OPINION

A minor miracle Monday, July 21, 2008 Chris Cork Back a decade, and living in Peshawar but shuttling back and forth between there, Kabul, Herat and Jalalabad we had an internet connection that was slow, expensive, unpredictable and very much at the cutting edge as far as Pakistan was concerned. There were perhaps half a dozen ISP’s (internet service providers) across the country and the internet was very much a tool of the NGO’s, big business and the wealthy. Personal computer ownership by non-professionals was extremely low and if you had a laptop you were among the elite of the digerati. The first generation of cyber-cafes were appearing here and there, but overall it seemed as if the cyber-revolution that was taking the west by storm was passing us by. We had mobile phones as well, things the size of a brick that were similarly unpredictable and expensive and wouldn’t work once you got ten miles into Afghanistan – after that it was the big Codan radios whose masts decorated the front of our Landcruisers or the early satellite phones which were awkward to set up and cost body-parts per second of transmission. There did not at that time appear to be the technological ‘trickle-down’ that was driving the dot-com boom (and later bust) of the developed nations. It is fashionable to present Pakistan as some sort of irredeemable recidivist, a consummate backslider forever in teachers bad books and up for a thrashing in the Headmasters study at least once a week. Few commentators have much that is good to say about anything, and it is the job of those who scribble the public prints to nip at the ankles of government; to expose cant, hypocrisy, corruption and malfeasance – but it does not hurt to occasionally take a rest from kicking backsides and deliver a discreet pat on the back. Few things or events that are described as ‘revolutionary’ truly are. The invention of the wheel was revolutionary. Likewise the internal combustion engine, penicillin, powered flight, radio and television, organ transplant techniques…and the personal computer. Within my own lifetime it is perhaps the cluster of revolutions around information technology (IT) that are the most important in terms of the way in which they have directly influenced the way I live, work, and take my recreation. Inevitably, my generation has come to this late, and we are the last generation of digital illiterates. It was salutary to learn recently that my brother’s youngest child learned to use the computer, mouse and keyboard before she started school. She couldn’t see the point of learning to write when she could type, and regards handwriting as something of an antiquation. The revolution that is the Internet may have been slow to arrive in Pakistan but is gathering pace all the time, and it was a tiny event in October 2003 that really made me sit up and take note as to just how far the country had come in a very short time - I was able to hook my laptop to a phone far out in the Cholistan desert and read and send emails. It may not sound like much, but when considered against where the country was a mere four years before that, it is a jump of light-years. Earlier this month the Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (ISPAK) estimated that there were about 5 million netizens nationally, and a tiny 150,000 broadband users; all hooked to about fifty ISP’s. The numbers are still small, but it is the spread of Wireless Local Loop and WIMAX that are going to drive the next wave of sign-ups to the Net, who will mostly be the computer-literates two generations below me. These words will get fired down the wire courtesy of my new broadband connection, installed in minutes yesterday. It’s still not cheap, and for poor people there are more essential things to spend their money on than an internet connection, but prices are dropping all the time and the delivery infrastructure – going the last mile to the household – expands by the week. I know of NGO’s with plans to create entire digital villages, and distance-learning is beginning to take off. Discreet pat on the back, Pakistan…keep up the good work.

God bless America, long live Pakistan

Monday, July 21, 2008 Kamal Siddiqi The writer is editor reporting, The News As the Americans gather on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, we are told that an offensive is about to be launched from that side. It’s not as simple as the Pakistan Army pushing the militants from this side and the US troops catching them as they enter Afghanistan – like the shikars that were once played in the sub-continent. This is a more complicated shikar. One is now not sure which is the tiger and which is the shikari. We are not even sure if this is the age of the tigers any more. So far, everyone seems to be acting like foxes and wolves. We are warned that there are tough times ahead. The month has seen much action on our border with Afghanistan. Our prime minister has said that he fears another 9/11 if foreign militants are not dealt with “sternly”. At the same time, his government seems to have lost the plot on the war on terror. The whole idea of a ‘homegrown’ policy lies abandoned. Once again, we are being told what to do. But things are heating up. NATO recently retaliated over what it said was attacks from North Waziristan. One fears this is just the beginning. Many want to know who is in charge. While there is talk of coordination and consultation, the recent attacks on a Pakistani border post by American planes which led to several deaths is a case in point. The US says that it was never informed of the presence of such a post. Pakistan says that this is not true. In the confusion, precious Pakistani lives were lost. One thing is for sure, however. The US administration feels, as usual, that the Pakistanis are not doing enough. We are being blamed for the faults and near-sightedness of others, apart from ourselves. President Bush says he is troubled by the consistent intrusions from the Pakistan side and so we have to do more. Not only do we have to stop the militants from causing havoc in Pakistan, we need to also stop them from crossing over into Afghanistan. Are we up to this challenge? To sweeten the deal, the Americans have promised us more aid. Now the money will be tripled and once again linked to performance. One wonders whether we should be overjoyed or wary. We also want to know on behalf of the American taxpayer what happened to the earlier installments. Where was the money used and who benefited? We see almost none of the money that was promised to be injected in the tribal areas and the NWFP. What happened to the pockets of industry that were promised? Or for that matter, the madressah reform plans. With an election approaching, the American government also wants to do more. Our prime minister has been summoned to the US for some “consultations”. By month end, our prime minister and his team will be told of what is expected of his government. The agenda for the months leading up to the elections will be set. It is hoped that it will be clear sailing from then on. Not to be outdone by President Bush, the presidential hopefuls are also giving in their two cents’ worth on what to do in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both Mr Obama and Mr McCain said that the focus should now shift to Afghanistan (and by default, Pakistan) where they advocated more soldiers to fight the war. This is worrisome of all of us. For the Americans, intrusion onto Pakistani soil is not an issue. It’s more an issue of when, not if. In one of his trademark speeches, however, Prime Minister Gilani has assured us that no one will be allowed onto Pakistani soil and our sovereignty will remain intact. Long live America. God bless Pakistan. Wise men have asked their families to move out of the border areas. Many of these families are ending up in Karachi and such is the influx that the MQM feels that the movement may alter their vote bank in some areas. The MQM is warning of the Talibanization of Karachi. One wonders what is happening in the rest of Pakistan. The militants too are in a mood for a fight. After storming a fort in Hangu, they are now engaging our forces in different areas. Baitullah Mehsud has also given the NWFP government a deadline to step down or else face an armed movement from the militants. The militants say that the government violated the agreement. The government says it’s the other way round. Who do we believe? The bottom line is that people are afraid and nervous. Things are going from bad to worse. In all this, our jetsetting leaders feel that there are other issues to focus on. We are expecting another round of talks between Mian Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, once again outside Pakistan. The two leaders are spending more time abroad than they are in the country. Why are they so eager to leave? Mr Sharif promises that this will be the deciding round. One can only hope so. We need to focus on more important issues like law and order as well as the economy. It seems these are not a priority of the Peoples’ government. Meanwhile the costs of keeping our elected representatives happy continue to increase. The diversion of the prime minister’s plane from Kuala Lumpur (where he went to attend the D-8 summit) to Dubai iInstead of landing at Islamabad cost the tax-payer more than Rs10 million. The plane was diverted, according to a report, because the prime minister had to attend a party meeting. We are also told that four persons of the ruling coalition alliance enjoy VVIP protocol at our expense. The president also enjoys this protocol. But with the Peoples’ government in place, the four “blessed” people are the prime minister himself, Mr Nawaz Sharif, Mr Asif Zardari and the de-facto interior minister Rehman Malik. This includes hundreds of police personnel as well as vehicles that are bullet proof and bomb proof and are imported for millions of rupees. The VVIP protocol also means that when these personages are in some town or city, roads are blocked and traffic is stopped so that they can pass through. Most Pakistanis wonder whether it is worth it. One can only wonder what the priorities of this government are. The Sindh chief minister seems to have all the time to dress up for diplomatic receptions but cannot find time to address the real problems that plague the province he governs. We are told that the ‘new jiyalas’ are now running the show in the province. Instead of focusing on the economy, the government seems more intent on ousting President Musharraf – we are not even sure if that is true. However, Mr Zardari also wants Mr Sharif to come along with him to the US to talk to American officials. Together they are expected to convince the Americans why the president has to go. But Mr Sharif doesn’t seem to be playing along – President Musharraf may yet survive. The battle rages between America’s strategic interests, as defined by its presidential election and Pakistan’s assumed sovereignty. While it will be unpatriotic to speculate on who will win, it would be in order to try and ascertain the implications of the moves that are being planned and thought over. President Bush has called Pakistan an “all-weather friend”. For our government, the priority should be the Pakistani electorate, not American voters. We are hopeful that after so many wrongs, our elected representatives get some things right. It is a hope, but then that is what we have been living on for so many years. Why not for a few months more?

A Marshall plan for FATA

Monday, July 21, 2008 Ayaz Wazir The new government has announced major reforms in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan. The prime minister made the historic announcement of abolishing the draconian Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) in his inaugural speech and his administration is now planning the nitty-gritty of reforms in the areas. The FCR and the legal and governance regime it perpetuate are the biggest hurdle in the way of progress and prosperity in the Tribal Areas. It kept FATA backward in the past six decades of our independence. With a population of nearly seven million, the Tribal Areas form a 27, 220 sq. kilometre arch along the Afghan border. This region, was divided by the British Raj and subsequent Pakistani governments into somewhat artificial seven units called agencies and the adjoining Frontier Regions. Each tribal agency is headed by an administrative officer called the political agent who represents the central government in Islamabad and its regional representative – the governor NWFP. Though some line agencies under the NWFP government provide services to FATA, it has no authority or say in the affairs of these regions. The political agents have absolute powers with little checks and balances. They are not public servants rather they have a master-slave relationship with the local tribesmen. All of the political agent’s powers stems from the FCR, which makes him the local administrator, judge, jury, police chief and head of all service delivery institutions. To elaborate his absolute authority let’s look into a few specific examples. The political agent can arrest any one under his jurisdictions for three years without assigning any reason. The period can be extended for as long as he wishes. It cannot be challenged in any Pakistani courts of law. Under sections 20 and 21 of the FCR, the political agent can put behind bars the entire tribes and seize, confiscate or demolish their properties. The PA often engages in invoking the collective tribal and territorial responsibility to punish the whole tribe or community for the crimes of an individual. The part of establishment and bureaucracy that benefits from the governance regime in the Tribal Areas has also perpetuated a lot of negative myths and propaganda about these regions and its inhabitants. For instance, an impression has been created that the tribal area is inaccessible and its people are difficult to govern. Nothing can be further from truth. This region is home to historic passes that connected the Subcontinent and Central Asia for thousands of years. Poverty and other circumstances in the tribal areas have forced its people to become on of the most mobile communities in Pakistan. Today thousands of tribal families are living in the urban centres of NWFP and other major cities, which testify to the fact that they want a peaceful emancipated existence like other citizens of the land. The current security situation in FATA is the result of complex regional and international geo-politics. In fact, tribesmen are the worst victims of the prevailing situation in their homeland. The Pashtun society in the tribal areas is inherently egalitarian and thus best suited for practicing modern representative democracy. One of the first political reforms in the Tribal Areas will be to extend the Political Parties Act to FATA. This is perhaps the only region in the world where people have adult franchise but political parties are banned. As the bureaucracy in Peshawar and Islamabad is one of the biggest hurdles in bringing meaningful reforms to the Tribal Areas, this should be thoroughly streamlined and reoriented to be the true servants of the tribesmen. Some past and present bureaucrats are too attached to the colonial notions of keeping FATA in the dark ages. They need to learn lessons from the mess they have created and have a mercy on the impoverished tribesmen. The basic concern of the new system should be the welfare of the border tribes rather than serving some misguided notions of grandeur strategic designs. Tribesmen deserve all the rights and privileges guaranteed by the constitution. However, it is highly unlikely that any political reforms will succeed without a compatible economic package. In reality, FATA needs something on the scale of Marshall Plan to be implemented on urgent basis. If our government can get it right, reforms and development in FATA will not only transform Pakistan but the entire South and Central Asian region.

OPINION

Son of a lion Monday, July 21, 2008 Australian filmmaker Benjamin Gilmour’s debut movie, Son of a Lion, tells the story of a young Pashtun boy who wants to escape working in his father’s weapons workshop and go to school. Gilmour speaks to Spiegel Online about his attempt to combat negative stereotypes about the Pashtun people. For most people in the West, Pakistan’s remote tribal region bordering Afghanistan held little interest — until Osama bin Laden and his fellow Al-Qaeda fanatics decided to hole up there. The tough terrain and the Pashtun people’s tribal code of hospitality has provided them with protection ever since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan over six years ago. Australian filmmaker Benjamin Gilmour visited the region before the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and was captivated by the local Pashtun people. Horrified by the post-9/11 negative images of the tribal areas in the Western media, he decided to go back secretly and make a film about the people that showed them in their true light. He and his local assistant director managed to shoot a story about a young 11-year-old boy who dreams of escaping his father’s weapons workshop and going to school. The simple story, which was co-written by the local people in the village of Darra Adam Khel, is a delicate portrait of a father-and-son relationship, which portrays the local people as well-informed about politics and far from supporters of the Taliban. Q: Your film is set in the tribal region of Pakistan, near the Afghan border. How did you first discover this area? Benjamin Gilmour: I was travelling in India and realized we were very close to Pakistan. We ended up in Peshawar near the Afghan border. From the moment we were in Pakistan it captured our imaginations. A lot of the villages felt like they hadn’t changed in 2,000 years. I just thought it was really romantic. Q: And how did you end up in Darra Adam Khel? BG: We heard about this village that was solely concerned with making weapons. We managed to get permits — this was back August 2001 and you could still go there. Q: Your film tells the story of a young boy who wants to escape the weapons workshop run by his father and go to school. Where did you come up with this plot? BG: We saw how the young boys in the village were involved in the weaponry industry. There were Afghan refugee boys who were catching the hot shells that were expelled from guns, it was not just a game for them but they would receive one rupee for every shell so that was a way they could make money for their families at the expense of their education. And we also saw little kids as young as five or six working in the workshops. Q: At the time you were working as a paramedic in Sydney. How did you turn to filmmaking? BG: I was burned out after seven years working as a paramedic, and went to London and started working on a film unit. I was even a medic for Sharon Stone at one stage. I was watching all the units and started hanging around with the camera unit and was asking them questions. I guess it was the old way people used to learn before film school. Q: And when did you started thinking about making a film about Pakistan? BG: I read in the papers about terrorism and these turbaned AK47-wielding tribesmen in Afghanistan and Pakistan. I thought, I have to share my true experience of these people and what the Pashtuns are really like. Q: So what are they really like? BG: They were being depicted as terrorists and, yes, the majority of the Taliban are Pashtun but the majority of the Pashtun are not Taliban. And unfortunately that wasn’t coming across in the media. That was really disturbing because I found Pashtuns to be incredibly wonderful, generous, hospitable, kind, peace-loving people. Q: How did you manage to film in Darra? BG: I made some friends in Lahore, and they knew someone who knew someone who knew someone who lived in Darra. That’s how I ended up there. I think that the initial shoot was for eight months, and six months of that time was spent building relationships, being a guest in people’s homes. Q: How did you manage to stay in the tribal areas? BG: I grew a beard. In Pashtun areas I could blend in because they have pale skin and blue and green eyes. I observed how they walked and some Pashtun friends showed me how to walk and said I should spit and act rough and eat with my hands. Q: How did you get in? BG: There were numerous roadblocks and I had no permits. There was no way they would issue permits to foreign filmmakers or to journalists — even Pakistani journalists can’t get into the tribal areas. It’s very, very sensitive. So I knew I was going to get no help from the authorities, in fact, they would just be obstructive. Q: Why are the Pashtun people protecting the terrorists? BG: The foreign fighters, Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda, know they can get protection because the Pashtun are bound by this strict tribal code. Their principle code is hospitality, and another code that closely follows revenge requires them to give shelter to fugitives. So even though the majority of Pashtuns do not agree with Osama bin Laden’s ideas, they are bound culturally to protect the fighters. And if someone comes looking for them they will fight off the authorities to the death. Q: Do the people in the area fear that the American troops are going to come over from Afghanistan at some stage? BG: I am horrified by the thought of American and NATO troops coming into the tribal areas. You have almost 4 million people, civilians, who carry arms as a way of life. But they could be considered combatants in an instant, depending on who is doing the interpreting. And they would fight to the death. They would hate nothing more than foreign soldiers coming into their area…. I know the Pashtuns, all they want to do is protect their way of life. Americans talk about defending their way of life, Pashtuns are exactly the same. They just want to protect their way of life and their freedom and they will fight.

Peshawar News

Siraj labels premier’s speech as ‘disappointing’ Monday, July 21, 2008 Our correspondent BISHAM: Provincial chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and former senior minister Sirajul Haq Sunday termed the recent speech of the prime minister as ‘disappointing’ and said the government had failed to implement its policies. Addressing to party activists during the two-day ‘Ijtema’ arranged by JI here, Siraj said the incumbent government was pursuing the pro-US policies of President Pervez Musharraf and the military operations in tribal areas were being conducted to please the US. He said the government’s 100-day programme proved to be a failure, as the prices of daily use commodities were surging instead of any relief to the public. No relief in the budget was given to the poor, while 260 people committed suicide because of poverty during the last 100 days, the JI leader maintained. He said the deposed judges were not restored, while the parliament had become a rubber stamp, as all-important decisions were made in Dubai without taking into confidence the coalition partners. He said the unity of all religious parties, including MMA, was very important in the prevailing circumstances, but it was only possible if the JUI kept itself aloof from the incumbent government. He said the problem in Swat and Fata could not be solved through military operations, but through talks. As long as the interference of US continued, there would be instability and lawlessness in the country, he said. He also accused the government of causing crisis of petroleum products, flour and electricity to provide the government ‘cronies’ an opportunity to accumulate money.

Peshawar News

Swabi free of bird flu, say officials Monday, July 21, 2008 Our correspondent SWABI: Swabi district is free of bird flu and a report in this regard has been sent to the authorities concerned, the high-ups of Livestock and Dairy Development Department said while talking to ‘The News’ here. When contacted by phone, District Livestock Officer (DLO) Dr Miraj Muhammad said he had sent a letter to the officials after his field visits and confirmation from different sources. “We declared the district free of the bird flu,” he added. However, he said he could not make an official announcement because all the records were in possession of Dr Ibrahim, his predecessor, and he would make an announcement in this regard. However, the sources in the livestock department said Dr Ibrahim had not taken the whole record and all the required documents about the bird flu were in the livestock files. When contacted Zabihullah Bacha, president Swabi Poultry Association (SPA), said the District Livestock Officer had told them that an official announcement would be made within next three days. He said the sitting District Livestock Officer should make the official announcement and after the transfer of Dr Ibrahim he no longer had any concern with the district livestock affairs. Meanwhile, the social circles have demanded of the officials of National Programme for Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza, district livestock department and district government to immediately clarify the situation. It may be mentioned that officials of district livestock department and World Health Organisation World Helth Organisation had culled 1,700 birds at Hamid Poultry Farm at Tordher when H5NI strain was detected in the district in June. However, SPA had rejected the District Livestock Officer and World Helth Organisation officials’ claim and accused them of hatching conspiracy to destroy the business in the area.

Peshawar News

Govt failed to deliver, says Sajid Mir Monday, July 21, 2008 Bureau report PESHAWAR: The government has failed to honour the mandate given by the electorate in the February 18 general elections and the country’s sovereignty has been put at stake due to wrong policies of the rulers, said Senator Prof Sajid Mir, chief of the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith (MJAH). Addressing a press conference here Sunday, the senator said people had given a clear mandate to the present government for maintenance of peace, eradication of poverty, controlling price-hike and reducing unemployment, and above all, safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, but unfortunately, none of these problems were solved but rather intensified. The government’s 100-day performance was disappointing as the incumbent rulers were following the polices of President Musharraf and dictates of the United States, he added. The MJAH chief said the mandate was for throwing Gen (R) Musharraf and his cronies out of power and defying the US dictates, but the frequent visits of American officials to Pakistan was nothing more than rubbing salt into the wounds of the nation. He alleged the country’s sovereignty was at stake as foreign interference could not be stopped, innocent people were being bombed in both tribal and settled areas and Nato forces were violating Pakistan airspace regularly in the so-called pursuit of al-Qaeda and Taliban. Expressing concern over the worsening law and order situation, sky-rocketing price-hike and energy crisis, Sajid said it was ironic that the prices of gas were increased and electricity load-shedding had made life miserable for the people despite the fact that both were being produced and not imported like petroleum products. “The present leadership’s statements on Kashmir are also disappointing,” he noted. Flanked by former MPA Zakir Shah, provincial general secretary of the Jamiat, Maulana Fazlur Rahman Madani and others, Prof Sajid Mir welcomed the NWFP government initiative to hold talks with militants for restoration of peace. He said the country was in need of a strong and bold leadership, which does not take dictates and compromise national interests. The MJAH leader suggested an all parties conference to forward recommendations to the government for bringing the country out of crises. “We are not in favour of snap election and provide an excuse to the generals to snatch power from elected government,” he went on to say. Rejecting militancy, he said killing our own people in the name of religion and forcible implementation of Islamic laws was no service to the nation and country, he added.

Peshawar News

Shahbaz welcomes PM’s statement about judges’ return Defends Punjab’s wheat policy; asks NWFP to stop smuggling to Afghanistan Monday, July 21, 2008 Tauseef-ur-Rahman PESHAWAR: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has welcomed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s statement about the restoration of deposed judges and said the restoration would be a gift to the nation. Talking to media persons at the Bilour House, where he had come to offer fateha for the departed soul of the mother of Bilour brothers, Shahbaz said the revival of pre-November 3 judiciary would usher in a new era of the rule of law and make Pakistan strong. He said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was striving hard for the legal community cause and would remain part of the lawyers’ movement till the achievement of the goal. He also hinted at PML-N MNAs rejoining of the federal cabinet if the judges were restored. He said a final decision in this regard would be taken by the party’s chief Mian Nawaz Sharif. To a question, he said, his party’s participation in the lawyers’ movement for the restoration of sacked judges was not aimed at destabilising the government but establishing a stable democratic system in the country. Shahbaz said instead of opting for negotiations and talks, President General (R) Pervez Musharraf always tried to resolve disputes by using force that deteriorated the situation. The Punjab chief minister held that no patriotic person could have sympathies with militants or terrorists but negotiations should be the first priority of the government in resolving issues with any conflicting party as it involved threat to lives of innocent people. He said the use of force should be considered as the last resort. Shahbaz said unless peace was restored in the country, development, provision of basic facilities to masses and foreign investment would remain a far cry. “Foreign investment will come to the country only if peace is restored”, he added. This is how the country could provide a remedy for growing unemployment in the country, he said. Replying to a query, Shahbaz said the Punjab government was currently supplying 6,500 tonnes of flour on daily basis to the NWFP, adding that they would continue to supply the same. He urged the NWFP government to take steps for stopping flour smuggling to Afghanistan. Shahbaz said Mian Nawaz Sharif was out of the country due to the illness of his spouse and he (Shahbaz) would represent the party in the meeting of the coalition partners convened for July 23.

Peshawar News

PHC seeks comments from LG on raise in bus stand taxes Monday, July 21, 2008 Ghulam Dastageer PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought comments from the provincial secretary for Local Government (LG) in a writ petition that challenged the twofold increase in the scheduled taxes on five bus-stands in the provincial metropolis. A division bench of the PHC, comprising Justice Said Maroof Khan and Justice Hamid Farooq Durrani, directed the respondent to furnish comments in the petition before next hearing in the case fixed for July 30. Earlier, another bench of the PHC had also directed the same respondent to submit comments with the court within a fortnight, but he did not comply with the court orders. The bench was hearing a writ petition filed by a transport union leader, Ehsanullah, stating he was an allotee of Bay No-1 at the Peshawar Bus Terminal and running inter-city public transport, “providing best quality air-conditioned bus service to the public.” He said the city district government collected the taxes from the petitioner as per schedule rates. However, the secretary for Local Government on behalf of the NWFP chief secretary issued a notification on June 6, doubling-up all the scheduled taxes on five general bus stands, lying under the jurisdiction of the district government. “Subsequently, re-auction notice on double rate (tax) was published in all the daily newspapers, inviting bids from the contractors,” he added. Interestingly, Ehsanullah said, the Peshawar District Coordination Officer (DCO) issued new tax schedule on June 20 for the transporters before the notification of Local Government secretary. He said being the president of Sarhad Public Transport Legal Action Committee; he issued legal notices to the respondents on June 26. “Resultantly, the auction process on June 28 failed but the respondents decided to run all the bus stands by themselves as per new schedule of double rate,” he added. The petitioner’s counsel, Aminur Rahman, argued that the “impugned” notification of June 23 had no legal effect, which deserved to be declared null and void. He said the district nazim and DCO were neither licensed to interfere into the matters relating to the above mentioned bus stands nor they could run them because under Rule-253 of the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1969 they were supposed to be permitted by the competent authority through license to administer the C-class bus stands and provide facilities as given in Rule-256. Amin further contended that legislation in this regard was governed by Local Government Ordinance, 2001, NWFP and Section 21 of General Clauses Act, 1897, which did not empower the authorities concerned to act in a manner so as to affect the accrued rights of a person. “Section 116 (2) of the Local Government Ordinance, 2001, further protects those rights, stating, “No tax shall be levied without a prior publication of the tax proposal and without inviting and considering public objections”. He said the notification would affect the public at large because the fares of transport were already unbearable for general public due to surge in the prices of petroleum products. “The new schedule (double rate) was issued on June 20 prior to the impugned notification of June 23, which proves the intention of the respondents,” he added. In interim relief, he sought the suspension of the notification and new schedule till a final disposal of the writ petition.

Peshawar News

Imran vows to continue struggle for judges’ return Monday, July 21, 2008 Bureau report PESHAWAR: Expressing concern over poor law and order situation in the country, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan Sunday asked the party workers to continue struggle to bring an end to the ‘unjust system’ in the country. In his telephonic address to the participants of a hunger-strike camp, set up against kidnapping of the party leader Inayatullah Chamkani, bad law and order, price-hike and food and energy crisis, he said the PTI’s struggle for restoration of deposed judges would continue. The nation would soon hear the news of restoration of an independent judiciary, he said. The PTI chief said the kidnapping of PTI Peshawar district vice president Dr Inayatullah Chamkani proved that the government and law enforcing agencies had been failed to provide protection to the citizens. He said July 20, 2007 was a historic day when the Supreme Court judges headed by Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday reinstated Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and hopped the day was not far away when the judiciary would be freed from any influence and sacked judges would be reinstated. The hunger-strike camp that continued for the third consecutive day was attended among others by PTI acting provincial president Iqbal Afridi, district president Hamidul Haq, Zalo Khan, Muhammad Rashid, Fayaz Khalil, Zarin Khan, Dr Ali Haider, Noor Muhammad and Zahidur Rahman.

Islamabad News

What to do in the event of snakebite Monday, July 21, 2008 Shahina Maqbool It is the time of the year when snakebite numbers rise dramatically, making it necessary for both individuals and doctors to refresh their memory of what to do in the event of snakebite. In an e-mail communication with Ian Simpson, international snakebite expert and snakebite adviser to the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMDC), ‘The News’ learnt that the bitten limb should be treated like a fracture. It should be immobilise with clothing or cloth but the wound should neither be tightly tied nor cut, sucked or burnt as such actions can actually prove dangerous. “Immediately get the victim to a hospital and make a note of any signs like drooping eyelids, difficulty in speaking or unusual bleeding on the way and tell the doctor,” Ian advised. The snakebite expert said it is important to keep calm if you or another person is bitten. “Remember that it’s probably a non-venomous species or a dry bite where no venom has entered the system. Most likely, there is nothing to worry about. Tell the victim and reassure them,” he said. When a snakebite victim gets to the hospital, he will remain there for 24 hours so that the doctor can be sure whether the bite requires anti-venom. This is very normal and nothing to worry about. For the doctor, it is important to get the right tools to handle snakebite. “In Pakistan, a supply of 10cm glass test tubes that are new, clean, and dry, are vital. These are inexpensive and allow accurate coagulation tests to be taken by the bedside, which is the key indication if anti-snake venom (ASV) is required in a viper bite. If the blood is still liquid after being undisturbed for 20 minutes, then ASV is required,” Ian disclosed. In cases of cobra or krait bite, if the victim requires ASV, there will be visible signs such as ptosis, difficulty in breathing or speaking and maybe heaviness of the head showing neurological impairment. The key indicators of ASV requirement are incoagulable blood or neurological signs. Just because the snake is believed to be poisonous or there is swelling at the bite site, are not grounds to give ASV, Ian informed. If the bite is from a confirmed saw scale viper, in some parts of Sindh, this is almost certain, then the starting dose of ASV available at the National Institute of Health (NIH) is 4 vials. In all other cases, i.e., unknown envenomation or Indian ASV, the starting dose is 8-10 vials given over 1 hour. “In the case of a viper bite when the initial ASV is complete, wait 6 hours and give another coagulation test, using a new, glass test tube. If the blood is coagulable, no more ASV is required. If the blood is still liquid, repeat the dose and continue with the 6 hourly tests until coagulation is restored,” Ian advised doctors. In cobra and krait bites, once the initial dose of ASV is complete, doctors should wait for 1-2 hours and if the symptoms have worsened i.e. the paralysis has descended further, or if they have not improved, give a second dose. Two doses of ASV will be sufficient to neutralise the venom and now ASV therapy is finished. “The NIH is working to increase the amount of ASV produced but it is still essential that ASV is used effectively and only given to patients who are envenomed, in the correct dosage and stopped when a sufficient amount to neutralise free flowing venom has been given,” Ian said. It is important to remember that cobra and krait victims actually die because they stop breathing! “If you keep them breathing with a resuscitation bag, particularly if helped by improvised nasopharyngeal airways improvised from size 5 rubber endotracheal tubes, the victim will survive,” Ian informed.

Islamabad News

Govt firm to provide welfare to masses: Minister Monday, July 21, 2008 Islamabad Minister for Population Welfare Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd has appreciated the masses’ welfare programmes highlighted by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in his first address to the nation. Talking to APP, he said the government is committed to resolve people’s problems and that these programmes would improve their living standard. Among other projects, he said, the Benazir Income Support Programme, under which each poor family would get Rs1,000 a month, would have long lasting effects in eradicating poverty from society. Moreover, he said, raise in salaries would extend relief to the salaried class and this step would encourage government employees to work with dedication. The minister said the prime minister’s address to the nation was quite encouraging in which he informed the people about the present and future challenges being faced by the country, adding that he had assured people that the government is well aware of their problems and sought their help to pull the country out of crisis.

Islamabad News

Gilani launches monsoon plantation Monday, July 21, 2008 Islamabad Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday launched the Monsoon Plantation Campaign, with the pledge to dedicate the year 2009, to environment and a greener Pakistan. The prime minister kicked off the monsoon plantation campaign by planting a sapling of Araucaria in the lawns of the Prime Minister House here. Later talking to newsmen, he symbolised the sapling with that of the tree of democracy, which grew in the hands of Benazir Bhutto. He said the forest cover, which is five per cent of the surface area of the country will be increased by another one per cent by 2015. The Ministry of Environment will oversee the current plantation campaign. The prime minister appealed to the nation especially school children to fully participate in the monsoon plantation drive to make it a success. He said the government is taking a variety of steps to keep the environment clean and green and bring down pollution levels. A major project will be launching of environment friendly 8000 CNG buses in major cities. The government is also taking up the idea of energy saver bulbs, which will help conserve energy, Gilani added. The prime minister has instructed the Environment Minister to keep the people informed of the government’s policy measures aimed at protection of environment. The government plans to plant 50 million saplings during the current monsoon campaign, which will be a major drive to protect and enhance the country’s forest cover. Speaking on the occasion Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi said the government would lay down a comprehensive forestation policy with a plan to grow trees on one million hectares of the country’s land by 2015. During the current campaign, he said, about five million saplings will be planted on highways, mountaintops, existing forest land and around schools and private and public buildings. The minister said the government plans to put on roads 8,000 environment friendly CNG buses in major cities over the next five years. This green scheme will cut carbon emissions and control the emitting of sulphur content in the atmosphere, he added. He said the government was fully apprised of the issue of illegal cutting of trees and will formulate a strategy in collaboration with provincial governments to enforce laws, which ban causing of damage to forests. Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Kamran Lashari said CDA will embark on a three-year strategy to maintain Islamabad, as a clean and green city.

Islamabad News

CIP to promote democratic values Monday, July 21, 2008 Islamabad In line with promoting democratic values and highlighting important issues of public and national interest, a group of media men has launched an image-building organisation entitled Capital Innovative Promotion (CIP) that would strive for promoting new democratic values in the country. The organisation would conduct research studies and investigation into various issues and problems that would boost democratic order. Having vast experience in media, CIP could come with appropriate solutions by reaching out to the expertise required for a given subject. It is equipped with knowledge to look into the factors leading to various evils gripping the nation and to get to the heart of problem raised by the interested parties. CIP wants the media to be strengthened and highlight politico-economic issues rather than targeting what is superficial and cosmetic. The committed team of highly professionals’ claims has vast experience in lobbying, projection and image building. Such organisation plays instrumental role in promoting democratic values as well as figuring out different social ills in societies.

Islamabad News

Encroachers occupy hospital front Monday, July 21, 2008 Malik Ayub Sumbal Rawalpindi The encroachers have not even spared the footpath in front of the Rawalpindi General Hospital that causes problems for the pedestrians as well as patients. The city government failed to eliminate the illegal encroachers from various parts of the city as these vendors still occupying most of the footpaths and public places. This is also a bus stop and both patients and pedestrians hardly find the space to board on transport causing serious threat to them. “I am sitting here for the last six years and I never thought to get permission for setting up a stall,” Sher Alam, an encroacher told, ‘The News’ Sunday. Akber Ali, a cart vendor said, “People should walk on the road, it’s not illegal, if footpath is the right of pedestrians, then where our right is.” Jan Muhammed, a fruit vendor said, “I had set up the business some eight years ago. However PRO Rawal Town Tahir Khan when contacted said, “the anti-encroachment operations launched many a time but they return to the place soon after the operation. Their carts confiscated time and again but due to unemployment and poverty it is not possible to completely eliminate encroachments,” he added.

Islamabad News

‘Roti’ weight decreased by ‘naanbais’ in twin cities Monday, July 21, 2008 Khalid Iqbal Rawalpindi In order to cover up for their losses due to rising ‘atta’ prices the ‘naanbais’ of the twin cities have decreased the weight of ‘naan’ and ‘roti’ from 110 grams each to 80 and 70 grams respectively at previous prices of Rs5 and Rs4 each. The step on the part of ‘naanbais’ is a sheer violation of local administration orders. ‘The News’ has learnt that ‘naanbais’ in Pirwadhai, Mukha Singh Estate, Jhangi Syedan, Raja Bazaar, Baghe Sardaran, Chaklala, Scheme III, Gharibabad, Dhamyal Camp, Morgha, Gulshanabad, Afshan Colony in Rawalpindi and G-10 Markaz, Karachi Company, F-6 Sector, F-11 Sector, Ali Pur Frash, Chatta Bakhtawar, Barri Imam and I-8 Sector in Islamabad were selling ‘roti’ and ‘naan’ at Rs4 and Rs5 with decreased weight of 70 to 80 grams. However, they also offer to sell 110 gram ‘roti’ and ‘naan’ at Rs5 and Rs6 each respectably. Rawalpindi-Islamabad ‘Nannbais’ Association General Secretary Khawas Khan Jadoon told ‘The News’ said the government increased the prices of ‘atta’ time and again however the price of ‘roti’ and ‘naan’ has been increased only once. “During the negotiations, the district government did not fix the weight of a ‘roti’, but only fixed the weight of ‘naan’ at 110 grams. The district government allowed us to reduce the weight of ‘roti’ from 110 grams to 70 grams and sell it at Rs4, which we are doing,” he added. He said how could ‘naanbais’ bear the loss, but all ‘naanbais’ should sell a ‘naan’ of 110grams at Rs5 instead of decreasing its weight. City administration should impose fine on those who were violating the regulations in this regard, he added. The District Coordination Officer (DCO) Jamal Mustafa told ‘The News’ that all ‘naanbais’ were bound to sell a ‘roti’ of 110grams rather than 70grams at Rs4 and a ‘naan’ of 110grams rather than 80grams at Rs5. If they don’t follow the rules and regulations, they would face strict action, he added. Rafiq Ahmed Saddique, a doctor told ‘The News’ that city administration should take strict action against ‘naanbais’ selling a ‘roti’ and a ‘naan’ with reduced weight. He said due toreduced weight the ‘roti’ becomes dry and is not easily consumable.

kARACHI NEWS

Major reshuffle in Sindh police Monday, July 21, 2008 By our correspondent Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Karachi Waseem Ahmed transferred and posted 10 Superintendents of Police (SPs) on late Saturday night with immediate effect. Sources said that, after posting as the CCPO Karachi, Ahmed had made initiated a major reshuffle in the city police in various zones of Investigation. The transferred officers were SSP Shahid Hayat Khan, SSP Investigation South Zone, who was transferred and posted as SSP Investigation-I (Clifton, Lyari and Keamari Towns), SSP Niaz Ahmed Khooso, awaiting posting, was transferred and posted as SSP Investigation South Zone (Saddar & Jamshed Towns). Another major reshuffle was made at the post of SSP Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) as SSP Khuram Waris, was transferred and posted as SSP Investigation-I, West Zone (Baldia and North Nazimabad), SP Fayaz Ahmed Qureshi of Liaquatabad Town was posted as SP Investigation-II West (Liaquatabad, Gulberg and New Karachi Towns). SSP Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, awaiting posting, is posted as SSP Investigation-I, East Zone (Shah Faisal, Gulshan and Gadap Towns), SSP Khamiso Khan Memon was posted as SSP Investigation-II East Zone (Landhi and Bin Qasim Towns), SP Amin Yousufzai is posted as SP ACLC. SP Amir Farooqi, awaiting posting, was posted as SP Liaquatabad Town vice SP Fayyaz Ahmed Qureshi; Lt Maqsood Ahmed, awaiting posting, is posted as SSP Security Karachi; SP Abdul Hameed Khooso, awaiting posting, was posted as ADIGP West Zone against an existing vacancy.

kARACHI NEWS

Need for trauma centres stressed Monday, July 21, 2008 By our correspondent In order to meet any eventuality in the city and to cater to road accidents on highways, there is an urgent need for more trauma centres and to make them more effective, said Sindh Minister for Health, Dr Saghir Ahmed. Chairing a meeting at his office to assess progress of construction of trauma centres at public hospitals, the minister instructed to expedite construction work of trauma centres at Sindh Government Hospital Qatar (SGHQ), Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and government hospitals in Korangi and Liaquatabad respectively. Additional Secretary Development, Dr Sri Chand; Medical Superintendent (MS) Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), Dr Saeed Qurashy; MS SGHQ, Dr Saif; MS Sindh Government Hospital Korangi, Dr Aga; Deputy Medical Superintendent Sindh Government Hospital Liaquatabad, Dr Khalid Jamil; Dr Jamal, Dr Capt (retd) Abdul Majid and others attended the meeting, the government spokesman said on Sunday. Later, in a meeting with senior officials of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), the minister asked the power utility to install a PMT at the trauma centres and ensure power supply there so that the same could be opened for public soon. He said if the trauma centres were constructed, at present they could not be made functional because of lack of electricity supply. He asked the power utility officials to ensure electricity at the centres on priority basis in interest of public.

kARACHI NEWS

Kamal appeals for release of withheld funds Monday, July 21, 2008 By our correspondent Karachi Karachi Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has appealed to the provincial and federal governments to release the withheld funds for the ongoing development projects of city government. He said that the journey of development should not suffer due to the non-availability of funds, as the city happens to be the backbone of national economy. Talking to media after the opening of the second level of Nagan Chowrangi flyover late Saturday night, the city Nazim said that this was the most important project of the second signal-free corridor, involving a cost of Rs0.650 million. One level of the Nagan Chowrangi flyover has already been opened for traffic and the second level will now be opened up between Sohrab Goth and Surjani. He said that the flyover’s loop towards Anda Morr will be completed by August 14. The Nazim said that the city government was presently facing a shortfall of nearly Rs 3 billion. He, however, added that this deficit would be overcome by curtailing non-development expenditures like petrol, diesel and other perks. He said that the Nagan Chowrangi and Gulshan Chowrangi flyover projects were funded by federal government and added that the city government was carrying out the works under bridge-financing to avoid any delay in their completion. “Despite having limited resources, we have continued the work on the projects funded by provincial and federal governments under bridge-financing. Had we not carried on these projects, the cost of material would have increased many times, causing great loss to the national exchequer,” he added. Congratulating the citizens on the occasion, Kamal expressed satisfaction over the fact that the traffic flow was not hampered during the construction of the two levels of the Nagan Chowrangi flyover, adding that the opening of the second level would provide more ease in carrying out the remaining work beneath and around the flyover. “The construction of arteries beneath the flyover and the storm water drains will also be completed at the earliest and the whole area would be made beautiful,” he said. The Nazim told the media that a big drain (Nullah) was under construction at this site which would help drain out water during rains. With the construction of important flyovers, the Signal Free Corridor-II is nearing completion and the other works on this corridor will also be completed by August 14, he declared.

kARACHI NEWS

Need for trauma centres stressed Monday, July 21, 2008 By our correspondent In order to meet any eventuality in the city and to cater to road accidents on highways, there is an urgent need for more trauma centres and to make them more effective, said Sindh Minister for Health, Dr Saghir Ahmed. Chairing a meeting at his office to assess progress of construction of trauma centres at public hospitals, the minister instructed to expedite construction work of trauma centres at Sindh Government Hospital Qatar (SGHQ), Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) and government hospitals in Korangi and Liaquatabad respectively. Additional Secretary Development, Dr Sri Chand; Medical Superintendent (MS) Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), Dr Saeed Qurashy; MS SGHQ, Dr Saif; MS Sindh Government Hospital Korangi, Dr Aga; Deputy Medical Superintendent Sindh Government Hospital Liaquatabad, Dr Khalid Jamil; Dr Jamal, Dr Capt (retd) Abdul Majid and others attended the meeting, the government spokesman said on Sunday. Later, in a meeting with senior officials of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), the minister asked the power utility to install a PMT at the trauma centres and ensure power supply there so that the same could be opened for public soon. He said if the trauma centres were constructed, at present they could not be made functional because of lack of electricity supply. He asked the power utility officials to ensure electricity at the centres on priority basis in interest of public.

kARACHI NEWS

Ramchand Pakistani received well at premiere Monday, July 21, 2008 By our correspondent Karachi The much-awaited feature film, Ramchand Pakistani, written and produced by Javed Jabbar and directed by Mehreen Jabbar, premiered in Karachi on Sunday evening at the Finance and Trade Centre (FT) in a grand ceremony. The true story of a Thari Hindu Dalit family, living near the Pakistan-India border, who were separated when the father Shankar, played by Rashid Farooqi, and his son Ramchand crossed over to India by mistake and were detained for over five years on charges of espionage. Following the premier, Javed Jabbar, thanked all the crew, the cast, the financiers and the supporters who placed their trust in the production. He revealed that, for the first time, the Indian government had allowed a producer and a director to visit Indian jails and then recreate them in Karachi. Mehreen Jabbar also thanked all the crew and cast. The superstar presence of the evening was that of Indian actress Nandita Das, who also stars in the movie. She said that, though the film was not a revolution, it was a step in the right direction. The Karachi premiere of the film saw a host of artistes. Some of the people who voiced their opinions found the film good by and large. Rehan, an ACCA student, said that, “it’s not really spectacular but good enough to go to the cinema to watch it”. Khuzdar said that a different story had been presented in a very bold manner. Zubeida Kidwai thought that, of all the cast, Nandita stood out with her poignant acting, and her emotional arsenal. The Managing Director of Nishat Cinema said that the film was good and that his cinema would now contemplate putting it up once it was officially released on August 1.

kARACHI NEWS

Unchecked Rehman Dakait takes over Lyari Monday, July 21, 2008 By our correspondent Karachi After the mysterious escape of Arshad Papu’s commander Ghaffar Zikri from Lyari, the accomplices of Rehman Dakait have captured the entire town and started collecting protection money from area vendors and traders. Besides this, another gang of outlaws has become active in Lyari, going by the name of, ‘Qadar group.’ According to sources, after the fleeing of Zikri and his men from Edu Lane, Ali Mohammed Mohallah and Zikri Para, Rehman Dakait has assigned various areas of Lyari to his close aides to collect extortion and to supply drugs. Rehman’s close aide Uzair has been assigned the areas of Miran Naka and Singo Lane, while Jabbar Langra, aided by Mohammed Deen, is operating in Phool Pati Lane, Haji Bachal Road and Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road. The previous areas of Zikri (Edu Lane and Ali Mohammed Mohallah) have been given to Shahid and Shakeel, alias MCB, while Kamran Pathan and Shahzad Charlie are operating in Maulvi Usman Park and Gul Mohammed Lane. The areas of Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road and Dubai Chowk have been assigned to the second commander of Rehman Dakait, the notorious Noor Mohammed alias Baba Ladla. Abdul Jabbar alias Jeango is operating at Baghdadi Kambella Stop, Slaughter Yard Road, Shah Baig Lane and D.D. Chaudhry Road. He is also operating in Kalakot Juman Shah Plot, the residential area of Rehman Dakait. The accomplices of Rehman Dakait have threatened traders, vendors and builders that if they refuse to pay the demanded protection money they would have to face dire consequences. According to sources, after Zikri’s escape, another gang known as ‘Qadar group’ has appeared on the scene. The group is being led by Qadar Mandra who hails from the Hub Chowki area. The gang comprises 10 to 15 outlaws, but do not posses any big weapons. The Qadar group is operating in the Miraan Naka, Gabool Park and Saeedabad areas of Lyari and has been threatening shopkeepers and traders with dire consequences in case of non-payment of protection money. In one such instance, the group sent an extortion “slip” to Athar, a junk dealer who is running his business on Mirza Adam Khan Road. Following Athar’s refusal to pay extortion money, Qadar, along with his 10 accomplices, attacked Athar’s shop, situated in Chakiwara police area, and started beating him. In the meantime, the police reached the spot and conducted a raid. However, Qadar and his gangsters managed to slip away. It may be noted here that huge contingents of Rangers and police have been conducting an operation against Lyari gangsters Rehman Dakait and Ghaffar Zikri. However, they are yet to show any major arrest or recovery from the area.

kARACHI NEWS

Unchecked Rehman Dakait takes over Lyari Monday, July 21, 2008 By our correspondent Karachi After the mysterious escape of Arshad Papu’s commander Ghaffar Zikri from Lyari, the accomplices of Rehman Dakait have captured the entire town and started collecting protection money from area vendors and traders. Besides this, another gang of outlaws has become active in Lyari, going by the name of, ‘Qadar group.’ According to sources, after the fleeing of Zikri and his men from Edu Lane, Ali Mohammed Mohallah and Zikri Para, Rehman Dakait has assigned various areas of Lyari to his close aides to collect extortion and to supply drugs. Rehman’s close aide Uzair has been assigned the areas of Miran Naka and Singo Lane, while Jabbar Langra, aided by Mohammed Deen, is operating in Phool Pati Lane, Haji Bachal Road and Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road. The previous areas of Zikri (Edu Lane and Ali Mohammed Mohallah) have been given to Shahid and Shakeel, alias MCB, while Kamran Pathan and Shahzad Charlie are operating in Maulvi Usman Park and Gul Mohammed Lane. The areas of Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road and Dubai Chowk have been assigned to the second commander of Rehman Dakait, the notorious Noor Mohammed alias Baba Ladla. Abdul Jabbar alias Jeango is operating at Baghdadi Kambella Stop, Slaughter Yard Road, Shah Baig Lane and D.D. Chaudhry Road. He is also operating in Kalakot Juman Shah Plot, the residential area of Rehman Dakait. The accomplices of Rehman Dakait have threatened traders, vendors and builders that if they refuse to pay the demanded protection money they would have to face dire consequences. According to sources, after Zikri’s escape, another gang known as ‘Qadar group’ has appeared on the scene. The group is being led by Qadar Mandra who hails from the Hub Chowki area. The gang comprises 10 to 15 outlaws, but do not posses any big weapons. The Qadar group is operating in the Miraan Naka, Gabool Park and Saeedabad areas of Lyari and has been threatening shopkeepers and traders with dire consequences in case of non-payment of protection money. In one such instance, the group sent an extortion “slip” to Athar, a junk dealer who is running his business on Mirza Adam Khan Road. Following Athar’s refusal to pay extortion money, Qadar, along with his 10 accomplices, attacked Athar’s shop, situated in Chakiwara police area, and started beating him. In the meantime, the police reached the spot and conducted a raid. However, Qadar and his gangsters managed to slip away. It may be noted here that huge contingents of Rangers and police have been conducting an operation against Lyari gangsters Rehman Dakait and Ghaffar Zikri. However, they are yet to show any major arrest or recovery from the area.

kARACHI NEWS

Answer-sheets, marks on sale at BIEK Following a tip about the ongoing corruption at the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK), The News followed up with a month-long investigation to delve into the operational structure of this corruption and expose the culprits behind the act. Monday, July 21, 2008 By Farooq Baloch Karachi In a practice that has put the very credibility of the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) at stake, a chain of employees, including higher officials of the board, have not only been selling marks to candidates, but actually retailing already-submitted examination booklets that are yet to be marked. During a month long investigation, The News had reliably learnt, and thereinafter confirmed, that candidates can purchase their already-submitted examination copies from the BIEK, take the booklet home, and then add to or rewrite their paper to heart's content. The copy can then be submitted back to the board for marking. This opportunity is being availed by thousands of candidates vying to either score higher to get admission into top colleges or those wanting to merely pass their examinations. Following a hint about the ongoing corruption, The News followed up with a month long investigation to delve into the operational structure of this corruption and expose the culprits behind the act. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that a candidate can buy an examination's answer booklet from particular employees of the board or their agents for at least Rs10,000 (per exam), if not more than that, and keep it for at least 24 hours. However, those buying answer-booklets through agents and other sources are paying Rs20,000 or more. The most expensive answer-sheets are of the science group followed by commerce, while copies of the arts group go for the lowest. If one is not satisfied with this option, there are plenty of other choices. The more a candidate pays, the better the opportunities they can avail. For example, if one wants a totally blank copy to rewrite the entire paper, it costs some Rs4,000 to Rs5,000 in addition to the Rs10,000 price of the original copy. In the case of purchasing a blank copy, the candidate is issued the original copy that he or she had submitted to the invigilator in examination hall and a blank copy without any serial number. Obviously, the blank copy has no signature of invigilator nor does it have the stamp of examination centre. Nonetheless, the candidate rewrites his paper, submits the fresh answer sheet, now completely filled in, to the board. The officials involved in this practice then add the serial number (as on the original copy) on the new sheet, and also take the responsibility of putting the examination centre's stamp and the invigilator's signature. This is how a blank answer-sheet is made into an original one while the original copy, submitted during the time of examination, can be disposed of by the candidate. To make sure there can be no denials by the corrupt officials of the board later, The News went through the process undercover and purchased an answer-sheet of an examination of the Arts Group against a payment of Rs20,000. The images are reproduced as evidence. This practice, it must be stressed, is happening in all sections - Science, Arts and Commerce, both part 1 and part 2, and private and regular exams. People in this chain have earned millions of rupees in this session alone. The BIEK is able to indulge in this practice because once the invigilators collect the answer-sheets from students after the exam, they are sent to the board office. The answer-sheets are kept within the section they belong to and from there the dealing starts. For the next three or four days, answer-sheets are sold to the candidates and then recollected by the board. Afterwards, a codifier encodes these answer-sheets and the right side of the front page, which displays things like serial number and examination centre, is torn and a code number is given to the copy which is sent to checkers. The retailing of already submitted answer-sheets is not the only form of revenue for this chain. High-ups are also providing students with the opportunity to simply buy marks in particular subjects directly. The cost of this option is, obviously higher. For example, if one wants 90 out of 100 in mathematics, he can pay Rs25,000 to get it. During the investigation it was also disclosed that students who have missed out on this opportunity can purchase marks via submitting a 'scrutiny form' once the result is announced. This option can be utilised to secure positions that the candidate may have missed out on narrowly. This malpractice continues unchecked, there is a very high probability that incompetent and financially sound students will get good percentage and secure their seats in top engineering and medical colleges. If this happens, it will deprive a large number of deserving and talented students from getting admissions in the colleges of their choice. Most of these copies have been bought by sons of government officials, a source in the BIEK said, adding that, in some cases, a single candidate has bought the answer-sheets for all the examinations he or she has appeared in. Sources also revealed that a large number of copies that were sold were bought by sons and relatives of government officials and other influential persons. Giving an example, the source said that, in one case, the son of a government employee paid more than Rs0.1 million and bought the answer-sheets of all five subjects he appeared in. A source also revealed that at least 500 copies were being sold per day during the science group examinations this year. The process Karachi During the investigation, a well-informed source, who pleaded anonymity, told The News that the entire payment is collected by one ‘Asif,’ a member of BIEK employees union. “Asif hands over the payment to Imran Chishti, Deputy Secretary, BIEK,” the source said, adding, “Chishti is the front man of Chairman BIEK, Anwar Ahmed Zai.” The source further said that Chishti then distributes the payment according to the following formula: • Rs5,000 per copy goes to BIEK Chairman • Rs2,000 per copy goes to section (E.g., pre-engineering, pre- medical, commerce etc) to which the copy belongs and is equally distributed among staff members involved • Rs1,000 per copy goes to the head of that section • Rs2,000 per copy goes to the employees union Asif, an Upper Division Clerk (UDC) and a member of employees union of BIEK, who plays an important role in collecting the money from candidates, has been given a government vehicle with number plate GL 7262 even though he is not entitled to such a facility. —FB It’s not possible: Chairman BIEK Karachi When contacted, Chairman BIEK rubbished the allegations of corruption saying: “There is absolutely no possibility of that since we have a centralised assessment system which is being supervised by the controller examination.” Asked if someone from the board is involved in selling out copies to the candidates, Zai said, “The copies are sealed and sent to the two centres for centralised assessment and in between that no one opens the seal.” Asked if they have some kind of vigilance team or committee to monitor any irregularities, he said, “There is no need of a team since the kind of mechanism we have is very organised.” He emphasised, repeatedly, that there was no such process taking place, and that the notion that answer-sheets are being sold is nothing but a rumour. —FB

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Army officer among eight killed in held Kashmir Monday, July 21, 2008 HELD SRINAGAR: Two Indian soldiers, including an officer, and four suspected militants were killed in separate gun battles in held Kashmir, while two others died in a grenade attack, the army said on Sunday. The two soldiers died in a fire fight with militants in Rajouri area, a day after nine Indian troops were killed in a landmine blast near Srinagar.

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Seven die as Taliban attack Afghan oil tanker Monday, July 21, 2008 JALALABAD: Gunmen attacked an oil tanker in Laghman province while it was travelling from Jalalabad to Kabul on Sunday. The tanker burst into flames after the attack. The fire also engulfed a minivan. The tanker driver and six people in the minivan were killed, provincial spokesman Abdul Wakil Atak said, blaming the attack on Taliban, who, he said, were attacking vehicles transporting oil and other supplies to the international soldiers in Afghanistan via Pakistan.

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Pakistan, India talks today Monday, July 21, 2008 NEW DELHI: The fifth round of the composite dialogues between Pakistan and India on foreign secretaries level will be held today (Monday). Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir will represent Pakistan while Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon will represent India in the talks. The talks, to be held at the Hyderabad House, will discuss the confidence building measures (CBMs) and the Kashmir issue. The two sides will focus on the options for the peaceful resolution of the issues. Besides, tangible measures for the promotion of bilateral co-operation, boosting trade, and matters relating to traditional and nuclear weapons will be reviewed. The Working Group's decisions taken in a meeting recently held in Islamabad will also be announced. It should be added that the duration of talks has been reduced to one day from the schedule two days.

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Operation extended to Kurram Monday, July 21, 2008 By Javed Aziz Khan & Saiful Islam PESHAWAR/HANGU: The security forces extended the Hangu operation to the tribal Kurram Agency after killing five more militants and rounding up 60 suspects during a door-to-door search on Sunday as the death toll in the action reached 20. Fierce clashes broke out between militants and the security forces when over a hundred armed men attacked a post of the Frontier Constabulary in Tora Warai, housing around 30 law-enforcers. The clashes continued for several hours after which the invaders escaped. Cobra helicopters and artillery continued shelling the hideouts of militants in Tora Warai and surrounding areas, destroying a number of targets. Curfew was relaxed in Hangu city from 7am to 11am and entry of vehicles to the district was allowed. Doaba town also remained under curfew. Army choppers and artillery advanced to the Kurram Agency while chasing the fleeing militants. Shells were fired at different parts of Ghardana, Dogar, Marghan, Tando, Mazdina and other areas of the agency. A private vehicle also came under attack in Mazdina, where two passengers sustained injuries. Three more persons were injured in shelling in other areas. Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas said the forces were targeting mountains in the Kurram Agency where fleeing militants had taken shelter. “So far 15 extremists have been killed during the operation and 60 nabbed. Five security personnel have sustained injuries in the clashes,” the ISPR chief said. The Hangu district, located 70 kilometres south of Peshawar, is surrounded by North Waziristan, Orakzai and Kurram agencies where clerics have strongholds. Militants frequently move into the district from all these tribal areas and escape to their native towns before police could take action against them. Military operation is continuing in Hangu district since last Wednesday. So far the authorities have cleared Naryab, Doaba, Kaga, Shnawarai, Zargari and other areas of militants and troops are advancing to establish the writ of the state in the entire district. The Pakistan Army claimed to have taken control of most of the areas in Hangu. The provincial government has predicted the operation would end within a couple of days once the objectives were achieved. An ISPR press release issued in Rawalpindi on Sunday, meanwhile, said fierce fighting between FC troops and militants left at least five militants killed and six of their vehicles destroyed the night between Saturday and Sunday at Tora Warai fort near Doaba. The FC officer concerned sought army reinforcements, which were immediately provided. Army troops engaged the militants and destroyed six vehicles of the fleeing militants. Reportedly, 20 militants were also injured in the engagement.

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Govt more anti-judiciary than Musharraf, says Ramday Monday, July 21, 2008 News Desk LAHORE: Deposed judge Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday finds the democratically-elected government more hostile towards the judiciary than President Pervez Musharraf. In his first-ever interview, with Geo TV’s Absar Alam, Ramday said that the then army chief and President Pervez Musharraf felt compelled to impose “martial law” and do away with some 60 judges only to continue in the presidency, but the democratically-elected government of the day had gone farther than that — it wanted to cut the constitutional powers of the judiciary. He said he rejected the offers and pressure while hearing the deposed CJ case. When asked how he refused to take huge sums of money as bribe and offer to make his son a federal minister, he said what was the guarantee that he would have survived to enjoy Rs 1 billion or his son would have survived to enjoy the ministerial status. He said he never regretted the decision he gave as the judge. Ramday wondered what the status of the deposed judges was. The then army chief said the judges were gone while the present government told them they were in service, but where they are actually, he asked. He said the present Supreme Court and its judges had no status as it lacked parliamentary validation. He categorically stated that it was martial law, not emergency, that Gen Musharraf imposed on November 3, 2007 as it was in no way different from what he did in 1999 or Gen Ziaul Haq in 1977, as in both the cases the constitution was set aside. During the interview, Ramday spoke of the days when his bench was hearing a petition against the presidential reference against the deposed CJ Iftikhar and the immense pressure he and his fellow judges faced. He said the decision on July 20, 2007 quashing the presidential reference was historic. He recalled the intense chase of the top judges by the secret agency sleuths. He said that when he visited Dubai, Amsterdam and Geneva after July 20, 2007, a special Pakistani intelligence cell was set up at Amsterdam to monitor his activities. He said his relatives who invited him were later harassed by the intelligence officials. Without naming Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum, he said a former colleague and friend phoned him in Amsterdam just to verify his presence there for the authorities for whom he was working. He said he was conveyed by President Pervez Musharraf that he was not behind these acts. He said he could not say whether the pressure on him was put on Musharraf’s orders. He said the CBR has opened the income tax files of his son and then closed them.

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POL prices register sharp increase ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), on the approval of the federal government, on Sunday announced an extraordinary increase in fuel products for the fifth time. According to a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority on late Sunday night, prices of gasoline, high octane, blended fuel, kerosene and high speed diesel were increased by Rs 10.97, Rs 11.25, Rs 8.20, Rs 7.23 and Rs 9.50 per litre respectively. After the hike, new prices of fuel products will be: motor gasoline Rs 86.66; high octane Rs 96.08; kerosene Rs 58.37; and light diesel oil will be available at Rs 56.50. The Ogra had sent a summary to the prime minister and the finance minister, proposing a Rs 10 increase in fuel prices last week. It was said the government was giving 40 per cent subsidy on petroleum products to the masses, therefore, a hike in fuel prices was inevitable. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said the increase in petroleum products was necessary to check the smuggling of petrol and diesel to Iran and Afghanistan. On the other hand, the ministry of interior has taken serious notice of the continuing smuggling of diesel and petrol to Iran and Afghanistan. The ministry has asked chief secretaries, inspectors general of police and inspectors general of the Frontier Corps, the NWFP and Balochistan to take effective measures and stern action against the practice. -Agencies News Desk adds. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani approved the hike in POL prices. Talking to Geo, people at petrol pumps of different cities savaged the increase in fuel prices. They said the current government was expected to alleviate miseries of the common people. However, they deplored, the government had completely failed to arrest the price hike of essential items, making it difficult for the common man to survive.

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Think tank warns US against intervention WASHINGTON: A US think tank has warned Washington against planning an invasion of Pakistan’s tribal areas, fearing such an action would invoke resistance from the Pakistan Army and 165 million people, who would perceive it as an attack on their national sovereignty. “As a consequence, US threats to unleash the military in Pakistan’s tribal areas ... lack credibility and will accomplish little other than to confirm Pakistan’s suspicion about US intentions.” It has also urged Washington to avoid criticising negotiations with militants. These should not be entirely written off because a ceasefire can offer a timely breather for Pakistan’s overstretched Army and other security forces. But Washington should certainly demand explanation (or negotiations) about precisely how specific settlements are likely to benefit the counterinsurgents more than the insurgents, it said. The Council on Foreign Relations’ report titled “Securing Pakistan’s Tribal Belt” states the unilateral US intervention in Pakistan is not a serious option in any case. The US military would find Pakistan’s tribal areas extremely tough going and the primary challenge would come not from the militants or terrorists but from the overwhelming majority of Pakistani people. Daniel Markey, former State Department policy planning member and expert on South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has authored the report. “Washington should clarify its specific preferences for future agreements, including a set of general principles (such as accords should include a transparent mechanism for assessing infractions, action timelines should be announced publicly, tribal signatories must put up real property as collateral etc). The most successful US-Pakistan partnership cannot fix the tribal areas overnight, the report said. This is truly a generational challenge and it must be recognised from the outset. Both Pakistani and American expectations should be appropriately calibrated and institutional investments should be made to reflect the long-term commitment that will be required. Washington’s close association with the recent military regime has convinced many Pakistanis that the US prefers pliant generals over fractious civilians, the report said. The next administration should counter these false perceptions by demonstrating a higher than normal degree of patience and generosity towards civilian leaders. In its recommendations, the report states that Pakistan and the United States should establish a joint Security Coordination Committee and a working level cell based in Islamabad and staffed by military and intelligence officers would support the joint Security Coordination Committee with intelligence sharing, strategies for crisis management and long-range planning. Pakistan’s extremists demonstrate a remarkable capacity to exploit the print and electronic media, undermining public faith in the government and security forces and building sympathy for anti-state causes. The Pakistan government, the report said, has so far missed opportunities to influence the message. The military’s approach to public relations has proven counterproductive in recent years because Army spokesmen are typically unwilling to admit the deficiencies of their own institution, they tend to raise false expectations that ultimately leave Pakistanis (and international observers) frustrated and confused, the report said. Drawing upon its strategic communication experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, the report recommended that the US military should send advisers to the Pakistani security forces, including the Army and FC, besides offering to share relevant technical expertise in targeted FM radio broadcast jamming. By many accounts, the popular appeal of Shariah is driven in large part by the breakdown of the provincial judicial process that is notorious for extreme case backlogs. There is a need for quick-hitting reforms of the existing legal structure to grant speedy justice, the report said. For political normalisation and integration in Fata, the report said, the Political Parties Act should be extended to the tribal areas and the FCR be amended to allow limited judicial appeal to decisions by political agents. Delivering resources to tribal leaders in the form of cash or small development projects like schools, wells, or a visiting health clinic might help them compete for public support against a new generation of militants. The United States and other international partners should include trade routes through Pakistan’s tribal areas as an essential part of the regional development strategy for Afghanistan. Also, Washington should support (with funding and training) the expansion of a new provincial rapid-reaction force, based on the recent NWFP proposal for 7,500 new officers with a capital cost of $70 million and annual recurring cost of $15 million. The United States should support the establishment of a Pakistan-Afghanistan peace secretariat with a headquarters and permanent bi-national staff as a means to build upon bilateral meetings and Jirgas. To address Pakistan’s concern about the US-India relationship, Washington should support and facilitate India-Pakistan normalisation efforts (primarily behind closed doors in New Delhi), the report said. And the US should continue to brief Islamabad at the DCG regarding US-India cooperation in a good faith effort to mitigate apprehensions despite obvious Pakistani perceptions.

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8,000 foreign fighters in Fata ring alarm bells in Islamabad ISLAMABAD: In a disturbing report presented to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, days before he travels to the United States, the latest figure of foreign fighters present in the tribal areas of Pakistan is estimated to be more than 8,000 but the government is reluctant to officially confirm this number. At a special cabinet briefing on Sunday in which Asif Ali Zardari was also present, besides the prime minister and Adviser to the Interior Ministry Rehman Malik, said the government will have to use force if the process of dialogue does not produce the results but his view was opposed by the minister from FATA Hamidullah Jan. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his key ministers will visit Peshawar on Monday for a special meeting, which could decide the launching of a major operation against foreign fighters in Fata, Interior Ministry Adviser Rehman Malik told The News on Sunday. It would be a short and effective operation like the one in Bara recently, officials told The News. Information Minister Sherry Rehman confirmed the briefing to The News without giving any number for the foreign fighters but expressed the determination of the government to pull them out. Mr Zardari listened to the briefing without making any comment. Although officially the government of Pakistan accepts that foreign fighters are present, their unusually large number has set alarm bells ringing in Islamabad and possibly in other capitals as well. Interior Adviser Rehman Malik, when pressed by this correspondent, however, conceded that the number of foreign fighters was about 1,000. According to the report presented to the PM, a majority of these foreign fighters are living in North and South Waziristan and Bajaur. Prime Minister Gilani has also been informed that some foreign intelligence agencies are pushing their agents into the Pakistani tribal areas from Afghanistan under the cover of Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters. These under-cover agents are trying to instigate the local population to fight against Pakistani forces as part of a “great game” in the region. Taliban sources on the other hand are not ready to confirm that they are hosting thousands of foreign fighters in their areas. They claim that the number of foreigners is just a few hundred and most of them are living in the tribal areas from the time when the American CIA and Pakistani ISI encouraged them to come and fight against the Soviet Union. Independent sources in both the Pakistani tribal areas and eastern Afghanistan have, however, claimed that number of foreign fighters started increasing in 2007. The biggest attraction for these young militant guests from the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe was the increase in the number of US troops in Afghanistan. A lot of young Muslims are coming to Afghanistan to fight the US troops who, they believe, have come to Afghanistan not to fight terrorism but to occupy more Muslim lands, including Pakistan, and to plunder their resources. According to some Afghan sources, foreign fighters are welcomed not only in the Pakistani tribal areas but also in eastern, southern and western Afghanistan. The rising number of civilian causalities has created lot of hatred and resentment against foreign security forces in these Afghan and Pakistani areas. Angry locals believe that the foreign fighters are coming to avenge these killings. A few years ago, Pakistan was the safest route for foreign fighters to enter into Afghanistan but now they rarely use this old route. Most of them come as tourists and traders directly from Dushanbe, Baku, Istanbul, Dubai, Sharjah, Delhi and Frankfurt to Kabul by different airlines. Many Afghans in Kabul, Karachi, Dubai and Delhi are working for them as travel agents. It is also very easy to make a new Afghan passport for them in Kabul. Two American-born Al-Qaeda operators Adam Gadhan alias Azzam al Amriki and Abu Ahmad alias Amir Butt are known in the Afghan Kunar province for making travel arrangements of these young and educated Muslims from the US, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Canada and Australia. Most of these Western Muslims tell their Afghan and Pakistani hosts that they will take not only their revenge from the “occupying forces” but they will also take the revenge for the sacreligious cartoons of their prophet from Western governments who encourage such cartoonists in the name of freedom of expression. Some of these foreigners have married into the tribes of Kunar, Nuristan, North Waziristan and South Waziristan. German-born Turkish fighter Saad Abu Furqan is also known in the Pakistani tribal areas for attracting young Turks to organise Jihad against what he calls the “crusaders” in Afghanistan. A very well known Taliban leader Ustad Dawood is working as coordinator between these foreign fighters and locals from Afghan Paktika province. Dawood speaks English and Arabic fluently. A source who knows Ustad Dawood revealed that Al-Qaeda and Taliban are now slowly moving foreign fighters to areas round Kabul for a big attack on the Afghan capital Kabul in near future. Some of the foreign fighters have already entered Kabul as vendors and shopkeepers and provide a lot of intelligence to their commanders. Ustad Dawood has also established contacts with his old friends in the Northern Alliance and is working with Jalaluddin Haqqani for an alliance between the Taliban, some Northern Alliance groups and the Hizb-e-Islami to jointly fight the foreign forces in Afghanistan. An independent source said many experienced and hardened Al-Qaeda fighters were coming from Iraq to Afghanistan via Iran by road.These fighters enter the Afghan provinces of Herat and Balkh from Iran illegally. The Nato forces are aware of this infiltration from Iran and have started bombing civilian vehicles moving close to the Iranian border indiscriminately. The bombing killed nine Afghan policemen in southwest Farah province on July 20 and seven civilians on July 17. Nato was also accused of killing more than 50 civilians in the Shindand area of Herat on July 17. It is also learnt that many fighters from Saudi Arabia,Yemen, Egypt, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Libya, Iraq, Syria and some from India and Bangladesh prefer to stay in the warmer areas of southern Afghanistan which is a safe haven for the Taliban. The fighters from Morocco, Algeria, Chechnya, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and from western countries like to stay in the eastern Afghanistan provinces of Kunar, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Pakistani tribal areas bordering these areas. Sources say that fighters from African countries are not encouraged to come to Afghanistan or Pakistan as Al-Qaeda wants them to go to Darfur in Sudan or Iraq. The foreign fighters in the Pakistani tribal areas and Afghanistan are aware about the presence of some undercover agents in their ranks. Recently, they arrested two Uzbeks, three Afghans and one Pakistani for spying and executed them in North and South Waziristan when they confessed during interrogation that they were working for the CIA and ISI. Foreign fighters avoid getting in touch with non-tribal Pakistani fighters because they suspect them of having links with Pakistani intelligence. Pakistani officials are putting pressure on the Taliban leadership not to encourage foreigners to cross the border into Afghanistan to fight US and Nato troops. The Taliban are also asking them to put down their guns and register themselves with the local political administration. While some Taliban leaders in North Waziristan have started discouraging foreigners from crossing the border, some in South Waziristan are not ready to listen to the Pakistani government. Their defiance has created a lot of confusion and resentment in Islamabad because the Pakistan government is already under lot of pressure to use heavy force against the Taliban. Defiant Taliban leaders are of the view that it is the right of every Muslim to join the Jihad against “crusaders” in Afghanistan and they will not ask any foreigner to leave their area or stop fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan. A Taliban leader said: “We are not against all the Jews and Christians, but we are against crusaders and Zionists, who should leave Afghanistan first and then we will ask our foreign Muslim brothers to leave the area but if the Pakistani rulers want to fight with us, we are ready.”

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43 killed in Dera Bugti clashes QUETTA: Forty-three people, including 33 militants, nine Frontier Corps men and a Pakistan Petroleum Limited engineer, were killed and many injured, some of them seriously, during armed clashes between the security forces and the militants in the Toba Sandrani area of Dera Bugti. According to FC sources, nine injured militants were arrested and huge cache of arms was recovered from their possession. They have been shifted to Quetta for treatment and subsequent interrogation. The FC personnel have also arrested over two dozen armed men and recovered ammunition from their possession. The cross-firing came during a search operation that started on Saturday and continued on Sunday with intervals in Uch, Shah Zain and other areas. Helicopters and APC were being used in the operation. The situation in Sui and Dera Bugti area is said to have become worse and security has been put on high alert in Naseerabad, Jaffarabad and Jhal Magsi also following the operation. More reinforcements have been deployed along the Sindh-Balochistan border. Meanwhile, two main power supply pylons were blown off in Nasazai area of Kohlu district on Sunday. The bombs planted by unknown miscreants badly damaged the 132 kV Kahan-Kohlu transmission line. Electricity supply was suspended to the Kohlu district and surrounding villages. Qesco also failed to arrange alternate power supply to the affected areas. In another incident, a bomb planted by unidentified persons next to the wall of an under-construction cantonment exploded. As a result, the wall of the cantonment was damaged. No loss of life was reported. Mohammad Ejaz Khan adds from Quetta: Officials said that there was an attack on a security forces convoy near Uch on Saturday. This led to the operation by the security forces. Officials said eight security forces personnel were dead while among the dead militants, there were two commanders. They said that 15 kg explosives, considerable ammunition and eight rockets were recovered.

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Protest against failure to arrest kidnappers Monday, July 21, 2008 By Our Correspondent LAHORE JAMAAT Ahl-e-Sunnat Pakistan (JASP) here on Sunday staged a protest demonstration against failure of police to arrest kidnappers of Pir Chura Sharif Syed Kabir Ali Shah’s son. Members of various organisations participated in the protest held outside the Lahore Press Club. The protesters gave four days ultimatum to the government for arresting the accused. They announced that they would besiege CM’s House in case the police failed to arrest the accused in four days. They said the inability of the police in arresting the accused, who had tortured and kidnapped Hafiz Ahmed Mustafin, son of Pir Chura Sharif Syed Kabir Ali Shah, in eight days was reflective of government’s incompetence and unwillingness to protect life and property of its citizens. They asked the CM to take personal notice of the incident. They announced that after passing of the deadline, the JASP leaders would decide future strategy in a conference. Syed Muhammad Safdar Shah Gillani, Pir Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and Maulana Muhammad Ali Rizvi led the demonstration.

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Convicts to get special remission on passing exams Monday, July 21, 2008 LAHORE CONVICTS who qualify different academic exams, learn trade skills or memorise the Holy Quran during confinement in jails will get special remission up to two years in their sentence. Newly appointed Inspector General of Prisons, Punjab, Mian Farooq Nazeer in an interview with APP on Sunday said that the Punjab Prisons Department on the special directive of Punjab Prisons Minister Chaudhary Abdul Ghafoor has mapped out an ambitious programme to impart religious education and technical training to inmates for their rehabilitation as responsible citizens after their release from prison. He said that over hundred convicts undergoing different terms in five jails of the province had so far memorised the Quran recently under the supervision of approved qualified religious teachers. All 13 convicts, on the report of a panel of examiners drawn from top religious institutions of the province, have recommended two-year special remission in their sentence. About 29 other convicts in various prisons are presently learning the Holy Quran after qualifying the Quran-e-Nazra examinations, he said. “Christian convicts are also provided with the services of Christian teachers to guide them in their faith,” he added. He said training in trades like ceramics, TV assembling, pottery, carpet weaving and tailoring will also be imparted to prisoners in all central jails of the province. Mian Farooq Nazeer explained that six-month remission is granted to convicts who qualify the exams of universities/boards/technical education boards during confinement. Talking about security arrangements in prisons, he said all DIGs and superintendents of jails had been directed to enforce the jail manual in their respective facilities so that rules are followed and security lapses do not occur. The inspector general said that discipline and tight security in and around all prisons will be fully ensured, and action will be taken again negligent officials. He said that there will be no compromise on the quality of food and medical treatment for inmates in jail hospitals, adding that a master plan is being chalked out for the welfare of both jailers and inmates.

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Illegal detentions will not be tolerated: IGP Monday, July 21, 2008 By Our Correspondent LAHORE PUNJAB Inspector General of Police said that illegal detentions would not be tolerated and only guilty would be arrested. Presiding over a meeting of police officers of Sheikhupura Range, IGP Shaukat Javed said One Dish law would be implemented on marriages in letter and spirit as well as strict action should be taken against those who are involved in canal water theft and adulteration in pesticides. On this occasion, Sheikhupura RPO Tanvir Ahmad, Sheikhupura DPO Zaeem Iqbal Sheikh, Nankana Sahib DPO Akbar Nasir and other senior officers were also present. The IGP directed the field police officers to prepare list of Target Offenders involved in heinous crimes like murders, kidnap for ransom, gang rape, robbery, dacoity from last five years and special team should be constituted comprising dedicated and experienced police officers for their arrest. He said that these lists should be available to the SHOs of every police station. He directed that unobstructed registration of cases be ensured. He said strict legal action would be taken for failure to register the cases. The IGP further said that Elite Force should be utilised according to law. He said that investigation system was being made more effective and a separate investigation DPO would work under the supervision of an SP for investigation of heinous crime but concerned SHO, DSP and DPO would also be responsible in this regard. He directed that police officers to take necessary steps for controlling canal water theft so that the provision of water to the formers at tale end could be ensured. He also directed that a special team be formed to stop smuggling of wheat and that vehicle involved in wheat smuggling be confiscated and should not be given on “Sapurdari” until 30 days. He directed to take legal action against people found involved in adulteration of pesticides. He urged the police officers to direct the owners of the patrol pumps, moneychangers, business centres and shopping plaza to hire security guards for their protection under the Shops Establishment and Security Act.