room atmosphere, and has also ensured that fielding standards will also improve during the series. Our limited-overs side looks very different from our Test team, said Dhoni. The new boys who have come in are noisier, which really helps lift the dressing-room atmosphere and everything is more lively. I dont think its very difficult to stay positive despite a disastrous tour so far. Weve really improved as

MONTPELLIER. Third-seed Nikolay Davydenko beat Stephane Robert in straight sets to advance to the second round of the Montpellier International tournament. Davydenko entered the first-round fixture on the back of a fivegame losing streak but was never troubled as he won 6-2, 6-1 in 59 minutes. Roberts second serve proved to be his downfall as Davydenko broke his opponent on five occasions. Meanwhile, sixth-seed Florian Mayer faced some resistance from Gilles Muller before advancing with a 7-6, 6-3 win. French wildcard Guillaume Rufin also advanced as he defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 7-6. AGENCIES

CRICKET

Player-owned restaurant under fire

COLOMBO. The title of a Colombo restaurant jointly run by Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and batsman Kumar Sangakkara called The Crab Ministry was declared illegal. The Registrar of Companies of the Western Province said that the restaurant was originally registered as The Crab Corporation and using the word ministry in the brand name was illegal and unlawful. The Crab Ministry was recently opened in an upmarket food court of the city. At the restaurants opening, Jayawardene and Sangakkara said they had both been interested in entering the food and restaurant business for some time. OUR CORRESPONDENT

ALL PRAISE FOR YOUNG BLOOD: The younger Indian players have made the dressing room livelier and improved the fielding standards, according to Dhoni. PHOTO: FILE AFP
three of them can really stop the batsmen taking a quick single. When its needed in the slog overs, they can field at the boundary without much hassle. I dont have to be too worried about placing the right fielders at the right position. Australia will see a new captain, who is yet to make his international debut, taking up the reigns. However, George Bailey did not seem overawed by the prospect of leading his national team on debut and declared that Australia would do everything to ensure the visitors disastrous tour continues. Its important we continue the momentum of the Test team, not just in the cricket they played, but in the standards theyre setting at their training, said Bailey. Weve talked about that as a T20 group to continue what the Test side started and allowing the One-Day International team to have that feeling when they get together as well. Every opportunity we get to hit the ground running, we have to take. Bailey said he was excited at the prospect of leading Australia and realised that it was a huge responsibility. Im just excited to be here and be leading and hopefully continuing on the great start to the summer that Australia have had, he said. Im nervous about captaincy and debut. From the playing aspect youre anxious to get out there and perform, and the captaining side of things Im really comfortable with that. AGENCIES

HOCKEY

Heuvel to mentor coaches

KARACHI. Pakistans head coach Michel van dan Heuvel will supervise a coaching clinic at the Hockey Club of Pakistan in Karachi next week. The Dutchman, who is in the city to oversee players performance at the ongoing National Hockey Championship, has been appointed course conductor of the clinic, which is a part of the Pakistan Hockey Federations development plan to groom coaches. The five-day course, which will be attended by 17 coaches and former international players, begins on February 6. OUR CORRESPONDENT

Bailey wants to continue momentum

a fielding side, especially in the shorter formats. On average, out of four fielders, While Dhoni has the distinction of leading his team the most times in Twenty20s,

47

48

49

50

51

PAKISTAN AND THE UNITED STATES

Its a very chall relationship

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton PAGE 12

Secretary-level dialogue

India sees little for breakthroug

A ADITI PHADNIS & ZAHID GISHKORI
NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD

Strain of pessimism put down to lack of progress in hand

" We expect a
positive response from the Indian side and hope that these talks will lead to the resolution of outstanding issues
Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry
India on Sunday poured cold water on expectations of a breakthrough at the home secretary-level talks between Islamabad and New Delhi starting today, even as Pakistan vowed that it would approach the negotiations with an open mind and expected a reciprocal response from its neighbour. The scheduled negotiations have since been overshadowed by possible summit level talks on Wednesday after or when Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh watch the World Cup semifinal between their two sides at Mohali. The Indian side did not sound optimistic at all. An official who spoke to The Express Tribune attributed New Delhis lukewarm response towards the talks to Pakistans alleged lack of sincerity in cooperating with India in any antiterror initiatives. The official claimed that the prosecutions attempt to bring the 26/11 guilty to justice in Pakistan had not moved an inch and that Indias request for provid-

ing the voice samples of the attackers handlers had fallen on deaf ears. Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, who is heading Pakistans delegation, told reporters at the Wagah border that terrorism, drug smuggling, visa policies and other important issues would be discussed at the talks. We have not chalked out any specific agenda for twoday talks. We are going with an open mind and expect a positive response from the Indian side. We hope that these talks will pave the way for the resolution of out standing issues, he said. Nine months ago, Indian officials said, Interior Minister Rehman Malik DIALOGUE, PAGE 9

SWEET MESSAGE: Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry po Himmat Singh as he presents sweets to BSF soldiers after arrivin

Unrest in the Arab world

Ahead of Mohali semi-nal

Islamabad assures Riyadh of support

Saudi prince promises meaningful help to Islamabad in return
A QAISER BUTT
ISLAMABAD

In the backdrop of the current political uprisings in the Arab world, Pakistan has decided to play a significant role in the region by supporting Saudi Arabia, sources told The Express Tribune. The decision came following a string of meetings that Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, special emissary of the Saudi king, had with the Pakistani leadership over the weekend. The Saudi royal family scion met the top political and mil-

itary leaders, among them President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Prince Bandars whirlwind tour came as mass protests are sweeping across most of the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. Though there is no immediate threat of an uprising against the Saudi rulers, the situation in neighbouring Bahrain is a cause for serious concern. In his interaction with Premier Gilani, the Saudi prince indicated that the oil-rich kingdom would extend meaningful support to Pakistan to improve its ailing ARAB WORLD, PAGE 9

Pakistan ta in diplomat
A IRFAN GHAURI
ISLAMABAD

President Zardari frees an In after appeal from Indian Su

In an attempt to take a lead in peace-making gestures, Pakistan on Sunday remitted the sentence of an Indian man held in a Pakistan jail for the last 27 years, soon after Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani accepted his Indian counterparts invitation to watch the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between the two countries teams. President Asif Ali Zardari

remitted the sentence of Gopal Das, who was first sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987, on the advice of the prime minister, according to the presidents spokesperson Farhatullah Babar. The remission was granted on humanitarian grounds to honour an appeal made two weeks ago by the Supreme Court of India for Das release, whose family say he had mistakenly crossed the border in 1984.

Scandalous land deal

Senior federal minister among NICL beneficiaries: FIA

The minister for trade amassed as much as Rs500m in the scam
A ADIL JAWAD
KARACHI

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established that certain influential political people benefited from illegal National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) land deals and officers of the NICL and others acted as front men

for various state dignitaries, including the federal trade minister, Makhdoom Amin Faheem. Sources also said that intense political pressure was brought to bear upon FIA, whose officials were told to hide facts in a report submitted to the Supreme Court about the involvement of influential people in the deal. FIA investigators alleged that the minister amassed Rs500 million in the deal, inflicting

a massive blow to the national exchequer. According to sources, other accounts in which the ill-gotten money was later transferred were operated by less known persons or business associates with distinct political associations. Interestingly, the FIA was being pressed into withholding his name from being included in the investigation. According to sources, an investigation into the bank ac-

counts of the central accused, Khalid Anwer, disclosed that of the Rs900 million paid from the national exchequer Rs40.1 million was used to write off debts of the federal minister and other members of his family. On January 31, the FIA submitted a report in the Supreme Court according to which NICL paid Rs900 million for a 10-acre plot in Korangi in August 2009. The money was FIA, PAGE 9

52

Monday
MARCH 28, 2011 RABI-US-SANI 22, 1432 A.H. Rs20 tribune.com.pk

A RT N E R OF

A IN THE ARAB WORLD

lenging

The prospects of democracy generate hopes and fears

The New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman IHT PAGE 9

A INTERNATIONAL

hope gh

dling anti-terror initiatives

Radiation spike seen in water near Japan reactor

Reliance on old science left govt unprepared for tsunami IHT PAGE 1

A BUSINESS

Tough ns decisions need to be made

We know what needs eeds to be done, but who will ho swallow this bitter pill? r PAGE 10

A REGIONAL

oses with Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector-General ng in India at the Attari border post on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

akes lead tic gestures

Das had entered a plea to the Indian apex court through his brother, which ruled that while it had no jurisdiction in Pakistan, it could make an appeal for his release to the Pakistan government. We cannot give any direction to Pakistan authorities because we have no jurisdiction over them. The Indian authorities have done all that they could in the matter. However, that does not pre-

Libyan rebels make more territorial gains

Gain control of main oil terminals in the countrys eastern half PAGE 8

A SPORT

ndian held for 27 years, upreme Court

" The prison is gloomy; O Friends! Tell the eastern wind, To at least allow some talk of my beloved for divinitys sake
Indian Justice Markandey Katju quoting Faiz Ahmad Faiz

f t e o n

n s f e y

Indo-Pak Express rolls on

Aisam, Bopanna advance in Sony Ericsson Open PAGE 15

vent us from making a request MOHALI SEMI-FINAL, PAGE 9

News in Brief
PERENNIAL BASKET-CASE UPCOMING TALENT FINANCIAL FRAUD FLYING START

Govt baulks at bailing out railways

The federal government is reluctant to give Pakistan Railways the Rs5 billion it needs in order to remain solvent PAGE 3
ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY

The right way to fall: Natasha Ejaz

With the 4th episode of Uth Records, Pakistani audiences witnessed a young and talented artist in the form of Natasha Ejaz PAGE 19

Steals from WAPDA, Vettel dominates starts fathers business season-opener

FIA has begun the extradition process against a man accused of having stolen Rs190 million from the Wapda PAGE 11
POLITICAL CRISIS

t m 1 f r s

World Champion earned his 11th win in his 63rd Grand Prix, beating McLarens Lewis Hamilton and Russian Vitaly Petrov PAGE 15

Father pleads innocence for son

A person arrested in Gilgit for alleged blasphemy is mentally ill and was recently being treated at a hospital, The Express Tribune has learnt PAGE 2

Kuwait to intercede in Bahrain crisis

Bahrains opposition group Wefaq has accepted Kuwait as a mediator with Bahrains government to end a political crisis gripping the kingdom PAGE 8

e h r n

Natasha Ejaz

Vettel

53

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 4, 2011 THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, DECEMBER 4, 2011

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

3
HUSAIN HAQQANI NEW POLITICAL SYSTEM

"Mu "Musharraf: Who is the real commander of Taliban? Is it Mullah Mulla Umar, Hikmatyar or Haqqani? Then there are several oth groups which make negotiations a difficult prospect other
Fo Former president Pervez Musharraf Fo Former president Pervez Musharraf

US gratified at lifting of travel ban

WASHINGTON. The US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Monday that the US was gratified that Pakistans highest court had lifted travel curbs imposed on Husain Haqqani, the countrys scandal-hit former envoy to the United States. We expect that Pakistan will resolve this situation and other internal issues in a transparent manner and upholding Pakistani laws and constitution, Nuland added. AFP

JUI-S calls out Imrans bluff

KABEERWAALA. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) and Difa-ePakistan Council President Maulana Samiul Haq claims that his party and the Difa-e-Pakistan Council are not interested in politics and only want the enactment of a pure Islamic political system in Pakistan. He also said that Imran Khan does not want to enrage the US so he should not bluff the religious parties by trying to support both sides. OUR CORRESPONDENT

A SAINTLY EXPENDITURE A SAINTLY EXPENDITURE

was approved by President Asif Ali Zardari as a special grant for Lal Shahbaz Qalandars shrine and other development projects PPI in Sehwan. PPI

Rs200m A journey of neglect,

Pakistan Railways Special Report

30-year issue

150,000 Afghans will be granted long-term visas

A QAISER BUTT
ISLAMABAD

Senate elections

incompetence and corruption

The second of a three-part series follows the money trail
FUNCTIONAL

A TAHA SIDDIQUI A TAHA SIDDIQUI

A RESOLUTE STANCE A RESOLUTE STANCE

LAHORE LAHORE

"Hoti: Halting Nato supply lines, asking for vacating Shamsi Airbase and refusing to attend Bonn Conference clearly delineate Pakistans stance on Nato attack
Khyber-Pakthunkhwa Chief Minister Khyber-Pakthunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti Ameer Haider Khan Hoti

CONDEMNATION CONDEMNATION

Catholic clerics deplore air strike

FAISALABAD. The Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference FAISALABAD. The Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference (PCBC) has condemned the Nato air strike on the (PCBC) has condemned the Nato air strike on the countrys check-posts, martyring a number of countrys check-posts, martyring a number of Pakistan Army soldiers and two officers. On behalf Pakistan Army soldiers and two officers. On behalf of the Christian community, the bishops expressed of the Christian community, the bishops expressed shock and concern over the incident and termed the shock and concern over the incident and termed the air strike as a direct attack on the sovereignty and air strike as a direct attack on the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan. They said the acts violate interintegrity of Pakistan. They said the acts violate international law and expressed sympathy and solidarity national law and expressed sympathy and solidarity with the victims families. Bishop Joseph Coutts with the victims families. Bishop Joseph Coutts President PCBC said the soldiers sacrificed their lives President PCBC said the soldiers sacrificed their lives for their country. He paid glowing tributes to their for their country. He paid glowing tributes to their patriotism. OUR CORRESPONDENT patriotism. OUR CORRESPONDENT

FRESH LOYALTIES FRESH LOYALTIES

PPP welcomes former ANP members

MALAKAND. Prominent members of the Awani National MALAKAND. Prominent members of the Awani National Party, such as Rehmat Gul of Dargai and his family, Party, such as Rehmat Gul of Dargai and his family, have announced allegiance to the Pakistan Peoples Party have announced allegiance to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at a gathering held in Sakhalot. Former Nazim (PPP) at a gathering held in Sakhalot. Former Nazim Ahmad Ali Shah was also in attendance and said that Ahmad Ali Shah was also in attendance and said that the PPP has a history of extraordinary struggle against the PPP has a history of extraordinary struggle against the non-democratic forces that are disrupting developthe non-democratic forces that are disrupting development and progress of the country. Peoples party reprement and progress of the country. Peoples party representatives welcomed the new members and assured that sentatives welcomed the new members and assured that they would be duly respected and consulted in all district they would be duly respected and consulted in all district level party decisions. APP level party decisions. APP

A focus on the freight departA focus on the freight department can turn around the ment can turn around the financial woes of Pakistan financial woes of Pakistan Railways, says the head of Railways, says the head of public relations for the ailpublic relations for the ailing organisation, Abdul ing organisation, Abdul Hameed Razil, who is adaHameed Razil, who is adamant that funds are not being mant that funds are not being misappropriated. misappropriated. The prime minister anThe prime minister announced a bail-out package nounced a bail-out package last year but we have not relast year but we have not received a single rupee of the 11 ceived a single rupee of the 11 billion that was promised, billion that was promised, Razil adds, putting the blame Razil adds, putting the blame squarely on the government. squarely on the government. Investigations into the Investigations into the multi-billion-rupee organisamulti-billion-rupee organisation also revealed that more tion also revealed that more than 10,000 acres of land was than 10,000 acres of land was owned by Pakistan Railways owned by Pakistan Railways in prime locations across in prime locations across all four provinces. A report all four provinces. A report compiled by the National compiled by the National Assembly`s standing comAssembly`s standing committee on railways and premittee on railways and presented to the public accounts sented to the public accounts committee stated that the revcommittee stated that the revenue potential of the alleged enue potential of the alleged land could reach around Rs10 land could reach around Rs10 billion annually. billion annually. However, the mismanageHowever, the mismanagement of Pakistan Railways ment of Pakistan Railways cannot be applied in this specannot be applied in this specific situation. Rather, the cific situation. Rather, the blame lies with the failure of blame lies with the failure of various administrative departvarious administrative departments which have rendered ments which have rendered the organisation helpless. the organisation helpless. With more than 382 court With more than 382 court cases on these lands, civic cases on these lands, civic

90
engines are on the tracks out engines are on the tracks out of a total fleet strength of 500 of a total fleet strength of 500
agencies have allowed katchi agencies have allowed katchi abadis and encroachments abadis and encroachments to thrive on PR property for to thrive on PR property for years. Residents have made years. Residents have made permanent structures and permanent structures and PR officials say that without PR officials say that without the help of law enforcement the help of law enforcement agencies the property cannot agencies the property cannot be cleared. be cleared. Besides the illegal settleBesides the illegal settlements, we are also facing conments, we are also facing constant trouble from provincial stant trouble from provincial governments, who demand governments, who demand a share when revenue is gena share when revenue is generated through these lands, erated through these lands, once cleared, claims Razil, once cleared, claims Razil, adding that the dispute beadding that the dispute between the federal and provintween the federal and provincial governments over PR land cial governments over PR land revenue collection had been revenue collection had been going on for 15 years and was going on for 15 years and was currently being heard at the currently being heard at the Council of Common Interests. Council of Common Interests. The losses to PR have not The losses to PR have not only affected railway operaonly affected railway operations but have also led to the tions but have also led to the delay in salaries and pensions delay in salaries and pensions of employees. I had to wait of employees. I had to wait

for two months before getting for two months before getting my 13,000 rupees pension, my 13,000 rupees pension, says Anwar Bhatti, the breadsays Anwar Bhatti, the breadwinner for a family of five. winner for a family of five.

UN estimates for Pakistan UN estimates for Pakistan population (in millions): population (in millions):

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

37.542 45.920 59.383 80.493 111.845 144.522 173.593

friend who was selling tickfriend who was selling tickets on the black market for ets on the black market for Rs4,000 each, showing a Rs4,000 each, showing a ticket worth Rs3,500. ticket worth Rs3,500. The passengers claimed that The passengers claimed that the even though they were in the even though they were in the wrong for buying tickthe wrong for buying tickets on the black market, the ets on the black market, the ticket teller went even furticket teller went even further than them as he wanted ther than them as he wanted to seat additional people in to seat additional people in their cabin without tickets. their cabin without tickets. Once the unwanted passenOnce the unwanted passengers were settled in their cabin gers were settled in their cabin they revealed that the ticket they revealed that the ticket teller had been paid for acteller had been paid for accommodating them into first commodating them into first class while they held economy class while they held economy class tickets. class tickets. Ticket tellers have in essence Ticket tellers have in essence found their own mechanism found their own mechanism to generate revenue for themto generate revenue for themselves. All passengers are selves. All passengers are taken aboard as long as they taken aboard as long as they receive their cut. People are receive their cut. People are even stacked in the power even stacked in the power

Corruption or Corruption or mismanagement? mismanagement?

PR officials have said that the PR officials have said that the shortage of funds has been the shortage of funds has been the biggest obstacle in reviving biggest obstacle in reviving the organisation. However, the organisation. However, Minister for Railways Haji Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has openly accepted that there is openly accepted that there is corruption in PR. corruption in PR. I dont say that there is no I dont say that there is no corruption in my ministry corruption in my ministry but the question is which but the question is which ministry has no corruption, ministry has no corruption, Bilour said in October 2010 Bilour said in October 2010 on the floor of the National on the floor of the National Assembly. Assembly. Furthermore, corruption Furthermore, corruption is not limited to those in seis not limited to those in senior positions. Low-level cornior positions. Low-level corruption is hurting Pakistan ruption is hurting Pakistan Railways as well for examRailways as well for example, at least 50% of losses are ple, at least 50% of losses are caused by ticket-less travel. caused by ticket-less travel. I boarded the train near I boarded the train near Rawalpindi after a ticket teller Rawalpindi after a ticket teller told me he could provide me told me he could provide me a ticket, says Iftikhar, a frea ticket, says Iftikhar, a frequent passenger of the railquent passenger of the railway network. But instead way network. But instead of giving me a ticket at the of giving me a ticket at the beginning of the journey, he beginning of the journey, he handed me a ticket at the end handed me a ticket at the end of the journey of a shorter of the journey of a shorter route, Iftikhar claims, addroute, Iftikhar claims, adding that he paid Rs130 for a ing that he paid Rs130 for a ticket worth Rs25. The teller ticket worth Rs25. The teller applied that method with applied that method with

" The prime

minister announced a bail-out package last year but we have not received a single rupee of the 11 billion promised
PR spokesperson PR spokesperson Abdul Hameed Razil Abdul Hameed Razil

" I dont say that

there is no corruption in my ministry but the question is which ministry has no corruption
Minister for Railways Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour

The federal minister for states and frontier regions (Safron), Engr. Shaukatullah, has said that 150,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan are likely to be granted visa permits for a long-term stay in the country. Shaukat told The Express Tribune that his ministry has prepared a comprehensive proposal to arrange the visas for businessmen, students, skilled workers and widows who are among the Afghan refugees, some of whom have lived in Pakistan for 30 years. The proposals are being finalised and will be implemented after approval, the minister said. We have been working with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees on the proposals for quite some time. Safron has the consent of the all provincial governments on the issue, a senior official from the ministry told The Express Tribune. However, another official from the ministry of interior said a couple of provincial governments, including Punjab, have expressed reservations. The intelligence agencies and law enforcement departments are also worried over the proposals, as they could cause

The security services are also worried about the proposals

numerous security problems. The official said the provincial governments are likely to express their opposition once the policy is made public. Shaukat is of the view that the proposals do not require approval by the federal cabinet or the ministry of provincial coordination. The federal cabinet has nothing to do with the proposals, he said. According to the official estimate, 1.7 million registered and 1 million non-registered Afghan refugees live in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the ministry of foreign affairs has vehemently rejected proposals by certain Western countries that suggested absorbing the entire Afghan refugee population in Pakistan permanently. The suggestions came during the last general assembly sessions of the United Nation, said an official from the ministry. Those Western countries who are advocating the permanent stay for Afghan refugees should also share the financial burden of Pakistan.

Big three carve out Punjab seats

Coalition partners PPP, PML-Q also finalise negotiations
A ABDUL MANAN
LAHORE

14%
ARMED ATTACK

A POOR STATE OF AFFAIRS

of the total sanctioned posts for teachers were vacant in 76 of the 79 girls high schools monitored in 59 districts in Dec 2011. PPI

All three major political parties in Punjab assembly have finalised their negotiations over the upcoming Senate elections in a bid to elect unopposed candidates on the basis of respective parties strength in the provincial assembly. According to sources, of the 12 available seats from Punjab including 11 retiring senators and one seat for a minority candidate Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will get 7 seats, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will get 4 and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PMLQ) will get one. The 11 senators retiring in March 2012 include seven elected on general seats and two each on women and technocrat seats. The nonMuslim seat was added in the 18th Amendment. According to the agreed upon formula, the PML-N has been given four general and a women, technocrat and mi-

nority seat each. PPPs four allocated seats include two general, and a women and technocrat seat. PML-Q has been allocated a general seat.

DIVISION

Female candidates
Both PML-N and PPP have asked female applicants to gather support for their Senate candidature and show their strength to party leadership before the election date, March 2. PML-Ns female applicants are courting PML-Q dissidents for support while PPPs applicants are in talks with PML-Q members to garner support for their candidature. Of the 81 members initially elected to Punjab Assembly on PML-Q ticket, 38 remain with the party the remaining formed a unification bloc which stands with the PML-N.

7
is the number of seats PML-N will get for unopposed candidates from Punjab, while

Sources added that partys former senator, Syed Mushahid Hussain, will be nominated, and elected unopposed, from Islamabad.

Twice as many
The PML-N will reap the benefit of its majority in Punjab since only one of its senators, Ishaq Dar, will retire while the party will have seven new seats in the upper house, taking its total strength in the Senate post March to 13, from the current 7. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed that on the basis of its strength in the provincial assembly, PML-N will, most probably, elect unopposed candidates for seven seats in the upcoming Senate elections. PPPs Tanvir Ashraf Kaira confirmed that his party would get four seats from Punjab in upcoming Senate elections. Of the partys five senators graduating in March, one, Dr Babar Awan, belonged to Punjab.

Security man killed, 10 others injured

QUETTA. A security man was killed and ten others sustained injuries when a group of armed men attacked their convoy near Marget in Kachhi district on Tuesday night. According to sources, unidentified armed assailants fired rocket propelled grenade on security convoy, killing a security man on the spot while injuring ten others. The explosions were followed by intense firing. Local sources said there was exchange of firing between assailants and security personnel till late hours of the evening. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. OUR CORRESPONDENT

4
is the number of seats PPP will get
over the allocation of Senate seats. PML-Q, which will see 20 of its senators retire in March, has managed to solicit five seats for itself one from Islamabad, one from Punjab, and three from Balochistan. The arrangement was confirmed by PML-Qs parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly, Chaudhry Zahiruddin Khan.

ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

G-B Cabinet announces 3 new divisions

GILGIT. Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Cabinet on Tuesday decided to divide region into three divisions for better administrative results. Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah said Gilgit, Hunza Nagar and Ghizer will be one division while district Astore and Diamer will be the second division. Baltistan region has already been notified and is functional. The CM said this action was taken in line with peoples aspirations and resolution passed by the assembly. APP

Coalition negotiations
Sources add that coalition partners, PPP and PML-Q, have also finalised their negotiations

every one of us who boarded every one of us who boarded the train from my village. the train from my village. While many passengers preWhile many passengers prefer to buy their tickets at the fer to buy their tickets at the last minute, a trip to the reserlast minute, a trip to the reservation desk showed that a mavation desk showed that a majority of seats had been booked jority of seats had been booked in advance, with a two-week in advance, with a two-week wait for some trains. wait for some trains. But who buys these tickets? But who buys these tickets? Some passengers travelling Some passengers travelling from Karachi revealed that from Karachi revealed that they bought tickets from a they bought tickets from a

generation bogey for cheap generation bogey for cheap tickets. tickets. A passenger exiting one A passenger exiting one of these bogeys at Lahore of these bogeys at Lahore Railway station said he had Railway station said he had paid Rs1,000 for a trip from paid Rs1,000 for a trip from Karachi to Lahore. They told Karachi to Lahore. They told us that we will get seats but I us that we will get seats but I had to stand the whole time had to stand the whole time after a while I got tired and after a while I got tired and lay down in the corridor, lay down in the corridor, says the passenger, showing says the passenger, showing a handwritten note of the a handwritten note of the amount he paid. amount he paid.

Making money in the corridors Covert talks held over of the courts
Govt-PML-N consensus Courting corruption
witness provision and legal advice whatever the accusation is, he says, and adds that he is an assistant to a senior advocate of the Lahore High Court (LHC). He wishes to keep his bosss name secret for the interview, but hands out a business card which states the LHC lawyers details, on whose behalf he hunts clients every day in the district court. Razaq, who sits in his single room office at the courts, boasts that he helps many people everyday who need the law on their side. All I need is an FIR and the ID card of the accused, and we can manage a witness to speak on his behalf, and even procure property to pay off the bond for bail, if any. According to Razaq, be it kidnapping for ransom, or a murder-related case, one just needs to spend money to bring the court on ones side, after which the police cannot touch the client.

*1950s to 1990s figures are the ten year average. Figures for 2000s and 2010s are from the first year of the decade. *1950s to 1990s figures are the ten year average. Figures for 2000s and 2010s are from the first year of the decade.

" All I need is an FIR and the ID card of the accused, and we can manage a witness to speak on his behalf
Abdul Razaq

DESIGN: ANAM HALEEM DESIGN: ANAM HALEEM

In the second of a three-part series, we interview a tout in the lower courts

A TAHA SIDDIQUI
LAHORE

BALOCH RIGHTS BALOCH RIGHTS

HRCP to observe Dec 10 for province

ISLAMABAD. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan ISLAMABAD. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has declared December 10 as the International (HRCP) has declared December 10 as the International Human Rights Day in solidarity with the people of Human Rights Day in solidarity with the people of Balochistan this year. HRCP offices, human rights Balochistan this year. HRCP offices, human rights activists and volunteers across Pakistan will express soliactivists and volunteers across Pakistan will express solidarity with the people of Balochistan on December 10. darity with the people of Balochistan on December 10. Progress on Baloch issues and democratic management Progress on Baloch issues and democratic management of these will also be highlighted in different moots. PPI of these will also be highlighted in different moots. PPI

Paying tribute

Orakzai and Kurram operations

Pakistan should adhere to teachings of its scholars

Aitzaz addresses gathering in Mirpur, emphasises the need for wise use of ballot
A AH NIZAMI A AH NIZAMI
MIRPUR MIRPUR

12 militants killed as security forces advance

Helicopter gunships used in attack on militant hideouts
A OUR CORRESPONDENT A OUR CORRESPONDENT
PESHAWAR PESHAWAR

TUBERCULOSIS IN FATA TUBERCULOSIS IN FATA

Workshop advocates combating disease

PESHAWAR. Directorate of Health Services Fata has ventured PESHAWAR. Directorate of Health Services Fata has ventured out, in collaboration with the education department of out, in collaboration with the education department of the region, to create awareness among the population the region, to create awareness among the population about tuberculosis. The initiative involves teachers and about tuberculosis. The initiative involves teachers and students in referring possible tuberculosis patients to students in referring possible tuberculosis patients to doctors and providing treatment. A two-day orientation doctors and providing treatment. A two-day orientation workshop was organised for this purpose, chaired by workshop was organised for this purpose, chaired by the Director Health Services Fata, Dr Fawad Khan where the Director Health Services Fata, Dr Fawad Khan where participants were trained on advocacy communication participants were trained on advocacy communication and social mobilisation to create awareness on how to and social mobilisation to create awareness on how to combat tuberculosis. APP combat tuberculosis. APP

" We will have to prove ourselves as true Muslims who value Islams message of equality
SCBA former president SCBA former president Aitzaz Ahsan Aitzaz Ahsan

LOCAL VOICES LOCAL VOICES

Bahawalpurs traffic congestion

Although Bahawalpur is a Although Bahawalpur is a relatively small city, there are relatively small city, there are no alternate roads except the no alternate roads except the Circular Road and a handful of Circular Road and a handful of narrow bazaars. narrow bazaars. The roads, which are used for The roads, which are used for transportation, are so narrow transportation, are so narrow that it causes frequent traffic that it causes frequent traffic jams every now and then. It jams every now and then. It appears that the traffic control appears that the traffic control authorities are sound asleep. authorities are sound asleep. When the Circular Road was When the Circular Road was being expanded, its width was being expanded, its width was more than what it is now, probmore than what it is now, probably because the future needs ably because the future needs were underestimated. Similarly, were underestimated. Similarly, no one seemed to have thought no one seemed to have thought about where the cars would be about where the cars would be parked when the plaza maps parked when the plaza maps were being drawn up in the were being drawn up in the Circular Roads vicinity. No Circular Roads vicinity. No designated area was assigned designated area was assigned for parking purposes. for parking purposes. Reportedly, hush-hush money Reportedly, hush-hush money was involved and a corrupt was involved and a corrupt mafia of Tehsil Municipal mafia of Tehsil Municipal Corporation (TMA) accepted Corporation (TMA) accepted black money. Now, people park black money. Now, people park their vehicles on roads causing their vehicles on roads causing traffic bottlenecks. traffic bottlenecks. Despite this, if a proper Despite this, if a proper system to regulate traffic was system to regulate traffic was implemented with responsible implemented with responsible traffic police officers and emtraffic police officers and employees, the situation could be ployees, the situation could be improved. improved. Auto rickshaws cause another Auto rickshaws cause another major obstruction. The traffic major obstruction. The traffic police in the city appear to be police in the city appear to be indifferent to the situation. indifferent to the situation. Roads are blocked by staging Roads are blocked by staging a rickshaw stand at areas like a rickshaw stand at areas like the Chowak Bazar, Farid Gate the Chowak Bazar, Farid Gate and Phulown Wala Chowk. Due and Phulown Wala Chowk. Due to this, pedestrians especially to this, pedestrians especially women, suffer tremendously. women, suffer tremendously. Many times residents of the Many times residents of the inner city also face problems to inner city also face problems to reach home after work. reach home after work. The main reason behind The main reason behind Bahawalpurs abysmal traffic Bahawalpurs abysmal traffic situation is that there are virtusituation is that there are virtually no traffic signals in the city. ally no traffic signals in the city. Irrespective of countless false Irrespective of countless false announcements, signals have announcements, signals have still not been installed. still not been installed.
THIS EDITORIAL, SELECTED AND THIS EDITORIAL, SELECTED AND TRANSLATED BY KASHIF ZAFAR, WAS TRANSLATED BY KASHIF ZAFAR, WAS PUBLISHED IN BAHAWALPURS DAILY PUBLISHED IN BAHAWALPURS DAILY SAYADAT ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. SAYADAT ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011.

Pakistan can emerge as a sucPakistan can emerge as a successful nation by strictly adcessful nation by strictly adhering to the teachings of its hering to the teachings of its scholars, Pakistan Supreme scholars, Pakistan Supreme Court Bar Association former Court Bar Association former president Aitzaz Ahsan said on president Aitzaz Ahsan said on Saturday. Saturday. Ahsan was speaking at the Ahsan was speaking at the 10th annual Mian Muhammad 10th annual Mian Muhammad Buksh (RA) conference organBuksh (RA) conference organised by the Mian Muhammad ised by the Mian Muhammad Buksh Society to pay tribute to Buksh Society to pay tribute to the mystic poet/ scholar for his the mystic poet/ scholar for his contributions to the nation. contributions to the nation. Eminent Ulema and other Eminent Ulema and other religious scholars presented religious scholars presented

his famous poetic antholhis famous poetic anthology Saif-al-Malook on the ogy Saif-al-Malook on the occasion. occasion. Azad Jammu and Kashmir Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court Chief (AJK) Supreme Court Chief Justice Muhammad Azam Justice Muhammad Azam Khan chaired the event. Khan chaired the event. Pilgrims, including admirPilgrims, including admirers of the poet from various ers of the poet from various parts of the country were in parts of the country were in attendance. attendance. By acting upon the teachings By acting upon the teachings of Islam and following in the of Islam and following in the

footsteps of great preachers, footsteps of great preachers, supporters and custodians supporters and custodians of human values based on of human values based on equality, Ahsan said we will equality, Ahsan said we will have to prove ourselves as true have to prove ourselves as true Muslims. Muslims. Referring to the ongoing Referring to the ongoing political situation in the political situation in the country, Ahsan emphasised country, Ahsan emphasised on the wise use of ballot in on the wise use of ballot in order to be ensure a change in order to be ensure a change in the countrys political system, the countrys political system, adding, Otherwise the idea of adding, Otherwise the idea of

bringing change could prove bringing change could prove futile. futile. He emphasised on the need He emphasised on the need to establish tolerance within to establish tolerance within the society. the society. Aitzaz said he had a deepAitzaz said he had a deeprooted, heart-felt affiliation rooted, heart-felt affiliation with Kashmir. He pointed out with Kashmir. He pointed out that his mother and paternal that his mother and paternal grandfather had sworn in grandfather had sworn in 1948 that neither would don 1948 that neither would don silk clothes nor wear jewelry silk clothes nor wear jewelry unless the state of Jammu and unless the state of Jammu and Kashmir was liberated. Kashmir was liberated. Ahsan paid rich tributes to Ahsan paid rich tributes to the legal fraternity of AJK for the legal fraternity of AJK for their enthusiastic support their enthusiastic support for the lawyers movement for the lawyers movement in Pakistan which he said in Pakistan which he said had led to the restoration of had led to the restoration of the judiciary and had rid the the judiciary and had rid the country off the long dictatorial country off the long dictatorial rule of former president Pervez rule of former president Pervez Musharraf. Musharraf.

Army helicopter gunships Army helicopter gunships pounded suspected militant pounded suspected militant hideouts and killed at least 12 hideouts and killed at least 12 militants in the Upper Orakzai militants in the Upper Orakzai Agency on Friday. Two security Agency on Friday. Two security personnel also sustained injupersonnel also sustained injuries in the operation. ries in the operation. There were two main opThere were two main operations. Helicopter gunships erations. Helicopter gunships bombed militant hideouts bombed militant hideouts early morning in the Zakhtan, early morning in the Zakhtan, Arhang and Shakkar Tangi Arhang and Shakkar Tangi areas of the agency, killing areas of the agency, killing eight militants and destroying eight militants and destroying three hideouts in the process, three hideouts in the process, sources said. A late Thursday sources said. A late Thursday night encounter between night encounter between militants and security forces militants and security forces in the Khadezai area of the in the Khadezai area of the agency killed four militants, agency killed four militants,

while two security personnel while two security personnel were injured. were injured. Troops were advancing in Troops were advancing in the Inzar Kalay area when the the Inzar Kalay area when the militants attacked, two of the militants attacked, two of the security men were injured, security men were injured, said an official. According said an official. According to sources, the injured were to sources, the injured were shifted to the Kalaya Hospital. shifted to the Kalaya Hospital. Several militants have been Several militants have been killed and scores injured since killed and scores injured since targeted attacks have been targeted attacks have been launched to clear Orakzai and launched to clear Orakzai and Kurram agencies. An operaKurram agencies. An operation was launched in Orakzai tion was launched in Orakzai Agency in March last year Agency in March last year and in Kurram this summer. and in Kurram this summer. Security forces also launched a Security forces also launched a massive crackdown against milmassive crackdown against militants in Upper Orakzai Agency itants in Upper Orakzai Agency two weeks ago to clear the retwo weeks ago to clear the remaining parts of the agency of maining parts of the agency of Tehreek-i-Taliban militants. Tehreek-i-Taliban militants. Security forces have inSecurity forces have increased their advances in the creased their advances in the agencies over the past few agencies over the past few days. days.

According to the latest judicial statistics, published by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, more than 1.2 million cases are pending in courts around the country. This is due to chronic flaws in the judicial process. One such flaw is the existence of touts, which has led to serious corruption in the lower courts. A meeting with Abdul Razaq, who works in a district court, was an eyeopener in this regard. We can manage all sorts of bails,

The accused doesnt even have to present himself in front of the judge. We can manage everything including the bail within 24 hours, he adds. Razaq says that, after going over the nature and gravity of each case, he issues the client with a price list for services. For just pre-arrest bail, we charge six thousand rupees but if you need a fake witness and an asset for the bond, another four thousand rupees can do the trick, he

Razaq says that, after going over the nature and gravity of each case, he issues the client with a price list for services

clarifies as he dials his cell phone to talk to his boss, telling him about a client sitting with him who is looking for a witness to state on oath that his cousin, who has been accused of a kidnapping, has nothing to do with it. Touts like Razaq are not alone in the money-making business which goes on in the corridors of the lower courts and traces up all the way to the higher courts. Ali Bajwa, a young lawyer at the lower court who fights civil suits, criminal cases and provides legal assistance to his father at the Supreme Court, agrees that fake witnesses and false documents with properties that do not exist is a routine practice. There is no computerised database to cross-check witness backgrounds, property papers, and so on. To conduct it manually takes too long, therefore the registrar overlooks many details, resulting in such corruption, Bajwa adds, again pointing to the heavy backlog of cases.

20th amendment
Proposed amendment will give MPs elected under incomplete ECP legal cover
A QAMAR ZAMAN
ISLAMABAD

Hectic and last-minute efforts are being made by the government to seek support from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at providing legal protection to over two dozen MPs. The lawmakers in question were elected during a period when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had an incomplete body. Sources in the PML-N said that opposition senator Ishaq Dar and Federal Water and Power Minister Syed Naveed Qamar were holding talks in Islamabad to evolve a consensus over the bill. Negotiations are going on we are hopeful that well find some middle ground. A consensus is in sight but not an

immediate possibility, the sources added. Earlier this month, the government moved the 20th Amendment Bill in order to provide legal cover to the actions of the chief election commissioner (CEC) during a time when the ECP was incomplete according to definitions provided by the 18th Amendment. The amendment directed the government to appoint a permanent election commission body comprising the CEC as well as one retired High Court judge from each of the four provinces. The government appointed four retired High Court judges as members of the ECP last year. However, the posts remained vacant from April 2010 when the amendment was passed till their appointment in June 2011. During this period, by-elections were held for a number of parliamentary seats, despite the ECP being virtually incomplete. On January 30, the National

The bill is likely to be passed by both the National Assembly and Senate, possibly by next week, irrespective of PML-Ns stance
Assembly standing committee on law and justice had approved the draft of the 20th Amendment bill even while the opposition PML-N boycotted the meeting. The PML-N is pressing the government to have a nonpartisan, neutral and independent ECP by inducting an impartial CEC and to get new election laws enacted before the next parliamentary polls. The lower house is going to meet this evening (Wednesday) and the bill is likely to be tabled before the house as the Supreme Court had told the government that if the amendment was not adopted by Feb 6, the election of 29 MNAs and MPAs may be declared illegal.

The bill is likely to be approved by the federal cabinet, scheduled to meet today (Wednesday). The bill is also likely to be passed by both the National Assembly and Senate, possibly by the end of next week, irrespective of PML-Ns stance. The governments allies Pakistan Muslim LeagueQuaid (PML-Q), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party and members from tribal areas are all likely to support the amendment. The combined strength of allied partners should allow them to comfortably meet the two-third majority needed in both houses of parliament to pass the amendment. PML-Qs Riaz Fatiyana and MQMs Iqbal Qadri have already voiced their support for the amendment during the committees meeting, indicating their respective parties will be on board to support the bill when it comes to the National Assembly and Senate.

Policy towards Afghanistan

Support dialogue, not dictation, politicians tell Pakistan

Conference participants urge Islamabad to commit to non-interference
A OUR CORRESPONDENTS
PESHAWAR

Benazir Bhutto murder case

Court issues last warning to Musharrafs spouse

Judge may move ex parte if Sehba Musharraf fails to turn up again
A MUDASSIR RAJA A MUDASSIR RAJA
RAWALPINDI RAWALPINDI

" Pakistan should concentrate on socio-economic cooperation, instead of geo-strategic obsession

ANP Provincial President Afrasyab Khattak

The judge of an anti-terrorThe judge of an anti-terrorism court hearing the Benazir ism court hearing the Benazir Bhutto murder case expressed Bhutto murder case expressed his annoyance over the abhis annoyance over the absence of lawyers representsence of lawyers representing former first lady Sehba ing former first lady Sehba Musharraf, warning of an ex Musharraf, warning of an ex parte decision. parte decision. Special Judge ATC-I Shahid Special Judge ATC-I Shahid Rafique observed on Saturday Rafique observed on Saturday that he might proceed ex that he might proceed ex

parte to decide the applicaparte to decide the application of Sehba Musharraf on tion of Sehba Musharraf on the next date of hearing if her the next date of hearing if her lawyers fail to turn up again. lawyers fail to turn up again. The applicant had chalThe applicant had challenged a decision of the court lenged a decision of the court that declared her husband that declared her husband former president Pervez former president Pervez Musharraf a proclaimed ofMusharraf a proclaimed offender, after he avoided fender, after he avoided court proceedings in the case court proceedings in the case in which he was cited an in which he was cited an accused. accused. Special Public Prosecutor Special Public Prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali had Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali had already raised objection over already raised objection over the maintenance of the apthe maintenance of the application, saying Sehba plication, saying Sehba Musharraf had not signed the Musharraf had not signed the

Separately, the court formally initiated a formal trial in the case and recorded the statements of two police officers
application herself. application herself. He further argued that He further argued that under the criminal procedure under the criminal procedure law, no proclaimed offender law, no proclaimed offender could be represented in abcould be represented in absence unless he/she was eisence unless he/she was either arrested or had obtained ther arrested or had obtained bail from the court of law. bail from the court of law. Separately, the court forSeparately, the court formally initiated a formal trial mally initiated a formal trial

Special Public Prosecutor Ali had already raised objection over the application, saying Sehba had not signed it herself
tion on December 27, 2007, tion on December 27, 2007, when former prime minister when former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and 24 of her Benazir Bhutto and 24 of her supporters were killed in a supporters were killed in a gun and bomb attack. gun and bomb attack. The court summoned as The court summoned as many as eight more prosecumany as eight more prosecution witnesses to record their tion witnesses to record their statements on December 10, statements on December 10, the next date of hearing. the next date of hearing.

The left and right may have arrived at a middle ground vis-vis peace in Afghanistan. Parties from across the political spectrum, on both sides of the Durand Line, agreed on Tuesday that the international community, including Pakistan, should commit itself to non-interference in Afghanistans internal affairs.

Afghan voices
PEACE INITIATIVE: Political parties say war is not a solution.
PHOTO: IFTIKHAR FIRDOUS/EXPRESS

Pakistan ought to
War is not a solution to anything, and therefore, we have to support dialogue among Afghans, not dictate their affairs, said Jamiat Ulema-eIslam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at a day-long conference, The Afghan Issue: Regional Implications and Suggestions for Sustainable

AT RISK?: Sehba Musharraf with husband. PHOTO: FILE AT RISK?: Sehba Musharraf with husband. PHOTO: FILE
in the case and recorded the in the case and recorded the statements of two police ofstatements of two police officers who were deputed at ficers who were deputed at Rawalpindis City police staRawalpindis City police sta-

Peace, organised by Center for Discussions and Solutions (CDS). Pakistan is heading towards isolation and has virtually been left out of playing any role in the ongoing dialogue between US and the Taliban, Fazl said. The JUI-F chief also insisted that Pakistan needs to mend fences with its neighbours, especially India, otherwise it risks turning into a security state. Pakistan should concentrate on socio-economic

cooperation, instead of geostrategic obsession, said Awami National Party provincial president Afrasyab Khattak. He added that the country should try to befriend the Afghan people, not any particular group. Balkanization of Afghanistan would not spare Pakistan, Khattak cautioned. Former Jamaat-e-Islami chief, and chairman CDS, Qazi Hussain Ahmed also said that Pakistan should support the dialogue.

Senior Hizb-e-Islami leader Ghairat Baheer said that CIA Director David Petraeus was overlooking reconciliation talks in Afghanistan and had personally met him thrice in Kabul. Son-in-law of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Baheer said the reconciliation in Afghanistan was real this time. We dont have any demands in these talks, said Baheer. We are seeking a package deal which includes a complete withdrawal of troops and a peaceful transition of power.

Talks would have to have a broader spectrum and all factions will have to be taken on board for a complete solution, he said, adding that his party did not demand any office or release of prisoners. I hope talks with the Taliban will be successful in Qatar, but Pakistan will have to play a positive role, he added. The Afghan people want foreign forces to leave their country and will continue to fight until that happens, said former Afghan prime minister Ahmed Shah Ahmedzai, who is now heading the United National Front against Presence of Western Bases in Afghanistan. Any solution to the issue should be broad based, Ahmedzai said, adding that if the Taliban come to power again, our message for them is they should not act like they did in the past. Former intelligence chiefs Gen (retd) Hamid Gul and Gen Asad Durrani also spoke at the conference.

54

55

56

57

58

59

Adviser to the chief minister, Haleem Adil Sheikh

60

61

62

63

64