KANDAHAR—A suicide at-tack and bomb blasts killed atleast nine people in Afghani-stan including two coalitionforces members in southernKandahar province, ISAF andlocal officials said Saturday.

A suicide bomber targeteda group of foreign soldiers andAfghan intelligence agents inMaruf district of Kandaharprovince, killing two coalitionmembers and four agents, of-ficials said.

Earlier a roadside bombripped through a police vehiclein Qalat, the capital of neigh-

boring Zabul province, killingtwo policemen and woundingthree others, officials told AFP.

Violence has recently spikedin southern Afghanistan, withTaliban militants increasingtheir attacks on Afghan andNATO-led forces.

The attacks also regularlytake a toll on Afghan civilians.

A 12-year-old boy waskilled and 10-year-old girlwounded after stepping on abomb in Kajaki district of vola-tile Helmand province in south-ern Afghanistan on Friday, theprovincial governor’s office said

in a statement.The children were grazing

their sheep in the area, it said.The statement blamed

“armed insurgents”, a term usedby Afghan officials to refer tothe Taliban, for the casualties.

ISAF said the suicide blastin Kandahar province alsowounded several coalition civil-ian members and Afghan Na-tional Security Forces.

“ISAF can confirm that onecoalition forces service memberand one coalition forces civilian,along with several ANSF ser-vice members, died today in

Two ISAF troops among ninedead in Afghan attacks

Satellite phone recovered fromDr Afridi in Peshawar jail

PESHAWAR—The law en-forcement agencies Saturdayevening seized a ‘Thoraya’ sat-ellite phone from Dr ShakeelAfridi, a surgeon allegedly re-cruited by the US intelligenceto help find Osama bin Laden,in Central Jail Peshawar andhave arrested four police com-mandos on guard at Dr ShakeelAfridi’s cell in the jail, officialsources said.

The official intelligencesources said that the authoritieshave arrested four police com-mandos who were on duty; Af-ter interrogating, one of them,confessed that he had providedsatellite phone to Dr ShakeelAfridi.

The sources said that DrShakeel Afrid had made morethan 68 calls from the satellitephone set and most of these calls

were long-distanced calls, butthe authorities are assessingthe satellite phone data to as-certain the country location.

To a query, the sourcessaid that after a controversialinterview with Fox News, aUS-based news channel, a fewweeks back, the authoritieshad installed special equip-ment around Central Jail

Suicide blast kills 16in Darra Adam Khel

Five dead in Orakzai clashDARRA ADAM KHEL—Atleast 16 people were killed andmore than 40 wounded in a sui-cide blast in busy market ofDarra Adam Khel, officials saidon Saturday.

The death toll is feared torise as scores of people havebeen critically wounded.

According to local policethe blast took place in the mainmarket of Darra Adam Khailwhich left 16 people dead andseveral others injured.

“A suicide bomber blewhimself up with explosive jacketat the office of Aman Laskhar

(Peace Force) located in themain bazaar of the city” a po-lice officer told the media.

The dead and injured werebeing taken to hospitals inPeshawar and Kohat.

The police said a suicidebomber targeted a base of AmanLashkar located near the JananMarket. Police said 10 shopswere completely destroyed inthe blast.

Security forces rushed to thespot and cordoned off the area.

Khyber Pakhtunkhaw Infor-mation Minister, Mian IftikharHussain talking to media at

Lady Reading Hospital said thatthe ‘Aman Lashkar’ was tar-geted in suicide bombing atDarra Adam Khel.

Mian Iftikhar Hussain saidthat the time has come for a fullthrottled operation for restoringpeace in the province. He saidthe terrorists were trying to in-crease pressure in Peshawar andadded we were already givingsacrifices, now the time hascome to take a decisive actionfor wiping out the terrorists. Hesaid he has faith in God, successwould be ours, we would defend

Mark Siegel totestify in BBmurder caseISLAMABAD—Americanjournalist and friend of BenazirBhutto Mark Siegel will travelto Pakistan next month andrecord his statement in theformer prime minister’sassassination case. He has beendubbed as an important witnessin the all-important case. Siegelwill record his statement beforean Anti Terrorism Court.

In his testimony to theFIA, Siegel said that prior tocoming to Pakistan, Benazirhad told him that she receiveda call from then presidentPervez Musharraf who warnedher and said she was deviatingfrom the deal and that the govtwill not be responsible for hersecurity in Pakistan.—INP

Shot firedat Obamacampaign officeWASHINGTON—A single shotwas fired at the Obamacampaign office in the westernUS state of Colorado,damaging a window, USmedia report said on Saturday.

No one was injured,though people were inside theoffices when the incidentoccurred, Denver policespokeswoman Raquel Lopez.

“It looks like it was oneshot that was fired into thestructure,” she was quoted assaying by The Denver Post.

The police has a descrip-tion of a “possible vehicle ofinterest,” she said, adding thatdetectives are reviewing any

Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 7 Malala attack conducted forNWA operation: Qazi

LAHORE—Former AmeerJamaat-e-Islami (JI) QaziHussain Ahmed has blamed thatattack on Malala Yosafzai has noconnection with TTP but it wasconducted to create justificationfor military operation inWaziristan Agency.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed saidthat TTP spokesman AhsanUllah Ahsan is only a redolentcharacter and government useshis so-called claims of terroristattacks to put a veil on its fail-ure to provide security to publiclives and properties.

He strongly condemned theattack on Malala Yousafzai andtermed it cowardly act addingthat girls education is more im-portant than opposite gender aschildren are brought up underthe supervision of mother and

his/her entire life depends onchildhood guidance.

However, the JI formerAmeer said that declaring USPresident Barack Obama as rolemodel could not be Malala’s ownthinking and she was taught togive the statement by NGOs andgovernmental officials to attainUS attention and sympathies toget funds in the name of variousdevelopment projects for humanrights and girls education. QaziHussain Ahmed said that inno-cent Malala became the victim ofconspiracy being hatched at highlevel and she was used to fulfilthe nefarious designs of creatinga justification for military actionin tribal areas on the desire of USadministration.

He expressed surprise over

Masood Khanpresents

credentialsto Ban

UNITED NATIONS—Pakistan’snew Permanent Representativeto the UN, Ambassador MasoodKhan, on Friday, presented hiscredentials to the UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-moon, in hisoffice at UN Headquarters inNew York.

In a meeting following thepresentation of credentials, Am-bassador Masood Khan con-veyed the gratitude of the Presi-dent, the Prime Minister and thepeople of Pakistan to the Secre-tary General for his strong and

Continued on Page 7

Today’s issue of PakistanObserver carries a one-pageSpecial Report on ‘WorldStandards Day — 14 Octo-ber 2012’ on Page 11.

DARRA ADAM KHEL: Security personnel stand guard at the site of blast after a suicide bomber attacked ‘Aman Lashkar’centre located at the main market.

Zardari directsfree treatment ofShazia, Kainat

ISLAMABAD—President AsifAli Zardari has directed to pro-vide free treatment to Malala’sinjured companions.

According to presidentialspokesman, the President in-quired the health of Shazia andKainat, the two girls who wereshot along with MalalaYousafzai

He said Malala and her com-panions are true face of Pakistanand are a national asset.

The President said that thequest for knowledge of all thesechildren despite threats had il-luminated the path for all. Hesaid that they are a national as-

ANP expresses reservationson Accountability Bill

ISLAMABAD—Awami NationalParty has expressed its reserva-tions over the AccountabilityBill presented by the govern-ment in the National Assemblytaken into confidence before itspresentation in the House.

ANP spokesman ZahidKhan said the government. Hesaid the government did notconsult the ANP on the bill.

Party sources said that ameeting of ANP would be heldto take a final decision whetherto support, oppose or remainout of the house during votingon the bill.

It may be pointed out thatthe opposition PML-N isstrongly opposed to the bill andleader of the opposition ChNisar Ali Khan has asked theANP and the MQM to opposethe bill if they really want anend to corruption in the coun-try.

National assembly standingcommittee on law and justiceis presently discussing the newaccountability bill.

Sources said that the gov-ernment is trying to pass the billfrom national assembly duringthe current session.—INP

Petrol pricesto be slashed,other products

to go upISLAMABAD—Despite passageof a resolution in the NationalAssembly regarding reviewingPOL prices on monthly basis,Ogra and oil marketing compa-nies, on the directives of thePetroleum Ministry, have for-warded a summary to amend theprices from October 15.

A private news channelquoting sources reported that

Continued on Page 7

Malalarecovering veryfast: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI—Director Gen-eral Inter-Services Public Rela-tions Maj Gen Asim SalimBajwa while briefing media saidMalala Yousufzai is recoveringvery fast still on ventilator andno decision has been made re-garding sending her abroad forfurther treatment.

He said that any decisionregarding removing Malalafrom ventilator would be madetoday (Sunday). He said that onSaturday the doctors de-creasedthe doze of medicines andMalala responded to that show-ing some movement. He saidthat the panel of doctors is con-

Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 7

Media should desist fromglorifying terrorists: SC

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The SupremeCourt of Pakistan on Saturdayrestrained media outlets fromcovering terrorism related inci-dents in such a manner whichwould glorify the terrorists.

In its order on theBalochistan security case, ChiefJustice Iftikhar MohammadChaudhry justified the decision,writing that material supplied bySenator SM Zafar suggested thatwhenever there was an incidentinvolving murder of innocentpeople, civilians or otherwise,newspapers blamed different‘organisations’. This, the chiefjustice noted, increased a senseof insecurity among the people

of Balochistan.Recent statements by the

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) following thier attack onMalala Yousufzai, receivedwidespread coverage in elec-tronic and print media.

The 14-year-old student ac-tivist from Swat alongwith otherstudents was shot at by TTPmen, when they were on theirway from school on October 9.

Another statement by theTTP where it justified its bar-baric act citing some Islamicprecedent, also got considerablecoverage by the media. Theirjustification was subsequentlyrejected by the Ulema and cler-ics across the country.

The CJ, heading a three-

judge bench, noted in the orderthat the provision of 11-W of theAnti-Terrorism Act, 1997should be followed strictly bythe electronic and print media inthe future.

The court also incorporatedthe provision in its judgmentnoting: “Printing, publishing, ordisseminating any material toincite hatred or giving projectionto any person convicted for aterrorist act or any proscribedorganisation or an organisationplaced under observation or any-one concerned in terrorism. (1)A person commits an offence ifhe prints, publishes or dissemi-nates any material, whether byaudio or video-cassettes [FMContinued on Page 7

Abbottabad Commissionto submit report soon

ISLAMABAD—The judicialcommission which was assignedto investigate US raid inAbbottabad killing al Qaedachief Osama bin Laden has com-pleted its work.

The commission will nowsubmit its report after one of itsmembers – Abbas Khan – re-turns from a trip abroad.

Earlier, the government haddirected the commission to sub-mit its report before October 12.

The Law and Justice Divi-sion had issued a notificationaccording to which the commis-sion was told to complete theinquiry and submit its report tothe Federal Government withinthirty days commencing fromthe September 12.

On May 2, 2011, US com-mandos had raided a compoundin Abbottabad to capture theformer al Qaeda chief who hadbeen living there for more than

five years.The government subse-

quently formed a five-memberjudicial commission to probethe presence of Bin Laden soclose to Pakistan’s premiermilitary training facility and thecircumstances leading to hisdeath in the raid by US troops.The commission held investi-gations, examined witnessesand conducted field mis-sions.—Agencie

Continued on Page 7Continued on Page 7

Continued on Page 7

southern Afghanistan,” ISAFspokesman Adam Wojack toldAFP.

“The injured personnelwere evacuated to ISAF medi-cal facilities for treatment,” hesaid.

The attacker was on footand detonated his explosives-filled vest at a checkpointclose to an office of NDS, theAfghan intelligence agency,according to Kandahar provin-cial spokesman Jawed Faisal.

“The foreign and Afghanofficials were standing at the

Picture on Back Page

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—President AsifAli Zardari has emphasizedthe need to establish creden-tials in Pakistan to observeinternational quality stan-dards for environmental pro-tection and minimizing thewastage of scarce resources.In his message on the occa-sion of World Standards Day,being observed in Pakistanand throughout the world onOctober 14, the Presidentsaid it is quite reassuring tonote that Pakistan Standardsand Quality Control Author-ity was undertaking strenu-ous efforts to promote stan-dards and conformity as-sessment to furtherstrengthen the nationaleconomy and also protectthe consumers from the busi-

nesses malpractice.He said the theme of the

World Standards Day thisyear “Less waste, better re-sults - Standards increaseefficiency” is a most timelyand appropriate call for opti-mal utilization of resources,reducing waste and maximizeefficiency in the productionchain. The President said onthis occasion, “Let us reaf-firm our commitment andthink of new ways to optimizethe use of dwindling re-sources and increase effi-ciency in the production pro-cess in a highly competitiveworld”. President Zardari saidthe standards have been de-veloped to increase effi-ciency and reduce costs.

He said the internationalcommunity has developedstate of the art standards for

the optimal use of human andmaterial resources. The Presi-dent said developing coun-tries like Pakistan must makefull use of those standards. Hesaid this will not only maxi-mize the profits but also en-able to stay competitive in themodern day environment.President Zardari said for de-veloping economies like Pa-kistan the need for conformityof its products and servicesto the internationally recog-nized standards and qualitycan not be overemphasized.

He said the need for thishas never been as great as it istoday as Pakistan has embarkedupon an aggressive policy ofpromoting trade with countriesin the region including Indiaand Afghanistan. The Presi-dent said the active involve-ment of civil society, non-gov-

ernmental organizations andthe corporate sector is an en-couraging development andpromises greater success in theefforts to ensure quality andmaintaining standards.

He said, “I am confidentthat observance of this daytoday will contribute towardscreating even greater aware-ness among the industrial-ists, businessmen and corpo-rate sector of the countryabout the importance of ad-hering to internationally rec-ognized standards in theirproducts and services to theconsumers particularly in thearea of reducing waste.” ThePresident appreciated therole of PSQCA and com-mended the efforts of thethousands of experts whowere involved in developingand promoting standards.

Zardari stresses Int’l standardsfor environmental protection

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Millions ofpeople in Pakistan andaround the world will be ob-serving Global HandwashingDay on Monday to increaseawareness and understand-ing of importance of handwashing with soap as an ef-fective and affordable way toprevent disease. This is par-ticularly vital for the 5.4 mil-lion people affected by thecurrent monsoon flood emer-gency, many of whom arechildren at increased risk ofcontracting diseases like di-arrhoea.

The celebration is underthe slogan, “Clean handssave lives”, which is the driv-ing theme for Global HandWashing Day. GHD was firstcelebrated on October 15,2008 when the United Na-

tions General Assembly des-ignated the year 2008 as theInternational Year of Sanita-tion. The theme of handwashing with soap is focusedon message to school chil-dren wash their hands withsoap regularly.

Global HandwashingDay was originally createdfor children and schools,but can be celebrated byanyone promotinghandwashing with soap.Each year on October15,over 200 million peopleare involved in celebrationsin over 100 countries aroundthe world. Between 5-10 percent of all children under theage of five living in poorcountries develop pneumo-nia. In Pakistan alone morethan 250,000 children die dueto diarrhoea-related dis-eases every year.

QUETTA: Children presenting tableau during a ceremony on Global Hand Washing Day.

Villagersconcerned overdeteriorating

road conditionOUR CORRESPONDENT

MANDI BAHAUDDIN—Peoplebelonging to all walks of lifeincluding villagers haveshown concern over deterio-rating condition of roads in thedistrict. Ex Nazim Union Coun-cil Shaheedanwali KhalidWarriach said during era of GenMusharraf farm to market roadswere built and other roads wereproperly maintained regularly.But the present governmentsince its coming to power hadnot paid any heed to their main-tenance.

As a result the road con-ditions have deteriorated tothe extent that even one can’twalk on foot. Shoulders of theroads have inundated duringthe recent rains. ZahoorGondal ex-Nazim Union Coun-cil Sohawa Bolani said thatMandi Bahauddin district wastreated step motherly by fed-eral and Punjab governmentsboth. He said it was a chancethat PPP won all seats ofMNAs and MPAs in this dis-trict and other parties includ-ing PML (N) could not bageven a single seat. ThereforePunjab Government led byPML (N) has been reluctantto allocate developmentfunds to this district.

He said with dissolutionof Local government bypresent government democ-racy at grass root level didnot exist. Punjab Governmentprovides funds to favouritesof PML (N) who were notpublic representatives.

Global Hand WashingDay tomorrow

Lady heroinsmuggler held

RAZA NAQVI

ATTOCK—Police have ar-rested a lady smuggler for al-legedly smuggling heroin. Asper details SHO MazharHussain during routinechecking stopped a bus NoMNS 975 near Attock Khurdand during checking recov-ered 3 kg heroin from ShahidaBibi w/o Ali Hassan r/oPeshawar who was travellingin the bus. In another attemptRangu police recovered a pis-tol and 4 rounds from ZahirRehman while Hassanabdalpolice have recovered 324bottles liquor from Alamzeb r/o Peshawar. On the other handin a special drive against adul-teration Assistant Commis-sioner Attock Iftikhar

Alam raided a fake bev-erages factory and recoverednumber of fake cold drinks.The Assistant Commissionersealed the factory and put afine of Rs 40 thousand on itsowner Fazal Din s/o AhmadDin r/o Mari village.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Chairman Sen-ate Syed Nayyer HussainBukhari has said the govern-ment is pursuing a commonagenda to use science andtechnology as a vehicle ofchange‚ development andprosperity. He was address-ing as a chief guest at theconcluding session of the 6thVacuum and Surface Sci-ences Conference of Asiaand Australia (VASSCAA-6)in Islamabad on Saturday.The Chairman said “We be-lieve that investing in scienceand technology education isa precursor for developingintellectual capital if scienceand technology implementa-tion is to contribute to sus-tainable development. We arefocusing on building pre-

cious human resource andenhancing indigenous ca-pacities.” He said that the

best possible way to achievethis objective is through thestrong interaction among theresearch organizations, in-dustries and universities.

Talking about science

and technology as agent ofchange, the Chairman saidthat it has brought a revolu-tion in the working condi-tions, thinking and the struc-ture of our society. The na-tions that are abreast with thelatest technologies will surelybe benefiting from the futureoutcome, while the others willsimply be left out. At thesame time, however, thosewho have the technologicalknow-how must be willing toshare it with others who aretrying to be partners in thequest for progress and pros-perity.

The Chairman appreci-ated holding of such confer-ences that surely provide anexcellent opportunity for es-tablishing closer ties, sharingexperiences and finding so-lutions to common problems.

Talking about the importanceof having technical expertiseat disposal, the Chairmansaid that these valuable hu-man resource can help thedeveloping nations in fight-ing emerging challenges atthe modern battle fronts in-cluding the economic front.

‘The vacuum technologythroughout the world hasplayed a dramatic role notonly in the improvement ofthe quality but also providednew dimensions to the indus-trial processes. Pakistanvacuum society can help indevelopment of renewableenergy resources. We haveto join our hands to utilize thepotential of this technologyin achieving high level of re-liability in order to export ourproducts with pride’, Headded.

S&T brought a revolution: Nayyer

1.3m childrengetting freeeducation in

PunjabMULTAN—Chairman PunjabEducation Foundation (PEF)Raja Anwar said on Fridaythat the foundation had initi-ated a project to provide freeeducation to deserving andneedy children at their door-steps with public private part-nership. Raja Anwar ex-pressed these views whileaddressing a convention ofpartner schools at ShahRuken-i-Alam colony here.

Under the project, he saida total of 1.3 million deserv-ing children were being edu-cated across the province forwhich the Punjab govern-ment had earmarked Rs 6 bil-lion in the current fiscal year.The Punjab government hasstarted various projects offree education in SouthPunjab to eliminate back-wardness and private part-nership had also been in-vited in this connection, Rajasaid.

He added by getting edu-cation in these institutions,being run under PEF, theneedy and deserving chil-dren of destitute familieswould bring good name tothe country in future. Mean-while, it is reported fromQuetta that Under the aegisof UN-HABITAT, a voca-tional training center for Pa-kistani and Afghan refugeechildren has been estab-lished, at the Amin PublicSchool Quetta at theGhausabad area here.

The country manager ofthe UN-HABITAT MrSIamak Moghamddam inau-gurated the center, Commis-sioner Afghan RefugeesAbdul Saboor Kakar wasalso present on the occa-sion. Addressing the cer-emony, the UN-HABITATcountry manager said thatAfghan and Pakistani chil-dren would be imparted theknowledge about the mobilerepairing, cutting and em-broidery skills in the voca-tional center. “The voca-tional center would bringcloser the refugees and lo-cal children,” he added.

Commissioner AfghanRefugees lauding the movesaid that UNHCR was striv-ing hard to equip the Afghanrefugee children with collegeand vocational education.“Pakistani government wascommitted to facilitate theAfghan refugees shelteringin camps and urban settle-ments across the country,”he stressed.—APP

Rs 2m releasedfor terror victims

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Government ofKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Homeand Tribal Affairs Depart-ment has released the en-blocallocation of Rs 2 million forthe dead and injured duringterrorist acts. The releasedamount would be at the dis-posable of Commissioner, DIKhan Division for paymentas compensation to the legalheirs of victims of bombblasts/terrorist activities,said an officials statementissued here on Saturday.

Earlier, Chief MinisterKhyber Pakhtunkhwa AmeerHaider Khan Hoti has distrib-uted compensation chequesamong heirs of the martyrsand injured of current terror-ism incidents at Matani,Scheme Chowk and AbdaraRoad, Peshawar during asimple but revered gatheringat CM House on Wednesday.

KARACHI—Turkish Ambas-sador Inaich has said Turkeyis always ready to help outPakistan, specially Sindh, inthe field of education. He wasspeaking at a lunch receptionhosted in honour of FethullahGulen, a Turkish Muslimscholar, at a local hotel here,said a handout issued here onFriday. The Turkish envoyfurther said both the countrieshave mutual co-operation inmany fields and it is hopedthat this cooperation wouldfurther increase.

Speaking on the occa-sion, Senior Minister for Edu-cation and Literacy PirMazhar-ul-Haq said Pakistan

Turkey to help in edu sectorand Turkey both are broth-erly countries and have cor-dial relations since long. TheSenior Minister said Turkeyhas given considerable as-sistance to Pakistan on manyoccasions. Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq said Sindh has a longhistory of relationship withTurkey. Many Turkish edu-cational institutions havebeen operating in the prov-ince and providing qualityeducation, he added.

Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq appre-ciated the role of SZABIST inthe promotion of quality edu-cation in Sindh. He said theinstitution has five campusesat Karachi, Islamabad, Dubai,

Larkana and Hyderabad. Heinformed that SZABIST isnow developing medical cityat Gharo to provide qualityeducation to the people ofSindh. Provincial MinistersAga Siraj Durrani, AyazSoomro, Haji MuzaffarShujraa, Rafiq Engineer, rep-resentative of Board of Trust-ees SZABIST, KhursheedAhmed Junejo, Saqib Rizvi,Dr. Suleman Shaikh, SecretaryEducation Mukhtiar Ahmed,Soomro, Additional SecretaryShahnaz Mazhar and otherssenior officers of the Educa-tion Department, and headsof various universities werealso present.—APP

ISLAMABAD—Mainly dryweather is expected in mostparts of the country while lightrain may occur at a few placesof Rawalpindi and Gujranwaladivisions during the next 24hours. Continental air is pre-vailing over most parts of thecountry, met office reportedhere on Saturday.

Mainly dry weather isalso expected in most partsof the Khaber Pakhtunkwa,however, light rain may oc-cur at a few places ofPeshawar and Kohat divi-sions during the next 24hours. In Sindh mainly hotand dry weather is predictedin most parts of the provincewhile in Balochistan mainlydry Weather is also expectedin most parts of the provinceduring the next 24 hours.

Mostly partly cloudyweather expected withchances of light rain at fewplaces of Kashmir during thenext 24 hours and in Gilgit-Baltistan mostly partly cloudyweather expected withchances of light rain. The

Dry weather expectedMultan Met office has forecastparty cloudy weather for thecity and its suburbs during thenext 24 hours. On Saturday, themaximum and minimum tem-peratures were recorded as

34.7 and 20.0 degrees centi-grade, respectively. Humiditywas recorded as 82 per cent at8am and 35 per cent at 5pm.

The Karachi Met Officehas forecast dry weather withhazy/misty morning in the cityduring the next 24 hour, saida weather report issued. Ac-cording to the weather report,maximum temperature in theport city would remain in therange of 32 to 34 degree cen-tigrade and minimum in therange of 23 to 25 degree cen-tigrade during the next 24hours.—APP

Hoti opens VIP copter facilityStaff Reporter

PESHAWAR—Chief Minister KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Ameer Haider Khan HotiSaturday inaugurated VIP helicopterflight at Peshawar Aviation Base. Theceremony among others was also at-tended by Chief Secretary KP, Secre-tary C&W and officers of Civil AviationAuthority (CAA). The Chief Secretaryon this occasion briefed the participantsthat the project was initiated for provi-sion of VIP helicopter service and its

cost was Rs 74.4 million. He said that Rs 42.453 millionwere spent on construction of hanger and its whole workwas done by CAA officials. The Elpha Taxi Link, he saidwas completed with the assistance of officials of PakistanAir Force at an estimated cost of Rs 32 millino which in-cluded worshop, maintenance room, crew room, flight com-mandant office, tea bar, spare room, guard room and sparestore. The facility of a 20 KV standby generator was alsoinplaced, he added. Earlier, addressing oath taking cer-emony of the newly elected cabinet of Markazi Tanzeem eTajran Takhtbhai here at CM Hous he said, adding thepresent government was making sincere efforts to fulfillits primary task in this regard. The future governments, hesaid should also ensure continuation of the developmentplans evolved by the present government in the provinceas strong provinces guaranteed strong and stable Paki-stan. The Chief Minister said his government from dayone was pursuing uniform development program acrossthe province adding in 2008 the ADP of KPK was around30 billion rupees which has now risen to Rs.94 billion andattributed it to the provincial autonomy, NFC award, and18th and 19th amendments.

Road renovationBashir Ahmad Rahmani

HAFIZABAD—Thuirty one mile longGujranwala-Hafizabad road would berenovated within six months by the NLCat a cost of Rs. 1721 million, MNA SairaAfzal Tarar said here Saturday. While talk-ing to the mediamen here she said thatthe said road has been deteriorated andhas become unmotorable and was caus-ing day-to-day road mishap because allthe previous governments had absolutelyfailed to rehabilitate it during the past over

a decade. She said that due to her and district administration’sefforts the Chief Minister has very kindly released the hugeamount for this important road. She said that work on theportion of road located in the Hafizabad district from JinnahChowk would be started from October 15 by the NLC. Shefurther said that six mega projects costing Rs. 352 millionhave been recently completed in the district while traumacentre etc. are being completed at the cost of Rs. 58 million.Meanwhile the applicants for the grant of passports fromHafizabad Office have expressed their grave concern overthe inordinate delay even in the issuance of urgent pass-ports. They said that presence of touts outside the local of-fice were the main hurdle in the delay of issuance of pass-ports. The touts were fleecing the applicants. Abdul JabbarRaza Ansari President Anjuman Nowjawan-e-Hafizabad hasappealed to the Passport Officer to eliminate touts and en-sure timely issuance of passports to the applicants. Mean-while acting DCO Sohail Ahmad Khan has advised the offi-cials to perform their duties with commitment and warned thatnegligence on their part would not be tolerated.

Economic boostOur Correspondent

FAISALABAD—Federal Minister for En-vironmental Changes Rana FarooqSaeed Khan has said the PPP govern-ment is taking steps to boost economy.In a statement issued here he said thatpayment of 5th tranche to the IMF hasshut the mouths of opposition leaderswho were making vicious propagandaagainst the PPP led government. He saidthat PPP came into power with the sup-port of people which has taken popular

and unpopular decisions to stabilize national economy.He said that people of Pakistan are politically mature andhave full trust on the leadership of the PPP. They fullyunderstand that petroleum prices are directly linked withinternational prices and the PPP government has nothingto do with it. He said that PPP was fully poised to forminterim government in March next year that would con-duct fair, free and impartial elections. FCCI for int’l flightsfrom Faisalabad: The Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce &Industry (FCCI) demanded to start international flights fromthe Faisalabad Airport. FCCI president Mian Zahid Aslamin a statement issued here on Friday said Faisalabad wasthe third largest city of the country and the biggest textilecentre as well. Out of total US$ 12 billion textile exports ofthe country, Faisalabad was contributing more than US$ 4billion in national textile exports. He said textile being life-line of the national economy and it was imperative thatnecessary infrastructure facilities should be made avail-able to exporters. He emphasized that international flightsfrom Faisalabad were also necessary for export of fruitsand vegetables of the region because time factor beingmost important in fruit and vegetable exports, appropriateinternational flights could also facilitate to uplift export ofregional fruits and vegetables from Faisalabad to Dubaiand Middle East markets.

PPP public meetingOur Correspondent

HYDERABAD—The participation of mil-lions of people in the scheduled publicmeeting of Pakistan Peoples Party inHyderabad on October 15, will prove thatPPP is the only political party of the coun-try which has deep roots in the masses,which always protected the rights of thecommon people. This was informed bySindh Minister for Fisheries Zahid AliBhurgari at a news conference here atcircuit house. Zahid Ali Bhurgari who is

also the President of PPP Hyderabad District said that themammoth public meeting will be an historic event and im-portant for the survival of democracy as well as the protec-tion of the rights of the people of Sindh. The minister in-formed that former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani,central party leader Senator Aitzaz Ahsan, Federal Minis-ters Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim, Syed KhursheedAhmed Shah, Moula Bux Chandio, Syed Naveed Qamarand Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah will be the keyspeakers of the public meeting. He informed that the openplace situated at the back side of Rajputana Hospital hasbeen selected for meeting which will start at 1 p.m. and cul-minate before Maghrib prayers so that the participants couldreturn to their destination without any difficulty. Sindh ChiefMinister Syed Qaim Ali Shah is arriving on Sunday to re-view the arrangements, the minister said and added thatparticipation of millions of party workers and the commonpeople will foil all conspiracies being hatched against de-mocracy which has been restored after great sacrifices ofthe party workers. The present leadership of the party is thefollowers of great brave leaders who sacrificed their livesbut never compromised on principles.

OUR CORRESPONDENT

HYDERABAD—The Vice Chan-cellor of Liaquat University ofMedical and Health Sciences(LUMHS) Jamshoro, ProfSyed Mashoor Alam Shah hasemphasized the need of tak-ing effective measures to pro-vide maximum health facility tothe women of the country par-ticularly those who are livingin rural areas.

Speaking as chief guestat the inauguration cer-emony of day long nationalsymposium on the theme

Achieving Millennium De-velopment Goal 4 with espe-cial emphasis on newbornssurvival, organized by theDepartment of PediatricsLUMHS in joint collabora-tion with United Nation Chil-dren Fund, World Health Or-ganization, Maternal, Neona-tal and Child HealthProgramme, World FoodProgramme, Government ofSindh and Child WelfareTrust here at a local hotel onSaturday.

The Vice-Chancellorsaid that the mother and

child health challengesformed the most importantpart of the ever-increasinghealth problems in Pakistan.He said that the main rea-son for high mortality ofmother and children waslack of awareness, particu-larly in rural areas addingthat people even did notknow about the avenues ofhealthcare facilities to getthemselves treated. He saidthat the Ministry of Healthwas willing to provide lead-ership and ownership to im-prove nutrition in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: AIOU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nazir A Sangi awarding AIOU Perfor-mance Award to Shahid Hussain, Faculty Member of the University.

Maximum health facilitiesfor rural women stressed

PARACHINAR—Three uni-versity students receivedburn wounds when un-known extremists hurledacid at them while they wereon their way to home afterattempting MA, MSc paperin Kohat. Tehreek-e-TalibanPakistan (TTP) has claimedthe responsibility. Accord-ing to details, three girl stu-dents after their MA MScpaper in Kohat were return-ing to Parachinar when uni-dentified miscreants threwacid at their face injuringthem critically while otherpassengers present in thevehicle also suffered minorburn wounds.

The injured girls wereshifted to Kurram AgencyHeadquarters Hospital. Lo-cal people, civil society andnon governmental organiza-tions (NGOs) working forwomen rights have con-

TTP claims responsibility

3 MA girl studentsinjured in acid attack

demned the attacked andtermed it a cowardly act.

Meanwhile a young girldied and at least 20 personsincluding four children wereinjured in a hand grenade at-tack at an engagement cer-emony here late Friday night.According to details, un-known miscreants hurledhand grenade at a houseowned by Haji MuhammadLiaquat Ali located in Domailarea of Bannu where engage-ment ceremony of a familymember was underway andfled the scene.

As a result of the handgrenade blast, 21 persons in-cluding 16 women and fivechildren were injured. The in-jured were rushed to KhalifaGul Nawaz Teaching hospitaland District Headquarters(DHQ) Hospital Bannu wherea young girl succumbed to herwounds.—INP

STAFF REPORTER

P E S H A W A R — K h y b e rPakhtunkhwa InformationMinister Mian IftikharHussain has said that it wasthe high time to chalk outstrategy and take actionagainst the terrorists target-ing the innocent people,government installationsand public properties. Talk-ing to media persons inLady Reading Hospital(LRH) Peshawar on Satur-day, during his visit to in-quire about the health of thewounded persons of DarraAdamkhel blast, MianIftikhar Hussain said thatmilitary operation against

the extremists is the need ofthe hour as they would gettime to strengthen further ifoperation was delayed.

He said that militants weretrying to get hold overPeshawar city but their nefari-ous designs would not let tobe fulfilled. “We are alreadysacrificing lives of our children,armed forces and citizens inwar on terror and would con-tinue to sacrifice till the elimi-nation of menace of extremismand terrorism from the region,”he said. He condemned theDarra Adamkhel blast whichclaimed a number of innocentlives besides injuring scoresothers and said that peacecommittee members were the

target of the terrorists.Earlier, Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa Minister for In-formation, Mian IftikharHussain has assured all outsupport to the department ofInternational Development(DFID) UK on behalf of theprovincial government and dif-ferent sectors in KhyberPakhtunkhwa as well as FATA.He said that help from anycountry or organization forbetterment of the people of ter-ror stricken province wouldwhole heartedly be welcomed.

This, he said, while talkingto the head of DFID RosemaryKnight at PakhtunkhwaHouse, Islamabad, the otherday. Secretary Information

Azmat Hanif Orakzai was alsopresent on the occasion. Shebesides discussing the projectplan of DFID for KhyberPakhtunkhwa and FATA alsodiscussed the possibilities ofinvestment in the Informationsector. Mian Iftikhar Hussainmaintained that he welcomedthe efforts of DFID for devel-opment of KhyberPakhtunkhwa and FATA butfor that, he said, conduciveatmosphere was need of thehour. That was why the pro-vincial government was work-ing for maintenance of peaceand security in KhyberPakhtunkhwa as well as FATAas safe FATA was the guaran-tee of peaceful Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, he said.He stressed upon the DFID

to go forward as per its projectplan without any delay so asobjectives of its program couldbe reached to the common man.The Information Minister con-tinued that his governmentconsidered the media a power-ful medium for effectively coun-tering terrorism, that was why,the provincial government wasformulating and informationand communication strategywhich was in the offing and In-formation Department was alsobeing strengthened. Under thatstrategy, the provincial govern-ment has established two FMRadio channels and KhyberPakhtunkhwa TV and three

more Radio channels in theprovince this year were also inthe pipeline, he furthered.

He said investment bythe DFID would be eulogizedin the media sector. The min-ister vowed that decisionsfor establishment of TV aswell as FM Radio channelsin the province was final andwould be materialized fromour own resources as it wasmust for the peace and secu-rity of this region and itspeople. He added, throughmedium, we could easily con-vey our messages to the en-tire region. Rosemary Knight,while assuring the support ofher organization in the mediasector.

Minister sees high time to devise strategyMilitary operation against terrorists

QUETTA: Security personnel stand guard outside Balochistan Assembly building.

Security forcesdetain five

OUR CORRESPONDENT

N O W S H E R A — S e c u r i t yforces personnel on Satur-day detained five people, in-cluding an Afghan national,in Nowshera’s Akbarpuraarea in connection with theattack on child activistMalala Yousufzai. The de-tained men include threebrothers Inam, Abdul Haadiand Obaidur Rehman andtwo others, including an Af-ghan refugee. The men weretaken into custody by secu-rity forces who had traveledfrom Swat to Akbarpura on atip-off. They had first raideda mosque and had laterraided a house from wherethe men were detained. Fifty-five people, including threekey people, have reportedlybeen detained during the pasttwo days in the case.

NAZIR SIYAL

LARKANA—Different protestsby the nationalists and politi-cal parties continued in theprovince against Sindhpeople’s local government Or-dinance (SPLGO) here on Sat-urday. In Larkana, Kamber-Shahdakot, Jacobabad,Shikarpur, Dadu, Ratodero,Mirokhan, Warrah, Nasirabad,Mehar, Dokri, Badah and othersmall towns protests and ral-lies against SPLGO continuedby the the nationalists and po-litical parties.

A large number ofactvisists of Nationalists andpolitical parties among SindhUnited Party (SUP), Awami

Anti-SPLGO protest continuesTehreek, Jeay Sindh QaumiMahaz (JSQM), Jeay SindhTaraqi Pasand Party (JSTPP),Pakistan Muslim League (N),Pakistan Mulsim League F andQ, Jeay Sindh Qaum ParastParty, (JSQP), Jamiat Ulmai Is-lam (JUI), Jamait Tulba-e- Is-lam (JTI), Suni Tehreek, ANPand others observed protestsand rallies in different parts ofdistricts in Sindh.

Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz(JSQM) Ratodero held pro-test demonstration to use avolgure language against theHyder Manzil. The activistsshouted slogans against therulling Pakistan people’sparty; it was led by ShahzadAbbasi here on Saturday.

Jeay Sindh QaumiMahaz(JSQM) in Nasirabadalso took out protest rallyand condemned the attitudeagainst Hydera Manzil andwarned the rulers to stop anti-Sindh local government or-dinance.

JSQM in Shahdadkot cityheld protest demonstration atKotoo Mottoo Chowk, theprotest was led by NaseerSeelro and other activistsagainst Sindh people’s localgovernment Ordinance(SPLGO). They condemnedthe government and anti-Sindh decisions, which thepeople of Sindh will never ac-cept. On the occasion, JSQMactivists Ashiq Kalhoro.

Injured Kainatwants to

become doctorSTAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Kainat, the fel-low girl student injured alongwith Malala Yousafzai in amilitant attack in Swat, hasvowed to continue her edu-cation and become a doctorto serve the country and na-tion. “The perpetratoropened fire after identifyingMalala and I fell unconsciousas she saw Malala in a poolof blood”, Kainat told a pri-vate TV channel. Kainat alsoprayed for speedy recoveryof Malala Yousafzai.

The health condition ofMalala’s injured friendShazia, who was injured in anattack on Malala Yousafzai inSwat, is improving in Com-bined Military Hospital(CMH) Peshawar as she hasstarted consuming food andwalking with the support ofher parents.

Sher Muhammad, uncleof Shazia, told media personsthat a bullet hit Shazia in hershoulder and she was undertreatment in Swat’s SaiduSharif hospital where herbleeding could not bestopped therefore she wasshifted to CMH Peshawar.According to CMH doctors,Shazia was kept in the ICUbut her health has improved.

Meanwhile Ex-Service-men condemn terrorists at-tack on Malala Yousfzai andcall for immediate arrest ofculprits. Ex-servicemen in ameeting with President Paki-stan Ex-Servicemen Society(PESS) Mandi BahauddinMajor Sher MuhammadGondal have strongly con-demned the terrorist attack ona girl students van, injuringthree girls including Malala.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Sindh govern-ment would organize a nationallevel law conference with par-ticipation of law secretaries,advocates general, prosecu-tors general and other con-cerned senior officers fromPunjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhaw,Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. The decision to holdlaw conference was taken in ameeting held here on Saturdaywith Sindh Law Minister AyazSoomro in the chair.

All the participants ofthe conference would be in-vited to share their experi-ences, review the laws andsuggest/recommend amend-

Sindh Govt to holdnational law conference

ments for making the lawseffective for the benefit ofpeople. The minister directedthe Advocate General, Pros-ecutor General and Solicitorof Sindh to submit theirmonthly performance reportsregarding disposal of cases.

The meeting was informedthat the project of automationof offices of district publicprosecutors, district attorneysand other concerned offices inall the districts of province wasin final stage and Chief Minis-ter Syed Qaim Ali Shah wouldsoon inaugurate it. It was alsodecided that meetings wouldbe held at divisional headquar-ters of province in respect ofdisposal of cases.

SC’s no-confidencein Balochistan Govt

TWO separate developments that took place on auspiciousFriday augur well for ultimate resolution of the longstandingissue of Balochistan. The National Assembly ultimately ended

its near inaction and adopted a resolution for establishment of an allparties commission on Balochistan with mandate to talk to the estrangedleadership and report within a month. And the Supreme Court, after adetailed and indepth hearing of the case, gave its verdict expressing no-confidence in the ability of the provincial government to protect humanrights and curb kidnappings for ransom and suggesting a way out of thepresent imbroglio.

We have been emphasizing in these columns that Balochistan issuecan only be addressed politically and through dialogue but regrettablythe incumbent Government did not move beyond offering apology forreasons best known to it. Not only that, it is also guilty of thrusting uponpeople of Balochistan a leadership in the garb of democracy that hasbeen declared as a total failure by the apex court for obvious and genuinereasons. Therefore, the formation of a national commission consistingof parties outside parliament as well has the potential to deliver providedthe Government and the Speaker National Assembly shuns the tendencyof sitting over resolutions for weeks and months and move quicklytowards its implementation. Hopefully, the parties would also nominatetheir representatives who have the vision and determination to helpcontribute meaningfully in resolution of the conflict. But much dependson the provincial set up that has so far not delivered and in the light ofthe Supreme Court verdict it deserves to be jolted and even dismantledand re-assembled. The judgement is being interpreted as a solidfoundation for dismissal of the Government and the provincial assemblyfor their callous attitude towards a grim situation. Fresh elections mightnot be advisable as general elections are due within months butimposition of Governor’s rule could be the answer. The Governor tooshould be a personality who is active and has keen interest in resolvingthe issue on urgent basis as per national consensus. It is also pertinent topoint out that the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Balochistan has alsofinalized its recommendations that offer potential for resolution but thereal question is their implementation in letter and in spirit. The proposedapex committee should have the mandate to do so but within a stipulatedtime as we cannot afford the luxury of wasting time any more.

Non-stop spillingof blood in Syria

WITH the passage of time, the situation in Syria is gettingcomplex and assuming new and dangerous dimensions with

serious implications for the administration, people of Syria, the regionand beyond. But the most unfortunate aspect of the entire situation iscontinued spilling of blood of innocent people in disregard to appealsbeing made by saner elements of the international community.

One can gauge the delicacy of the situation by the number of dailycasualties that are surging and there is no hope for any improvement asefforts for resolution of the crisis are bearing no fruit. The pro-oppositionSyrian Observatory for Human Rights gave a death toll for Thursdayalone of more than 260 people, including civilians and combatants onboth sides, as fighting raged in the capital and the north, west and eastof the country. It said 92 soldiers had been killed on Thursday, one ofthe highest daily tolls on the government side since the uprising againstPresident Bashar al-Assad broke out in March 2011. Roads and streetare becoming red with blood of Syrian people and no one knows whenthis vicious cycle of killing by the two sides would end. While we havebeen emphasizing that there should be no crude foreign interference inSyria, President Bashar al-Assad should also initiate concrete processof dialogue and discussion with the dissidents to resolve the problemthrough an internal exercise. Neutral countries or personalities andorganizations can also help in brokering peace and ending the bloodshed.The Syrian Government should also realize that with the passage oftime its hold and strength would weaken and bloodshed would alsocreate justification for foreign intervention.

Hafeez Shaikh’s callto China and Japan

PINNING his confidence in the economic leadership of China andJapan, Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh has urged both the countries to

show off their existence and raise the voice of developing countries ininternational financial institutions. Both the Asian economic giants havebeen helping Asian countries in their development and the call by Dr HafeezSheikh was timely, as that would strengthen the case of countries of thecontinent for increased assistance without much strings.

It is being recognised that in the 21st century, Asian economies wouldgrow faster than their western counterparts because of debt crisis in sev-eral European countries. This was also recognised by the IMF ManagingDirector Christine Legarde in her keynote speech at the plenary sessionof the IMF-World Bank annual meetings in Tokyo admitting that Asiandynamism symbolizes the future of the world. Both China and Japanhave strong economies which remained unaffected by from internationalrecession and financial crisis and their voice is given due weightage inthe World Bank, IMF and Asian Development Bank. In fact by pleadingthe case of the Asian countries, they would be doing a great service fortheir own economies as well. We say so because Asia is currently under-going rapid growth and industrialization and with the availability of re-sources international financial institutions, the developing countries wouldlook for machinery and raw material import from the major Asian coun-tries. Analysts also remain upbeat that Asian economies have strong eco-nomic fundamentals and this will help them afloat despite economicheadwinds from developed countries like in the US and Europe. There-fore if the proposal of Dr Hafeez Sheikh is given due consideration, weare confident that China and Japan would not only earn the goodwill offellow nations but also benefit indirectly.

There is massive poison in thewind. Pakistan’s stint withmodern technology has fur-

thered this beyond any shadow ofdoubt. What was identifiable asharmless and a do nothing attitude,hoping that it will go away has nowbecome a monster. In an economythat is shrinking the ability to findand solace in public services is al-most impossible. Truth and truth-ful assertions are roughed up bylies. The philosophy of the lawyerbeing a friend of the court and notof the client is an almost obsoleteconcept. In a society such as thisthere will not be any need for lob-bying for the foreign investors tocome and invest in Pakistan. Theimage of the country matters. Thatimage stands tarnished by all andevery one that cannot resist temp-tation [s]. Take any area that youwould want to discuss.

The roots of this are in our so-cial system. Are we not dealingwith all kinds of preferences forour kith and kin-are we not doingour bit for the person whom weknow and against the person whois not part of our social connection.Is there any sense of justice? Didwe not suffer in the past and is notincumbent on us to perceive whatis right and just as against what isotherwise. It is now clear that inany area but more specificallyhypocritical persons keep on ap-pearing on TV and are not ashamedof asserting matters that are signifi-cant lies. I have seen the likes of

Growing dilemma of bias to hate

India’s new game plan in Kashmir

The world is toomuch with us; lateand soon, gettingand spending, we laywaste our powers:Little we see inNature that is ours.

Indian Chief of Army Staff,General Bikram Singh hasspelled out Indian military

strategy for the next decade. It isbased on New Delhi’s earlier con-cern over growing Pak-Chinesestrategic and tactical cooperationin the field of defence and secu-rity. Ironically, Indian Intelli-gence agencies are totally blind inmaking an honest assessment ofChinese involvement in develop-ment projects in Pakistan. IndianChief of Army Chief has ex-pressed his concern over Chinesepresence in Pakistan, especially inAzad Jammu and Kashmir andGilgit-Baltistan province. It is be-ing claimed that India will con-tinue military in held Jammu andKashmir, Siachen Glacier espe-cially Saltoro Ridge.

India is trying to negotiate withPakistani authorities to come to anagreement on proper authentic de-marcation so that forces of boththe countries withdraw from Gla-cier area and disengagement takesplace. As per the statement ofDCIO Jammu, New Delhi has noplan of withdrawal from any partand after the demarcation of Gla-cier area. He claimed that Indianmilitary would pressurizeIslamabad to ensure that Chinesedo not visit Pakistani areas; oth-erwise Indian forces would notleave the area. The DCIO addedthat New Delhi considers heldJammu and Kashmir state as in-tegral part of India and wouldnever leave it unoccupied for Pa-

A prizeworth

defending

If satire was abolished the daythat Henry Kissinger got hisNobel prize, it was tempting to

proclaim Friday as the moment thatirony unravelled into earnestness,after the same laurel was restedupon the European Union. Powerin the continent is sclerotic and di-vided, and can seem united only inpunishing its own people throughausterity. The masses on the streetsof Athens and Madrid may havecome to regard EU institutions asinstruments of oppression, bent onreducing citizens to subjects.Tempting as this analysis is, it isflawed – it mistakes a currency fora continent. Yes, a euro of ram-shackle design is impoverishingparts of the EU, but there is moreto European life than money. Whiletrade among the states was alwaysseen as one way to sustain an ever-closer union, it was far from themain point for the original vision-aries. For Schuman, whose family’sFrench nationality was forciblyswapped for German in the first ofthe three modern conflagrationsbetween the two countries in 1870,for Monnet, who had helped to pickup the pieces after the second in1919, and for Churchill, whose datewith destiny came during the third,the ideal of – in the latter’s phrase– a United States of Europe wasanimated by one simple thought.Namely, never again.

On that simple score at least,as the official Nobel commendationreminded us, it has proved a re-sounding success. Those three warscame in just seven decades, but sixhave now passed since the strate-gic resources of Europe’s core werefirst pooled in the coal and steelcommunity. And – exactly asplanned – all-out war has slowly butsurely become unthinkable. For allthe tensions of the current crisis,and for all the economic echoes ofthe 1930s, there is no voice any-where on the continent suggestingthat the way to resolve it is to rolltanks across some border. Financial“war”, it is well worth remember-ing, is preferable to the real thing.Yes, several EU states includingBritain are, even now, waging fu-tile war beyond the continent’sshores, and, yes, a good deal ofEuropean blood continued to beshed as the EU evolved, fromSarajevo to the Shankill Road. Butstrife within individual pockets ofthe EU, such as Northern Ireland,always proved containable, andwith graver conflicts beyond out-side it, as in the former Yugosla-via, the possibility of joining hasbeen a force for reconciliation:Serbia is now a recognised candi-date, and Croatia is actually admit-ted next year. The crumbling of oldempires is frequently followed byfighting, and we will never knowfor sure why so much of the oldSoviet block proved to be an ex-ception, but the example and theallure of union that looked to theeast surely did no harm.

On this platform of peace, Eu-rope built an unprecedented pros-perity, which the single currencyhas only partly undone, as well asa culture of human rights, advancedthrough the institutionally separatebut spiritually entwined Council ofEurope. The wiping out, for ex-ample, of state-sponsored killingsthrough the council’s protocol onthe death penalty, in every nationacross the continent bar Belorussia,is an achievement that stands withthose of previous laureates, such asMother Teresa, Desmond Tutu andMartin Luther King. The remain-ing question is the good that thisaward can do at this time. No mat-ter that the prize committee waschosen by the parliament of non-EU Norway, there is a danger thatthe rest of the world will regard thisas a hopelessly European thing todo. Much like the prize for rookiePresident Obama in 2009, in es-sence an award for not beingGeorge Bush, it is given more inhope than anything else. In this casethe hope is that European leaderswill recall that their troubles todaypale next to those faced by theirforebears before the EU. If theNobel spurs them into remember-ing that, and into transcending theirnarrow sectional interests for thegreater good, then – like Europe it-self – it will prove a prize wellworth defending.— The Guardian

Hitlerian thought andthe likes of Hitlerianmoustache [somejokers did that to aphotograph of An-gela Merkle on herrecent visit toGreece]. It is nowobvious that in Paki-stan human judg-ment and decision

making are on a deviant path and sig-nificantly removed from rationality.People simplify matters when theyare unable to comprehend the com-plexity of a situation especially inthe social scene.

An evaluation of these behav-ioral decisions will indicate that inPakistan the flow is strongest wherepower is not balanced by responsi-bility. These flow from our cogni-tive abilities. Take the recent hap-penings. Our cognitive ability tellsus that nothing can go wrong withour own self and that we are aboveany threat. Reality will not sustainthese illusions that we have. Thereare some benefits of these positiveillusions such as enhancing self es-teem. The flip side is that the morepowerful one is the more and harderthe fall. Self esteem in such a situ-ation is immediately on the backfoot. It is also indicative of the factthat some or most of the events arenot controllable. You may send thebest force in to Afghanistan and theend result always is that the indig-enous social forces will never beoverpowered.

The result of inaction within thecountry could also lead to such situ-ations as in the border belt of thecountry. The matter does not endhere and there are always cynics thattry and bring down decency of thosethat do want to try and do something.Of late I have found that media tendsto pay the negativity of everythingand there is seldom any PrimaDonna or an icon that is not brought

down by those that have least knowl-edge of the abilities of that person.

It was only recently that in dis-cussing the future of democracy thechannels have been making the noisethat elections could solve issues.What if they do not? What if mat-ters become worse? What if corrup-tion increases? What is poverty in-creases by leaps and bounds? Peoplefalsely believe that thy can controluncontrollable events. Many super-stitious behaviors emanates fromthis kind of thinking. That agricul-ture has scientists and that they willprovide the where withal for remov-ing food shortages. Illusions have areal position in life for they encour-age risky behavior. Tell me of onedecision maker who does not havethese delusions of controllability andif so tell me if he is in a risky ven-ture or otherwise. Your industry hasno entrepreneurs for the definitionof an entrepreneur is one who takeson risk. Does any one in the indus-try follow the path of risk? Pakistanis otherwise a play ground for peoplethat take all the credit for successand pass the blame on to others ifthere are failures. Balochistan, Fata,Tribal belt are all mega disasters towhich we will never have an answersimply because we have allowedthe complexity to increase by hav-ing an ostrich like attitude. The an-chors and newspapers take creditfor anything that by chance happensaccording to what they have stated.They never state the number oftimes that they have gone wrong orthey have misled the public. Whatis their accountability?

In the time that I have served inthe bureaucracy the time servers arealways praising their own boss[s] forhonesty, decision making, self en-hancement and all the good epithetsthat one can think of. The previousgovernment is blamed for all theproblems and not an iota of praise isavailable for anything that they have

MEDIA WATCH

W Wordsworth—British poet

done. I have seen midgets sit onjudgment on giants. I see this ex-ercise daily and in some ways themedia is to blame. They are for-ever passing adverse opinions oneverybody. Sacrosanct that theyare they can afford to see everything wrong with everyone. It wasalways if you say something theother side will be better and if thatside is stated then the reversewould be argued. Where is de-cency in them? Determining fair-ness is almost impossible.

John Rawls suggests that itmay be possible to find a cure tothis ego centrism if a veil of igno-rance is allowed to the benefit ofthe compare on TV. The problemwith the modern columnist or me-dia person is that they cherry pickaspects of the situation that are intheir interest and neglect the rest.The complexity of ignoring therights of the marginalized peopleof this country we have createdsome kind of a disaster situationthat will not go away by force muchas you would like to do so. Therehas to be subtlety of approach tothe problem and a team of excel-lent and decent negotiators will beneeded. Our problem is that ourhumans are toxic now? Over theyears we have created such a messby ignoring and being self servingthat the new toxicity is not envi-ronmental but sociological. We donot have the tools to handle these.Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and youname it-unless we realize what wehave done in the past and accept itwithout a blame game we will belimited in our response and willnever be able to fix the problems.What sorts of peoples are needed?Extraordinary but these are neverpalatable to the organization. Andso we keep on the path of despi-cable survival-neither here northere. Just pathetic. Please give wayto life and courage.

kistani military to occupy and addto its territories. In another devel-opment, Pakistanis and Kashmirisare looking forward to give a verywarm welcome to top Kashmirileadership, which is scheduled tovisit Pakistan in near future. Theinvitation to Syed Geelani was ex-tended early this year by PakistaniHigh Commissioner in New Delhi,Shahid Malik but Syed Geelani isstill under house arrest.

Geelani in his special massageto Pakistani brothers and sistersasked to exert diplomatic and moralpressure on India to desist from hu-man rights violations. It is pertinentto mention here that the house ofSyed Geelani is under siege roundthe clock and anyone visiting himis not only thoroughly searched butand subjected to surveillance formany days. It is irony the Kashmirisare not only prisoners of consciencefrom last 65 years but are subjectedto torture and detention. Any leaderwho speaks against Indian brutali-ties in Indian held Jammu andKashnir is imprisoned or subjectedto extrajudicial killings. SyedGeelani in a recent statement hasrequested the international commu-nity to help Kashmiris in gettingfreedom from illegal detentions.

Those who are still detains in-clude Muhammad Rafiq Ghanai,Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, SyedImtiaz Haider, Abdul Aziz Dar, MirHafizullah, Raja Mirajuddin,Shakeel Ahmad Thokur, ShakeelAhmad Yatoo and others. Theseprisoners have developed variousailments due to lack of proper medi-cal and food facilities in the jails.It has been reported that 908 politi-cal prisoners including MasratAlam Bhat, Dr Qasim, Mir

Hafizullah, Mushtaq-ul-Islam,Ghulam Mohammad Bhat,Ghulam Qadir Bhat, Dr ShafiShariati, Mohammad Ayub Dar,Mohammad Yasin Yatoo and otherwere behind bars but despite pro-tests New Delhi is not moved.

Pakistani former Prime Minis-ter Yousaf Raza Gillani misjudgedIndian mentality when he extendeda hand of friendship to Indianformer Prime Minister ManmohanSingh and issued a statement, “Theera of wars has ended. We are readyto sit and resolve all core issues atthe negotiating table; whether it isKashmir, Sir Creek, Siachen, wa-ter or terrorism.” There should beno doubt in anybody’s mind afterthe recent statement emitting fromNew Delhi, in which India hasstrongly reacted to the communiquéissued at the conclusion of 4th Ex-traordinary Summit of Organiza-tion of Islamic Conference held inMakkah on 14-15 August 2012.

It is pertinent to mention herethat that top Pakistani Kashmirileader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, whois under continued house arrest, wasnot allowed to attend the OIC con-ference. However, a Kashmiri del-egation from Indian held Jammuand Kashmir state made its firstever visit to OIC Headquarters,which was led by Mirwaiz OmarFarooq, Chairman APHC (M) andthose who accompanied him in-cluded Barrister Majid Tramboo,Prof Nazir Shawl and ShameemaShawl. President of Azad Jammuand Kashmir Sardar Yaqoob Khanalso attended the conference. TheSecretary General of the OIC, ProfEkmeleddin Ihsanoglu, has reiter-ated continued support to the causeof the Kashmiri people, who are

suffering at the hands of occupy-ing Indian forces, and has calledfor a just resolution of the conflictin accordance with the aspirationof the Kashmiris.

There is no doubt that MirwaizMoulvi Umar Farooq is one of themost important religious and po-litical Kashmiri leader but the wis-dom and gigantic leadership ofSyed Ali Shah Geelani cannot beignored. Unless there is unityamong the files of Kashmiri lead-ership, the solution neither ofKashmir issue can never be visu-alized, neither today nor in nearfuture. It is very positive thatMirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq ex-pressed flexibility during Fridaycongratulation at Jamia Masjid,Srinagar on 17 August 2012 andcriticized Indian puppet state gov-ernment for placing Syed Ali ShahGeelani under continued house ar-rest. Unless and until Kashmirileadership does not realize the factthat neither US and UK nor anyother western nation would helpKashmiris in achieving indepen-dence from the Indian occupation,the struggle would not move aninch furth.

The international communityis watching the genocide ofKashmiris and human right viola-tions as silent spectators. The pres-ence of foreign military and intel-ligence top officials including US,UK, Israel and Italy in held Kash-mir as well as statement of Gen-eral Bikram Singh is clearly indi-cating Indian long term designs inwhich in the garb of Chinese pres-ence in Azad Jammu and Kashmirstate, New Delhi would never or-der its forces to withdraw fromheld Jammu and Kashmir state.

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Voice of the People

UK plans faster Afghan withdrawal

At a recent Whitehall meetingon withdrawal, Chancellor ofthe Exchequer, George

Osborne questioned the purpose ofcontinuing Britain’s Afghan missionfor another two years. DavidCameron has promised that Britishcombat operations will be over by theend of 2014. Ministers and militarycommanders are in discussions overhow quickly to reduce troop numbersas the deadline approaches, withArmed Forces chiefs having to drawup new options for a bigger with-drawal next year than was being con-sidered. No decisions about with-drawals in 2013 are now expected tobe made until the new year.

The Chancellor challenged theArmy’s presence in Afghanistan at ameeting of the National SecurityCouncil last month, attended by se-nior ministers, military commandersand intelligence chiefs. At the meet-ing, commanders briefed ministers onthe operations that will involve thou-

sands of troops over the next twoyears. Mr Osborne is understood tohave responded to the military pre-sentation by calling into question theproposed plan for withdrawal, ask-ing why British forces should notcome home now.

One source described theChancellor’s response to the defencechiefs as “deliberately provocative”.A second witness to the exchange saidthe intervention was characteristic ofMr Osborne’s style in security coun-cil meetings. “He likes to challenge,to provoke debate,” the source said.Ministers and military chiefs are de-bating the timetable for removing thelast 9,000 British troops from Af-ghanistan. Mr Osborne’s scepticismis helping to prolong the decision-making process on how many towithdraw next year.

An initial security council meet-ing on the decision is not expectedto be held until December, as newoptions are drawn up for discussion.The final decision may not be madeuntil February. The Prime Ministerthis week promised that “nearly all”troops would be home by the time

combat operations are completed atthe end of 2014. A total of 433 Brit-ish service personnel have died inAfghanistan since the 2001 opera-tion that toppled the Taliban. Despitereceiving billions of pounds in in-ternational aid, Afghanistan remainsdesperately poor and its governmentis regarded as fragile and prone tocorruption.

The Nato strategy for withdraw-ing from Afghanistan rests on theability of Afghan security forces topolice the country and prevent thespread of the same extremists whowere behind the September 11 attackson the US. The competence and reli-ability of the Afghan forces has beencalled into question by a series of in-cidents in which Afghan personnelhave killed Western troops workingalongside them. At the security coun-cil meeting, Mr Osborne is said tohave asked how the British deploy-ment can be justified to the the pub-lic for the next two years, amid con-tinuing casualties and doubts aboutthe Afghan government.

The intervention is not MrOsborne’s first challenge to Afghan

Twisted ideology?

In September 2011, PresidentMahmoud Abbas of PalestinianAuthority (PA) applied for

membership of the United Nations(UN), a state on 1967 lines. Abbashad two choices before him eitherto opt applying for a ‘non-memberobserver state’ status for PA in theUnited Nations General Assemblyor to bid for full membership in theUnited Nations Security Council(UNSC). Despite threat of retalia-tions by Israel and sanctions im-posed by the US, Abbas decided togo to for the membership. The dis-enchantment with talks began afterIsrael refused to renew a partialmoratorium on settlements in late2010. Palestinians simply lost faithin the peace-process — Oslo Ac-cords that have gained nothing inthe past twenty years. The effortsof Quartet, comprising the US, theEU, Russia and the UN, have beendisappointing for PA too. The Quar-tet has been unable to halt the Is-raeli settlements. The US supportfor Israel has grown and seen newheights.

Within PA, there were two setsof opinions for going to UN. Onecamp headed by Abbas believedthat by going to UN, the Palestin-ian issue will be internationalized,progress can be made, domestic

Diminution of Palestinian demandfavours can be gained and above allthe manipulative power of the UScan be effectively checked. But theydid not want to declare Oslo dead.The other camp simply wanted todo away with the Oslo and save thenegotiations with Israel for later. Inthe meanwhile, it wanted PA tobuild its capacity as a state. By be-coming a non-member observerstate, PA could take Israel to the In-ternational Court of Justice (ICJ)for the violations it committed un-der the international law such assettlements. It will also strengthenPalestine’s position in peace talkswith Israel over the core issues.

The Arab League gave its con-sent to PA. At the same time theArab League did not want to annoythe US and feared that US opposi-tion and a possible veto would notbe taken favorably by the people inthe Arab world. Eventually the de-cision to opt for Security Councilcame out of coercive behavior ofvisiting US envoys right before theUN session in early September2011. They made it clear that anysuch move at UN will have graveconsequences. However, PA wasunable to gain the required supportin the UNSC i.e., nine votes out offifteen. The UNSC declared aftertwo months that it had failed toreach a unanimous decision. Thelobbying by the US against Pales-tinian bid was the chief reason forfailure at the UNSC. Well no sur-

Malala:Our hopeASLAM MUMTAZ

Malala Yousufzai was being at-tacked during her way going toschool in a van by militants is ashameless act. She became a glo-bal spotlight as she has written forBBC Urdu blog with her pen name‘Gul Makai’ through which sheshared her life experiences of anassaulted area being occupied bythe militants in Swat, backingMolana Fazal Ullah and his com-patibles.

The shocking waves of terrorand inhuman acts by the militantsover the last couple of years areopen here for everyone to see.Most of the innocent people havebeen killed in suicide bombings,target killings and other similarvariants of violence.

The silence of concerned au-thorities over dealing with suchradical approach will remain amillion dollar question. To inno-cent Malala Yusufzai, you are ournation’s only hope. With lot of bestwishes we pray for you. May Al-mighty confer on you health andlong life with prosperity.— Islamabad

*****GHAYUR AYUB

Let us raise our hands in prayersfor the soul of living Malala whowas brutally attacked by the vi-cious terrorists and for the soulsof those dead Malalas whoseyoung bodies were shattered inpieces by the Drone attacks. Letus pray for a meaningful peace inPakistan.—Via email

*****SYEDA ASMA HUSSAIN

Malal Yousaf Zai who stood forthe cause of girl’s education andtried to highlight the atrocities ofTaliban in their region, was shotand seriously wounded. Londonbased rights group Amnesty Inter-national condemned the shockingact of violence against a girlbravely fighting for education.President Zaradari said terroristswould never be able to shake theresolve of nation by such repre-hensible acts and government withthe support of nation would con-tinue its fight against terrorists tillits logical conclusion. So I wouldlike to say that the whole nation ispraying for the girl struggling forlife. Our young heroes are in dan-ger and should be protected and Iwish her a sound health.—Rawalpindi

*****IQBAL HADI ZAIDI

Interior Minister Malik Rehman asalways claimed aloud that he hasthe authenticated information as towho is the person who attackedMalala Yousafzai which is veryheartening news to be honest butwhat perplexes me more is that atthe same time Mian IftikharHussain, Information Minister, PKhas announced an ward of Rs 10million to the one who informs thepolice about the attacker.

Now in the given situationboth cannot and should not be be-lieved whatsoever. Why award isannounced by PK InformationMinister when the attacker is al-ready identified or alternativelywhy it is falsely announced by In-terior Minister of Pakistan that heknows who the attacker is?

Mian further said that thename of the informer will not bemade public but instead keptstrictly secret whereas Malik hasannounced it right on tv that heknows the attacker. Who votes forMian Iftikhar or for MalikRehman?—Kuwait

*****IBNE SHSMI

The cowardly attack on the 14-year old innocent student of Swat,Malala Yousafzai has sent shockwaves across Pakistan and forcedeverybody even those who havesoft corner for the Taliban to thinkover the mindset these terroristshave for Pakistan and its future.

Targeting an innocent girl,who has been a ray of hope forgirls in war-torn area of Swat andMalakand, is an act of barbarismand cruelty. She raised her voiceagainst terrorists and extremistsand for girls’ education and rightsat a time when extremists had con-trol over much of the area as no-body could dare to speak.

Terrorists have their ownmindset and claim that they havebeen working for the bettermentof the country and all their effortsare to save Pakistan’s future. Butsuch attacks negate all such pro-

Interior Minister’s statementSHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER

Rehman Malik is the Interior minister of Pakistan, who has noknowledge about Pakistan’s Interior situation. The great Min-

ister made a statement in the newspapers, that he is aware of thepeople who shot the brave Malala Yousufzia in Swat. Unfortunatelyjust below this report was another report, in which the Govern-ment was offering a reward for any information on the people whoattacked Malala. Why doesn’t the Government pay Rehman Malik,as he seems to know all these things (according to him) and capturethe people who are responsible for this gruesome act. And if RehmanMalik is lying about this information, then as the Interior Ministerof Government of Pakistan, he should stop giving fake statements,especially in cases that are sensitive to the people of Pakistan.—Peshawar

The cowardly attack on MalalaYousafzai, just a 14 years oldchild is a very strong and a

symbolic violent incident as part ofthe unending blow back that our so-ciety continues to bear and sustainat the hands of religious extremistswho are extremely upset and frus-trated because their creators andmentors are no more willing to sup-port and finance them. But unfor-tunately for the State, this changeof heart on part of our military andthe intelligence setup only encour-ages and persuades the Islamicmilitants to indulge in the type of‘Islamic vigilantism’ that we wit-nessed in the form of attack onMalala Yousafzai.

Since the State is the verysource that taught these Islamiststhe lessons of Jihad it should shedlittle or no tears when the religiousextremists have turned their gunstowards the State or anyone thatchooses to disagree with the ‘mili-tants form of government or reli-gion’. For all those who are filled

with anger and want the perpetra-tors of this heinous crime to bebrought to justice I ask a verysimple question. Who allowed theIslamic extremism to creep in oursociety? Who sponsored Islamicmilitancy and gave State patronageto jihadists to fight ‘our secretwars’? Who partnered CIA using itsdollars and weapons to conduct thebiggest covert operations ever inthis part of the world?

Who again rehabilitated Islamicextremism by asking the jihadiststo occupy the Kargil Heights andbrought upon us the shame of thefailed Kargil Operation? And mostimportantly whose military coup re-tained and brought to power themindset of the senior military of-ficers who instead of being held ac-countable for their military failureswere put in the positions of author-ity? It was the same leadershipwhich despite retaining the absolutepower in one state institution failedto ammend blasphemy law in May2002 when it knee jerked underpressure from protesting Islamistsall over the country. It was the sameleadership that polarized this soci-ety further by mishandling the is-

sue of Lal Masjid in 2007. Militaryin Pakistan was unfortunately al-lowed to work outside the fold ofany central government for too longand with too much excessive au-tonomy. This enabled the militaryto create the new ‘ideological fron-tier’. The guardians of our territo-rial frontiers were once the creatorsand guardians of this ideologicalfrontier that has recruited, armedand trained the perverted minds thatindulge in violent acts like the onethat severely injured Malala.

Who will hold the State ac-countable for the State patronagethat was given to the jihadists in thepast? Will those who ran the affairsof the State or the autonomous andpowerful institutions within theState be ever considered as crimi-nals who conducted State crimes?

At least two ISI heads in thepast, used the agency to supportjihadists and militants as part ofthe State policy. These promotersof ‘great pan Islamism’ used andemployed jihadists not forgeostrategic but for ideologicalreasons. They promoted ‘Islamicnationalism’ by utilizing hugefunds at their disposal through the

Views From Abroad

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Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

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prises there! In the recent Generalassembly session, the PA toneddown its demand and presented adowngraded application asking fora ‘non-member observer state’ sta-tus in UN. The PA currently hasan observer status in the UN. PAsays it has not given up on its questfor membership but is suspendedfor the time being. The process ofbecoming a non-member observerstate requires simple majority votein General Assembly. Palestine al-ready enjoys recognition by asmany as 130 countries hence itshould not be a problem.

However, the voting is notlikely to be carried out sometimesoon and will wait till elections areheld in the US. How is this goingto impact the Palestine-Israel con-flict? Israel naturally fears the up-grading of status particularly theICJ and its questioning over settle-ments, refugees and Gaza block-ade. Israel says that this would fur-ther distance Palestinian state-hood. The US has responded bythreats “significant negative con-sequences” and a coercive diplo-macy to stop the European Unionfrom backing the Palestinian bid.The US upholds that Palestinianstatehood can only be achievedthrough “direct negotiations withthe Israelis”.

So what PA should do now?For starters, PA must bring unityat home through forging alliances

policy, as he has pushed previ-ously for the withdrawal to behastened. In the talks that led tothe decision to withdraw 500troops over this year, Mr Osborneis said to have pressed for moreto come home. Nor is he the onlyminister advocating a faster pull-out. Oliver Letwin, the CabinetOffice minister who is in chargeof government policy, is also saidbe sceptical about continuing theAfghan mission.

Mr Osborne’s latest contribu-tion to the Afghan debate has in-creased speculation that he is wor-ried about the financial cost of thedeployment. By the end of Marchthis year, Afghan operations hadcost taxpayers a total of £17.3 bil-lion, on top of the core defencebudget. Philip Hammond, the De-fence Secretary, last month raisedspeculation about a major with-drawal next year when he said thatdefence chiefs could see “moreflexibility” for removing troopsand said that commanders’ “viewof force levels is evolving”. — Courtesy: The Telegraph

dollars stacked in secret ISI ac-counts that received money bothfrom USA and Saudi Arabia.These Generals and many othersplayed a direct role in creatingand rehabilitating these terrorists’that have today turned their gunstowards our society.

Utilizing power without re-sponsibility the military dictatorsused the intelligence agency tocreate this ‘ideological frontier’that sponsors the cowards thatfired the shots at Malala Aurakzai.We will not be able to defeat themindset that harbors and flour-ishes in the ‘ideological frontier’by only conducting military op-erations against its believers butby bringing to justice all thosewho have in the past played a rolein its creation. The leadership thatformulated and implemented thepolicy in the past of supporting,arming and training the Islamicmilitants must be made account-able. If this is not done we willhave many more leaders playingwith the future of this countryleaving Mallala, her generationand the generation next to pay theprice of their follies.

paganda. Malala is a girl whofought for a cause, the educationand rights of children. About herefforts Chief of Army Staff GeneralAshfaq Pervez Kayani remarks thatshe is a symbol of values the armywas fighting for, truly depict herefforts and services she has done forher country and nation.

Besides every segment of soci-ety, scholars and religious leadersalso condemned the attack. Malalais our future who wants her peopleto move forward by acquiring edu-cation. The values set by Malala areneeded to be followed by every Pa-kistani especially our youth. Herdaring approach and stand againstevil forces will be remembered. Thenation will never let off those cul-prits who want to destroy our fu-ture…. Malala. May you live long.—Sialkot

*****MALIK TARIQ ALI

The brutal target attack on MalalaYusafzai, like planned target kill-ings of Karachi, is a criminal acton part of criminal groups to exertpolitical influence through threats,intimidation and killings. It is theultimate price that we are payingtoday, for allowing a culture of vio-lence to flourish in this country andtreading off the path of a democraticwelfare state, visualized by Quaid-i-Azam and trampled by none otherthan military and political oppor-tunists driven by greed for powerand black money.

In this battle for turf, the so-called Taliban have exploited reli-gion, when no faith, including Is-lam, sanctifies killing of innocentunarmed human beings. This cow-ardly act by those who claim to beMuslims, but have acted more likevultures or villains, aims to bringinto disrepute our faith.

The Pakistani state and estab-lishment are responsible for allow-ing and tolerating violence to beused as a tool to exert political in-fluence, by their failure to nab thosecriminals and prosecute them effec-tively. Islam and the constitution ofPakistan allows every individual tolead their life according to their freewill in accordance with laws ofland, answerable to none but Al-mighty alone for their acts anddeeds. Even in times of war thereare several Hadiths where theProphet (PBUH) has forbidden vio-lence on unarmed women, childrenand men.

The right to take life, which isjurisdiction of God, is only allowedas a punishment for murderersthrough legally appointed judicialprocess. We need to punish murder-ers, criminals, extortionists and kid-nappers for their crimes withoutany discrimination, or favor, irre-spective of their political affilia-tions. The state and its resourcesmust be utilized to protect lives andproperty of citizens, otherwise an-archy will prevail.

The cancer of corruption whichafflicts Pakistan today, facilitatesspread of weapons and crimesagainst innocent citizens of Paki-stan, whom the constitution guar-antees freedom of expression, free-dom of political affiliation and free-dom to lead their lives within theconfines of law. The only remedyfor all these ills is to strictly enforcerule of law, with no immunity toany group or individual from ac-countability.—Illinois, US

*****IQBAL HADI ZAIDI

Barbaric attack on the life of MalalaYousuzai aged 14 only is to beangled from different perspectivesand I will eventually prove thatthough on the face of it Taliban areto be cursed for attacking her butZardari government cannot be ab-solved of its obligations either.

I have no option but to be bluntsimply because if my governmenthad been prudent enough this hadnever ever happened alike but re-gretfully we are not toned to rise tooccasion for an ordinary person likeMalala but she had not been ex-posed rather fully protected insteadhad she been belonging to one ofthe families of our so called VIP.

Just be honest, open your mindand place hand on your heart andbe prepared to say white as white

and black as black without favor-ing anyone or without being preju-diced to anyone either.

We must realize that Malala isnot just a female but so young tooliving in a far flung area under veryodd circumstances where onceTaliban were in full command andcontrol and even now they are verymuch operative but yet whatevershe has done for womenfolk is un-precedented and unmatched in thehistory of Pakistan to be honest.

She was just 11 years old girlwhen normally girls of that age arevery much fond of playing withdolls and gossiping with others oftheir age and not thinking as seri-ously as Malala did. She did whatnone even 71 years old could thinkof herself or himself means she hasvery rightly shown mirror to allthose who proclaim to be not onlyelders but leaders and or socialworkers as well but on paper onlyand not in practice.—Kuwait

Menaceof terrorismCOL RIAZ JAFRI (R)

The PM very rightly said on thefloor of the house that if Pakistanis to be made a safe country to livein for its every daughter then wehave to fight the menace of terror-ism which is essentially an outcomeof a typical mindset of the extrem-ists. While Islam preaches acquisi-tion of knowledge for all – men andwomen, these extremists blow upthe very founts of knowledge – theschools and kill the children study-ing in them. And, ironically, theydo it all in the name of Islam.

Some Islam of their some spe-cial brand! Has such Islam not creptinto us ever since we started theprocess of Islamisation of Pakistan?Objectives Resolution was the firstseed planted in 1949 which was notonly nurtured to bloom by MaulviZia but also given the Kalashnikovto it to enforce it upon all. All sortsof religious extremist organizationsmushroomed overnight calling eachother Kafir and killing them at will.

The menace is increasing byeach day compelli ng the saner ele-ments to think of ways and meansof controlling it. The only way ofbottling the genii back is to spreadthe awareness among the extrem-ists as to what true Islam is and thatwhat they are doing is entirely unIslamic.

In other words forceful fatwasand edicts by the highest religiousauthorities against such wantonkilling and destruction. All meansof propagation – electronic andprint media, posters, banners, leaf-lets dropped by air etc. of thesefatwas be made use of to spread theword to the remotest corner of thecountry.

Along with it not only a gen-eral amnesty be announced for allthose who want to surrender butalso given employment, vocationaltraining and free education to opentheir minds. At the same time, weshould adopt the policy of keepingthe religion separate from the state.The religion must be strictly a pri-vate affair and nothing to do withthe state. A strict departmental vigilbe kept on all fanatics in the ser-vices and administration and no onewith extreme views be allowed torise to the higher position where he/she could influence their juniors. Ifneed be such diehards be weededout during the early stage of theircareer.

Of course I am asking for a plu-ralistic society where all could livein peace and harmony andeveryone’s rights are protected.And, for God’s sake do not miscon-strue and label me for spreading ladiniyat along with which liberalismand fuhashi are so fondly appendedby our rightists.—Rawalpindi

with other groups. This could bea possibility considering the rec-onciliation accord reached be-tween Palestine Liberation Orga-nization (PLO) and Hamas inApril 2011 although with notmuch progress to follow on. IfPalestinian people stand up as oneand raise a common voice thenthey will be heard and taken seri-ously. Many Palestinians are notmuch excited about this ‘non-member observer state’ status.Many consider it as a publicitystunt pulled up by PA due togrowing opposition at home.

It is also being seen as one-sided compromise, similar to theones Palestine has made over theyears vis-à-vis Israel, which canaffect Palestinian cause in the longrun. Adviser to Prime MinisterIsmail Haniyeh says that Palestin-ian people are facing hardships intheir day to day lives and as longas occupation remains any statusupgrading is meaningless. It is im-perative that the PA take into con-sideration the opinions of Pales-tinian people and do not take lonedecisions. There is no denyingthe realpolitik. The PA cannot by-pass the Quartet neither it can quittalks with Israel. However, pres-sure on Quartet can be increasedthrough pro-active diplomacy andgreater unity at home.—The writer works for IslamabadPolicy Research Institute.

“..The secret of holiness, is beingholy in secret..”

Most of us love having others believe that we are either very pious or very

holy. “Where are you going?”somebody asks as we walk downthe street. “To the temple to pray!”But being holy is something that isdone in secret. Somebody said thatreal character is what you do whenyou know nobody is watching.

What do you do, behind closed doors?I was once shocked to hear somebodytell me that her husband beat her. “Butisn’t your husband a priest?” I askedastonished. “He is a priest in publicand a wife beater in private,” she saidbitterly.

Many of us are like that. We leaddouble lives, one for the public to seeand the other, known only to our-selves and to our close ones. I knowa man who publishes a religious bookof his editorials every year. The bookis read by most people of his faith,because it is full of truth and consid-ered a holy book, supposedly writtenby a man of God. I thought so too,till his staff spoke to me. “He is oneof the most vindictive people we

know,” they said. “Last year he cutour bonus by a thousand rupees be-cause he felt we had not given himrespect!”

“But he writes about forgivenessand compassion in his book,” I said.“He is a holy man only in public,”sneered his secretary. Yes, the secretof holiness is being holy in secret. Areyou like this gentleman I just talkedabout, showing the world that you aregood, and gentle, pretending to havea fine character? Are you somebodywho is a Jekyll and Hyde? In RobertLouis Stevenson’s Jekyll and Hyde,he portrayed a doctor who was goodduring the day, but by some inven-tion of his, which went wrong, hebecame a monster at night.

The secret of holiness..!Many of us are like that, aren’t

we? But it doesn’t work too long.It’s better to make a choice, of ei-ther being what you are then pre-tending to be some one else, andonce you have decided not to be ahypocrite, to start working on your-self secretly to transform yourself.Pray, certainly, but pray in secret.

Don’t walk into church,temple or mosque looking aroundto see who has noticed you, butwalk in quietly so that only Godknows you have come to worship.It is the beginning of a new week,and I leave you with this thought,that the secret of holiness, is to beholy in secret..!—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

James Kirkup

Maria Syed

Muhammad Ali EhsanEmail:muhammadaliehsan1@hotmail.com

JAMES ANDREW LEWIS

GIVEN the feeble state of U.S.cyberdefenses, an astute antagonist could use cyberattacks to disrupt critical services and information.

This is a standard military doctrine for America’slikely opponents. An expanded role for the DODmakes sense when the United States is so vul-nerable — not only from sophisticated oppo-nents but, surprisingly, from less advancedcountries that may be more aggressive and lessable to calculate risk. The driver for immediateaction is Iran. “Iran has also undertaken a con-certed effort to use cyberspace to its advan-tage,” Panetta said. His speech laid the dotsalongside each other without connecting them,but many sources in and out of governmentsuggest that Iran was likely responsible for thedisruptive attacks on Aramco and RasGas thatthe secretary mentioned. Iran may also havebeen behind recent denial-of-service attacksagainst U.S. banks. Iran has discovered a newway to harass much sooner than expected, andthe United States is ill-prepared to deal with it.

The specifics of Iranian involvement aremurky, but there is a general consensus thatTehran was either witting or supportive of theattacks. Iran has been working to acquirecyberattack capabilities for years — well beforeStuxnet — and those who believe that the alle-gations of Iranian involvement are true do notbelieve the recent attacks were in retaliation forthat piece of malware, which disrupted Iran’scentrifuges. If anything, some speculate theywere a reaction to the new U.S. sanctions. Amore active Iran creates a new layer of problemsin cyberspace that the United States cannot waitfor Congress to address. An initial problem ishow to credibly signal to Iran to refrain fromfurther attacks. Panetta’s speech was an attemptto do so. There is a message for Iran that, whileindirect, is unlikely to miss. This is not“cyberdeterrence,” a term that makes little sense.The United States has one of the world’s mostpowerful cyberforces, and it did not deter Iran,nor can it deter espionage and crime. Deterrencedoesn’t work because the United States can’t

Did the Pentagon just take over America’s cybersecurity?make a credible threat. Against Iran, what wouldit be? More sanctions? A naval blockade? Anairstrike? Even if the United States made thesethreats, Iran would be unlikely to assess them

as credible. The Iranians know U.S.cybercapabilities better perhaps than any othercountry, and the threat of cyber-retaliation ap-pears not to have frightened them. What Panettais offering is not deterrence but prevention andpreemption.

Panetta laid out a number of steps to hardendefenses. Investing in new technology is a tra-ditional American solution to defense problems.The secretary’s most significant remark aboutnew technology is that “we’re seeing the re-turns on that investment” in the form of betterattribution. Anonymity will offer less protectionto attackers and may make some reconsider anattack. If nothing else, better attribution offersimproved targeting. More importantly, Panettadefined an active role for the DOD incyberdefense, something that has been underdiscussion since 2009. An early question askedwas, if NORAD can defend U.S. airspace, whycan’t Cyber Command defend cyberspace. Theanswer is to use the National Security Agency’sunparalleled signals-intelligence capabilities andrelationships to intercept incoming malicioustraffic and define when and where it is legal forthe agency to do so. The National SecurityAgency (NSA), with the right authorities, could

block many future attacks.A greater defensive role for the DOD is a

good idea and a key element of anycybersecurity strategy, but there are obvious

problems. Say “NSA” to privacy advocates, andthey scream. To intercept malicious traffic fromIran or other opponents, you need to monitorall incoming traffic. Remember that we are ulti-mately talking about streams of ones and zeros,the code transferred among machines and onlytranslated into human languages at the end. Itis possible to screen these ones and zeros tolook for patterns that indicate an attack withoutever looking at content, but some doubt theNSA would be able to resist temptation. An ex-panded role for the DOD also requires expandedprivacy protections. The DOD’s new role alsorequires defining the space for action. Forgetthe dot-com mythology about cyberspace hav-ing no borders. Cyberspace depends on a physi-cal infrastructure of computers and fiber, andthis physical infrastructure is located on nationalterritory or subject to national jurisdiction.Cyberspace is a hierarchy of networks, at thetop of which a small number of companies carrythe bulk of global traffic over the Internet “back-bone.” International traffic, including attacks,enters the United States over this “backbone.”The backbone is a choke point, relatively easyto defend, and something that the NSA is al-ready intimately familiar with (as are the other

major powers that engage in signals intelligence).Sit at the boundary of the backbone and U.S.jurisdiction, monitor and intercept malware, andattacks can be blocked. An analogy is that theNavy defends the ocean approaches(pace forward deployment) but notthe inland waterways.

But how far down the Internet’sspine should the DOD go? Shouldit also monitor the networks of largecorporations or Internet serviceproviders? Should it be able to goonto consumer devices when theyare infected? The precedent in theUnited States is for military or intel-ligence agencies to perform domes-tic security functions only in a cri-sis, not on a routine basis. Panettamakes clear that the DOD does notenvision playing this role. What hedoes envision is something that might be calledpreemption, using new rules of engagementfor Cyber Command.

He says, “We won’t succeed in prevent-ing a cyberattack through improved defensesalone. If we detect an imminent threat of attackthat will cause significant physical destructionin the United States or kill American citizens,we need to have the option to take actionagainst those who would attack us to defendthis nation when directed by the president.”The United States, using national technicalmeans, often has advance knowledge of anopponent’s plans, intentions, and capabilitiesfor cyberattack.

Panetta seems to be saying that when anattack appears imminent, the president can di-rect the DOD to strike first. If it were a preciseattack that avoided collateral damage, the po-litical risk of striking another country could bemanageable. There would still be risk of creat-ing a wider conflict, and this, as the speechmakes clear, is a decision only the presidentshould make. An active defensive role for themilitary is one of the three key elements neededfor effective cybersecurity. The second is bet-ter protection for consumers. Last summer, theFederal Communications Commission began a

program with major service providers to blockor clean malware from their customers’ com-puters. The third missing piece in a compre-hensive defense is protection of critical infra-

structure. Panetta says members of BarackObama’s administration “are considering” anexecutive order on cybersecurity. The draftsof this order are not public, but would likelytake much of Section 104 of the bill put for-ward by Sen. Joseph Lieberman and Sen. Su-san Collins — which failed to pass this sum-mer but which would have implemented pro-tections for critical infrastructure and insteadimplement it under existing authorities.

The defense secretary said that there isno substitute for legislation and that Congresshas a responsibility to act, but few expect tosee this anytime soon. With a dysfunctionalCongress unable to provide authorities forbetter cybersecurity, an executive order thatmandates security at selected critical infra-structure may be the best the country can do.There are tensions within the Obama adminis-tration over Internet orthodoxies, but if theWhite House can manage to issue a credibleorder on critical infrastructure (not voluntary,and not dependent on imaginary incentives)to complement protections from Internet ser-vice providers and a larger role for the Penta-gon, it will have done much of what needs tobe done to begin building an adequatecyberdefense. —Courtesy - Foreign Policy

It was bound to happen. The Senate fumbles and the House proffersonly magical solutions for cybersecurity. The task of improvingcybersecurity reverts to the executive branch, but the Department ofHomeland Security does not inspire confidence. So the Department ofDefense (DOD) is given a larger role in protecting cyberspace — a re-sponsibility that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta finally claimed in animportant speech he delivered Oct. 11, “Defending the Nation from CyberAttack.” Panetta may have said that the Pentagon will only play a “sup-porting role,” but make no mistake: When it comes to cybersecurity, thecenter of action just shifted.

RADWAN ZIADEH

I left Syria in September 2007 after beingdirectly threatened by Syria’sGeneral Intelligence Administra-

tion (Idarat al-Mukhabarat al-Amma).The agency, which has branches in ev-ery Syrian province and is responsiblefor monitoring dissidents, tappingphone lines, and censoring media, ob-jected to my involvement with the Dam-ascus Declaration in 2005. The agencynot only issued an arrest warrant forme, but banned my entire family fromtraveling outside Syria. The travel banweighed most heavily on mysister and her five children. Mysister’s husband lives in SaudiArabia, and due to the ban, herchildren have been unable tosee their father for four years— solely because their motheris related to a human rights ac-tivist and political oppositionfigure. This September, afterfive long years, I was finally ableto return. I entered Syria safelyfrom Turkey through the Babal-Salama border crossing,which is controlled by the FreeSyrian Army. As I crossedthrough the portal, I felt so many emo-tions. I wept tears of joy. I couldn’t stopthinking about the fact that I was re-turning to my homeland after beingforced to leave it and that I would beable to see my family and fellow citi-zens in a new, free Syria.

When crossing into Syria from Tur-key, I noticed that the ubiquitous pic-tures of Bashar al-Assad, the dictatorwhose family has held the destiny ofSyria in its hands for 40 years, were miss-ing. In the pictures’ stead were wallscovered with the words “Free Syria.”But my thoughts were quickly over-whelmed with the knowledge of theshocking tragedy facing Syrians today:Millions are displaced, and hundredsof thousands have fled the country forfear of being killed by the Syrianregime’s constant, indiscriminate shell-ing. Even then, many of those who havemanaged to flee Syria have not foundsafety. Thousands of the refugees livehomeless on Turkish streets. Refugeecamps on the Turkish border, alreadyunbearably crowded with some 85,000Syrians, have no more room for the thou-sands that continue to spill over the

Syria Will Rise AgainOn my first trip to my homeland in 5 years, I saw a lot

of tragedy and a lot of hope.border. It is difficult to envision Syria’sfuture. A cry of a child is horribleenough — it is even worse when youcontemplate how Syria’s children arecaught in a no man’s land between Tur-key and Syria, with no school, no play-ground, and an uncertain road ahead.And of course, Syrians will never for-get those who paid the ultimate pricefor their country. More than 30,000 Syr-ians have given their lives since the revo-lution began, and untold thousands still

languish in Assad’s jails. As we contin-ued driving into Syria, I couldn’t be-lieve my eyes. Was I really in Syria? Iwanted to see everything at once. I triedto take pictures of everything — a vainattempt at recovering all that I had lostin the five years since I had been drivenout of my home. The trees were just asI had left them. The streets were thesame as well, the sidewalks covered indust and debris. All this, and even thepassers-by — stone-faced from a yearand a half of indiscriminate killing —seemed to symbolize a battered but reso-lute Syria. My country has hardened,yes, but smiles can still be found withinthe crowds.

Assad was no longer here in thisliberated Syria, and the dictator’s ab-sence was evident everywhere. His pic-tures were gone; his intelligence ser-vices were gone; the structure of theregime was all but destroyed. Syria re-mains and Assad is gone. As we ap-proached Azaz, a town between Aleppoand the Turkish border, I started seeingevidence of Syria’s raging conflict. Theburned-out hulk of an armored vehiclelay at the entrance of the city. “That

was the first ar-mored BMP thatwe were able todestroy,” one ofthe Free Syrian

Army fighters accompanying me ex-plained. “We captured three regimesoldiers as well.”

Pretty much everyone who passesthe destroyed armored vehicle takes apicture of it. As we drove on towardthe city center, I counted 17 destroyedtanks. It was clear that the battle to freeAzaz from the Assad regime had notbeen an easy one. The Free Syrian Armytook photographs of the remains of the

battle and hung enlarged ver-sions on the walls of the jus-tice department in the town. Ithas transformed the buildinginto a museum commemoratingthe town’s freedom. The citi-zens of Azaz lived through sixmonths of horror before theirtown was liberated. Whilethere, I visited a mosque thathad been occupied by Assad’sforces and turned into a mili-tary base. A tank used to bestationed in the mosque’s gar-den; two snipers were alwaysstationed in the mosque’s

minarets, locals told me.The snipers targeted anything that

moved while tanks prowled the city’sstreets, bombing public buildings andschools. All in all, six schools in Azazwere shelled. The city’s hospital andcultural center were destroyed inairstrikes. None of the state govern-ment buildings are fit for use — Assad’sforces left nothing but destruction.

But despite all that, a love of lifehas helped Syrians persevere. The resi-dents of Azaz have returned to theirjobs and their shops. They have be-gun to establish civil society organiza-tions to bring life once again to thecity, and they have elected a councilthat oversees the administration of theirtown. The council is currently workingto restore bakeries, rebuild the hospi-tal, and dispose of garbage.

This is Free Syria — a new coun-try that has paid a great price for itsliberty. At one point, I was asked by ashop owner, “Aren’t you RadwanZiadeh, the one from Washington, al-ways on TV?” I answered yes, and hesmiled. “Now I know that Syria isfree.—Courtesy - FP.

MICHAEL RICHARDSON

THE bitter dispute betweenChina and Japan over their rival claims to ownership of theSenkaku Islands in the

East China Sea has severelystrained bilateral political rela-tions. Mishandling or mistakesby either side could trigger aclash between their paramili-tary ships, drawing in regularforces and leading to a widerwar. As if the prospect of a re-gional conflict between theworld’s second and third larg-est economies is not badenough, China is extending thedispute into treacherous economic wa-ters as well, potentially threateningAsia’s growth and integration as wellas stability.

A recent report preparedfor the U.S. Pacific Command(PACOM) in Hawaii, whichoversees American forces andbases in the Asia-Pacific re-gion, has called the Chinesestrategy “guerrilla economicwarfare.” Since the Japanesegovernment tightened its holdlast month on the uninhabitedSenkaku Islands, which it hasadministered since the 1970s,China has applied or encour-aged economic reprisals de-signed to reduce imports ofJapanese goods into China,cut sales of Japanese companies in theChinese market, and prevent Chinesetourists from visiting Japan. The offi-cial Xinhua news agency said on Sept.24 that by nationalizing the Senkakus,Japan “has challenged one of China’s“core interests,” which brook no com-promise.”

In the latest economic reprisal, sev-eral big state-owned Chinese banksrecently canceled their participation inevents connected to the annual meet-ing this week (Oct. 9-14) of the Inter-national Monetary Fund and the WorldBank, which Japan is hosting in To-kyo. The report posted on the PACOMwebsite says that China’s strategy toinflict selective economic pain is be-ing systematically deployed againstcountries that challenge its interestsin territorial disputes and defy itssettlement requests.

This has serious implications for

China wields economic clubChina’s Asia-Pacific neighbors. FromJapan to Australia, they have becomeincreasingly dependent on Chinesetrade, investment and tourism for theireconomic health. Japan has also flirtedwith economic reprisals over territo-

rial issues with South Korea. In Au-gust, after South Korean President LeeMyung Bak, visited the LiancourtRocks (Takeshima islets) in the sea

between Japan and South Korea,Japan’s Finance Minister Jun Azumicanceled a planned meeting with hisSouth Korean counterpart.

The mountain tops jutting from thesea have been occupied and fortifiedby South Korea, although they areclaimed by Japan. Tokyo also hinted itmight reconsider a plan to buy SouthKorean sovereign debt and let an ex-panded currency-swap agreement withSouth Korea expire this month ratherthan renew it. However, Japan has ter-ritorial disputes with relatively fewcountries. China is an irredentist leaderamong major powers. It lays claim toland, sea, seabed and island territorythat many of its neighbors also claim.These claimants include not only Ja-pan, but also South Korea, Taiwan, thePhilippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei,Indonesia and India. Three of them —Japan, South Korea and the Philippines

— are U.S. allies and Washington isobliged by an act of Congress to pro-vide self-defense assistance to Taiwan,which Beijing regards as a renegadeprovince.

The PACOM report says Chinarealizes that U.S. military andeconomic power still far ex-ceeds its own. “Understand-ing this, China concluded thatit would be foolhardy to en-gage in frontal military chal-lenges with the U.S.,” the re-port states. “In addition, be-cause the U.S. might be calledinto action should China en-gage another nation militarilyin the Asia-Pacific region or

elsewhere, China found it beneficial toadopt a guerrilla economic warfarestrategy when it wanted to makeknown and impose its will.” The re-

port adds that this strategy“allows China to play the roleof a puppeteer that adminis-ters pain surgically, but not be-yond the point at which thepuppet can recover and theeconomic relationship (be) re-sumed.”

Still, there is debate evenwithin China about how far itcan apply economic leverageagainst other countries, par-ticularly major economies likeJapan, without inflicting un-acceptable pain on itself. In2011, Sino-Japanese trade ac-

counted for nearly 21 percent ofJapan’s total trade, but only 9.4 per-cent to China’s overall trade, prompt-ing Mei Xinyu, a researcher at a think-tank linked to the Commerce ministryin Beijing, to conclude that Chinawould “lose less than Japan if eco-nomic and trade wars have to be ourchoice ultimately.”

However, an online analysis by theChinese magazine Caixin on Sept. 26concluded that any major disruptionto China-Japan trade, which was worth$340 billion last year, would hurt bothcountries. It said that China wouldsuffer serious foreign investment, joband technology losses. “A consider-ation of our national interests demandsthat we separate politics from econom-ics,” Caixin said. “Economic sanctionsremain a strategic tool of the Chinesegovernment, but they must be wieldedwisely.”—Courtesy - Japan Times.

U.S. officials have not gone that far.However, they have expressed concern aboutChina’s use of “economic coercion” in itsterritorial disputes with Japan and, earlierthis year, with the Philippines over theirconflicting claims to Scarborough Shoal in theSouth China Sea.

DANIEL BYMAN

THE full list of disasters resulting fromneglect and inaction is too long torecount, but we can highlight themost damning: Israel and the Palestin-

ians are further from peace than ever. Egypt’sonce-promising move toward democracy hasstalled as the Muslim Brotherhood governmenthas become more authoritarian. Narcotics con-tinue to flow north into Ameri-can cities while a drug warbleeds our southern neighbor.And of course, the Europeansstill have not gotten their eco-nomic house in order. Yet, theadministration’s greatest fail-ures came about in those keymoments when it lacked deci-siveness, ignored complexityand relied on flawed analysis.In Syria, it refused to deploy theU.S. airpower that had been soeffective in Libya. Instead, itembraced an effort to arm the self-evidently in-effective and incoherent opposition in itsdoomed effort to overthrow Bashar al-Assad.

A preemptive strike on the foreign policy failures of the next administrationThe administration said Assad’s fall was inevi-table but refused to make it so. Thousands died

as Washington fiddled; instability and violencespread into Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan; and U.S.weapons leaked into terrorist hands. Now civil

war has virtually engulfed the moststrategic region in the world, mak-ing it a playground for al-Qaeda andIran’s Quds Force.

The administration’s effortto get tough on China also back-fired. Rather than seek to integratea power whose unstoppable risewas clear to all who cared to look,the administration built up the U.S.military presence in Asia, criticizedChina’s human rights abuses andincreased trade restrictions on Chi-nese goods. Beijing responded with

predictable wrath and flexed its new muscles,slowing its purchases of U.S. Treasury bills andrestricting U.S. goods coming into China, which

plunged the United States back into recession.China is now doubling its defense budget, de-

manding that Washington end military assis-tance to Taiwan and making grandiose claimsabout extending its territorial waters — leavingus with the miserable choice of abandoning ourallies to a bully or risking military conflict. Thechaos in Syria and the setbacks in China, how-ever, are nothing next to the looming war be-tween India and Pakistan, which threatens tobe the first war between two nuclear powers.The administration focused on the problems ofthe past, wasting its energy on East Asia, Eu-rope and the Middle East, and missed the obvi-ous crisis in South Asia.

Despite repeated acts of terrorism spon-sored by Pakistan against India, somehow theadministration failed to heed its own intelligencepredicting the brutal Lashkar-i-Taibaattacks onhotels and tourist sites in Mumbai last month— attacks that paralleled strikes in 1993, 2006and 2008. (Just see today’s Washington Post

column by David Ignatius, in which he quotesintelligence warnings about the risk of a terror-ist attack emanating from Pakistan and describesthe heroic but unsuccessful efforts of seniormilitary and counterterrorism officials to get theadministration to listen.) Policy toward the sub-continent before the attacks consisted of dronestrikes, troop withdrawals from Afghanistan andneglect — no wonder Pakistan thought it couldact with impunity. This time, however, India isnot turning the other cheek. Nationalistic politi-cians are calling for blood, and India is massingtroops along the border. Had the administra-tion not spent the past four years obsessingabout a possible Israeli strike on Iran — a trans-parent bluff — it might have prevented the es-calation toward nuclear war that now confrontsus.

Will all the failures described here come topass in the next four years? Probably not. Butinternational crises occur during virtually ev-ery administration, and a Romney presidencyor an Obama second term would be no excep-tion. And when crises happen, opponents andexperts will decry Washington’s responses asfailures. These problems were “inevitable” or“obvious” or “preventable,” they’ll say. While

the criticisms may ring true in hindsight, they’llbe unfair. Presidents must act before history iswritten, often with incomplete information anduncertain odds. (Imagine perceptions ofObama’s foreign policy credentials if the raid onOsama bin Laden’s compound had failed, as iteasily could have.)

At times we truly face no-win situations.Syria, no matter what the United States does,will have a grim future. Meanwhile, Washingtonhas tried to engage Beijing, but China is stillincreasingly aggressive in Asia. A tougher U.S.stance might make China throw its weight aroundeven more; then again, a softer American ap-proach might make the Chinese sense weakness.Which stance is right? Whichever one happensto work out — and it’s very hard to know aheadof time which one will. Even as we criticize policyfailures, we often ignore real achievements. Mostvictories are subtle and apparent only in hind-sight. Peace has prevailed among the great pow-ers for decades. We have avoided nuclear con-flict. Democracy has spread, albeit fitfully, acrossthe globe. These are huge successes, but wetake them for granted, even as we dissect theproblem of the day in exhaustive and damningdetail.— Courtesy - Washington Post. [Daniel

To say that the administration has dropped the ball on foreign policywould be a gross understatement.

available video footage of theincident and pursuing leads.

President Barack Obamawas in Washington when the in-cident took place.

According to Politico, theObama Campaign has some 30field offices in this battle groundstate of Colorado.

Obama campaign officialsdid not immediately commenton the incident, which comesas he and his Republican rivalMitt Romney battle into thefinal weeks before the Novem-ber 6 presidential election.—Onlin

price of petrol was recom-mended to be reduced by Rs2.09in the summary, whereas pricesof other petroleum productswere advised to be increased byup to Rs3.10.

The summary suggestedprice increase in high speed die-sel by Rs3.10, kerosene oil byRs1.92, light diesel by Rs1.23and high octane by Rs3.

Moreover, with lowering ofpetrol price, prices of CNG aresubsequently expected to be re-duced by Rs1.75 per kg also.

The petroleum and the fi-nance ministries will take thefinal decision regarding pricechange after mutual consulta-tions.—INP

Shot fired at Obamacampaign office

From Page 1

Petrol pricesFrom Page 1

facilitating domestic and interna-tional trade and furthering inter-national co-operation in relationto standards and conformity as-sessment. PSQCA is also a na-tional member body of Interna-tional Organization for Standard-ization (ISO), InternationalElectro-technical Commission(IEC), and International Organi-zation of Legal Metrology(OIML).

The growing recognition thatstandardization practices are im-portant to product performanceand safety has resulted in in-creased demand for PSQCA’sproduct certification services, pro-grams and expertise. In just un-der ten years, demand forPSQCA’s product certificationservices has grown by 70 % (2001to 2012). PSQCA_s programs andservices directly provide solutionsfor consumers, industry and gov-ernment by: helping save time andmoney; increasing public confi-dence in health, and safety issues;and easing trade barriers.World Standards Day (14th Oc-tober)...

It is an opportune and impor-tant time for us to reflect on therole of standards in society andalso focus on the theme chosen byISO that is, “Less waste, betterresult - Standards increase effi-ciency”. One of the key lessonswhich we should learn on this dayis to be competitive in global mar-ket by facilitating trade againstcompliance of international stan-dards that is critical for Pakistaniindustry to improve efficiency byreduction of waste. On the occa-sion of the World Standards Day,PSQCA and other National Stan-dards Bodies around the worldtake the opportunity to highlightthe vital role of standards and theirimpact on the life of people. Therole of standards in establishingquality and process standards, fa-cilitating trade, ensuring safetyand health, as well as protectingthe environment is underscored. Itis also an occasion to pay tributeto all those who have supportedand contributed to the nationalstandardization programmes intheir own countries. There are alarge number of technical experts,scientists and engineers workingwith PSQCA on its StandardCommittees to elaborate PakistanStandards and I would like tothank all of them for their impor-tant work.PSQCA’s Activities and its Im-pacts...1. Developed more than 6000Pakistan Standards and adopted22000 standards from ISO, IEC,OIML and ASTM International asPakistan Standards.2. Participating in internationalstandardization activities of ISO,IEC, OIML and ASTM.3. Participating in regional stan-dardization and conformity as-sessment activities of South AsianRegional Standardization Activi-ties (SARSO) and Regional Insti-tute of Standards and ConformityAssessment.4. Pakistan_s prosperity de-pends on international trade facili-tated by standards and harmonizedconformity assessment practices.PSQCA signed MoUs/MRAswith countries (US, Saudi Arabia,Turkey, India, etc.,) to overcomeTBTs (i.e., standards and confor-mity assessment).5. Regulating 78 items with ref-erence to Public health and safetythrough technical regulations.

6. Providing testing and inspec-tion services to industries to fa-cilitate export.7. Registered inspection bodiesin accordance with internationalguidelines.8. Provided awareness on stan-dardization of product with refer-ence to product design, technol-ogy, upgrading and quality con-trol9. Establishing the requisite le-gal and regulatory framework forconformity assessment i.e., Con-formity Assessment Rules10. Established Consumer Liai-son Office to introduce legalframe work for consumer protec-tion with the assistance ofUNIDO-TRTA.11. Established WTO-EnquiryPoint Ensuring access to require-ments via WTO enquiry pointswith the assistance of UNIDO-TRTA.12. Established System Certifica-tion Center13. Established Liaison offices atRawalpindi, Multan, Hyderabad,Sukkar, Faisalabad, Sialkot andHub to facilitate industries andconsumers.Stimulating the Pakistan’seconomy…The application of standards andconformity assessment practicescan reduce the regulatory burden,ease trade barriers, and create ef-ficiencies in industrial sectors. Forexample, by providing commonspecifications, international stan-dards enable products, servicesand technology from differentvendors to fit together like piecesin a puzzle. They supportinteroperability and compatibility,providing a solid base for devel-oping innovations and facilitatingmarket access to new products.They ensure that countries, orga-nizations, regulators and research-ers, do not have to reinvent thewheel, and can invest in other pri-orities that ultimately results lesswaste and better results.

International surveys showedthat Textile sectors of Pakistan andaround the world have demon-strated the economic benefit ofstandards to a nation_s prosper-ity. During this last global reces-sion, many government and indus-try leaders as well as small andmedium sized businesses in tex-tile sectors of Pakistan turned tostandardization solutions (con-formance against internationalstandards) to gain a competitiveadvantage.

Improving Health by support-ing Healthcare facilities Standard-ization…Health is of special concern to thepeople of Pakistan. During thepast years, healthcare organiza-tions have been facing challengeswith respect to improvement ofsafety and quality healthcare ser-vices which they extend to pa-tients. The voice for healthcarequality improvements comes fromkey stakeholders, such as govern-ment, Ministry of Health,healthcare insurance fund,healthcare associations, healthcareprofessionals, patients and theirfamilies, public, etc. Also, inter-national agencies, World HealthOrganization (WHO) and WorldBank clearly promote improve-ment of quality and safety ofhealthcare services. Keeping inview the need assessmentthroughout Pakistan,. PSQCATechnical Committees onhealthcare has developed primaryand secondary healthcare Pakistan

Standards accordance with ISO(International Organization onstandardization) and ISQua (Inter-national Society for Quality onHealthCare) guidelines. Tertiaryhealthcare standards will be final-ized in next three months.

Improving Safety by support-ing Bio-Risk Management Stan-dard-ization…

Safety and Security are of spe-cial concern to regulatory authori-ties. For example, standards can fa-cilitate safe handling of dangerousmaterials, detection of harmfulagents, biometric identification ofindividuals, robust design of build-ings and other structures, protec-tive equipment for emergency re-sponders, reliance of emergencycommunications systems, riskmanagement and emergency pre-paredness. In many fields, regula-tions concerned with safety referto standards, either making themmandatory or recognizing them as‘approved’ to provide means ofcompliance with statutory require-ments. Keeping in view the man-agement problems of Bio-hazardsin Pakistan, PSQCA has adoptedInternational standard CWA-15793CEN (COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DENORMALISATION) throughTechnical Committee on Bio-Riskand National Standards Commit-tee on healthcare(or Joint Work-shop) (Standardization Rules, 2008and ISO guide 21 on standardsadoption) on Bio-Risk Manage-ment.Supporting energy efficiencypolicy of Government…PSQCA is a valuable contributorto energy efficiency policy of Pa-kistan by introducing energy effi-ciency standards for home appli-ances adopted from ISO and IEC.Energy conservation and effi-ciency are the hot issues of Paki-stan. These products - refrigera-tors, room air conditioners, elec-tric motors, and distribution trans-formers - are important targets forefficiency improvement in Paki-stan and in other developing coun-tries. PSQCA is strongly support-ing energy efficiency standardsand labeling regime in Pakistan.The European Union has set a tar-get of a 20% energy efficiencyimprovement by 2020. There is noreason why Pakistan cannotachieve or even exceed this targetby the implementation of energyefficiency standards of home ap-pliances.PSQCA’s Product CertificationServices…

PSQCA_s web site(www.psqca.com.pk) is the pri-mary channel used to deliver in-formation about standardization,PSQCA program developmentsand related current news andevents. As standards experts andproviders of certification solutionsall of PSQCA_s products and ser-vices are accessible throughPSQCA_s web site. PSQCA isself sustained organization andbear its most of expenses frommarking services of 78 products. PSQCA’s WTO National En-quiry Point…

As the WTO Enquiry Point,PSQCA serves as the central pointof contact in Pakistan for WTOmember countries to obtain infor-mation on standardization-relatedmarket entry requirements.PSQCA have been designated asthe National Enquiry Point (NEP)on TBT of Pakistan under theWTO/TBT Agreement. PSQCAunder the Articles 10.1, 10.2 and10.3 of WTO /TBT Agreement

have established NEP to facilitatethe exporters or any membercountries of WTO at PSQCAHead office, Karachi. NEP an-swers all reasonable queries re-garding Standards, TechnicalRegulations and Conformity As-sessment Procedures to the busi-ness society, particularly the ex-porters or any member countriesof WTO.

Promotion of Standards Edu-cation Content through WorldStandards Day Essay Competi-tion:

The future of the Pakistaneconomy depends, in significantpart, on effective management ofits standardization system and ef-fective participation in develop-ment of international standards.Therefore, Standards educationand training of the next generationof practitioners is therefore a criti-cal issue.There is a clear need in the Paki-stan for greater attention to stan-dards. In an information-basedglobal economy, where standardsare not only employed strategi-cally as marketing tools but alsoserve to interconnect economicactivities, inadequate support forthe standards setting process willhave serious detrimental effects.The standards world has radicallychanged over the past two decadesespecially in international stan-dardization, with an increasedimpact on business and society.Rapid globalization of marketsand accelerating technological in-novation has brought a new needfor multidisciplinary education instandards and standardization inPakistan in order to improve in-ternational competitiveness oftheir industries and to solve vari-ous socioeconomic and environ-mental issues facing them. Aca-demic sectors need to meet thechallenge of newly emerging edu-cational needs for the future gen-erations and prepare a comprehen-sive interdisciplinary curriculumwith support from PSQCA in col-laboration with industry, govern-ment and international organiza-tions.

In celebration of World Stan-dards Day (WSD), October 14,2012 the Pakistan Standards andQuality Control Authority has or-ganized Essay Competition forCollege and University Studentsto highlight the importance of in-ternational standardization.PSQCA has received about 170entries all over Pakistan WSD,2012 theme “Less waste, betterresults - Standards increase Effi-ciency”. PSQCA gave cash prizesof 1 lak, 75000 thousand and50,000 rupees for Ist (QaseemImran, Institute of Communica-tion Studies, PU), 2nd Syed JawadHaider Naqvi, GC University,Lahore and 3rd position AleenaAhmed, BBA (PU)holders.PSQCA’s Trainings and MediaActivities…

PSQCA is well aware of ca-pacity building of its stakehold-ers. PSQCA has always tried togive information with reference tostandards and conformity assess-ment through seminars, work-shops, conferences, market sur-veillance by Mobile van, mediacampaign, special supplements innewspapers etc., This year,PSQCA organized training ses-sions for standard developers andPSQCA’s license holders to in-form them about the conformityassessment requirements in accor-dance with Pakistan Standards.

Role of Pakistan Standards and QCAFrom Page 11

Mir Changez Khan JamaliFrom Page 11

safety and environmentmanagement standards thereforeprovide the methodologicaltools for improving theeffectiveness of organizationsby controlling their waste.

Pakistan can also enhanceexports in value added productsthat can only be possible throughcompliance of internationalstandards.

Quality efficiency andsafety are just some of the manybenefits of using Pakistan Stan-dards which are mostly adoptedfrom International Standards. InPakistan a company or organi-zation implements them; we canrest assured that they are follow-ing global best practice. How dothey know, and how can theircustomers trust, that a standardis adequately being used ? Thatis what PSQCA’s conformityassessment scheme (can involvetesting, inspection and certifica-tion) is all about a process toshow that a product, service orsystem meets specified require-ments. PSQCA’s Conformity

assessment provides consumerswith added confidence. Confor-mity assessment proceduresgive companies a competitiveedge, and helps regulators en-sure that health, safety and en-vironmental conditions are met.Now one can argue that Inter-national Standards help busi-nesses to capitalize their poten-tial in the global marketplace.

Pakistan Standards andQuality Control Authority is pro-viding a platform to Pakistaniindustry to participate in the in-ternational standardization activi-ties of ISO (International orga-nization for standardization), IEC(International ElectrotechnicalCommission) and OIML (Inter-national Organization for LegalMetrology). PSQCA is also pro-moting the benefits of standardsto regulators by referencing regu-lation with standards. Pakistanstandards also enable regulatorsto create market friendly regula-tions, while addressing the issuesthat matter to consumers likesafety and labeling.

Mr. Akhlaque Ahmed TararFrom Page 11

and usually improve manufac-turing efficiency.

In addition to the economicgrowth generated through thefunction of internationalstandards as diffusers ofknowledge, there are furthereconomic benefits gainedthrough other functions ofstandardization, which helpslower the cost of safety / securityand obtaining the necessaryinsurance. In this wayinternational standards canreduce the burden on thePakistan’s economy, thusjustifying the support ofstandardization as a usefulinstrument in many policy areasand regulatory matters.

The Pakistan Standardsand Quality Control Authority(PSQCA), ISO member for thecountry, plays a pivotal role indeveloping and adopting rel-evant standards to enable theimplementation of energy effi-ciency. Pakistan’s energy effi-ciency strategic vision is to con-tribute towards affordable en-ergy for all and, at the sametime, minimize the negative ef-fects of its usage on humanhealth and the environment. Thiswill be achieved by encourag-ing sustainable energy develop-ment and efficient practices.

PSQCA has played a vital roleby publishing and distributing arange of Pakistan Standards onenergy efficiency and manage-ment, as well as related subjectslike alternative fuel vehicles,electrical vehicles, householdappliances and bio-diesel. Mostof these have been adoptedfrom, or harmonized with, ISOand IEC International Standards.One of the most relevant todayis ISO 50001:2011 for energymanagement systems. Pakistanshould embark on pilot initia-tives to save energy while en-trenching ISO 50001(Energyefficiency) principles in indus-try.

Students of universities,business schools and other in-stitutions of higher learning arethe potential business managersand professional experts of thefuture. Whether they become en-gineers, economists or lawyers,they will decide the future roleand importance of standardiza-tion. Ministry of Science andTechnology and Pakistan Stan-dards and Quality Control Au-thority are keen to communicatethe value standardization andsupport educational institutionsin addressing standards mattersin the framework of their activi-ties.

Mir BakhshJamali

From Page 11

participants: provincialgovernments, consumerassociations, professionals, etc.Like organizations, Pakistanstandards which are harmonizedwith International standards arecontinually changing to the meetnew constraints and futurechallenges. Pakistan standardsare mostly initiated by theeconomic players concerned,they are drafted with consensusof all those potentially affectedby their application. Subject topublic approval before beingcertified, they are then regularlyanalyzed to ensure they continueto be consistent with their initialobjectives.

Being a National StandardsBody (NSB), PSQCA is respon-sible for promulgating of Paki-stan Standards developed by thetechnical experts of 155 techni-cal committees of Pakistan Stan-dards and Quality Control Au-thority. Importance of Pakistanstandards which are harmonizedwith international standardscould be better understood if wevisualize today’s world withoutstandards. In such a scenario, theinternet simply would not func-tion thousands of systems de-pendent on information andcommunication technologieswould weaken or fail. This in-cludes the systems placed inoperation for governance, healthcare, air traffic control and emer-gency services.

Through this message I as-sure that PSQCA is committedto provide information on inter-national standards to all indus-tries for their quality improve-ment.

Mr. Asif AliZardariFrom Page 11

In accomplishing this task,PSQCA has rightly involved thecivil society and the corporatesector without which it wouldnot be possible to adequatelymeet the international qualitystandards. Pakistani industry ischaracterized by intense compe-tition, a high degree of price sen-sitivity, and pressure to producehigh-quality products. Interna-tional standards adopted by Pa-kistan Standards & Quality Con-trol Authority will enable Paki-stani companies’ to meet Inter-national quality requirements.I hope the observance of theWorld Standards Day with lesswaste better result will have apositive impact on Pakistan In-dustrial sector and Governmentof Pakistan will assist with fullresources to achieve this goal.

Raja PervaizAshraf

From Page 11The Pakistan Standards & Qual-ity Control Authority (PSQCA)has developed a wide range ofstandards for products, services,health, safety and

environment etc. Thesestandards have been formulatedin the light of parameters set byInternational Organization forStandardization (ISO), Interna-tional Electro Technical Com-mission (HEC) and InternationalOrganization on Legal Metrol-ogy (OLML).

The standards bring togetherexperience of experts. For acompany to remain competitiveand gain new customers, it needsto maintain competitive pricesand high quality. Additionally,Pakistan Standards also pro-vides social benefits such asconsumer protection. They helpto harmonize technical specifi-cations of products and services.

As we observe the WorldStandards Day, let us pledge ourresolve to further improve ourstandards to make our productsmore marketable in the globalmarkets.

Peshawar to check Dr Afridi’sactivities and had traced somecalls from his jail cell, follow-ing which the authorities con-ducted investigation with thefour policemen. One of the po-licemen, the sources said, admit-ted of his involvement in pro-viding Dr Afridi the satellitephone.

The sources said that it’slikely that the interview mighthave been conducted throughthe satellite phone but the au-thorities are assessing thefacts.

The jail authorities, on con-tact, did not give any detail aboutthe incident.—Agencies

radio station] or by written, pho-tographic, electronic, digital,wall-chalking or any the methodwhich [glorifies terrorists or ter-rorist activities] incites reli-gious, sectarian or ethnic hatredor gives projection to any per-son convicted for a terrorist act,or any person or organisationconcerned in terrorism or pro-scribed organisation or anorganisation placed under obser-vation: Provided that a factualnews report, made in good faith,shall not be construed to mean‘projection’ for the purposes ofthis section.

“We are told that in this be-half restraint order has also beenpassed by the High Court ofBalochistan, therefore, we con-firm the order which has beenpassed by the High Court ofBalochistan that in future theabove provision of law shall befollowed strictly both by theelectronic and print media,” thejudgement further read.

Satellite phoneFrom Page 1

Media shoulddesist

From Page 1

our motherland. President AsifAli Zardari and Prime MinisterRaja Parvez Ashraf havestrongly condemned the blast.

Deploring the loss of pre-cious lives in the incident, theyhave directed the concerned au-thorities to provide best possiblemedical treatment to the injured.

Meanwhile, five peoplewere killed and four seriouslyinjured in a clash between twogroups in the Orakzai tribal re-gion.

According to sources, theclash took place between twomilitant groups in the tribalregion’s Mamozai area. Thegroups attacked one another us-ing heavy weapons, sourcessaid. At least five persons werekilled while four others wereinjured during the clash.—Agencies

tinuously observing the condi-tion of Malala.

Maj Gen Asim Bajwa saidMalala is moving her limbswhich is a positive development.He said her vitals are normal andthis is a good thing. He said thatthe neurosurgeons are satisfiedwith the condition of Malala.

To a question, he said thedecision to send Malala abroadfor treatment depends entirelyon the opinion of panel of doc-tors attending her.

However, contingencyplans are in hand. He said thatthere is serious head injury andit will take time to recover.—SANA

set and had raised collective na-tional consciousness against thebarbarism of militants and ex-tremists.

The President also soughtreport about the two girls’ con-dition and prayed for early re-covery of Malala, Shazia andKaainat.—Online

checkpoint when the attackerblew himself up.”

The Taliban claimed respon-sibility for the attack, saying theattack killed six foreigners andseveral Afghan security forces.

The United States led an in-vasion in 2001 to topple theTaliban government forharbouring Al-Qaeda leaderOsama bin Laden after the Sep-tember 11 attacks on New Yorkand Washington.

Suicide blastFrom Page 1

Malalarecovering

From Page 1

Zardari directsfree treatment ofShazia, Kainat

From Page 1

Two ISAF troops amongnine dead in Afghan attacks

From Page 1The Taliban were quickly

routed, but launched an insur-gency that grew in strength overthe years until NATO had some130,000 troops from 50 countriesdefending the Western-backedgovernment of President HamidKarzai. The troops have now be-gun pulling out and all foreigncombat forces will be gone by theend of 2014, according to a with-drawal schedule agreed by theUS and NATO.—AFP

condemnations at national andinternational level over attack onMalala and said every innocentgirl and children being killed inUS drone attacks in WaziristanAgency area Malala are so pre-cious for their parents.

The JI former Ameer saidthat no one raised issue of kill-ing innocent children in droneattacks and so-called military op-erations but international com-munity, so-called human rightsorganizations and political lead-ership seem much concernedover Malala’s incident.—INP

Malala attackFrom Page 1

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Central leader ofPakistan Muslim-N, HamzaShahbaz Sharif MNA, has saidthat the entire nation ask the rul-ers to account for the murderattempt on Malala Yousafzai.Zardari government, under se-cret agreements, has given openpermission for American droneattacks. There is no differencein the rule of Zardari andMusharraf.

He expressed these viewswhile addressing a big publicmeeting at Kasur. Leaders ofPML-N Sheikh Waseem, RanaHayat Muhammad Khan, Rana

No difference between Zardari,Musharraf rule: Hamza

Muhammad Ishaq, MalikRasheed, Shumaila Rana, AnisQureshi, Sardar Nabi Ahmed,Naeem Ansari, Anela Akhtar,Mubashar Nawaz, AfzaalHussain and thousands ofPML-N workers and people at-tended the public meeting. Onstart of his speech, HamzaShahbaz Sharif offered ‘dua’for early recovery of MalalaYousafzai.

Addressing the public meet-ing, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif saidthat dictator Pervez Musharrafis responsible for this kind ofcruelty as he sold the sons anddaughters of the nation for dol-lars.

LAHORE: Students of King Edward Medical College North Surgery Department holdingBreast Cancer awareness walk to mark Pink Ribbon Day.

consistent support to Pakistan.“People of Pakistan would neverforget the Secretary Generalleadership for mobilizing thehumanitarian support followingmassive and devastating floodsin Pakistan”, he said.

The Permanent Representa-tive assured the Secretary Gen-eral of Pakistan delegation’ssupport to his initiative.

Welcoming the new Perma-nent Representative of Paki-stan, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appreciated Pakistan’sactive role in the UN, its con-tribution to the UN peacekeep-ing, and support to theorganization’s efforts to pro-mote regional and internationalpeace and security.

He said that AmbassadorKhan has assumed his positionat an important moment as Pa-kistan is a member of the UN

Masood Khan presents credentialsFrom Page 1

Security Council. The SecretaryGeneral said that he looks for-ward to working with Ambas-sador Khan and draw upon hisdiverse experience in multilat-eral diplomacy. Before joiningthis position, AmbassadorMasood Khan was the PakistanAmbassador to China.

Earlier he served as Ambas-sador and Permanent Represen-tative of Pakistan to the UnitedNations and other InternationalOrganizations in Geneva.

Mr. Khan has, in the pastchaired many international fo-rums and conferences, includ-ing Biological Weapon Con-vention (BWC), the Confer-ence on Disarmament, InternetGovernance, International Or-ganization Migration (IOM)Council, the Group of 77 andChina, the Government Group

of International Labour Orga-nization (ILO) and Interna-tional Conference of the RedCross and Red Crescent.—INP

BAMAKO—Al Qaeda-linkedIslamists in Mali threatened onSaturday to “open the doors ofhell” for French citizens ifFrance kept pushing for a warto retake the rebel-held north.

The renewed threats againstFrench hostages and expatriatescame ahead of a summit ofFrench-speaking nations inCongo, where PresidentFrancois Hollande was expectedto urge the rapid deployment ofan African-led force to rout theIslamists.

The U.N. Security Councilcalled on Friday for an interven-tion plan to be drawn up within45 days after passing a French-drafted resolution to revive at-tempts to end the crisis.

“If he continues to throw oil onthe fire, we will send him the pic-tures of dead French hostages inthe coming days,” said OumarOuld Hamaha, a spokesman forIslamist group MUJWA, in anapparent reference to four Frenchnationals seized in neighboringnorthern Niger in 2010. “He willnot be able to count the bodies ofFrench expatriates across WestAfrica and elsewhere,” Hamahasaid by telephone. MUJWA isamong the Islamist groups thathave controlled the northern two-thirds of Mali since fighters sweptthe territory in April following acoup in the capital Bamako.

Regional and western powersare now mulling an interventionto retake the zone, with former

colonial ruler France seekingswift military action by regionalbloc ECOWAS. The U.N. Se-curity Council urged African re-gional groups and the UnitedNations to come up with an in-tervention plan, which it couldthen consider.Al Qaeda’s northAfrican wing has threatened re-peatedly to kill French hostagesif Paris tries to mount a mili-tary intervention in Mali.

Seven workers for Frenchfirm Areva were seized innorthern Niger in 2010, and allbut four have since been re-leased. Hamaha said that Is-lamists in the Sahara desertwere largely funded by ransompayments from France andother western nation —Reuters

Zardari leaves forBaku tomorrowISLAMABAD—President AsifAli Zardari is paying a two-day visit to Baku, Azerbaijanfrom Monday to attend theSummit of EconomicCooperation Organization Hewill represent Pakistan at theSummit of ECO beginning inBaku on Tuesday. Presidentsof member countries willattend the summit to be heldon Tuesday to discusscooperation in differentsectors including trade,energy, transport, environ-ment and agriculture. —Online(See also Page 13)

19 Sindh MPAsyet to declareassetsISLAMABAD—With three daysleft till deadline of ElectionCommission 19 members ofSindh Assembly have yet todeclare their assets. Accordingto Election Commissionsources, only 147 members outof 187 of the house havedeclared their assets TheMPAs who have not declaredtheir assets are Marvi Rashidi(PML-F) Riffat Khan (MQM),Aman Ullah Mehsud (ANP),Mukesh Kumar Chawala(PPP) , Nargis Khan (NDK),Ikram Ullah Dharejo, JavedShah Nasrullah Balouch ,Sadiq Memon , Qazi Shamash-ul -Din ,Aziz Jatoi , Dia RamAesarani , Ghulam ShahGilani ,Rukia Soomro , UsmanJalbani ,Ahmed Ali Patafi,Shahid Thaheem and FarheenMughal. —Online

Mali Islamists up threatsas France braces for war

WASHINGTON—Undeterredby the recent anti-US protests inthe Arab world which has re-sulted in the killing of theAmerican Ambassador to Libya,US Secretary of State HillaryClinton has ruled out its retreatfrom the Arab world.

“The United States will notretreat. We will keep leading andwe will stay engaged in theMaghreb and everywhere in theworld, including in those hardplaces where America’s interestsand values are at stake,” MsClinton told a Washington-basedthink-tank on Friday.

“We will never prevent ev-ery act of violence or terrorismor achieve perfect security. Ourpeople cannot live in bunkersand do their jobs,” she said.

The United States, MsClinton said, has made three pri-orities, the hallmark ofAmerica’s involvement in theregion.

“We’ve convened donorconferences to coordinate assis-tance, leverage new partnershipsthrough the G-8, the Communityof Democracies, the OECD, andwe have stepped up our engage-

ment with the Arab League,signing the first-ever memoran-dum of understanding for a stra-tegic dialogue between us,” shesaid.

“But we recognise thatwords, whether they come fromus or others, are cheap. Andwhen we talk about investing inresponsible leaders and account-able democratic institutions, ithas to be followed by actual in-vestments.

“So we have mobilisedmore than $1 billion in targetedassistance since the start of therevolutions. And the Obama ad-ministration has requested fromCongress a new $770 millionfund that would be tied to con-crete benchmarks for politicaland economic reforms, and Iagain urge Congress to moveforward on this priority,” shesaid.

The recent riots and lawless-ness underscore the challengesof safeguarding public safety infree societies and reforming se-curity forces, she said, adding,that for decades, those forcesprotected regimes.

“Now their job is to protect

citizens, especially against thethreat from violent extremists.So we are using every tool wecan to help our partners fightextremism and meet their secu-rity challenges.

“We recently embeddedadditional foreign service offic-ers with regional expertise intothe US-Africa Command to bet-ter integrate our approach,” shesaid.Ms Clinton said the US isstepping up its counter terrorismefforts, helping the countries ofNorth Africa target the supportstructure of the extremist group,particularly al-Qaeda and its af-filiates, closing safe havens, cut-ting off financing, counteringtheir ideology, denying them re-cruits.

“Our Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership is buildingthe capacity of 10 countries, pro-viding training and support sothey can better work together todisrupt terrorist networks andprevent attacks.

We are expanding our workwith civil society organisationsin specific terrorist hot spots,particular villages, prisons andschools,” she said.—INP

US will not retreatfrom Arab world: Clinton

KARACHI—Gen (Retd) PervezMusharraf, chief of APML, saidthat 12th October’s step taken byhim was natural and right.

“People were crying due tobad-governance, country wasgoing to be defaulted. If NawazSharif had chosen constitutionalway to replace Army Chief, thiscould not have happened”.

This he said while talkingin a TV talk show, details ofwhich were released by centralinformation secretariat ofAPML here on Saturday.

“Nawaz Sharif had chosenillegal and unconstitutionalway to replace the Army Chief,I was in air and was replacedwhich was not affordable steptaken by Nawaz Sharif,” hesaid.

Due to bad governance, hesaid, country was going to de-fault, government’s accountswere empty, common peoplewere crying over lawlessness,price hike and other issues.

To a question, PervezMusharraf said that he used tocompare himself with AbrahamLincoln as he (Lincoln) hadalso broken the constitution inthe larger interest of his coun-try.

He explained that constitu-tion would be only a piece ofpaper if concerned country wasno more.

He said that he had offeredMian Brothers to leave thecountry or face the cases.Shahbaz Sharif was not willingto leave the country but Nawazwas ready to go. Then, on therequest of Aba Ji (Mian Both-ers’ father), Shahbaz agreed toquit, he added.

He said the PML-N has no

Step taken on Oct 12was right: Musharraf

support in masses as people areusually coming to attend thepublic gatherings of all partiesincluding PPP, Imran Khan etc.

He said that all Generalswere with him at the time of12th October, 1999, and theyremained with him till the lastday of rule. He was very muchpopular among all ranks ofArmy. He said that permissionof drone attacks was not issuedin his tenure, only 7 to 8 droneattacks occurred in four yearsof his tenure but now, hundredsof drone attacks had happenedand they are still continuing.

He said that he was argu-ing with US rulers over all is-sues and finding out his ownway to resolve the issues. Ifgovernment has any objection,they should stop the drone at-tacks, if they can.He suggestedthat the matter of drone attacksshould be dealt with diplomaticmilitary way out.Talking overMalala Yousufzai, former

President said that this is samemindset involved in killing ofBenazir Bhutto. They (involvedculprits) are cruel and cowardtoo.

He added that his mother isalso praying for better health ofMalala with weeping eyes.

He said that decision aboutLal Masjid taken by him wasright, Chaudhry Brothers weretaken onboard in every decisionand he has no regret on it.

He said that he is not won-dered over the Chaudhrys’ alli-ance with PPP as they alwaysput their personal interests onthe priority.

He said that he had an-nounced to come back but veryclose friends of him had ad-vised not to come back as situ-ation was not in his favour atthat time.

He would come back dur-ing the next elections and servethe people with winning ofelection.—Online

10 burnt alivein Agra fire

AGRA—Ten people, includingtwo couples and six children,were burnt alive early Saturdaywhen the house they were liv-ing in caught fire in Sewla Jatunder thana Sadar of Agra, po-lice said.The families were liv-ing on the first floor of thehouse. Eyewitnesses said theyheard a gas cylinder burst.

Exact cause of the fire is yetto be ascertained. The house wasowned by Braj Mohan Agarwalwho was sleeping on groundfloor of three storied house withothers.Agarwal ran a provisionstore house at ground floor ofthe house while his sons livedin upper storeys of house.

According to sources, thechildren in the house were study-ing in candle light as power wentoff in early night hours. Appre-hensions are that the childrenslept without putting off thecandles, which might be one ofthe reasons of the fire.—INP

LAHORE—Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Syed MunawarHasan reacting to the decisionof the Supreme Court onBalochistan issue has de-manded of the government toensure the execution on the or-ders of the apex court.

He said earlier the Su-preme Court had issued orderson Karachi situation but nosteps were taken to improvethe law and order situation inthe city and no culprits weretaken to task.

In a statement issued hereat Mansoora on Saturday, hedemanded of the Balochistangovernment to step down inthe light of the decision of theSupreme Court in BalochistanLaw and order case. “After theapex court order the provincialgovernment has lost its consti-tutional right to rule,” headded. He said the federal

government had also failed tosolve Balochistan issues andgave nothing to Baloch peoplein the name of relief packages.“Now, the time has come thatfederal government should ac-knowledge its inability to ad-dress the Baloch issues andapologize to the nation,” headded.

He held the Balochistangovernment for the worseninglaw and order situation in theprovince saying it had keptmum over the subversive ac-tivities of the anti-state ele-ments under the patronage ofthe US and India.

He was of the opinion thatthe security and secret agen-cies had worsened theBalochistan situation. “It is theduty of the security agenciesto provide protection to thepeople but they have done con-trary to it,” he added.—Online

JI demands Balochistan govtdissolution as per SC verdictTwo girls drown

in Chenab RiverMULTAN—Two sistersdrowned while picnicking atRiver Chenab in Multan onSaturday reports. Banyamin, aresident of Dolat Gate, tookhis two daughters to HeadMuhammad Wala for picnic.According to reports, Aisha, 9,accidentally slipped into theriver. Her elder sister, ChandBibi, also jumped into theriver to rescue her sister. Thefather of the two girls followedthem, but failed to save hisdaughters. According to aneyewitness, he tried his best torescue them, but only managedto save Banyamin. —INP

102 foreignersheld inNaukandiCHAGHI—Frontier Corps andKharan Rifles in their jointoperation arrested 102foreigners conducted at twoseparate places in Naukundi onSaturday. According tosources, the foreign detaineeshave been arrested who wereliving illegally in Pakistanunder the foreign act. Furtherinvestigation is underway fromthe detainees. —INP

PTI media celldissolutiondemandedStaff ReporterLAHORE—Media CoordinatorPakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf JavedBadar has demanded fordissolution of media cellsimultaneously along withother party wings for the partyelections.He made this demand to theparty chief Imran Khan, sayingthat the Secretary InformationPTI Shafqat Mahmood has losthis credibility among the PTIworkers because of his poorperformance.

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s new Permanent Representative Masood Khan, after presenting hiscredentials, shaking hands with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Zawahiri urgesholy war overanti-Islam filmCAIRO—The leader of al Qaedahas urged Muslims to wage holywar against the United States andIsrael over a film that insulted Is-lam. In an audio message releasedby al Qaeda’s media arm As-Sahab and posted on militantwebsites early on Saturday, al-Zawahiri claimed Washington al-lowed the film’s production un-der the pretext of freedom of ex-pression, “but this freedom did notprevent them from torturing Mus-lim prisoners.”

Ayman al-Zawahiri praised as“honest and zealous” demonstra-tors who breached the US Em-bassy in Cairo and attackers whostormed the US “embassy” inBenghazi in violence linked to thefilm. The American ambassa-dor and three others died in theSept. 11 attack on the US Consu-late in the Libyan city. The ama-teur film “Innocence of Muslims”was made by an Egyptian-bornAmerican citizen.—INP

Zardari to kick offelection campaign

in PunjabLAHORE—Pakistan People’sParty will kick start its politicalactivities in Punjab for thed gen-eral elections with PresidentAsif Ali Zardari is addressingthe first gathering in MandiBahauddin on October 25.

According to sources, Presi-dent has directed the party work-ers to mainly focus Punjab andinitiate the political activitiesmuch vigorously in all majorand important cities of Punjab.

Necessary arrangementshave been initiated to make thepresident first address to thepeople of Mandi Bahuddin asuccessful event. —INP

THERE’S a new weapon in the waragainst malaria – the cell phone.Harvard researchers found they could

track the spread of malaria in Kenya usingphone calls and text messages from 15 mil-lion mobile phones.

“Before mobile phones,we had proxies for humantravel, like road networks,census data and small-scale GPS studies,” saidstudy author CarolineBuckee, an assistant profes-sor of epidemiology at theHarvard School of PublicHealth. “But now that mo-bile phones have spreadthroughout the world, wecan start using these mas-sive amounts of data toquantify human move-ments on a larger scale andcouple this data withknowledge of infectionrisk.”

Buckee and colleaguesused mobile phone recordsfrom June 2008 and June 2009 to track thetiming and origin of calls and texts among15 million Kenyan mobile phone subscrib-ers. They then compared the volume of sub-scribers in a particular region to that region’sknown malaria prevalence. By studyingnetworks of human and parasite movement,the team could then determine primarysources of malaria and who was most likelyto become infected.

The results, published Thursday in thejournal Science, suggest that malaria trans-mission within Kenya is dominated by travelfrom Lake Victoria on the country’s west-ern edge to the more central capital city of

Nairobi. And human carriers of the ma-laria parasite, who may not show symp-toms, far outpace the flying limits of mos-quitoes in endemic regions.

“How travelers acquire malaria else-where and bring it home has been mostly

surmised from expert knowl-edge and judgment,” said Dr.William Schaffner, professorand chairman of the depart-ment of preventive medicineat Vanderbilt University.“Here we’ve used this unre-lated cell phone technology.”

With 89 percent of theestimated 1 million annualmalaria deaths occurring inAfrica, the Harvard findingsmay help researchers betterunderstand how humantravel patterns can spreaddisease and potentially leadto improved public healthefforts to curb the mosquito-borne infection. “I think it isso neat and extraordinarilyimaginative,” said Schaffner.

“It has me bouncing up and down in mychair with excitement.”

“I suspect that some people will getantsy about big brother following you,”Schaffner said, alluding to the privacyconcerns that accompany mobile technol-ogy. “I’m more excited about the possi-bilities to prevent serious disease.” Buckeesaid efforts to eradicate malaria in sub-Saharan countries, including Kenya, hasbeen challenged by tight budgets. “They can’t screen and treat everyone,”she said. “[Mobile phones] could be re-ally powerful tools for targeting resourceswith very practical applications.”

Tracking Malariawith cell phones

LIAQAT TOOR

ISLAMABAD—Since establish-ment of diplomatic relationsbetween Pakistan andAzerbaijan twenty years back,the ties between both the na-tions have grown to strategiclevel.

Supporting each other onKashmir and NagornoKarabakh issues, mutual trust,shared perception on globaland regional issues, historicproximity and with brotherlyfeelings, both the nationshave sailed to new waterswhere they can happily de-pend on each other in times oftrial. To celebrate 20th anniver-sary of these splendid bondsand 21st anniversary of na-tional independence of Re-public of Azerbaijan, a prolific,energetic and sincere friend ofPakistan, Dashgin Shikarov,ambassador of Azerbaijanthrew a grand reception inhonour of Pakistani elites onThursday evening where poli-ticians from different shadesof opinion, parliamentarians,

members of diplomatic corps,businessmen, intellectuals,

mediamen and friends ofAzerbaijan thronged the gala

held in a local hotel. ChairmanSenate, Syed Nayyer Hussain

Bokhari was the Chief Gueston the occasion which wasalso graced by ANP leaders in-cluding Haji Adeel, SalimSaifullah, Senator Ghulam Aliand Lt.Gen ( retd) AbdulQayyum. The enthusiasticguests greeted DashginShikarov, who welcomed themwith open arms in the show.After playing of national an-thems of both the nations, theSenate Chairman and othereminent guests joined the am-bassador in cut-ting the ceremo-nial amidst ap-plause by thep a r t i c i p a n t s .Display of traditions ofAzerbaijan and Pakistan in mu-sical outburst, tasteful foodserved on the occasion andwarm hospitality were hall markof the gala.

In his brief but emotionalspeech, Dashgin Shikarov saidPakistan was one of the firstcountries in the world to rec-ognize our independence andfrom that very day the ties offriendship and partnership are

ISLAMABAD: A charming view of the yellow flowers blossoming at the median of 7th Avenue.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir

ISLAMABAD: Artists performing in a play “Pawnay 14 August” written by AnwarMaqsood at PNCA.

Anniversary of Pak-Azerbaijan Diplomatic Relations

Pak-Azerbaijan relations sail to new watersMulti-faceted ties have grown to strategic level; Support each other on their core issues:

Dashgin Shikarvo; President Zardari’s proposed visit to open new chapter

ISLAMABAD: Chief guest Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Ambas-sador of Azerbaijan Dashgin Shikarov, Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Observer Zahid Malik,President PML (Like-Minded) Saleem Saifullah, ANP Leader Haji Adeel, Former Presi-dent ICCI Munawar Mughal, Senator Haji Ghulam Ali and others after cutting a cakeon the occasion of 20th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations betweenAzerbaijan and Pakistan and 21st Anniversary of National Independence Day of Repub-lic of Azerbaijan.—PO photo

developing in all spheres oflife. Enjoying common cul-tural, religious and traditionalvalues and supporting eachother on issues of NagornoKarabkh and Kashmir, bothare ever ready to extend help-ing hand to each other inhours of trial.

The scheduled visit ofPresident Asif Ali Zardari toAzerbaijan in the frameworkof Economic CooperationOrganization Summit will be

another re-markable eventof our relation-ship and willgive a momen-

tum to our mutual coopera-tion, he said. Chairman Sen-ate Syed Nayyer HussainBokhari speaking on the oc-casion said relationshipwhich is characterised byshared perception on globalissues will continue to grow.Baku and Islamabad mustforge a joint and fortifiedfront to counter common re-gional challenges like terror-ism and extremism, he said.

SANA JAMAL

ISLAMABAD—Laughing atone instant and sobbing in atick – such were the responseof the audiences watching‘Pawnay 14 August’, a witty,delightfully provocative andbrilliantly acted play. Writtenby Anwar Maqsood, the playtook a while to arrive in

Brilliant, thought-provoking playIslamabad after enchantingKarachi and Lahore theatrelovers, is now playing at Pa-kistan National Council of theArts till 22 Oct..

‘Pawnay 14 August’ is amarvel of joys and tragedies.The humorous political satiretake digs at the whole gamutof Pakistan’s 65-year historythrough a candid exploration

of social, political and culturalissues. Anwar Maqsood’sdistinctive witty humour com-bined with DawarMehmood’s fine directionskills and presented byKopykats Productionsbrought a refreshing script tolife. Amidst the sentiment, theplay is packed with hilariousone-liners.

PAF retiredofficers’ meeting

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—A meeting ofPAF Retired Officers’ Asso-ciation (PAFROA)Rawalpindi/Islamabad chap-ter was held today at AirHeadquarters Officers’ Mess,Islamabad.

Air Chief Marshal TahirRafique Butt, Chief of AirStaff, Pakistan Air Force wasthe chief guest at the occa-sion. All the members andtheir families attended themeeting.

Liaquat Ali Khan’sdeath anniversary

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The Nazriya-i-Pakistan Council Islamabadhas arranged a special func-tion to mark the death anni-versary of the first Prime Min-ister of Pakistan, NawabzadaKhan Liaquat Ali Khan on16th October at 10 am, at theAiwan-i-Quaid Auditorium, F-9 Park, Islamabad.

Kanwar MuhammadDilshad, Naiz A. Irfan,Mohammad Arshad andAnjum Khaleeq will speak onthe occasion to pay homage toShaheed-i-Millat and highlighthis services rendered duringthe Pakistan Movement and inrehabilitation of Mahajreen invery difficult circumstances af-ter the independence.

ISLAMABAD—Chief Justiceof Islamabad High Court, Jus-tice Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rehman has said that mak-ing arrangements for speedyand inexpensive justice isthe responsibility of the Ex-ecutive and judges mayadopt such measures whichcan help achieve the objec-tive of a just society.

He expressed these viewsin the certificate awarding cer-emony of one -week trainingcourse entitled “How to be aneffective Senior Civil Judge”for Senior Civil Judges hailingfrom all over the country in-cluding Azad Jammu andKashmir and Gilgit-Baltistanhere at the Federal JudicialAcademy (FJA), Islamabad on

Dispensation of expeditiousjustice for good governance

Saturday. He said that Justiceand its effective dispensationis the duty of every state.

The States where dispen-sation of justice is faulty ornot upto the mark are fallingin the category of failedstates, he added. “I considerthe good governance andjustice at par and inter-depen-dent because you cannotachieve a good governancewithout dispensation of ex-peditious and inexpensivejustice,” he said.

Chief Justice of IHC saidthat in the light of Quranicverses as well as sayings ofthe Holy Prophet (PBUH),dispensation of justice is notsimply a source of livelihoodfor Judges and Judicial Offic-

ers but also source of their‘Nijat’ on the Day of Judg-ment.

Therefore,” I request you(the young judicial officers) todo the justice even the Heav-ens may fall but I am aware ofthe circumstances whereinyou are administering jus-tice”.

Working for just andgood society is a propheticmission and you will certainlybe rewarded for your effortsfor a just and good societynot in this world but in theworld hereafter. Hashim Abro,spokesmen of the Academysaid that Chief Justice alsoawarded certificates to thetwenty senior civil judges inthe ceremony.—APP

CITY REPORTER

I S L A M A B A D —Renownedlegendary Pakistani musi-cian Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s63rd birthday was observedSaturday.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khanwas born on October 13,1948 in Faisalabad. He wasa singer of Qawwali andConsidered one of the great-

est singers ever recorded,he possessed a six-octavevocal range and could per-form at a high level of in-tensity for severalhours,according to PTV.

Extending the 600-yearold Qawwali tradition of hisfamily, Nusrat Fateh AliKhan is widely creditedwith introducing Sufi mu-sic to international audi-

ences. He was popularlyknown as Shahenshah-e-Qawwali, meaning The Kingof Kings of Qawwali.

According to theGuinness Book of WorldRecords, Nusrat Fateh AliKhan holds the world recordfor the largest recorded out-put by a Qawwali artist-atotal of 125 albums as of2001.

Legendary singer Nusrat FatehAli Khan’s birthday observed

Ban imposed onintra-city transfer

RAWALPINDI—The City Dis-trict Government Rawalpindi(CDGR) has again imposedimmediate ban on intra-citytransfer of teachers, clerksand class-IV employees ofdistrict education departmenttill next order.

Moreover, formal circularwas also issued in this regardand district education depart-ment has stopped the courseof action on the applicationsubmitted for transfers.

Sources said that the banon transfer of employees ofeducation department wasimposed due to rationalisationscrutiny, adding that the samewould also help to overcom-ing shortage of vacant postof teachers and class-IV em-ployees.—INP

ISLAMABAD: Famous film director Syed Noor and film star Saima giving prizes towinners of a singing competition organized at a local Hotel.—PO photo

ISLAMABAD: Famous artist Laila Zuberi with models during inauguration ceremony of Kolaaj Fashion House at F-10.—PO photo Sultan Bashir

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—A three-daynational polio immunizationcampaign would start fromMonday to vaccinate chil-dren aged less than five years,all over the country.

A special ceremony hasbeen organized to inauguratethe campaign at Aiwan-e-Sadar on October 15 (Mon-day). President Asif AliZardari, Governors of all theprovinces, Prime Minister ofAzad Jammu and Kashmir andall Chief Secretaries wouldparticipate in the ceremony.

Ambassador of Japan,Hiroshi Oe, representatives ofinternational organizationsincluding World Health Orga-nization, United Nations Chil-dren Fund (UNICEF), Bill andMilinda Gates Foundation,USAID, Rotary Internationaland Japan International Co-operation Agency wouldalso participate in the event.

Chief of polio team, Den-nis King talking to APP hereon Saturday said first quarterof 2013 is best time to get ridof the fatal disease completelyfrom the country as the mer-cury will drop and the virusgrowth will also reduce in theseason. He said the poliocampaign from October 15-17

will be last National Immuni-zation Days (NIDs) for thisyear in which 34 million chil-dren would be vaccinatedpolio drops.

Unicef representativesaid in October 2011, the po-lio cases were reported from41 districts of the country andthis year these cases are re-ported from 23 districts onlywhich is very encouragingdevelopment, adding, “thisdifference is remarkable”.

He also informed that theawareness level has been in-creased in mother and theycooperate with polio staffwhich help them to achievetheir goals. “Mothers also re-alized importance of polio im-munization every time to pre-vent their children from thedisease”, King stated.

He said that the NationalEmergency Action Plan foreradication of polio has alsoplayed a pre vital role in thepolio eradication campaign.

Under the plan the pro-vincial, district and UnionCouncil administration wasdeclared responsible if anycase was reported from thearea and this step producedpositive results, King said.

A representative of Na-tional Polio Eradication Pro-gram giving details of the po-

lio campaign said, a total of77,168 vaccination teams willvisit house to house acrossthe country to prevent themfrom the fatal disease.

Moreover, 5,824 teamswill function on the busy mar-ket places, bus stations, air-ports, railway stations andother busy routes and pointsto vaccinate children out ofhouse on the move, he said.

An additional 9679 vac-cination fixed teams will alsowork in the health facilitiesand clinics. Vaccination teamswill be supervised by a totalof 16, 750 area supervisors and3159 Union Council inchargesand medical officers.

There is a ban on vacci-nation in North and SouthWaziristan Agencies since af-ter the June vaccinationround, depriving more than2,00,000 children from poliovaccination, the official said.

Nasirabad and Jaffarabaddistricts are seriously af-fected by flood and situationis under review for implemen-tation of National Immuniza-tion Days, he informed. WorldHealth Organization andUnited Nations ChildrenFund provincial, district andUnion Council level staff willassist National ImmunizationDays implementation, he said.

Three-day polio campaignto start from Monday

Police net 35lawbreakers

CITY REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—Police under itsongoing drive against anti-so-cial elements have arrested 35lawbreakers including twodrunkards and recovered 3250grams charras, 1525 gramsheroin, 55 bottles of liquor, 10pistols 30 bore with 31 rounds,two rifles with seven roundsand other items from the pos-session of the arrested persons.

According to Rawalpindipolice spokesperson, city policeheld two persons namely Faisaland Aleem as they were underthe influence of alcohol.

The spokesman further in-formed that City Police Officer(CPO) has issued special direc-tives to all the police officers ofthe district that an effectivestrategy should be formulatedto control street crime in the cityand those found indulged instreet crimes should be sentbehind the bars. The CPO di-rected that police patrollingshould be made more effectiveand solid steps should be takenfor the arrest of proclaimed of-fenders so that the crime ratecould be controlled.

Disconnectionof water taps in

Raja Bazaarprotested

RAWALPINDI—Traders andcitizens have voiced strongconcern over disconnection ofclean drinking water supply toRaja Bazaar.

WASA had earlier in-stalled water taps to supplypotable water to the inmatesof Raja Bazaar and the citizenswho come here for shopping.But these were disconnectedby WASA for the reasons bestknown to them, said a groupof traders.

We have installed 15 wa-ter coolers on the self help ba-sis in the bazaar to provideclean drinking water to the visi-tors which are also insufficientand don’t meet the require-ments, said president of trad-ers federation. We bring cleanwater from filtration plant anduse it through our coolers, headded. We pay taxes but it em-barrasses us highly when wevisit this bazaar for shoppingand find no arrangement exist-ing in the bazaar in connectionwith clean drinking water ,said Aisha, a lady customer.We are forced to drink bever-ages and soft drinks in the ab-sence of this facility, sheadded.—Online

Bid to smuggle 2kg heroin thwartedISLAMABAD—A bid tosmuggle heroin of millions ofrupees abroad has beenthwarted by the concernedauthorities of Benazir BhuttoAirport.

According to thesources, a passenger, namelyRamazan entered the depar-ture lounge for boarding whenthe briefing for flight No 787from Islamabad to Jeddah wasunderway the other day. Dur-ing the search of the luggageof the passenger, the authori-ties concerned found two ki-lograms of heroin.

The authorities confis-cated the heroin and trans-ferred the passenger to un-known place for investiga-tion. Meanwhile, a foreigner,namely Lufalghua, bound toChina was taken under cus-tody by the Customs officialson the recovery of $16,900from this possession.—INP

ISLAMABAD—The SenateStanding Committee on Edu-cation and Training, in itsmeeting held here, directedthe Ministry of Education andTraining to ensure transpar-ency and equal access of allthe provinces to scholar-ships, fellowships and train-ing courses.

Chairing the committeemeeting, Senator Abdul NabiBangash expressed displea-sure over giving unequal op-portunities in term of scholar-ships and fellowships to theofficers and students in thepast.

He directed the ministryto ensure participation of thecandidates from all the prov-inces to end the sense of dep-rivation among the people offar flung areas and provinces.

The officials of NationalVocational and TechnicalTraining Commission(NAVTTC), Pakistan NationalCommission for UNESCO(PNCU), National Commis-sion for Rural Development(AHK- NCRD), Academy ofEducational, Planning andManagement (AEPAM), Pa-kistan Manpower Institute(PMI) and National TrainingBureau (NTB) gave a detailedbriefing about the scholar-

ships, fellowships and train-ing courses held during thelast few years.

Director NCRD, Brig(retd) Amanullah informed thecommittee that during the lasttwo years, 54 fully fundedcourses were offered amongwhich only 14 were availed.The reason for not availingthe majority of the courseswas delay in the nominationprocess due to devolution, headded.

Over all, through NCRD,Pakistan has participated inover 250 fully funded trainingprogrammes, workshops andseminars, he said.

Director GeneralNAVTTC Shahrukh Nusratsaid that the Prime Minister’sHunermand Programme hadbenefitted around 106,208trainers upto 2012 at a cost ofRs 1526 million.

DG AEPAM AzharHussain said tha the AEPAMhad trained 10,000 educationmanagers since its inceptionin 1982 and it would imple-ment three new projects dur-ing 2012-13 with Rs 30.838million. He pointed out thehuge gap between the num-ber of scholarships given tothe candidates from differentprovinces and the ICT and

said that FATA, KhyberPakhtunkhwa and other prov-inces had been neglected.

He recommended that theministry should ensure timelyand proper nominations for allprovinces and their focal per-sons to ensure timely andproper nominations for all theprovinces, avoiding negli-gence and discrimination.

DG PMI MuhammadAzam informed the committeethat their hostel and audito-rium buildings , after devolu-tion, had been occupied Min-istry of Human Resource De-velopment and Overseas Pa-kistanis, which was affectingthe participants of training.

The committee chairmandirected to call secretaries ofboth the ministries in the nextmeeting to get the buildingsvacated.

Senator Afrasiab Khattakdirected the ministry to gethold of the new law for gov-erning the Higher EducationCommission, which was sentto the Law Ministry by Imple-mentation Committee.

The committee recom-mended that the staff of Par-liament House should also begiven professional and tech-nical training in their respec-tive fields.—APP

Senate Body expresses displeasureover unequal access to scholarships

RAWALPINDI: A female vendor cutting seasonal fruit and placing it on ice block to sellat her roadside set-up.

ISLAMABAD: A singer performing during musical programme “Shagird Fankar”at PNCA.

RAWALPINDI—Town Munici-pal Administration (TMA),Rawal Town has acceleratedits ongoing operationlaunched against illegal con-structions in the city.

TMA demolished fourshops and two houses con-structed illegally. Variouscommercial and residentialbuildings are being demol-ished while despite pressures,no relaxation is being givento anyone and fee in this re-gard is also being charged inaccordance with the rules.According to TMA, Rawal

TMA accelerates operationagainst illegal constructions

Town spokesman stern disci-plinary action is also beingtaken against the enforcementinspectors found indulged inany illegal activity.

Deputy Town Officer saidthat the trend to submit build-ing plans for formal approvalhas gone up due to whichenhanced revenue is beingcollected against map feecharges.

The spokesman informedthat the ongoing operationagainst illegal constructionsin Rawal Town has been ac-celerated on the special in-

structions of AdministratorRawal Town and strict actionis being taken against the vio-lators of the law.

He said after solid stepstaken in this regard, the rev-enue generation has also beenincreased considerably asnow the citizens are submit-ting their building plans to getformal approval before anyconstruction. The TMA offi-cials have also been warnedto improve their performanceotherwise stern action wouldbe taken against those violat-ing the rules, he said.—APP

Implementationof rotation policyin CDA ordered

RAWALPINDI—Implementa-tion of the rotation policy i.e.transfers of the employees af-ter every three years of servicein one department of CapitalDevelopment Authority(CDA) employees has beenordered.

According to thesources, Chairmen of theCDA, Syed Tahir Shahbaz,taking notice of the situationsaid that some officials of thecivic authority were workingin their departments for morethan three years and have es-tablished their monopolythere. He ordered to hold theroutine transfers.

The sources in the CDAtold INP that due to lack ofimplementation of the rotationpolicy, issues of corruptionand governance were surfac-ing in the authority.

Departments like HR, Es-tate Management One, EstateManagement Two, Land andRehabilitation and MunicipalAdministration are favouritesections of the CDA officers,the sources said, addingsome officials were workingin departments of land andestate fo15 to 20 years.

The implementation ofthe rotation policy wouldstart from Human ResourceDirectorate where the offi-cials have been working forlast one decade, the sourceinformed; adding though theexecution of the policy inChairman Secretariat wouldbe real test of the CDA chair-man.—INP

Free dental campCITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Three dayFree Dental Check-up Campwith the collaboration ofSpecial Olympics Pakistanand Colgate Pakistan hasconcluded at IslamabadDental Hospital, Bharakau.Free check-up of 42 SpecialChildren of National Centrefor Special Children was car-ried out.

39 Children of NationalCentre, 34 Children of MashalInstitute and 17 Children fromSpecial Education CentreKahuta were examined by theexpert doctors.

On 12th Oct, Dr. SaimaAzam, Dr. Beenish, Dr. Adil,Dr.Maham and other seniordoctors examined the 46 chil-dren from National Centre, 43from Neshamin College WahCantt. and 12 Children fromGovt Special Education Cen-tre, Kotli Sattian.

On this occasion Manag-ing Director Islamabad Medi-cal and Dental College Mr.Yasir Niazi said that SpecialChildren requires special at-tention and we can make thembetter and productive citizensof the society with some spe-cial look after and care.

ISLAMABAD—The trial ofseven suspects, includingLeT’s operational com-mander Zakiur RehmanLakhvi, allegedly involved in2008 Mumbai attack case hasbeen adjourned till Novem-ber 3 as the judge of the courthearing the case has beenadmitted to hospital, a pros-ecutor said on Saturday.

Judge Chaudhry Habib-ur-Rehman would be onleave till October 26 due tohis health problem, specialpublic prosecutor ChaudhryZulfiqar Ali said.

The trial has been ad-journed till next month as thejudge’s leave would be fol-lowed by the Eid holidays.The exact nature of thejudge’s health problem couldnot immediately be ascer-tained.

Lakhvi and six other sus-pects have been chargedwith planning, financing andfacilitating the 26/11 attacksthat killed 166 people inMumbai.

The judge of theRawalpindi-based Anti-ter-rorism court has been con-

ducting the trial behind closedoors at Adiala Jail for secu-rity reasons.

Ali said the Federal In-vestigation Agency wouldalso pursue two petitions inthe Islamabad High Court toget Ajmal Kasab, the lonesurviving attacker, declaredas proclaimed offender or fu-gitive and to obtain voicesamples of the seven sus-pects.

These measures werenecessary to take forward theprosecution of the sevensuspects, he said.—INP

Mumbai attacks casetrial adjourned till Nov 3

ISLAMABAD—Hajji camphas become a problematiccamp for intending pilgrimsdue to lack of facilities.

The inmates of camphave complained againstlack of cleanliness arrange-ment, provision of sub stan-dard and unhygienic fooditems and non availability ofother amenities.

Sitting arrangement isnext to nil and the essentialcommodities particularlyfood items are being sold athigh rates, said a group of

intending pilgrims.Sewerage line passing

outside the main gate of thecamp is broken and dilapi-dated and it continues togush out filth and excrementthe whole day long pollutingthe environment.

The Hajjis have toweather the onslaughts ofbuzzing flies carrying germsof fatal diseases while diningin the hotels which are lo-cated close to this sewerageline. Garbage dumps can beseen queuing in around the

hotels and camp in pilesupon piles transmitting ab-dominal and other diseasesbut no arrangement hasbeen made for their removal.

Intending pilgrims haveto dine while sitting on theground as no measureshave been taken for provid-ing them chairs and tables.

The director HajjiCamp Golra More said thatnot a single complaint hasbeen received from anyHajji during current Hajjseason. —Online

Haji camp turnsinto problematic camp

ISLAMABAD—The CapitalDevelopment Authority(CDA), Estate Managementcarried out allotment of 58plots in Sector E-11 followinga balloting ceremony in CDAheadquarters the other day.

Chairman CDA Syed TahirShahbaz, Member EstateManagement Shaista Sohail,Director Estate Management,Naveed-ul-Haq and manyother officials of the civic

body were also present on theoccasion. Sources said that 35allotment letters have been is-sued while the remainingwould be handed over toallotees in next two days.

CDA had auctioned the 58developed plots at the cost ofRs18 million each, a year back,and allotees had also made 40percent down payment whichis equivalent to Rs7.2 million.After stay orders of the

Islamabad High Court, the al-lotments of the plot had notbeen done but after the courtdischarged the stay the otherday, the CDA officials decidedto carry out balloting for theallotment of the same in haste.

On the other hand, Mem-ber Estate Managementopined that as CDA has notreceived anything in writtenin this connection so the bal-loting went ahead.—INP

CDA allots 58 plotsin Sector E-11 after ballot

05:3001:3004:45

07:30

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Continues

LARGEST exhibition ofPakistani contemporary artcelebrating 30 years ofRohtas Gallery is on at theNational Art Gallery untilOctober 24th. The exhibitionis taking place in galleries5,6, and 7 of the NationalArt Gallery. Gallery timingare Sunday to Thursdayfrom 10 A.M. to 5 pm.

*****

EID sale 20 % off starts onAliya Fahad’s original fab-rics at MODEVILLE, house6, st 60, F-6/3..# 8440011Time 11 am to 9 pm.

“Even if you’re on theright track, you’ll getrun over if you just

sit there.”

— Will Rogers

Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh meeting with Ms Justine Greening, UK Secretary of State, on the marginsof the 2012 annual meeting of the World Bank and IMF in Tokyo.

Chairman of IPO-Pakistan Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi inaugurating Energy Expo orga-nized Renewable and Alternative Energy Association of Pakistan at Islamabad.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Minister ofState for Commerce AbbasKhan Afridi informed theNational Assembly that thetotal bilateral trade volumebetween Pakistan and Phil-ippines stood at $ 124 mil-lion during the financialyear 2011-12.

Replying to a question,Afridi said that at present Pa-kistan had no bilateral trade

Pak-Philippines tradevolume stands at $124m

agreement with Philippines.However, the feasibility studyfor Pak-ASEAN FTA, whichhas concluded recently, hashas recommended that theagreement will be beneficial forboth the sides, he added.

He said that a memoran-dum of understanding be-tween the cambers of com-merce and industries of thetwo countries had beensinged to promote business-to-business cooperation.

Afridi said that the JointEconomic Commission be-tween Pakistan and Philip-pines was established in2009. The Economic AffairsDivision, being the coordi-nating agency, has been re-quested to consider duringthe inaugural session of theJEC formation of a jointstudy group to explore thepossibilities of FTA be-tween the two countries, headded.

TOKYO—Finance Minister Dr.Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Saturdaysaid growth in economic sec-tor is picking up in Pakistan andit is expected to be around fourpercent this year. The FinanceMinister said this during a meet-ing with UK Secretary of StateJustine Greening on the side-lines of the annual meetings ofWB and IMF being held in To-kyo. Highlighting the socio-economic situation, the Minis-ter said that it is for the first timein the history of Pakistan thattrue democratic transition is tak-ing place and the economy isin good condition.

“We have considerableforeign reserves”, the Minis-ter added. He said that democ-racy is getting strong foothold

Growth rate mayreach 4pc: Hafeez

in Pakistan where all the insti-tutions are working efficientlyand independently. Despitesome security problems, thegovernment has succeeded inimproving the economic con-ditions of the country, headded. The Finance Ministersaid, “We have achieved anincrease of 28% in our exportsand the GDP growth rate is ex-pected to be around 4% thisyear.” He said that the govern-ment has eliminated 392 smalllevies from the country and thecustom duty on imports hasbeen slashed in order to openthe economy to attract the for-eign direct investment.

He said due to govern-ments tax reforms, revenue col-lection has been doubled since

2008. The Minister said that thegovernment is pursuing re-gional balance in developmentfocusing on Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA where spe-cial projects have beenlaunched to improve the socio-economic conditions of thepeople. He said that after 7thNFC award the provinces havebeen given more resources toimprove the socio-economicconditions of the people.Justine Greening, UK Secretaryof State appreciated the reformsbrought about by the presentdemocratic government in Pa-kistan. She said that UnitedKingdom will continue its sup-port to Pakistan to improve theeconomy and reduce the pov-erty.—APP

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—REAP 2nd In-ternational Exhibition andConference on “AlternativeEnergy and Energy Efficiency”commenced here on Saturday.REAP 2nd International Exhi-bition and Conference orga-nized by Renewable and Alter-native Energy Association ofPakistan would last for threedays.

Addressing REAP 2nd In-ternational Exhibition andConference, Chairman Intel-lectual Property Organization(IPO) MNA Hameed Ullah JanAfreidi has said that the phe-nomenon of energy shortageis fairly common in most ofunder developed world. How-ever, many of these countriesare managing the situationpretty well by way of a solidstrategy, planning and utiliza-

Importance of alternativeenergy highlighted

tion of techniques and solu-tions that are already com-monly available all over theworld.

He said that we need toponder, is how to put renew-able energy financing as wellas micro financing from thepoint of view of rural electrifi-cation inplace so that it isreadily and ubiquitously avail-able to everyone who fulfills abasic set requirement, just likein Western Nations.

He said that it can be seenthat, this results in a large sec-tion of population taking in-terest in the subsidies and fi-nancing to have On Grid solarhome systems installed.

This activity gathers mo-mentum to turn into an overallgreen movement for any par-ticular area or country therebyfuelling many vertical indus-trial sectors.

Hameed Ullah Jan Afridifurther said that in addition tothis, there is an urgent needfor the relevant governmentquarters to announce themuch awaited residential re-newable energy feed in tariffs.

These residential feed intariffs coupled with easily ac-cessible financing options areessential ingredients that area must for a thriving renewableenergy culture.

Sadly, as of today we arelacking on both these points,he added. He was of the viewthat once we have put the resi-dential FiTs (feed in tariffs) andRE financing in place I am sureand very hopeful that soon wewould be a very successful androle model for other develop-ing nations to follow as far asRE is concerned.

Afridi said that as per

Continued on Page 14

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SIALKOT—First WomenBank Limited (FWBL) Presi-dent Shafqat Sultana has saidthat Women Bank was mak-ing adequate efforts for pro-moting SME sector especiallywomen engaged with busi-ness across the country.

Talking to media persons,she said that in order to pro-mote SMEs the bank was ex-tending loan facilities fromRs0.5 million to 1 million andunder its microfinanceschemes small loans of Rs10,000 to 25,000 would beprovided to loan seekers forestablishment of their small

FWBL promoting SME sectorbusiness in the country. Tofacilitate the loan seekers, thebank had introduced a verysimplified procedure for thepurpose, she said.

Shafqat Sultana addedthat the bank was trying tocreate job opportunities foreducated and qualified fe-males and hopefully the edu-cated females interested inobtaining employment inFWBL would be adjusted.

The FWBL President dis-closed that at present asmany as 42 branches of thebank successfully function-ing in various parts of thecountry while establishmentof more branches including

Sialkot were on the cards.Shafqat Sultana said

thousands of account hold-ers including women folkwere utilising the FWBL fa-cilities.

Earlier, Area ManagerFWBL Sabiha Zafar apprisedthe President that at presentmore than 8,000 women wereaccount holders only inSialkot and we are making allout efforts to increase thenumber of female account.FWBL Sialkot ManagerRizwana Shafique alsobriefed about the functioningof the bank as well asachievements of Sialkotbranch in detail.

Continued on Page 14

TOKYO—The InternationalMonetary Fund (IMF) willdistribute SDR 700 million(about US$1.1 billion) in re-serves attributed to wind-fall gold sales profits to itsmembers in order to boostits concessional lending ca-pacity for low-income coun-tries during the global cri-sis.

The distribution is a keyelement of a 2009 plan toboost concessional lendingcapacity to US$17 billion

IMF to distribute $1.1b of gold sales profits to low income countriesover the five years to 2014.The decision authorizing thedistribution was taken by theExecutive Board in February2012, to become effectiveonly after IMF members haveprovided satisfactory assur-ances that new amountsequivalent to at least 90 per-cent of the amount distrib-uted i.e. SDR 630 millionwould be transferred or oth-erwise provided to the IMF’sconcessional lending ve-hicle, the Poverty Reduction

and Growth Trust (PRGT).The 90 percent threshold hasbeen reached with assur-ances received from thecountries listed below, mean-ing the distribution can nowtake place. The IMF will con-tinue to seek contributionsfrom remaining members inorder to maximizeconcessional lending capac-ity. In addition, as agreed onSeptember 28, the Fund isstarting a process for seek-ing assurances on a separate

distribution of the remaininggold sales windfall profits ofUS$2.7 billion.

“This is a wonderfulachievement that demon-strates our members’ deter-mination to ensure the IMFhas the wherewithal to sup-port its low-income membersthrough this crisis,” IMFManaging Director ChristineLagarde stated. “For manycountries this process hasinvolved complex legal orlegislative steps, and it is a

tribute to our membershipthat we have arrived at therequired level in just a fewmonths.”

Because gold sales prof-its are part of the IMF’s gen-eral resources available forthe benefit of the entire mem-bership, they cannot beplaced directly in the PRGT,which is available only tolow-income member coun-tries. Accordingly, usingthese resources for PRGT fi-nancing required a distribu-

tion of the resources to allIMF member countries inproportion to their quotashares, on the expectationthat members would directthe Fund to transfer theseresources (or would providebroadly equivalent amounts)to the PRGT as subsidy con-tributions. The resourcesraised through the operationwill count towards the 2009package’s target of raising anadditional SDR 1.5 billion(US$2.3 billion) in PRGT sub-

sidies. The balance is beingraised from other sources,including additional bilateralcontributions which the IMFcontinues to seek from mem-ber countries.

The IMF sold 403.3 met-ric tons of gold in 2009-10as part of a plan to ensurethe long-term financing ofthe IMF’s day-to-day op-erations through the cre-ation of an endowment us-ing anticipated gold salesprofits of some SDR 4.4 bil-

lion (US$6.8 billion). Highworld gold prices during thesales period, over andabove the US$850 anounce envisaged when thesales were originallyplanned, generated “wind-fall” profits of some SDR2.45 billion (about US$3.8billion). The first SDR 700million of those windfallprofits will be now distrib-uted to the membership inproportion to their IMFquota shares.—INP

Zardari to attendECO summit in Baku

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—President AsifAli Zardari is scheduled tovisit to Baku, Azerbaijan toparticipate in the 12th Sum-mit of the Economic Coopera-tion Organization (ECO)members being held on Oc-tober 15.

During the visit PresidentZardari would hold meetingswith Azerbaijan’s leadershipand leaders of ECO membercountries on the sidelines ofthe Summit. The 11th ECOsummit was held in Istanbulin December 2010.

The 20th Meeting of theCouncil of Ministers of theEconomic Cooperation Orga-nization (ECO) will also beheld in Baku on October 15.

The meeting of Councilof Ministers will account forthe reports of the ECO andits institutions on theprogress achieved in the mainactivity area of the ECO thatfocus among other issues, on

transport, trade, energy, en-vironment and agriculturecovering the period 2011-2012.

The meeting will adoptsubstantial decisions on thenew initiatives and activitiesreflected in the programplanned for 2012-13. The ECOSummit being held on Octo-ber will mark nearly two de-cades of sustainable function-ing of the regional organiza-tion, second largest in theworld. A Baku Declaration out-lining the vision and guidancefor the organization will be is-sued at the end of the summit.

The ECO is an intergov-ernmental organization in-volving seven Asian andthree Euro-Asian nations. Itprovides a platform to discussways to improve developmentand promote trade and invest-ment opportunities and thecommon objective is to estab-lish a single market for goodsand services, much like theEuropean Union.

AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—While the oil ex-porters surplus exceeded to$400 billion, the developingeconomies including Paki-stan heavily suffer abnormalincrease in oil, gas, electric-ity prices accompanied byextremely eroded purchasepower due to week currency,the double edge effect onsocio-economic fronts.

The oil rich economiesenjoying the windfall profits

Oil exporters surplusexceeded to $400 billion

due to rising oil prices on theback of US sanctions on Iranand disturbances in other oilproducing countries likeLibya, Yemen and othercountries, the developingeconomies like Pakistan hadto suffer adversely where theexport oriented industrieswere finding it difficult tohonor export orders.

The CNG consumers inKarachi experiencing 48 hourload shedding, besides 6-8hour power load shedding,

fading the socio economiccolors of this commercial hubof the country. The CNG shutdown provided an opportu-nity to the public transport-ers like rickshaw or cabs ask-ing four time more on the ex-cuse of non availability ofgas.

CNG station in interiorSindh however reopened af-ter Sui Southern Gas Com-pany (SSGC) restored gassupply today.

PCCC’s powergiven to

private sectorSTAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The recentlyre-constituted Pakistan Cen-tral Cotton Committee’s(PCCC) powers have beengiven to private sector whichmay manipulate cotton dateaccording to its own inter-ests, say sources.

“The reconstituting ofPakistan Central CottonCommittee will lead the coun-try to an unbiased and unau-thentic data in the future asAPTMA will manipulate cot-ton date according to its ownwish,” the sources said, add-ing that the government willalso become helpless to fixunbiased cotton productiontarget and release authenticdate of it.

The sources said afterthe reconstituting of CottonBody the government’s rolehas almost ended to fix cot-ton production target and topresent unbiased cottondate as the government willonly depend on privatesector’s data.

While talking exclusivelyto this news agency here onSaturday Cotton Commis-sioner Ministry of Textile In-dustry Dr.Khaild Abdullahtold that after the defunctFederal Committee on Agri-culture (FCA) of the de-volved Ministry of Food andAgriculture, the targets ofany crop commodity couldnot officially fixed; ratherprovinces use their lastyear’s achievements as tar-get of the next year.

Traders suggestreferendum before

NW operationSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—When Baloch-istan, constituting 44-percentof Pakistan, is in war like situ-ation and Karachi where tar-get killing incidents of busi-ness community is rising ev-ery day, what will be the logi-cal end of army operation inNorth Waziristan (NW).

The All PakistanAnjuman-e-Tajiran, thetraders’ representativesapex body, in a meeting heldat provincial capital headoffice on Saturday, raisedserious questions on theproposed operation inNorth Waziristan, suggest-ing the troika at the helm of

Continued on Page 14

Rupee firmStaff ReporterKARACHI—The rupeeremained unchangedagainst the dollar in thecurrency market, saiddealers. The rupee endedflat at 94.52 against thegreenback from Thursday’sclosing of 95.53 in theinterbank forex market. Theinterbank outright forexmarket initiated in the rangeof 95.57 and 95.60, while itrecorded the high of 95.60and the low of 95.51. “Thelocal unit remained range-bound on account ofsmooth supply of the dollarand ease in panic-buyingby importers,” said a dealer.

Cotton spot ratedownStaff ReporterKARACHI—The local cottonmarket witnessed increase inlint arrivals, which resulted indecline in spot rate by Rs75per maund, said a dealer. Thespot rate fell to Rs5,500 permaund (37.324kg) andRs5,894 per 40kg, while ex-Karachi rate declined toRs5,894 per maund andRs6,049 per 40kg afteraddition of Rs155 asupcountry expenses, he said.An analyst said that thecotton quality was good butarrivals increased this week,which resulted in decline inprices. “Prices are likely tostabilise, as the crop seemsto be damaged in upperSindh and parts of Punjab,”he said. “On the other hand,United States Department ofAgriculture (USDA) reportedthat cotton production in theworld increased, whileconsumption declined,affected the internationalcotton market negatively.”New York cotton market alsorecorded decline on allfutures on Thursday,whereas China cotton indexreported gain of a few points.

Support to exportersStaff ReporterKARACHI—The Union ofSmall and Medium Enter-prises (UNISAME) hassaid that the globaleconomy is picking up andurged the government tosupport Pakistani exportersto prepare themselves forchallenges. ZulfikarThaver, president ofUnisame, said that exportsof rice, wheat, cotton,sugar, maize and cementcould be increasedsubstantially if the govern-ment provides propersupport line. “Efforts mustbe made to export value-added goods rather thanraw material,” he said.Thaver urged the govern-ment to educate, encour-age, facilitate, motivate andsupport the sector ear-nestly, as the SMEs aresupplying value-addedgoods to the large sector.“The banks need to bridgefinancing to SMEs forpurchase of raw material,payment of freight andcommercial banks shouldreintroduce packing creditoffered by them in thepast,” he said.

MultanIndustrial Estate

by year-endSTAFF CORRESPONDENT

LAHORE—Multan IndustrialEstate, Phase-II, will be com-pleted by December 2012, the667-acre of land projectstarted in 2011. This wasstated by the Chairman,Punjab Industrial Estates(PIE), S M Tanveer.

He said that the indus-trial community has takenkeen interest in investing inthis estate. The projects willboost the economy of thearea and provide jobs to65,000 persons. He said thatimprovement in investmentclimate in Punjab has re-sulted the multinational com-panies invest in Punjab In-dustrial Estates in Multanand Lahore. He said that topten ranked multinationalcompanies were alreadyworking in Sundar IndustrialEstate and now a US basedmultinational company willbe invest at Multan Indus-trial Estate.

Agri Depttprovides 341 seedgraders to Punjab

STAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—According tothe spokesman of Agricul-ture Department 341 SeedGraders have been providedin Punjab province for offer-ing Wheat Seed Grading fa-cility free of cost to the grow-ers during current Rabi sea-son. Out of this facility 44Seed Graders will be availablein Barani area (RawalpindiDivision), he added.

According to agriculturalscientists disease free, cleanand vigorous wheat seed isnecessary for bumper har-vest for which facility of SeedGrading free of cost is beingoffered to the farmers. Wheatgrowers have been advisedto contact the local Agricul-ture Officer (Extension) foravailing the facility of seedgrading free of cost.

The experts have furtheradvised that farmers must gofor seed treatment with rec-ommended fungicides 7 to 10days before sowing the pre-vent Rust, Smut and KernalBunt diseases which causehuge loss to wheat produc-tion.

Shippingremains active

at PQKARACHI—One ships ar-rived at Port Qasim carryingpalm oil on October, 12.

Berth occupancy wasmaintained at 43% at the Porton Saturday where a total offive ships namely M.VThrgau, M.T Ivy Galaxy, M.V.Lantau Arrow, M.T BowSagami, M.T Global Aker,M.V Ana Dorothea, M.VOcean Sea are currently oc-cupying berths to load/offload cement, palm oil, fer-tilizer, wheat, phos. acid washandled at Port during last 24hours.

Cargo handling opera-tions were carried outsmoothly at the Port where acargo volume 27119 tonnescomprising 22347 tonnes im-port and 4772 tonnes exportwas handled at the Port dur-ing last 24 hours. M.T BowSagmai sailed on Friday af-ternoon.

M.T Stolt Stream, at MW-01, M.T Vermilion Energy atFOTCO arrive on 13th Octo-ber, 2012.—APP

FFC newlyconstructed head

office inauguratedOBSERVER REPORT

KARACHI—Lt Gen (Retd)Muhammad Arif Bangash,HI(M), inaugurated the newlyconstructed Head Officebuilding of Fauji FertilizerCompany (FFC).ChairmanFauji Foundation Lt Gen(Retd)Muhammad MustafaKhan, HI(M) and other seniorranking officers also gracedthe occasion.

While welcoming theChief Guest, CE & MD, Lt Gen(Retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi,HI(M) emphasized that thismoment marks the beginningof a new chapter in FFC thatis known for its excellenceand production of qualityurea. He emphasized thatSona Tower is not only astructure made of bricks andmortar; it is a symbol of hardwork, dedication, and a vi-sion for a better future. CE &MD thanked all those whoconceived and supportedthe project, facilitated in theconstruction of the buildingand provided all necessaryassistance and cooperation.He reiterated that Fauji Fer-tilizer will keep contributingto the progress and prosper-ity of the country.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The 7th Interna-tional Garment, Textile Ma-chinery and Accessories(IGATEX) exhibition 2012took place at the Expo Cen-tre Lahore by FAKT Exhibi-tions Private Limited from11th to 14th October 2012.IGATEX Pakistan 2012 exhi-bition spreads over area20.000 sqm with 446 exhibi-tors showcasing their tech-nologies from 32 countries.

Abbas Mooraj, ChairmanTEXMAP inaugurated thefour-day exhibition. Mr.Mooraj said Pakistan hasembarked on wide-ranginginitiatives for the growth intextile sector. He said that itis indeed heartening to notethat FAKT Exhibitions Paki-stan is playing an importantrole in order to provide tradeopportunities through outthe world. Mr. Mooraj hopesthat this exhibition benefitsour textile industry im-mensely. IGATEX plays animportant role and invites lat-est technology to Pakistanthereby improving better in-teraction between foreign

IGATEX 2012

Innovations,technologies under one roof

and domestic companies.M. Saleem Khan Tanoli,

Chief Executive Officer, FAKTGroup, said that “The growthof this exhibition depicts thegrowth in the textile sector.An exhibition of such staturewill play a pivotal role in in-troducing latest equipmentand machinery to the textilemarket and gearing them withall necessary measures to ad-vance in the global textile mar-ket. IGATEX Pakistan will helpPakistan to raise its image inthe eyes of global investors

as well as to boost theeconomy with the revenuegenerated from these exhibi-tions benefits the communityof Pakistan as a whole.”

Pakistan has become avery important market for tex-tile machinery and equipmentamong other textile manufac-turing countries. Consideredas one of the top 10 textileexporting countries of theworld, Pakistan is the 4th larg-est producer of cotton yarnand cloth, and the 3rd larg-est player in Asia.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—All Pakistan Pa-per Merchants Associationdemanded of the governmentto initiate reforms in the Oiland Gas Regulatory Author-ity (Ogra) immediately andensure at least 50 percentrepresentation of private sec-tor as the body has beenfailed to deliver the goods forthe trade and industry.

Leader of APPMA Busi-nessmen Group and VicePresident of APPMAKhawaja Nadeem SaeedWayeen said that Ogra hasadopted appalling weekly re-view of POL prices that issheer injustice as reportedly,government purchases oilstock for three months butmaking increase weekly forthe consumers.

While coming hard on theOgra who is showing nosympathy for the trade, in-dustry and economy, KhamisSaeed Butt and KhawajaNadeem Saeed Wayeen said

Private sector representationin Ogra sought

that Ogra should protect theinterests of stakeholders butit is doing the other wayround.

They also urged the gov-ernment to cut the number oftaxes on petroleum productsand the fuel is considered asengine of growth. If the fuelwould be heavily taxed theentire economy is bound tosuffer and the same hap-pened in Pakistan as the re-peated increases in the POLprices had ruined the indus-trial and economic activitiesin the country.

The APPMA leaders saidthat the entire industrial sectoris already facing multiple inter-nal and external challenges andweekly increase in POL priceswould further aggravate theeconomic situation.

They said that Pakistanagriculture sector is engineof growth. Weekly change inpetroleum prices would in-crease the input cost of agri-culture production as highspeed diesel is being used in

tractors, tube wells, harvest-ers, thrashers and other agri-culture machinery. They saidthat the cost of thermal gen-eration would also go up.

They said that Govern-ment is producing hugeamount of electricity throughthermal means and after in-crease in petroleum prices,prices of electricity wouldtouch new highs.

Khamis Saeed Butt andKhawaja Nadeem SaeedWayeen said that not onlythe transportation cost ofgoods would multiply butalso fares of public transportwould be increased manifold.

They said that present re-gime has disappointed thebusiness community and hasnever taken a single step forprogress and prosperity ofthe country. They said thatgovernment should get readyto face the music in the forth-coming general electionswhen the people would takerevenge from the governmentwith the power of their votes.

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Chief MinisterKhyber Pakhtunkhwa, AmeerHaider Khan Hoti, has saidthat provincial Oil and GasCompany will be establishedwithin two months to utilizethe oil and gas resources forprogress and prosperity ofthe province.

Addressing the oath tak-ing ceremony of Traders As-sociation of Takhtbai, he saidthat the establishment ofKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil andGas Company and oil refin-ery was essential for takingbenefit from the natural re-sources.

President, Traders Alli-ance, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Sharaft Ali Mubarik, Presi-dent Takhtbhai Traders As-

KP Oil & Gas Co on cardssociation, Haji MaazullahKhan, ANP Provincial VicePresident Engr. AbbasKhan, District PresidentFarooq Akram Khan andmembers of Takhtbahi busi-ness community were alsopresent.

The chief minister re-vealed that serious efforts forestablishing oil refinery wereunderway so that the prov-ince could produce refinedoil.

The chief minister saidthat the province receivedonly Rs.2 billion in 2008 asroyalty under the head of oiland gas as there was nocheck on the production atthat time, however, due to theefforts of the government, theprovince received Rs.16 bil-lion last year in this connec-

tion.He said that the future of

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa waslinked to the utilization of itsoil, gas and hydel power gen-eration potentials. He saidthat the present governmenthas undertaken sincere ef-forts in this regard. He saidthat the future governmentsneeded to continue theseprojects.

The chief minister saidthat the government wasfollowing uniform develop-ment in the province fromthe day one. He said thatthe Annual DevelopmentProgramme of KhyberPakhtunkhwa was a bit morethan Rs.30 billion in 2008,while the volume of currentyear ADP stood at Rs.94billion.

Windows 8App Debuts at

Gitex 2012OBSERVER REPORT

LAHORE—Application de-veloped by LINK Develop-ment in collaboration withMicrosoft and DWTC toprovide an even greater ex-perience with easy-to-usemobile application

Application availabilityfurther developed by DWTCto enable usage on varioussmartphones includingBlackberry, iPhone and An-droid.

More than 138,000 visi-tors to Gitex, the foremosttechnology show in the re-gion, will have a seamlesshigh-tech Gitex experiencethis year thanks to the col-laboration betweenMicrosoft, LINK Develop-ment and The Dubai WorldTrade Centre (DWTC),organisers of Gitex Technol-ogy Week 2012. Collabora-tion between the three cor-porations, each an industryleader, led to showcasing themost trending applicationbuilt on Microsoft technol-ogy, even before the officiallaunch of Windows 8 to-wards the end of October.The app will provide showvisitors an easy navigationpath through different partsof GITEX.

This new world premierfor Dubai and the region willgive visitors an exclusivesneak preview and experienceof the Windows 8 app forGitex before the officiallaunch of Windows 8 laterthis month. Visitors to thetechnology gala will begreeted with the app andguided through it.

Toyota China salestumble as islandsrow hits Japan Inc

BEIJING—Toyota MotorCorp’s China sales fell about40 percent in September fromthe year before, while thoseof rivals such as Hyundaiand BMW jumped, under-scoring how badly Japanesebrands have been hit by aterritorial row between thetwo countries.

Showroom traffic andsales have plunged at Japa-nese car makers since violentprotests and calls for boy-cotts of Japanese productsbroke out across China inmid-September over the Japa-nese government’s purchaseof a group of disputed islandsin the East China Sea fromtheir private owner.

A prolonged sales hit ofthis scale could threatenprofit forecasts at Toyota,Nissan Motor Co and othersas China, the world’s biggestcar market, makes up a big-ger portion of their globalsales.

Toyota sold about 50,000cars in China in September, asenior company executive,speaking on condition ofanonymity, said. That wouldbe down from about 86,000in September 2011 but betterthan the figure reported ear-lier by Japan’s Yomiuri news-paper, which said saleshalved from the 75,000 soldin August.—Newswire

ROZEE.PK holdsPunjab JobFair 2012

STAFF REPORTER

L A H O R E — R O Z E E . P K ,Pakistan’s leading online re-cruitment platform, in col-laboration with Punjab Infor-mation Technology Boardorganised the Punjab JobFair 2012 here at the ExpoCentre on Saturday. The fairwas held as part of thePunjab National Youth Fes-tival 2012. A large number ofjob-seekers attended this fairfrom all over Pakistan. Em-ployers from leading indus-tries/sectors from across Pa-kistan were also for inter-views and tests.

Punjab Government’s se-lection of ROZEE.PK to hostthe Punjab Job Fair 2012 wasbased on ROZEE.PK’s strongleadership position inPakistan’s talent acquisitionmarket, large talent databaseand powerful filtering tech-nology. Currently more than50,000 employers useROZEE.PK’s recruitment ser-vices. This job fair provided aphysical platform for seriousjob-seekers to interact withthe top employers in Pakistan.This also has given an oppor-tunity for employers to meetother professionals workingin similar industries.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Twenty one ITcompanies have beenawarded P@SHA ICTAwards 2012 out of over 100.

The theme for this year’sawards was innovation be-yond limits. The awards win-ners are.

(a) Best in Financial Ap-plications Winner AvanzaSolutions Product: Aurum

(b) Best in New Media &Entertainment ApplicationsWinner: PiLabs Product:Candy Pot Runner UpGeniTeam Product: MafiaEmpire

(c) Best in E-Health Ap-plications Winner - Cure MD

(d) Best in Research &Development ApplicationsWinner - Nust College ofEME/CARE/Shifa Interna-tional Hospital Product: Net-work Enabled Retinal ImageAnalysis and Screening Sys-

21 companies achieve awardstem for Grading and Diagno-sis of Diabetic Retinopathy

(e) Best in Security Ap-plications Winner: TunacodeProduct: gKrypt

(f) Best in E-LearningWinner Sharp Image Prod-uct: Salah for Kids Runner UpViftech Solutions Product:Urdu Inc.

(g) Best in Tools & Infra-structure Winner Ten PearlsProduct: uTrack Runner UpSecure Beans Product: WhiteCrack SV

(h) Best in Tertiary Stu-dent Category Winner Hide& Seek NED UniversitySyeda Areej Kamal, AyeshaAnwer, Syeda Batool Fatima

(i) Best in Startup Cat-egory Winner - Infogistic PvtLtd

(j) Best Mobile Applica-tion Winner Tricast MediaProduct: Cricket CompanionRunner Up Folio 3 Product:DynAX7 App

(k) Best in AnimationWinner: Ice AnimationsProduct: Pi-Rats Runner Up:Moftak Solutions Product:IslamBox for Google TV

(l) Best in Gender Diver-sity, Ovex Technologies

(m) Best in CSR, NextGeneration Innovation

(N) Best in Managed Ser-vices, Access Group

(O) Best in ICT for Devel-opment Winner Ammar JafriProject: E-Village Project

(p) Best CIO - PrivateSector Winner - KhurramZafar, CIO, Lahore Stock Ex-change

Speaking at the event,P@SHA President Jehan Arasaid we are delighted withsome of the entries receivedthis year and are looking for-ward to taking the winners toBrunei to compete regionallyagainst the best softwareapplications in the Asia Pa-cific.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Karachi Cham-ber of Commerce &Industry’s PresidentMuhammad Haroon Agarassured Karachi Iron & SteelMerchants of KarachiChamber’s best cooperationand support for resolvingtheir genuine and lawful is-sues. A delegation of KarachiIron & Steel Merchants’ As-sociation (KISMA) headedby its Chairman, Haji GhulamMuhammad and President,Shamoon Baqar Ali visitedKarachi Chamber of Com-merce & Industry (KCCI) tomeet Chamber’s President,Muhammad Haroon Agarand apprised about the prob-lems being confronted to theirmembers and sought coop-eration.

The Chairman & Presi-dent on behalf of KISMA re-corded their confidence onthe Leadership of Business-men Group, especially onSiraj Kassam Teli for their rep-

KCCI supports ironand steel traders

resentation at KCCI. Theyapprised about the problemsconfronted to the membersparticularly with Customs/FBR and Law & Order andsought Chamber’s support.They anticipated that KCCIwill give same cooperationand support to resolve theproblems of KISMA mem-bers/ iron and steel sectorwhich they received in thepast.

Muhammad Haroon,President-KCCI earlier wel-comed the KISMA delega-tion and informed about theactivities of Karachi Cham-ber of Commerce & Indus-try to promote trade and in-dustry in Karachi and else-where. He apprised that theChamber is maintaining ef-fective liaison with the con-cerned quarters of the gov-ernment. He highlightedthat to handle problems re-garding law and order, Po-lice Chamber Liaison Cell(PCLC), Rangers ChambersLiaison Cell (RCLC) and a

unit of National Crises Man-agement Cell of Interior Min-istry is operational at KCCIwhich are open daily to re-ceive complaints from thebusiness community. Re-garding problems and is-sues of FBR/ Customs heasked KISMA Chief to pro-vide grievances in writing sothat same may be forwardedto concerned with KCCI rec-ommendation to resolveupto their satisfaction. Healso advised the delegationto maintain contacts withChairmen of relevant sub-committee of KCCI for solu-tion to their problems.

Shamim A. Firpo SeniorVice President KCCI, NasirMehmood Vice President andManaging Committee Mem-bers of KCCI Abdul BasitZahid Iqbal, Asif SheikhJaved, Shahzad Mobin,Mansoor Suleman,Muhammad Arif, JehangirShahid, Akhtar JamilRehmani Zahid Iqbal alsoparticipated in the meeting.

popular public belief renew-able energy is NOT necessar-ily limited to solar or windpower generation only. Rather,the vast array of fully devel-oped renewable energy tech-nologies includes such com-mendable areas as Bio Energy,Waste to Energy, HydroPower and so on.

All these areas can signifi-cantly benefit from the imple-mentation of relevant FiTs aswell as financing options. To-gether, all these sources ofenergy generation can trans-

form our country from a powerdeficient nation to one thathas tremendous energy po-tential at every nook & cornerin the shape of natural re-sources.

He said the governmenthas already set the ball rollingfor the massive adoption,implementation and develop-ment for all kinds of renewableenergy industry in Pakistanthrough zero rating almost allR.E. equipments and compo-nents.

When the pending recom-

mendation made a while back,are also put in place then wewill, Inshallah witness wide-spread rollout of renewableenergies in our country. In thisarea I can foresee the very im-portant role being played byREAP in the next many years.

The trend-setting and ep-och making activities of REAPwill definitely have a detailedmention whenever history ofenergy sector in Pakistan isconsulted, he added. Later thechief guest inaugurated theexhibition.

Importance of alternativeFrom Page-13

In Karachi, CNG pumpswould reopen as per theschedule at 9:00 AM on Sun-day.

spokesman said CNGstations were closed acrossSindh on Friday morning fortwo days but reopened in theinterior of Sindh today whilein Karachi, pumps would re-sume functioning on Sundaymorning. The CNG outlets ininterior would again beclosed on October 16 for 24hours. Meanwhile, gas sup-ply to industries and captivepower plants would remainsuspended for 24 hours from7:00 AM Sunday to 7:00 AMMonday.

Oil exportersFrom Page-13

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The slowdownand decreasing trend ‘in for-eign trade continue as Paki-stani export of mango hasbeen declined by 35,000 tonsthis year against the target.

As the mango seasonhas been concluded, thecountry has exported at least0.115 million tons of mangothis year as compared to thetarget of 0.15 million tons. Interms of value the countryhas fetched only 39 milliondollars revenue from this sec-tor while facing the loss of atleast 11 million dollars thisyear.

Exporters of mango, whofaced multiple issues, ham-

Mango exports declinepering the already limited ex-ports, cited the lack of airconnections, issues in ANF,Custom and shipping linesand others, were mainly be-hind the reduction in exportof mango this year.

According to WaheedAhmed, Chairman PakistanFruit and Vegetable Exporters,Importers and Merchant As-sociation (PFVA), only 35,000tons of exports were made dur-ing this season ended by Sep-tember 2012, recording a dras-tic decline in export the fruit.

Citing reasons of the de-cline in mango exports, hesaid logistic issues at ship-ping companies and PakistanInternational Airlines werethe major hindrances the ex-

porters faced the most thisyear which remained unre-solved despite repeated andtimely complains.

Non-availability of palletsand containers (AEK) andOff-loadings at PIA have alsocaused reduction in exportsby 30 percent. PIA flightsoffload consignments at vari-ous airports without any jus-tification which also results incancellation of import orders.

Beside the logistic issues,Pakistani exports of fruit havealso lost a lucrative market ofneighbouring country Iran,where at least 30,000 tonesof mango were being ex-ported previously, as a resultof trade embargo imposed byUnited Nations on Tehran.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The incum-bent government has col-lected Rs 5.839 billion federalexcise duty on petroleumproducts during 2011-12from Rs 5.120 billion in previ-ous years with an increase of14 percent.

Well informed sourcestold Online that petroleumproducts are the highestsource of sales tax and con-tributed more than forty threepercent of the total sales taxduring 2011-12. The sourcestold that petrol (MS) is theleading source of sales tax atthe import stage and the salestax on petroleum productsrecorded a growth of 42.3.

Sources informed thatapart from the tax collectionon petroleum products, gov-ernment is earning billion ofrupees through custom dutythese products as import billof these products has beenexceeded from 15 billion dol-lar in 2011-12.

The source also apprisedthat total collection of taxesincluding general sales taxand federal excise dutiesstood at more than Rs 330

Rs 5.839b FED collectedon petroleum products

billion during 2011-12 show-ing increase of 14% as com-pared to the previous years.

Sources said that al-though government has nocontrol over rise in interna-tional oil prices but what cando it to exempt the retail priceof POL products from taxa-tion to provide maximum re-lief to the price strickenmasses of the country.

Every rise in petroleumprices brings more profits tothe oil companies and morerevenue to the governmentexchequer at the cost of con-sumers. Every increase inprice gives an opportunityto the government to raisethe collection from generalsales tax, custom duties andfederal excise duty whilehike in these taxes are bornby the consumers, sourceadded.

The source said that theweekly inflation price revi-sion is causing an inflationimpacts which is detrimentalto the national economy andindustrialists suffered millionof rupees loss due to theweekly revision mechanismas it kept costs of productionvariable.—Online

affairs, including President,Army Chief and Chief Jus-tice of Pakistan, to hold ref-erendum in this regard asper the procedure men-tioned in Constitution ofPakistan.

APAT central generalsecretary Naeem Mir, ad-dressing the meeting,strongly condemned thecowardly attack on MalalaYousafzai and prayed for herearly recovery, besides la-menting on deaths of inno-cent Pakistanis in Drone at-tacks.

He observed that coun-try has already spent over$70 billion during last 10years on war against terror-ism, which is equal to over-all external debt of 65 yearsof Pakistan, besides sacri-fices of around 40,000 Paki-stanis.

“When economy has al-ready been destroyed, theoperation will waste thewhole income of CoalitionSupport Fund, which hasnot been received yet. Wehave no money to erectdams to pull the nation andeconomy out of darknessbut we still are ready tospend our budget on mili-tary operation.”

Traders suggestFrom Page-13

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The large scalemanufacturing sector’sgrowth was recorded at be-low one per cent during thefirst couple of months (July-August) of the current fiscalyear 2012-13 against the sameperiod of previous year 2011-12 mainly due to the powershortage.

The Quantum IndexNumber (QIM) of Large ScaleManufacturing (LSM) indus-tries stood at 106.62 pointsin July-August period of thecurrent fiscal year 2012-13 ascompared to 105.73 points of

LSM growth downJuly-August period of 2011-12, registering a minorgrowth of 0.84 per cent inone-year period. Meanwhile,the growth of LSM sector hasreduced by 2.75 per cent inthe month of August 2012compared to the month ofJuly 2012. The Quantum In-dex Number of LSM indus-tries stood at 105.13 pointsin August 2012 as comparedto 108.10 points of July 2012.

The Quantum Index Num-bers (QIN) of Large ScaleManufacturing Industries hasbeen computed in the FBS onthe basis of latest productiondata of 112 items received from

various sources i.e. Oil Com-panies Advisory Committee(OCAC), Ministry of Indus-tries & Production and Pro-vincial Bureaus of Statistics.The OCAC supplied the dataof 11 items, the Ministry ofIndustries & Production sup-plied the data of 36 items andProvincial Bureaus of Statis-tics provided data for 65 items.

Trade analysts be-lieved that ongoing powercrisis had affected thegrowth of industries sec-tor, as hundreds of indus-trial units shut down in thecountry due to the energyshortage.

Obama to sustain momentumWASHINGTON—President Barack Obamasought on Saturday to sustain momen-tum from Vice President Joe Biden’sstrong debate showing by touting thebenefits of one of his signature actions,the rescue of the U.S. auto industry, as heprepared for his next debate with Repub-lican Mitt Romney. “We refused to letDetroit go bankrupt,” Obama said in hisweekly radio address. “We bet on Ameri-can workers and American ingenuity, and

three years later, that bet is paying off in a big way.” Thepresident will drop from view for several days to prepare forhis second debate with Romney on Tuesday. By focusingon the health of the auto industry, currently benefiting fromstrong sales, Obama is reminding voters he came to theindustry’s rescue. Romney had opposed government helpfor automakers. Obama is hoping to build on Biden’s confi-dent performance at the vice presidential debate on Thurs-day after his own listless debate performance last week gaveRomney a sharp boost in opinion polls. He meets the Massa-chusetts governor for the second of three debates on Tues-day evening in a town-hall format. In his address, Obamahighlighted trade agreements that helped promote sales ofU.S. autos abroad. Romney has called the Obamaadministration’s record on trade weak and promised to wagemuch more aggressive campaigns to open markets abroad toU.S. goods and services. “I want to see more cars on the roadin places like South Korea imported from Detroit and Toledoand Chicago,” Obama added. Obama also said that “after 30years of inaction.—Reuters

Choice for WTO chiefTOKYO—World Trade Organization Di-rector General Pascal Lamy said on Sat-urday that there was no system of rotat-ing his job between countries and regionsand his successor should be picked onthe basis of competence alone. Lamy,who will leave the WTO after two termsin August 2014, said it was up to theorganisation’s member countries to de-cide on the criteria for selecting the newWTO chief who will oversee unfinished

negotiations over trade liberalisation. Emerging market coun-tries will want to see one of their own in charge of the Geneva-based trading club after the top jobs at the IMF and theWorld Bank went to a European and an American following adecades old tradition criticised as being out of line with thenew world order. “I don’t think this is a geographic rotationsystem,” Lamy told Reuters in an interview on the sidelinesof the semi-annual International Monetary Fund and WorldBank meetings in Tokyo. “There is nothing in the rules of theWTO that say that if somebody came from this country, thenthe next one should come from this country. I think whatreally matters is that it’s not a diplomatic game. It’s aheadhunting game.” Formal nominations are not due untilDecember, but trade diplomats are already assessing chancesand gathering names. Two candidates have formally declaredtheir interest: Ghana’s former trade minister Alan Kyerematenand New Zealand’s current trade minister Tim Groser. Tradediplomats expect more candidates to emerge.—Reuters

Greece to stick to accordsBERLIN—German Chancellor AngelaMerkel said on Saturday that Greeceseemed to be making headway with itsreforms and should stick to the agree-ments it had made but added that thecrisis-stricken country should continueto be given more chances. “I have theimpression that, step-by-step, we are be-ginning to see progress there. It’s oftenslower than we had imagined but on thisfront we should give Greece another

chance time and again,” she said in a weekly video podcast.“On the one hand we should demand that the agreementson which we decided together are kept. But on the otherhand we should, in our role as friends and partners, offerassistance and support.” Merkel said the German govern-ment was in close contact with Greece. Earlier this weekMerkel visited Greece for the first time since the euro zonecrisis erupted three years ago and while she reaffirmedBerlin’s commitment to keep Greece inside the euro zone,she offered no concrete relief ahead of a new report onGreece’s reform progress due by next month. Asked if aEuropean Union in which an increasing number of mem-ber states ask for financial aid was sustainable, she said:“No of course not. It would be wrong if things were tostay like this but now the markets are also testing if we willstay together.” Merkel said she was against turning theEU into a federal system like the United States: “I don’tthink we should overstretch ourselves.”—Reuters

US to help Myanmar’s global roleTOKYO—The United States will supportMyanmar’s efforts to fully restore rela-tions with global lenders like the WorldBank as long as the Southeast Asian na-tion pursues political and economic re-forms, a senior U.S. Treasury official saidon Saturday. The U.S. Congress lastmonth approved a bill that will allow theObama administration to waive a ban onU.S. participation in providing develop-ment loans from the World Bank to

Myanmar, also known as Burma. In an interview with ReutersTelevision, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for InternationalAffairs, Lael Brainard, said the United States was in the be-ginning stages of lifting an import ban that would have hugebenefits for Myanmar’s economy, which suffered under de-cades of military rule and isolation. “As the reform processcontinues we will be able to do more,” Brainard said. “Wethink it’s very significant for the World Bank and the AsianDevelopment Bank, as well as the International MonetaryFund, to be able to re-engage with Myanmar as they under-take these very significant reforms.” Re-engaging with theglobal lenders will also open the door for creditor nations towrite off Myanmar’s bilateral debts through the Paris Club,Brainard said. While the United States is not part of thateffort, Brainard said it was important that the donor commu-nity work together to ensure Myanmar proceeds with de-mocratization.—Reuters

Kyrgyz ex-president’s son held in UKBISHKEK—The fugitive son ofKyrgyzstan’s deposed president hasbeen arrested by police in London on aU.S. extradition warrant on suspicion offraud, British and Kyrgyz authorities saidSaturday. London’s Metropolitan Policesaid 34-year-old Maksim Bakiyev wasarrested Friday afternoon and facescharges of conspiracy to defraud andconspiracy to pervert the course of jus-tice between 2010 and 2012. He was de-

tained by officers from the force’s extradition unit after agree-ing to go to a police station in the upmarket Belgravia areaof the city, and released on bail until his next court hearingon Dec. 7, it said. The allegations date back to 2005, theyear Maxim’s father Kurmanbek Bakiyev came to power.His critics claim he soon started grooming his son as asuccessor. Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted from power in amass uprising in 2010 stoked by indignation over stagnanteconomic progress and rampant corruption.—Reuters

ISTANBUL—Turkish PrimeMinister Tayyip Erdogan re-buked the U.N. SecurityCouncil for inaction overSyria on Saturday as war in-tensified across the country,saying the world body of su-perpowers was repeatingmistakes that led to massa-cres in Bosnia in the 1990s.President Bashar al-Assad’sforces used air strikes andartillery to bombard insur-gents on several fronts in the19-month-old conflict, whichrisks dragging in regionalpowers with no sign of a dip-lomatic breakthrough.

Turkey - increasingly en-tangled after having inter-cepted a Russian airliner car-rying what it said were Rus-sian-made munitions for theSyrian army, infuriating Mos-cow and Damascus - has ledcalls for intervention, includ-ing no-fly zones enforced byforeign aircraft to stop deadlyair raids by Assad’s forces.But there is little chance ofUnited Nations support forrobust action given the op-

Turkey condemns UN inertia as Syrian conflict deepensposition of veto-wielding Se-curity Council members Rus-sia and China.

“The U.N. Security Coun-cil has not intervened in thehuman tragedy that has beengoing on in Syria for 20months, despite all our ef-forts,” Erdogan told a confer-ence in Istanbul attended bydignitaries including ArabLeague Secretary GeneralNabil Elaraby. “There’s an at-titude that encourages, givesthe green light to Assad to killtens or hundreds of peopleevery day.” The bloodshedhas worsened markedly in thepast two months although nei-ther side has been able to gaina distinct advantage, withgovernment force relyingheavily on air power and artil-lery to batter the rebels.

Combat has been reportednationwide but the crucial stra-tegic battles are being foughtin an arc through westernSyria, where most of the popu-lation lives. Turkish ForeignMinister Ahmet Davutogluwas expected to meet U.N.

special envoy LakhdarBrahimi on the sidelines of theIstanbul conference later. U.N.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this week Brahimiwould visit Syria soon to tryto persuade Assad to call animmediate ceasefire.

The government dis-patched warplanes to attackinsurgent forces surroundingthe Wadi-al-Dayf military bar-racks near Maarat al-Numanin Idlib province, wounding 22rebels, the Syrian Observatoryfor Human Rights said. Therebels captured Maarat al-Numan this week, cutting themain north-south highwaylinking Damascus, Homs andAleppo, and governmentforces will need to retake it inorder to reinforce and resup-ply Aleppo - Syria’s largestcity and commercial hub.

The U.N. Security Coun-cil, divided between Westernpowers on one side and Rus-sia and China on the other,has proved helpless in halt-ing a conflict which has spi-raled into civil war and killed

more than 30,000 people.Erdogan said a system whichallowed one or two nations toblock intervention in such amassive humanitarian crisiswas inherently unjust, andthat Syria would go down inhistory as a U.N. failure muchlike Bosnia in the 1990s.

“How sad is that theUnited Nations is as helplesstoday as it was 20 years agowhen it watched the massa-cre of hundreds of thousandsof people in the Balkans,Bosnia and Srebrenica,”Erdogan told the Istanbulconference. The July 1995massacre in Srebrenica wasthe worst on European soilsince World War Two, inwhich Dutch U.N. peacekeep-ers abandoned what had beendesignated a U.N. safe havento advancing Bosnian Serbforces, who then killed 8,000Muslim men and boys andbulldozed their corpses intopits.

Turkish officials had ex-pressed hope they might beable to persuade Moscow,

which sold Syria $1 billion ofarms last year, to soften itsstrident opposition at the Se-curity Council and that if itsucceeded, China would fol-low suit. But relations be-tween Ankara and Moscowsank to a new low this weekafter Turkey forced down apassenger jet flying fromMoscow and publicly ac-cused Russia of ferrying mili-tary equipment to Assad’sforces.

Russia has said there wereno weapons on the plane andthat it was carrying a legal ship-ment of radar equipment. Else-where on Syria’s battlefrontson Saturday, governmentforces rained mortar fire downon the opposition-heldKhalidiya neighborhood ofthe city of Homs, the Obser-vatory said. Explosions werefelt throughout the besiegeddistrict. To the south of Dam-ascus near Deraa - cradle ofthe uprising which began withpeaceful street rallies -Assad’s troops and rebelswere fighting on the edge of

the town of Maarba.After four days of heavy

fighting in and around thetown of Azmarin on the Turk-ish border, the rebels ap-peared to have a fragile hold.Syrian government forceshave been shelling the townfrom the hills and troops havebeen engaged in street battleswith the insurgents over thepast week. Shelling continuedinto Friday evening but onlythe sound of distant mortarfire could be heard on Satur-day as battles for other bor-der areas flared.

“Praise be the town is nowin our hands ... We have raisedtwo flags inside the town andthe battles are over. Azmarinis completely under our con-trol,” one resident, who did notwant to be named, told Reutersby telephone from inside thetown. In a preliminary deathtoll across the country for Fri-day alone, the Observatorylisted about 160 dead. That in-cluded 67 civilians, 36 rebelsfighters, and 54 governmentsoldiers.—Reuters

CAIRO—Opponents andsupporters of Egyptian Presi-dent Mohamed Mursiclashed in Cairo on Saturdayin the first street violence be-tween rival factions since theIslamist leader took office.Islamists and their oppo-nents threw stones, bottlesand petrol bombs, and somefought hand-to-hand, show-ing how feelings still run highbetween the rival groups try-ing to shape the new Egyptafter decades of autocracy,although the streets havegenerally been calmer sinceMursi’s election in June.

The Health Ministry said110 people had sustainedlight to moderate injuries,state media reported. A gov-ernment is in place, but Islam-ists and liberals are at logger-heads over the drafting of thenew constitution, whichmust be agreed before a newparliament can be elected.

Many of the thousandswho gathered in TahrirSquare were angry at thisweek’s court ruling that ac-quitted former officials

110 injured inEgyptian factional clash

charged with ordering acamel-and-horseback chargeon protesters in the uprisingthat ousted Hosni Mubaraklast year. But even before thatruling, Mursi’s opponentshad called for protests againstwhat they say is his failure todeliver on his promises for hisfirst 100 days in office.

“Down, down with rule bythe guide!” Mursi’s oppo-nents chanted, suggestingthat Muslim Brotherhoodleader Mohamed Badie pullsthe strings even thoughMursi officially quit the Broth-erhood on taking office.“Mursi! Mursi!” the president’s backers responded. Lateon Friday, a statement issuedby the cabinet condemned theevents saying they hinder thegovernment’s political andeconomic efforts. It said PrimeMinister Hisham Kandil “callson all parties present in TahrirSquare and the other squaresand places to stay away fromany action that would tarnishthe image of new Egypt”.

Some demonstratorspulled down a temporary po-

dium that had been erected ona side of the square forspeeches.

Later, Islamists took overthe square, triggering scufflesin nearby streets as they triedto keep rival groups out. Twobuses parked near the squarewere set alight. Witnessessaid they had been used bythe Brotherhood to bring insupporters.

The Brotherhood’s Free-dom and Justice Party (FJP) ina statement expressed its “sor-row” over what happened tothe buses it said were used tobring members to Cairo. It alsocondemned an attack on theBrotherhood’s headquartersin the industrial city of El-Mahalla El-Kubra.

“We went to protestagainst the constituent as-sembly and Mursi’s failure inhis 100 days, and Islamistsprevented us and are nowcontrolling the square,” saidIslam Wagdy, 19, a memberof a group set up by leftistpolitician HamdeenSabahy.An FJP spokesmandenied this.—Reuters

CAIRO: A supporter of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi falls during clashes with anti-Muslim Brotherhooddemonstrators at Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian uprising.

BENGHAZI—A police car ex-ploded on Saturday during afailed assassination attempton a police colonel in the east-ern city of Benghazi, a Libyanpolice official said. The attackwas the latest in a series ofassassination attempts inBenghazi, the cradle of lastyear’s uprising which oustedMuammar Gaddafi, andwhere U.S. ambassador Chris-topher Stevens was killed ina September 11 attack on theU.S. consulate.

Unknown suspectsplaced a home-made bombunder Colonel MohammedBen Haleem’s car which wasparked outside his house,police spokesman Majed al-Obeidi said. “The colonelturned his engine on to warmup the car, then stepped backinto the house to retrievesomething. That’s when thecar exploded,” he toldReuters.

Obeidi said the explosionin the central Benghazi

Libya police colonel targetedin assassination attempt

neighbourhood of al-Hadayeq caused no injuriesor deaths. Ben Haleem was apolice colonel under Gaddafiand resumed his post in thenew government after theuprising. On August 10, gun-men shot dead Libyan armygeneral Mohammed al-Fitoriin Benghazi when he wasleaving Friday prayers. Thebullets were fired from a pass-ing car.

Fitori had defected fromGaddafi’s government duringlast year’s revolt and laterbecame head of ammunitionand armament for the army.In early September, a Libyanintelligence officer was killedand another wounded whentheir car exploded inBenghazi. A bomb planted inthe car, which belonged toone of the officers, was re-motely detonated when thetwo got into the vehicle in abusy shopping district of theMediterranean city.—ReutersAl-Qaeda

planned Tikritjailbreak

BAGHDAD—Iraq’s branch ofAl-Qaeda said it master-minded a jailbreak in thenorthern city of Tikrit lastmonth and smuggled weap-ons to inmates, according toa statement posted on mili-tant websites. Dozens of pris-oners, many of them con-victed members of Al-Qaedaon death row, fought theirway out of the jail, killing 16members of the securityforces in ensuing clashes.

Al-Qaeda issued a state-ment saying it planned themass escape with prisoners,sent them arms and deto-nated a car bomb outside theprison gate to give them achance to flee, according toSITE, a group which moni-tors militant websites. Iraq’sInterior Ministry has ac-cused prison officials ofcomplicity in the jailbreak.The country is home to anumber of Sunni insurgentgroups, including a localbranch of Al-Qaeda calledthe Islamic State of Iraq,which continue to launchattacks to undermine thegovernment. Security at pris-ons was beefed up follow-ing the jailbreak and someinmates were transferred tofortified jails. Last Septem-ber, 35 prisoners facing ter-rorism charges escaped viaa sewage pipe from a tempo-rary jail in the northern cityof Mosul, an Al-Qaedastronghold.—Arab News

Egypt strikedisrupts work atDP World port

ISMAILIA—Industrial actionhas significantly disruptedoperations at an Egyptian portrun by DP World, a union rep-resentative and the operatorsaid on Saturday.

Angered at the dismissalof eight of their colleagues, theAin al-Sokhna port workersstarted their action three daysago with a partial strike whichturned into a full strike onSaturday, said Ashraf Eissa,the union representative.We are working to resolvethe issues appropriately assoon as possible.” Ain al-Sokhna, near the southernend of the Suez Canal, isCairo’s main port for cargofrom the Far East.—Reutes

LAGOS, NIGERIA—A militarycrackdown across Nigeria hashobbled Boko Haram for now,but as the army campaign in-tensifies it is likely to fan popu-lar anger in the impoverishednorth that could ultimatelymake the Militant sect’s 3-year-old rebellion stronger. Thegroup, which wants to carvean Islamic state out of Nige-ria, remains the top securitythreat to Africa’s leading oilproducer, and Western pow-ers are worried about its grow-ing links to more fiercely anti-Western militant groups in theregion.

Nigerian soldiers and po-lice have swept through thenorth in past weeks, raidingsuspected militant hideouts,seizing weapons and killing orarresting scores of suspects.Last month they intercepteda vehicle carrying the sect’sspokesman and ideologue,Abu Qaqa, whom they saidthey killed in a shootout, al-though its leader AbubakarShekau said Qaqa was cap-

Nigerian militarycrackdown may backfire

tured alive.Better policing of roads

and around targets such aschurches has reduced thenumber of deadly bomb at-tacks, and there has been norepeat of anything as coordi-nated as the strike on thenorth’s main city of Kano inJanuary that killed 186 people.“A series of tactical setbacksagainst Boko Haram havehelped to contain the mili-tancy,” said Roddy Barclay,Africa analyst at ControlRisks. “But they won’t bringan end to it, since they stilldon’t address the core driv-ers.”

Those drivers include adeep-rooted feeling of alien-ation among northerners, whohave watched their semi-aridregion stagnate while the oil-rich south enjoys relative pros-perity. They also include aburning sense of injusticeamong Boko Haram’s mem-bers, who say their movementwas wrongly persecuted bythe authorities in 2009.—AP

TEHRAN—Iran’s supremeleader said Saturday that hiscountry will defeat a combi-nation of sanctions, militarythreats and “soft wars”launched by enemies trying toweaken Iran and force it toback down over its nuclearprogram. Ayatollah AliKhamenei’s remarks, his thirdpublic speech in a week, cameas tensions rise in the stand-off between Iran and the Westover Tehran’s nuclear pro-gram.

They follow a precipitousdecline in Iran’s currencylinked to economic sanctionsimposed by the West, as wellas remarks by Defense Secre-tary Leon Panetta highlight-ing the possibility of acyberwar between Iran andthe United States. “We shouldnot neglect the enemy. Theenemy enters through variousways. One day it’s talk ofsanctions. Another day it’stalk of military aggression.And one day, it’s talk of softwar ... We have to be vigilant,”state TV quoted Khamenei as

Philippine peace dealseen as blow to terrorists

We will defeatenemy plots: Iran

saying during a speech innortheast Iran Saturday. “Butthey should rest assured that... our enemies will fail in alltheir conspiracies and tricks.”

The U.S. and its allies ac-cuse Iran of using its civiliannuclear program as a cover todevelop nuclear weapons.Tehran has denied thecharges, saying its program ispeaceful and geared towardgenerating electricity and pro-ducing radioisotopes to treatcancer patients.

The West are pursuing atwo-pronged strategy that in-cludes a mix of sanctions anddiplomacy to try to forceTehran to halt uranium enrich-ment, a technology that canbe used to produce nuclearfuel or materials for use in awarhead.Tehran for its partannounces the discovery ofcomputer viruses at nuclear,industrial and governmentsites. It blames the West andIsrael. Israel has said little todeflect suspicion that it triesto infect some Iranian sys-tems.—Reuters

MANILA—Hunted by U.S.-backed Filipino troops in 2005,Abu Sayyaf chieftainKhadaffy Janjalani and otheral-Qaida-linked militantssought refuge in the moun-tainous stronghold of theMoro Islamic LiberationFront, the largest Muslim rebelgroup in the southern Philip-pines. But the rebels turnedthem away, afraid that harbor-ing extremists would scuttletheir peace talks with the gov-ernment.

The following year,Janjalani among the most-wanted terrorist suspects inSoutheast Asia — was killedby troops in another junglearea.

The rebels’ rejection ofJanjalani, which was reportedat the time by military andpolice intelligence officials,shows the potential of har-nessing the main Moro insur-gents in fighting extremismand preventing their vaststrongholds from serving as

one of the last remaining ref-uges of al-Qaida-affiliated mili-tants, who have been clob-bered by years of crackdownsacross Southeast Asia.

Philippine officials hope apreliminary peace deal thegovernment recently clinchedwith the Moro Islamic Libera-tion Front will eventually turnthe 11,000-strong insurgentgroup into a formidable forceagainst the remnants of theAbu Sayyaf and other radi-cals, including several Indo-nesian and Malaysian mili-tants believed to be takingcover in the southernMindanao region.

“We can wage battle withthe MILF,” Defense SecretaryVoltaire Gazmin said. “This willreally isolate groups like theAbu Sayyaf.” The UnitedStates, Britain and Australia,aware of the emerging peaceagreement’s potentialcounterterrorism dividends,were among the first to praisethe framework accord with the

rebels announced Oct. 7 byPresident Benigno Aquino III.It will be formally signed inManila on Monday.

“Foreign governmentshave supported the peace pro-cess partly because ofcounterterrorism policies,”Bryony Lau of the Brussels-based International CrisisGroup said.

They also worried aboutpoor governance and high lev-els of poverty that haveplagued the insurgency-af-fected regions, he said. Whilethe Moro rebel group has cutties with foreign extremists tosafeguard peace talks, “theremay well still be individual ...commanders with continuingties,” Lau said, adding that“the framework agreement in-creases the incentives for theMILF leadership to ensure thattheir members are not harbor-ing such people.”A final pactcould be reached in threeyears, officials and the rebelssay.—Reuters

BIPIN DANI

OBSERVER

CORRESPONDENT

M U M B A I — L e g e n d a r yformer India captain SunilGavaskar will be endorsedas the new Legend at theLegend’s Club. This wasrevealed by its president,Madhav Apte on the occa-sion of Vijay Merchant’s101st birth-anniversarymeeting which was held atthe CCI on Saturday night.

The Legends’ Club hasbeen celebrating thememory of India’s threegreat Indian cricketers ofimmortal fame. They areVijay Merchant (October12), Vijay Hazare (March 11)and Vinoo Mankad (April12). “One more name ofSunil Gavaskar (not start-ing with V) has been cho-sen unanimously by thecommittee comprising ofmy self, Bapu Nadkarni,

Legendary Gavaskar ‘stamped’as Legend : Kapil, Sachin likely

at ‘appropriate time’Nari Contractor and Nari Con-tractor unanimously”, Aptesaid in the meeting.

“We have few morenames under consideration”,he later said exclusively. Thenames of Kapil Dev andSachin Tendulkar, along witha few others will also be con-sidered at the “appropriatetime”.

The idea of forming theLegend’s Club first came tolate Rajsingh Dungarpur,who also presided the Indiancricket board and the CCI.Rajsingh. In December 2002,Raj Singh, during his trip toLondon, visited the Master’sClub, which was founded byJohn Arlott in the memory ofSir Jack Hobbs at the Oval,Surrey County Cricket Club.

The late John Arlott hada close friendship with SirJack Hobbs, the cricketerwho ran a sports shop inFleet Street after his retire-ment. Arlott’s great admira-

tion and respect towardsHobbs led him to establishthe Master ’s Club tohonour the great cricketer’sbirthday, on 16 December.Over the years, the member-ship of the club increasedand the annual lunch hasnow been moved to theLong Room at The Oval.Despite the demise of all ofthe original members, thefollowers of the game andmembers of the Club stillmeet for lunch every yeareither on, or close to,Hobbs’ 16 December birth-day. In keeping with tradi-tion, the lunch always con-sists of Sir Jack’s favouritemeal, roast lamb followedby apple pie.

Interestingly, the old manof late Vijay Merchant andAnandji Doss era, RichuKapadia has been especiallycoming from London to cel-ebrate Vijay Merchant’s birthanniversary.

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Lahore athleteswere leading the divisionallevel of the Punjab YouthFestival 2012 and with theconclusion of the generalpublic competitions, all theattention has turned to-wards universities, collegesand school competitions.Lahore Division won theboxing competition of thegeneral category.

The event was partici-pated by six clubs of the di-vision in three weightclasses and Ahled Ali of AliBoxlin Club was his bout in55 kgs class while AbdulRehman of Tiger Club tookhis bout in 65 kgs categoryand Tariq Mahmood ofYoung Club got through in75 kgs weight class to getwin for Lahore district. Inschools tug of war, Lahoreprevailed over Sheikhupurain the final while theymoved past Kasur andNankana Sahib, whichstayed away from the event.In Lahore eight events werecontested and 202 playerstook part in it and 60 wontheir matches.

In university girls vol-leyball held at University of

Lahore athletes leading divisional levelevents of Punjab Youth Festival 2012

Veterinary Science, Univer-sity of Lahore won the com-petition against LUMS in thefinal by 25-8 and 25-5 whilein boys volleyball, Universityof Central Punjab won the titlewith 54 points while PunjabUniversity was second with22 points. Dr Shahid Abbasand Dr Mohammad Asif werethe chief guests of the event,participated by around 64players.

In swimming competi-tions held at FC College Pool,100 m butterfly, UCP’sNauman Azeem was the win-ner while PU’s Sanaullah andRasin Ali of UET were sec-ond and third. In100 meterback stroke, GCU HassanKamran, Rohail Waqar UCP,Abdul Rehman Of LSC weresecond and third. In breast-stroke 100 meters, Ghous BilalUCP, Sanaullah PU andMohammad Talha GCU werethe winners of the first threepositions. In 100 m freestyle,Sikandar Khan UCP, BasitHasan GCU, Hamza PU tookthe first three positions.

In 200 m individual med-ley, Hasan Kamran GCUtook first place and was fol-lowed by Sikandar KhanUCP and Raza Asif PU atsecond and third positions

respectively. At the end ofthe day’s swimming events,Hassan Kamran was de-clared the best swimmerwhile Sikandar Khan wasthe second best.

On the other hand, Uni-versity of Central Punjab waswinner of Kabaddi after theybeat Punjab University in thefinal. In school qirat compe-tition, at all the nine divisions173 took part and final is ex-pected on Saturday.

In painting and photog-raphy competition at Sahiwal35 persons displayed theirskills and 16 got through. OnFriday, competitions werecontinued in all the parts ofthe province and Rawalpindigot 50 winners from the 148players who apart fromsports events, also took partin qirat, naat khawni, millinaghma,, horse race, dograce, bull race, tippling andpigeon flying. In SargodhaDivision, 607 players tookpart in different events,Gujranwala had 276 partici-pants, Faisalabad got 64 par-ticipants, win came 16 play-ers way.

Similarly, Sahiwal saw 44winning from among 102 par-ticipants in five events,Multan had 68 players and

17 winners, in Bahawalpuraround 226 players tookpart in eight events of mudwrestling, cricket, volleyball,athletics, badminton,hockey, kabaddi and foot-ball and 82 were the luckyones and at Dera GhaziKhan 65 were the trium-phant off 260 competitors.

Meanwhile, Lahore divi-sion has announced play-ers for camp training forPunjab Youth Festival com-petition. The players in-clude goal-keeper, AwaisLahore, Asama Nankana,Shahzad Kasur, Waqar AliLahore. Full back, HafizSaeedul Hassan SKP, AbidYahya Lahore, MudassarLahore, Irfan Malik Kasur,Khawar Hussain Nankana.Half backs, MohammadWaseem SKP, SafdarLahore, Anil SKP, FaisalSKP, Ali Butt Lahore, SaleemNazim Lahore, Adnan AliLahore, Amer Ali Kasur,Asif Aslam Kasur. Forwards,Asif Ali, Bilal, AzharYaqoob, Tanveer, Adil,Amer Gujjar, MaloofMustafa, Ali RAza, AsadurRehman, Mohammad Afzal,Jahangir Ali, Abbas Ali,Abbas Hanif, Tahir Ali,Muneebur Rehman.

SINGAPORE—Anyone in-volved in spot-fixing shouldbe banned for life, former SriLankan spinner MuttiahMuralitharan told Reuters onSaturday, days after six um-pires were provisionally sus-pended for allegedly agreeingto fix matches.

Hindi-language India TVshowed footage on Mondayof what the news channel saidwas officials from Pakistan,Bangladesh and Sri Lanka ne-gotiating deals with under-cover reporters to affect theoutcome of matches.

Pakistan’s Nadeem Ghauriand Anees Siddiqui, NadirShah of Bangladesh, and SriLanka’s Gamini Dissanayake,Maurice Winston and SagaraGallage were all seen agreeingto give favourable decisionsin exchange for umpiring con-tracts and money. Shah andGhauri have denied thecharges.

The International CricketCouncil (ICC) imposed thesuspension on Wednesdayahead of investigations andMuralitharan, the leadingwicket taker both in test andone-day internationals, saidanyone found guilty deservedthe severest punishment.“Definitely, people that dothese things should be pun-

Ban spot-fixers forlife: Muralitharan

ished for life. They, at any level,should not be tolerated,”the40-year-old told Reuters inan interview in Singapore onSaturday.

“I think the ICC are doingthe right thing...if they arefound guilty, they will defi-

nitely be punished.” The lat-est case of spot-fixing was an-other blot on the sport whichsuffered a wave of negativeheadlines when three Paki-stani internationals were foundguilty of spot-fixing during atest series in England twoyears ago. Salman Butt,Mohammad Asif and

Mohammad Amir were jailedin Britain for their roles in agambling-inspired plot to bowlno-balls at pre-arranged timesduring a test match atLondon’s Lord’s CricketGround in August 2010. InMay, another sting operationby India TV led to the Indiancricket board banning one un-capped player for life and hand-ing out lesser punishments tofour others for involvement incorruption in domestic cricket.

Muralitharan, who took800 test wickets in a glitteringcareer to go with 534 from one-dayers, backed the ICC andsaid it was good that peoplewere being caught and not al-lowed to get away with dam-aging the sport. “I think they(the ICC) are doing the rightthings but there are always badeggs in everything,” the off-spinner known more com-monly as ‘Murali’ said. “In so-ciety there are good peopleand bad people and it has al-ways been like that, but fortu-nately they get caught so thatmeans cricket is getting cleanerand cleaner.

“I think ICC are doing a lotof education (programmes forplayers). Cricket boards, matchreferees, management (arealso) educating, so there isenough education.”—AFP

MONTREAL—Canadian su-per-middleweight AdonisStevenson stopped DonovanGeorge in the 12th round Fri-day night in a free-swingingIBF elimination bout.

Stevenson (19-1) alsofloored the resilient Chicagofighter twice in the fifth, againin the sixth round and twice inthe 12th. With the victory,Stevenson became the man-datory challenger to IBF cham-pion Carl Froch. Meanwhile,the first female U.S. boxer towin a gold medal at the Olym-pics, 17-year-old ClaressaShields was picky after her firstbout since her London victory.

‘’I breathed through mymouth too much,’’ Shieldssaid immediately after her Na-tional Police Athletic Leaguesemifinal victory over DaraShen on Friday night in the165-pound open division.

The contest between theFlint, Mich., fighter and Shenwas stopped 46 seconds intothe third round. Shields had a30-7 advantage in the thirdround, but the officials calledthe match because Shen wasovermatched.

In the first round, Shenwas able to get Shields tomove around the ring to at-tack, but after a few solidpunches, Shields took a com-manding 10-2 points lead. Thesecond round proved easierfor her, as she maneuvered

Stevenson stops Georgein IBF eliminator

MONTREAL: Adonis Stevenson of Canada lands a blow tothe head of Donovan George of United States during theirIBF super middleweight.

Shen into corners, and forcedofficials to call a couple ofstanding-eight counts to pro-tect Shen from injury.

But Shields kept on theoffensive and led, 19-5, aftertwo rounds before winningher 27th career bout in thethird round. Shields facedShen in the same venue lastyear with the same outcome,but saw some new tacticsfrom the familiar opponent.‘’This time she ran,’’ Shields

said. ‘’She knew how I foughther last year. I stopped her (inthe) first round - she stoodthere right in front of me. Thistime, she moved a little bit andtried to stay out of reach, butshe did better.’’

Despite the easy victory,both Shields and her coachand trainer, Jason Crutchfield,were quick to point out pointsto improve on heading into thefinal Saturday night againstFranchon Crews..—AP

SHANGHAI— Andy Murraywill play for a third consecu-tive title at the Shanghai Mas-ters after beating top-seededRoger Federer in the semifi-nals on Saturday.

Murray swatted five acesand converted 3-of-11 breakpoints on his way to a 6-4, 6-4victory, his second straightover the world No. 1.

The third-seeded Brittopped Federer in the gold-medal match at the LondonOlympic Games and followedup that triumph by breakingthrough with his first GrandSlam title at the U.S. Open.

Murray outlasted NovakDjokovic in five sets in Flush-ing Meadows last month andthe two will meet for the firsttime since in Sunday’s final.

Djokovic booked a spot inhis 10th final of the season bydefeating fourth- seededCzech Tomas Berdych, 6-3, 6-4. It was his tour-leading 69thwin of the year.

The second-seeded Serbwill be aiming for his fifth titleof the year and secondstraight after winning inBeijing last week.

In addition to his win atthe year’s final major, Murraytopped Djokovic in the Olym-pic semifinals. Djokovic,however, still owns an 8-7edge in head-to- head meet-ings.

The 2012 Shanghai champwill collect $669,450.

Earlier, second seedNovak Djokovic cruised intothe final of the ShanghaiMasters with a 6-3 6-4 victoryover Tomas Berdych of theCzech Republic on Saturday.

Djokovic will meet eitherworld number one RogerFederer or defending cham-

Murray to play Djokovic inblockbuster Shanghai final

KP biggestWater Spots

Regatta beginPESHAWAR—The TourismCorporation KhyberPakhtunkhawa’s biggest wa-ter sports event of the coun-try “Khanpur Water SportsRegatta is started here onSaturday in a beautiful greenhilly town called Khanpur ofHazara District.

The event consists ofwater boating activities,stalls of food & traditionalhandicrafts, traditionalDances, Horse Dancing,Hazara Pavilion, Stage Ac-tivities of performing arts thatincludes National concertsincluding Phusto Singersand Hazara musicians andfun land for the kids.

Minister Sports, Tourism,Youth Affairs and AchievesSyed Aqil Shah formally in-augurated the event. ACOHazara Khezar Hayat withother team members andpeople from different walk oflife were also present.

Khanpur is an ideal loca-tion for water rafting and othersports activities and that’swhy it’s a privilege to developthe area through these eventsso that visitors can come andsee how naturally resource-ful their country is. He alsosaid that Khanpur has alwaysbeen famous for oranges andthe Khanpur dam but nowthis event has been added tothe list also.—APP

Final of AdisseoCup polo

LAHORE—The final of TheAdisseo Polo Cup will beplayed between ValvolineMotor Oil and Technimenhere today (Sunday) atLahore Polo Club.

“Thrilling competition islikely to be witnessed duringthe final “,said a spokesmanof the LPC on Saturday.

Following are the teamsof the final, (Valvoline MotorOil) , Nafees Barry, QadeerAshfaq, Ali Malik and MirShoaib Ahmad. (Technimen)Mir Huzaifa Ahmad, FaisalShahzad, Hamza MawazKhan and Bilal Haider Agha.Vogue Furniture will meetAdisseo in the subsidiary fi-nal before the main final.—APP

C E N T U R I O N — J a c q u e sRudolph and Henry Davidslaunched the ChampionsLeague Twenty20 in a blazeof boundaries and the Titans’fast bowlers used theirknowledge of home condi-tions to ensure Perth Scorch-ers’ chase never got going.While Rudolph and Davidsfeasted on the numerouslength deliveries on offer ontheir way to an openingstand of 109 in 12.2 overs,Titans’ quicks, led byCornelius de Villiers, peggedScorchers’ top order backwith several short-of-a-

Titans vs Perth Scorchers, CLT20

CJ de Villiers, openers leadTitans to big win

length balls.After putting Titans in on

a green-tinged pitch andwatching Rudolph andDavids hit boundaries at will,Scorchers did come back atthe death to restrict the hometeam to 163 on a groundwhich is considered difficultto defend - Titans once made222 here against Cape Co-bras and lost.

At one stage, the homeside looked set to achieve atotal in excess of 190, but theway their attack bowled tothe pitch, the 163 that theiropeners set up for them was

more than enough.It was Davids who had

taken charge initially, step-ping out to the Scorchersquicks, who were not ex-actly bothering him withpace, and lofting them overthe infield.

The introduction of thechinaman bowler Brad Hoggrestricted the runs from oneend for a while but Davidsbroke free with a flat pulledsix off Ben Edmondston, be-fore showing off his timingby flicking the bowler into thedeep midwicket rope for an-other six.—AP

pion Andy Murray on Sun-day.

The Serbian convertedhis second break point to lead5-1 in the first set beforeBerdych put up some fight toslow his progress.

Djokovic was equally im-pressive in the second set,capitalising on an early breakto lead 4-2 before eventuallyserving out to sail into his firstShanghai final.

“Obviously it’s a big chal-lenge when you play a Top 10player,” said Djokovic, wholost back-to-back Shanghaisemi-finals in 2009 and 2010.

“Tomas is in great formthe past couple of months.He’s always a difficult playerto play against on any sur-face because he has a verypowerful serve and great fore-hand.

“I played tactically right. I

was putting a lot of returnsinto the court, putting a lot ofpressure on his serve. On theother hand, I was serving wellwhen I needed to.”

In contrast, Berdych didnot have his serve goingwhen he needed.

“He’s a great player,” saidthe Czech after succumbingto his 10th defeat in 11 meet-ings with Djokovic.

“I think just the game that

he plays - it’s not the one thatsuits my game that much,”said the 27-year-old.

“I like to play quite aggres-sive. But this doesn’t hurt himthat much. So it’s much moredifficult for me to play him.

“He’s the second playerin the world, chasing for thefirst place. It’s really tough tofind the way and have a posi-tive record with him,” addedBerdych.—AFP

DFA Mardan moveto Right to PlayInter-DistrictSoccer final

PESHAWAR—DFA Mardanmoved into the final after re-cording victory against DFACharsadda in the 3rd KhyberPakhtunkhwa Right to Play In-ter-District Football Champion-ship being played at YounisStadium Mardan under the ae-gis of District Football Asso-ciation Mardan on Saturday.

The match betweenMardan and Charsadda on afast tempo and both the teamsmade some goal-fetching at-tacks. DFA Mardan have anedge of the cheering specta-tors got three easy chancesbut their forwards failed toscore any goal.—APP

THERE’S a new weapon in the waragainst malaria – the cell phone.Harvard researchers found they

could track the spread of malaria in Kenyausing phone calls and text messages from15 million mobile phones.

“Before mobilephones, we had proxies forhuman travel, like road net-works, census data andsmall-scale GPS studies,”said study author CarolineBuckee, an assistant pro-fessor of epidemiology atthe Harvard School ofPublic Health. “But nowthat mobile phones havespread throughout theworld, we can start usingthese massive amounts ofdata to quantify humanmovements on a largerscale and couple this datawith knowledge of infec-tion risk.”

Buckee and colleaguesused mobile phone recordsfrom June 2008 and June 2009 to track thetiming and origin of calls and texts among15 million Kenyan mobile phone subscrib-ers. They then compared the volume ofsubscribers in a particular region to thatregion’s known malaria prevalence. Bystudying networks of human and parasitemovement, the team could then determineprimary sources of malaria and who wasmost likely to become infected.

The results, published Thursday in thejournal Science, suggest that malaria trans-mission within Kenya is dominated bytravel from Lake Victoria on the country’s

Tracking Malaria withcell phones

KARACHI: A seminar on ‘Role of Media, Political Parties and Civil Society in the timeof Rising Extremism’ was organised by SAFMA.

western edge to the more central capitalcity of Nairobi. And human carriers ofthe malaria parasite, who may not showsymptoms, far outpace the flying limitsof mosquitoes in endemic regions.

“How travelers ac-quire malaria elsewhere andbring it home has beenmostly surmised from ex-pert knowledge and judg-ment,” said Dr. WilliamSchaffner, professor andchairman of the departmentof preventive medicine atVanderbilt University.“Here we’ve used this un-related cell phone technol-ogy.”

With 89 percent of theestimated 1 million annualmalaria deaths occurring inAfrica, the Harvard find-ings may help researchersbetter understand how hu-man travel patterns canspread disease and poten-tially lead to improved pub-

lic health efforts to curb the mosquito-borne infection. “I think it is so neat andextraordinarily imaginative,” saidSchaffner. “It has me bouncing up anddown in my chair with excitement.”

Buckee anticipates that mobile tech-nology could change approaches to ma-laria control.

Long-employed anti-malaria strate-gies, such as the use of insecticides, bednets, medications and mosquito-habitatremoval, could be augmented by warn-ing texts sent to travelers en route to andfrom malaria hot spots.

KARACHI: Doctors and nurses of Sobhraj Hospital taking part in a health awareness rally on MA Jinnah Road.

KARACHI: Children are busy in making paintings during a painting competition at theannual family function at Karachi Press Club.

KARACHI—A meeting of theCollege Management Com-mittee of the Dawood Col-lege of Engineering and Tech-nology, Karachi was heldwith the In-charge Principal/Vice Chancellor of SindhMadressatul Islam UniversityDr. Muhammad AU Shaikh inchair on Saturday.

In the meeting, the com-mittee highly deplored unfor-tunate incident which tookplace last Thursday at theDCET, when some studentsbelonging to a political groupmisbehaved with the DeanFaculty of Engineering Prof.Rashid Baig on his refusal togrant them permission to usethe premises of the collegeafter college hours.

They throw chair on thissenior most teacher and Dean,who after that was rushed to ahospital immediately.

The committee noted that

Action suggested against studentsinvolved in misbehaviour with Dean

the acts of such natureamongst the students in theDCET are frequently takingplace, which badly affects theacademic atmosphere of theinstitution and bringing a badname to the DCET in the me-dia. The committee resolvedto resist these tendenciesand acts.

In the meeting it was de-cided that the Rangers and thepolice authorities shall be re-quested to deploy Rangers/Police in the campus and not toallow any person without validcard or permission. The admis-sion of the students involvedin the attack on the Dean shallbe suspended forthwith. Theparents of the students in-volved in the unfortunate inci-dent shall have come person-ally to take note of the act oftheir children and furnish an un-dertaking that their childrenshall not repeat undisciplined

acts in the future.It was also resolved that

the Managing Committeeshall hold proceedings todetermine the level of in-volvement of the students inthe act of violence. Thosefound guilty, shall be rusti-cated from the college for anappropriate period of time.

The committee further de-cided that the administrationblock of the DCET shall be sepa-rated from the academic wingof the college. The campus se-curity shall be enhanced by re-cruitment of security guardsunder the name of “Camp Se-curity Guards”, which shallwork in coordination with therangers and police.

In the meeting it was alsodecided that the academicactivities at the DCET willremain close for some moredays till the security mea-sures are in place.—APP

KARACHI—As part of theprogramme of 28th SPELT In-ternational Conference, Ox-ford University Press (OUP)Pakistan here on Saturdaylaunched its publication ‘Tech-niques and Principles in Lan-guage Teaching: Third Edition’written by Diane Larsen-Free-man and Marti Anderson.

A spokesman of OUP Pa-kistan said that this classicguide to developing the wayone teaches has been an es-sential resource to new andexperienced teachers world-wide.

The book helps teachersto learn about many differ-ent language teaching meth-

KARACHI—Taking strongnotice of the press reportssuggesting threats given byextortionists to the industri-alists in marble business inthe Manghopir area and in-cidents of dacoities in thearea, the Inspector General ofPolice Sindh Fayyaz AhmedLeghari has called for de-tailed report from the Addi-tional Inspector General ofPolice Karachi says an offi-cial press release here on Sat-urday.

The Provincial Police

IGP calls for details of policeaction against extortionists

chief also called for the de-tails of the actions taken onthe complaints by owners ofthe marble factories, their as-sociation and representa-tives as well as the shop-keepers of the area in thisbehalf and the strategyadopted to stem recurrenceof such incidents and its out-come, the press release said.

He directed the officialsconcerned to detail policepersonnel in and around allindustrial areas, busy marketsand shopping centres to re-

win the confidence and trustof the traders’ community.

He further directed theDivisional Superintendentsof Police to hold regular meet-ings with the representativesof the traders bodies and takeappropriate measures ontheir suggestions for specialsecurity and keep continuouscontact with the marketscommittees, industrial unitsand factory managementsfor timely action against ex-tortionists and robbers.—APP

World PalliativeDay moot todayKARACHI—In connectionwith the World Palliative CareDay, a moot would be held atthe Aga Khan UniversityHospital (AKUH) here today(October 14).

An official of the AKUHsaid on Saturday that themoot would be organized bythe Palliative and End-of-LifeCare Group of Aga KhanUniversity and Hospital.

The Symposium is in-tended for all health care pro-fessionals and media person-nels and aimed at increasingawareness and understand-ing of the holistic nature andscope of the principles ofpalliative and end-of-life care.

On the occasion, the ex-perts will highlight the con-cept of palliative care, espe-cially - palliative care in on-cology, palliative medicine inpaediatrics, pain and dysp-nea management in palliativecare.

They will also talk aboutintegral role of nursing inhome-based palliative carepalliative and common prob-lems faced by patients andtheir families.—APP

Commuters sufferas Sindh CNG

stations are closedKARACHI—Majority of com-muters and motorists sufferedas all Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) stations in Sindh, includ-ing Karachi, are closed.Thecommuters looked worried onroads of the city waiting fortheir buses for hours.

The CNG stations ofacross the province wereclosed yesterday morning at9am and will be reopened to-morrow morning at 9am.

This time the Sui SouthernGas Company closed the gassupply for 48 hours.Usually,CNG stations remain closed for24 hours from 9am Saturday till9am on Sunday every weekacross the province under theSui Southern Gas Company’sweekly gas load managementschedule.—NNI

KARACHI—At least Sixpeople were killed in fresh in-cidents of violence in Karachias violent criminals continuedto run riot in the financial hubof the country.

According to details,Akram Baloch was shot deadin Lyari Jahanabad area of thecity. Baloch was the presi-dent of Timber market locatedon Mahmood Shah road.

Two dead bodies were re-covered from Musa Lane areaof Lyari. One of the deceasedwas identified as 26-year-oldAli Shan while the identy ofthe other is not yet known.Police said that the deceasedwere shot dead after abduc-tion.

Two more dead bodies,stuffed in gunny bags, werefound lying near Custom

Six more fall preyto violence in city

House in Kemari. Policehave shifted the dead bod-ies to Civil Hospital.

Police, after examiningthe battered bodies, sur-mised the obvious that thedeceased were abducted,tortured, shot dead, trussed,and bagged in the sacks be-fore their killers send themrolling down the road from amoving vehicle.

In another incident ofviolence, some unidentifiedpersons opened fire in NasirGoth area and wounded 6-year-old Hira Parveen.

One person was killed inLiyari and one person wasshot dead in Orangi Town bythe firing of unknown assail-ants.

Rangers’ personnel tak-ing action in different areas

arrested dozens of allegedcriminals on the night be-tween Friday and Saturday.

Surgical raids conductedby law-enforcement agen-cies in the Old City areaKMC Workshop producedaround seven suspects ofviolent crime, who were de-tained and shifted to inves-tigation cells.

In another targeted op-eration in Liaquatabad’sIlyas Town area, Rangerscollared three alleged of-fenders involved in feloniesof all sorts.

The long arm of the lawin search of malefactors alsoreached other crime-marredsections of areas like OrangiTown, Baldia Town,Mehmoodabad, Landhi andKorangi.—SANA

Oxford launches book onlanguage teaching techniques

ods, to uncover thethoughts that guide theiractions as a teacher, andintroduces them to a vari-ety of teaching techniques,it was further stated. DianeLarsen-Freeman is a Profes-sor of Education, Professorof Linguistics, and a Re-search Scientist at the En-glish Language Institute ofMichigan. Marti Andersonis an education and teacher-training consultant cur-rently based in Bangkok,Thailand.

Talking about Tech-niques and Principles in Lan-guage Teaching, DianeLarsen-Freeman, said that

the book provides a practi-cal, step-by-step guidance forESL teachers, describing thedifferent methods and ap-proaches used in languageteaching.

“The book has influ-enced the way thousands ofteachers have taught lan-guages”, she added.

In her introductory ad-dress, Ameena Saiyid, Manag-ing Director, Oxford Univer-sity Press Pakistan, said, “I amglad to say that OUP is launch-ing the book Techniques andPrinciples in Language Teach-ing by Diane Larsen-Freemanand Marti Anderson, for thefirst time in Pakistan.—APP

Shahi Syed urgesscholars to kickoff ‘sick minds’from Madaris

KARACHI—Awami NationalParty (ANP) Sindh ChiefSenator Shahi Syed stronglycondemned the attack onMalala Yousafzai and saidthat she is a symbol of brav-ery, enlightenment andpeace.

Syed said that the attack-ers of Malala are not worthyto be called as Muslims.

Addressing a gatheringhere for praying Malala’s wallbeing, Syed said that theTaliban were damaging theimage of true religious schol-ars.

Malala Yousafzai, a chil-dren rights activist and Na-tional Peace Award winner,was critically injured, alongwith another girl student, af-ter a gunman fired upon herschool van on Tuesday inMingora town of districtSwat.

He said that she is a sym-bol of bravery, enlighten-ment and peace. Syed saidthat the attackers of Malalaare not worthy to be calledas Muslims.—NNI

Altaf condemnsblast in DarraAdam KhelSTAFF REPORTER

KA R A C H I—The Founderand Leader of MuttahidaQuami Movement (MQM)Altaf Hussain has stronglycondemned the explosionat the office of the anti-Taliban peace committee inDarra Adam Khel area ofKohat.

He expressed his griefand sorrow on the deathsof several persons in thedeadly blast in which manyother sustained injuries.

Hussain said that the el-ements that were spilling theblood of innocent people bycarrying out bomb blastswere enemies of the countryand humanity, and they wereworking on the agenda de-stabilize the country.

He said that the perpetra-tors of the bomb blasts, vio-lence and bloodshed werecowardly and lost in dark-ness. Their cowardly acts ofterrorism were bringing Islaminto disrepute, which is a re-ligion of peace.

Hussain extended sym-pathies to the grieving fami-lies of the people who losttheir lives in the blast andasked them to bear with pa-tience.

He also prayed for thedivine forgiveness of al lthe people killed in the ex-plosion.

A recent study by authors Gary Ladd, aprofessor in the School of Social andFamily Dynamics, Karen Rudolph,

University of Illinois, and Karen Kochel, anassistant professor in ASU’s School of So-cial and Family Dynamics and published inChild Development, explainsthat teens suffering from de-pression are at a greater riskof being bullied due to diffi-culties in establishing friend-ships amongst their peers.“Often the assumption isthat problematic peer rela-tionships drive depression.We found that depressionsymptoms predicted nega-tive peer relationships. Weexamined the issue fromboth directions but found noevidence to suggest thatpeer relationships fore-casted depression amongthis school-based sample ofadolescents.”

The research showsthat children in 4th gradewho were depressed ended up being sub-jected to bullying in 5th grade, and had ahard time “fitting in” in 6th grade. To dis-cover their findings, the authors collecteddata from 486 adolescents who were in the4th - 6th grade. The information was col-lected through self-assesment surveys takeneach year by adolescents, their peers, par-ents, and teachers.The study began in 1992and kept going almost 20 years. “Adoles-cence is the time when we see depressivesymptoms escalate, particularly in girls. Theresearchers believe this may be because ofthe start of puberty or the social pressuresput on adolescence, for example, romantic

Depression linked toadolescent bullying

relationships and pressure to be “popu-lar”. During the study, parents and teach-ers of the adolescents were asked if theyunderstood the main signs of depression,for example, low energy and crying morethan normal. The parents and teachers told

the authors that they be-lieved bullying to be definedas verbal abuse and physicalabuse, such as, talking badlyabout another person or hit-ting them. Kochel says:

“Teachers, administra-tors and parents need to beaware of the signs and symp-toms of depression and thepossibility that depression isa risk factor for problematicpeer relations. She also statesthat it is extremely importantfor adolescents to have con-crete relationships with theirpeers because this eventuallyhelps them to adapt to otheraspects of life, such as suc-cess in school and a healthypsychological mind.

“If adolescent depression forecastspeer relationship problems, then recogniz-ing depression is very important at this par-ticular age. This is especially true given thatsocial adjustment in adolescence appearsto have implications for functioningthroughout an individual’s lifetime. Westudied peer relationships within the schoolcontext. Parents tend not to observe theserelationships. Because depression has thepotential to undermine the maturation ofkey development skills, such as establish-ing healthy peer relationships, it’s impor-tant to be aware of the signs and symp-toms of adolescent depression.”

LAHORE: Provincial Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman speaks during a Den-gue Awareness Seminar at Khana-e-Farhang Iran.

LAHORE: Students of King Edward Medical College North Surgery Department holding Breast Cancer awarenesswalk to mark Pink Ribbon Day.

LAHORE: Women taking keen interest in the dresses displayed during an exhibition ata local hotel.

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Punjab Chief Min-ister Muhammad ShahbazSharif has said that Pakistanis facing three major issuesincluding corruption, load-shedding and terrorism. Hesaid that the prevalent corruptsystem has weakened thefoundations of Pakistan dur-ing the last 65 years and cor-ruption is still rampant in thecountry. He said that loot andplunder of the corrupt rulershas destroyed nationaleconomy which is the maincause of poverty, unemploy-ment, price hike and otherproblems.

He said that a sagaciousand honest leadership willhave to brought forward tobring the country out of cri-ses and put it on the road toprogress and development.He said that Pakistan is richin natural resources while itspeople are talented.

He avowed that the avail-able resources will be devel-oped and Pakistan will betransformed in accordancewith the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal in thereal sense. He said that thereis heavy responsibility on in-tellectuals to provide guid-ance for resolving the prob-lems being faced by the na-tion.

The Chief Minister an-

Corrupt rulers destroynational economy: Shahbaz

nounced to increase the cashprize for outstanding perform-ers in the field of literature andculture from two lakh to fivelakh rupees.

He was addressing aschief guest inaugural sessionof third national literary andcultural conference atAlhamra Hall. AssemblyMembers, Secretary Informa-tion and Culture, intellectuals,columnists, writers, poets andother prominent personalitiesin the field of literature fromall over the country partici-pated in the conference. Chair-man Alhamra Art CouncilAttaul Haq Qasmi highlightedthe aims and objectives of theconference.

The Chief Minister saidthat he is pleased to attendthis splendid conferencewhich has given him a newcourage and zeal. He said thathe considers himself servantto the people and the way re-nowned novelist AbdullahHussain has encouraged himand appreciated his efforts forelimination of corruption fromthe province has renewed hisdetermination to make greaterefforts to rid the country ofthe scourge of corruption.

He said that corruption isthe root cause of the problemsof the country and has wid-ened the gulf between the richand the poor. He said thatthough no one can claim to

have completely eradicatedcorruption but the measurestaken by the West for thispurpose are an example. Hesaid that if the menace of cor-ruption is rooted out from Pa-kistan there will be no need tobeg from others.

He said that the problemsbeing faced by the countrycan be resolved by develop-ing indigenous resources. Hesaid that is Turkey is a broth-erly country of Pakistan andboth the countries have facedsimilar problems but Turkeyhas made tremendousprogress through hard workand has become 17th biggesteconomy of the world.

Muhammad ShahbazSharif further said that the dic-tators destroyed Pakistanwhile it was also disintegratedduring dictatorial era whereasSiachen was also lost. He saidthat Baloch leader Akbar Bugtiwas martyred in the period ofdictatorship while Balochpeople were subjected to ex-treme oppression and atroci-ties. He said that Balochistanis an important part of Paki-stan and the situation in theprovince demands that itshould be taken seriously. Hesaid that there is a need tosolve the genuine problemsand grievances of Balochpeople through negotiationsand not at gunpoint.

He said that the problems

of Balochistan are complexand there was no justificationfor the actions taken in theprovince during the last 65years. Expressing his genuinesympathy for the people ofBalochistan, he said that theirgrievances have to be re-solved. He said that leader-ship of the country has ex-pressed solidarity with theBaloch people especiallyQuaid Pakistan MuslimLeague-N Muhammad NawazSharif has pointed out andraised his voice for the solu-tion of the problems ofBalochi people.

He said that the way gov-ernment and people of Punjabhave expressed solidarity withthe people of Balochistan isunprecedented in the 65years’ history of the country.He said that dictators couldnot get NFC Award approvedat gunpoint but the demo-cratic governments resolvedthis issue through mutual un-derstanding and Punjab sur-rendered its annual share of11 billion rupees which heconsiders a humble servicefor the strength and solidar-ity of the federation. He saidthat there is a need to utilizeall abilities and energies in lit-erature and art, agriculture,education, health and othersectors and move forward byrelying on the available re-sources.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Central leader ofPakistan Muslim-N, HamzaShahbaz Sharif MNA, hassaid that the entire nation askthe rulers to account for themurder attempt on MalalaYousafzai. Zardari govern-ment, under secret agree-ments, has given open per-mission for American droneattacks. There is no differ-ence in the rule of Zardari and

No difference between Zardari,Musharraf rule: Hamza

Musharraf.He expressed these views

while addressing a big pub-lic meeting at Kasur. Leadersof PML-N Sheikh Waseem,Rana Hayat MuhammadKhan, Rana MuhammadIshaq, Malik Rasheed,Shumaila Rana, AnisQureshi, Sardar Nabi Ahmed,Naeem Ansari, Anela Akhtar,Mubashar Nawaz, AfzaalHussain and thousands ofPML-N workers and people

attended the public meeting.On start of his speech,Hamza Shahbaz Sharif of-fered ‘dua’ for early recoveryof Malala Yousafzai.

Addressing the publicmeeting, Hamza ShahbazSharif said that dictatorPervez Musharraf is respon-sible for this kind of crueltyas he sold the sons anddaughters of the nation fordollars. He said that thepresent government hasmade secret agreements withAmerica regarding drone at-tacks.

Hamza Shahbaz Sharifsaid that during the govern-ment of Prime Minister NawazSharif in 1997, Pakistan wasin a position to export elec-tricity to India while due tocorruption, loot and plunderof national resources duringZardari government, todaythe country is facing severloadshedding, unemploy-ment and price-hike.

He said that the surveyreport of IRI has exposed thepolitical jugglers who aremisleading the nation. Hesaid that after coming intopower, we will restore Paki-stani economy, provide em-ployment opportunities tothe youth and strengthennational institutions in orderto give practical shape to thedreams of Quaid-e-Azam andAllama Iqbal.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Special Assistantto Chief Minister on HealthKhawaja Salman Rafique hassaid that about 43 polio caseswere reported throughout thecountry during the currentyear.

He said this while talkingto reporters here at AllamaIqbal Medical College/JinnahHospital while formallylaunching the 3-day anti-po-lio campaign by administer-ing polio vaccine and Vita-min-A doses here on Satur-day.

Khawaja Salman said,“Pakistan is included amongthose only three countries ofthe world, where polio dis-ease is prevalent. The needof the hour is to launch a vig-

Punjab anti-polio campaign starts

43 polio cases reported duringcurrent year: Kh Salman

orous campaign in all the fourprovinces for complete eradi-cation of polio virus.”

The representatives ofWorld Health OrganizationDr. Nima Abid, Dr. Wanday,representative of UNICEF, Dr.Rana Mushtaq, Director Gen-eral Health Punjab Dr. NisarCheema besides PrincipalAllama Iqbal Medical CollegeProf. Mahmood Shaukat andother medical experts werealso present on the occasion.

Khawaja said, in KhyberPakhtunkhwa province andits adjoining areas, owing towar situation and other rea-sons, thousands of childrenremain deprived of poliodrops every time, due towhich polio virus is presentin all over the country, includ-ing Punjab. However, he said

there has been marked im-provement in polio coveragein Punjab, due to which onlythree polio cases have sur-faced, while previous year,these cases were nine. Heinformed that in 2011, asmany as 198 polio cases werereported throughout thecountry which has reducedup to 43 cases during currentyear.

He further said the Punjabgovernment has takenstrenuous steps to ensureelimination of polio virus and,on the directive of Chief Min-ister Punjab, DCOs of all dis-tricts have been ordered tomake strict vigilance of thepolio campaign, while strictlegal action would be takenagainst official showing neg-ligence.

PWDPapproves uplift

schemesSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—The Punjab gov-ernment has approved thescheme of Transport sectorwith an estimated cost of Rs.3156.632 million for “Con-struction of Metro Bus Tran-sit System for Lahore-Ferozepur Road Corridor, Erec-tion of Escalators and PlatformScreen Doors at MTS StationsPackage-IX (Revised).”

Five developmentschemes of various sectors ofthe economy were also ap-proved worth Rs. 4459.021 mil-lion in the 15th meeting of Pro-vincial Development WorkingParty of current financial year2012-13 presided over by thePunjab Planning and Develop-ment Board Chairman, JavaidAslam.

Secretary Planning & De-velopment Punjab Arif AnwarBaloch, members of the Plan-ning and Development Boardand other senior representa-tives of the relevant ProvincialDepartments also attendedthe meeting.

The approved develop-ment schemes included; Reha-bilitation of Gujranwala -Hafizabad Road Km. No. 6/20to 48/00 length 41.80 Km inDistrict Gujranwala andHafizabad (Revised) at thecost of Rs. 1772.092 million,Widening / Improvement andConstruction of road QaziAbad MM Road to Nawan Kotlength 33.07 Km, Distt. Layyah (Revised) at the cost of Rs.403.399 million, Widening /Improvement Khushab-Muzaffargarh Road (SectionJhang District Boundary toMuzaffargarh) from Km No.207.72 to 291.00 length=83.82km District Muzaffargarh (Re-vised) at the cost ofRs.2263.785 million, FeasibilityStudy & Design Review ofConstruction of Lai Express-way at Rawalpindi (PC-II) atthe cost of Rs.14.745 millionand Feasibility Study.

PTI media celldissolutiondemandedSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Media Coordina-tor Pakistan Tehrik-e-InsafJaved Badar has demandedfor dissolution of media cellsimultaneously along withother party wings for theparty elections.

He made this demand tothe party chief Imran Khan,saying that the Secretary In-formation PTI ShafqatMahmood has lost his cred-ibility among the PTI work-ers because of his poor per-formance. Appointment ofShafqat has cost the partyheavily and the popularitygraph of the party is de-scending fast, he added.

He said the relations ofShafqat Mahmood with themedia are not ideal and themedia is complaining con-stantly against his non-coop-erative attitude. Also, headded, Shafqat also intriguesof ballooning the groupingwithin the party. He also sug-gested replacement ofShafqat Mahmood with a re-liable party worker tempo-rarily unless elections frommedia cell takes place.

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Punjab ChiefMinister MuhammadShahbaz Sharif has said thatlaptops distribution schemeof Punjab government is arevolutionary step to intro-duce latest technology to theyounger generation.

He said focusing the at-tention of the youth towardsinformation technology ishighly essential to eliminateextremism from society.

100,000 laptops to bedistributed among students

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharifsaid that by imparting latesttechnology to the youngergeneration, they are beingbrought at par with the re-quirements and demands ofthe present era.

The Chief Minister waspresiding over a high levelmeeting which reviewedlaptops distribution schemein detail. Addressing themeeting, Shahbaz Sharif saidthat, during the current fis-cal year, 100,000 latest model

laptops would be distributedamong the boy and girl stu-dents, purely on the basis ofmerit, while the first consign-ment of these laptops wouldreach Lahore, by the end ofOctober. He said that stu-dents studying in eveningclasses, religious seminaries,technical education institu-tions, commerce colleges andIslamabad education institu-tions have also been in-cluded in the laptops distri-bution scheme.

Two women diein house fire

LAHORE—Two women wereburnt to death due to fire in ahouse caused by an electricshort circuit here late Fridaynight.

According to details, firestarted due to spark causedby electric short circuit in a“single-room” house locatedat Mohni Road of Lahore.

The papers and clothespresent nearby caught fireand which soon engulfedthe entire room.

As a result Yasmin, 24,and Ashi, 22, residing in theroom died after sustainingthird degree burns.

Fire spread too fast togive rescue persons or theneighbours a chance to dosomething.—INP