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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif inaugurating the National Human Development EndowmentFund. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal are also present.

Are we heading for Thailandmodel?................................................Containerisation to containprotests................................................Erdogan to lead as President

See Page 04

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister NawazSharif has said that those talking aboutrevolution weren’t only pulling the legs ofthe government but the nation and ques-tioned as to who was behind the calls forrevolutions and marches in the country.

“I can’t help but laugh at the agendasof these long marches,” Nawaz Sharif said,indirectly referring to the PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan AwamiTehreek (PAT). “It hurts and confusesme—who has given them these agendasand what they want to do with this coun-try?” The prime minister said all the par-

Marches, revolutionsdisservice to nation: PMHuman resource development priority of 2025 vision

ties having mandate of the people wereunited on upholding of the constitution, en-

suring basic rights to the people, develop-ment and elimination of terrorism. PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif was speaking at anevent organised for the launch of his eco-nomic ‘Vision 2025’.

Nawaz Sharif said the governmenttalks of getting out of crises while TahirulQadri was propagating for revenge. Hesaid the slogans of revolution and longmarch have brought the stock marketdown. “Have we not learned lessons fromwhat this country has suffered? The con-stitution has been uprooted, rule of law hasbeen flouted.we suffered billions of dol-lars losses (as a result of Pakistan’s in-

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LIAQAT TOOR

ISLAMABAD—Though die-hard workers ofPTI and PAT will lay a strong security layeraround Imran Khan Tahir-ul-Qadri duringtheir August 14 March, but a serious secu-rity threat is looming large over them asroguish elements can make life attempts onthem to plunge the country into chaos andanarchy.

The Islamabad Police and securityagencies are worried about this situationas they have already issued advisories of

Serious security threat to Imran, Qadrisecurity alerts to them. When contactedsenior officials of Islamabad police andsecurity agencies said the high alerts arebased on intelligence inputs as the terror-ists can cause any untoward incident todestabilise Pakistan, especially as a backlash of Zarb-e-Azb.

The late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto wasalso issued such alerts but due to securitylapses and lowering of her guards, terroristssucceeded in their designs in 2007.

As both the leaders are determined to go

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—At a meeting that lasted severalhours on Monday, top commanders of the Paki-stan Army vowed to not allow terrorists to re-group or return to areas where the military hasbeen carrying out an operation against terroristelements.

Presiding over the Corps Commanders’meeting at the General Headquarters on Mon-day, Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharifexpressed complete satisfaction over progressmade so far in Operation Zarb-i-Azb.

Commanders were given a detailed brief-ing on the ongoing operation and the overall

Not to let terrorists return,regroup: Corps Commanders

Satisfied with NWA operation

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The Karachi Stock Ex-change saw a huge fall of 4.6 percent onMonday, sparked by fears of a politicalcrisis as opposition figures called on sup-porters to join a march to overthrow thegovernment.

The benchmark Karachi Stock Ex-change plunged by 1375 points or 4.6percent to 28,037 in the morning tradingsession, reversing weeks of positive per-formances that saw it touch a 68-yearhigh.

“In the beginning investors believedthat there might be some political recon-ciliation before the march takes off,” saidMohammad Sohail, the head of ToplineSecurities in Karachi.

“But after the yesterday call of Qadri,panic gripped the investors,” he said.

The drop came as the capital of

KSE plummets by 1375points amid fears over protests

Islamabad braces for protest marches ledby cricketer-turned politician Imran Khanand cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri who havevowed to topple the government of PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif.

The two plan to march on August 14accompanied by tens of thousands of sup-porters, claiming that last year’s generalelection was rigged.

Both protest rallies will be held onThursday when Pakistan celebrates its in-dependence day.

“This is the largest ever fall in thestock value in one day as panic grips in-vestors,” said Farhan Mahmood, a re-search analyst at Karachi-based ShermanSecurities.

Analysts attributed the fall to politi-cal tensions and uncertainty as the dayscome near for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to hold an ‘Azadi’ march inIslamabad on August 14 and the skir-

mishes of Pakistan Awami Tehreek work-ers and police personnel in Punjab.

They assume that foreign investorsmay pull their capital out of Pakistaniequity markets due to the volatile situa-tion.

Pakistan’s economic outlook hasgenerally improved since the govern-ment of business-friendly Sharif cameto power.

Foreign exchange reserves havedoubled from $7 billion to $14 billionfollowing succesful negotiations withthe International Monetary Fund for debtservicing assistance, the sale of bonds,as well as auctions for 3G and 4G li-cences.

In July, ratings agency Moody’s up-graded Pakistan’s country outlook to‘stable’ from ‘negative’ citing its improv-ing external liquidity position and com-mitment to reforms.

Mediadistorted mystatements,

claims QadriSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Pakistan AwamiTehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadrion Monday denied that he hadasked workers not to sparethose abandoning the ‘revolu-tion’ march and said that themedia is distorting his state-ments.

At a press conference inLahore, Qadri held up copiesof several national newspapersand read from reports thatstated he had called on work-ers to harm those who wouldabandon his movement.

He clarified that his state-ments from yesterday’s speechin Model Town pertained tohim and Imran Khan, not hisparty supporters.

Newspapers on Mondaywidely reported that Qadri haddirected his followers not tospare anyone betraying andabandoning the so-calledInqilab march.

In a defiant tone, he hadasked his followers a day ear-lier not to take what he called

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—The Lahore High Court on Mondayasked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to “keep hisego aside” and negotiate with his political ri-vals in the interest Pakistan.

A larger bench of the Lahore High Courtsummoned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chiefImran Khan and asked the federal and Punjab

LHC asks PM to negotiatewith political rivals

Protest is basic right of all citizensgovernments to submit responses over the stepstaken with regard to the PTI’s call for ‘AzadiMarch’ on independence day and adjourned thehearing till Tuesday (today).

A three-member larger bench led by JusticeKhalid Mehmood Khan and comprising JusticeShahid Hameed and Justice Anwarul Haq re-

BERNE/NEW DELHI—Under pressure fromIndia and other countries, Switzerland has madekey changes in its local laws governing assis-tance to foreign nations in their pursuit of blackmoney allegedly stashed in Swiss banks.

These amendments, which have come intoforce this month, would allow India and othercountries to make ‘group requests’ for informa-tion about suspected black money hoarders,while Swiss authorities would not give prior in-timation to suspected individuals or entities be-fore sharing their details.

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Black money pursuit

Switzerland amends keylaw on foreign requests

However, the onus would be on India (orany other requesting nation) to establish that anyprior intimation to the account holders beforeinformation exchange would defeat the “purposeof the administrative assistance” and the suc-cess of investigation would be thwarted. In oneof the major roadblocks to effective and timelyexchange of information with foreign authori-ties about suspected illicit account holders, theSwiss laws provide that the person concernedwould get a prior intimation of any such inter-

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Turkish activiststo challengeIsraeli blockadeof GazaISTANBUL—A Turkish aidgroup said on Monday itwould again send ships tochallenge the Israeli blockadeof Gaza, four years afterIsraeli commandos stormedits flotilla bound for thePalestinian territory andkilled 10 Turks.

The plan looked set tothrow a fresh obstacle in theway of efforts to rebuildshattered diplomatic tiesbetween Turkey and Israel,just as Ankara launches an“air corridor” carryingwounded Palestinians toTurkey and aid to Gaza.

Three Palestinian womenand a male youth were flownfrom Tel Aviv to Ankaraovernight for medicaltreatment after Turkey heldtalks on the matter withIsrael, the first step ofAnkara’s bid to evacuatepossibly thousands from the

SC restoresPEMRA actingchairman Rathore

OBSERVER REPORT

ISLAMABAD—The SupremeCourt Monday reinstated theacting chairman, PervaizRathore and ExecutiveMember Kamaluddin Tipo ofPakistan Electronic MediaRegulatory Authority.

The Supreme Courtthree-member bench headedby Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk was hearing theappeal here.

The court revoking theIslamabad High Courtdecision ordered therestoration of PEMRAacting chairman PervaizRathore and ExecutiveMember, Kamaluddin Tipo.

Earlier, IHC hadsuspended Pervaiz Rathoreand Kamaluddin Tipo fromtheir posts.

The Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk in his order said theIHC decision stands set asideand Pervaiz Rathore andKamaluddin Tipo couldassume charge of their officesforthwith to continue theirwork as usual.

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STAFF REPORTER

I S L A M A B A D — P a k i s t a nTehreek-i-Insaf chairmanImran Khan said on Mondaythat his party does not supportmartial law. “Martial law is notthe solution to the country’sproblems. We do not want anykind of violence,” Imran told apress conference here.

“Nawaz Sharif is the HosniMubarak of Pakistan,” saidImran. “People are scared thatif they come on the streets, themilitary will come.

“There are thousands pro-testing in Britain (in favour ofPalestinians). Is the militarycoming (in Britain)?” he re-marked. The PTI chief reiter-ated that the army is not thesolution, and that his party doesnot support martial law.

“Our protest will be peace-

Continued on Page 7

Imran: Martial law notsolution to problems

ful,” he assured. He called out topolice and the bureaucracy to“save the country”. “If some-thing like the Model Town inci-dent happens again, it would takethe country towards destruction,”he said. He appealed to peopleto maintain peace and to avoidvandalism and bloodshed as thiswould be a historic movement.

The PTI chief reiterated hisstance over rigging during gen-eral elections held in 2013 andadded that Najam Sethi, Justice(r) Khalilur Rehman Ramdayand former Supreme CourtChief Justice Justice (r) IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry ensuerdthe victory of PML-N.

He claimed that in this re-gard Shahbaz Sharif hadregularised one hundred thou-sand employees of the provin-cial education department onemonth prior to the elections.

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Imran Khan addressing apress conference on Monday. —SANA photo

security situation in the country.The army chief lauded the courage and sac-

rifices of the troops, and emphasised on the needto consolidate operational gains made so far inthe operation. The army chief also expressed thehope that operational gains would be backed upby long term counter-terrorism and counter-ex-tremism measures by stakeholders concerned.

“No stone (should) be left unturned toassist IDPs during their stay outside and intheir early return to their homes,” he was alsoquoted as saying. Sources said operationalcommanders briefed the meeting that afterclearing Miramshah, Mir Ali was now being

Continued on Page 7

PR: Imran’spress conference

‘pack of lies’PTI, PAT chiefswant anarchy

ISLAMABAD—Terming PTIChairman Imran Khan’s pressconference “a pack of lies”,

Minister forInformation,Broadcastingand NationalH e r i t a g eS e n a t o rP e r v a i zRashid saidon Mondaythat Imran

Khan had no respect for Par-liament, judiciary and ElectionCommission of Pakistan.

The minister, in a statementhere, said the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief did not haveevidence to prove his claims.

Former Chief ElectionCommissioner JusticeFakharuddin G Ibrhim had al-ready refuted his (Imran’s)claims about rigging andshown him the true picture, headded. The minister said it wasunfortunate that Imran Khan

Continued on Page 7

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—Although the gov-ernment is changing its strat-egy rapidly to counter revolu-tionary and independencemarch going to be held side byside on 14th August, a day thenation celebrates its indepen-dence day, some reliablesources inside the governmentare claiming that the govern-ment is also working on a planto detain or bring the leadersof Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf(PTI), Pakistan Awami Tehrik(PAT) and leaders of the other

LoC violation

Two killedby Indian

troops firingSIALKOT—At least two per-sons including a woman werekilled and three others sus-tained injuries when IndianBorder Security Force (BSF)troops resorted to unprovokedfiring across the WorkingBoundary in Charwah sector,near Sialkot.

According to ChenabRangers sources, there werealso some reports that firingfrom across the boundarykilled several livestock. OneMasjid (mosque) was alsobadly damaged due to the fir-ing in Charwal village on theboundary.

Over all three villages werehit by the Indian firing. ChenabRangers took positions and re-taliated effectively to the firing,silencing Indian guns. ChenabRangers sources said they re-sponded to the shots and an in-termittent exchange of fire tookplace with the use of heavyweapons along the WorkingBoundary.

The incident comes daysafter Pakistan returned an In-dian Border Security Force(BSF) soldier as a good willgesture.—INP

Imran, Qadri, 3 otherslikely to be put under

protective custodypolitical parties under protec-tive custody.

However, officially neitherany PML-N leader nor the of-ficials of the Punjab govern-ment including Punjab LawMinister Rana Mashhood an-nounced such kind of strategyof bringing the leaders of theagitating parties into protectivecustody.

The Punjab government,however, is still determined tofoil the planned long march ofPTI and PAT and Punjab ChiefMinister Mian Shahbaz Sharif

Continued on Page 7

Nawaz to addressnation todaySTAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister NawazSharif will address the nation on Tues-day to announce the course of actionhis government would be adopting in

Continued on Page 7

India willing tohave dialogue onKashmir: RajnathNEW DELHI—Expressingdesire to bring aboutpermanent solution to theKashmir issue, the govern-ment on Monday night said itis willing to have anydialogue under the ambit of‘insaniyat’ (humanity) toaddress the problem andfavours good relations withPakistan.

“We want to find apermanent solution toKashmir issue. We are readyfor any kind of dialoguewithin Constitutionalframework... If necessary, weare even willing to holddialogue within the frame-work of ‘insaniyat’,” homeminister Rajnath Singhinformed the Rajya Sabha.

In this context, he soughtthe cooperation of oppositionCongress if it could help inany manner.

He said India also wantsgood relations with Pakistanand is ready to hold talks withthat country to end the

Continued on Page 7

Bedfordshire varsity welcomesint’l student recruitment decision

Musharraf to leave for abroad this monthDirections given to jail administration for welcoming new prisoners: Manzoor Wassan

Staff ReporterISLAMABAD—The University ofBedfordshire in the UK has welcomeddecision by UK Visas and Immigra-tion (UKVI) to allow the University toresume recruiting international stu-dents.

The decision confirms that theUniversity can continue to issue Con-firmation of Acceptance for Studies(CAS) letters to new international stu-dents. It follows a detailed audit byUKVI of the University’s proceduresfor the management and monitoringof international students.

Welcoming the decision BillRammell, the University ofBedfordshire’s Vice Chancellor, said:“I was always confident that our pro-cedures for monitoring internationalstudents were robust, and I’m pleasedthat UKVI’s thorough and detailedaudit has confirmed this.

We take our immigration compli-ance responsibilities extremely seri-ously. We cooperated with UKVIthroughout the audit and I’m delightedthat, following this decision, we cannow resume issuing CAS letters to newinternational students and we retainour Highly Trusted Sponsor status.

I’m looking forward to welcomingmore international students to our di-verse and vibrant learning community.

“Current international studentswere not affected in any way by theshort pause in our ability to issue newCAS letters. “The high quality of ourteaching, excellent student experienceand our location are the three mainreasons international students cometo Bedfordshire.

We give students a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to live and study withour home students and with studentsfrom many different countries andbackgrounds.”

The University of Bedfordshire re-ceived the Queen’s Award for Enter-prise: International Trade in 2011 andthe Queen’s Anniversary Prize forHigher and Further Education in 2014– the highest form of recognition foruniversities in the UK.

The University of Bedfordshire’sability to issue CAS letters to new in-ternational students was paused bythe Home Office on 24 June 2014, whenthe Minister for Immigration and Se-curity made a statement in the UK Par-liament regarding student visas. TheMinister stated that the Universitywould not sponsor new students

pending the outcome of a UKVI in-vestigation. The University ofBedfordshire was one of a number ofuniversities in London and the SouthEast of England affected.

The University cooperated fullywith UKVI and, following the conclu-sion of their investigation; UKVI an-nounced on 5 August 2014 that theUniversity might once again issueCAS letters. Ashraf Jawaid, DeputyVice Chancellor, External Relations atthe University of Bedfordshire, added:

“Our courses are driven by world-leading research and are taught bysome of the leading academics in theirfield. The University provides stu-dents of all backgrounds with highquality teaching, outstanding facili-ties, great support and an excellent ex-perience. “And 92% of Bedfordshirestudents find employment or are infurther study soon after they gradu-ate – one of the highest rates in thecountry.”

To find out more about the Uni-versity of Bedfordshire and thecourses available to international stu-dents please visit www.beds.ac.uk/in-ternational, emailinternational@beds.ac.uk or phone+44 (0)1582 489326

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Prisons, Manzoor Hussain Wassan watching new weapons during the weaponshanding over ceremony.

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—Some old in-mates would be releasedfrom prisons while somenew would be arrested andjailed and hence the admin-istration of Prisons inSindh had been directed tomake necessary prepara-tions to deal with the in-and-out situation insideprisons soon.

Former President Gen-eral (Retd) PervezMusharraf would leave forabroad in last week of thecurrent month (August-2014) and that would bethe turning point for someto promenade out and forsome to be paraded insidethe jail.

Sindh Minister for Pris-ons, Anti-Corruption Es-tablishment, Mines andMinerals ManzoorHussain Wassan ex-pressed these views Mon-day on occasion of provi-sioning of latest weaponsto jail security at CentralPrison Karachi.

Inspector General ofPolice (Prisons) NusratHussain Mangan and JailSuperintendents of variousjails of the province werepresent.

He said that chanceswere high that PakistanTehreek-e Insaf Chairmanand Pakistan Awami

Tehreek Chairman Dr TahirUl Qadri would reachIslamabad to be seatedthere for some time; there-fore, federal governmentshould make serious effortsfor resolving the issues po-litically like PakistanPeople’s Party had donepolitically done for similarsituation in past. Politicalissues could never be re-solved with the use offorce.

He said the politicalforces should show seren-ity over fast deterioratingpolitical scenario becausefailing to play the requiredpolitical role for control ofthe ongoing political unrest,the situation could slip outof hands.

He said PakistanPeople’s party would notsupport any unconstitu-tional step and despite adesire for general elections,the PPP would also behappy with midterm elec-tions.

He said that prison se-curity personnel (Jail Police)had been provided with 300G-3 rifles, 250 sub-machineguns, 100 repeater guns, 2509mm calibre pistols, 1000spare magazines, 300 bulletproof vests, 300 bullet proofhelmets and 200,000 bullets.

He said that in additionto provisioning of latestweapons, special ant-ter-

rorism training was alsobeing imparted to Jail Po-lice personnel.

He said prisons inKarachi, Hyderabad andSukkur were sensitive andvulnerable to bids of terror-

ism and hence the securityof those jails was beingequipped with latest weap-ons. In order to ensure fool-proof security of vulnerablejails in Sindh, bombproofhigh walls would be con-

structed around jails.He said a new prison

would be constructed inJamshoro for high profilecriminals, which would costRs 1 billion because thenumber of prisoners in

Central Prison Karachi andKarachi Juvenile Jail,Landhi was greater than thecapacity and Sindh govern-ment wanted to constructat least one prison in eachdistrict of the province.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Pakistan People’s Party(PPP) Senator and PPP Central Mediacell in-charge Saeed Ghani said therewere no premonitions about Martial Lawin Pakistan amid ongoing escalatedtense political situation being createdby Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) andPakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

However, Pakistan Muslim leagueNawaz (PMLN)-led governments inPunjab and in Centre had committedblunders due to which the ongoing po-litical unrest had prevailed and yet thePrime Minister should initiate politicaldialogue with the PTI leadership. In ad-dition, it should be clear that the PTIwould not achieve anything from theirlong march.

The PTI Chairman Imran Khan hadrampantly changing his stances and de-mands were rapidly modified, which was

a manifest of political immaturity. ThePTI Chairman should also know thatthough the provision of Mid Term elec-tions was a constitutional way but itcould only be possible if the Prime Min-ister would feel it was good for the coun-try and without the intentions of thePrime Minister, the Mid Term electionswould still be dream for the PTI to cometrue.

In reply to a question, Senator Ghanisaid that the Mid Term elections, if PTI’sdemand for the same, were honoured,would still be conducted by the presentelection commission of Pakistan and theformation of interim government couldas per the Constitution of Pakistan, onlybe actualised with the consultation be-tween the Prime Minister and leader ofopposition Syed Khursheed Shah. Inthat compulsive Constitutional limits, thePTI Chairman Imran Khan should tellhow he would step forward, which of

course, he could not and would hadbetter to enter the political dialogue withthe federal government.

The PPP leader said that though thefederal government initiated politicalprocess toward resolution of the con-frontational politics with the PTI, whichwas apparently suspended, shouldonce again be restarted. Senator SaeedGhani said that it looked as if the federalgovernment was in a mood of directconfrontation with the PTI as the PMLNhad now announced to place its politi-cal force face to face with the PTI and ifthis would happen, political situationwould get worsened and the PMLNgovernment should avoid that kind ofconfrontation. He said that the PTIshould engage in political dialogueswith the federal government for electoralreforms so that the loopholes that led topre-poll and post-poll rigging should beclosed in next general elections.

No chances for martial law, midterm polls

Jamaat, lawyerscommunity condemnIsraeli attack on Gaza

MULTAN—Provincial Parliamentary leader Jamat-e-IslamiDr Syed Wasim Akhtar strongly condemned the recentattacks of Israel on innocent Palestinians despite ceasefire.

In a press statement, Dr Wasim stated that over 1900innocent citizens including women and kids embracedmartyrdom due to naked aggression of Israel. He informedthat Jamat-e-Islami would hold “Ghaza March” on TheMall, Lahore.

He urged the muslim countries to forge unity amongtheir ranks and come up with proper strategy to save in-nocent people of Palestine.

The High Court Bar Association Multan on Mondaytook out a rally to express solidarity with Palestinians fac-ing Israeli aggression. Bar President Syed Athar HassanBukhari led the rally.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Palestinian broth-ers would not be left alone in the difficult times and pledgedto support them at all forums. He underlined the need forunity among Muslims to serve as a deterrence for preven-tion of aggression.

Jamaat-i-Islami Multan Ameer Asif Mahmood Ikhwani saidthat Gaza had been facing Israeli barbarism for the last manydecades. He strongly criticized the US for supporting Israel andthe UN and the OIC for their silence.

Bar General Secretary Sajjad Hussain Tangra highlightedthe need for raising voice for Palestinians at all forums and toextend all kind of support to them. District bar Multan gen-eral secretary Haseeb Qadir, former bar presidentsMahmood Ashraf Khan and Malik Haidar Usman,Chaudhry Sagheer and other lawyers also spoke.—APP

Boat carrying illegalmigrants sinks near

Pak-Iran borderQUETTA—A speed boat carrying 11 “illegal immigrants”sank on Monday near the Pak-Iran border. Levies officialBalach Gichki told media persons that the speed boat wason its way from Gwadar district’s Jewni area to the Iranianborder when it sank.

He said four dead bodies were retrieved from the Ara-bian Sea, whereas a search operation initiated by the localswas under way to recover the remaining seven bodies.“People were engaged on their own in rescue efforts”, Gichkistated.The dead bodies are yet to be identified.

“The boat was overloaded and all of a sudden it some-how sank”, Gichki said quoting locals.

He said the victims were illegal immigrants from Pakistantrying to enter into neighbouring Iran illegally.

Thousands of Pakistanis trying to enter Iran illegally arecaught every year by Iranian border guards. Iranian authori-ties had been often deporting Pakistanis entering into theircountry.

Illegal immigrants from Pakistan travel through desertsof Iran and Turkey or by sea on their way to Greece. Veryfew manage to reach that country, whereas a majority eitherget caught in Iran or Turkey or die in sea and deserts.—INP

ANF recovers 5 kgheroin from courierservices companies

ISLAMABAD—Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) has recovered fivekg heroin in Rawalpindi and Lahore, arresting three drug smug-glers. According to details issued by ANF, the force conductedthree raids at Courier Service Companies at Rawalpindi andLahore, recovering five kg heroin destined for abroad.

ANF Rawalpindi intercepted a parcel at APX courier ser-vice, Rawalpindi and recovered 4 kg heroin from a consign-ment containing 246 cones of thread. The consignment wasbooked by a person Muhammad Azeem r/o Lahore at DHLcourier service, Lahore and was destined for Canada.

Meanwhile, ANF Lahore intercepted a parcel at Fedex Of-fice destined for Canada and recovered 420 gram heroin con-cealed in bed sheets. The parcel was booked from DHA Phase-III, Lahore by an accused Sajid Mehmood r/o Lahore and wasto be received by Sadiq Ali at 5898-Trapp Avenue, BurnabyVancouver, Canada.

ANF Lahore seized a parcel from DHL courier service,Gulberg-II, Lahore and recovered 390 gram heroin concealedin a carton containing garments. —APP

New babyborn named as TayyipErdogan

MU Z A F FA R G A R H—Firstbaby boy who was born inTayyip Erdogan Hospitalhere on Monday has beennamed Tayyip Erdogan.

The baby was bornthrough Cesarean Sectiontoday at the hospital popu-larly known as Tika hospital,said official sources.

However, both baby andhis mother were healthy. Par-ents of baby belong to JhangMorh, an area ofMuzaffargarh.

Seventy-bed TayyipErdogan, the trust hospitalhad been completed by Turk-ish International Corporationand Coordination Agency(TIKA).

Located some sixkilometre away from here atDG Khan road, the hospitalsprawling over 18 kanal landdonated by the Punjabgoverment.

The hospital has beennamed after Turkish PrimeMinister Recep TayyipErdogan.

The hospital com-pleted within two years timeafter its construction workstarted in 2012.

The Punjab governmenthad earmarked Rs 2 billionfor expansion of the hospitalfrom 70 to 500 beds in thenext fiscal year.—APP

BANNU: General Officer Commanding Engineering Division, Major General Akhtar Jamil Rao shaking hand withnotables of North Waziristan Tribe’s Jirga.

Staff ReporterYOUHANA ABAD—TheMuslim leadership will haveto play a full-fledged role tomitigate fears that existamong non-Muslims in Pa-kistan. It is the government’sresponsibility to protect thelives, honour and propertiesof Muslims and non-Mus-lims living in Pakistan.

These views were ex-pressed by Pakistan UlemaCouncil [PUC] Central Chair-man Hafiz Muhammad TahirMahmood Ashrafi while ad-dressing a mass gathering atYouhana Abad on the occa-sion of Minorities Day. Hesaid that Allah is the Lord ofthe universe whereasProphet Muhammad[PBUH] is a blessing for the

whole mankind. Islambrought a message of peace,love and forbearance for ev-ery citizen of the world. Hesaid that a struggle needs tobe carried out for the rightsof minorities not just in Paki-stan but also the entire world.The PUC has always talkedabout the rights of Chris-tians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsisand other minorities living in

Pakistan. We are happy thatnon-Muslims and their lead-ers respect the sentiments ofMuslims in Pakistan. Mus-lims should also adopt thesame attitude towards theirnon-Muslim brethren.

He further said that dia-logue is needed at the pub-lic level to improve relationsbetween Muslims and non-Muslims. No religion, in-cluding Islam, allows theholy figures, books or wor-ship places of other reli-gions to be desecrated.

Govt responsible to protect lives of every citizen

Efforts on toincrease 95pc

primary schoolenrolment

ISLAMABAD—The abolish-ment of all types of paymentin form of fee and othercharges from class-I to Xstudents in all educationalinstitutions in Capital hashelped increase percentageof school going children inIslamabad.

The present percentageof school going children inIslamabad has reached 95per cent at primary level andefforts are being made tofurther increase the enroll-ment by attracting more andmore out of school children.

Official sources at Capi-tal Administration and De-velopment Division whilehighlighting the initiativeswith regard to increase thepercentage, on Mondaysaid in pursuance of Article25-A of the constitution,1973 and in terms of Section3(2) of “Right to Free andCompulsory Education Act,2012” all types of paymentin form of fee, charges, ex-penses etc from students ofClass-I to X (from age 5-16years) in all educational in-stitutions have been abol-ished.—APP

FAISALABAD—A young woman was shotdead by her ‘step sons’ in the area ofLangrana police station. According topolice,Muhammad Mansha,resident of chakno. 234-JB married a 22-year-old girl,NajmaBibi of the same locality few monthsbacks,despite strong opposition byAmanullah and Ikramullah, his sons fromfirst wife.

Meanwhile, a man strangled his wife inMamoon Kanjan police limits. According topolice, Razia Bibi had married Altaf Hussainof Chak No.53/3 about four months ago buthe suspected her character and killed her.While, ahree persons were killed over an oldrivalry in Madina Town police limits.

According to police, Imtiaz Kamoka,brother of trader Parvaiz Iqbal Kamoka, alongwith his friends Parvaiz Aziz and AbdulGhaffar was standing near Dhuddiwala onGhausia Darbar Road when their rivals ar-rived in a car and opened firing at them.

In another incident a young womanwas hit and killed by a car in the limits ofpolice station Dijkot. According to police,30-year-old Shabana wife of Nasir Maseihresident of Chak No.242-RB Dasoha wascrossing the Sammundri Road near RoshanWala Bypass when a rashly driven car hither. She died on the spot.

Following the accident, the relatives ofShabana staged a protest demonstration byputting her body on the road. SHO DijkotMian Muhammad Rafiq rushed to the spotand dispersed the protesters by assuringthem that the accused would be arrestedshortly.

Sargodha: Three women were gunneddown over a family dispute in different in-cidents in Jhaal Chakian police AttaShaheed limits on Monday. Police sourcessaid Muhammad Ramzan,resident of chak75 north, often quarrelled with his wife overfamily matters.On the day of incidence theyquarrelled bitterly and accused Ramzanopened indiscriminate fire.

Sarwar Bibi and young daughter Saimawere injured and died while being shiftedhospital.Police is investigating.Similarly,Ubaidullah of Chak 114 southshot dead a woman Naureen Bibi w/oM.Ramzan Khokhar over a petty issuewhile she was working with her husbandin the fields.The deceased was mother offive children. Police have registered a case.

Two persons were killed and two kidswere injured in different incidents here Mon-day. A police spokesman said that ZafarIqbal of Satellite Block-C quarreled with hiswife Razzia Bibi and shot her dead.—APP

12 killed in separate incidents

ISLAMABAD—Mainly dry weather is ex-pected over the most parts of the countrybut isolated thundershowersare expected over Rawalpindi,Sargodha, Peshawar,HazaraDivisions along with Kashmir.Weak moist current from Ara-bian sea is penetrating intoupper parts of the countryupto 3000 feet.

Yesterday’s monsoon low is likely tobecome insignificant from Monday.A sea-sonal low lies over North Balochistan and

Dry weather to continueits trough is extending north-eastwards,stated Met report here. Meanwhile,all the

major rivers were flowing be-low flood level. Rain re-corded during last 24 hours:Sara-e-Alamgir= 01 mm ;Chakri=01 mm. Dams posi-tion: TarbelaMangla Tarbela Level:-15830.50 ft Mangla Level:-

19.00 ft Max conservation level: Maxconservation leval 1550.00ft14.00ft.—APP

PESHAWA R—President AwamiNational Party (ANP) KP, AmirHaider Hoti has said unificationof PTI Chief, Imran Khan and Dr.Tahir-ul-Qadri is detrimental fordemocracy in the country. Hesaid while chairing a party meet-ing at Bacha Khan Markaz onMonday, said a press release is-sued here.

Speaking on the occasion,ANP president, Haider Hoti saidpolitics of agitation and protestswill badly damage foudation ofthe country. He expressed graveconcern on the overall prevailngpolitical situation in the countryand observed that any misadven-ture could result in big loss tothe nation. “Impatience of ImranKhan has created sever difficul-ties for the people of Pakstan,while Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri hasplayed the role of putting fuel onfire to aggravate the damage anddestruction,” Hoti remarked.

Haider stressed upon the po-litical leadership to unite and re-solve differences through dia-logue in the better interest of thenation and country.

During the meeting, different

committees were set up to holdANP central election on August17 at Wali Bagh in Charsadda dis-trict.

The participants held thread-bare discussion on the overallsituation of the country and issueof Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) of North Waziristan. Themeeting decided that the partyleadership would visit differentparts of the province and holdpublic meetings at different loca-tions.

Earlier, Minister for Planning,Development and Reforms AhsanIqbal said that chiefs of PakistanTehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khanand Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)Tahir ul Qadri were trying to mis-lead public for their personal gains.Talking to PTV, he said Imran Khanand Tahir ul Qadri have made the

Independence Day ‘bitter’ asat one side PAT workers were at-tacking the police stations and onthe other PTI was planning to holda march with clear intentions todestabilise the country.

He said the governmentwould have no objection overholding of the march in a peaceful

manner but it would not allow anyone to create law and order situa-tion.

He said legal action wouldbe taken against those who wouldviolate the law and challenge writof the state, adding that agenda-less Imran Khan and Qadri werenot sincere to democracy and thecountry. The entire nation, he said,would celebrate the IndependenceDay in a befitting manner on Au-gust 14, and following this routinework would start.

He said next general electionswould be held as per schedule in2018 and there was no question ofmid-term polls. Ahsan Iqbal saidpeople have given mandate toPML-N in 2013 elections and itwould complete its five-year demo-cratic and constitutional tenure.

He said PML-N has advised itsworkers to remain peaceful and ex-press tolerance. He said top mostpriority of the government was toresolve political issues amicablythrough dialogue.

Replying to a question, theminister said huge foreign invest-ment was pouring in the countryfollowing the government intro-

duced prudent economic policies.But, there was a fear that foreigninvestors would flee after seeingthe situation being created by PATand PTI, he added.

To another question, he said,PTI has not submitted any appli-cation seeking permission to holda public meeting in Islamabad onAugust 14, which was a clear in-dicator that it wanted to create an-archy and chaos. Commenting onthe energy situation, he said thegovernment was making all-outefforts to meet growing energydemands in the country, hopingthat it would overcome the crisisby 2017-18.

He said the country was in direneed to vibrantly march on the eco-nomic track and not the street.Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz(PML-N), the Minister said, hadheld a long march in 2009 for res-toration of democracy and not toderail democratically elected gov-ernment.

He said the elections-2013 wereheld in a free, fair and transparentmanner and if PTI have some res-ervations it should follow the le-gal procedure.—APP

Imran, Qadri duo to provedetrimental for democracy

CHAMAN: Security officials standing at the site on the bomb blast at Mall road. Four civilians were injured in remote control bomb blast plantedin a motorcycle.

PESHAWAR: Secretary Health KP Dr Aftab Ahmed Durani distributing certificatesamong the participants of course of MHPE Ist Batch at IPM&R.

Congo feverclaims 2 lives

RAFIULLAH

MANDOKHAIL

ZHOB—Two people diedwhile three others includinga woman suffering fromCongo hemorrhagic feverhere in Zhob district.

According to health offi-cials, Congo outbreak inMeena bazaar area of districtZhob claimed two lives whilethree others including awoman of the same villagereferred to Quetta and Multanfrom Combined Military Hos-pital for treatment.

Tawiz Khan a resident ofMeena bazaar village suf-fered from Congo fever diedten days back and anotherAbdullah Jan expired on Sun-day.

The symptoms they ex-hibited indicated they hadcontracted the Congo virus,”said an official at DHQ hospi-tal, who wished not to benamed.In 2010 a senior sur-geon Dr. Ayaz Mandokhail-hailing from Zhob was treat-ing a woman, the CCHF virustransmitted to him thatproved fatal.

People of the area havecriticized the one year poorperformance of an Interna-tional organization Relief In-ternational – working for theprevention of Crimean Congohemorrhagic fever in Zhobdistrict. They alleged that theauthorities of the organizationwere limited merely receivingtheir salaries and privilegesand they did nothing to cre-ate awareness among themasses about CCHF.

Crimean-Congo Hemor-rhagic fever is a viral and fa-tal disease that caused by atick-born virus. Man-to-mantransmission can occur re-sulting from close contactwith the blood, secretions orother bodily fluids of infectedpatient. Zhob is on route ofgypsies (nomads) where theytemporarily stay with theircattle.

MIRPUR KHAS—At least 16 persons in-cluding women and children fainted aftereating toxic yogurt here late on Sundaynight.

According to details, 16 members of apeasant family belonging to Hindu commu-nity and residing in Saman Goth locality ofMirpur Khas, Sindh took yogurt in dinner

which become toxic due to unknown rea-sons.

The affected people were shifted to CivilHospital where according to medics condi-tion of 10 of them was serious.

Samples of curd and food consumed bythe affectees have been sent for laboratorytest.—INP

16 Hindu family membersfaint after eating toxic yogurt

LAHORE—Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Paki-stan, Sirajul Haq, has said that political sce-nario n the country was taking a danger-ous turn but the ray of hope was still thereand the JI would try till the last moment topull the country out of the present crisis.

Talking to media men be-fore a meeting of the JI se-nior leadership at Mansoorahere Monday, he said he hadfound a respectable way outfor the two sides to help re-solve the crisis and con-veyed it to the both sidesthrough prominent personali-ties.

The two sides shouldshow prudence for blockingthe way of the undemocraticforces and there should bepolitics of love and peaceand not of dead bodies, headded.

The nation was already tired of liftingdead bodies as over 50 thousand peoplehad lost their lives during the last decade.Therefore, the two sides should think overthe situation with a cool mind.

He said, during the last 67 years ofthe country’s history, almost half of the pe-

riod was military rule and the nation nowdesired that the country did not meet suchtragedy on the auspicious occasion of theIndependence day, however, some ele-ments were trying to put fuel on fire toachieve selfish ends.

He said the politicalpeople should look for po-litical solutions of issues.

He however said thatboth sides comprised politi-cal parties and not armies oftwo countries. He said thatthe government shouldshow magnanimity and al-low the people to use theirdemocratic right of protest.

Sirajul Haq said promi-nent leaders includingformer President Asif AliZardari, Leader of the Oppo-sition Khurshid Shah, hadcontacted him and all of them

had talked of playing a role in resolving thecrisis so that the country did not face atragedy.

He said that government should bewise enough to improve the situation andthe Model Town tragedy should not berepeated on August 14.—APP

Siraj urges both sides to show prudence

Are we heading forThailand model?

IT is really tragic that soon after elections and assumption of power bythe democratically elected Government, analysts and anchorpersonsstarted talking about Bangladesh model and now within months they

have gone a step ahead in hinting about the possibility of Thailand model,where Army intervened because political impasse created by infightingamong political forces.

It is unfortunate that due to self-centered approach of political leadersand parties, the country is being pushed to the re-run of Bangkok model.After sudden and dramatic announcement of Tahirul Qadri to synchronizehis so-called revolution with Azadi March of Imran Khan, political tem-peratures have soared further and no one knows what would be the finaloutcome of the politics of confrontation and violent agitation. It is alsointriguing that Imran Khan, who seemed to be somewhat inclined to resolu-tion of the crisis through talks as he not only listened to JI Amir Sirjul Haqbut also transmitted some demands to the Prime Minister through him, hasnow flatly declined even to meet Siraj who has received positive responsefrom Mian Nawaz Sharif. The latest developments have even confused thosewho were urging the Government not to create hurdles in the democraticright of parties to agitate and hold rallies and demonstrations. Joining ofAzadi March by workers of PAT, who initiated violence in Lahore and arenow mandated by their spiritual leader to go to any extent including killingof their own fellows for the sake of revolution, has deprived the march ofdemocratic camouflage because motives of the march are violence and caus-ing fall of the Government through whatever means. Under these circum-stances, convergence of unprecedented gathering, as the organizers claim,at the Federal Capital could lead to some ugly situation. Even if, the orga-nizers have every intention to keep the participants peaceful, there is possi-bility that some miscreants may creep in and ignite trouble by setting someshops on fire or opening fire on gathering. There is also the danger thatterrorists could hit the leaders or the participants and this could turn thingsviolent. The Government has reportedly warned Imran and Qadri of suchthreats to their lives and therefore, BB-like tragedy could befall anytime. Ifthings get out of control then the conditions would be ripe for the Army tostep in to the dismay of all political forces. They should, therefore, must notpush themselves into blind allay and onus mainly rests on the Prime Minis-ter to demonstrate flexibility to defuse the crisis through political approach.

Containerisationto contain protests

ISLAMABAD and Lahore have once again been turned into cities of containers ahead of long march of PAT and PTI. In Lahore, Model Town has

been sealed with containers while at the moment Red Zone of Islamabad istotally inaccessible because of containers placed on different approachingroads and there are reports that close to August 14 all entry points of theCapital would be sealed.

The Government legitimately claims that the measure is aimed at con-taining the potential trouble and saving life and property of the citizensfrom any untoward incident caused by participants of the long march. Theissue was also taken up by the Lahore High Court, which ruled that place-ment of containers was not violation of fundamental rights and that theGovernment was well within its powers to take measures to safeguard lifeand property of the people. But the fact remains that these very measuresare creating hurdles and difficulties for residents of these cities as theyhave virtually been paralyzed. Apart from halt of the business activities tothe detriment of the trading community, flow of transport is badly af-fected and movement of the citizens even for necessities of life is se-verely restricted. Attendance in offices is thing, holidays of educationalinstitutions have been extended, people are unable to carry out their dailychores, there are fears of shortage of commodities in the coming daysforcing people to resort to stockpiling of necessary items and even patientsare unable to make it to doctors and hospitals. This myopic approach ofimmobilizing cities is regrettable and we wish the authorities concernedshould have come out with innovative ideas to handle the situation.

Erdogan to leadas President

TURKEY’S charismatic Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweptto a landslide victory in Turkey’s first direct Presidential election Sun-

day extending his 12-year rule and securing a mandate to fulfill his pledgeof creating a new Turkey. Erdogan who emerged victorious in the first roundbagged 51.95% votes, which reflect his vast support among the masses.

It was widely expected that Mr Erdogan would be elected Presidentand he had called upon the electorates to give him a clear mandate in thefirst round. His election establishes two things: Firstly, recognition of histireless efforts for development of economy and the foreign policy he carvedout that earned respect for the country. And secondly, he identified the aspi-rations of the Turkish people and made the country a role model for theMuslim world. In a victory speech to thousands of flag-waving supporters athis governing Justice and Development Party’s Ankara headquarters, Mr.Erdogan gave a message of unity by calling for societal reconciliation. In anindirect reference to the happenings around the country, Mr Erdogan declaredthat “We will face down whoever threatens our national security.” Erdogan,60, has been in power since 2003 and by virtue of party rules that ban fromseeking a fourth term as Prime Minister, he decided to contest the Presidentialelections. During the outgoing term as Prime Minister he has faced multiplechallenges from the opposition but a determined Erdogan with the backing ofmajority of the people came out of difficult times. Until now the post ofPresident has largely been a symbolic one, but Erdogan has repeatedly under-lined his desire to use the full extent of his Constitutional powers to be anactive President. A clear victory on Sunday would solidify Erdogan’s positionin Turkey and put an end to what many see as his most difficult year in power.Mr Erdogan built his popularity on economic growth and reforms that haveturned Turkey into a regional powerhouse. In our view the election of MrErdogan will ensure continuity of policies and give boost to the country toemerge as a modern state. We wish other Islamic countries should emulatethe model of development of the newly elected Turkish President.

How revolutions occur?

Pakistanin disarray

THE pandemonium that is being witnessed across theprovince of Punjab is too un-

nerving, as political activists clashon with police. It seems the politi-cal polity is heading towards an un-desired situation wherein the rep-resentative dispensation will be ata sordid loss. Surprisingly enough,the two major contenders vying forstreet agitations against the govern-ment — vowing to bring it downby hook or crook — are disgruntledto the core and do not have a fool-proof alternate governance strategyat hand. Though they nurse similarobjectives, they do not have any co-ordination, per se, and want to bagthe credit on their own.

This is unbecoming for anyanti-government movement, andspeaks high of immaturity in call-ing for an end to government thatis there with a popular mandate,though. This doesn’t mean that thegovernment of Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif — and especially thePunjab administration under hiszealous brother — hasn’t commit-ted blunders. The government’s big-gest fallacy is that it tried to dealwith a political discord in an admin-istrative manner and have almostended up with eggs on its face. Nowwith cricketer-turned-politicianImran Khan and the Canadian ma-cho-cum-religious scholar Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri calling upon their support-ers to march on to Islamabad on theeve of Independence Day (August14), the state apparatus and 180million people are in a fix.

Though none are sure whetherthe government will crumble or sur-vive, one thing is certain: Pakistanis heading towards a new episodeof instability, which will multiplyits socio-economic problems in thelong run. Irrespective of the fact thatthe Nawaz government has not beenable to keep its promises of usher-ing in economic dividends and ad-dress the pestering lawlessness is-sues, showing it the door by breed-ing chaos and anarchy is uncalledfor. There are no two opinions thatthe electoral system and the gover-nance process drastically need re-forms, but there has to be a civiland lawful way to do that. Torpe-doing the civil order is no solutionto the problems of accountabilityand corruption that Pakistan faces.Maximalist positions are unlikely toyield desired results.— Khaleej Times

*****

Afghanistanneeds

stable govt

IT is sad that the two candidatesfor Afghanistan’s presidencyhave been unable to come to an

agreement on how to proceed in thedisputed audit of their last round ofelections without the presence ofUS Secretary of State John Kerry.Both candidates have to recognisethat their country is facing a majorsecurity crisis from continuing at-tacks by the Taliban as the Nato-Isaf forces prepare to leave in fivemonths, and the country desper-ately needs stable government tooffer economic regeneration and amore stable future for its long suf-fering population.

Nonetheless it is encouragingthat Kerry managed to getAbdullah Abdullah and AshrafGani yet again to agree to worktogether in a future government ofunity. This new agreement wasvery similar to the deal that thethree came up with a month ago,but since then the audit of the pollshas collapsed with accusations ofcontinuing fraud and fake votesgetting into the process. It looksas though Gani may win despitedoing very poorly in the earlyrounds. His rival Abdullah wantsclarity on how their political agree-ment will work, about which Ganidoes not want to make any com-mitments until after the audit hasfinished. The overall plan is thatthe new president will appoint hisrival as Chief Executive, whichwill convert into a prime ministe-rial job after two years and confir-mation on this constitutionalchange by a loya jirga. This pro-cess of political evolution will bebadly harmed if neither of the twoleaders trusts or will work with theother. — Gulf News

MEDIA WATCH

REVOLUTIONS tend to occur when the basic needs ofpeople are not met vis-à-vis

access to food, clothing, shelter, etc.Another element is violation of ba-sic human rights, which creates theright environment for revolutionaryleaders to unite the people to bringabout revolution. In Pakistan, dueto ineptness, profligacy and corrup-tion of our leaders more than 40 percent of population is living belowthe poverty line, despite the fact thatPakistan is endowed with resourcesto ensure a decent living for itspeople. One can listen to theirshrieks of despondency, frustration,disappointment, joblessness, infla-tion and lawlessness. The circum-stances exist for a revolution butin the absence of revolutionaryleadership, the environment is notright. Yet some optimists believethat the country is ready for revo-lution not realizing that revolu-tions can happen under the lead-ership of a revolutionary party. Ofcourse, about 1435 years ago, theworld had witnessed the first revo-lution when Islam heralded the endof the ancient world of oppression,inequality and injustice, of prideand privileges based on distinctionsof race, colour and creed.

In Pakistan, we have been lis-tening to the vows by the politiciansabout long marches; but those rais-ing the slogans did not understandthe meaning or real significance ofthe long march. The historical Long

Our long march politics

THE phenomenon of “longmarch politics” in Pakistanhas been witnessed during

the regime of the elected govern-ments since 1990. Basically thesehave been exercised to bringabout regime change, with thehelp of the army. The presenthalla-bulla by Imran Khan andTahir-ul-Qadri is one such exer-cise to achieve their politicalends. They have declared thatNawaz Sharif’s government willbe ousted by end August and therevolution would set-in, for the “ul-timate change.” Let us examine theprevious long marches and theprospects of the current movement.

In 1992, Benazir Bhuttoformed the National DemocraticAlliance and marched towardsIslamabad from Lahore. Hermother, Begum Nusrat Bhutto, ledthe march from Larkana, but bothfailed. Begum Nusrat Bhutto wastreated shabbily. Bleeding andbruised, she was evacuated to thehospital and Benazir Bhutto wasarrested and packed-off toLarkana, under house arrest. Thelong march failed because, thethen Army Chief, General AsifNawaz, “looked the other way”,while Nawaz Sharif had a freehand to wield his stick. And ofcourse Benazir Bhutto had notdone enough of “home work”, toensure success.

The following year i.e. 1993,Benazir Bhutto planned anotherlong march. By July 1993, she

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The poor don’tknow that theirfunction in life isto exercise ourgenerosity.

started the marchand before she couldreach Islamabad, thethen COAS, GeneralAbdul WaheedKakar had alreadysoftened up the

ground for her. He had intervenedand was able to convince the presi-dent and prime minister to abdicate,with the promise “to hold freshelections within 90 days.’ BenazirBhutto called off the long march andprepared to win the elections by end1993. Undoubtedly, she had done thehome work, to ensure success.

In 1996, Nawaz Sharif becamethe prime minister, second time af-ter Benazir Bhutto’s governmentwas dismissed by President SardarFarooq Ahmad Leghari, who wasBenazir’s appointee and her seniormost party leader. Nawaz Sharif hadhardly completed two years in of-fice, when Benazir Bhutto formedthe Grand Democratic Alliance in1998, comprising Nawabzada’seleven parties’ alliances; AwamiNational Party; MQM and PakistanTehrik-e-Insaf. She started themovement with blessings fromWashington and the promise by thethen COAS, General PervezMusharraf that he will “take overfrom Nawaz Sharif, hold electionsin ninety days, and will hand overthe power.” This is where Benazirwas cheated by the willy General,who didn’t hand over and himselfruled for the next ten years.

By 2009, the lawyers’ move-ment for the restoration of the ju-diciary had reached its climax butwas making no headway. NawazSharif, very cleverly took over theleadership of the lawyers’ move-ment, and started the long marchfrom Lahore, threatening

Islamabad. He had hardly crossedRavi Bridge, when he got the mes-sage from the then COAS, GeneralAshfaq Pervez Kiani, that all hisdemands were met and he mustcall off his march. Nawaz Sharifobliged. Thus by helping the res-toration of the judiciary, throughthis political maneuver, NawazSharif gained a resounding politi-cal advantage, wining the 2013elections, for the third time.

And now come August 2014.The Pakistani nation is feeling thethreat of a revolution, by the maver-ick Tahir-ul-Qadri and the longmarch by Imran Khan. Both arethreatening to remove Nawaz Shariffrom his seat and take over the reignsof the government. Imran Khanpromises to take Pakistan to utopianheights, if he formed the govern-ment. In fact, these are mere rheto-rics, of the naive and the ambitious.Both haven’t done enough of“home-work” to ensure success.Their fate may be the same, as ofBenazir Bhutto’s long march of1992, when she herself was packedoff to Larkana and Begum NusratBhutto, to the hospital, bruised andbleeding. Tahir-ul-Qadri alreadyhas got it on the knuckles, yester-day, in the hit and run battle, withthe government. Now let us seewhat is there in store for Imran Khanon 13-14 August, encounters.

However, the developments ofthe last few days suggest that per-haps they are working on a ‘strat-egy of indirect approach to battle’which means creating such chaoticconditions on the streets that thegovernment will be forced to callup the army in aid of civil power.Imran Khan is already talking sug-gestively of “Army being called upto control the situation.”

March started by thegreat Chinese leaderMao Zedong was in facta retreat. It was reloca-tion of the Chinese Com-munist Party soviet fromJiangxi to the northernprovince of Shaanxi in1934-35. Driven fromJiangxi by Nationalist

Army of Chiang Kai-shek, the RedArmy and the CCP leadership under-took a year-long journey throughwestern and northern China. It wascompleted almost entirely on foot andtook a year to complete. The journeyspanned around 3,700 miles or 6,000kilometres. Approximately 160,000Red Army soldiers and CCP cadresembarked on the Long March; fewerthan 15,000 made it safely to Shaanxi.However, the Long March was em-blematic of supreme sacrifice, perse-verance and determination, whichproved as a stepping stone towardsrevolution. By studying comparativestudy of revolutions, one can find thereal causes of various revolutions.

Nevertheless, some similaritiesin circumstances existed whereverrevolutions occurred. At the time ofFrench Revolution in 1789, Francepracticed feudalism; the nobles andclergy enjoyed special privileges; andit was difficult for the commonmasses to keep their body and soultogether. The common people hatedthe privileged classes and were re-vengeful. Apart from dismal condi-tions of the people, the ideas and writ-ings of Enlightenment thinkers likeMontesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseauhad inspired the people of France togo against their king. The hungryParisians, who suffered from bad har-vest, attacked the Bastille prison forpolitical prisoners. The Fall ofBastille started the French Revolu-tion and spread out to other parts ofFrance. In 1789, the French Revolu-

tion overthrew the monarchy and ab-solutism. Of course, Napoleonlearned a lot from the revolution, andThe Napoleonic Code was estab-lished under Napoléon I in 1804,which did not allow privileges basedon birth, ensured social welfare ofthe people, allowed freedom of reli-gion, and stood for giving govern-ment jobs on merit.

In 1776, more than a decade be-fore the French Revolution, there wasAmerican Revolution. The secondpara of the declaration started withthese words: “We hold these truthsto be self-evident, that all men arecreated equal, that they are endowedby their Creator with certain unalien-able Rights; that among these areLife, Liberty and the pursuit of Hap-piness”, had profound influence overthe French and the people through-out the world at large. In 1917, theworld witnessed October Revolutionin Russia under the leadership of theCommunist party, which replaced themonarchy and the economic systemin Russia. Scared of the revolution inRussia, European countries intro-duced reforms in their societies byadopting reasonable wage structureand providing social security to theworkers. By pursuing pro-labour andpro-people policies, they were ableto create balance in their societies andavert bloody revolution. In a societyimbued with democratic traditionsand values, and where social justiceprevails, nobody entertains ideas ofhaving an autocratic or military setup.

But when feudal culture and out-look pervade all strata of society;when politicians consider their par-ties as personal fiefdoms, and thestate apparatus fall victim to personalwhims of the ruling elite, the peoplestart pinning hopes on anyone whopromises to emancipate them fromeconomic misery and want. For thelast six decades, the ruling elite did

not care for the problems faced bythe people of Pakistan. It was in thisbackdrop that almost every govern-ment became irrelevant for thepeople. And even today somecommentriat presage the MartialLaw, though the present militaryleadership is against any such adven-ture. Unfortunately, elected leadersand military dictators in the past dis-appointed the people in equal mea-sure, as the military rulers had prom-ised to cleanse the system, but un-der the banner of Muslim leaguecatapulted discredited politiciansinto power. However, people of Pa-kistan want a better deal, and arecrying for a change in the system.

The government claims that ithas taken measures to bring prosper-ity to the people, but the change isnot being felt on the street. Recentdemonstrations against price hikeand electricity outages indicate themood of the people, which is in-deed furious. “For a revolution tohappen, it is not sufficient that themass of the people is unwilling togo on living in the old order; itmust have become impossible forthe old order to carry on in the oldfashion”, said Lenin. In France, theEncyclopaedists had made it im-possible for the old order to carryon in the old fashion. Only thentocsin began to ring on 14th July,1789 and the masses took destinyinto their own hands. Since norevolutionary party exists in Paki-stan, then the political parties inPakistan should use their collec-tive wisdom to extricate the coun-try from the present mess throughsoft revolution. They should re-solve to end corruption, ensuresocio-economic justice in the so-ciety, otherwise they will bethrown into the dustbin of history.—The writer is Lahore-basedsenior journalist.

As regards the revolution ofTahirul Qadri, perhaps he himselfdoes not realize the damaging ef-fect of a revolution. In the recentpast, the countries like Iran and Af-ghanistan could bear the shock ofthe revolution but others, such asYugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Iraqand Ukraine have spilt-up, becausevery much like Pakistan, they areall very fragile from within, as anation, to sustain the shock of arevolution. Revolution is not anoption for Pakistan. We have toadopt ways and means to bringabout change, remaining withinthe norms of democracy, the Con-stitution and the rule of law.

I have the feeling that there maybe a hidden politico-ideologicalagenda of the movement. Whathappened in Algeria and Egypt inthe recent past, to replace politicalIslam with Secular Islam may wellbe the objective of the movementin Pakistan. To recall, Qadri lastcame to Pakistan in 2013 to fore-stall the elections, which NawazSharif was sure to win, but with-drew after negotiations with PPPgovernment. Even Imran Khan didnot raise a finger against PPP gov-ernment known for its bad gover-nance. Surprisingly, both are nowtrying to dislodge Nawaz Sharif’s‘right of the center government’,which is rather intriguing.

Pakistan’s ideology issacroscent as enshrined in the Con-stitution that “Pakistan is to be gov-erned by a democratic system,based on the principle of Quran andSunnah,” and that constitutes ourNational Purpose, which every Pa-kistani has to defend, for what heowes to the country.—The writer is Ex-COAS,Pakistan.

Jean Paul Sartre French writer

Gen Mirza Aslam BegEmail: friendsfoundation @live.co.uk

Mohammad JamilEmail: mjamil1938@hotmail.com

News & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & Views

Voice of the People

Learningfrom the past!

WAJID MUNIR

As operation Zarb-e-Azab is go-ing on against Taliban who are en-tering into “their paradise” byturning our homeland into hell. Letme remind the state machineryabout its ‘state of torpor’. Before9/11there was peace in our home-land but after that terrorism, sui-cide attacks and bomb blasts en-tered into Pakistani lexicon. SufiMohammad was the first personwho ignited fiasco in our home-land by his grandiloquent ha-rangues. But our “state machin-ery” remained silent and no ac-tion was taken against him!Resultantly, over 50,000 innocentpeople died.

In 2007 sad incident of LalMasjid took place. Initially, au-thorities of Lal Masjid tried totake law into their hands but our“state machinery” remained silentand no action was taken againstthem! Resultantly, Musharaff re-gime acted in a worst way andkilled a number of people includ-ing females!

Now, an iconoclast Dr. Qadriis instigating his ignorant follow-ers to kindle fiasco but our “statemachinery” is silent and, so far, noaction has been taken against him!One shudders to think are we head-ing for another disaster? Will wenot learn from the past?—Islamabad

Stenographers’ rolein prompt justice

HASHIM ABRO

Doubtlessly, the performance ofa stenographer’s duty is essentialto prompt and proper administra-tion of justice, and his/her inac-tion hampers the administrationof justice and erodes public faithin the judiciary.

It is proposed that they may beprovided more facilities and quickpromotions so that they must servethe people with utmost respect andresponsibility.—Islamabad

Fruityrevolution

FARRUKH AZIZ ANSARI

History, yes, the very recent historyaround a century back, fraught withthe irreparable loss of human lives,whole-sale devastation of civiliza-tions and the worst degradation ofhumanity as a consequence of thegreatest revolutions - be the WW1or the WW2 or the internal upris-ings being the Bolshevik Revolu-tion of 1917, taking around 7 mil-lion lives, or the Chinese CivilWar, fetching up approximately 4million deaths or the Iranian Revo-lution whose death-toll was re-ported at 60000 or even the Indo-Pak partition contributing to 1million casualties, still ghosts uswith its haunting horrors if we leafthrough its pages.

But here are our MajestiesSheikh Qadri and revolutionistImran Khan, aiming at a ripenedrevolution without shedding a dropof blood. What was aptly aphorizedby great Mao Zedong that revolu-tion is not a diner or a party or anessay or a painting or an embroi-dery is perhaps al Greek to the greatrevolutionary Qadri and subversiveImran Khan.

It is really hard to apprehendwhy firebrand Khan and quixoticQadri are bent upon making a botchnot only of their own reputation butalso of the country’s image inter-

Adding insult to injuryFARRUKH AZIZ ANSARI

How heartrending and ignominious it seems when instead of playing your part, which is legallyand morally binding on you, you simply throw in the towel disgracefully, growling a curt and

grim response that you can do nothing! The similar pessimistic response came from the SecretaryGeneral of OIC - Organization of Islamic Conference, Iyad Ameen Abdullah while he was address-ing an event titled “Contemporary Challenges of the Muslim World: Role and Vision of OIC”wherein he barefacedly admitted his impotence and that of the Arab world, stating that the so-called Arab countries could do nothing as far as Gaza carnage is concerned, to coerce the savageliquidator Israel to stop the indiscriminate holocaust of scores of inculpable masses comprisingpredominantly of children and women, and to end assailing the sacred places of worship includingschools and hospitals. The Secretary General assured Pakistan through his rosy and counterfeitpromises and big claims that OIC has played, and will play, its role to resolve the Kashmir disputeby a strategic and dialogic way, and that OIC is mainly focusing on the development in the disci-pline of science, technology and economy. What a shit it is to think of boosting economy or develop-ing science and technology when the children and women of the nation with which you share reli-gious, cultural and racial commonality are being slaughtered and massacred without any offenceof theirs! How on earth we Pakistanis should pin expectations or take Arabs as our well-wisherswhen they don’t even turn a hair at their own Arab nation in Gaza being crucified. Furthermore,paying lip-serves or adopting nominally truce resolutions only would not appease the blood-thirstof Satan Israel or bottle the genie of genocide in Gaza. All that is the need of this juncture, isconscience and a bit of courage which the Arabs lack as demonstrated by OIC Secretary General.It would have been rather better if the OIC Secretary General had kept his mouth sewed in place oftalking rubbishy adding fuel to flames of the wounds of the Muslims of not merely Gaza but of allthe bleeding-hearted Muslim states, and whatever he uttered was seemingly Dollar-oriented be-cause these days the Almighty Dollar speaks much louder and more vehemently than the words oractions. I recall the famous couplet of Habib Jalib, dedicating it to the Arab world and to all thebig-mouthed impractical champions of Gaza’s cause: “Why don’t you millions join and fight forPalestine, Prayers alone cannot liberate from chains, Maulana!”—Via email

DISCLAIMER

Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

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

—Editor

Israel and Palestine: Mirror has many faces

FOR 29 long days and nights,Israel waged the war on thepeople of Gaza. Given the im-

mense bravery and strategic resource-fulness, insanity went on uncheckedto murder the innocent in ‘openprison’ just to preserve once status-quoin border security and map withoutborders. Its consequences do notchange the outcome for prevalent in-security and mutual mistrust or set thestage for peace and harmony betweenthe two unequal warriors. The currentUN-General Assembly criticizes thedisproportionate human losses and de-liberate destruction of the infrastruc-tures and blames Israel for good manyacts of vengeance against the helplessPalestinians in Gaza.

More specifically, how the Israelitargeted the UN operated schools,hospitals, the places of worship andkilled civilians- children and womenand devastated civic infrastructures.The sheer madness resulted in kill-ing of 1,876 Palestinians in Gaza,9,000 wounded and 64 Israeli troopsand 3 civilians. Israel and Hamas bothappear to be losers not winners in this‘catastrophic madness’ as the UNSecretary General Ban Ki Moon de-scribed it. Felicity Arbuthnot (“Israel:International Anger Mounts” GlobalResearch: 7/23/2014), a London-based journalist and peace activistoffers most penetrating insight intothe current crisis:

The Zionist Project is to eradi-cate all Palestinians who make claimto a home in Palestine. The ZionistProject is exactly what Israel has beendoing since its artificial creation….The Israeli apartheid is not meant asa sustained apartheid. It is an incre-ment in an attempted genocide thataccompanies a vast racist pillagingof land and resources (water, gas)…..This genocide must be stopped in itstracks, if it’s the last significant geo-political accomplishment of the glo-bal civil society. The tide is turning.We see real political movement in the

UK itself. Western World civil soci-ety must not be irrelevant and inef-fective. We owe that toourselves….There can be peace andcoexistence but Israel is hell-bent onits Zionist Project, and those Muslimcountries with corrupt leaders areparticipating in the Israeli genociderather than impeding it.

The social media networks madeit presence across the globe in pro-viding graphic coverage of the crisis.Almost 60 plus international journal-ists stationed in Gaza reported havocscenes of human carnage inflicted bythe Israeli air and sea bombardments.Hamas- Palestinian rockets havestarted making the presence on theIsraeli strategic radar for rethinkingof policies and practices and moredrastic actions against the Hamasmilitary capabilities. Now for the firsttime the Gaza rockets disrupted theair traffic at the Ben Gurion Tel AvivAirport. The impact was noticeablein global business and travel configu-ration. This happened while the in-formed global humanity watches thedaily painful fatalities on televisionscreen, some for anxiety and othersconcerned to call for change of think-ing and peacemaking endeavors.

Peace does not grow out of the no-where; it has to be imagined andworked out by all the warriors engagedin the conflict. Those who continue tofight in the theatre of action and reac-tion appear to be narrow-minded, day-dreamers and enjoin casual allusion ofmankind and global peace. They donot seem to care as what is happeningin Gaza impacts all the mankind acrossthe globe. The global reactions to warand unwanted continued hostilities areself-explanatory. The killing of civil-ians on both sides is unacceptable tothe living conscience of the 21st cen-tury informed humanity. There mustbe a rational approach - a sincere dia-logue towards conflict management bypeaceful means. Israel and Palestin-ians both desperately need normalcyand peace to co-exist. The focal prob-lem is to see an end to the Israeli oc-cupation of the occupied territories andestablishment of an independent State

of Palestine should not be sidelined.The facts warrant change on the

ground and swift action not fantasyof claims and counter claims. If bothparties continue to exert blame gameand converge on blended condemna-tion for human atrocities, it is an ex-ercise in futility. Given the humannature, nothing positive or crediblewill emerge after a short pause inwarmongering activities. To makepeace as sustainable goal, Israelis andPalestinians must face each other ona table with courage and enlighteneddetermination, just to listen and learnfrom each other without agreeing ordisagreeing, just knowing how bestpeace and mutual understandingcould be enhanced not only for theMiddle East but for the interests andexpectations of the larger global hu-manity in which both live.

The earth will not dwindle norwill the sky fall on any of them ifthey talk directly and responsiblyand realize that peaceful co-exist-ence is the only rational choice theyhave to build the future on. Theneighboring Arab rulers must awakeand respond to peoples aspirations forpolitical change and open dialogue.If they shelter authoritarianism withcontinued US imperialism, theycould soon be replaced as it hap-pened to Husna Mubarak and soonagain to General Sissi. If the con-temporary Arab rulers had the ca-pacity of moral and intellectuallyembedded visionary leadership anda position of political strength, theycould have balanced the overwhelm-ingly one sided American stance onthe freedom of Palestine.

The US politics plays a majorrole as a game changer in the MiddleEast. It holds a position of unparal-leled influence to exert on Israeli poli-cies and practices. America is gluedto Israel by virtue of economic andpolitically dominated military strate-gies to fuel conflicts in the MiddleEast and support Israel as the front-line player for the US hegemonicgoals of managing the oil exports andinterdependent economies and pup-pets regimes of the Arab oil produc-

Views From Abroad

Truth and propaganda

MOST nights in Gaza myhotel’s power went off butthe Wi-Fi didn’t. It was

hooked up to some magic circuit,powered by the owner’s tiny genera-tor. The router sat on a chair in thehall, vintage 2002 technology withblinking green lights – a visual sym-bol of what was important to peopleand what was not: stumble around inthe dark if you have to, but don’t loseconnection with the world.

That router enabled me to followthe effect of bombs dropping aroundme in real time. Locals in Rafah ap-pealing for help, tweeting photo-graphs of the dead in refrigerators.Doctors at Shifa hospital, recountingthe night’s toll of maimed and burned.Bloggers from Israel disputing every-thing, convinced the hospital itself isjust the lid of a vast tunnel complexfor Hamas. My social networks fol-lowed me into the war and collidedwith others – a reminder that warfarehas become newly alive with infor-mation. The basic suite of tools jour-nalists use has only been around sixor seven years – so Gaza is one of theearliest glimpses into how propa-ganda and truth might intersect in21st-century warfare.

In the morning, informationflows through cellphones. Not manyordinary people have smartphonesbut they do have handsets that doubleas radios. So you get a real-time,death-by-death account of what’sgoing on over breakfast. Radio, in thissituation, comes into its own, but it’snot just an information source. As wehead towards the fighting, the driverswitches from news to the martialmusic of the Palestinian resistance.

Though he is not a Hamas supporter,his intent is to give us the courage tocarry on driving.

Each night we went to an inde-pendent TV production company tofeed our video via the satellite disheson the roof of an 18-storey towerblock: here were young Gazan menwho’d chosen not to fight, nor to re-port for a Hamas station, but to dothe near impossible: independentagency journalism in a country run byarmed paramilitaries. These youngjournalists lived in a world of infor-mation totally connected to the westthough Facebook, Twitter andInstagram. Their talk was of rival soft-ware packages and camera types, andthe scholarships to western universi-ties they always just seemed to miss.

They’d found ingenious uses fordigital cameras. With a sixth sense,they knew when a circling F16 hadcommenced its bombing run over thepitch-dark city. They would hang aDSLR out of the window on a longexposure to get a night shot of theimpact and the smoke cloud – whenall the naked eye could see was black.The purpose was not to produce auseable photo, but to get the scoopon what the target was. The propa-ganda flow in a warzone like Gaza isintense. Its formats range from leaf-lets dropped by F16s telling peopleto vacate certain areas to late-nightTV speeches by Hamas command-ers, through to Twitter and the ulti-mate social network: word ofmouth.But, like all wartime propa-ganda, it is only effective if it plausi-bly describes reality. Gazans are ma-terially cut off from the worldeconomy, just as in Cuba: everythingpatched up and odd flashes of mo-dernity amid an economy trapped inthe 1970s – the occasional new caralongside battered Volvos and even

more battered donkeys. Gazans Ispoke to wanted their sons and daugh-ters to go to university. But, given thechoice, they would send them to Ku-wait or even Sudan to Islamic uni-versities. Their big fear was that theshock of contact with the west wouldtraumatise them, or make them sodifferent they could never return. Inany case – even for the highly tal-ented and educated – the possibilityof ever leaving is low.

The material effect of being soisolated is that information is reor-dered around the reality they can’tescape: everybody has to care whatthe Hamas military guy says; hisspeech is analysed late into thenight by groups huddled over ciga-rettes. Binyamin Netanyahu’sspeeches are watched for a differ-ent reason – every Gazan is an ama-teur psychiatrist when it comes toBibi. “Did you see how his eyeskept flicking right and left?” saidmy Gazan friend. Each facial ticwas analysed as potential evidencethat Israel was about to crack.

Many Gazans I met believed Is-rael had lost double the number ofsoldiers its press recorded. Theyconsistently ridiculed the leaflets theIsraelis dropped. They consistentlyclaimed that, if Israeli troops triedto enter Gazan urban space, theywould be defeated – despite clearevidence that they had already oc-cupied a lot of urban space.

All this tells you is that people’sdesire to believe their own side’s pro-paganda is high, and that’s the sourceof its effectiveness. Social media cre-ated an extra public space where amore truthful and nuanced discussioncould go on – and it created an outletfor information to the world. Duringthe 10 days I was in Gaza, the mostsalient information came and went in

Paul Masonpictures. Pictures can be doctored,but in general you can tell when oneis real if you are there, from whoposted it, how quickly it tallies withverbal reports, and so on.

The pictures – of bodies, de-stroyed buildings, injured and an-guished people – became the muteforms of communication betweenpeople in Gaza and the outsideworld. Though war photographyhas always been high-impact, thisis one of the first wars where mostof it was done by amateurs. If anadvanced society ever gets into thekind of war Gaza has been through,I would expect tighter controls oninformation: strict censorship onwhat can be tweeted, partial switch-offs of the internet and restrictionson reporters’ movements. The ab-sence of these things on the Gazanside made the war reportablethrough social media.

But the conflict showed the lim-its of social networks when youhave two antagonistic societies atwar with each other. A memorablenetwork graphic of the war’sTwittersphere showed almost noconnections between the “blue”internet – of Israelis, the Jewishdiaspora and the US Tea party – andthe “green”, which included theMuslim world and the anti-warmovements in the west.

In an ideologically dividedworld, social media’s ability to dis-solve spin and propaganda becomesrelative. The need for truly indepen-dent, traditional media does not goaway. But the sight of those youngGazan journalists, their sleepingbags piled up on the floor of the editsuites they worked in, was a re-minder of how hard it is to remaindedicated to the truth in war.— Courtesy: The Guardian

ing nations. The Arab rulers lack theintellectual leadership to cope withthe changing strength of the US-Is-rael relationships.

Is there a cure to cruelty and in-sanity? When would they stop imma-ture oratory of belligerency and startfacing the encompassed reality to apolitical process to end the occupa-tion and achieve peacemaking? Howshould the global community viewthe Israeli and Arab cultures of thepeople of the Divine Books? The in-formed global community expectsnew collaborative initiatives fromIsraeli and the PLO leaders - a newstrategic approach towards the end ofmore than 60 years of political stale-mate and focused on peacemaking.Its must be result-oriented and withina short span of time to end the con-flict based on the emancipation ofTwo States. Israel needs a formidablechallenge to come to terms with thecontemporary affairs. A challenge ofmutual understanding and friendshipand not continued animosity. Theneo-colonial and uneducated authori-tarian Arab rulers do not have thecapacity to challenge Israel with anystrength of moral, political and intel-lectual resources.

Perhaps, the new educated and in-telligent succeeding generations ofJewish and Arabs could find a meet-ing place of ideas and ideals for rec-onciliation and future-making basedon the Two States - Israel and Pales-tine standing in co-existence. Thismust be a new challenge not derivedfrom perpetuated animosity and ha-tred but out of the deep sense of un-derstanding and respect for one andanother to articulate a peaceful fu-ture. Muslims throughout the globehave inborn respect and offer salu-tation to the followers of Abrahaimicprogeny, Moses- the Jewish people.Do the people of Israel realize howmuch common values they sharewith the neighboring Arab peopleand their culture?—The writer specialises in globalsecurity, peace and conflictresolution and is author of severalpublications.

No shades of difference..!

AROUND a decade ormore ago, I visited my father in New York and dis-

cussed among other things, lightbulbs: “Look at this bulb Bob,”he told me, “It will fit with anysocket by any brand made in thiscountry!” “So what’s so greatabout that?” I asked, quick to de-fend my own land.

“In India,” he said, “Onecompany’s product hardly com-plies with another’s! And,” hecontinued, “The next time youbuy the same product from the

same company, you may find a sizedifference!” I didn’t need much find-ing out when I returned to see mydad was right. I thought of my fa-ther today, when I got some colourprintouts done.

The first printout I had got doneyesterday, looked good, especiallythe purple, today the purple hadturned blue. I had sent the pendrivewith my driver and also the sampleof yesterday’s printout, but helooked at me crestfallen, “Sir, Ishowed him yesterday’s copy. I toldhim it was the same shop, the samemachine, but he smiled and told mehe could do nothing!”

Inconsistency: We can manufac-ture it in bulk! I have seen this in ex-port samples. The first sample sent

abroad is spectacular, the second ison it’s way to mediocrity and the thirdis thrash. Most often the third is re-jected and a huge order cancelled.

Why do we do it, if we lose busi-ness? Because most of the time weget away with it. I can imagine thescene, “But last time you gave me apurple background,” says my driver.“Purple or blue, what is the differ-ence? It is just one shade difference!”And that one shade difference costsus much.

That one shade differencemakes the world think of us as aninconsistent people. Ask aroundyou what the world thinks of ourforeign policies, ‘Inconsistent!’ Noone relies on us, because our viewsare never the same; it all depends

on political considerations, finan-cial obligations, cultural and reli-gious feelings, never on beingconsistent. So what is missing? Ayardstick. A gauge. Something onwhich we can stand and know weare being consistent, and what isconstant but TRUTH.

Truth is constant and once webase all our manufacturing, think-ing, our diplomacy on truth, thereis no shifting of facts. As a peoplewe need to learn to stand on thetruth: Truth should be our gauge.Nothing more, nothing less, and youwill find our colours, bulbs andpeople being respected by the restof the world. There shouldn’t be anyshades of difference..!—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

Dr Mahboob A KhwajaEmail:kmaboob@yahoo.com

nationally by triggering the calcu-lated turmoil which would add onlyto the crises and miseries we havebeen laden with, thereby makingthings bad to worse. Why are bothof these blind to a simple fact thatrevolutions have never been made,rather these are the spontaneous andabrupt “Lava” though originatingquietly, hidden for years?

It is however an open secret thatQadri and Khan both have their ownaxes to grind, and vested intereststhey are trying to secure under thecover of revolution and AzadiMarch. So far as Maulana Qadri isconcerned, he is just a namby-pambywho doesn’t often do what heclaims and doesn’t say what heironically does. He himself fullyanticipates that bringing a revolu-tion in a country, each institutionand each native of which are rottento the core is not a piece of cake forhim, nor are the people now so sillyas to let themselves be fallen againfor a revolution spearheaded by“Quaid” resting inside a cosy con-tainer, leaving his followers toshiver in cold. He soon to be trans-ported to the country he is a nationalof, seems to be in pipeline.

Imran Khan, however, needs toundertake introspection before head-ing towards the so-called AzadiMarch as how far he and his PTIhave succeeded in delivering thegoods in the Province where he hasa mandate. Allegations of rigging ina few constituencies he levelsagainst the PML-N, can’t and won’thelp him topple the constitutionallyconstituted government under themandate accorded by millions. Nodoubt, government has wreaked farmore havoc to the country than wasdone by the previous PP govern-ment, but is this the way to rid thecorrupt and inefficient leadership? Itis the need of the day to let the peoplewho vigorously voted “Sher” bearits brunt and learn some lesson fromthe misuse of their votes.

Now as far as the premiership isthere, Mr. Khan better observe pa-tience till the upcoming election in2018 to execute his long-standingaspiration of becoming Prime-Min-ister. What is demanded of him rightnow is to focus his attention and en-ergies on the construction of NewKP to rise to the expectations thepeople of KPK have pinned on him.—Islamabad

Touts andlegal profession

JAVAID BASHIR

It is a strange phenomenon thatnon-qualified and untrained per-sons are practicing law in thecourts with impunity, liberty andease. They do all the fake things -from making the stamped and reg-istered documents, property pa-pers, and producing fake witnessesand identities. They expedite thecourt proceedings and get crimi-nals bailed out. They grease thepalm of the court officials and po-lice officials.

They work under the nose of thejudicial court system. The legal fra-ternity and bar associations havefailed to take action against them. Itis their ardent duty to keep the pro-fession clean. Thus the illegal prac-tices of these touts flourish leaps andbounds without any let or hindrance.Litigants are forced to engage themrather than using the services of le-gal professionals. They have easyaccess to them. They are availableat every corner of the court.

The touts openly do their busi-ness without any fear. They bribethe lower court officials and judgesand their staff, and get favours fromthem. They charge heavy fees ac-cording to the nature of the case.The conspiracy of silence prevailsin the courts. ‘Do not ask questionsand do not tell’ continues to remain

the golden principle followed by allthe parties. Some of them are sopowerful that nobody dares to chal-lenge them.

Some legal practitioners and ad-vocates have marred their reputationby working with these touts to earneasy money and clientele. They givea bad name to this noble profession.These touts must be eradicated fromthe legal fraternity.—Lahore

Storm ina tea cup

IFTIKHAR MIRZA

The heat of political environmentprecipitated by Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadriand Captain Imran Khan needs tobe pacified forthwith by some sanepolitical actors. As 11th August isdrawing in, peoples’ apprehensionsare increasing.

Pakistan is already facingplethora of problems. On one hand,terrorists are imposing threats tolife of common man and on theother hand politicians are playingtheir cards to their own benefit.Seemingly, the recent storm in ateacup is uncalled for on part ofveteran politicians like ShujaatHussain and co.

All the defeated forces havenow joined hands to overthrow agovernment elected through demo-cratic process, which is beyondlogic and totally unfair. As far asthe performance of government isconcerned, one must give some lati-tude and space to sail free introubled waters to MuslimLeague(N). One year is a very shortperiod to assess the performance ofa government in a developing coun-try marred by multi-faceted fun-guses. The Grand Alliance againstpresent government is, apparently,in the making. It may be anothershot in the foot of defeated politi-cal leaders or it may prove fatal andtopple PML (N). Print and espe-cially electronic media is cryingwolf at the full pitch of its voice;constructive role of electronic me-dia is again missing in the recentscenario, which is pitiable.

Apart from media, some timeservers are trying to cash this oppor-tunity and make gains for them-selves. Those who could not performduring their long dictatorial regimesare now posing to be flag-bearers ofdemocracy; what a shame.

Mob before leaving home, mustconsider the fact that what is theagenda of these change agents andhow will they save this metaphori-cally sinking ship? Creating chaosis not solution to any problem. Wis-dom, perseverance and goal achieve-ment with an iron will are the needof this time. Confrontation will onlylead us to a blind alley. It is hopedthat some sagacity would be shownby political actors as well as gov-ernment to cope tactfully this com-plex situation.

Last but not least, the arrogantattitude of government and nepotismin awarding all ranks to relatives,unqualified, and ill-mannered peoplehas lead PML (N) to this state ofmatters. It should re-visit all its strat-egy and must act humbly and wiselyin this difficult time.—Islamabad

ERIC S MARGOLIS

Russia and the West are at war – overfruits, veggies and bank loans. Thecause is Ukraine, a vast emptiness for-

merly unknown to the Western world, butnow deemed a vital national security interestworthy of risking war. Economic embargossuch as those launched by the United Statesagainst Russia may seem relatively harmless.But they are not. Trade sanctions are a formof strategic warfare that is sometimes fol-lowed by bullets and shells.

Think, for good example, of the 1940 USembargo against Japan that led Tokyo’s fate-ful decision to go to war rather than face slow,economic strangulation. Frighteningly, thereare senior officials in Washington and Mos-cow today who are actually talking about ahead on clash in Ukraine between Russianforces and Nato.

Intensifying attacks by Ukrainian govern-ment forces, armed and financed by the US,against pro-Russian separatists and civiliantargets in eastern Ukraine are increasing thedanger that Moscow may intervene militar-ily. A full-scale military clash could involvea Russian-declared ‘no fly’ zone over the

The Ukraine quagmireeastern Ukraine, such as the US imposed overIraq, to stop bombing and shelling of Ukrainianrebel cities by Kiev’s air force. Russia’s leader,President Vladimir Putin, is under growingpopular pressure to stop the killing of pro-Rus-sian Ukrainians – who were Russian citizensuntil 1991.

Nato could deploy its potent air power againstRussian aircraft. US and Nato aircraft flying fromnew bases in Romania, Bulgaria and Poland couldseriously challenge the Russian Air Force overthe Russia-Ukraine border region. More US war-planes would be rushed into Eastern Europe.Russian air defences are strong and its air basesclose to the sphere of action. Still, Nato air powerhas a technological superiority over the RussianAir Force and better-trained pilots. On the ground,Russia has a slight advantage. It has 16,000-18,000 troops on the Ukraine border made up ofmechanised infantry, armour, mobile air defenceand artillery. A competent but small force andhardly a menace to Europe, as the pro-war me-dia howl. Compare this small number of troopsto the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front of WWII alone,

made up of six armies and thousands of tanksand heavy guns.

Russia could fight border skirmishes butcertainly not retake Ukraine with this paltryforce. Russia’s once 200-division army, whichboasted some 50,000 tanks is today a shadowof its past: 205,000 active soldiers and 80,000indifferent reservists. Russia, as always, hasexcellent heavy artillery and good tanks, butnothing compared to WWII when Soviet152mm guns and rocket batteries were lined upwheel-to-wheel for kilometres. Any attempt byNato to capture Crimea would likely be defeatedby Soviet air, naval and land force. The con-stricted, shallow Black Sea could prove a deathtrap for US warships.

Ukraine’s cobbled together army, about64,000 men, suffers from logistical problemsand weak leadership. During Soviet days, itnumbered over 700,000 with the cutting edgeof Russian weapons. Today, foreign merce-naries and far-rightists from Kiev stiffen thearmy. Even so, it could not stand up to Russia’sbetter-armed, better-equipped troops. What

about Nato? In 1970, the US Army had about710,000 soldiers in Europe, mostly based inGermany. Today, US has only 27,500 troopsleft in Germany, largely non-combat supportunits. At best, the US could probably assembletwo weak combat brigades — about 5,500men — to rush to Ukraine. The rest of USforces are based in Afghanistan, Kuwait, theGulf, South Korea and Japan, or at stateside.

But the US still retains large airbases inGermany that could support military interven-tion in Ukraine. Lately, small US and Natocontingents have been quietly inserted intoEast Europe and the Baltic region – largeenough to spark a war, but too small to winone. Britain, now a toothless old lion, wouldsupport the US in Ukraine; so would France,Denmark, Poland and Holland, to a limiteddegree. Germany and Turkey, Nato’s twoheavy hitters, want to avoid any conflict withRussia and might well stand aside.

So any military clash in Ukraine would ini-tially be limited in scope and intensity. But aconfrontation could quickly escalate into a dan-gerous crisis. The Cold War taught that nuclearpowers must never fight. Nothing is worth therisk of nuclear war, even a limited one.

—Courtesy: Khaleej Times

ABDULATEEF AL-MULHIM

During the past few years, Saudi Arabia has lost tens ofthousands of lives. Most of the dead were so young theydid not even reach their 20th birthday. Nowadays, road

accidents claim hundreds of lives of Saudis and non-Saudis ev-ery month and that is a commonplace. Roads, streets and high-ways in Saudi Arabia are generally built to be of very high stan-dard. But, building good roads is not enough to prevent roadaccidents. Now, Saudi Arabia has the highest number of high-way fatalities in the world.

Thousands of lives are lost every year and billions of Saudiriyals are spent to treat the injured and additional billions arewasted because of discarded automobiles wrecked in acci-dents. It is true that we have tried to implement new rules andnew methods in order to reduce highway fatalities, but it seemsnothing is working to prevent road accidents. We have intro-duced the so-called Saher system to monitor speeding andtraffic violations but still these are merely cameras catchingspeeding motorists and traffic violators. Most accidents oc-cur because of negligence by the drivers, especially the youngones.

During the past few years, most of the fatal accidents oc-curred due to lack of concentration by drivers. Many try tomake calls, read and send text messages while driving. Andall it takes is just two seconds for an accident to happen. Inother words, two seconds are long enough to change your lifeand the lives of others forever. Saudi Arabia’s road accidentsand the growing number of fatalities is becoming a nationalissue and there must be a total evaluation of the existing traf-fic rules in addition to introducing new ways of watching theroads.

The traffic police should not only rely on Saher cameras andneglect the direct supervision and monitoring of the traffic. Manyyoungsters in Saudi Arabia have very bad driving habits with norespect for traffic rules or rights of other drivers. Bad driving fora short while is more dangerous than driving 10 kilometers withinthe speed limit. Also, the traffic police must be involved in pre-paring the traffic structure within the city to make the streetssafe for driving. They should be trained how to deal with speed-ing cars and errant drivers. The traffic police should be educatedand given orientation about new and tougher laws to check vio-lations.

Nowadays, with the increase in road accidents because ofthe modern day gadgets such as mobile phones, new laws mustbe implemented to check careless driving. Young drivers mustbe told about the dangers of driving and texting. Both can’t bedone at the same time. In other words we need more traffic po-lice on the roads and not cameras next to traffic lights. Manytougher traffic laws need to be introduced and implemented be-cause only two seconds of callousness can cause a fatal acci-dent. We have lost thousands of lives and billions of riyals inaccidents. What is worse is that many parents’ lives have beendevastated and ruined because they have lost their loved ones inaccidents.

—Courtesy: Arab News

Growing roaddeaths, a cause

of concern

CESAR CHELALA

As the Ebola virus continues to spread at an alarming rate,Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, issued a sternwarning. Calling Ebola a “clear and present danger,” Presi-

dent Sirleaf said, “The scope and scale of the epidemic, the viru-lence and deadliness of the virus now exceed the capacity andstatutory responsibility of any one government agency or minis-try.” Those few words underscore the need to rapidly contain thespread of the epidemic. The epidemic also draws attention to thefragility of most African countries’ public health systems and tothe need to improve them.

“What we have done is to make sure we’re surging not justU.S. resources, but we have reached out to European partnersand partners from other countries working with the WorldHealth Organization (WHO),” said U.S. President BarackObama. He also promised to help bolster the systems that thecountries already have in place. The Ebola disease (aka Ebolahemorrhagic fever) is the disease caused by the Ebola virus.Although no spread of the virus through the air has been docu-mented so far, the virus may be acquired through contact withblood or bodily fluids from infected animals or people. That iswhy samples of bodily fluids and tissues from those infectedshould be handled with extreme care and protective clothingshould be used.

The present outbreak is the largest ever so far, affectingGuinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria. Early symptoms ofthe infection are similar to those of malaria, dengue fever orother tropical diseases. The infection then progresses to the bleed-ing phase. Because heavy bleeding is confined to the gastrointes-tinal tract, the patients may vomit blood, have blood in the stooland cough up blood. The blood is highly infectious, so thosemost at risk are health care workers and those in close contactwith the patients.

Since the disease is only spread by direct contact with thesecretions of those infected, the potential for widespread infec-tions is considered relatively low. However, because no vaccineis effective and the disease has a mortality rate of 50 to 90 per-cent, prevention efforts are most important, as is prompt treat-ment of those infected. Because outbreaks typically occur in tropi-cal regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, cultural practices that favorthe spread of the infection should be addressed.

WHO considers “burial of victims in accordance with cul-tural practices” one of the main factors in the spread of the dis-ease. Traditional burial in many West African countries includeswashing the dead bodies by hand and burying them in the floorof the house. Persistent denial of the danger and resistance tochange in the community are important barriers to overcome.Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of those infected are es-sential. Clinical, laboratory and support staff and supplies aremuch needed in the most affected African countries. Health work-ers are also needed to care for the patients, limit the spread of theinfection, trace contacts, and engage and educate the commu-nity.

No Ebola virus-specific treatment exists. Still, early sup-portive treatment consisting of balancing fluids, maintainingoxygen levels, managing pain and controlling secondary bac-terial and fungal infections increases the chances of survival.At present, several experimental treatments are being studied.To limit the spread of the infection, nonessential travel to areasor countries most affected by the infection should be curtailed,and individuals returning from those countries should be closelymonitored.

The countries where the infection is more widespread areamong the poorest countries in the world and, by themselves,cannot cope with the situation. That’s why outside help fromindustrialized countries is most important in helping to controlthis deadly infection.

—Courtesy: The Japan Times

Prompt treatmentcan stop Ebola

epidemic

KIEV—The Ukrainian military said Mon-day it was preparing for a “final stage” oftaking back the city of Donetsk from pro-Russian separatists after making signifi-cant gains that have split rebel forces onthe ground. Spokesman Andriy Lysenkosaid Kiev’s troops had cut Donetsk offfrom the other main rebel-held city ofLuhansk, 150 km away, on the border withRussia. “The forces of the anti-terrorist operation are preparingfor the final stage of liberatingDonetsk,” Lysenko said. “Ourforces have completely cutDonetsk off from Luhansk. Weare working to liberate bothtowns but it’s better to liberateDonetsk first — it is more im-portant.”

The city, which had a pre-con-flict population of 900,000, heardthe crash of shells and gunfire overthe weekend and heavy gunsboomed through the night intoMonday from the outskirts of thecity. There was no definitive wordon casualties from either side fromthe weekend assault by the gov-ernment. One artillery shell hit ahigh-security prison on the city’swestern outskirts late Sunday, kill-ing one inmate and injuring threeothers, the city council said. Morethan 100 inmates escaped from the“strict regime” prison for danger-ous criminals after the shell struck— though some returned later.

Further shelling Mondayfrom the direction of the interna-tional airport and Yasynuvata tothe north knocked out a string of powerstations, the municipal authority added.Government forces called on the rebelsSunday to surrender. The separatists, whohave proclaimed “people’s republics” inthe Russian-speaking east, have said therewill be no end to fighting until Kiev with-draws its troops.

Though the government says it is tight-ening a cordon around the separatists inDonetsk amid changes in their leadershipand desertions in their ranks, swaths of the

Ukraine loyalists say they’reclose to taking rebel-held area

east are still under rebel control, includingthe big border city of Luhansk, Horlivka tothe north of Donetsk and Makiyivka to itseast. U.N. agencies say more than 1,100people have been killed in four months offighting between the separatists who seekunion with Russia and troops representinga pro-Western government.

Though Lysenko said governmentforces had cut off the Donetsk-based rebels

from their comrades in Luhansk, the keytown of Krasny Luch, which lies betweenthe two cities, is still not under govern-ment control, military sources in Kiev said.Krasny Luch is a rail and road junctionthrough which Russian military equipmenthas been transported to the rebels, Kievsays. Ukraine and its Western allies accuseRussia of fomenting the separatist revoltthat erupted in April after Russia’s annex-ation of Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula.

It says Russia is funneling tanks and

missile systems to the rebels. Moscowdenies involvement. Donetsk, normally abustling metropolis, is facing an increas-ing shortage of food, water and fuel. Fewpeople are on the streets, though groupsof armed separatist fighters can be seen.There is relatively little traffic, with gaso-line in short supply. Those who have notleft for the countryside are staying indoors.Banks are closed and pensions and social

allowances are not being paid.Though all sides recognize the serious-

ness of the humanitarian situation in easternUkraine, Kiev and its Western allies suspectRussia could use the situation to move itsforces into the country. Kiev said Saturday ithad headed off, by diplomatic means, an at-tempt by Russia to send troops into Ukraineunder the guise of peacekeepers accompa-nying a humanitarian convoy sanctioned bythe Red Cross. Moscow dismissed the alle-gation as a “fairy tale.”—Reuters

A Ukrainian serviceman postures in the Donetsk region.

Backdropped by a picture of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Anas Shabat,10, weeps as he inspects damages upon returning to his family house, destroyed by Israelistrikes in the town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip.

BEIJING—Beijing accused the US of deliber-ately stoking tensions in the South China Sea asit rejected Washington’s proposal for a freezeon provocative actions in the region, the for-eign ministry said Monday. The remarks byForeign Minister Wang Yi came at an ASEANRegional Forum (ARF) overshadowed by dis-putes over the strategically significant sea.Beijing claims it almost in its entirety, putting itat odds with countries including the Philippinesand Vietnam, and there have been several tenseencounters in the area over recent months.

US Secretary of State John Kerry appearedat the forum to push for a multilateral agree-ment to end all actions that risk further inflam-ing regional sensitivities. But Wang said: “Somecountries outside the region are restless, and stirup tensions... might their intention be to createchaos in the region? “China and ASEAN aretotally able to safeguard well the peace and sta-bility of South China Sea.”

Beijing hits out at USSouth China Sea proposal

French workmenface charges forstealing hidden

treasureÉVREUX (FRANCE)—ThreeFrench workers are to appearbefore a court on charges oftheft after they stole a treasuretrove of gold bars and coinsfrom a house they were work-ing on, a local newspaper re-ported on Monday. The menhad been working on a housein Normandy for several dayswhen they discovered the loot,estimated to be worth morethan 900,000 euros ($1.2 mil-lion), hidden in jars.

According to the report inregional daily ParisNormandie, the jars containedsix gold bars weighing akilogramme (2.2 lbs) each, and600 gold $20 coins from 1924and 1927. Rather than alert theowner of the house to their dis-covery, the workers, aged 20,33 and 40, decided to steal thetreasure and sell it to a coincollector in the area.

But tax officials werealerted when one of the menbegan depositing high-valuecheques. When investigatorscaught up with them, the menconfessed to their crime, thenewspaper said. Police seizedseveral vehicles, motorcyclesand hundreds of thousands ofeuros from the workers as partof the investigation.

The three will appear at acourt in Evreux, northwest ofParis, at an unspecified date. Thecoin collector will also appearbefore the court on charges oftrying to conceal the theft, whichhe denies. Interviewed by ParisNormandie, the owner of thehouse where the gold was foundrecounted telling the workersjokingly: “If you find any trea-sure, you tell me!”.—AFP

PRISTINA (KOSOVO)—Kosovo police on Monday ar-rested at least 40 people in amajor operation targeting Is-lamic radicals suspected offighting alongside extremists inIraq and Syria. SpokesmanBaki Kelani said weapons,ammunition and explosiveswere seized as hundreds of po-lice officers and special policeunits raided 60 locations acrossKosovo, including makeshiftmosques believed to haveserved as recruiting centres.

The police operation is thelargest ever against suspectedIslamic radicals in Kosovo.Authorities have been on alertas a growing number of ethnicAlbanians have joined militantsin Syria and Iraq and appearedon social media in attempts tolure more followers. “We be-lieve these persons pose athreat to Kosovo’s security andthey have therefore been ar-rested,” Kelani told The Asso-ciated Press on Monday. “Someare suspected of being involvedin terrorist organisations such

Kosovo police arrest 40alleged Islamic radicals

as ISIS and (Jabhat) Al-Nusra.”The Islamic State group,

also known as ISIS, has gainedterritory in surprise operationsin Iraq and Syria and its rise ledU.S. President Barack Obamato authorize limited airstrikesagainst the group. Police inKosovo say at least 16Kosovars who joined the mili-tant group as volunteers havebeen killed in battles with Syr-ian and Iraqi authorities.Kosovo’s ethnic Albanians areoverwhelmingly Muslim.

Kosovo’s government wel-comed Monday’s operation andwarned it will fight religious ex-tremists in Kosovo. “Any threatagainst the fundamental values ofour state and our society will bepunished without mercy,” a gov-ernment statement said. PresidentAtifete Jahjaga said the operationseeks to bring to justice suspectswhose acts threaten security in theBalkan region and to prevent “ter-rorist threats to Kosovo and itsstrategic allies.” “Kosovo will notbe a safe haven for extremism,”Jahjaga said.—AP

ABUJA—Nigeria on Mondayconfirmed a new case of Ebola inthe financial capital Lagos, bring-ing the total number of people inthe country with the virus to 10.Health minister OnyebuchiChukwu said the latest confirmedcase was a female nurse whocame into contact with a Liberian-American man, Patrick Sawyer,who died of Ebola in a Lagos hos-pital on July 25.

In addition to Sawyer, an-other nurse who had contactwith him died last week, whileseven other people have beenconfirmed to have the virus inthe city, he added. “The 10thcase actually was one of thenurses who also had primarycontact with the index case.When he (Sawyer) got ill, wethen brought her into isola-tion,” the minister told a newsconference in Abuja.

“We just tested her over theweekend. So, that’s what madeit 10. So, between Friday andtoday we had one additionalcase. That brings it to 10 andthe 10 includes the index case.”Chukwu said the nurse wascurrently undergoing treatmentwhile her husband was undersurveillance. The World HealthOrganization (WHO) said onFriday there were 13 probableand suspect cases of Ebola, in-cluding two deaths, in Nigeria.

The WHO is discussing thepossible use of an experimental

Nigeria confirms new Ebolacase in Lagos: minister

treatment to try to stem thespread of the deadly virus,which has claimed nearly 1,000lives in four West African coun-tries this year. Nigeria has an-nounced a number of measuresto curb the spread of Ebola, in-cluding the declaration of a na-tional emergency in line withWHO advice to trigger disasterresponse procedures.

President Goodluck Jonathanhas announced greater funding tostop the spread such as setting upadditional isolation centres, bor-der screenings and contact trac-ing. People in Africa’s most popu-lous nation and leading economyhave been told to avoid large gath-erings. The authorities in Lagos,which is sub-Saharan Africa’slargest city, have however ap-pealed for volunteers because ofa shortage of medical personnelexacerbated by a month-long doc-tors’ strike.

The health minister onMonday confirmed that publicsector doctors were pressing onwith their stoppage after divi-sions within the National Medi-cal Association union (NMA)created confusion. NMA bossKayode Obembe on Thursdayannounced the suspension of thestrike citing the need to helptackle the Ebola crisis. But otherkey players in the union refusedto follow his directive, sayingthe government had not met anyof their demands.—AFP

HONG KONG—A rowdy Brit-ish passenger forced a London-bound Virgin Atlantic flight toreturn to Hong Kong on Mon-day after he “lost control”, po-lice said. The 26-year-old, iden-tified only as “Robert”, was ona Heathrow-bound plane fromHong Kong International Air-port and became disruptive af-ter the flight had been in the airfor more than an hour.

It was forced to turn aroundafter 90 minutes, the airlinesaid, and landed safely back inHong Kong. The passengerwas arrested then sent to hos-pital, authorities said. “The for-eign man called Robert, who is26 years old, lost control onboard and didn’t follow instruc-tions from staff on the flight,”a police spokesman told AFP.

“He was shouting... Whenthe flight returned to Hong

Rowdy passenger forcesLondon-bound flight back

Kong, the man was arrested forviolating aviation security ordi-nance and was sent to PrincessMargaret Hospital,” he added.A Hong Kong airport authorityspokeswoman said that flightVS201, an Airbus A340, haddeparted at midnight.

Stranded passengers wereput up in Hong Kong hotels andwill fly out again on Mondaynight. “The flight went back toHong Kong after 90 minutesfor a disruptive passenger,” aHong Kong-based Virgin At-lantic spokeswoman said. “Therest of the passengers were pro-vided with accommodation be-fore they depart tonight.” Po-lice said Monday that the manhad not yet been charged. Au-thorities were unable to con-firm whether he was stillhospitalised and what treatmenthe had received.—AFP

His comments, posted on the foreign ministry’swebsite Monday, were aimed squarely at the US,state-run media said. China’s official Xinhua newsagency headlined its report on his comments:“China rebuffs US ‘freeze’ proposal on SouthChina Sea.” It said Wang repeated China’s long-standing rejection of multilateral talks over the sea,saying that “relevant disputes should be addressedby countries directly concerned”.

In a commentary Monday, Xinhua describedWashington’s proposal as “counterproductive”,adding: “It is simply an unconstructive idea. “Bystoking the flames, Washington is furtheremboldening countries like the Philippines andVietnam to take a hardline stance against China,”it said. The US has stepped up its rhetoric on theSouth China Sea following a series of maritimeincidents between China and rival claimants, in-cluding Beijing’s positioning of an oil rig in wa-ters also claimed by Vietnam which sparked deadlyriots in the Southeast Asian nation.—Agencies

Gaza Strip.Foreign Minister Ahmet

Davutoglu revealed details ofthe aid initiative last weekafter a month of bloodshedthat has killed 1,910Palestinians and 67 Israelis.

But any goodwill gener-ated by the move could be jeop-ardized by the HumanitarianRelief Foundation (IHH) an-nouncement that a coalition ofpro-Palestinian activists from12 countries had decided tolaunch a convoy “in the shadowof the latest Israeli aggressionon Gaza”.

“The Freedom FlotillaCoalition affirmed that, as mostgovernments are complicit, theresponsibility falls on civil so-ciety to challenge the Israeliblockade on Gaza,” it said in astatement after the group metin Istanbul at the weekend.

An IHH spokeswoman didnot elaborate. The group willhold a news conference onTuesday, she said.

Nine Turks died in May2010 in international watersafter Israeli soldiers raided theirvessel, the Mavi Marmara,leading a flotilla to breakIsrael’s seven-year blockade ofGaza. A 10th Turkish activistdied in Mayfrom wounds suffered in theattack.

Formerly allies, Turkey’srelationship with Israel hadbeen tense since late 2008 overa previous Israeli military op-eration against Islamist mili-tants dominating Gaza.

Prime Minister TayyipErdogan, who on Sunday waselected president, has beenamong the most vocal critics ofIsrael’s conflict with the Islam-ist Hamas movement that rulesGaza.

In campaigning ahead ofthe election, Erdogan had lik-ened Israel’s actions in Gaza tothose of Hitler and warned itwould “drown in the blood itsheds”.

Israel, which denouncedErdogan’s comments, says itsoffensive is intended to stoprocket fire from Gaza and todestroy tunnels some of whichhave been used by gunmen toinfiltrate Israel.—Reuters

Turkishactivists

From Page 1volvement). Who sowed the seeds of terrorism?” heasked. “Who is going to hold them accountable?” Hesaid countries have suffered under dictatorships andthat the future of Pakistan lies in democracy. Hittingout at the PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, Nawaz dis-missed his political power and ability to start a revo-lution. “If you get 40 to 500 votes in an election, itwill not bring a revolution,” the prime minister said.He said the elected members of the National Assem-bly have been given a mandate by the citizens of thecountry and that they are united in their focus on aprosperous and safe Pakistan where the rule of law isupheld. Nawaz said there was definite improvementon the economic front, and that this success of hisgovernment in one year was not a small feat. “This isnot a small thing in a country where a man fromCanada is calling for a revolution; where the economyis in tatters and there is terrorism,” he said. Nawazasked what his government is being blamed for, andsaid those calling for a revolution should be clear abouttheir objectives. “We already have that revolution ofthe people...democracy is that revolution.”

The prime minister said continuation of demo-cratic system is the only way to steer the country outof all challenges. He said the nation will have to de-cide at this point of time that change can only bebrought through vote and in a democratic manner. Hesaid dictatorship has only brought destruction to thecountry while fruits of prosperity can only be reapedin democracy.

Nawaz Sharif said the nation stands together to-day for peace in the country and nobody is support-ing the revolution of Tahirul Qadri like politicallyfailed elements. He said there is no logic or reasonbehind the revolution and long march as these sabo-tage the process of economic development but thegovernment was determined to continue to pursue thepath of development. He said the people have electedthe PML-N to power and the government will live upto their expectations at all costs. He said if somebodywants to go ahead with the long march, then it shouldbe for the solidarity and not for creating division inthe nation.

“If there are shortcomings in the policies of thegovernment, these can be removed by sitting on the

Marches, revolutions disservice to nation: PMFrom Page 1

sumed the hearing over the pe-titions filed against the ‘AzadiMarch’ announced by ImranKhan.

Justice Shahid HameedDar, a member of full benchhearing a petition against Pa-kistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Azadimarch, remarked in a very ag-gressive tone that the PMshould go and talk to TahirulQadri and Imran Khan.

Without naming anyone,Dar said “if he is not ready tolisten to the premier, the gov-ernment should get his housevacated.”

During the hearing JusticeKhalid Mehmood Khan in-quired as to what kind of jus-tice was dispensed by theplacement of containers to stopthe ‘Azadi March’ and addedthat the country’s integrity wasat stake and the prime ministershould not hesitate in reachingout to anyone ten times ifneeded.

Punjab Advocate GeneralHanif Khatana told the benchthat Prime Minister NawazSharif had offered to pay a visitto the residences of his politi-cal opponents.

Additional Attorney Gen-

LHC asks PMFrom Page 1

national assistance and he or she is also given an opportunity toappeal against this decision and inspect the files before beingtransmitted to the requesting nation.

While Switzerland has decided to retain these clauses in itsamended Federal Act on International Administrative Assistancein Tax Matters, it has now incorporated at least 10 changes inthis Act to lower guard on its famed banking secrecy walls toimprove its information-exchange framework. According to oneof these amendments forming part of a new Gazette Notifica-tion, “If the foreign authority demonstrates grounds for secrecyregarding certain case documents, the FTA (Federal Tax Admin-istration) may refuse to allow a person entitled to appeal to in-spect the corresponding files....”

Swiss Federal Council decided in June this year to relax thiskey legislation, following an intense pressure from India andother countries probing cases of suspected tax crimes. The SwissParliament approved revision of this Act in March this year, whilea referendum deadline for the proposed amendments expired onJuly 10, 2014. In reply to queries on the status of the new Act, aspokesperson for Switzerland’s State Secretariat for InternationalFinancial Matters said, “I can confirm that the revised FederalAct on International Administrative Assistance in Tax Mattersentered into force on August 1.” —INP

Swiss amendFrom Page 1

categorically said the govern-ment would not allow anyoneto spread anarchy in the coun-try at the name of Azadi Marchor Revolutionary March.

It is learnt from the reli-able sources, the governmentwould likely Chairman PTIImran Khan, PAT Chief DrTahir-ul-Qadri , PakistanMuslim League-Quaid lead-ers Chaudhary ShujaatHussain, Chaudhary PervezElahi and Awami MuslimLeague head Sheikh RasheedAhmed put under ‘protectivecustody’ by the governmentbefore their long march.

Reports indicate that PML-N could also move its support-ers and workers to counter thelong march of its rival politicalgroups and in this regard, PML-N Lahore chapter would stageprotests and hold rallies againstthe Azadi March of PTI in or-der to show solidarity with thegovernment.

Meanwhile, the Punjabgovernment on Monday im-posed a complete ban on the useof drone heli-cam for the cov-erage of rallies.

The decision was takenahead of Imran Khan’s Azadi(Freedom) March and TahirulQadri’s Inqilab (Revolution)March on August 14.

Imran, QadriFrom Page 1

Shahbazfelicitates

Tayyip ErdoganSALIM AHMED

LA H O R E—Punjab ChiefMinister MuhammadShahbaz Sharif has congratu-lated Recep Tayyip Erdoganon his glorious victory in thepresidential elections of Tur-key.

In his felicitation mes-sage, Shahbaz Sharif said thatthe success of Recep TayyipErdogan in presidential elec-tions of Turkey with a thump-ing majority reflects completeconfidence of the people inhis policies. He said thatpresidential elections of Tur-key have proved that publicservice never go waste andpeople do not forget theirbenefactors.

The Chief Minister saidthat tremendous success ofRecep Tayyip Erdogan inpresidential elections is, infact, the victory of democracyand democratic system inTurkey.

table of negotiations.” Nawaz Sharif said the peoplehave given mandate to the PML-N government and itwill fulfill its agenda of development to transformthe country into a cradle of peace and prosperity. “Ifthe country continued to move forward with the samemomentum, we will be able to achieve all the set tar-gets speedily and the world will quote our exampleof development.”

The prime minister pledged that energy crisis willbe overcome during the current tenure. He said workhas been started on Dasu hydel project while severalother power projects are also in the pipeline. He saidit was the PML-N government which constructedLahore-Islamabad Motorway and now it was plan-ning to extend it to Karachi. “For this project, wehave allocated 55 billion rupees for land acquisition.Besdies, there are plans to develop railways on mod-ern lines and lay down road and rail link betweenGwadar and Khunjerab. Gwadar port will also be de-veloped.

These projects can only be implemented when thereis peace in the country.” Regarding the ongoing op-eration against terrorists, the prime minister said thearmed forces are sacrificing their lives in this war whichhas also cost the economy loss of one hundred billiondollars. He said the military operation has helped im-prove the situation and expressed the confidence thatthe country would be successful in completely eradi-cating the terrorists. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar saidthe country was out of danger of default now becauseof the effective policies of the government.

He said the government pursued an integrated eco-nomic policy after coming into power in which spe-cial emphasis was given to the welfare of vulnerablesegments of the society. Monthly compensation forthe deprived segment has been raised to Rs1500 whileopportunities have been created for the youth throughvarious schemes. Ishaq Dar said all the sectors of theeconomy including agriculture are being given equalimportance.

“Five hundred billion rupees have been allocatedin the current fiscal budget for grant of loans to thefarmers besides subsidy will be given to the farmerson fertilizers.” He said the economic performancehas also been acknowledged by the international fi-

nancial institutions and they have improved Pakistan’sranking. “As a result of effective policies, manage-ment and financial discipline, our foreign exchangereserves have increased to 14.3 billion dollars andeconomy today stands on sound footing.”

Ishaq Dar said the country does not require bloodyrevolution but only the economic revolution for whichthe present government has set the foundation. Hesaid the PML-N government in the past tried to bringeconomic revolution but its way was blocked. Nowagain when the government is taking the country to-wards economic prosperity, hurdles are being createdin its way. Giving a detailed overview of Vision 2025,Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbalsaid that this development document sets the direc-tions for sustainable and inclusive growth of theeconomy with the objective to reduce poverty andbackwardness. He said top most priority has beengiven to human resource development in the docu-ment for which 12.5 billion rupees have been allo-cated. He said the long-term development plan en-visages export and private sector led growth. “Underthis plan exports will be enhanced to 150 billion dol-lars by 2025. To achieve this target, modern infra-structure of road and rail network will be developedbesides competitiveness will be introduced in all sec-tors of economy including agriculture and industry.”

The minister said under this plan food and en-ergy will be ensured. He said 10,400 megawatts elec-tricity will be produced with the assistance of Chinato overcome the crisis. Other countries includingUnited States, Middle Eastern and European coun-tries were also helping Pakistan to cope with the en-ergy shortage. Ahsan Iqbal said implementation ofthis long-term plan will be ensured at all costs as ithas been prepared with the consensus of all the fourprovinces and the political parties.

“A special unit will be constituted in the PlanningCommission which will present quarterly report on theimplementation of Vision 2025.” Earlier, the prime min-ister inaugurated different projects under Vision 2025including 10 billion rupees National Human Develop-ment Endowment Fund, five billion rupees Techno-logical Development Fund and one billion rupees Sci-ence Farming Scheme.

eral Naseer Bhutta told thecourt that the ‘Azadi March’could lead to violence andbloodshed.

Counsel for the petitioner,Advocate AK Dogar told thebench that if the court failed tostop the march then it wouldfail at delivering justice.

Justice Mehmood Khanreplied that the court could notstop any one from staging pro-tests as it was the basic right ofevery citizen under the Consti-tution of Pakistan.

He said that the high courtswere not authorised to issueinstructions to the federal gov-ernment adding that under whatauthority could it issue direc-tives to the prime minister andparliament.

He further asked as to whatthe courts could do, if politicalparties ignored the directives ofhigh courts.

The court asked the repre-sentatives of the Punjab andfederal government who wereattending the hearing, to sub-mit their replies over the ac-tions taken by the respectivegovernments and summonedthe chief of the PTI Imran Khanon the next hearing.

the government and the op-position to show caution andextreme seriousness and thinkabout national security andexistence by setting aside po-litical interests, he added.

He said that people wereshifting their investment toforeign countries because ofinternal situation prevailing inPakistan, which has adverselyaffected the economy of thecountry. “It is the responsibil-ity of both the government andthe opposition to save thecountry and put the country onthe path of economic recov-ery,” he observed.

He said that the govern-ment show large-heartednessand initiate the dialogue, as itwas the constitutional respon-sibility of the government toaccept legitimate demands ofthe opposition and to solveproblems being faced by the

masses.He said that both the gov-

ernment and the oppositionshould show flexibility intheir attitudes.

He appealed to the own-ers of medical stores inLahore to donate medicines toe camp of the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation in ModelTown. He appealed to thedoctors and paramedical staffto spare some time for themedia camp.

MQM wantsdeliberation of PTI

From Back Page

Placing the MVIunder STA: SHCseeks explanation

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—Sindh High Court(SHC) had sought submissionof explanation about amend-ments made to the Motor Ve-hicle Act-2014 within 3 weeks.The amendments and the noti-fication for placing the MotorVehicle Inspector under SindhTransport Authority were chal-lenged in the SHC by KarachiTransport Ittehad (KTI) Presi-dent Syed Irshad HussainBukhari through his lawyerMunsif Jan last week.

The challenger in his peti-tion stated that Sindh assemblyhad on May 28, 2014 amendedthe section 128 of the SindhMotor Vehicle Act, which wasnot only against the law but wasalso against the public interest.

He further stated that a no-tification was in this regard is-sued for placing the Motor Ve-hicle Inspector under SindhTransport Authority while itwas not possible that any Po-lice officer might perform inTransport Department in fulluniform, which was restrictedto use in Police force.

The challenger Bukharialso referred to a ruling of Su-preme Court of Pakistanwherein the apex court had de-clared placement of any officerfrom other departments as un-lawful.

the backdrop of highly chargedpolitical climate of the country.

The announcement of PMaddress to the nation came fromIrfan Siddiqui.

NawazFrom Page 1

with their plan of March, ad-ditional security is required tobe provided to them, they said.

SeriousFrom Page 1

the police’s bullying lyingdown. “Teach a lesson to thebeast. Don’t let him indulge incruelty against anyone,” hesaid.

Mediadistorted

From Page 1

swept with 70 per cent of thearea already cleared.

General Raheel Sharif alsospoke high of the tribal peoplefor their sacrifices and coopera-tion and directed the officialsfor provision of facilities ofhighest standard to the Inter-nally Displaced Persons be-sides assistance for their returnto their homes.

The commanders weremeeting two days after PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif pre-sided over a high-level securitymeeting attended by the armychief and heads of parliamen-tary parties.

Corps CommandersFrom Page 1

was levelling allegation of rigging, but hehad presented no proofs.

During last 14 months, Imran Khanfailed to present any proof of rigging inthe 2013 elections, and instead had beentaking U-turns on his statements aboutrigging, he added. Pervaiz Rashid saidImran Khan had joined hands with ex-tremists to disrupt peace in the country.

Addressing a press conference to-gether with Minister for Planning andDevelopment Ahsan Iqbal, PervezRasheed said that the ex-spymaster isImran’s mentor, who could not make him

PR: Imran’s press conference ‘pack of lies’From Page 1

win in Elections 2013, yet was now giv-ing suggestions for stirring trouble instate.

Pervez Rasheed said that ‘Imran-Qadri Alliance’ wanted anarchy in thecountry. He said that Chairman PTI ispresenting twisted facts to the nation.

Pervez Rasheed alleged that ImranKhan has been taking U-turns on riggingfor the last fourteen months. “Why doesImran Khan not tell that Secretary Healthwas brother of her candidate from NA-120 Dr. Yasmein Rashid”, questionedRasheed. “Imran Khan is also not men-

tioning that his advisor Tariq Pervez wasmade the Interior Minister”, he added.

He reminded Imran that judiciary’sstaff was made District Returning Offic-ers on his own request. Pervez Rasheedalleged Imran Khan of not respecting ju-diciary, parliament and election commis-sion.

“Why is Imran Khan silent aboutTasneem Qureshi Commission Reportwhich highlights the reasons of PTI’s fail-ure”, asked Pervez Rasheed. He alleged‘Imran-Qadri Alliance’ of promoting an-archy in the country.—NNI

problem of infiltration.Singh, while replying to a

debate on the functioning of thehome ministry, also said thegovernment is willing to holdtalks with northeast insurgentsas well as Naxals if they shunarms while promising to stepup measures to deal with vio-lence with a tough hand.

The minister also assertedthat the government does not dis-criminate on the basis of caste,creed or religion and blamed“vote-bank” politics for the re-cent incidents of communal vio-lence and said it will not toleratesuch occurrences.—PTI

India willingFrom Page 1

AAMIR MAJEED

KARACHI—Bhawna Bai whosecured first position in thePre-Medical Class-XII AnnualExaminations-2014 said thatshe wants to become a doctorin future.

“I have happy with my re-sults as it has give me a lot con-fidence which would help mein achieving my dream of be-coming a doctor”. She said thatstandards of studies at her col-lege was pretty good. “But ifyou want to bagged a positionin annual exams than you haveto take tuitions”. She admittedthat she had also take some pri-vate tuitions.

Mehreen Umer Zubair,who also got first position,gives credit of her success toher parents and teachers. Sheexpressed that if teaching stan-dards improves in collegesthen there would be no need ofprivate tuitions. The prolongedand unannounced power fail-ures were most disturbing ex-perience for her as electricityfailures often interrupt herstudying schedule, Mehreemclaimed. Besides, K-Electricspoor performance, she wasalso upset with distressing lawand order situation and strikecalls.

Syed Faizan Ali, whobagged second position, be-lieved that city needs good

BIEK position holdersvow to serve nation

governances at immediate ba-sis as well as improved law andorder situation in Karachi. Ma-jority of masses are educationand well-mannered but most ofthe time they also violates traf-fic rules and laws. Everybodylooks in a hurry and do not careabout others which is shame-ful, he said.

The government, publicand traffic police should ac-knowledge their responsibili-ties to address the vehicularmess on streets, he advised.My parents and teachers werethe force behind my successand I am thankful to them fortheir kind support and care, hementioned.

The third position holder,Khusbakht Karrar, said thatshe was against class basededucation system in the coun-try. There must be a uniformeducation system across Paki-stan, she advised.

Sidra MuhammadHussain, who also got thirdposition, while talking overcurrent political scenario saidthat everyone looks worrieddue to uncertain situation. Ev-ery issue must be resolvedthrough dialogue so that peoplewould not hurt during protests,she advised.

Meanwhile, the positionholder students of Home Eco-nomics Group, Marium Khalil,Maria Naseem and Sidra Kamran

expressed that there is a dearth ofhome economics teaching atschool and college levels.

They demanded that gov-ernment should increase op-portunities in colleges for thecourse so that more studentscould have knowledge about it.Girls should become a doctoror engineer or whatever theywant to be but they must havesound background of homeeconomics subject otherwise,their personalities would re-main incomplete without it,they expressed.

Furthermore, the chairmanBIEK Anwar Ahmed Zai, saidthat the Board had announceresults one month before thedeadline given by the steeringcommittee on provincial edu-cation department whichshows handwork of teachersand officials of the BIEK.The changes in examinationpatterns are producing positiveresults. The Board had madepolicies and also implementthem which help in announc-ing results well before time, hementioned.

Islamabad administrationFrom Page 1

Needless to say that ensuringand safeguarding public lifeand property is obligatory notonly on the administration butalso all responsible politicalparties and law abiding citi-zens of Pakistan.”

With the imposition ofSection 144, further restric-tions are also in place for theupcoming protests.

According to thenotifications issued earlier bythe Deputy Commissioner,the city administration hasalso prohibited carrying offirearms by ordinary citizens,the use of loudspeakers andsound amplifiers (except forcall for prayers and sermons

for Friday prayers), the stock,sale, purchase and use of firecrackers and the distributionof hand-bills, pamphlets, af-fixing of posters and wall-chalking.

For their part, the PTI isvery clear on the issue: theAzadi March will take place,irrespective of the legalities.

“Nothing is stoppingthis march,” a senior leaderof PTI told Pakistan Ob-server. “They (the district ad-ministration) know very wellthat the march is happening– what is stopping them fromapproaching us or our officeto discuss all such issues?,”said he.

GAZA/JERUSALEM—Israeliand Palestinian negotiatorsresumed indirect talks medi-ated by Egypt on Mondayon ending a month-old Gazawar, Egypt’s state newsagency said, after a new 72-hour truce appeared to beholding.

The Israeli military saidone rocket was launched atthe Tel Aviv area, in Israel’scommercial heartland, be-fore the ceasefire began at2100 GMT on Sunday andmay have landed in the sea.Gaza’s dominant Hamasgroup said it fired the mis-sile.

A senior Israeli govern-ment official had said onSunday Israeli negotiators,who had left Cairo on Fri-day hours before a previ-ous three-day ceasefire ex-pired, would return to Egyptto resume the talks only ifthe new truce held.

Hamas is demanding anend to Israeli and Egyptianblockades of the Gaza Stripand the opening of a sea-port in the enclave - a projectIsrael says should be dealtwith only in any future talkson a permanent peace dealwith the Palestinians.

A month of war has killed1,938 Palestinians and 67Israelis while devastatingwide tracts of densely popu-lated Gaza, and Egypt’s For-eign Ministry has urgedboth sides to work towards“a comprehensive and last-ing ceasefire agreement”.

Gaza hospital officialssay the Palestinian deathtoll has been mainly civiliansince the July 8 launch ofIsrael’s military campaign toquell Gaza rocket fire.

Israel has lost 64 soldiersand three civilians, whileheavy losses among civil-

Israelis, Palestinians beginnew talks to end Gaza war

ians and the destruction ofthousands of homes in Gazahave drawn internationalcondemnation.

Hamas spokesman SamiAbu Zuhri said the new ne-gotiations would be “thelast chance” for an agree-ment. Israeli representa-tives are not meeting face-to-face with the Palestin-ian delegation because itincludes Hamas, which Is-rael regards as a terroristorganization.

Israeli Strategic AffairsMinister Yuval Steinitzsaid in a radio interview onMonday that disarmingGaza militants was crucialto sustain a long-term truceand he hoped this could bedone by diplomacy ratherthan force.

“I certainly hope thatthere will be a diplomaticsolution. If there will notbe a diplomatic solution, Iam convinced that sooneror later we will have to optfor a military solution oftaking temporary controlof Gaza to demilitarize it

again,” he told Israel Ra-dio.

Another stickingpoints in the Cairo talks hasbeen Israel’s demand forguarantees that Hamaswould not use any recon-struction supplies sent toGaza to build tunnels of thesort Palestinian fightershave used to infiltrate Israel.

Hamas has demandedan end to the economicallystifling blockade of the en-clave imposed by both Is-rael and Egypt, which alsosees the Islamist movementas a security threat.

Israel has resisted eas-ing access to Gaza, suspect-ing Hamas could then re-stock with weapons fromabroad.

According to the UnitedNations, at least 425,000 dis-placed people in the GazaStrip are in emergency shel-ters or staying with hostfamilies.

Nearly 12,000 homeshave been destroyed or se-verely damaged by Israeli at-tacks.—Reuters

President, PMgreet Erdogan onwinning election

IS L A M A B A D —PresidentMamnoon Hussain and PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif havefelicitated Mr. Recep TayyipErdogan on winning the Presi-dential election to be the firstpopularly-elected head of statein the history of the TurkishRepublic.President Mamnoon Hussainand Prime Minister NawazSharif in their messages ex-tended warm and sincere fe-licitations to Mr Erdogan onhis victory.

Transformation in Turkeyin the last decade under yourleadership has manifested inyour commendable victory atthe Presidential elections. Wewish you and your Govern-ment more success and prayfor the continued progressand prosperity of the broth-erly people of Turkey.

It is gratifying that the his-toric ties of amity and brother-hood between Pakistan andTurkey continue to strengthenwith the passage of time.

I look forward to workingclosely with Your Excellencyto further deepen and broadenour strategic cooperation inall fields.”—INP

Formationof newIraq govtSYDNEY —U.S.Secretary ofState John Kerry said onMonday the formation of anIraqi government wascritical for stability andurged Prime Minister Nurial-Maliki not to stokepolitical tension further. U.S.President Barack Obama hasurged Iraqi political leadersto bury their sectariandifferences and form a moreinclusive government thatcan unite Iraqis againstIslamic State militants. TheUnited States has carriedout three consecutive daysof air strikes over Iraq,stepping up assistance toKurdish forces to counterthe advance of the militantsin the north of the country.Amid the violence, politicalpressure is mounting asspecial forces loyal to Malikideployed in strategic areasof Baghdad on Sundaynight after he delivered atough speech indicating hewould not cave in topressure to drop a bid for athird term.—Reuters

Iran policycritics arecowardsDUBAI—IranianPresidentHassan Rouhani calledcritics of his nuclear policy“cowards”, state newsagency IRNA reported onMonday, defending hisstance to engage in talkswith the West. Iranianhardliners, unsettled by theshift to a more moderateforeign policy sinceRouhani took office a yearago, have repeatedlyknocked an interim deal withworld powers under whichIran has curbed somenuclear work in exchangefor limited sanctions relief.“Some people deliverslogans but they arepolitical cowards and assoon as there is talk ofnegotiations they say ‘weare trembling,’” Rouhanisaid in his annual addressto Iranian ambassadors anddiplomats, according toIRNA.—Reuters

RAWALPINDI: General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff, presiding over the Corps Commanders Conferenceat GHQ.

FakhruddinhospitalizedKarachi—Former ElectionCommissionerof Pakistan,Fakhruddin G Ibrahim wasrushed to a local hospitalon Monday after heexperienced severebreathing problem. Uponarrival, doctors tookemergency measures torestore his breathing.Another team of doctorsran various tests on the ex-CEC including X-rays,blood tests, ECG, etc. Theimmediate provision ofmedical care did seem tohelp Fakhru Bhai recoverfrom his condition.—INP

OBSERVER REPORT

JEDDAH—The Adviser toPrime Minister on ForeignAffairs and National Secu-rity Sartaj Aziz arrived hereMonday to attend extraor-dinary meeting of the for-eign ministers of the Orga-nization of Islamic Coopera-tion (OIC) in Jeddah onTuesday. Saudi ForeignMinister Prince Saud AlFaisal Al Saud will chairmthis extra-ordinary meeting.

A number of foreignministers from the 56 mem-ber countries of the organi-zation are expected to attendthe meeting at the OIC head-quarters in Jeddah.

The meeting will dis-cuss latest developments inGaza and repercussions of

the Israeli attacks as well aspossible ways of counteringthem at regional and inter-national forums.

This is the second min-isterial meeting to deal withPalestine in a month. Thelast one was on July 10. Fol-lowing up that meeting’srecommendations, the OICsecretary-general contacteda number of political ac-quaintances within memberstates and urged them toshoulder their responsibili-ties in stopping Israeli mili-tary aggression.

The OIC has also beguna push to prosecute Israeliofficials before the Interna-tional Criminal Court, and tocontinue with the State ofApartheid case against thecurrent Israeli government.

Sartaj to attend OICmeeting on Gaza

Staff ReporterK A R A C H I — M u t t a h e d aQaumi Movement (MQM)wants deliberations on thelong-standing demands ofPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf(PTI) and Pakistan AwamiTehreek (PAT) with a viewto avoiding conflict.

This was stated byMQM founder leader AltafHussain in statement onMonday. “Committee con-sisting of three to fourpeople should be formed foropening dialogues withImran Khan and Tahirul-Qadri and efforts should bemade to find a way out ofthe present situation,” he

said, adding that “MQM isready to offer unconditionalsupport in this regard.”

He urged Prime MinisterNawaz Sharif, the federalcabinet, chief minister ofPunjab Mian Shahbaz Sharifand the provincial cabinetto show political acumen.

He said that the opera-tion Zarb-e-Azb” was un-derway in North Waziristanagainst terrorists and thearmy was heavily engagedwith the militants and heavyfiring was being done in theSialkot Sector by the IndianArmy.

“It is necessary for both

MQM wants deliberationson PTI, PAT demands

Continued on Page 7

Islamabad administrationrefuses to allow AzadiMarch by Imran Khan

Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD—In a letter tothe Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Islamabaddistrict administration onMonday refused to allowthe Azadi March inIslamabad. The letter citedthe imposition of Section144 which prohibits all pub-lic gatherings of five or morepersons - in the capital asthe reason for refusal.

The letter, written byDeputy CommissionerMujahid Sherdil, states:

“This is with referenceto the open source informa-tion regarding rally of PTIat ICT scheduled for 14thAugust, 2014. It is intimatedthat due to precarious secu-rity environment, under sec-tion 144 CRPC imposed inIslamabad Capital Territory,all public gatherings and ral-lies are banned. Therefore

any public event requiresprior coordination and per-mission for necessary secu-rity arrangements and relax-ation of section 144 Cr. P.Cfrom the District Magistrateof ICT. So far ICT adminis-tration have neither re-ceived any request from PTIto hold any public event inICT nor has such a permis-sion being given under thelaw.”

The letter goes on tostate: “Your (Imran Khan’s)party’s input is essential forthe ICT administration toensure effective arrange-ments for the safety of resi-dents of the ICT and theparticipants of the rally. Fur-

thermore considering theexpected inflow of partici-pants of the rally into ICT, itis imperative for the ICT ad-ministration to ensure timelyarrangements for traffic andsecurity of public and pri-vate property, peace andtranquilly of the masses atlarge as well as participantsof any event.”

DC Sherdil advised thePTI to, “interact with the ICTadministration so that thevery serious and fragile se-curity situation (particularlywith reference to ongoingZarb-e-Azb operation)should be thoroughlythrashed out.

Continued on Page 7

CONCUSSIONS in high school footballplayers are equally serious no matterwhere on the head the hit occurred, ac-

cording to a new study. Regardless of where onthe head the players were hit, their symptomswere similar, as were thelength of time symptomslasted and how long playersstayed off the field, research-ers found. “We were actuallya little bit surprised,” DawnComstock told ReutersHealth. “Based on some ofour prior research, we ex-pected to see some differ-ences.”

Comstock is the study’slead author from the Colo-rado School of Public Healthand the University of Colo-rado at Denver. She and hercolleagues write in the jour-nal Pediatrics that few stud-ies have examined concus-sion outcomes based onwhere on the head the impactoccurred. About five to sixconcussions occur among high school footballplayers per 10,000 games or practices, they add.

There has been increasing concern over anyknocks to the head that high school athletes mayexperience, because of how common those hitsare and the lingering problems they’re associ-ated with (see Reuters Health stories of May 7,2014 here: reut.rs/XU9pwu and of May 14,2014 here: reut.rs/XU9uQM). “We wanted amore complete understanding of concussion inhigh school football,” Comstock said. In par-ticular, her team wondered whether knowinghow the concussion was received could helpdoctors diagnose and manage athletes more ef-fectively.

Using data from the National High SchoolSports-Related Injury Surveillance Study,from the 2008-2009 and 2012-2013 seasons,they were able to analyze 2,526 football-re-lated concussions that occurred during games

and practices. About 45 percentof concussions were caused byhits to the front of the head. Thesecond most common hit tocause concussions was to theside of the head, followed byback of the head and finally thetop of the head.

After reviewing the data,the researchers found that where onthe head the impact occurred madeno difference in terms of the symp-toms the players had, the length oftime the symptoms persisted andhow long players had to be keptoff the field. “We can’t predictwhich athletes are more likely tohave more severe symptoms orworse outcomes based only on howtheir injuries occur,” Comstocksaid. “Every clinician needs to takeevery concussion very seriously.”

The researchers did find that players whoreceived a concussion to the top of their headwere more likely to lose consciousness, com-pared to those who received an impact to otherparts of their head. The vast majority of playerswho received impacts to the top of their headhad their heads down at the time of the hit, com-pared to less than a quarter of those hit in otherparts of their head. “What we can say is thatthese findings definitely support the call to takethe head out of the game if you will,” Comstocksaid. She added that the findings support thetackling technique that keeps players’ heads up,compared to their heads being aimed down whilerunning at another player.

Regardless of location,concussions serious

Girls outshine boys inHSSC Part-II exams

Minister of State for Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman pushingbutton to declare result of Federal Board Higher Secondary School Certificate Part-II Annual Examination-2014.

CITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Maintaining theprevious record, girls have out-shone the boys by bagging moretop positions in the Higher Sec-ondary School Certificate(HSSC) Part-II exams, accord-ing to the result announced in aceremony held here Monday.Federal Minister for Education,Training and Standards inHigher Education, MuhammadBaligh-ur-Rehman was chiefguest on the ceremony.

According to the result an-nounced by Federal Board of In-termediate and Secondary Educa-tion (FBISE), the girls have over-all bagged top 11 positions in dif-ferent groups in HSSC Part-II ex-ams while the boys secured sixtop positions.

In Pre-medical group, MariaAmin and Muhammad MusabHussain from Hamza Army Pub-lic School and College,Rawalpindi secured first and sec-ond positions with 1034 and 1028marks respectively.

While the third position wasshared by Aemen Shafqat AhmadBazaz from Fauji FoundationCollege for Girls, Rawalpindi andMaham Fazal from Army PublicSchool and College for Girls,Rawalpindi with 1026 marks.

In Humanities group, Aziz-ul-Haq from Institute of IslamicSciences, Islamabad secured firstposition with 940 marks andAreeba Zakir from Fauji Foun-dation College for Girls,Rawalpindi Cantt stood secondwith 930 marks. Salma Bibi fromPAEC Model College for Girls,Mianwali obtained third positionwith 928 marks.

In the Pre-Engineering group,Maryam Asad of Hamza ArmyPublic School and College,Rawalpindi clinched first positionwith 1018 marks and SobanAhmed of Islamabad Model Col-lege for Boys stood second with1016 marks.

The third position was sharedby Talha Rehman of Punjab Col-

lege, Islamabad and Aminah Siddiqui of ArmyPublic School and College for Girls,Rawalpindi with 1015 marks.

In Science General group, Sana Arshadof Punjab College, Islamabad secured firstposition with 1008 marks, Saiqa Hafeez ofF.G Degree College for Women, Rawalpindistood second with 993 marks while HassanMahmood of F.G Degree College for Men,Wah Cantt obtained third position with 991marks.

In Commerce group, Saba Fatima ofPACE College for Girls with 951 marks,Mahnoor Latif of Punjab College, Islamabadstood second with 920 marks while the thirdposition was clinched by Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din of Indus College of Commerce with 916marks. According to the result, a total num-ber of 41967 regular candidates appeared inthe exam out of which 31930 passed with thepass percentage of 76.08. While a total of11539 private candidates appeared out of

which 5870 passed with the pass percentageof 50.87.

In Humanities group, a total of 7274 regu-lar candidates appeared in the exam out ofwhich 5289 passed against 1499 private can-didates out of total 187 appeared. While inPre-Medical group, a total of 10114 regularcandidates appeared in the exam out of which8638 passed against 1566 private candidatesout of total 1998 appeared.

A total of 11296 regular candidates ap-peared in Pre-Engineering group out ofwhich 9143 candidates passed against 1344private candidates out of total candidates2173 appeared. In Science general group, atotal of 9251 regular candidates appeared inthe exam out of which 5922 passed against697 private candidates out of total 1653 can-didates appeared. In Commerce group, a to-tal of 3882 regular candidates appeared inthe exam out of which 2784 passed the examagainst 741 private candidates out of total

1716 candidates.While in Med-Tech group, a total of 187

regular candidates appeared in the exam outof which 154 passed the exam against 23 pri-vate candidates out of total 66 appeared. Theresult is being made available on the FederalBoard website at www.fbise.edu.pk and onSMS unified code 5050 by sending sms inthe format FBspace[roll number].

The result cards of regular candidates arebeing dispatched to the heads of their respec-tive institutions and those of ex-private can-didates within country on the addresses givenby them in their admission forms. Those ofoverseas candidates to the heads of institu-tions form where they appeared. The resultcards of regular and ex-private candidatesbelonging to Gilgit Baltistan are being sent tothe FBISE sub office in Gilgit Baltistan.

This year, 18 unfair means cases werereported which were decided through adopt-ing a judicious procedure.

ZUBAIR QURESHI

ISLAMABAD—Chief Justice Islamabad HighCourt (IHC) Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi onMonday while hearing a petition against PTIchairman Imran Khan’s ‘Azadi March’ or Free-dom March has directed the petitioner to removeoffice objections. Only after removal of the ob-jection, the court will decide the fate of the peti-tion.

Chairman Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI)Imran Khan has announced ‘Azadi’ March whichhe also calls Tsunami March to held at ‘D’ Chowkon August 14. IHC Registrar office had raisedobjections over the writ petition of a petitionerAbdullah Tahir that the petitioner had no locusstandi or he was not an aggrieved party and inaddition a number of documents were also miss-ing.

IHC bench observed it would examine theobjection regarding ‘locus standi’ in the subse-quent hearing but the petitioner should removeother administrative objections. The petitioner hassought from the court that the march may bestopped as it would affect fundamental rights ofthe citizens and would also disturb daily life.

The petitioner while citing Ministry of Inte-rior as respondent the court that he was a resident

of Islamabad. He is an advocate with law degreefrom London University. Imran Khan, chairmanof Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) has accused thePML-N and the Election Commission of riggingin the elections and has announced publicly thathe is going to stage a massive protest at D-Chowkin Islamabad on the 14th day of August.

There is also news that since trenches havebeen excavated all the way from Zero Point tothe D-chowk the protest will take place at JinnahAvenue, near Centaurus mall. The petitioner saidthe protest sit-in would make it hard for the resi-dents of Islamabad to perform daily business oflife.

Jinnah Avenue is the hub of Islamabad traf-fic, says the petitioner in his petition and nearlythousands of vehicles daily pass by the route andeven ambulances move to and from the nearbyPakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims)which is the only state-of-the-art governmenthealth facility in the city. Everyone will be ex-tremely disturbed if the Jinnah Avenue is blockedby the protest, held the petitioner. He prayed tothe court to pass directions to the Ministry of In-terior to restrain the 14th august protest of PTIand provide them with some other suitable placeto protest where the fundamental rights of the citi-zens of Islamabad are not infringed upon.

Petition moved in IHC against ‘tsunami march’

Court asks petitioner toremove office objections first

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—On the directions of ChairmanCapital Development Authority (CDA),Maroof Afzal, Environment Wing of the Au-thority has started removal of wild bushes andgrass, grown as result of recent moonsoonseason. In this connection, special teams un-der supervision of concerned deputy directorshave been constituted, and their performancewill be monitored on daily basis.

These special teams have started workon war footings and are busy in removing

wild bushes and grass, particularly fromgreen belts, median strips, different marakizand residential areas of Islamabad. Chair-man CDA, Maroof Afzal said that wildbushes and shrubs not only disturb the natu-ral beauty of Islamabad but also provide po-tential breeding sites for the growth of Den-gue larva, so these should be removed onpriority basis and no laxity will be toleratedin this context.

He also directed to finalize the arrange-ments for Moonsoon Tree Plantation drive andsaid that more species of fruit and flowering

plants in addition to ever green plants wouldbe introduced in order to enhance the naturalbeauty of Islamabad.

Chairman, CDA was apprised that thesespecial teams are not only working in resi-dential areas but also busy in removing of wildbushes and grass from the banks of nullas,alongside different avenues and especially theroad leading to Pir Sohawa. He was furtherapprised that for the prompt reddresal of com-plaints control room is being made more ef-fective and residents can lodge their com-plaints on phone number 051-285513.

CDA Chairman directed to finalize arrangementsfor moonsoon tree plantation drive

04:50 01:3005:30

09:10

Zohr

Asr

Isha

Fajar

Meghrab at Sunset

Brothers in Islamestablish regularprayers & charity

Children purchasing national flags and other items from vendor to celebrate the Independence Day celebrations.

Policemen checking documents of motorcyclists on Bhittai Road as they seized a large number of motorcycles in thecapital in connection with Azadi March.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir

Matricsupplementary

forms submissiondate extended

RAWALPINDI—Matric supple-mentary 2014 forms submis-sion dates have been extendedby Board of Intermediate andSecondary Education (BISE)Rawalpindi.

According to a decisiontaken in a meeting of PunjabBoards Chairman Committee(PBCC), the forms submissiondates with double fee have beenextended aimed at facilitatingthe students.

Under the new scheduleissued in this regard, the admis-sion forms with double fee canbe submitted till Aug 18 whilethe forms with triple fee can besubmitted till Aug 22. Aug 8was last date for submission offorms with single fee.

Earlier, the date of submit-ting the forms with double feewas Aug 15 while Aug 20 wasannounced as last date for sub-mitting the forms with triplefee.

Now, the students can alsosubmit admission forms withdouble fee till Aug 18 while thelast chance for submitting ad-mission forms can also beavailed with triple fee till Aug22.

The decision is beinghailed by students and theirparents as this will give ampletime to the students to submitthe forms. According to Edu-cation Board Rawalpindispokesman Arslan Cheema, theMatric supplementary examswill start from Sept 9.

He said the forms can besubmitted through online sys-tem. The students in case of anydifficulty can also contact theboard office.—APP

22 lawbreakersrounded up

RAWALPINDI—Rawalpindipolice in its continued driveagainst anti-social elementshave arrested 22 lawbreakersbesides recovering 28 bottles ofliquor, 155 liter wine, 510grams charras, 12 pistols 30bore with 66 rounds, one rifle12 bore with three rounds fromthe possession of arrested ac-cused during last three days.

According to Rawalpindipolice spokesman, Gungmandipolice arrested MuhammadJamal for possessing 11 bottlesof liquor. Muhammad Ali wassent behind the bars for having11 liquor bottles. Sadiqabad po-lice arrested Tahir and recovered510 grams charras. Pirwadhaipolice seized 150 liter wine fromthe possession of Shoukat.Sadiqabad police nabbedUbaidullah who was allegedlyunder the influence of alcohol.

Morgah police held FarhanHussain and recovered a pistol 30bore with four rounds. Sadiqabadpolice netted Qadeer for havingone pistol 30 bore and four roundswhile Hussain Alam was arrestedon recovery of a pistol 30 boreand five rounds. Kahuta policealso recovered a rifle 12 bore andthree rounds from the possessionof Faheem.—APP

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The preparations of 68th Inde-pendence Day have reached at its climax in twincities Rawalpindi and Islamabad with majorityof the people especially youngsters enthusiasti-cally participating in the colourful activities.

Independence Day is a national holiday andcelebrated all over the country with flag hoist-ing ceremonies, paying tributes to the nationalheroes, decorating homes, vehicles and dresseswith colourful flags and badges.

People from various walks of life decoratedtheir houses with national flags while the build-ings, city shopping centers, bazaars and all themain roads are adorned with flags and fancylights.

The vendors have setup stalls carryingdecorative items including national flags,multi-colored garlands, bunting, badges,Minar-e-Pakistan models and portraits of theQuaid-e-Azam and national heroes.

Amir Khan, a vendor said ,”I-day gives anopportunity to earn a good business by sellingthe relevant accessories especially flags,

Independence Day preparations reach climaxbunting and badges and a large number ofyoungsters and children throng to the stallscarrying these items”.

“I set up my stall from August 1 to 14each year introducing a variety of newstock relating to I-Day accessories to at-tract the youngsters”, he said.

Printers and makers of flags, bannersand badges are fully engaged in their workto earn handsome business. They are alsomaking arrangements to dispatch theseitems to other areas of the country to meetdemand of people.

The most enthusiastic among all are thechildren who are busy in collecting stick-ers, badges and also beautifying their bi-cycles with special stickers inscribed withmessages of Independence Day.

Saad, a young boy said, “I have boughtstickers, bunting and flags to decorate myhome on I-Day. I have also decorate mybicycle with small flags.”

“All of my friends have decorated theirhomes with flags and bunting and we willsee whose home will look best”, he said.

STAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—City district health departmentarranged a seminar to create awareness regard-ing the importance of breastfeeding for bothmother and child here on Monday at districthealth office Khaban-e-sirsyed.

Executive District Officer (EDO- Health)Dr Zafar Iqbal Gondal while speaking on theoccasion said that about 60 per cent of newmothers give their babies water or other bever-ages which leads to infections in the newborns,sometimes resulting in their death. He advisedthe mothers to breastfeed their newborns at leastfor the first six months.

Gondal said lady health workers would go

ZUBAIR QURESHI

ISLAMABAD—The constitu-tionally-mandated reports onimplementation of principlesof policy and performance ofthe Council of Common In-terests, National EconomicCouncil and National Fi-nance Commission aredemocratic instruments ofaccountability to gaugegovernment’s performanceand functionality of the Con-stitution.

This was observed at aresearch-based seminar on“Democratic Accountability:Examining the efficacy ofconstitutional instruments”jointly arranged by Centre forCivic Education (CCE) andStrengthening ParticipatoryFederalism and Decentraliza-

tion (SPFD) program ofUnited Nations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP).

Deputy Chairman Senate,Senator Sabir Ali Baloch wasthe chief guest. Addressing thegathering he said the 18thAmendment had introducedunique accountability mecha-nisms and their effectiveimplementation is vital to en-rich country’s democratic sys-tem.

He acknowledged thatmere presentation of constitu-tional reports was not desiredrather the parliamentarians,civil society, academia and themedia must discuss and debatethem.

Amir Khan Goraya, Assis-tant Country Director UNDPsaid the UNDP Pakistan wasdedicated to deepen under-

standing of the 18th Amend-ment and engage with variousstakeholders for production ofrelevant knowledge and pro-vide technical assistance tovarious tiers of governance.

“The UNDP is proud tobe part of this pioneering ef-fort and hope that this researchculture will expand to univer-sities,” he added.

Zafarullah Khan Execu-tive Director of the CCEtalked about the culture ofconstitutional reports andcompliance. He said, “Theconstitutionally mandated re-ports are delayed for years andthey have never been dis-cussed in the Parliament orany provincial assembly.” In-stitutions need to communi-cate and coordinate with eachother to improve the quality

and timeliness of these reports,he added.

Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed ofKarachi University reviewedthe latest annual report ofCouncil of Common Interests(CCI), Asma Faiz of LahoreUniversity of Management Sci-ences made presentation onReport on Principles of Policy,Dr. Idrees Khawaja of PakistanInstitute of Development Eco-nomics analyzed the Report ofNational Finance Commission,and Zubair Faisal Abbasi ofInstitute of Development Initia-tives examined the report ofNational Economic Council.Dr. Ijaz Khan, Dr. FouziaSaeed and Naseer Memon werethe lead discussants.

Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmedanalyzing the report put forthby the CCI said that since the

18th Amendment, the Coun-cil has emerged as one ofPakistan’s most importantinstitutions. Disseminationof and discussion on this re-port is crucial to the healthyinter-provincial relations inPakistan.

Ms. Asma Faiz, talkingabout the report on the imple-mentation of Principles ofPolicy expressed her apprecia-tion at the publication and pre-sentation of this report. How-ever, she lamented that whilesome data is present in this re-port, data analysis has not beenadequately taken up. Further,she said that more details onimplementation should beadded. She also pointed outthat discussion on local-gov-ernment is missing, while thaton minorities’ remains scant.

Deputy Chairman Senate Sabir Ali Baloch addressing research based seminar on demo-cratic accountability organized by Center for Civic Education Pakistan and UNDP. DrFauzia Saeed, Dr Ijaz Khan , Zafarullah Khan, Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmad and Asma Faizsitting on the stage.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir

Democratic accountability through constitutional means

door-to-door under the campaign being launchedfrom the next week to educate women abouttheir health and taking preventive measures spe-cially during pregnancy, delivery and for infant’shealth

In his address,EDO, underlined the impor-tance of holding such seminars in order to cre-ate community awareness about breastfeeding.

District health programme officer Dr JavaidIqbal ch in his address informed that mother’smilk is not only safe,provides immunity againstinfections, but also is non-allergic and easy todigest.

As the infant grows, he said, the composi-tion of mother’s milk too changes, thus main-taining a perfect balance of nutrients.

Seminar on breastfeeding

STAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—Member National Assem-bly Asfandyar Bhandara on Monday saidthe government was committed to protectthe rights of minorities as its constitutionalduty.

Addressing a function at GovernmentGordon College here in connection withthe ‘National Minorities Day’, he said theConstitution guaranteed complete religiousfreedom, social justice and equality ofrights to minorities.

Bhandara said the government hadformulated policies for the welfare and

well-being of minority communities.“The celebration of Minority Day

provides us an opportunity to reassurethat despite belonging to different faith,we are a nation that continues to marchfor a united and prosperous Pakistan,” hesaid adding that the commendable serviceof religious minorities, along with Mus-lims, was a glorious chapter in the his-tory of the Pakistan Independence Move-ment.

He added that the religious minoritiesin the country have given a considerablecontribution to different fields in the soci-ety including health, education, defence

and social welfare. He further urged all re-ligious communities to stay united and topromote interfaith harmony, creating unity,peace, equity and justice in the society.

Director Colleges Professor HamyunIqbal, Principal Gordon College Dr AbdulQayyum Bhatti and Oum Parkash also ad-dressed the function. Meanwhile, a func-tion in this regard was held here today inTown Municipal office where Former Par-liamentarian Shakeel Awan was chief guestwhile Sardar Nasim, MPA RajaHanif,Tehsin Fawad and AdministratorRawal Town Imran Qurashi were presenton the occasion.

Minorities enjoy equal rights: Bhandara

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker Na-tional Assembly has said that the future of anycountry depends on the youth since active partici-pation of educated young people plays vital role indevelopment of the nation. He said this in his mes-sage on International Youth Day, to be observedon 12th August under the auspices of United Na-tions.

He said that young people have proven them-selves to be key partners in sustainable development;therefore, they should be engaged by the govern-ments and communities to formulate poverty reduc-tion strategies, entrepreneurial schemes and many

STAFF REPORTER

RAWALPINDI—Rawalpindi Arts Council arrangeda photographic exhibition based on Pakistan Move-ment here on Sunday in connection with the Inde-pendence Day celebrations.

Divisional Convener Taqreebat-e-Azadi Com-mittee Sardar Naseem and Member Punjab As-sembly Raja Muhammad Hanif Advocate flankedby Naheed Manzoor and Resident Director RACWaqar Ahmed inaugurated the exhibition.

More than 200 historic photographs of promi-nent Pakistan Movement leaders, including Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Muslims mi-grating from India are being exhibited.

The photographs show Quaid-i-Azam meet-

ing delegations of students, political leaders andIndian rulers at a convention of the All India Mus-lim League.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Naseempraised the authorities for holding exhibition. “Theexhibition will raise awareness among the youthabout the sacrifices made by their forefathers forthe creation of Pakistan,” he said.

He said that the government had decided tohold events throughout August to commemoratethe freedom movement and its heroes.

“Pakistan is confronted with many challenges,especially terrorism. We need solidarity and unityto overcome these problems,” Raja Hanif said. Alarge number of students and people also viewedthe exhibition.

200 historic photographs ofPakistan Movement on display

other policies and initiatives. The Speaker said thatyouth deserves our commitment for full access toeducation, adequate health care, employment op-portunities, financial services and full participationin public life.

He said that the objectives behind the celebra-tion of International Youth Day are to recognize thecontributions of the youth in society’s developmentand to engage them in constructive activities. Hesaid that this day provide us an opportunity to drawthe attention of the world towards the youth issues.

“Let us all resolve on this day to invest in andprotect our most valuable resource, and give youngmen and women a fair and full stake in our societyand in its success” he added.

Youth key partners in devof nation: NA Speaker

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Planning and De-velopment Ahsan Iqbal has said that the Vision2025 sets the directions for the sustainable andinclusive growth of the economy with the ob-jective to reduce poverty and backwardness.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of Vi-sion 2025 on Monday, he said top most priorityhas been given to human resource developmentin the document for which 12.5 billion rupeeshave been allocated. He said the long term de-velopment plan envisages export and private

sector-led growth. Under this plan, exports willbe enhanced to 150 billion dollars by 2025. Toachieve this target, modern infrastructure of roadand rail network will be developed and com-petitiveness will be introduced in all sectors ofeconomy including agriculture and industry.

The minister said under this plan food andenergy security will be ensured. 10,400 mega-watt of electricity will be produced with the as-sistance of China to overcome the crisis. He saidthe United States, Middle Eastern and the Euro-pean countries are also helping Pakistan to copewith the energy shortage.

Rs12.5b earmarked for humanresource development: Ahsan

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—To keep pace with thegrowing demand for research books, theNational Institute of Historical and Cul-tural Research Monday launched its Re-source Centre to ensure needs of academia,faculty, scholars, researchers and studentsalike. The Resource Centre was inaugu-rated by Dr Eatzaz Ahmad, Vice-Chancel-lor, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabadat the NIHCR premises. A large numberof university teachers, students and staffmembers attended the event.

The inauguration ceremony was coin-cided with the flag hoisting ceremony inconnection with the Independence Day andthe Eid Milan party arranged by theNIHCR staff. Delivering his welcome ad-dress, Syed Umar Hayat, Senior ResearchFellow, stressed the fellow researchers forconducting meaningful research on historyof Pakistan in order to positively respondto the Indian propagandist research againstPakistan.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony,Dr Eatzaz Ahmad said that by adoptingmodern trends in education, the new gen-

eration can compete with the modernworld. Geographical boundaries have norelevance in today’s world. No professioncan thrive without keeping up to date withthe latest knowhow, he added.

“Libraries are vital to empower theircommunities and meeting the informationneeds of the country. Information is powerand it enhances the chance for people toenjoy fulfilling lives and contribute to so-ciety,” he observed.

In the 21st century, he remarked, li-braries will inevitably face knowledgemanagement as in a knowledge economy,management refers to effectively identify,acquire, develop, resolve, use, storing andshare the knowledge to create an approachto transforming knowledge, he observed.

Dr Eatzaz opined that knowledge man-agement in libraries should be focused oneffective research and development ofknowledge, creation of knowledge bases,exchange and sharing of knowledge be-tween library staff, training library staffand speeding up explicit processing of theimplicit knowledge.

Appreciating the venture of the NIHCR,Dr Eatzaz Ahmad hoped that the centre

would prove to be helpful to the users as wellas the professionals being the first stop foraccurate and up-to-date information aboutpolitical, economic, cultural, educational andsocial trends around the world in general andPakistan in particular. The QAU VC dis-closed that the NIHCR Resource Centre willsoon have The Balochistan Corner, courtesyBalochistan Governor Mohammad KhanAchakzai, who had pledged an amount ofRs. one million for this purpose. The re-sources at the corner will include books,magazines, CDs with current and full textarticles, videotapes and DVDs.

Talking on the independence DrAhmad threw light on the Pakistan Move-ment and stressed the need for becomingtrue Pakistanis by all merits.

In his address, Dr Sajid MehmoodAwan, Officer Incharge of the NIHCR,said that to set up modern and state of theart Resource Centre in NIHCR was vision-ary idea of Dr Eatzaz Ahmad. The Re-source Centre will have a digital libraryand modern equipment will be made avail-able to the users. The services include openaccess to materials, photocopying and su-pervised Internet access, he said.

NIHCR Resource Centre launched

MUZAFFARABAD: Secretary General PPP Azad Kashmir, Finance Minister ChaudhryLatif Akbar addressing a gathering marking anniversary of Shaikh Abdul Aziz.

ISLAMABAD: Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir Abdul Rashid Turabi addressing a rally.

KOTLI: People carrying a 40-meter long national flag through the main bazaar.

SRINAGAR—The Kashmiris on bothsides of the Line of Control paid glow-ing tributes to the senior APHC leader,Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his sixth martyr-dom anniversary on Monday. SheikhAbdul Aziz was shot dead by Indiantroops on this day in 2008, while lead-ing a big march from Srinagar to theLine of Control against the economicblockade of the Kashmir valley byHindu extremists of Jammu.

The Chairman of All PartiesHurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz UmarFarooq addressing a seminar inSrinagar called upon India and Paki-stan to initiate a meaningful and re-sult-oriented dialogue process to

Kashmiris across LoC paytributes to Sheikh Abdul Aziz

Conference pledges to continue freedom strugglesettle the Kashmir dispute for ensur-ing peace and stability in the SouthAsian region. The seminar was heldto commemorate the martyrdom anni-versary of Shiekh Abdul Aziz.On theother hand, complete shutdown wasobserved in Pampore town to observethe martyrdom anniversary of theKashmiri leader.

Hurriyet leaders including NayeemAhmad Khan, Altaf Ahmad Shah,Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, ShabbirAhmad Dar, Wajahat Qureshi, AshrafLaya, Maulvi Bashir Ahmad and othersduring their visit to Martyrs’ Graveyardin Srinagar reiterated to continue themartyrs’ mission till its accomplishment.

Meanwhile, a joint declaration is-sued at the end of a conference,chaired by the AJK President, SardarMuhammad Yaqub Khan, inIslamabad pledged that the ongoingmovement for right to self-determina-tion would be taken to its logical con-clusion, against all odds. The AJKchapters of the two forums led by SyedAli Gilani and Shabbir Ahmad Shah topay tributes to the martyred leaderjointly organized the conference.

The APHC-AJK chapter alsoorganised a seminar at press club inMuzaffarabad to eulogize the servicesof Sheikh Abdul Aziz. It was presidedover by Syed Yousuf Naseem.—KMS

JKLF remembersmartyred

APHC leaderSRINAGAR—A high-level del-egation of Jammu and Kash-mir Liberation Front (JKLF) ledby Vice Chairman, advocateBashir Ahmad Butt, today, vis-ited Pampore and participatedin a condolence meeting heldin remembrance of SheikhAbdul Aziz. The delegationcomprised Engineer GhulamRasool Dar Eidi andMohammad Sideeq Shah.

Recalling the sacrificesrendered by Sheikh AbdulAziz, Bashir Ahmad Butt saidthat Sheikh Abdul Aziz wasa man of will and dedicationswho till his last breath strivedfor the cause of freedom forKashmir. Paying rich tributesto Sheikh Abdul Aziz, hetermed him as a thoroughgentleman, freedom lover andselfless leader. He said thatthe martyrdom of SheikhAziz strengthened the peace-ful people’s revolution inKashmir and the people ofKashmir will always remem-ber him and his sacrifices.

Terming the Indepen-dence Day of India as a blackday for Kashmiris, he saidthat Kashmiri’s were free-dom-loving people and theywanted every nation to tasteand enjoy freedom Anotherparty delegation comprisedShowkat Ahmad Bakhshi,Noor Mohammad Kalwal,Sheikh Abdul Rashid,Farooq Ahmad Dar AbdulRashid Magloo visitedPalhalan and met with thebereaved family of recentlymartyred youth, MudasirAhmad Sofi.—KMS

Amarnathyatra ends

SRINAGAR—The one-and-halfmonth long annual AmarnathYatra in the territory ended.Nearly 400,000 pilgrims visitedthe shrine. The final ‘puja’ wasoffered inside the Amarnathcave shrine in south Kashmirafter the ‘Chahri Mubarak’(Lord Shiva’s mace) reachedthe shrine. Its custodianSwami Dipinder Giri in a pro-cession of sadhus and otherdevotees carried the ChahriMubarak from its seat here tothe shrine.—KMS

Kashmiris toobserve

Black Dayon August 15

MIRPUR—Kashmiris fromacross the Line of Control(LoC) would observe India’sIndependence Day on Au-gust 15 as black day to con-demn India for denying theirright of self-determination.Chairman National Events Or-ganizing Committee (NEOC)Ch. Muhammad Tariq saidhere on Monday. He said theobservance of ‘Black Day’ onthe Indian Independence daywas aimed to express extremeindignation.—APP

ISLAMABAD—A joint declaration issued at theend of a conference in Islamabad has sol-emnly pledged that the ongoing movementfor self determination will be taken to its logi-cal conclusion and that those who sacrificedtheir today for the tomorrow of coming gen-erations will always be remembered. The con-ference was jointly organized by the AJKchapters of the two forums led by Syed AliGilani and Shabbir Ahmad Shah on the occa-sion of martyrdom anniversary of APHCleader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz. The event waschaired by the AJK President, SardarMuhammad Yaqub Khan and was attendedby all components of the two forums and anumber of leaders of political and religiousparties of occupied and Azad Kashmir.

Glowing tributes were paid to the martyrsof Jammu Kashmir, Palestine and Ummah ingeneral and the Kashmiri leader Sheikh AbdulAziz in particular. It was unanimously decidedthat 14th August would be celebrated withfull fervour, passion and dedication while 15thAugust, the birthday of occupying power In-dia, would be observed as a Black Day. A bigdemonstration will be held in Muzaffarabadand a memorandum will be submitted toUNMOGIP on this day.

The declaration says that the demarcationof Kousar Nag as a new spot for yatra andextending the yatra over a longer period is anIndian move to settle non state subjects in the

Joint declaration pledges tocontinue freedom struggle

disputed territory as part of an effort to changeits demographic complexion and askingUNMOGIP to pack up are all aimed at reducingan international issue to an internal or at themost a bilateral affair, which is not acceptableto the people of Jammu Kashmir. The confer-ence appreciated the steps directed towardsenhancing the role of Parliamentary KashmirCommittee in Pakistan and also recognized theefforts of the All Parties Kashmir CoordinationCouncil to bring stakeholders on the same pageto launch a coordinated campaign on Kashmirin and outside Pakistan.

The conference expressed its gratitudeto the OIC Secretary General who reiteratedthe principled stance of OIC regarding theright of Kashmiri masses to self-determina-tion. The conference condemned Indian andIsraeli aggression and saluted the steadfast-ness and courage of the Kashmiri and Pales-tinian masses and their leaders in confront-ing the state terrorism of the occupying pow-ers. Those who attended the conference,among others, included Muhammad FarooqRehmani, Sheikh Tajamul-ul-Islam, SardarMuhammad Anwar, Shah Ghulam Qadir,Noor-ul-Bari, Ghulam Muhammad Safi,Mehmood Ahmad Saghar, Rafiq Ahmad Dar,Shamim Shawl, Manzoor-ul-Haq Butt,Muzaffar Shah, Shoukat Hussain Butt,Khursheed Ahmad Mir, Abdul Majeed Mir,Ishtiaq Hameed and Altaf Wani.—KMS

SRINAGAR—Writers have criticized Urduwriters of India for continuously ignoringpolitical and humanitarian situation of theterritory in their writings and poetry. Theywere speaking at a literary meet-cum-bookrelease function event ahead of ‘All IndiaUrdu Mushaira’ attended by a large num-ber of Urdu fiction writers and critics.Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Academy andJ&K Fiction Writers Guild in Srinagar orga-nized the event.

“Kashmiri people have been facing po-litical unrest for many years. However, therewas not a single write-up from any of theUrdu writers of India on the issue. I thinkthey don’t feel our pain and are insensitivetowards our issues,” said valley’s knownwriter and journalist Ghulam Nabi Khayal.Khayal said that even Hindi writers like RamVilas Paswan and Sharad Yadav highlights

‘Indian Urdu writersignore issues of Kashmir’

various aspects of Kashmir dispute in theirwritings after witnessing Kashmir situationwith their own eyes.

Justice (Retd) Bashir Ahmad Kirmanisaid that Urdu is the bridging language.“However, the bridge couldn’t been formedwith Kashmir as Urdu writers all over Indiadidn’t touch any of the subject The UrduAcademy organized this function to felici-tate the well known fiction writer of Kash-mir, Wehshi Syed. On the occasion four ofhis books including a Novel were released.Prof Hamidi Kashmiri, former Kashmir Uni-versity Vice Chancellor and noted authorand others released the books.

Addressing the function the GhulamNabi Khayal threw light on the develop-ment of Urdu language and stressed for thewholehearted support for the developmentof Urdu language.—KMS

SRINAGAR—Senior APHC leader and Jammuand Kashmir Muslim Conference Chairman,Professor Abdul Ghani Butt has urged Indiaand Pakistan to find a solution to the Kash-mir dispute through talks, which could sat-isfy all the three parties to dispute; Pakistan,India and the people of Kashmir. Address-ing a function held at Muslim Conferenceheadquarter in Srinagar, Professor Butt saidthat Kashmir conflict had become a nuclearflashpoint in the South Asian region andcalled upon India and Pakistan to work to-wards peaceful resolution of the issue for

Prof Butt asks Pakistan, Indiato resolve Kashmir dispute

avoiding a nuclear disaster in the region.Besides nuclear-armed Pakistan and

India, he added, the world’s second mostpowerful country China is too involved inthe conflict hence the peace and prosper-ity of the region can’t be guaranteed with-out the peaceful resolution of the decade’sold dispute. He said that his party wouldcontinue its fight for peaceful resolution ofthe Kashmir dispute. Mukhtar AhmadWaza, Jahangir Ahmad Butt, MohammadSultan Margay and Maroof Ahmad Shahalso attended the function.—KMS

Strike in Pamporeon APHC leader’s

martyrdomanniversary

S R I N A G A R — C o m p l e t eshutdown was observedin Pampore township, to-day, to commemorate thesixth martyrdom anniver-sary of Peoples LeagueChairman and seniorAPHC leader, ShiekhAbdul Aziz. All the shops,business establishmentsand schools remainedclosed in the saffrontown. A large contingentof Indian police and Cen-tral Reserve Police Forcewere deployed in the townto foil the protests.—KMS

Panchayat systembest tool to curb

corruption: OmarSRINAGAR—Jammu andKashmir Chief MinisterOmar Abdullah Mondaysaid Panchayats are the besttool to curb corruption andensure transparency.

“We have reconsti-tuted Accountability Com-mission and constitutedVigilance Commission totackle corruption but thebest tool in this regard arePanchayat Raj Institutions(PRIs),” Omar said. He wasaddressing a public meet-ing after e-inauguration of200 Panchayat ghars atKijpora in Kangan area ofGanderbal District.—GK

JAMMU—BJP National Presi-dent Amit Shah will arrive inJammu and Kashmir on Au-gust 25, his maiden visit tothe state after becoming theparty’s chief. “Shah will arrivein Jammu winter capital cityon his visit to Jammu andKashmir on August 25”,Pradesh Bharatiya JanataParty Spokesperson, SunilSethi, told reporters here to-day. Shah is scheduled toaddress a public rally inKathua district on August 25.

Sethi said that Shah’svisit will help strengthen theBJP cadres in the state.“There is huge enthusiasmover the maiden visit to stateof the new BJP president,not only among the partycadres but also among mil-lions of people of Jammuand Kashmir, who want tosee this state becoming in-tegral part of economicgrowth”, Sethi said.

Quoting Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, Sethi saidthat after being “man of thematch” in general elections,Amit Shah will prove to be“man of change” in Jammuand Kashmir. Sethi said thatin his maiden speech on rati-fication as BJP NationalPresident, Shah had clearlyoutlined that Jammu andKashmir rests among the“top of his priorities”.

Referring to the BJP’s

Amit to arrivein Jammu on

August 25success in Lok Sabha elec-tions and subsequent en-largements of its base, Sethisaid a beginning for thechange has been madeacross Jammu province andalso in Ladakh and it is in-creasingly catching upimagination of cross sec-tions of society in Kashmirvalley too. Claiming that BJPsays only what it believesin, Sethi further informedthat party cadres are work-ing hard to make the ‘Mis-sion 44+’ (the required num-ber of seats to make govern-ment in J&K) possible.

“The achievement ofMission 44+ shall be an ul-timate victory of the peoplein their long standing battleagainst corruption andnepotism”, he said. BJP has11 seats in the present stateAssembly, which has a to-tal strength of 87. BJP wonthree out of six Lok Sabhaseats of Jammu, Udhampurand Ladakh and took leadin 29 Assembly segments inthe recently-concluded Par-liamentary elections.

“Once in power, the BJPshall not only eradicate cor-ruption from its roots butalso bring in white paper onpast misdeeds of ministers,other politicians and bu-reaucrats to hold everywrong doer accountable”,he added.—Agencies

Geelani callsfor shutdown

on Aug 15SRINAGAR—While appeal-ing for complete and state-wide shutdown on15th Au-gust, chairman All PartiesHurriyat Conference SayedAli Geelani said that untilIndia is forcibly occupyingJammu & Kashmir, itdoesn’t have any moralright to celebrate this daywithin the boundaries of thisstate. According to a state-ment issued to KNS, he saidthat India itself havestruggled and attained thefreedom from British andnow this country by deny-ing the same right for thepeople of Kashmir is follow-ing the double standards.Geelani said that ‘we do nothave any enmity with Indiaor its people and nor wewant to separate its any le-gal part from it’.

Jammu & Kashmir wasan independent and autono-mous state till 1947 and ac-cording to the principles andconditions of the partition,we were in no way going tobe any part of India, but thiscountry merely on the basesof its military might forciblyoccupied this state andsnatched the freedom of mil-lions of the people of Kash-mir. After that India madecommitments with thepeople of this disputed re-gion on both, national aswell as international levelsthat its people will be giventheir right to determine theirfuture but she backtrackedfrom her promises. By ob-serving complete shutdownon 15 August, we want toremind the Indian rulers itsforgotten promises and wewant to send a messageacross the world that we inno way endorse or acceptthe forced occupation ofIndia.

Meanwhile, paying richtributes to the Shaheed-e-Azeemat Shaikh Abdul Azizon his 6th martyrdom anni-versary, Geelani prayed forthe best place in Jannah forhim.—KNS

SRINAGAR—Alarmed by the reports of wide-spread presence of spurious drugs in theKashmir Valley, All Kashmir Chemists and Dis-tribution Federation (AKCDF) Monday heldan hour long meeting with senior pro free-dom leader and Hurriyat G Chairman Syed AliGeelani to find ways and means to curb thedrug abuse in Kashmir. AKCDF publicity sec-retary Ajaz Ahmed Kachroo told CNS that adelegation of AKCDF met Syed Ali Geelani athis Hyderpora residence in Srinagar wherematters relating to the drug abuse and it’scontrol in Valley was discussed at length.

During the meeting it was felt that most ofthe spurious drugs that are found in Kashmirare coming from Jammu and HimachalPradesh. AKCDF informed Geelani that mostof the reputed pharma companies have closedtheir plants in rest of India and they have setup these plants in Jammu and HimachalPradesh as the respective governments areproviding them industrial incentives. Duringthe meeting it was observed that the spuri-ous drugs in circulation in Valley containmanufacturing labels from Jammu andHimachal.

During the meeting it was felt that the men-ace of spurious drugs has struck deep rootsin the State. Harmful medicines and drugs aresold by unscrupulous chemists and druggistwith full knowledge of the authorities. Now itis an admitted fact, of all the three regions ofthe State, Kashmir division has become big-gest sanctuary for deadly business of spuri-ous and substandard drugs. “We informedGeelani Sahab that due to 80 percent con-sumption of drugs in Kashmir, pharma com-panies are looking at Kashmir as a huge mar-

AKCDF meets Geelanito discuss drug abuse issue

ket. We insisted Geelani sahib to take mea-sures so that spurious drugs could not findentry into Valley. We felt that Geelani Sahabcan play an important role in this regard andcan impress upon the government to cancelthe license of those drug companies whichmanufacture spurious drugs and distribute itin Kashmir Valley,” Kachroo told CNS.

During the meeting AKCDF informed SyedAli Geelani that Consignment and Forward-ing Agentship depots which were temporarilyshifted from Kashmir to Jammu in 1990’s, havenot been brought back to Kashmir. “We de-manded that pre-90 position be restored inValley. All the drug depots should be openedin Kashmir again and immediately be trans-ferred from Jammu as the situation in Valley isquite peaceful,” he said. “A single spuriousdrug can cost a life. The government shouldimmediately intervene to stop it. We also urgeGeelani Sahab to impress upon the govern-ment to invite private reputed companies toconduct a survey here,” AKCDF told Geelani.

Geelani assured AKCDF delegation thatHurriyat G will help their cause and will playits role to overcome drug abuse and menacein Kashmir. “He (Geelani) talked about the ill-effects of alcohol and other drugs. He assuredthat with the support of people of Kashmirwe will help to nip the evil in the bud,”Kachroo told CNS. Those who were the partof the delegation included AKCDF presidentAbdul Ahad Bhat, AKCDF president forSrinagar Syed Parvez Ahmed, Publicity Sec-retary Ajaz Ahmed Kachroo, spokespersonMushtaq Ahmed Pukhta and Chief OrganizerSheikh Rashid and other members from dif-ferent districts.—CNS

Young gentlemen,who are to displaytheir knowledge tothe world, should

have every motiveof emulation,

should be formedinto regular

classes, shouldread and disputetogether, shouldhave all the hon-

ors, and, if one maysay so, the pomp oflearning set before

them, to call uptheir ardor. It is

their business, andthey should apply

to it as such.

—Anna Letitia Barbauld

PCJCCI expressessorrow over casualtiesin earthquakeStaff ReporterLAHORE—President Pak-China Joint Chamber ofCommerce and Industry(PCJCCI) Shah FaisalAfridi has exchangeddeep sorrow and griefwith Ambassador ofChina Mr. Sun Weidongon massive causalitiesoccurred due to a recentearthquake struck inYunnan Province ofChina. Shah Faisal Afridi,in a message sent toChinese Ambassador,said that people ofPakistan were standingby Chinese brethren onthis critical situation.Faisal Afridi alsoextended a token of loveand sympathy to theChinese ambassador inshape of financialassistance.

Port Qasimshipping activityKARACHI—Four shipscarrying containers,chemical and generalcargos were berthed atQasim InternationalContainers Terminal andMulti Purpose Terminalrespectively. Meanwhilethree more ships carryingcontainers and gas oil alsoarrived at outer anchorageof Port Qasim during last24 hours. Berth occu-pancy was 55% at the porton Monday where sixships namely Pona, SCTZurich, Atlantic Glory,BBC Rushmore, MoonLight and M.T Taurus arecurrently occupyingberths to load/offloadcontainers, chemical,general cargo, canola seedand furnace oil respec-tively during last 24 hours.A cargo volume of 73673tonnes comprising 61939tonnes Imports and 11734tonnes exports inclusiveof containerized cargocarried in 2228.—APP

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Finance and Economic AffairsSenator Muhammad Ishaq Dar said on Monday that thegovernment had adopted prudent economic policies, whichput the country on the path of prosperity. Addressing theinaugural ceremony of Vision 2025 here, Dar said that peacewas imperative for economic development, which couldnot be achieved with bloodshed. Prime MinisterMuhammad Nawaz Sharif was also present on the occa-sion.

Senator Dar said the actual revolution was to intro-duce economic policies, which had been appreciated byinternational organizations. He said that there were pre-dictions that Pakistan would default economically, whichwere made wrong by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz(PML-N) government, which had initiated result-orientedpolicies. The foreign exchange reserves had increased toUS $ 14.3 billion, with the international financial institu-tions acknowledging improvement of economic indicators,he added.

Ishaq Dar said that the government had taken diffi-cult decisions in the best national interest. “We workedhard day and night for the socio-economic development,”he remarked. The Finance Minister said that due to sound

Govt prudent policies restoredeconomic prosperity: Dar

economic policies, the Pakistani rupee had been stabi-lized during the last five months, while it had doubledresources for poverty reduction. “The government hasalso doubled agriculture credit, gave subsidy on fertiliz-ers and tube-wells for the promotion of agriculture,” headded.

He said the government was also focusing on the de-velopment of industrial sector. Senator Dar said that Paki-stan returned to the international bond and equity marketafter seven years. He said that due to introduction of 3Gand 4G technology, one million new jobs opportunitieswould be created during next four years. He said that thebids for 3G and 4G were oversubscribed.

He said, “Trade not aid is our moto, but it is part of thePML-N manifesto. We are following short and long termpolicies.” He added that Moody’s, an international creditrating agency, had appreciated the government’s economicpolices and enhanced the rating from negative to stable. Ithad appreciated the government’s good governance also.

He said that according to the credit rating agency,political instability would harm economic indicators. Hethe agitating politicians not to create chaos and worktogether for a stable Pakistan. He said that for electoralreforms, the government had already established a com-mittee for strengthening of democracy.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The 8th SME Forum 2014 willbe held on August 19 to highlight impor-tance of the sector under Pakistan Vision2025 initiative of the government. Ministerfor Planning and Development, AhsanIqbal will inaugurate the Forum being heldat Karachi with the theme of “BringingSMEs to Forefront of National Priorities.”Convener & Chairman, SHAMROCK Con-ferences International, Menin Rodrigueson Monday said private/SME sector hasbeen identified as one of the seven pillarsto be drivers of growth and key enablers inachieving objectives of Pakistan Vision2025, which was launched by governmentrecently.

He said the Minister would be keen onstressing importance of the SME sector toPakistan Vision 2025 initiative and to bebrought in forefront of national priorities.It is expected that decisive policy interven-tions will be made to address the issues ofthe sector.

SME Forum 2014 from August 19State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Commer-

cial Banks, Small & Medium Enterprises De-velopment Authority (SMEDA), BusinessSupport Fund (BSF), Sindh Enterprise De-velopment Fund, Chambers of Commerce& Industry, IFC-World Bank, Sindh FinanceMinistry, Sindh Investment Board, WomenEntrepreneurs and Union of Small & Me-dium Enterprises (UNISAME) will partici-pate in the Forum.

In the inaugural session, ZulfikarThaver, President, Union of Small and Me-dium Enterprises (UNISAME) and DirectorSMEDA along with Alamgir Chaudhry,CEO, SMEDA will be dilating on state ofthe SME sector in Pakistan. Sindh Ministerand Advisor to Chief Minister, Murad AliShah, Executive Director, SBP, SamarHasnain, speakers and representatives ofseveral sub-sectors of SME sector will bedilating on subjects that range from regula-tory inconsistency, difficulties in SMEsaccess to finance, banking services, taxa-tion, transportation of goods, power andenergy issues, and security concerns.

GHALIB NISHTAR

PAKISTAN’s population is of over 180million and women comprising half of it,and so we cannot envisage development

that is sustainable without mainstreamingwomen into theprocess of eco-nomic growth. Theability of womenentrepreneurs topursue economicopportunities, in-vest additionalcapital, hire moreemployees, andgrow their busi-nesses is of criticalimportance, how-ever, the focus ofthis article is ad-dressing the extent

to which women are less able to access finance.If women cannot access financial resources,they are disadvantaged in their ability to pur-sue economic opportunities.

Financing is an important means by whichto pursue growth opportunities, addressingwomen entrepreneur’s specific needs in access-ing finance must be part of the developmentagenda. Across regions, women entrepreneurshave lower access to finance than do male en-

Economic Empowerment of Women- Access to Financetrepreneurs. This is particularly problematic forwomen entrepreneurs who want to grow theirbusinesses. It is not only that surveys showwomen entrepreneurs to be less likely to availloans, but the terms of borrowing can also beless favorable for women. Many country stud-ies show that women entrepreneurs are morelikely to face higher interest rates, be requiredto collateralize a higher share of the loan, andhave shorter-term loans.

Access to finance for women is limited bynon-financial barriers as well, such as the le-gal and regulatory environment or the qualityof available infrastructure; personal charac-teristics of the entrepreneurs (e.g. differen-tials in education or management training);constraints within financial institutions (littlefamiliarity with and cultural barriers prevent-ing interest in female clients); and a financialinfrastructure that limit incentives to reach outto more female clients (i.e., lack of credit bu-reaus or collateral registries). Particularly rel-evant for access to finance are the formal gapsin legal capacity and property rights. Weakcreditor right and lack of credit informationcan disproportionately disadvantage women,particularly if they have little collateral or con-trol over assets. Women lag far behind in ac-cess to land, credit and jobs, even though agrowing body of evidence shows that enhanc-ing women’s economic options boosts na-tional economies. Macroeconomic policies

and policy making can make the connectionto gender equality. The multiple barriers thatprevent women from seizing economic oppor-tunities must be eliminated.

In many developing countries, a weak in-vestment climate limits enterprise’s produc-tivity and thus access to finance and moregenerally financial markets. Investment cli-mate constraints smaller firms harder andwomen entrepreneurs are particularly affectedsince they are more likely to run smaller busi-nesses. When environment is conducive tobusiness, female and male entrepreneurs per-form very similarly and have similar borrow-ing rates. While not fully conclusive someresearch indicates that limitation in access tofinance for women entrepreneurs may be pri-marily associated with their propensity tooperate smaller and informal businesses.

Access to human capital and collateral areoften cited as examples to explain why womenare less likely to receive loans. If women busi-nesses are perceived to be riskier, higher cost,and /or lower return, creditors will be reluctantto lend them irrespective of whether the per-ception is based on facts and experience or onconjecture. Microfinance has partly compen-sated women’s access to formal finance. How-ever, as women entrepreneurs grow they needfinancial products and services that go beyondmicrofinance. Globally, the experience of finan-cial markets reveals that the boundaries be-

tween microfinance and SME finance are gradu-ally becoming blurred and the new terminol-ogy being increasingly referred to is MSME’si.e. micro, small and medium enterprises.

This represents a large potential for finan-cial services within the emerging economiesof the world and by one estimate the totalpotential market for investment by financialinstitutions is at USD150 billion and is likelyto double over the next five years. Secondlyan estimated 60 per cent of the global bankingrevenue growth over the next decade lies inthe emerging markets. Increasingly banks indeveloping economies are finding ways toovercome the inherent difficulties to serve theMSME segment. These efforts are being fa-cilitated through innovation in technology,risk assessment and development of businessmodels. Women’s access to finance beyondmicrofinance is increasingly being supportedby the International community and Interna-tional financial institutions but these initia-tives are small and often lack targets or clearmonitoring and evaluation frameworks. Finan-cial Institutions can pro actively and profit-ably engage with women entrepreneurs as cli-ents and some initiatives have shown the wayforward through innovative approaches.

The G-20 leader’s agreement on the finan-cial inclusion agenda rightly presents a threepoint action plan based on evidence and ex-perience from the developing and the devel-

oped world. This plan highlights endorsementof a set of recommendations for policymakersin the developing world to establish a sup-portive enabling environment that will facili-tate women entrepreneurs’ access to finan-cial services in their respective countries,spearheading efforts to identify, evaluate andsupport the replication of successful modelsfor expanding financial services to womenentrepreneurs and leading efforts to gathergender disaggregated data on SME financein a coordinated fashion.

The demographics of Pakistan representa pre dominantly rural landscape with nearly70 percent of the population involved in on oroff farm economic activities. In such challeng-ing circumstance, reduction of gender inequali-ties requires that women have access to in-creased decision-making power over bothhouse hold finance as well as over nationaleconomies and that they are simultaneouslycapacitated enough to meet the added chal-lenge of surviving in an increasingly competi-tive environment being ushered in throughthe process of globalization. Therefore, Pub-lic Policy must accord high priority to the de-velopment of the MSME sector with particu-lar focus on women given the potential forgenerating employment, increasing incomesand reducing poverty.

—[Mr Ghalib Nishtar is President,Khushhalibank Limited]

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Provincial Minister for Excise &Taxation and Finance, Mujtaba Shuja urRehman has said that government is usingall available resources for providing betterhealthcare facilities to the people especiallymother & child in the province and the pri-ority areas of the targets are rural folk. Hesaid that women representation has beenmade compulsory in all government insti-tutions, autonomous boards, developmentand research centers and 25 thousandwomen have got right of representationunder the law. He said that an amount ofRs.121.80 billion will be utilized on the pro-vision of health facilities which is 11.66 per-cent of the total budget.

While talking to a delegation of familyphysicians, LHWs and Women at his resi-dence, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said thatskilled birth attendants, LHVs and LHWsare being appointed at health centers be-cause the MMR in LHWs covered area is147/100,000 live births, compared 300 to350/100,000 to uncovered areas, therefore,the LHWs, LHVs. He said that at presentunder five mortality rate present is 94/1000and it will be reduced 45 till 2015(MDGsTarget), new born mortality rate is 54/1000and it would be reduced upto 25 by year

Govt mobilizing resources forprovision of healthcare facilities

2015, whereas, infant mortality rate is 77/1000 which would be reduced 40 uptill 2015.He told that maternal mortality ratio 350-500/100000 which would be reduced 140uptill 2015.

He told that 20 percent birth deliveriesare attended by skilled birth attendant andthis ratio would be increased more than 90percent by 2015 whereas, contraceptiveprevalence rate is 36 percent that wouldbe increased upto 55 percent by2015(MDGs Target). Mujtaba Shuja urRehman said that the government consid-ers the dignity of the prestigious medicalprofession and will redress all the majorproblems being faced by the medical com-munity including paramedics. He said thatfocus of the Provincial Government isupon Primary and Protective Health Careso that to achieve the millennium Devel-opment Goals (MDGs).

He said that Health Insurance CardsScheme is being launched with a cost ofRs.4 billion. Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman saidthat such programmes would be launchedin which vocational and practical trainingwill be provided to women folk and oppor-tunities of maximum employment would alsobe provided to them so that they could playtheir proactive role in socio-economic up-lift of the country as well as their status.

KARACHI: TV cameramen making footage at the Karachi Stock Exchange. The bench-mark KSE 100 index shed 1375 points due to the fears and uncertainty caused by theprevailing political unrest in country, which has shaken investors confidence.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Post issued twoCommemorative Postage stamps of Rs. 8and Rs. 10 denomination each,on August 11, 2014 on launch-ing of the long-run road mapof a progressive Pakistan inthe shape of Pakistan Vision2025. Vision 2025 divides itschallenges and goals into a setof seven pillars identified asthe key drivers of growth,which will transform Pakistaninto a vibrant and prosperousnation by 2025. In addition tothese seven pillars, Vision2025 identifies five key enablers, which arecritical for success of the plan, namely;Shared vision, Political stability, Peace andsecurity, Rule of law and Social justice. Onthis occasion Pakistan Post setup a mod-ern Post Office for this specific day in theConvention Centre, which was inaugurated

Pakistan Post issues commemorativepostage stamps on Pak Vision 2025

by the Minister of State for Postal Services,Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri. Mr. BabarYaqoob Fateh Muhammad, Federal Secre-tary for Ministry of Communications was

also present on the occasion. The Ministerof State for Postal Services, Molana AbdulGhafoor Haideri also presented an albumof the newly issued commemorative post-age stamps for Pakistan Vision 2025 to theHonorable Prime Minister of Pakistan,Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

As an acknowledgement for his untiring efforts in achieving the desired objective of maxi-mizing the flow of remittances through formal channels in Pakistan, Hatim H Moussa, VicePresident and Head of Remittance Business (1st from left), NCB presented Khalid BinShaheen, SEVP/Group Chief, NBP Global Home Remittances Management Group with a24 Carat Souvenir Shield on his recent marketing related visit to KSA. Amr A. Binsefrah,Head of Business Development (1st from right) was also present at the ceremony.

UNISAMEhails launch of

vision 2025AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—The Union ofSmall and Medium Enter-prises (UNISAME) felici-tated the Prime MinisterNawaaz Sharif, FinanceMinister Ishaq Dar and Plan-ning Minister Ahsan Iqbalon the launch of vision 2025which is based on 7 pillarsfor the economic develop-ment of Pakistan in the com-ing years.

President UNISAME ap-preciated the road map andthe 7 pillars namely puttingpeople first; developing hu-man and social capital;achieving sustained, indig-enous and inclusive growth;governance, institutional re-form and modernization ofthe public sector; energy,water and food security; pri-vate sector-led growth andentrepreneurship, develop-ing a competitive knowledgeeconomy through value ad-dition and modernization oftransportation infrastructureand greater regional connec-tivity.

Thaver thanked AhsanIqbal for including the SMEsector and giving priority toSME growth, entrepreneur-ship, value addition, logis-tics, modernization, e-Com-merce and infrastructure. Hesaid we are thankful for in-cluding all our demands andrequested early implementa-tion of primary demands.Thaver urged the planningminister to strengthen theSmall and Medium Enter-prises Development Au-thority (SMEDA) to enableit to reach the SMEs all overPakistan. He emphasizedthe need for innovation, im-port substitution; exportsoriented industries basedon indigenous material.

State Minister and Federal Secretary also attendedlaunching ceremony.

Conversionrates

KARACHI—The followingrates will be applicable forconversion into rupees ofForeign Currency Depos-its, Dollar Bearer Certifi-cates, Foreign CurrencyBearer Certificates, Spe-cial U.S. Dollar Bonds andprofits thereon by allbanks and for providingForward Cover on ForeignCurrency Deposits (ex-cluding F.E- 25 deposits)by the State Bank on Au-gust 12, 2014. The rates areU.S. Dollar Rs. 99.2674,Japanese Yen Rs. 0.9724,Pound Sterling Rs.166.5905 and Euro Rs.132.8595. —APP

Microsoft Devicespartners with

TruecallerK A R A C H I —Microsof tDevices today an-nounced its collaborationwith Truecaller, theworld’s largest verifiedmobile phone community,for Nokia X smartphones,which would allow peopleto have access to premiumfeatures of Truecaller for90 days absolutely free.With this tie up, Nokia Xusers shall benefit with anenhanced Truecaller Pre-mium experience.Truecaller is a mobile appthat helps you in identify-ing who is calling you;and protects you from un-wanted calls. With over 70million users worldwide, ithas an unprecedented up-take in emerging markets.With this Nokia X tie up,Truecaller will be able toamplify it availability anduptake in countries in theMENA region namely, Pa-kistan, Egypt, Lebanon,Jordan, Iraq, Morocco,Tunisia, Algeria,Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.Earlier this year in Febru-ary, Microsoft Deviceshad announced its part-nership with Truecallerwhere the app was avail-able on the Nokia X appstore. With this engage-ment, Nokia X users willavail an enriching experi-ence of Truecaller.

While commenting onthe partnership, JamesRutherfoord, Vice Presi-dent, Microsoft DevicesNorth Africa, Levant andNear East said: “Our part-nership with Truecaller isa testament of our contin-ued commitment towardsdevelopment of telecomservices in emerging mar-kets. Nokia X users cannow avail the remarkablebenefits of Truecaller to-tally free of cost for 90days, thus augmentingtheir Nokia X experiencemanifolds.”

“Microsoft Devices isa trusted and popularbrand in emerging marketsand we are excited to seethe culmination of twopopular consumer prod-ucts that would provideunmatched experience topeople in the MENA re-gion. Our partnership withMicrosoft Devices willhelp get closer to our con-sumers and help them takethe right call.” said KariKrishnamurthy, VP Growthand Partnerships for Asia,Middle East and Africa atTruecaller. The premiumTruecaller application in-cludes an advertisementfree Truecaller experience,verification of profileviews and 30 contact re-quests per month.—PR

Currency Selling Buying

USA 98.70 98.50

UK 165.62 165.28

Euro 132.26 131.99

Canada 89.93 89.75

Switzerland 108.93 108.71

Australia 91.62 91.43

Sweden 14.32 14.29

Japan 0.9663 0.9643

Norway 15.84 15.80

Singapore 78.99 78.83

Denmark 17.74 17.71

Saudi Arabia 26.32 26.26

Hong Kong 12.73 12.71

Kuwait 348.41 347.70

Malaysia 30.88 30.82

Newzealand 83.59 83.42

Qatar 27.11 27.05

UAE 26.87 26.82

Kr. Won 0.0957 0.0955

Thailand 3.074 3.068

Daily opening& closing ratesPMEX Index 3,006Total Volume (Lots): 7, 203Traded Value (Rs): 1,421, 568, 812

Commodity .......................... Price Quotation ....................Open ............. CloseCRUDE OIL ......................... $ Per Barrel ............................. 98.14 .............. 97.73SILVER ................................. $ Per Ounce ............................ 20.152 ............ 19.873GOLD ................................... $ Per Ounce ............................ 1,318.6 ........... 1,307.3GOLD ................................... Rs Per 10 gms ......................... 41,929 ............ 41,653MTOLAGOLD .................... Rs Per Tola ............................. 50,270 ............ 49,880GOLD ................................... Rs Per Tola ............................. 50,270 ............ 49,880RICEIRRI6 ........................... Rs Per 100 kg.......................... 3,557 .............. 3,554PALMOLEIN ...................... Rs Per Maund ........................ 4,203 .............. 4,200SUGAR ................................ Rs Per kg ................................. 48.31 .............. 48.27ICOTTON ............................ US Cents per pound ............. 63.93 .............. 64.06WHEAT ............................... Rs Per 100 kg.......................... 3,411 .............. 3,409

The total value traded was recorded at PKR 1,421 million. Number of lots traded was7,203 and PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,006. Major business was contributedby gold amounting to PKR 738 million, followed by crude oil amounting to PKR 647million and silver at PKR 36 million.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Khushhalibank Limited cel-ebrates its fourteenth anniversary, as well asthe launch of their first model branch inIslamabad. Khushhalibank is a market leaderin the microfinance sector with a 20 percentshare and has been playing a pivotal role inalleviating poverty and empowering womenin Pakistan. Since its inceptionin 2000, the bank has launchedseveral micro entrepreneurialprojects, providing opportuni-ties for the small-scale entrepre-neurs to obtain self-indepen-dence and overcome poverty.The bank since inception hasserved more than 3 million cli-ents across the country througha network of over100 branchesprimarily in the rural areas of Pakistan.

Globally, microfinance is regarded one ofthe key mechanisms to reduce poverty andimprove incomes in the emerging economies

Khushhalibank celebrates 14th

anniversaryof the world. In the past decade Pakistan hasdeveloped a progressive policy framework formicrofinance, which has encouraged bothdomestic and foreign direct investment in thesector with eleven banks and more than PKR50 billion outstanding gross loan portfolios.In Pakistan, the financial penetration remain achallenge and specialized microfinance Insti-tutions are playing an important role in im-

proving access to financial ser-vices and the bringing aboutchange in the lives of millionswho are excluded for the formalfinancial sector.

Ghalib Nishtar, PresidentKhushhalibank said, “It is animportant time for us asKhushhalibank has inaugu-rated its first model branch inIslamabad, and we are also

celebrating our 14th anniversary. Over theyears, we have witnessed growth & expan-sion in business and clients and presenceacross Pakistan.

Founder Chairman of PARC unveiling the plaque of Dr Amir Muhammad Avenue atNARC in dedication of his unforgettable service for PARC. Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, Chair-man PARC, Dr M Azeem Khan, DG NARC, Dr Muhammad Munir, Member (Coordina-tion) PARC and other senior scientists are present on the occasion.

Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chairman Pakistan Textile City chairing Board of Directorsmeeting. Also seen Rukhsana Shah, Federal Secretary Textile, Wajahat Baqai formNational Bank, Aftab Ahmed Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company,Shabbir Anwar Kazi Port Qasim Authority and Hanif Kasbati CEO Pakistan Textile City.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Samsung Electronics, under itsCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initia-tive today, announced donation of multipleSamsung Ultrasound machines to the JinnahHospital Karachi. The Samsung Ultrasoundmachines will support the hospital and allevi-ate treatment of the poor and underprivilegedcitizens of the city with free access to ultra-sound services at the hospital.

An inauguration ceremony took placetoday, at the Radiology department of JinnahPost Graduate Medical Hospital (JPMC)Karachi where Samsung announced to do-nate 3 units of the latest color Doppler’sSamsung Ultrasound machines to the hos-pital. The announcement received tremen-dous response from the audience.

John Park Vice President Samsung Elec-tronics Pakistan; HE Mr. Chang Hee-Lee,Consul General, South Korea; Mr. MushtaqChhapra, Chairman Patient Aid Foundation;Mr. Yunus Bengali, Patient Aid Foundation;Prof. Tasnim Ahsan, Executive DirectorJPMC; Mr. Tariq Mahmood, Head Radiolo-

KARACHI: Chang-Hee-Lee (Counsel General- South Korea), John Park (VP SamsungElectronics Pakistan), Mushtaq Chapra (Chairman Patient Aid Foundation), Saad ulHasan (Head of Corporate Marketing Samsung Electronics) and Dr. Tariq Mahmood atthe inauguration ceremony of Samsung donating 3 units of latest Color Doppler’sSamsung Ultrasound Machines at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Hospital.

AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—The local pharmaceutical industry is pinning hopeon the new drug pricing policy for helping the industry toaccelerate the country’s export in the regional and globalmarkets. ‘The new drug pricing policy is being finalized bythe concerned authorities and soon it would be approved bythe government. We are quite optimistic that the governmentwould not stick to the prevalent stringent price control mecha-nism in the new policy,’ said a source on terms of anonymity.Haroon Qassim, Chief Executive of a leading local pharma-ceutical company, added that a transparent pricing policy willnot only rectify long pending issues but would result in apredictable and stable environment in which the industrycan grow and develop. ‘Such an environment would encour-age further large-scale investment in the industry, thus creat-ing jobs and providing quality healthcare products to pa-tients in Pakistan,’ reasoned Haroon.

He said that a stable and transparent regulatory envi-ronment would result in the expansion of production fa-cilities in line with international manufacturing standardsthat would help Pakistan capitalize on billion-dollar exportpotential. The source further mentioned, ‘Pharmaceuticalcompanies have been asking since long for a transparentand rational drug pricing formula that would enable theviability and growth of this essential industry. The ab-sence of such a policy, in particular over the past 5 years,has been detrimental to the industry resulting in the clo-sure of several large scale manufacturers.’

‘Under the existing pricing mechanism drugs’ pricesare set below their immediate costs of production whichleads to immediate demand and supply gap, high infiltra-tion of counterfeited drugs and no investment in sustain-able research and development projects, said the source.‘If this issue is resolved in the new policy the country’spharmaceutical industry has the potential to double theexports of the country in a very short period of time. Also,it would help the poor masses to have easy access to

Local pharmaceutical industryties hope with new drug policy

latest and quality drugs,’ the source argued.Source claimed that the Drug Regulatory Authority of

Pakistan (DRAP) can simply follow the guidelines recom-mended by World Health Organization (WHO) to formu-late a policy that does not conflict with the welfare ofpatients and profitability margins of drug manufacturers.‘This way the authority will be able to help adjust prices ina systematic manner. These guidelines recommend incor-poration of an External Reference Pricing System for pric-ing policy where the national regulated price is derivedfrom or somehow related to those in a “basket” of refer-ence countries within the region,’ the source added.

Source further claimed that these guidelines are socomprehensive that they can be applied to a price fromany stage in the distribution chain: importer, manufacturer(ex-factory), wholesale, retail (consumer), with or withouttaxes. In addition to this WHO also suggests that coun-tries should also consider exempting essential medicinesfrom taxation as these tax reductions or exemptions willresult in low priced drugs to patients and purchasers.

Source stated that implementing an external referencepricing or international pricing comparison as a part oroverall strategy can also help the regulatory body toachieve the desired low and affordable rates for the masseswithout crippling the industry. ‘As per the recommenda-tions of WHO, we only need to select comparator coun-tries to use for ERP based on economic status, pharma-ceutical pricing systems in place, the publication of actualversus negotiated or concealed prices, exact comparatorproducts supplied, and similar burden of disease,’ he added.The local pharmaceutical industry believes, source added,that the cost plus drug pricing system is not practical as itwould involve the DRAP individually dealing with over600 manufacturers and over 50,000 registrations and wouldlead to a “pick and choose” environment. It is pertinent tomention that DRAP is finalizing the new pricing policy,which will be soon submitted to Economic CoordinationCommittee (ECC) of the Federal Cabinet for approval.

Samsung gifts Color DopplerEchocardiography units to JPMC

gist JPMC, Mr. Rauf Moosa, MD-MRMSamsung CE Business Partner; Mr. KamranNishat, MD-M&P Samsung Mobile Busi-ness Partner and Mr. Latif Hakeem, MD,Green Tech Samsung Mobile Business Part-ner, were the notables present at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Park said,“A company’s success is not measured byits business achievements only, but alsoby how well it serves the communities.Samsung has remained a consistent sup-porter to the vulnerable sections of the so-ciety. As a responsible corporate citizen,health is one of our key focus areas.Samsung endeavors to contribute gener-ously for the treatment of poor and under-privileged patients suffering from seriousailments.” “The development of Samsungultrasound labs in JPMC Karachi is one ofour continuing efforts to support the un-derprivileged in Pakistan as a humanitariancause. Apart from the free ultrasound ser-vice, we will also train the technicians andgrant them the privilege of becomingSamsung’s certified Ultrasound techni-cians.” He added.

AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—Different sports in connectionwith the Independence Day of were heldacross the Punjab province on Mondayunder the aegis of Sports Board Punjab(SBP). Hundreds of players and citizenstook part in different sports events in allthe districts and tehsils of the province. InBahawalpur, Sultan Club bea Abbas Clubin a mud wrestling match held at Kot Nora.As many as 26 teams took part in the event.The title of table tennis went to BWP (C),which defeated APE convincingly.

As many as four inter-club events werestaged in Bahawalnagar district as part ofthe Independence Day celebrations. CityBadminton Club toppled Malaa Club in thefinal of Inter-Club Badminton Tournament.Jatt XI was declared winners in the Inter-Club Cricket match against Fort XI. MoonHockey Club clinched the Inter-ClubHockey tile against Chilli Club while theInter-Club Kabaddi match was won byRashid XI against Shahzeb XI. In districtDG Khan, Al Mujahid Football Club wasadjudged triumphant in the Azadi Cup Foot-ball Tournament. They defeated Al-Ghazi

SBP to organizeIndependence Day events

Football Club in the title clash at ShaheenFootball Stadium.

Three tape ball sports events were or-ganized in Rajanpur on Monday. The In-ter-Club tape ball encounter was won bySadat Cricket Club against Rana Club atGovt Model High School Rajanpur. RaoCricket Club outplayed Sahker Club in thesecond tape ball event staged at JampurStadium while the third match was wonby Khan Club who beat Sardar club atGovt High School Rojhan. A football tour-ney was also played in Jhang which waswon by Al-Tahir Chak No 269 againstFriends Club at Shafqat Shaheed GroundJhang.

In the next event, Shaheen Club de-feated Pakistan Club in a football tourna-ment held at tehsil Khanpur. In another foot-ball event in tehsil Sadiqabad, Pasban Clubemerged as winners against MohammadiFootball Club at Govt HSS Sadiqabad.Young Shooter Club defeated City Club infootball tourney played in Govt Model HighSchool, Liaqatpur. District Jhelum alsoorganised a football tournament won byPeera Gaib club at Post Graduate CollegeTalianwala, Jhelum.

PMYP advisorrebuts allegationsof handing over

Rs.100bISLAMABAD—Advisor tochairperson PrimeMinister ’s YouthProgramme (PMYP) andPakistan Muslim League(N) MNA, Leila Khanstrongly rebutted allega-tions leveled by the Paki-stan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)of exclusively handingover Rs 100 billion of PrimeMinister’s Youth BusinessLoan Scheme (PMYBLS) toChairperson PMYPMohtarma Maryam NawazSharif by the Prime Minis-ter of Pakistan.

In a statement, LailaKhan while refuting the al-legations, the advisor saidthat the PTI’s chief lacksknowledge about the inde-pendence of administrativeand financial managementof the implementing part-ners of PMYP. She askedImran Khan to carefullyread and understand thecontours of YouthProgramme before dis-in-forming the youth for po-litical point scoring. Sheexplained that contrary tothe pack of lies told byImran Khan, the PMYBLSis transparently imple-mented by the NationalBank of Pakistan and FirstWomen Bank as the loandisbursing agencies to thepotential young entrepre-neurs through their own fi-nancial resources.—APP

‘Sponge’ plasticto soak up

CO2, reducepollution

OBSERVER REPORT

ISLAMABAD—You haveblamed plastics all along forincreased pollution but re-searchers have now made amaterial inspired by the plas-tics used in food containersthat soaks up carbon diox-ide (CO2). Researchers be-lieve that the material mightease our transition awayfrom polluting fossil fuelsand toward new energysources, such as hydrogen,a science magazine re-ported.

“The key point is thatthis polymer is stable, it’scheap, and it adsorbs CO2extremely well. It’s gearedtoward functioning in areal-world environment,”said Andrew Cooper fromUniversity of Liverpool inBritain. “In a future land-scape where fuel-cell tech-nology is used, this adsor-bent could work towardzero-emission technol-ogy,” he added. The mate-rial, which is a brown,sand-like powder, is madeby linking together manysmall carbon-based mol-ecules into a network andthe idea to use this struc-ture was inspired by poly-styrene, a plastic used instyrofoam and other pack-aging material.

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The trade leaders of Pakistanand India unanimously stressed the needfor “Trust Building Measures” betweenprivate sectors of the two countries toboost bilateral trade. Talking to newsmenhere Monday on return from New Delhi af-ter a week long visit, VP SAARC Chamberof Commerce and Industry Iftikhar Ali Malikwho is also senior member of Pakistan In-dia Joint Business Forum (PIJBF) said thatresult oriented meetings were held with In-dian counterparts to work out viable strat-egies and mechanism to promote bilateraltrade between the two neighbours. He saidduring the marathon meeting, it came toknowledge of both sides that there is stilldire need to remove apprehensions anddoubts in the minds of importers, exporters

Pak-Indian traders for‘Trust building measures’

and traders of either countries on top prior-ity. He said there is need to address con-cerns relating to market access, tariff andnon-tariff barriers. He said that it was agreedin principle that traders of both countriesmust conduct exchange of series of visitsto each other country to pave way forsmooth flow of trade after removal of theirmultiple apprehensions. He said that SunilKanat Munjal Mattel,co-chairman,PIJBFhad assured Chairman PIJBF Syed YawarAli that India will extend support and train-ing facilities to human resources of Paki-stan industrial sector on modern lines tomeet the international standards of exports.Iftikhar Ali Malik who led SAARC CCI pakchapter delegation to India, apart fromPIJBF,also held another meaningful meet-ings with top trade leaders of Confedera-tion of Indian Chamber (CII).

HARARE: Quinton de Kock attempts a sweep during Zimbabwe vs South Africa, only Test’s 3rd day on Monday.

SYED NAYYAR UDDIN AHMAD

A NOTE titled “Dhaka Debacle” written immediatelyafter we lost the final played

on 8 March, 2014 to Sri Lanka inthe Asia Cup ODI tournament,with the hope that the PCB underthe nincompoop (regarding cricketaffairs) but an expert media man,

Mr. Najam Sethi,will correct itscourse, for a bet-ter and much im-proved perfor-m a n c e ,

in theICC ODI WorldCup 2015, to beplayed in Austra-lia.

However, the only thing con-stant in the PCB is INERTIA.

Dhaka Debacle..!There is no shame in going

down fighting. As they say, if fatehas ordained defeat for you, giveit a good fight. However, any teamis as good, as its leader. And therecan not be a better saying to de-scribe the importance of a leader,than the one associated withAlexander the Great, quoted asbelow:

“I am not afraid of an army oflions led by a sheep; I am afraid ofan army of sheep led by a lion.”What happened in the Asia Cupfinal at Dhaka on Saturday, 8March, 2014 is a classic example of

PCB’s Inertia..!mental bankruptcy of the Pakistanicricket team’s think tank, or thetour management committee, con-sisting of Messrs Zaheer Abbas,Zakir Khan, Moin Khan andMisbah ul Haq.

At the out set, two basic andimportant decisions (team selec-tion and the decision to bat first)were wrong: where we made surethat the match was lost, even be-fore a ball was bowled. Always,the basics of team selection stipu-lates the cardinal rule that only fitplayers are selected. The wholeworld knew that Umar Gul, JunaidKhan, Sharjeel Khan and ShahidAfridi were not 100% fit. If at all,we had to take chance with an un-fit player, only Shahid Afridi wasthe person, where the gamble wasworth taking.

Otherwise, Suhaib Maqsoodand other two fit players viz.,Bilawal Bhatti and Anwer Alishould have played for the unfitSharjeel Khan, Umar Gul andJunaid Khan.

Now, coming to the battingfirst decision, again the wholeworld knew that we earlier wonvery close matches against Indiaand Bangladesh, by chasing thetarget. May be, the long list ofunfit players included in the team,was the reason for the surprisedecision of batting first, so thatthe injuries does not further ag-gravates, during the time of field-ing first.

After the disastrous top bat-ting order collapse, exclusive re-sponsibility of which falls onZaheer Abbas, [the chief battingconsultant, who {as he is a verywell known honourable person}should refund all the money paidto him by the PCB].

Misbah and Fawad Alam, al-most consecutively played fourmaiden overs, which practicallyreduced our innings to 46 overs.Such type of defensive approachis never adopted in an ODI match,under any circumstances; becauseof its limited overs nature. Yes, Testmatches are saved under such typeof situations, but in an ODI match,game is only played for victory;and victory can not be achievedby playing record number of dotballs, even if there is a collapse.How can any team forget the ad-age that offence is the best de-fence?

Furthermore, unfit ShahidAfridi was not played for his bowl-ing prowess. Obviously, he wasincluded, keeping in considerationhis tremendous batting form. Assuch, at least for the last five overs.Fawad Alam should have beencalled back, as retired hurt, to al-low Shahid Afridi to have a go.Shahid Afridi was our nuclearweapon; and the enemy was al-lowed to conquer us, with worldsmost potent batting weapon in ourarsenal...unused. We could nothave given a bigger gift to our en-

emy, that too, in the most impor-tant final match.

In the bowling department, weperhaps wrongly believed thatonly one fit bowler i.e., Saeed Ajmalwill single handedly take ten wick-ets in his ten overs. After all, theSri Lankans were not in the finalsfor nothing.

Our most pathetic performancewas given in the fielding andwicket keeping departments. Ourteam’s fielding just gave a look ofa third rate club team, if comparedwith the fielding performance of theSri Lankan team.

As such, Mr. ShoaibMuhammad do not even deservea stint for the T20 World Cup tour.Pakistani team gave a much betterperformance in the fielding depart-ment, during the last UAE seriesmatches. This proves that our newfielding coach, practically contrib-uted in the down fall of the teamsfielding level. Hence, he also de-serves immediate sacking.

In view of the foregoing, if wehave to at least play the semi fi-nals of the T20 World Cup, thenthe entire tour management com-mittee and the fielding coach, mustbe replaced with some deservingand capable persons.

Misbah ul Haq, has againproved that that he is not at all ca-pable, to lead Pakistani team, to thevictory podium of the 2015 ODIWorld Cup. He is being retainedas captain, at our own peril.

KARACHI—The Glassgow-bound Paki-stani team, comprising, Ahsan Zahir Rizvi,Anwer Kizilbash, Abdul Muqeet, ZiaullahBaig and Wajahat Suri has proved its su-periority by lifting Aslam Memorial BridgeTrophy Sunday evening at Aslam BridgeHall.

Ahsan, claimed the trophy having atotal score of 96.07 Victory Points in theevent held under the auspices of KarachiBridge Association.

Pakistan’s best outfits were in conten-tion in the two-day contest, which was par-ticipated by eight teams and out of thesefive were live contestants, while other threewere the dark horses.

When the play resumed for the final threerounds, position was as under; Ahsan 56.96,Bilal 55.30, Puri Real Estate 48.11, Rainbow39.61, Data Steel 37.47, Kamran 33.39, BridgeAces 30.42 and Foxy 19.23.

In the fourth round, Ahsan pitched up

Ahsan lifts Aslam MemorialBridge Trophy

against Foxy and had to do little art workdefeating Foxy on easy terms, 14.70 - 5.30,then Kamran fell prey to their excellent formgoing fighting down 15.05-4.95.

However, Rainbow in the 6th roundsurprised Ahsan by their excellent run andRainbow won 13.18 as against 6.82 still onthe top, with nothing to lose, Ahsan facedanother hopeful Bilal, but kept their formand outscored Bilal adding 16.37 to theirscore as against 3.65, which pushed backBilal to fourth position.

Puri Real Estate made excellent effortsto cover their earlier lapses. Having RashidJaffer, Junaid Said, Khaled Mohiuddin,Tehsin Gheewala, Mubashir Puri, theyoungest of them all, lost to Rainbow inthe fourth, round, but added 15.79 againstData Steel, added maximum 20.00 out-point-ing Bridge Aces and finally outscoredKamran, 14.56 to finish runners-up with atotal score of 89.60 Victory Points.—APP

HARARE—Faf du Plessis fellagonisingly short of a century butSouth Africa moved into the lead onthe third morning of the one-off Testagainst Zimbabwe as they reachedlunch on 278 for five.

Du Plessis was out for 98 shortlybefore the lunch interval when heturned off-spinner John Nyumbu toleg gully, giving Nyumbu his thirdwicket in his debut innings.

However with Quinton de Kockeasing to 75 not out, the Proteasmoved past Zimbabwe´s first inningstotal of 256 and gave themselves anopportunity to build a major lead.

Although Du Plessis and De Kocktook their time to adapt to the pace ofthe pitch early on, scoring 11 runs in thefirst eight overs of the day, they gradu-ally took the attack to the Zimbabweanbowlers in a 119-run partnership.

Zimbabwe continuedwith their ploy of playing onSouth Africa’s patience. Theseamers preferred disciplineover variation. The bounc-ers were absent, perhapsthey thought they didn’thave enough pace. Thecross-seamers and cuttersthat misbehaved on a drypitch were no longer a chal-lenge to batsmen playingwith soft hands by default.Brendan Taylor’s host ofshort midwickets and shortcovers were kept perma-nently waiting. Both teamswere content to play slowlyas the people sprawled onthe grass banks.

South Africa were aheadby 20 when JP Duminy, whoseems to be South Africa’sdesignated No.7, arrived. His inningsbegan against spin, forcing him toconcentrate on his footwork. JohnNyumbu, the debutant offspinner, pre-ferred to bowl from around the wicket

South Africa lead Zimbabweas Du Plessis misses century

and cajoled the rough outside the offstump to help him. Duminy, as heproved in Galle, used the sweep andreverse sweep to combat him. Philan-der, at the other end, burst to lifeagainst Williams to clobber a bound-ary over midwicket.

The spinners got a few balls tobounce and skirt past the inside andoutside edges, but South Africa hadmanaged 41 runs in 12 overs afterlunch. There had been a wicketthough, with de Kock inside-edging aflick to short midwicket to give Will-iams a first Test wicket. There was alsoenough help for Taylor to keep themon, but Zimbabwe did not like the paceof scoring.

They dragged South Africa backby employing Tinashe Panyangara,who was yet to concede a boundaryin his 27 overs for 31 runs, and Tendai

Chatara who was equally miserly with26-12-31-1. In the 18.4 overs until thebreak, South Africa scored only 15.

Consolidation was paramount for

the visitors when the day began. Thespinners and the seamers benefitedfrom uncertain bounce. The secondnew ball was 27.3 overs old and DuPlessis had negotiated 250 deliveries,but a leg cutter from Donald Tiripanoripped across the outside edge as thebatsman was stuck on his back foot.The use of a scrambled seam had de-feated du Plessis during the first sixovers, when South Africa were con-tent with only five runs, but suchspurts of luck were few and far be-tween for Zimbabwe.

Du Plessis progressed in typicalfashion, waiting for the bad ball for aslong as necessary. He ventured out-side off only when it was short andwide - Tiripano was slashed over thecordon - or when it was too full -offspinner Nyumbu was caressedthrough extra cover. He was South

Africa’s anchor at No.3 andhe would not budge fromthat role until a little extrabounce severed his stint. Henipped down the track andtried to smother it, but thetickle reached RegisChakabva at backward shortleg to end his 356-minute stay.

De Kock’s nemesis wasspin, specifically his inclina-tion to close the face and hitagainst the turn whenNyumbu tossed the ball up.But he was able to put thethreat aside and be the in-stigator. South Africa ticked23 runs between the 91stand 95th overs. De Kock’sshots were crisp and ap-peared in greater frequencyto du Plessis’. He wasnimble on his feet, racingdown to lift Nyumbu for a

six, his first boundary of the morning,to reach his fifty. A less certain insideedge to the fine-leg boundary tookSouth Africa ahead.—AFP

Zimbabwe 1st innings:256South Africa 1st innings:Elgar b Tiripano ............. 61Petersen b Nyumbu ...... 32F du Plessis b Nyumbu 98Amla c Sibanda b Chatara 4de Villiers b Nyumbu ...... 7Kock c Sibanda b Williams81Duminy b Nyumbu ....... 55Philander b Williams ..... 17Steyn b Nyumbu ........... 19Piedt lbw b Tiripano ..... 13Morkel not out ................ 2Extras: (b 3, lb 4, nb 1) .... 8Total: (all out) .............. 397Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-132,3-146, 4-157, 5-276, 6-292, 7-

SCOREBOARD334, 8-367, 9-395, 10-397Bowling: ........... O-M-R-WPanyangara ...... 30-12-39-0Tiripano .............. 26-8-65-2Nyumbu ......... 49.3-7-157-5Chatara ............. 27-12-34-1Williams .............. 26-2-95-2Zimbabwe 2nd innings:Masakadza b Morkel .... 19Sibanda not out ............... 6Tiripano not out .............. 0Total: (1 wicket) ............. 25Fall of wickets: 1-25Bowling: ........... O-M-R-WSteyn ....................... 4-1-8-0Philander .............. 3-0-10-0Morkel .................... 2-1-0-1DL Piedt .................. 1-0-7-0

KARACHI—Former skipper Wasim Barisaid that defensive approach and lack of

planning onthe final daywere themain causeso fP a k i s t a n ’sdefeat in thefirst Testagainst SriLanka inGalle.

“ O u rb a t s m e ntake toomuch pres-sure by play-ing dot ballsand losingw i c k e t sr e g u l a r l y, ”he told APP

on Monday in a reaction to team’s highlydisappointing 7-wicket loss in the Testmatch.

“I think Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shahzadput the team under pressure by adoptinghighly cautious approach,” he com-mented.

Azhar consumed 141-ball for hispainstaking knock of 41, Ahmed Shahzada natural attacking player faced 74-ball inscoring just 16 runs and captain Misbah-ul-Haq batted in his typical fashion got

Defensive batting costs Pakistandearly in Galle Test: Bari

28 in 64 deliveries.“Batsmen were inclined to blocking

the ball instead of taking singles anddoubles,” he pointed out.

“Had the team management guided theteam properly and it had batted with bet-ter scoring rate, thing would have beentotally different. It was a certain draw,”he said.

Wasim Bari Pakistan’s top keeper saidin current era you needed to score at leastthree runs an over in Test match which is50 percent strike rate.

He said defeat on a such placid pitchof Galle International Stadium was sur-prising as 11 Test match there ended in adraw.

“The negative mindset of the teamcost them the match which they couldhave easily drawn.

He said Test cricket is all about ap-plying and handling pressure in a toughsituation.

He said tactically Pakistan’s approachwas not very positive and they were notprepared to adopt plan despite rain fore-cast.

Bari praised Rangana Herath for bowl-ing in right line and attacking the stumpsand forcing Pakistan batsmen to play.

“Whereas our bowlers were not onthe target and they did not attack thestumps that allowed Sri Lanka to score533 to gain v i ta l 82 runs lead,” hesaid.—APP

PESHAWAR—A two-day Pakistan SportsBoard Takbeer-e-Azadi Sports Gala gotunder way in all Centers of PSB Coach-ing Centers.

In this connection Deputy DirectorGeneral Pakistan Sports Board and in-ternational gold medalist athlete HabibShah was the chief guest on this occa-s ion who formal ly inaugurated theevent. Former World No. 2 and DirectorSpor ts PSB Coaching Center MohibUllah Khan, squash coaches Falak Naz,Pervez Iqbal, Shehzad Mohib and Sec-retary Pakistan Volleyball Federation,120 players in different age groups werealso present.

In the opening of the volleyball eventTehkhal XI defeated Spina Waray villageclub XI by 3-1,t he score was 25-21, 19-25, 25-23 and 25-18. Before the start ofthe squash and volleyball events theplayers were introduced to former inter-national athlete Habib Shah.

Speaking on this occasion, said thatthe Pakistan Sports Board l ike everyyear, this year celebrating 68th Indepen-dence Day.

He said the Pakistan Sports Boardhas chalked out a program in which vari-ous games will be organized. He saidgames like squash, volleyball, table ten-nis and weightlifting are organizing inPeshawar Center, Volleyball, Basketball,Football and Badminton in Muzafarabad,Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Volleyball,Badminton in Mir Pur, Boxing and

PSB Takbeer-e-Azadi SportsGala begins in all Centers

Malakara in Karachi , Wrestl ing inGujranwala, Taekwondo, Karate, Wushuand Judo in Quetta, Athletic, Badmintonand Table Tennis in Lahore, Kabaddi,Hockey, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo andWushu in Islamabad.

He said besides such like activities,the Pakistan Sports is facilitating all the40 affiliated federations by providingthem annual grant, holding of their na-tional camps, sending of the nationalcontingent to South Asian Games, Com-monwealth Games, Asian Games andOlympic.

He said Rs. 25000 grant has been speci-fied at all centers only because of the short-age of funds. Habib Shah said that thisyear six districts have been selected in-cluding Kohat, Bannu, Malakand, Buner,Tank and Hangu where the Pakistan SportsBoard would distribute sports gearsamong the players through Deputy Com-missioner. He said these districts wouldalso be provided financial support of Rs. 1million each.

At the end, Director Sports PSBCoaching Center formally welcomedDeputy DG and expressed the hope thatthe PSB Squash Academy here would beextending more facilities.

He said a total of 12 male players cur-rently associated with the academy andwe want to have four female players aswell. Habib Shah in reply assured himthat step in this connection would alsobe taken.—APP

Taheri XIdefeated SaifiXI in Bohra

LeagueK A R A C H I — M u f f a d a lLanewala grabbed f ivewickets for in an amazingspell as Taheri XI defeatedSaifi XI by seven wicketsin Bohra Championsleague T20 Cricket Tour-nament at RLCA AcademyGround Gulburg on Sun-day.

Left arm spinnerMuffadal f inished withfigurs of five wickets formere six runs to dismissSaifi XI for 120 in 20 overs.Hussain Lanewala top-scored with 43.

Taheri XI in replyreached the target in 17overs for thre loss of threewickets.

Murtuza Hussain hi tan unbeaten 46 and TahaShabbir got 45.

Former Pakistan cap-tain Rashid Latif inaugu-rated the competition.

Summarized scores:Saifi XI 120 all out in 20overs (Hussain Lanewala43, Muffadil Mansoor5-6) Taheri XI 121-3 in(Murtuza Hussain 46,Taha Shabbir 45).—APP

Tsonga upsetsFederer inToronto

Master’s finalTO R O N T O —Jo-Wilf r iedTsonga won the TorontoMasters with a win overRoger Federer, two yearsafter injuring himself at thesame event in a freak colli-sion with a fire hydrant.

French 13th seedTsonga hit 11 aces and 26winners to win Sunday´sfinal 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) whileFederer, two days after his33rd birthday, was undoneby 37 unforced errors. “Ifyou believe in somethingit can happen,” saidTsonga. “I´m proud ofwhat I´ve achieved thisweek. I played well all thisweek. I beat many goodguys.”

The 29-year-oldTsonga dropped just oneset all week as he knockedout world number oneNovak Djokovic and AndyMurray en route to the fi-nal.

I t was Tsonga´s sec-ond career Masters 1000ti t le , coming almost s ixyears after his first at ParisBercy in 2008. He is justthe second French playerafter Guy Forget to wintwo titles at the Masterslevel.

Tsonga spent just overone and three-quarterhours in constructing hisupset over the man whohad beaten him in both oftheir previous finalsplayed in 2011.

Tsonga dealt with inju-ries for much of 2013 but isnow fit and brimming withconfidence. The Frenchplayer said his win Sundayhad special significancebecause of his experiencetwo years earlier.—AFP

TORONTO: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reacts after beating the Roger Federer in the TorontoMaster’s final.

LONDON: Shafique Chishti receiving Man of the Match award during World Kabaddi League played Punjab SportsBoard’s team Lahore Lions between Wonkoo Lions.

Bipin DaniOBSERVER CORRESPONDENT

MUMBAI—Sir Don Bradman’s last Testmatch was against England at Oval on14-18th August, 1948. Sixty six years later,Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene will beplaying his last Test match on the samedates against Pakistan in Colombo.

His family is hoping there is no EricHollies in Pakistan team.

“We hope to see him scoring hundredin his farewell Test”, the father, SerenathJayawardene said over telephone fromColombo.

“I went to witness his game in Galle,where he first time opened for Sri Lankain Test. Our entire family will be presenton all five days in Colombo”.

“Originally the Test match was to beplayed at R. Premadasa Stadium but nowSri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board had re-scheduled it on Mahela’s home groundand all his fans and supporters will becheering for him”.

“Mahela has also invited his former

No Hollies in Pak. team please:Mahela invites all for his last Test

coaches, school and college principalsand a church priest who are responsiblefor his cricket-career”.

“At one point of time, when my otherson Dhisal died, Mahela wanted to leavethe game. The two brothers were veryclose to each other and looked alike as ifthey were twins. Only the church priestand school teachers persuaded de-pressed Mahela to continue with the gameand we hope to see all of them in his lastTest match”, the father added.

Mahela’s 1-1/2 year-younger brotherdied of a brain tumour.

No Pak. tourMahela was the last visiting captain

on Pakistan tour in 2009.“That will remain his last trip to Paki-

stan. Even if game is resumed there in fu-ture, Mahela will not be travelling to thatcountry again in any capacity”, the fa-ther added.

“He was so shocked and disturbed(with the terror attacks in 2009), definitelyhe will not think of visiting Pakistan ever”,the father signed off.

McIlroy wins PGA Championship,claims fourth major

Pakistan tofeature in

World JudoC’ships

I S L A M A B A D — P a k i s t a njudo team will feature in theWorld Judo Champion-ships 2014, scheduled tobe held in Chelyabinsk,Russia from August 25 to31.

Pakistan judokas failedto show outstanding per-formance in the last WorldChampionship, but Paki-stan Judo Federation (PJF)Secretary Masood Ahmadis optimistic that this timethe results would be differ-ent.

“We are yet to selectteam for the event team, butwe are trying our best tosend a strong outfit,” hesaid.

He said participation inthe International JudoFederation’s (IJF) eventwould be a great achieve-ment and honour for Paki-s tan.

“The participation inthe event will help flourishpopularize the game in thecountry,” he said.

Ahmed said that thetop coaches were super-vising the training campsadding that the team wouldbe announced after finaltrials.—APP

LAHORE—Pakistan Boxing Federation hasannounced its 9-member squad to take partin the 17th Asian Games being held fromSeptember 19 in Incheon, South Korea.

“The party comprises six boxers andthree offi-cials “, saidI q b a lH u s s a i n ,S e c r e t a r y ,PBF whiletalking toAPP fromLondon onMonday.

H esaid onechange hasbeen made inthe teamwhich par-ticipated inthe GlasgowC o m m o n -

wealth Games and won a silver medalthrough Muhammad Wasim. Sanaullah isthe new edition as PBF droppedMohammad Asif.

Wasim (52kgs) will lead the side whoseother members are Mohibullah (49), NadirBaloch (56kgs), Ali Ahmad (60kgs), AmirKhan (64kgs) and Sana ullah (91kgs). Theteam officials are Allah Bukhsh andMuhammad Tariq. Iqbal Hussain will be ac-companying the team as manager.

He said Sana ullah will be competing ina heavy weight category and has been pre-ferred over Asif who featured in common-wealth games (69kgs) bout and failed to im-

Wasim to lead Pak boxingteam for Asian Games

press.“ In Asian Games we have better medal

prospects in heavy weight categories andthat is why we have included Sana ullah “,said Iqbal Hussain.

He expressed the hope that Pak teamwill be able to win medals in the AsianGames as the team members are in goodpreparations after their participation in theCommonwealth Games.

“It was very a beneficial experience forour boxers to participate in the Common-wealth Games and we have planned com-prehensive training programme form themprior to their participation in the AsianGames “, he said adding “Apart from hav-ing a routine training camp at home we willbe engaging the team members in a monthlong camp hopefully abroad.

Iqbal Hussain disclosed that PBFturned down the offer of Pakistani businesscommunity based in Glasgow for provid-ing a financial assistance of Rs 900,0000 forthe training of the Pakistani boxers.

“We have refused to accept this offermost importantly in the respect of our coun-try as we are capable of generating fundsfor the preparations and participation of theteam in international tournaments abroad”,he said. He said leading Pakistani busi-nessman Chaudhary Muhammad Ramzan,brother of Punjab Governor ChaudharyMuhammad Sarwar and Counsel General ofPakistan in Glasgow , Syed Ahsan Raza,Deputy Counsel General, Syed SaqlainRaza, Chudhary Azam and a larger numberof Pakistani expatriates turned up to watchthe bouts of the Pakistani boxers duringthe Games and encouraged them.—APP

Misbah shouldchange his

batting position:Yousaf

IS L A M A B A D—Legendarybatsman MohammadYousuf asked SkipperMisbah-ul-Haq to changebatting position in one-dayinternationals.

Talking to Private newschannel, Yousaf said thatPakistan need to do well inthe next World Cup and forthat Misbah has to changehis batting position and leadthe team by example.

He said that Misbahshould bat at number threein one-day internationalsbecause his batting stylewill be helpful for the teamin this format when hecomes lower down the or-der.

The former captain saiddespite the fact that condi-tions in one-dayinternationals are nowloaded in favour of the bats-men, Pakistani batsmen didnot play up to the mark infirst test against Sri Lanka.

“Things are much morecomfortable for the batsmenin one-day these days withso many power plays andfive fielders inside thecircle”, he added.

The senior batsman saidthat Pakistan team manage-ment needed on bringingconsistency and stability tothe batting order before theWorld Cup.

“I have played in Aus-tralia and New Zealand andI know that if the batsmendon`t score there than youcan`t expect to do well inthis mega event,” Yousufstated.—APP

LOUISVILLE (Kentucky)—Pre-tour-nament favourite Rory McIlroy recov-ered from a stumbling start to over-come a series of challengers and clinchhis fourth major title by a shot at the

PGA Championship on Sunday.A stroke in front of the chasing

pack overnight, the Northern Irishworld number one lost the lead butregained control after the turn, sign-ing off with a three-under-par 68 atValhalla Golf Club for a 16-under totalof 268. Phil Mickelson, the 2005 win-

ner, birdied 18 to finish alone in sec-ond with a closing 66, with SwedeHenrik Stenson (66) and AmericanRickie Fowler (68) a stroke further backin third.

“I didn’t think in my wildestdreams I’d have a summer like this,”British Open champion McIlroy toldCBS Sports after being presented withthe coveted Wanamaker Trophy,which he hoisted high in celebration.“I’ve just played the best golf of mylife and just really gutted it out today.It

was a little different from the previousmajor wins that I’ve had and I think Ishowed a lot of guts out there todayto get this job done.”

Trailing by three at one point,McIlroy got within a strokeof the lead with a spectacu-lar eagle at the par-five 10thwhere he hit his secondshot from 281 yards toseven feet, before effec-tively sealing the title withbirdies at the 13th and 17th.In gathering gloom atValhalla, where play wassuspended for just undertwo hours earlier in the daydue to water-logged condi-tions, McIlroy parred thelast to win his third con-secutive title on the PGATour, and his second majorthis year.

The 25-year-old, whowon the 2012 PGA Champi-onship at Kiawah by arecord eight shots, becamethe fourth youngest playerto land four majors, withonly Tom Morris Jr., JackNicklaus and Tiger Woodsahead of him.

Mickelson, who hadbeen bidding for a sixth ma-jor title, recorded his firsttop-10 finish on the 2013-14PGA Tour after a disap-

pointing season.“It was good for me to get back in themix and to feel the pressure and getin the thick of it,” said the Americanleft-hander.”I kind of ran out of steamthere after 12, wasn’t able to get acouple of birdies coming in like Ineeded to.”—APP

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: Rory McIlroy kisses the Wanamaker Trophy after winningthe PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

KARACHI—Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal hasbeen reported with a sus-pected illegal bowling ac-t ion during his s ide’sseven-wicket loss in thefirst Test match againstSri Lanka at Galle Inter-national Stadium on Sun-day.

“The match officials’report, which was handedover to Pakistan team man-ager Moin Khan on Sun-day, cited concerns over anumber of deliveries thatwere considered to be sus-pect and concluded thatthe bowler’s action neededto be tested,” said an In-ternational Cricket Council(ICC) statement issued onMonday.

“Ajmal’s bowling ac-tion will now be scruti-nised further under theICC process relating tosuspected illegal bowlingactions reported in Tests,ODIs and T20Is.

He is required to un-dergo testing within 21days, and, during this pe-riod, Ajmal is permitted tocontinue bowling in inter-national cricket until theresults of the testing are

Saeed Ajmal again reported forsuspected illegal bowling action

known,” it said.Star spinner Saeed

Ajmal grabbed five wickets

for 166 runs in 59.1 oversin Sri Lanka’s first in-nings.—APP

MANCHESTER (United Kingdom)—Manchester City on Monday announcedthe signing of France central defenderEliaquim Mangala from FC Porto.

The 23-year-old Paris-born Mangalabecomes thesixth signingof the sum-mer, and willquickly re-join his oldPorto team-m a t eFernando atthe EtihadStadium.

“ C i t yis a top clubin Europe.For me, it wasan importantstep to leavePorto andj o i n

Manchester City in order to continue myprogress. I want to win titles and I believe Ican do this. I am ambitious and this is whyI am here,” Mangala said.

“I’m very happy to come to England

Man City snap up Mangalafrom Porto

because for me, the Premier League is thebest league in the world. It is a very intenseand very aggressive competition. There areplenty of goals, so it is also really nice towatch and I can’t wait to get started!

“The fact that Fernando is here is betterbecause I played with him at Porto but thereis also other players that I know like (Bacary)Sagna, (Gael) Clichy and (Samir) Nasri.”

City manager Manuel Pellegrini added:“I’m delighted to have added a player ofEliaquim’s quality in the squad ahead of thenew season.

“He is already a fine player but in myopinion, he has all of the mental, physical,technical and tactical attributes to becomeone of Europe’s very best defenders.

“Eliaquim is a player I believe will makean immediate impact in the Premier League,thanks to his physicality, his reading of thegame and quality on the ball.

“I think he will prove to be a great sign-ing for us.”

Mangala made his France debut in a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in Montevideo in June2013. Although included in the World Cupsquad, the defender didn’t make it off thebench in France’s run to the quarter-fi-nals.—AFP

Sangakkararegains No 1

rankingC O L O M B O — K u m a rSangakkara is once againthe No. 1 Test batsman inthe world, following hisdouble-century in Galle.His 221 helped Sri Lankabeat Pakistan in the firstTest.

Sangakkara overhauledAB de Villiers and returnedto the top of the rankingsfor the first time since No-vember 2012. He has nowspent a total of 81 Testsand 671 days as the top-ranked Test batsman.

Sri Lanka’s captain,Angelo Mathews, has alsomoved up the rankings fol-lowing his 91 and dashing

25 not out which won theGalle Test. Mathews, whohas enjoyed an excellentrun of form in Test cricket,has moved up to No. 5 -the highest ranking of hiscareer.

But the Galle victorywas set up by left-arm spin-ner Rangana Herath whoran through Pakistan onthe final day with 6 for 48.The performance pushedhim up to No. 6 in the Testbowling rankings.

England’s bowlershave also crept up therankings following theirhammering of India at OldTrafford.

James Anderson’s fivewickets moves him to No.5 and Stuart Broad’s Manof the Match 6 for 25 in thefirst innings propels himback into the top 10 at No.9.

Broad is also backahead of Mitchell Johnsonin the allrounder rankings,which are now topped byIndia’s R Ashwin, who re-placed Vernon Philanderafter scoring 40-odd inboth innings at OldTrafford.—AFP

LONDON—Cesc Fabregas is the future ofChelsea and ideally suited to stepping intoFrank Lampard’s central midfield boots,manager Jose Mourinho said Monday.

Former Arsenal captain Fabregas, 27,signed for Chelsea from Barcelona in Juneafter the London club’s record goalscorerLampard left under freedom of contract atthe end of last season.

Fabregas scored in Chelsea’s 2-1 winover Ferencvaros in Budapest on Sunday- on a day when Lampard was sitting in thestands for Manchester City after signingon loan from New York City FC - in theBlues’ penultimate pre-season friendly be-fore next Monday’s Premier League open-ing contest at Burnley.

Mourinho said on chelseafc.com:

Fabregas can fill Lampard’s boots: Mourinho“Frank is the history of the club, historynobody can forget.

“Fabregas is the future; history is his-tory but the future is more important at themoment.

“My opinion, and the opinion of myplayers, is that Fabregas is the right playerto occupy that central position in midfield.”

Chelsea returned from Hungary lateSunday ahead of their match with RealSociedad on Tuesday.

It is still too soon to know the full ex-tent of the ankle injury which forced DidierDrogba off during the first half againstFerencvaros.

Drogba was quoted as saying on theclub’s website: “I twisted my ankle and Icouldn’t continue.—AFP

CONCUSSIONS in high school footballplayers are equally serious no matterwhere on the head the hit occurred, ac-

cording to a new study. Regardless of where onthe head the players were hit, their symptoms weresimilar, as were the length oftime symptoms lasted andhow long players stayed offthe field, researchers found.“We were actually a little bitsurprised,” Dawn Comstocktold Reuters Health. “Basedon some of our prior research,we expected to see some dif-ferences.”

Comstock is the study’slead author from the Colo-rado School of Public Healthand the University of Colo-rado at Denver. She and hercolleagues write in the jour-nal Pediatrics that few stud-ies have examined concus-sion outcomes based onwhere on the head the impactoccurred. About five to sixconcussions occur among high school footballplayers per 10,000 games or practices, they add.

There has been increasing concern over anyknocks to the head that high school athletes mayexperience, because of how common those hitsare and the lingering problems they’re associ-ated with (see Reuters Health stories of May 7,2014 here: reut.rs/XU9pwu and of May 14, 2014here: reut.rs/XU9uQM). “We wanted a morecomplete understanding of concussion in highschool football,” Comstock said. In particular,her team wondered whether knowing how theconcussion was received could help doctors di-agnose and manage athletes more effectively.Using data from the National High School

Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study,from the 2008-2009 and 2012-2013 seasons,they were able to analyze 2,526 football-re-lated concussions that occurred during gamesand practices. About 45 percent of concus-

sions were caused by hits to thefront of the head. The secondmost common hit to cause con-cussions was to the side of thehead, followed by back of thehead and finally the top of thehead. After reviewing the data,the researchers found that whereon the head the impact occurredmade no difference in terms ofthe symptoms the players had,the length of time the symptomspersisted and how long playershad to be kept off the field. “Wecan’t predict which athletes aremore likely to have more severesymptoms or worse outcomesbased only on how their injuriesoccur,” Comstock said. “Everyclinician needs to take everyconcussion very seriously.”

The researchers did find that players whoreceived a concussion to the top of their headwere more likely to lose consciousness, com-pared to those who received an impact to otherparts of their head. The vast majority of play-ers who received impacts to the top of theirhead had their heads down at the time of thehit, compared to less than a quarter of thosehit in other parts of their head.

“We don’t ever want our work to be usedto frighten and pull kids out of sports, but thiswork is a kind of reminder that the coaches,parents, physicians and everyone involvedneed to work together to make those sportssafe to play,” Comstock said.

Regardless of location,concussions serious

A national flag displayed at Mazar-e-Quaid being prepared for 68th Independence Day celebrations.

Sirajuddin Aziz, CEO Habib Metropolitan Bank presents his book titled ‘Bitter and Sweet’Life and Times of Dad’ to former Federal Information Minister Javed Jabbar at launchceremony. Qazi Abdul Muqtadir, Dy Governor SBP, co-author Humair Ishtiaque andMirajuddin Aziz are also seen in the picture.—PO photo Sultan Chaki

SirajuddinAziz’s book

‘Bitter &Sweet’

launchedAMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—‘Bitter & Sweet’the title of an unusual bookauthored by Sirajuddin Azizwith Humair Ishtiaq as co-au-thor was launched at the packedhall of Marriot in Karachi Fri-day evening.

Sirajuddin Aziz, is knownas a senior banker CEO, Presi-dent Habib Metro Bank, an in-spiring writer as well as a fas-cinating speaker with a class ofhis own.

The launch of his book fo-cused on the life and times ofhis father Syed Abdul Rashid isthe narration of the unshakablelove and respect between fatherand the son which may help re-vival of the precious human andsocial values unfortunately van-ishing from our society.

Javed Jabbar, FormerSenator and Federal Ministerfor science and informationtechnology, Qazi AbdulMuqtadar, Deputy Governorof the State Bank of Pakistan,Mirajuddin Aziz, elderbrother of Sirajuddin Azizand Humair Ishtiaq the co-writer were present at thelaunch of the book. Promi-nent personalities of the cor-porate sector, business lead-ers, bankers and the peoplefrom Art and Culture werealso present on the occasion.

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—Sindh local gov-ernment (LG) department andKarachi Water and SewerageBoard (KW&SB) had failed tocurb the water tanker mafia thatcontinued to stealing water fromlines for supply of water to theresidents of Karachi.

On the other hand, SindhLG Minister and KW&SB man-agement for past one and threeyears been busy in eliminatingillegal water hydrants from thecity but still around 100 illegalwater hydrants were in full op-eration, sources in KW&SB toldPakistan Observer. In this re-

gard, Muttahida Qaumi Move-ment (MQM) and PakistanTehreek-e Insaf (PTI) lawmak-ers in Sindh assembly had beenraising the issue of artificiallygrafted acute water crisis in thecity but to no avail.

While talking to PakistanObserver, PTI lawmakerKhurram Sher Zaman said thathe had been fully exhausted inefforts to draw attention of Sindhgovernment toward acute watercrisis in his electoral constituencybut to no avail. Sindh govern-ment, Sindh LG Minister andKW&SB management werepaying no attention on the dev-astating acute water crisis in

many residential areas in Karachiwhile illegal water tankers mafiawas operating in the city with fullconfidence. He said thatKW&SB had now become amafia and was directly respon-sible for patronising the watertanker mafia and depriving theresidents of water. It looked asKW&SB had achieved theirgoals by placing him under se-vere criticism by the people ofhis electoral constituency.

Khurram Sher Zaman saidhe had also contacted SindhChief Minister Syed Qaim AliShah, Sindh Governor Dr IshratUl Ebad Khan and Sindh LGMinister to seek their coopera-

tion for overcoming the acutewater crisis but to no avail.

He said that he had on Mon-day (yesterday) contacted SindhGovernor over water crisis inelectoral constituency and theGovernor had assured him thathe would look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Karachi Com-missioner also pointed out oneillegal water hydrant being estab-lished near Safoora Chowrangiand said that the water tankersoperating from that illegal waterhydrant were destroying roadsand infrastructure of the city andwere damaging water supply sys-tem of the city.

PTI MPA declares KW&SB a mafia

Civil Administration, lawmakershelpless to resolve water crisis

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The Lyari Development Author-ity (LDA) Director General (DG) AghaMaqsood Abbas reviewed arrangements madefor setting up stalls of LDA and Benazir Bhutto

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Controller of Examinations, Boardof Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK),Muhammad Imran Khan Chishti announced theresults of annual examinations-2014 of highersecondary school certificate part-II (Class-XII)of Pre-Medical, Home Economics and Medi-cal Technology on Monday.

According to the gazette issued only fivecandidates were registered and appeared in theMedical Technology annual exams. Out of fivethree students passed their papers while one ofthem got C-grade and two had D-grade. Theoverall pass percentage was 60 percent.

Meanwhile, 283 candidates were registeredfor annual examinations of Home Economics

of which 279 students appeared in the papers.The gazette shows that 155 candidates passedtheir exams and passing percentage was 55.56percent. All students belongs to Ra’ana LiaquatAli Khan Government College of Home Eco-nomics. Only three students managed to get A-1 grade, 16 candidates had A-grade whereas 56candidates received B-grade. Moreover, 53 stu-dents cleared exams with C-grade and 27 can-didates got D-grade.

Marium Khalil daughter of Javed Khalilhaving roll number 1584 obtained 975 marksout of total 1200, she secured first position and81.25 percent with A-1 grade. Maria Naseemdaughter of Muhammad Naseem Baig with rollnumber 1590 bagged second position with 971marks and 80.92 percent.

BIEK announces HSSC-II results

Towns at the ABAD Expo-2014 exhibition onAug 12-13-14. Besides, affordable public hous-ing scheme would shortly be launched for con-struction of 10, 000 bungalows in HawksbayScheme 42, which would be given to generalpublic at affordable prices.

LDA finalises stalls at ABADExpo-2014 starting today

CONCUSSIONS in high school footballplayers are equally serious no matterwhere on the head the hit occurred, ac-

cording to a new study. Regardless of where onthe head the players were hit, their symptoms weresimilar, as were the length oftime symptoms lasted andhow long players stayed offthe field, researchers found.“We were actually a little bitsurprised,” Dawn Comstocktold Reuters Health. “Basedon some of our prior research,we expected to see some dif-ferences.”

Comstock is the study’slead author from the Colo-rado School of Public Healthand the University of Colo-rado at Denver. She and hercolleagues write in the jour-nal Pediatrics that few stud-ies have examined concus-sion outcomes based onwhere on the head the impactoccurred. About five to sixconcussions occur among high school footballplayers per 10,000 games or practices, they add.

There has been increasing concern over anyknocks to the head that high school athletes mayexperience, because of how common those hitsare and the lingering problems they’re associ-ated with (see Reuters Health stories of May 7,2014 here: reut.rs/XU9pwu and of May 14, 2014here: reut.rs/XU9uQM). “We wanted a morecomplete understanding of concussion in highschool football,” Comstock said. In particular,her team wondered whether knowing how theconcussion was received could help doctors di-agnose and manage athletes more effectively.Using data from the National High School

Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study,from the 2008-2009 and 2012-2013 seasons,they were able to analyze 2,526 football-re-lated concussions that occurred during gamesand practices. About 45 percent of concus-

sions were caused by hits to thefront of the head. The secondmost common hit to cause con-cussions was to the side of thehead, followed by back of thehead and finally the top of thehead. After reviewing the data,the researchers found that whereon the head the impact occurredmade no difference in terms ofthe symptoms the players had,the length of time the symptomspersisted and how long playershad to be kept off the field. “Wecan’t predict which athletes aremore likely to have more severesymptoms or worse outcomesbased only on how their injuriesoccur,” Comstock said. “Everyclinician needs to take everyconcussion very seriously.”

The researchers did find that players whoreceived a concussion to the top of their headwere more likely to lose consciousness, com-pared to those who received an impact to otherparts of their head. The vast majority of play-ers who received impacts to the top of theirhead had their heads down at the time of thehit, compared to less than a quarter of thosehit in other parts of their head.

“We don’t ever want our work to be usedto frighten and pull kids out of sports, but thiswork is a kind of reminder that the coaches,parents, physicians and everyone involvedneed to work together to make those sportssafe to play,” Comstock said.

Regardless of location,concussions serious

Arch Bishop of Pakistan Sebastian Francis Shaw receives highest award from Pakistan Navy.

MUZAFFAR ALI

LAHORE—The Lahorites heaved a sighof great relief as petrol and CNG outletsafter three consecutive days of forced clo-sure started reopening, containers block-ing the roads removed and traffic flow re-stored in the provincial capital city hereon Monday. In the Model Town localityof Lahore the mobile service was partiallyrestored and the traffic flow was restoredin the provincial capital city.

The blocked roads have partially beenre-opened while containers are in the pro-cess of being removed. The traffic situa-

tion has also slightly improved. The con-tainers from Thokar Niaz Baig and RaviBridge have been taken off and one-singlelane for both paths is being maintained forentrance and exit.

The removal of containers fromBarkat Market, Jinnah Hospital andAkbar Chowk has allowed the traffic tomove freely and the commuters can nowtravel without difficulty. Earlier, all theroads connecting to Faisal Town andGarden Town through Akbar Chowk,Barkat Market and Jinnah hospital weresealed causing severe problems. How-ever, all the routes to the Minhaj ul Quran

Secretariat still remain sealed off and thecontainers have also not been removed.The residents of Model Town are facingextreme difficulties in commuting whilesome are being forced to walk miles toreach their destinations.

Model Town residents continue to facemassive inconvenience and disruption intheir day to day activities due to the block-ades installed in the entire area.

Citizens of Lahore faced massive dif-ficulties in their day to day activities dueto the barriers and containers placed on allleading roads and crossings, particularlyin and around Model Town of Lahore.

Lahoreites heave sigh of reliefafter blocked roads reopened

Educationalinstitutions to

reopen on 18thSTAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Punjab Minister forEducation and Law RanaMashhood Ahmad Khan hassaid that educational institutionsin Punjab will reopen on August18 while the admission date ofeducational institutions has alsobeen extended till August 20 tofacilitate the students.

Rana Mashhood stressedupon students to take an activepart in Independence Day cel-ebrations as it is a national obli-gation. He further said thatyouth should play a vigorousrole for the development andprosperity of the country.

Followers of all religionshave equal rights

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs & Hu-man Resource Khalil Tahir Sindhu has said that in accordancewith the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, followers of all religionshave equal rights in Pakistan and are playing an active role innational development without any discrimination.

He was addressing a special function held in connectionwith World Minorities Day at Korean Church Youhana Abad,here Monday. Senator and Federal Minister for Ports andShipping Kamran Michael, Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi,Assembly Members representing minorities and large num-ber of followers of various religions were present in the func-tion. The participants of the function were carrying national

flags. Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that followers of all religionsplayed their due role in the creation of Pakistan and they arestill working vigorously for the progress and prosperity ofthe country as patriotic citizens.

He said that minorities have deep love for Pakistan andhave rendered invaluable sacrifices for the country.

Khalil Tahir Sindhu also referred to the measures taken bythe Punjab government for the welfare of minorities. He saidthat it is need of the hour that all citizens of the society shoulddedicate their energies for progress of the country as well askeep a watchful eye on anti-nation elements. He said that onIndependence Day the pledge to make Pakistan a strong, pros-perous and peaceful country should be renewed and no effortshould be spared for this purpose.

LCWU’s DFDIcompletes two

important disciplinesSALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Directorate of Faculty Develop-ment & Internationalisation(DFDI) of LahoreCollege for WomenUniversity(LCWU)successfully completedtwo important disciplines for its faculty de-velopment campaign.

A Postgraduate Certificate and Diplomaof Higher Education Teaching is an innova-tive professional development Diploma initi-ated by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. SabihaMansoor under LCWU Vision 2020. Thir-teen committed and dedicated faculty mem-bers from different LCWU departments com-pleted the first phase comprising of Twelve(12) credit hour Post Graduate CertificateCourse that will be merged with the PostGraduate Diploma in Higher Education Teach-ing. The other successfully implemented pro-gram is Active Citizens Program(ACP) inpartnership with British Council as a manda-tory course for undergraduate students.. A 5days ‘Training of ACP Facilitators’ workshopwas organized at LCWU, in which 20 facultyof Computers Science Department from

LCWU and its three affiliated collages namelyGovt. Postgraduate College for Women,Samanabad, Lahore, Govt. PostgraduateIslamia College for Women, Cooper Road,Lahore and Govt. College for WomenGulberg, Lahore, participated. The ComputerScience Department at LCWU led by DrAbuzar Faheem, Head of Computer ScienceDepartment, who is also a Trained Facilitatorof ACP, has implemented the ACP for twosuccessful years and this is now an integratedcomponent of the LCWU CS curriculum. Aspart of LCWU community outreach activities,ACP is now being rolled out in Computer Sci-ence Departments of the University’s threeaffiliated colleges

Dr Sabiha Mansoor also presented certifi-cates to the participants and congratulated DrAbuzar for this great achievement. She alsoemphasised the need to support and facilitatethe affiliated colleges not only in academicsbut also in community Service through theACP program. It is pertinent to mention thatLCWU is the first and only Pakistani univer-sity to launch the ACP in its central campusand affiliated colleges.