ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari conferring Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) on Lt Gen Hamad Mohammad Thani alRumaithy, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces during a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.

Country needs matured,experienced leadership: Nawaz

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Pakistan MuslimLeague-Nawaz (PML-N) Presi-dent Mian Nawaz Sharif has saidthe country is in deep trouble anda matured and experienced lead-ership is required to tackle themanifold challenges.

While addressing a conven-tion of the party activists whohave applied from across thecountry for the PML-N tickets

to contest the forthcoming gen-eral elections here at the PML-N Secretariat at Model TownFriday, Nawaz said the currentsituation faced by the countrydemands sincerity, maturity anddedicated efforts.

He made it clear he had nolust for power and waging a juststruggle for changing the fate ofthe country apart from bringingprosperity for the countrymenwho are facing difficult situa-

tion. The PML-N leadershipfrom Sindh, Punjab, Balochistanand Kyber Puktunkhwa includ-ing Raja Zafar ul Haq, IqbalZafar Jhaggra, Syed Ghous AliShah, Mushahid Ullah Khan,Syed Mamnoon Hussein, NihalHashmi, Amir Muqam, NawabLashkari Raisani, Mian ShahbazSharif, Sirdar Zulifqar Ali KhanKhosa, Mohammad PervaizMalik, Pir Sabir Shah, Sartaj Az

One killed,five injured

in containersattacks

PESHAWAR/ BARA—One per-son was killed and five otherssustained injuries when uniden-tified militants attacked Nato oilcontainers in two separate areasin Peshawar and the KhyberAgency here on Friday.

According to Hayatabadpolice, in Peshawar some un-known militants attacked an oilcontainer supplying fuel toNato forces in Afghanistan inwhich one person was killedand three others sustained in-juries.

The injured and deceasedwere shifted to Hayatabad hos-pital where one of the injuredwas stated to in critical condi-tion. Sources said that ten con-tainers were carrying fuel toNato forces in Afghanistan onFriday when they came underattack. —INP

TARIQ SAEED

PESHAWAR—As the Americanadventurism continued in the Pa-kistani northern belt, a fresh dronestrike in North Waziristan agencyFriday wee hours killed at leastfour people whom the officialssuspect were the foreigners.

Reports reaching here fromNWA headquarters Miran Shahsaid the pilotless US planes tar-geted a house in Datta Khel Tehsilsome forty kilometers fromagency headquarters near Pak-Afghan border partially destroy-ing the compound leaving fourinmates dead. Some reports saida number of people also sustainedinjuries in the missiles hit.

“The predator planes targetedthe house in remote Datta Khelarea with two hellfire missiles onFriday early hours that destroyedtwo rooms of the compound thatalso led to killing of at least four

Fresh drone strikeleaves 4 dead in NWA

people inside the compound andthey appeared to be local tribes-men”. People in the area said.

The officials , on the otherhand said the missiles hit that wascarried out by the US planes onthe night between Thursday andFriday killed all the occupants ofthe house and they appeared to bethe fugitives hiding in the com-pound in Datta Khel tehsil closedto Afghanistan border. “We are yetto ascertain the identity of thosekilled in Friday’s fresh drone at-tack”. Officials said and claimedthat the Taliban immediatelyrushed to the targeted house andtook away the dead bodies in twovehicles.

While the head of the UN in-vestigation team Ben Emersonhad clearly declared some timeback that the drone attacks onPakistani soil carried no justifica-tion and were against the sover-

Nishan-i-Imtiaz(Military)for UAE

CommanderISLAMABAD—President AsifAli Zardari Friday conferred theAward of Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Mili-tary) on Lt. Gen. HamadMohammad Thani Al Rumaithy,Chief of Staff, UAE ArmedForces during a special investi-ture ceremony held at theAiwan-e-Sadr.

The citation read on the oc-casion said that Lt. Gen HamadMohammad Thani Al Rumaithyis a sincere and close friend of

Committee fails to reach consensus

Interim PM: Ballfalls on ECP court

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—A bipartisan com-mittee, tasked with reaching con-sensus over the selection of a care-taker prime minister has failed toreach a consensus in selecting acaretaker prime minister. The is-sue will now be handed over toElection Commission on Pakistan(ECP).

The ECP will have to finaliseone name out of four, two eachfrom the prime minister and theopposition leader.

The ECP has called for ameeting to be held on Saturdayin Islamabad. The Chief ElectionCommissioner Fakhruddin G.Ebrahim will leave Karachi forIslamabad, sources said.Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain, amember of the committee saidthat it was unfortunate that poli-ticians had not been able to reacha decision on the selection of acaretaker premier. GhulamBilour, a member of the biparti-

san parliamentary committee,said that they will accept what-ever decision is made by the ECP.

Earlier on, Pakistan PeoplesParty leader and a member of thebipartisan panel for the selectionof a caretaker premier, SyedKhurshid Shah, said a break-through had taken place in

today’s meeting of the parliamen-tary committee. However, an-other member of the committeefrom PPP, Farooq H Naek, said thepanel members were adamant ontheir respective positions. Earliertoday, the bipartisan committeeconstituted to reach a consensus onthe name of the caretaker PM be-gan its meeting for a third day.

In its sessions over the lasttwo days, the committee scruti-nised the names of PML-N nomi-nees Rasul Bakhsh Palijo, Justice(retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid andPPP nominees Justice (retd) MirHazar Khan Khoso and Dr IshratHussain. The members of the bi-partisan committee are SardarMahtab Abbasi, Sardar YaqoobNasir, Pervez Rasheed, SaadRafiq, Chaudhry Shujaat, FarooqNaek, Khurshid Shah andGhulam Bilour. Panel membershad denied that a deadlock ex-isted between the two parties,saying the issue would be re-solved at the committee level.

Israel apologizesto Turkey overflotilla deathsJERUSALEM—Israel’s leaderhas announced the restorationof normal diplomatic relationswith Turkey after apologizingfor the deaths of nine Turkishactivists in a 2009 Israeli navalraid on a Gaza-boundinternational flotilla.

Prime Minister BenjaminNetanyahu said Friday thathe had expressed regretduring a phone call with hisTurkish counterpart, Recep

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Electionschedule issued

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The ElectionCommission of Pakistan is-sued the schedule for generalelections 2013 on Friday.

According to the sched-ule, the returning officer willissue a public notice by March23 and candidates can filenomination papers with the

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Musharraf confirms return toPakistan despite ‘peril’

DUBAI—Pakistan’s former mili-tary ruler Pervez Musharraf saidon Friday he would definitelyreturn home on Sunday to con-test historic elections in May andthat he was prepared to risk anydanger to his life.

He made the remarks in aninterview with AFP in Dubai justhours after a Pakistani courtgranted him protective bail in astring of legal cases, paving theway for his return from nearlyfive years in exile without the risk

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Picture on Back Page

Seven killed, 40injured in Jaffarabad

bomb blastJAFFARABAD—As many asseven people were killed andmore than 40 others injured in abomb blast at bus stand here onFriday.

According to police, un-known miscreants had parkedexplosive laden auto-rickshawon road near bus terminal situ-ated at Quetta-Dera AllahyarRoad in Jaffarabad district of

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Presidentconfersawards uponPAF officersSTAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The Presidentof Pakistan has been pleased togrant the Military awards to thefollowing officers of PakistanAir Force.

HILAL-I-IMTIAZ(MILITARY): Followingofficers have been awardedHilal-i-Imtiaz (Military), AirVice Marshal Arshad Quddusand Air Vice Marshal SohailAman.

SITARA-I-IMTIAZ(MILITARY): Following

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Today’s issue of PakistanObserver carries a 2-Page SpecialReport on ‘Pakistan Day March 23,1940’ on Pages 10 and 11.

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—All PakistanMuslim League (APML)Chief Pervez Musharraf hadbeen granted bail before arrestin three different cases fromtwo different benches of the

Sindh High Court. In this re-gard, APML office-bearers and

workers held a ceremony at theAPML Central Information

APML chief getsbail before arrest

Continued on Page 6

the endeavors for promotionof democratic values andcontinuity of democracy.

He said “we today havean independent, sovereignand democratic country, andit is now our duty to put thecountry on the trajectory ofdevelopment and prosperity,to realize the dream of ourforefathers in the pursuit ofwhich they made untiring ef-forts and rendered exemplarysacrifices.” The Prime Min-ister said, “We are revivingthe memory of Pakistan Reso-lution at a time when thecountry heads towards par-liamentary elections and the

ISLAMABAD—Prime MinisterRaja Pervez Ashraf has saidPakistan is an independent,sovereign and democraticcountry and it has achieveda milestone of completing theconstitutional tenure ofdemocratic government,which is a leap forward forpromotion of democratic val-ues and continuity of democ-racy. In his message on theoccasion of Pakistan Day(March 23), the Prime Minis-ter said, a democratic gov-ernment has achieved themilestone of completing itsconstitutional tenure, whichrepresents a leap forward in

people are eager and resolutefor fair, free and transparentpolls in the country.”

He said it is exactly whatthe Father of the Nation hadenvisaged, i.e democracy toflourish and its fruits deliv-ered to the people. Allah Al-mighty be thanked that Heenabled the country to riseto the challenge on thiscount, he added. The PrimeMinister said: “I am confidentthat people will elect the bestleadership in forthcomingpolls in the country by usingtheir sound political acu-men.”

He said only a leadership

that represents peoples’ aspi-rations and enjoys their confi-dence is worthy of realizing thedreams of Quaid-e-Azam andthe leaders of Freedom Move-ment. The Prime Minister saidhe would like to reiterate to-day the message of Quaid-i-Azam which he had deliveredto the nation on 23 March1944, in which he said, “Let’sgo forward, full of hope for thecoming years, with faith in ourheart, unity in our camp, disci-pline in ranks, and I am confi-dent of our success.”

He said March 23 is a land-mark day in Pakistan Move-ment as on this very day, the

Muslims of Sub-continentadopted the Lahore Resolu-tion which heralded the be-ginning of practical strugglefor attainment of Pakistan. Hesaid the Lahore Resolution,later named as the PakistanResolution, was a great dem-onstration of unity by the In-dian Muslims. The Prime Min-ister said the resolution im-planted in them an extraordi-nary courage and zeal for aseparate homeland and it alsoprovided a meaningful direc-tion to the struggle of thepeople of Subcontinent.

He said on March 2,1941, while addressing the

Muslim Students Federa-tion, Quaid-i-Azam said,“The only solution for theMuslims of India, which willstand the test of trial andtime, is that India should bepartitioned so that both thecommunities can developfreely and fully according totheir own genius, economi-cally, socially, culturally andpolitically.” The Prime Min-ister said the object of theMuslim struggle was to es-tablish such an independentstate where they couldfreely live their individualand collective life accordingto their traditions.—APP

We have yet to mount more sacrifices to turn Pakistan as per Quaid’s vision

Completion of constitutional tenure is landmark in history: Raja

ATTOCK—Three womenand a minor of the same fam-ily were killed while one othercritically injured by someunidentified armed personshere Friday. According topolice sources, some uniden-tified armed persons bargedinto a house near MarqabaHall in the jurisdiction of Sad-der Police Station in the wee

3 women, minor of same family killedhours, opened fire on thesleeping inmates and es-caped from the scene Thedeceased were identified asRobina Bibi, Nazi Bibi,Sameena Bibi and eight yearold boy Muhammad Jamal.Police have registered a case.

Khanpur: A girl was killedwhile four others were criti-cally injured when a car

turned turtle on Shahi Roadsome 20 kilometers from hereon Friday. According to de-tails, the deceased identifiedas Nageena 8, while hermother Kalsum Bibi, two fam-ily members and driver LiaqatAli sustained critical injuries.Rescue 1122 shifted thebody and injured to THQhospital.—APP

SHO dies in bidto stem students’

groups clashN A W A B S H A H — S t a t i o nHouse Officer (SHO) TalukaPolice Station Abdul RahimKhaskheli was killed when hewas trying to stop a clash be-tween two rival studentgroups in Quaid-e-AwamUniversity of Engineering,Science and Technology(QAUEST), Nawabshah onFriday. Earlier two rival stu-dent groups of the Universityclashed on the issue of wallchalking and hoisting ofgroup flags in the Universitypremises. Both groups hadfirst resorted to using sticksand brick but suddenly firingstarted at the site.

Station House Officer(SHO) Abdul Rahim Khaskheion an information rushed tothe University with heavycontingents of police andtried to stop the clash but hewas also attacked with sticks,followed by a shot that hitSHO on the chest.—APP

Quran Khawanifor M M Alam

STAFF REPORTER

I S L A M A B A D — Q u r a nKhawani was held at CentralMosque Air Headquarters,Islamabad and Mosques ofall PAF Air Bases for the de-parted soul of Air Commo-dore (Retired) MuhammadMahmood Alam. Air ChiefMarshal, Tahir Rafique Butt,Chief of the Air Staff, Paki-stan Air Force was alsopresent on the occasion. Allpersonnel of PAF, and thefamily and friends of the latelegend attended the QuranKhawani.

M M Alam belonged to arare breed of gallant air war-riors who kept our sacredmotherland out of the harmsway. His feats of valour

thwarted the evil designs ofour enemy and entirelychanged the complexion ofthe 1965 war. The late warveteran was an icon, whosestrength of character, andconviction personified plainliving and high thinking. Thenation owes a lot to this flam-boyant soul and cherisheshis unforgettable saga ofbravery and selfless devo-tion. He was a role model notonly for the PAF airmen butalso for the Muslims acrossthe world.

National heroes like AirCommodore (Retd) M MAlam are the beacons of lightthat show the way of cour-age, passion, patriotism anddevotion to succeeding gen-erations.

Changing people’s lives

PSO initiates ‘StreetProgramme’ atgrassroots level

KARACHI—The PakistanState Oil (PSO) has initiated a‘Street Programme’ atgrassroots level to bring abouta social revolution in the livesof the people. An official of thecompany said here on Fridaythat the programme has beentaken up under the leadershipof the Managing Director andthe Chief Executive Officer,Naeem Yahya Mir. The inau-gural ceremony would be heldon March 25 at Agar Mohallahin Thatta.

The official of the com-pany pointed out that thisprogramme will engage bothemployees and the public tocarry out community build-ing. Through this programme,the PSO will help to developtwo streets in each provincewith state-of-the-art facili-ties.—APP

Committees toensure security

HYDERABAD—The SeniorSuperintendent of PoliceHyderabad Muhammad AliBaloch announced formationof committees comprising dis-trict police officers and repre-sentatives of HyderabadChamber of Commerce and In-dustry (HCCI) to maintainlaw.—APP

JUI-F candidates tofile nominations

before 29thSTAFF REPORTER

P E S H AWA R — P r o v i n c i a lChief, JUI-F, MaulanaSheikh Amanullah has di-rected party candidates forfiling their nomination pa-pers before March 29. Hesaid the preparations are tobe continued for IslamZinda Bad Conferencescheduled on March 31 atMinar-e-Pakistan Lahore.

In a press release issuedhere Friday, the JUI-F leadersaid the party would releasethe final list of candidatesbefore March 25 and di-rected the nominated can-didates to file nominationpapers till March 29.

WAJID SHAMSUL HASAN

PAKISTAN’S Day onMarch 23 would be yetanother land mark

event in thelife of the na-tion. Firstever electionto be heldunder ademocra t icgovernmenthas been an-nounced for

May 11 by President AsifZardari after completion ofthe 5-year constitutional ten-ure of the Parliament. Itwould be yet another firsttime that power would betransferred through vote toan elected government afterseries of extra-constitutionalinterventions of the past. Itwould indeed be a momen-tous occasion for the entirenation that has suffered long

to see democracy blossominto a formidable dispensationdespite long catalogue of in-trigues, machinations andPraetorian coups backed bythe judiciary.

As the nation gears upfor the historic polls, Iwould like to salute the toil-ing masses who remainedsteadfast in their commit-ment to pursue the demo-cratic destiny chosen forthem by Quaid-i-AzamMohammad Ali Jinnah andthose great men and womenwho braved worst possiblepersecution to keep alightedthe torch of freedom. Whileit would need a separate ar-ticle to record the long jour-ney of how we have come tosuch a joyous pass, briefly Iwould like to remind the na-tion about a historic coinci-dence. One of the greatestpolitical figures of ourstruggle for democracy

Begum Nusrat Bhutto wasalso born on 23rd Marchmany years before Muslimsin India resolved to carve aseparate homeland.

Begum Nusrat Bhuttowas born in Isfahan, Iran on23 March, 1929. Her life wentthrough many ups anddowns in Pakistani politics.Her husband, ShaheedZulfikar Ali Bhutto, was thefounder of the PakistanPeople’s Party. Her son-in-law Mr Asif Ali Zardari iscurrently President of Paki-stan. Begum Nusrat Bhuttotook over as head of the Pa-kistan People’s Party afterShaheed Bhutto’s electedgovernment was overthrownin a coup by General ZiaulHaq in 1977 and subse-quently Bhutto Sahib waseliminated by him in 1979.She remained leader of theparty for several challengingyears until her martyred

daughter Mohtarma BenazirBhutto took over as headof PPP to be first everwoman to be prime ministertwice in a Muslim country.

Begum Nusrat Bhuttowas an iconic political leaderwho made significant con-tribution towards establish-ment of democratic rule inPakistan and founded a uni-fied opposition—Move-ment for the Restoration ofDemocracy (MRD)— towage struggle to free thecountry from the clutches ofdictatorship. She was one ofthe most charismatic leadersof our time and godmotherfor the entire nation espe-cially those under-privilegedwho found in her a voice forthemselves. Her services fordemocracy and the massesof Pakistan will never be for-gotten.

Long live Pakistan, long live democracy!

ON the auspicious occasion of the Pakistan Day (Resolution

Day), I extend warm greet-ings to all my countrymenand women. The 23rd ofMarch, 1940, undoubtedlystands as a defining momentin our history, as it culmi-nated in the propagation ofthe historic Two-NationTheory. It was at that mo-ment, the Muslims of thesub-continent were thusunited to launch an epicstruggle for a separate home-land, which eventuallyreached its logical conclu-sion on 14 of August, 1947.

2. As we celebrate thisday with traditional nationalfervour and enthusiasm, it isincumbent upon us to makeour younger generation real-ize the true value and worthof Independence. Pakistancame into being as a specialblessing of Allah Almightyand as a result of supreme

sacrifices of our forefathers,led by courageous, selflessand devoted leaders of free-dom movement.

Let us pledge today thatwe will stand firm as a na-

tion to safeguard our coun-try and freedom by display-ing the same spirit whichearned us this sacred moth-erland. I am sure that fol-

lowing the ideals of Islam,and displaying solidarityamong our people, we willnot only be able to defeatthe enemies of our state butwill also be successful inembarking on new vistas ofunparalleled progress andprosperity in line with theenormous potential, AllahAlmighty has bestowed thiscountry and nation with.

3. On this momentous oc-casion, I wish to assure mycountrymen that Pakistan AirForce is fully committed tothe mission entrusted to it bythe nation. Being the senti-nels of aerial frontiers, Paki-stan Air Force is in a highstate of operational readi-ness to thwart any nefariousdesigns of the enemy. MayAllah Almighty grant us thestrength, wisdom and visionto safeguard our sovereigntyand discharge our duties tothe best of our abilities.Aameen!

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STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—The driver of anoil container was killed and hisconductor injured when mis-creants attack them in TehsilJamrud of Khyber Agency onFriday. According to politicaladministration here, SaidGhaffar Khan son of BadshahGul, resident of Zakakhel wasdriving an oil tanker whenreached at Wazir Dhand area inTehsil Jamrud was ambushedby unknown miscreants. As aresult, he and his conductorsustained critical wounds andwas rushed to hospital whereSaid Ghaffar succumbed to hiswounds. The Political Admin-istration have started investi-gation. No group has claimedresponsibility of the attack.

Meanwhile, the Pabbi

police station of Nowsheradistrict have registered FirstInformation Report (FIR) ofthe deadly car bomb explo-sion at a food distributionpoint in Jalozai InternallyDisplaced Persons campagainst unknown culprits.According to Pabbi Policestation on Friday, the FIR hadbeen registered against un-known outlaws under vari-ous sections of law includ-ing anti terrorism, murder, at-tempt to murder, damage topublic properties and deto-nation of armed explosives.

Meanwhile the DistrictPolice Officer Nowshera,Hussain Khan issued transferorder of SHO Pabbi police sta-tion, Shakeel Khan who wasasked to report to police lineNowshera.

Jalozai explosion FIR registered

Miscreants attack oiltanker, kill driver

Air Chief Marshal TahirRafique Butt NI (M), S Bt.

LAHORE: Acting Chairman Milli Yakjehti Council, Allama Syed Sajid Naqbvi called on Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami SyedMunawwar Hassan.

Massage of Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal on Pak Day

March 23 defining moment, we aredetermined in our march forward

Fehmida greets nationISLAMABAD—Speaker National Assem-bly Dr Fehmida Mirza has greeted thenation on the auspicious occasion ofPakistan Day and said that March 23has a special significance in the historyof sub-continent. In her message, theSpeaker said that 73 years ago, on thisday the Muslim of South Asia, underthe leadership of Quaid-e-AzamMuhammad Ali Jinnah in Lahore, re-solved to work for independent Mus-

lim state. She said that the Lahore Resolution induced anew vigor and impetus to the movement of independencegave Muslim new sense of purpose and direction, said apress release issued here. Dr Fehmida Mirza said that forcenturies non-Muslims lived peacefully, enjoyed completereligious freedom under the Muslim rule in sub-continent,however the government which came in power under gov-ernment of India Act, 1935 give a rude shock to the Mus-lims forcing them that their rights would not be protectedwith in a united India. “They were thus left no choiceexcept to demand independence not only from the Yoke ofColonialism but also from the Hindu domination” she said.The Speaker said that the Quaid-e-Azam embodied Islamicprinciples of tolerance and humanism which encouragehim to rally around, not only Muslim public opinion butalso support from other minorities to demand and create aseparate Muslim homeland. “It is a tribute to his leader-ship and honesty of purpose that with in short period ofseven years, he secured Pakistan against heavy oddsthrough peaceful means” she said.—APP

Wahida to fight disqualificationISLAMABAD—Wahida Shah, a candi-date of Pakistan People’s Party, Fridayfiled a petition in the Supreme Courtagainst her disqualification by the Elec-tion Commission of Pakistan (ECP).According to the ECP verdict, WaheedaShah, a candidate of PPP for the PS-53constituency of Sindh Assembly wasdeclared ineligible to contest electionsfor two years as she was found guiltyof slapping a presiding officer during

the recent by-elections. Shah, stated in her petition that asher appeal against the disqualification is pending in theSupreme Court so till the decision of her appeal ECP ver-dict should be suspended. Hashmat Habib, the counselfor Wahida Shah filed the petition in the apex court statingthat, if suspension of ECP verdict would not be passed bythe apex court the right of his client would be demolishedafter the announcement of election schedule, further add-ing in his stance, he said that the people of her constitu-ency will be deprived from its leader if she remains dis-qualified. As, On November 4, Chief Election Commissionerretired Justice Fakhrudin G. Ebrahim had upheld the dis-qualification of Shah, a candidate who had slapped anelection official during polling on Feb 25 in the by-electionof the PS-53. Her disqualification by the ECP had barredher from being elected as a member of an assembly for twoyears. According to the CEP’s verdict, Shah had beenfound guilty of slapping Presiding Officer Habiba Memonand others during the polling of by-elections at the pollingstation No. 16 and had therefore been found guilty of in-terfering in the polling process. Radio Pakistan, FAFEN tocollaborate for ensuring transparency in elections: RadioPakistan and Free.—APP

Militancy reduces in BalochistanQUETTA—Inspector General of Fron-tier Corps (IGFC) Major GeneralObaidullah Khan Khatak said that con-crete measures put in place by the gov-ernment and law enforcement agencieshas resulted into the reduction of mili-tancy in Balochistan. “The recent indi-cators have shown tangible decline inthe subversive activities across theprovince,” said IGFC while talking tomedia persons at FC headquarters here

on Friday. Commending the formation of caretaker set upwith unanimity after the dissolution of provincial assem-bly, he hoped that situation would optimistically improvein Balochistan once the general elections 2013 are com-pleted and next democratically elected government assumeoffice. “ Parliament had played positive role, legislatingimportant laws to curb crime, however, amendment in theevidence law is necessary as outlaws and elements op-posed to peace are freed due to the flaws in the evidencelaw,” IGFC noted. Referring events organized by the Armyand Frontier Corps (FC) to mark the Pakistan Day inBalochistan, he said that we are disseminating message ofpeace through sports, festivals, speech competitions, ex-hibitions and other events held in all thirty districts ofBalochistan. “ 16 Corps under the supervision of comman-dant FC and district administration celebrating PakistanDay festivities across the province to sensitize and unitepeople on one platform,” Major General remarked. He saidthat about 10,000 youth of Balochistan would be recruitedin the FC as quota of jobs for the people of the provincehas increased from 5 percent to 20 percent. Responding toa query, he explained that on the special directives of Chiefof Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani about tenthousands youth have been inducted in Armed forces inlast few years.—APP

Vow to uplift of Southern districtsLAKKI MARWAT—Pakistan PeopleParty Provincial president AnwarSaifullah Khan on Friday said despitegetting opportunity, the past govern-ments did not carry out any develop-ment work in Lakki Marwar and othersouthern districts of the province. Talk-ing to different delegations from hisconstituency, he said that the formergovernment of KP made tall claims toturn Lakki Marwat district into Pairs, but

they totally ignored the people of the area after cominginto power. He mentioned that instead of taking measuresfor the welfare of people, the former government ceasedfunds for development work in his constituency. Theystressed upon people to join PPP and Saifullah brothersfor the development of district Lakki Marwat. They as-serted that they had practically delivered to the massesand initiated development schemes in the district. Speak-ing on the occasion Anwar Saifullah said he would workfor prosperity of Southern districts of KP province andespecially for Lakki Marwat, if he would win the mandateof the people in upcoming general elections. Earlier, ad-dressing a public gathering in Nizampur, he said his partywas appreciative of any steps taken for peace and addedthat they would participate in the conference beingorganised by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). “Weattended the ANP-sponsored APC and would also partici-pate in the JUI-F conference,” he said. However, he saidthe APCs could have played an important role in the resto-ration of peace if these had been arranged five years ago.He said terrorism was the problem of the entire countryand that all the political forces should come closer for weed-ing out this menace from the country. Regarding the elec-toral alliance, the PPP leader said that his party’s alliancein the province was not a good experience. “We will notform alliance in the upcoming elections,” he added.—APP

LAHORE: Activists of Punjabi Pukhtoon Ittehad hold a demonstration in support of theirdemands.

ISLAMABAD—Jamaat Islami(JI) on Friday announced thatit would adopt measures toput an instant end to droneand other terrorist attacksand military operations in thecountry. Like other groups,the JI has made its manifestopublic before general elec-tions and expressed its com-mitment to fully implement theresolutions adopted by par-liament in October 2008, andMay 2011. In the document,the party said, “We are op-posed to all kinds of terror-ism, be it state sponsored orgroup terrorism. We will com-

pletely change the situationcreated because of terrorismthrust upon Pakistan,”

It said all visas granted toforeigners without securityclearance would be cancelled,and all activities of foreignersin Pakistan will be monitoredaccording to law while all ter-rorist elements operating inPakistan will be dealt in ac-cordance with law. The mani-festo document further saidall those involved in terror-ism, target killings, extortion,land grabbing, especiallythose involved in bloodshedin Karachi would be exposed

HYDERABAD—The Tubercu-losis (TB) has now become aglobal issue and posinggreat threat to the peoplewith deaths of 1.7 million andregistration of nine millionnew patients every year inthe world. TB is claiming thedeath of three patients andaffecting 18 persons in everyone minute in the world whilein Pakistan, around 0.3 mil-lion new patients are beingregistered with the disease invarious parts of the country.

This was informed by Pro-vincial Coordinator of the Di-rectorate of TuberculosisControl Sindh Dr. Asmat Arawhile talking to this scribehere on Friday. Dr. Asmat Arasaid that Tuberculosis hasbecome a challenge in theworld particularly in underdeveloping countries andthere is a need of adoptingconcrete measures for its pre-vention in order to helpachieve a healthy atmo-sphere. She said that TB is an

infectious bacterial diseasecaused by mycobacteriumtuberculosis, which mostcommonly affects the lungs.Though Tuberculosis is adangerous disease, howeverit is treatable and sincere ef-forts are required to preventthe deadly disease in Paki-stan, added Dr. Asmat Ara.

The Coordinator in-formed that the disease istransmitted from person toperson via droplets from thethroat and lungs of peoplewith the active respiratorydisease. She said in healthypeople, infection with myco-bacterium tuberculosis oftencauses no symptoms, sincethe person’s immune systemacts to wall off the bacteriaand the symptoms of activeTB of the lung are coughing,sometimes with sputum orblood, chest pains, weak-ness, weight loss, fever andnight sweats, Asmat added.Dr. Asmat Ara said that byadopting.—APP

ISLAMABAD—Work onLowari Tunnel located onNowshera-Dir-Chitral Road(N-45) has started again andthe project worth of costingRs 18 billion project would becompleted in three years. Anofficial in National HighwayAuthority (NHA) informedAPP on Friday that the delayin the construction work wasdue to 2011 floods and dis-putes over payment betweenKorean construction com-pany SAMBU and the NHA.

The source said that thedisputes were resolved due tothe efforts of the then Ministerfor Communications. He saidthat when the Lowari Tunnel

project began in 2005 it wasplanned to be constructed intwo phases. In the first phase,the 8.54 km long tunnel was tobe constructed with accessroads, while in the secondphase a railway track was to belaid. The main tunnel has a 7.14meter maximum height and 7.55meter maximum width. There aretwo access roads on both sidesof the tunnel, from Dir andDarosh that are 9.3 km and 9.2km long, respectively.

The auxiliary tunnel istwo km long. The projectcould not be completed inOctober 2008 as planned, inOctober 2009 the presentgovernment decided to

change the project designfrom a rail tunnel instead of aroad tunnel. Work on theproject was discontinuedagain in June 2011, primarilydue to financial constraints.There was an allocation ofRs 164 million under the 2010-11 PSDP but most of thefunds had not been released.

As one of the longesttunnels in Asia, the LowariTunnel is of great nationalimportance and would con-tribute to the socio-economicwellbeing of the area. After itscompletion, rich minerals andother natural resources couldbe exploited, this would resultin promoting trade.—APP

VC opens UETJalozai campus

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—The Vice Chan-cellor, University of Engineer-ing and Technology Imtiaz H.Gilani performed thegroundbreaking ceremony ofIndustrial and Mechanical En-gineering Departments atJalozai campus in the presenceof faculty members and theadministrative staff the otherday. The Jalozai Campus ofUET, Peshawar approved atthe cost of Rs. 6.56 b will be afully residential campus con-structed at 400acre land.Speaking at the ceremony, theVice Chancellor said the occa-sion is the realization of adream that will continue im-proving high quality educa-tion to the local people.

He added that, standard ofthe University is based on itsquality of education and JalozaiCampus must follow the chain.On completion of Jalozai cam-pus, the total student enroll-ment, including Peshawar andsatellite campuses will bedoubled upto 8000, the facultyto 200 and introduction ofstateoftheart laboratorieswould definitely make a hugedifference in delivering qual-ity education. The Vice chan-cellor said the University wasdoing considerable work, aseight academic blocks wouldbe constructed phase wise,adding, the Civil engineeringand Electrical engineering De-partments are almost nearcompletion while civil work onIndustrial engineering.

and brought to justice.“Missing persons will be

recovered, and the groups andindividuals perpetuating thisatrocity will be dealt with ac-cording to the law. All possiblelegal, moral, political and dip-lomatic means will be utilizedfor release of the respecteddaughter of the nation, Dr.Aafia Siddiqui,” it said. Be-sides, the document said ev-ery possible assistance will beprovided to the Pakistanis im-prisoned in different countries,and the factors driving theyouth towards defiance will beaddressed properly.—APP

GSP’s, RLCIP’sannual work

plan approvedSTAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Steering Com-mittee for Multi Donor TrustFund Projects in FATA, in itsmeeting held the other dayhas approved the AnnualWork Plan, Governance Sup-port Project (GSP) for calen-dar year 2013 and revised workplan 2012-13 for Rural Liveli-hood and Community Infra-structure Project (RLCIP).With Secretary Planning andDevelopment FATA ShahzadKhan Bangash in the chair, theSteering Committee meetingwas attended by SecretaryFinance FATA Ghulam QadirKhan, Secretary Social sectorAftab Durrani, Secretary Pro-duction Farrukh Saer, Politi-cal Agent South WaziristanShahid and others.

Coordinator Implementa-tion Support Unit (ISU)FATA, Muhammad Zahoorwhile making presentationbefore the committee, ap-prised the participants of thesalient features of the workplan 2013. About the projectdevelopment objective.

JI to deliver nation from deadly drones

Pakistan listingalarming 0.3m new

TB sufferers per year

Lowari Tunnel project tocomplete in 3 years: NHA

ISLAMABAD—Despite hav-ing largest irrigation systemin the world, Pakistan losesabout two third of its waterresources due to poor stateof infrastructure, climate andagriculture experts said hereat a seminar marking WorldWater Day 2013. Interna-tional Seminar on World Wa-ter Day 2013 was organizedhere Friday by Pakistan Ag-riculture Research Council(PARC) with the purpose toraise awareness about watermanagement challenges.

This year the theme forWorld Water Day 2013 is“International Year of Wa-ter Cooperation.” “Abouttwo thirds of our water re-

Poor infrastructure causingloss of our 2/3 water wealth

sources are lost in transmis-sion and seepage,” FederalSecretary, Ministry of Na-tional Food Security andResearch (MNFS&R)Ahmed Buksh said whileaddressing the seminar. Thismeans that about 68 Millionacre feet of water can bebrought in use if the canalsystem is adequately re-paired and maintained, hesaid and stressed the needfor addressing the issue ofwater resource managementat local,national, regional aswell as international levels.

PARC organized the semi-nar in collaboration with Inter-national Centre for IntegratedMountain Development

(ICIMOD), Planning Commis-sion of Pakistan (PCP), Paki-stan Meteorological Depart-ment (PMD) Pakistan WaterPartnership (PWP) and othernational and international or-ganizations. Speaking on theoccasion, Rector FAST andFormer Chairman PARC andICIMOD Board Member, Dr.Amir Muhammed said that ag-riculture sector has great po-tential to boost country’s eco-nomic growth andproductivity. He said thatowing to increasing population,the land use is increasing andwater resources are decreasing,so there is a need to develop aroadmap for future planning. Dr.Nadeem Amjad.—APP

ISLAMABAD—Scattered rain-thunderstorm with isolatedheavy falls expected in up-per parts of the country in-cluding twin cities ofRawalpindi and Islamabadduring next 24. Met office re-ported here on Friday that awesterly wave is affectingBalochistan and expected togrip upper and central partsof the country from Fridayevening to Sunday. It saidisolated rain is also forecastin Southern Punjab duringnext 24 hours.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,widespread rain-thunderstormwith isolated heavy fallscoupled with hailstorm is ex-pected in Malakand,Peshawar, Kohat and Bannudivisions during next 24 hours.In Sindh, mostly partly cloudyweather expected in most partsof the province with chancesof light rain at a few places ofupper Sindh during same timespan. In Balochistan, scatteredrain-thunderstorm expected inNortheast Balochistan(Quetta, Zhob, Kalat, Sibbi di-visions) while isolated rainmay occur in Khuzdar andMakran divisions during next24 hours.

In Kashmir, scatteredrain-thunderstorm with iso-lated heavy falls expected inKashmir on Saturday while inGilgit-Baltistan, isolated rain

Scattered rain,thunderstorm expected

in upper parts of countrywith thunder expected inGilgit-Baltistan during next24 hours. Partly cloudyweather with chances ofdrizzle/light rain has been

forecast for Saturday in themetropolis, said a weatherreport on Friday. Accordingto the report, the minimumand maximum temperaturesare expected to remain be-tween 21 to 23 and 34 to 36degree celsius, respectively.

It said rain/thunderstorm islikely to occur with a few mod-erate to isolated heavy falls inZhob, Quetta divisions ofBalochistan, at a number ofplaces in Kalat, at isolatedplaces in Makran, Sibi,Nasirabad divisions ofBalochistan, Sukkur, Larkanadivision of Sindh. Light rain isexpected in Karachi division ofSindh while hot and dryweather is likely to prevail else-where in the region, it added.The local meteorological de-partment on Thursday fore-cast partly cloudy weather forthe provincial capital duringthe next 24 hours.—APP

PESHAWAR: Al-Khidmat Foundation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa holding a rally to markWorld Water Day, titled ‘save water and save life’.

Indian courtraises ante

AT a time when Indian Establishment and the Government in NewDelhi have adopted policy of Pakistan-bashing, Indian SupremeCourt has raised the ante by accusing Pakistan of its involvement

in the 1993 Mumbai terror incident, apparently on the basis of phonyevidence presented by Indian agencies. Pakistan has, therefore, rightlyrejected the insinuations pointing out to New Delhi that the country itselfis a victim of terrorism.

Indian Establishment and agencies are suffering from ISI phobia sincelong and make it an easy escape goat for their own failures, inefficienciesand even misdeeds. They hold ISI responsible even for the incidence ofSwine Flue in some remote corner of India as this suits their designs andintentions. As pointed out by Foreign Office spokesman, Pakistan is allfor maintaining and promoting good neighbourly relations with India butthis has to be a two-way traffic and not a one sided affair. Indians havechosen to mount diplomatic offensive against Pakistan but despite re-peated provocations and anti-Pakistan statements emanating from NewDelhi, Islamabad has demonstrated maturity and far-sightedness not torespond in kind but there is limit to everything. Indians carried out ag-gression on the Line of Control and martyred several Pakistani soldiersbesides civilians but instead they are pointing accusing fingers towardsPakistan and citing LoC violations they have suspended the so-calleddialogue. They have also accused Pakistan of recent attack in Srinagarand Indian Interior Ministry leveled baseless charges against Islamabad.In fact, Indians are taking advantage of the fluid situation in Pakistanwhere caretaker set up is being installed and elections are due shortly.This attitude of pressurizing Pakistan and concocting excuses to suspendand derail the dialogue process is condemnable and convey unambigu-ous message that the Government and other institutions across the borderare not serious at all in promoting peaceful neighbourly relations withPakistan. Our policy-makers should, therefore, revise their apologeticapproach and stop offering concessions to India in various fields espe-cially in trade at the cost of our own economy.

Solidarity withSri Lanka

SRI Lanka is trying to overcome the problems caused by terrorism andforge ahead its national unity but some imperialist forces are making

attempts to undermine its efforts in this regard. A case in point is the USsponsored resolution at the UN Human Rights Council that called on thecountry to carry out credible investigations into killings and disappear-ances during its nearly 30-year civil war.

The resolution is a classic example of the double standards of thecountries that consider themselves as champions of human rights andhave unleashed a war on weaker nations in the name of terrorism thathas so far claimed thousands of innocent lives. If the United States andBritain have the right to attack Afghanistan and carry out drone strikesin Pakistan on the pretext of safeguarding their security interests, thenit was perfectly in order for Sri Lanka to wipe out terrorists who werecarrying bomb blasts and attacking security forces. And above all,this was without doubt an externally sponsored terror as Tamil Tigerswere trained and financed by a neighbouring country as part of itsoverall regional designs aimed at weakening other smaller neighbours.It was because of all this that Pakistan not only voted against the USresolution but also offered sympathy to Sri Lanka that suffered terrorattacks constantly for years. Pakistan’s Ambassador Zamir Akramtermed the US resolution as intrusive and emphasized that a countrylike Sri Lanka needs to be helped and not chastised. Pakistan’s posi-tion was in stark contrast to India that strongly criticized Sri Lankafor understandable reasons. We believe that instead of sprintling salton Sri Lankan wounds, the world should help the country recoverfrom the bitter past. The country has successfully ended 30 year con-flict against terrorism and is moving in the right direction and allega-tions of war crimes are nothing but to advance vested interests.

Punjab: A role modelPOLITICALLY motivated allegations by some leaders and parties

notwithstanding, the fact remains that the outgoing government ofPunjab, ably led by hardworking Mian Shahbaz Sharif, establishedenviable standards of performance and delivery in different spheres oflife. The Chief Minister has a point in feeling proud as he demon-strated remarkable resilience in moving the province forward despiteodds created by the Federal Government and others.

Mega developmental projects completed by the Punjab Government inrecord period of months and not years and that too within the originallyestimated cost is an example worth emulating. And above all, the Transpar-ency International has declared projects like Metro Bus, Laptop Schemeand Ujala programme as free of corruption and transparent, which is reallyunimaginable if viewed in the backdrop of RPP, NICL, Pakistan Steel,OGDCL, Hajj and other scams that attracted attention of the highest courtof the land. But the most glaring example of the good governance wasmerit-based appointments made by the provincial Government throughoutits tenure, which is again in sharp contrast to what happened at the Federaland Sindh Governments. The decision of the Punjab Government to haltthe process of regularization of one hundred thousand contract employeesso that a decision is made by the next Government is also in line with thecode of conduct of the Election Commission. But this should not be con-fined to Punjab and the Commission should take notice of wholesale regu-larization by other Governments and daily induction of dozens of people inGovernment organizations and corporations on political considerations inthe dying days of the regime. Reports that the outgoing Prime Minister andSpeakers have approved lifetime and other perks and privileges for themshould also be taken notice of by the ECP.

Efforts to demolish Two-Nation Theory

Plain living and highthinking are no more.

DoesObama not

realize?

Lip readers have been able tounderstand the private wordsexchanged between politi-

cians in sight of the television cam-eras, but out of range of micro-phones. If only there were mindreaders who, just as easily, couldwork out what was going on insidePresident Barack Obama’s headyesterday, on his visit the WestBank. What for instance did hethink, when he read the bannerhung outside the Bab Al ShamsPalestinian protest camp in Jerusa-lem “Obama: you promised hopeand change, you gave us Coloniesand Apartheid”? Did he reflect onthe four wasted years of his firstterm, during which the extraordi-nary hopes raised in the Arab worldby his seemingly ground-breakingCairo speech, were dashed utterly?Did he consider how Israeli Pre-mier Benjamin Netanyahu had de-ployed the US Zionist lobby to spina new web of influence and deceitaround Capitol Hill and the WhiteHouse, so ensuring that even ifAmerica’s extreme economic woeshad allowed him the time to focuson the Palestinian issue, he wouldhave found himself imprisoned?

To reiterate that Israel has “nogreater friend” than the UnitedStates may have been obligatory butthere was a caveat that hovered af-ter this statement, which unfortu-nately remained unspoken. Obamacould have gone on to say that some-times, even good friends had to ac-cept “tough love,” to take on boardadvice that they would rather nothear from their buddies. Maybe thepresident gave that advice toNetanyahu in private, but most inthe Arab world will not be holdingtheir breath. Palestinian PresidentMahmoud Abbas of course willhave given his American guest awarm welcome, but Obama canhave been left in no doubt that mostPalestinians have lost virtually allfaith in his willingness, to say noth-ing of his ability, to put the peaceprocess back on track and drive ne-gotiations toward a just and lastingtwo-state solution. When the USleader said that the condition forpeace “must be a strong and secureJewish state where its security con-cerns are met, alongside a sovereignand independent Palestinian state,”his words sounded hollow, if onlybecause the Arab world has heardthem all before. The strong and se-cure Jewish state is constantly hav-ing its security concerns met, andthen some, by Washington. The con-cerns of the Palestinians for a sov-ereign and independent Palestineseem as far away as ever. IndeedObama’s visit to Abbas, was theoccasion for a demonstration of justhow un-sovereign and captive thePalestinians actually are.

It must be wondered if thepresident was made aware that, inadvance of his arrival in Ramallah,the telephone system went down.This, it must be assumed was adeliberate act by the Israelis on thegrounds of security. There are twothings that Obama ought to learnfrom this. First, it is a naked dem-onstration of the degree of throt-tling control that the Israeli secu-rity and intelligence machine ex-erts over the Occupied Territories.What passes for normal life amongthe subject Palestinians, only hap-pens when the Israelis permit it.They can disrupt it whenever theywish, at the flick of a switch.

And second lesson that Obamaought to learn from this assertionof Israeli power is more subtle andhe and his people may have missedit. It is that by taking down the com-munications system, the Israeliswere clearly trying to impress uponthe president, the high degree ofrisk that he and his party, includinghis new Secretary of State, JohnKerry, were being exposed to, byventuring into “bandit” Palestinianterritory. Such a stunt is deplorable.

Unfortunately, with predictableshort-sightedness, militants in Gazachose Obama’s Ramallah visit asthe occasion to fire four rocket to-wards Israel territory, thus lendingcredence to Netanyahu’s inevitableargument to the Americans, that thePalestinians were not to be trustedand were ultimately interested onlyin the destruction of the Israeli state.The fact that two of the rockets mis-fired and landed in Gaza itself, sug-gests that they were not fired by amainstream militant group. On thepositive side perhaps, it gave Abbasthe opportunity, in speaking toObama, to condemn violenceagainst civilians from wherever itcame. —Arab News

MEDIA WATCH

William Wordsworth—British poet

Since the day Pakistan cameinto being, efforts are beingmade to demolish two-nation

theory by Indian leaders, writersand intellectuals. In Pakistan also,some pseudo-intellectuals aboundwho do not feel qualms for oppos-ing the two-nation theory, and tryto highlight the commonality of cul-ture between India and Pakistan.They conveniently forget that Paki-stan was created because Muslimswere not allowed to lead heir livesaccording to their faith and culture.Recently, a former judge of the In-dian Supreme Court and presentlyChairman of the Press Council ofIndia, Markandey Katju stated: “Pa-kistan is a fake country created arti-ficially by the British who plantedthe bogus two-nation theory in thesub-Continent”. He also predictedthat in the next 15-20 years India andPakistan would reunite and a strong,secular and modern governmentwould come to power.

But there are conscionable ele-ments in Pakistan, and Mr.Shamshad Ahmad, Ex Foreign Sec-retary of Pakistan (1998-1999) isone of them. He was the first onewho tried to persuade MarkandeyKatju through emails and articlesthat he should try to bring the twocountries closer instead of challeng-ing the very raison d’etre of Paki-stan. But he categorically refusedto agree to the world wide view of

Economic consequences of WOT

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Sunday Magazine

Sadia Zahid MalikEditor

Ph: 2852027-8, Ext: 116Email: magazinesocialdiary@hotmail.com

Because of the war on terror(WOT), a large segment ofworld population face so-

cioeconomic deprivation and un-employment The consequences ofwar on terror continue to affect theeconomic future of hundreds ofmillions young people. The cen-tral feature here is that strategicagenda of the US to counter ter-rorism stemsfrom the doctrine to“live with terrorism”, an approachthat has teetered the trust of peoplein democracy and state. Primarily,terrorists are being recognized as“game changers” in sovereignstates, and thereby granting mo-nopoly of organized violence anddestruction of property. The West-ern countries, especially the US isstruggling at economic front, butstill seeks to define identity andvalues of other cultures. From arisk prospective, the fascination toappreciate American values is turn-ing into fear of losing socioeco-nomic interests to Western militaryprojects.

These new dilemmas also in-clude the way job market and so-ciety in the USinterprets the needsof thousands of unemployed sol-diers who have returned from du-ties in Afghanistan and Iraq. Paint-ing a very gloom picture and grav-ity of the matter in one of the USstates, a report published in theWashington Post (March 20, 2013)states that, “this is what the end ofa decade of war looked like inOklahoma a few weeks ago: ex-soldiers in cheap new businesssuits; human resources managerswith salesman smiles and stacks of

two-nations taking the plea“that before the 1857 Warof Independence, therewas no communal prob-lem in India. He arguedthat there were only differ-ences between Hindus andMuslims but no animosity.It is all planted and nur-

tured by the British in order to rulethe Sub-Continent”. Historiacal evi-dence suggests that members of In-dian National Congress, comprisingbrute majority of Hindus and a smallnumber of Muslims along with somereligious outfits, were against thecreation of Pakistan.

Even today, they continue withtheir sinister designs and spread de-spondency and negativity to propa-gate that this is not the Pakistan thefounders had envisaged. It is truethat Pakistan is facing multifacetedcrisis, but many nations in the worldhad faced similar situation at onetime or another, but new leadershipemerged that extricated the countryfrom the morass. And China is a casein point. Anyhow, the basis of thestate of Pakistan is Two-NationTheory, and efforts are being madeto demolish this concept. To advanceAmerican agenda and to appeaseIndia, some palmed-off elementsdenigrate the military and its intelli-gence agencies so that India couldextend its hegemony over it. Lastyear, on Pakistan Day, a privatechannel had a special program inwhich Abul Kalam Azad’s forecastsabout future of Pakistan were repro-duced, who had warned Muslims ofdire consequences of the partition.

Abul Kalam Azad had predicted:“The confidence of East Pakistanwill not erode as long as Jinnah andLiaquat Ali are alive. But after them

any small incident will create resent-ment and disaffection. I feel that itwill not be possible for East Paki-stan to stay with West Pakistan forany considerable period of time”.Pakistan’s anchorperson did notdeem it appropriate to expose Indiafor her role in disintegration of Pa-kistan, and what role it is playing inBalochistan. Anyhow, theanchorperson, however, tried to con-clude and gave the message thatPakistan’s civil and military leader-ship should try to prove Abul KalamAzad’s predictions wrong. Severalpseudo-intellectuals and some politi-cos try to demolish the Two-NationTheory. Those who had opposedPakistan movement, try to demolishthis theory, as they want to prove thatcreation of Pakistan was wrong, notrealizing that any other scheme ofthings would have made the bruteHindu majority a dominant and per-manent majority in India.

It was in this backdrop thatAllama Iqbal had dreamt of Pakistanas a separate homeland for Muslims,and had inspired the Muslims of thesub-continent through his writings -poetry and prose - to unite in theirstruggle for an independent state. Hehad also spelt out in detail the con-cept of an independent and sovereignstate for the Muslims in India in theregions where they were in majority.Hence, Two-Nation Theory was aconcept that provided a viable solu-tion to the problem, which otherwisecould have led to disastrous conse-quences. In 1940, through the LahoreResolution in the All India MuslimLeague meeting, it was officially de-manded that India be partitioned intothe Muslim majority areas and Hindumajority area. It is worth remember-ing that Pakistan is the product of not

only history but also a particular ge-ography. There are two basic pil-lars on which the Two NationTheory stands. One pillar, ofcourse, is Islam; and the otherequally important pillar is the po-litical process by which Pakistanbecame a reality to ensure socio-economic justice in the society. Youtake away any of these two pillars- the Islamic identity and ideologyand the concept of socio-economicjustice, it will be difficult to savePakistan. Anyhow, people of Paki-stan believe that creation of Paki-stan was a great event of history anda prodigious achievement offounder of Pakistan Quaid-e-AzamMuhammad Ali Jinnah and hiscomrades. Obviously creation ofPakistan was a source of frustra-tion as a grave political setback toIndian Congress Party representingmajority in united India under theBritish rule.

Today some anti-Pakistan ele-ments have started poisoning theminds of our youth by exploiting thepresent political instability, eco-nomic downslide and ethnic/socialdivision among different segmentsof Pakistani society. The fissurescreated due to war on terror are sobeing exploited by anti- Pakistan el-ements that doubts are created aboutthe validity of two nation theory,thus attacking the basis of our exist-ence. Such propagandists have realhostile designs against Pakistan andleave no stone unturned in paintingPakistan in poor light. It is the re-sponsibility of our anchorpersons,analysts, writers and intellectuals tocounter the propaganda launched byIndia and Mir Jafars of Pakistan.—The writer is Lahore-basedsenior journalist.

glossy fliers; a former Ma-rine speaking to a televisionnews crew about the “toughtimes” and “nightmares” hehas had since coming home.”The loss of purchasing powertoo contributes to the social

exclusion process, and thus opens upfurther complexities including psy-chological instability, and use of vio-lence against the state entities.

In addition, elsewhere theAmericans are weary of future eco-nomic consequences of wars andmany more risks are waiting. Thismeans a gradual recalibrating ofwar on terror doctrine needs ameaningful logic, especially interms of American strategists toproduce a sustainable economic sta-bility program for those nations,which sacrificed thousands of theircitizens and billions of dollars ineconomic losses.Responses to newstrategy will sequentially preventeconomic related collateral damagein the ongoing war on terror. An-other statement of a USsoldier dem-onstrates that it’s a huge issue,because,“hard choices always haveto be made and it is worth consid-ering how different people viewthese choices.The basic argumentis that a soldier must have done alot in Afghanistan, but it is diffi-cult for him to “make employers seeit.” “It’s not something that an em-ployer value,” The character of thisremark reflects reasons beyond eco-nomic consequences. Fundamen-tally, only ending combating mis-sions in Afghanistan would not endwar related activities at home. Theeconomic rehabilitation appears tobe receiving a very limited atten-tion in the US.

The business community in themainstream US business is no longerrelates the sacrifices of their mili-tary to “giving back” to society phe-nomenon. This does not mean that

the US businesses have ceased tojustify their role in the national re-habilitation process; it however hasbecome increasingly difficult to as-sess the impacts of war at home, andprocess of reengaging their so-calledwar heroes in their economic ben-efits. According to an estimate, “thefinancial cost of the war on terrorstands approximately at four trilliondollars. This cost is compounded bythe “stagnation of middle class in-comes, the inflation of health, edu-cation, food, and fuel prices, and

record low tax revenue from upperincome families and corporations.”It would be fair to suggest that if thecurrent doctrine of war on terrorhardens any further, the next Ameri-can generations will be buried un-der debt.

In his research on economic,social and political consequences ofwar on terrorism, a former intelli-gence officer, Chris Davis de-scribed the current situation as, “themilitary continues to break its ownsuicide records and maintain

higher-than-average domestic vio-lence, divorce, and sexual assaultrates, it decides to decrease thenumber of personnel available forworldwide military operations infavor of over-priced military plat-forms incapable of performing ba-sic military tasks like survivingcontact with the enemy. The highcosts of the Global War on Terror(GWOT) are to be paid by sacri-ficing middle class benefits in-stead of balancing the obligationsof all American taxpayers.” Thiscosts also concerns future of warveterans, especially in terms ofmedical care and disability. Ac-cording to an estimate, if war onterror and “other wars” continue,the US requires “at least another$450 billion in Pentagon spendingby 2020”.

As the frontline state in war onterror, Pakistan’s example too per-fectly “fits” in the frame underwhich fighting the menace of ter-rorism has ultimately disrupted itssocioeconomic progress, andplaced the entire population undersocioeconomic stress. In the caseof Pakistan, the war on terror hasvirtually reduced the confidence inthe US/NATO economic policiesincluding in the programs of Inter-national financial institutions, andthus increasing further risk percep-tions; leading to lower rates of in-vestment and lower economicgrowth.To be concluded, it is logi-cal to reconcile instead of increasethe hostilities in conflict zones be-cause using drone and other sophis-ticated war technology would causemore civilian deaths, and hence therevenge arracks and rise in violence.Reducing tensions and enhancingeconomic capacity are the basics toachieve peace in South Asia.—The author is a Denmark-basedNational Security Expert andDefence Analyst.

Rana Athar Javed Email: ma_javed@hotmail.com

Mohammad JamilEmail: mjamil1938@hotmail.com

News & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & ViewsNews & Views

As the frontlinestate in war on

terror, Pakistan’sexample too

perfectly “fits” inthe frame under

which fighting themenace of

terrorism hasultimately

disrupted itssocioeconomicprogress, and

placed the entirepopulation under

socioeconomicstress.

Voice of the People

India has a long history of aggressions against Pakistan since its inception in August 1947. Soon af-

ter partition, India burdened Pakistanwith plethora of unsettling problemsand then forced a war on newly bornPakistan in October 1947 by makingillegal intrusion in princely state ofKashmir that was to become part ofPakistan in accordance with the as-pirations of Kashmiris and lawsframed for princely states by outgo-ing British rulers.

India then closed water canals andimposed trade war to suffocate Paki-stan economically. In 1951, Indianmilitary carried out huge deploymentall along Pakistan’s border to coercePakistan and force it to withdraw itssupport for Kashmir. Between 1948and 1954, umpteen proposals madeby the UN to solve Kashmir disputewere rejected by India on one plea oranother while Pakistan accepted allthe proposals. In 1954, Nehru took asudden u-turn on his pledge he madeto allow right of self determinationto the people of Kashmir and startedclaiming that Kashmir was integralpart of India. Pakistan’s alliance withthe US was touted as a threat to Indiaand a reason to backpedal from thecommitment.

During 1962 Indo-China borderconflict when Pakistan had a goldenchance to free two-thirds Kashmirunder Indian control, Nehru had itconveyed through President Kennedythat if Pakistan didn’t exploit the situ-ation he would fulfill his promise ofplebiscite under UN supervision. Butonce India got out of trouble, Nehruonce again backtracked and Bhutto-Swaran Singh several rounds of talksproved inconclusive. Indian forces

India’s hostility against PakistanConduct

unbecomingSYED HASHMI

I was quite shocked reading the ar-ticle ‘Packed and gone’ Publishedin a national English daily on March18 by our national hero Dr A QKhan, who gave us the nuclearbombs which deter our arch-foe In-dia from launching a frontal assaulton us, though it is busy doing whatit can, in order to harm us. I am re-ally surprised at the level of resent-ment he feels against Dr TahirulQadri. He felt so incensed that in thevery first paragraph, he made dis-paraging remarks about him andmaintained the momentum all along,devoting nearly the whole of his ar-ticle trying to belittle Dr. Qadri. TheUrdu ‘saying’ quoted by Dr. Khanwas really the limit. I could expectthis sort of language from some ofour politicians but coming from aprofessional, it was a shocker.

Dr. Qadri’s arrival in Pakistanwas definitely not ill-timed as de-clared by Dr. Khan. Whatever he hasdone already is a useful service toPakistanis. He has made them fullyaware of the clauses in the constitu-tion that stipulate conditions as re-gards the assembly hopefuls and thisknowledge itself will, to a great de-gree, act as a check against the can-didates with tainted past sailingthrough the nomination process andeven if they manage to get hold of astay order and make an entry in thesystem, they can be subsequentlychallenged and disqualified.

I am really surprised at the depthof feelings that Dr. Khan has againstDr. Qadri. If Dr. Qadri also was anuclear scientist or a metallurgist, Icould understand the feeling and putit down to professional jealousy per-haps. Dr. Qadri is not even challeng-ing Dr. Khan and his associates inthe constituencies in which they wantto compete: as a matter of fact, Dr.Qadri has declared non-participationin the election by him and his party,so what exactly is all this fuss about?Could it possibly be the amount ofattention that Dr. Qadri managed toattract? Dr. Khan calls Dr. Qadri aCanadian national, without mention-ing that he is a Pakistani national aswell, and while he swore loyalty toCanada, he did not actually take anoath of animosity towards Pakistansimultaneously. A person’s dual na-tionality could become a disqualifi-cation in practical terms only in caseof a clash of interest between hisadopted country and that of Paki-stan, but in such an eventuality, orto meet legal requirements, he couldeasily renounce his foreign nation-ality, leaving him solely a Pakistannational. We know our former fed-eral interior minister Abdur RahmanMalik did actually take this coursein such a situation.

Though it seems a bid odd tome, we just learnt from ElectionCommission of Pakistan that thereis no bar on a dual-national becom-ing an interim prime minister. I amsure if being a dual-national wassynonymous with being anti-Paki-stan, the constitution would not haveallowed him to hold such a sensi-tive position. Moreover, the Su-preme Court has directed the ECPto make arrangements for overseasPakistanis - who would obviouslyinclude dual-nationals - to cast votesat the forthcoming elections. Andhere is Dr. Khan objecting vehe-mently to Dr. Qadri’s words anddeeds as ‘iterference in the internalaffairs of Pakistan.’

By the way, the saying is “toobig for his boots’ and not too big forhis shoes or slippers. Towards theend of his article, Dr. Khan presentsa dismal, though factual, picture ofthe performance of the outgoinggovernment, giving facts and figuresin support as well, and feels quiterelieved that it is all over now. I canassure him that he is not alone feel-ing that way. However, I feel in-clined to say that while it may be allover for now, the risk remains thatif not all, then very many, or at leastsome of the black sheep may landin the assemblies again, and mayeven ‘grace’ the new governmentformed after the forthcoming elec-tions. With this in mind, I am rathersurprised as to why Dr. Khan is soopposed to Dr. Qadri, who has beenmaking serious and sincere effortsto save Pakistan by doing his utmostto keep the dubious characters outof the electoral process?—Via email

Welcome tofreedom

JESUS SANCHO BIELSA

The freedom of man is wrapped indust of stars. This gift is so high, ad-mirable, important, strong, andhuge; a privilege so untouchableamong those which enrich and adornthe person. This is a unique gift de-spite affects everyone. We are allfree and owners of our acts. Thanksto the freedom we are owners of our

A torturing attitudeRAFAQAT WAHEED

Are the people at the helm of affairs of the Directorate-Generalof Passport and immigration in deep slumber? The federal in-

terior secretary and his subordinates who are controlling the af-fairs of director general, passports and immigration, have no ideaabout the tension and anxiety being faced by the people. A hugenumber of applicants are waiting since long despite having paidtheir fees, many of them for urgent passports. The people are pay-ing the price for the inefficiency, incompetence, ineptitude, apathyand indifference of the passport office and the interior ministry aswell. I would urge the Chief Justice of Pakistan to direct the Inte-rior Secretary & DG Passport to resolve the issue at the earliest orface the consequences for incompetence and inefficiency. Applicants’visas are going to expire whereas the officials concerned at the pass-port office are paying no heed!—Islamabad

READERS

Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

are requested to typetheir letters legibly withdouble spacing and only onone side of the paper.

—Editor

life, thoughts, actions, wishes, actsand decisions. We direct life towardgood or evil, according to our will,our freedom. Even in physical andviolent coercion that is exercisedagainst oneself, man does not lose onthe contrary keeps his inner freedomand is owner to accept or reject whatis being proposed or required. His-tory oozes and is full of surprisingand heroic examples in the defenseof freedom. Persecutions and vio-lence are open field where freedomis showed. We must judge the manby his freedom; his live develops ac-cording the free use of his freedom.His behavior is the mirror where hisfreedom is reflected.

The unquestionable truth ofman’s freedom has been staged at afunny joke. A man argues with an-other man; he defeated and threw himinto the river. While he sinks into thewater, takes the arms out above thecurrent, and putting together the bigor thumb toe of both hands, such asrubbing the nails, gestures that insultsthe enemy, telling him lousy.

In order to understand and appre-ciate the sense of freedom it must beanticipated an observation: freedomhas a social limit. It must be harmo-nized with the freedom of other freepeople. That is called respect. Respectis incumbent upon each one and is nottransferable: we have it or not, we liveit or not; each one is responsible forits behavior. Respect is essential forthe coexistence between citizens. Thisis as important as the authority thatwatches, looks after and promotes thecommon good of society. I would saythat it is more important because ifthere is no respect, the coexistence isimpossible, and then the authority issuperfluous, the authority is notneeded; unless authority decidedlydeclares itself in favor of the order andrespect, until impose order and mu-tual respect that make possible thecoexistence among all. Few peoplefeel that if the authority does notwatches and promotes the social or-der and respect among the citizens, theauthority becomes no more than adecorative element but disastrous; anelement that is not wanted.—Spain

Auto sector avoidscompetitionM SHAHID DAYO

I read with deep despair that parts’localisation of two-wheelers has notbenefited customers. Locally-manu-factured car prices have also doubledsince 2008 on the pretext of devalua-tion etc (March 17). Our auto sectorhas demonstrated strong aversion tocompetition. Driven by rent-seekingbehaviour, auto manufacturers havecoerced policymakers into framingand perpetuating protectionist poli-cies at the cost of customers andeconomy. Operating as a cartel, theindustry has over time resorted to anengineered gap in demand and sup-ply to fleece and exploit customerswith exorbitant prices, poor qualityand long delivery delays.

Their collusive behaviour athome, coupled with high duties onimport of cars, has contributed to in-efficiency as the auto sector remainedoblivious to the importance of re-search and development. Moreover,coincidence of phasing out of twosmall cars by two competitors seemsto have been driven more by collu-sion than by customer preferences. Abrief comparative analysis of our autoindustry with that of India’s revealsour auto sector’s dismal state. TheIndian auto industry too enjoyed pro-tectionism but unlike ours it did notsuffer from a sense of complacencynor did it stick to infant industry ar-gument for rent seeking.

During the high entry barrier re-gime, the Indian auto industry focusedon developing and preparing for com-petition. India removed quantitativerestrictions on imports opening theway for FDI which gave a boost toindigenous car production. Moreover,India has also become an exporter ofautomobiles. In 2011-12, India ex-ported over 2.9 million vehicles worth$6 billion, a fifth of which were pas-senger and commercial vehicles.

Despite protectionism, our autosector’s contribution to the GDP is$3.6 billion only and exporting a car,to my knowledge, is still a pipedream. In its recent ‘Competition

Break the stalemate

Around 20 years ago, a youngcivil rights attorney wasmobilising the African-

American community in Chicago atthe beginning of his political career.This week Barack Obama will visitPalestine as president of the UnitedStates. Around 20 years ago, I wasinvolved in the process of negotia-tions that followed the Madrid con-ference, an early attempt to start apeace process, in an effort to secureindependence for Palestine and therights of its people. Next week I willstill be here, alongside our steadfastpeople, fighting for our rights.

For two decades Palestine has en-gaged in discussions with successiveIsraeli governments, which havetalked the talk of a negotiated settle-ment while deliberately turning amilitary occupation into somethingfar more sinister — an ugly systemof racial segregation. President

Obama has the power to change thisreality and break the political dead-lock. It will require some tough deci-sions and strong political will, but theUnited States is known for its abilityto make strong foreign policy deci-sions when necessary.

Let us review the goal. The UnitedStates, along with the rest of the inter-national community, endorses a two-state solution based on the 1967 bor-der, with East Jerusalem as the capitalof Palestine and a resolution of therefugee issue in accordance withUnited Nations Resolution 194, so thatPalestine and Israel can live side byside in peace and security.

The Palestinian and American vi-sions are therefore in line with eachother. Successive Israeli govern-ments, unfortunately, have not sharedthis vision, a fact which is made abun-dantly clear by Israel’s actions on theground: The cranes building settle-ments speak far louder than anywords at a negotiating table. Ameri-can officials talk a great deal aboutthe resumption of negotiations. The

Palestinian leadership has alwayspushed for a negotiated settlement onall final-status issues. However, wealso need to be very clear that anyfurther negotiations must have clearterms of reference and prior obliga-tions must be fulfilled in order toshow that both parties have good-faith intentions of working toward adefined end goal. Otherwise we willbe stuck in an empty process, onewhich unfortunately acts as asmokescreen for continued unilateralIsraeli policies.

The first concrete step thatObama could take would be to de-mand that Israel fulfill its prior obli-gations. This includes a full freeze onsettlement construction, the release ofprisoners, the opening of closed in-stitutions in Jerusalem and other com-mitments made during previous ne-gotiations. There must be real conse-quences for Israel if it fails to com-ply with US requests and interna-tional law. Israel’s lack of account-ability remains the single most dam-aging aspect of US involvement in

Mustafa Barghouthi

encroached in Rann of Katchin Sindh in April 1965 forcingPakistan to retaliate and pushback the encroachers but leftbehind Sir Creek issue. IndianArmy then made incursions inAzad Kashmir in July 1965

forcing Pakistan to launch its stealthyOperation Gibraltar in August, whichled to an all-out war in September.India’s high-flying plans to over-whelm Pakistan failed in the face ofextraordinary steely resistance put upby heavily outnumbered Pakistanarmed forces in the 17 days high in-tensity war.

Thereon, India changed its tac-tics and started subverting East Pa-kistan through psychological opera-tions to soften the target from withinand then launch the hammer. Aftertruncating Pakistan in 1971, Indiakept 93000 civilian and military pris-oners of war till May 1974. Indiasigned Simla Treaty with Pakistanin 1972 to convert ceasefire line inKashmir into Line of Control (LoC)and to enforce policy of bilateralismdesigned to keep outside powersfrom interfering in Kashmir issue.LoC was to be respected by bothsides but Indian forces in violationof the agreement occupied importantheights across the LoC in ChorbatLa sector in 1972.

From 1973 till 1978, India ex-tended support to Balochistan insur-gency. In 1974, India carried out overtnuclear test at Pokhran to overawePakistan and other South Asian coun-tries. In 1982, Indian forces againviolated LoC and captured a post inKashmir’s Qamar sector. In 1983,India supported Sindhi nationalistmovement led by PPP. India also gotaligned with Israel to strike Pakistan’snuclear plant. In April 1984 Indianforces quietly sneaked into Siachinand occupied important heights onSoltoro Range. Indian military car-ried out inter-service Brass-tacksExercise in 1986/87 perilously close

Views From Abroad

5 years tenure of PPP

The government of PPP hascompleted its five years term.Great enough! But cries of the

masses will perhaps continued to beheard for decades to come. These fiveyears leave behind a great deal ofdebris in the shape of the people’s dis-content. The word of democracy inPakistan remained a laughingstockand democracy itself remained underthreat. The ruling Party was almost acomplete failure on account of gov-ernance as through massive corrup-tion, favoritism and the general pub-lic apathy; it messed up the economy,abnormally hiked the price of com-modities, ate up the whole public cor-porations, ruined industry, aggravatedthe energy crisis and fared too badon provision of security to the life andproperty of the citizen.

Pakistan today seems to be char-acterized by a breakdown in the ca-pacity of its governing elite and itsagencies to execute domestic and for-eign policy, including the protectionof individuals from harsh and arbi-trary violence. In Karachi,Baluchistan and KPK everyone wasarmed to the teeth, and shooting cannow be heard everywhere around theclock. Shots continued to be firedduring the whole tenure in warning,in fear, in terror, in land grabbing, inplundering the state resources or incelebrations of the elite class. Theft,robbery and murder were daily fare.Armed robbers committed the crime

in broad daylight. The politi-cal party, which constantlyclaims itself to be of the poor,snatched everything from thepoor in its five years regime.Corruption remained thehallmark of the rulers so

much so that not even a singleproject of the Federal Governmentcould be listed as transparent. Theflux of corruption kept increasing asthe rulers continued with their cor-rupt practices unabated, in spite ofresistance and scrutiny by the ApexCourt, the Media and the public atlarge. The loot and corruption ofPPP has pushed the country to theverge of disaster and mega scandalsof corruption of the federal govern-ment were a question mark on itsperformance. So much so moneydoled out from the exchequer of thestate on the last day of the FederalGovernment is unprecedented. Thissmall mafia captured resources ofPakistan and looted national wealthruthlessly for five years. Their ram-pant corruption has weakened thestate institutions and brought thecountry into the tight grip of unend-ing crises. There had been no op-tion with the people other than pay-ing bribes to the rulers to get eventheir legal works done.

Economy has been collapsed.Massive corruption in the lands andgovernment procurements has beendone in entities like National High-way Authority, Oil and Gas Devel-opment Corporation Limited, SuiSouthern Gas Pipelines Limited, SuiNorthern Gas Pipeline Limited,Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Au-thority, Civil Aviation Authority,NICL, Pepco, Erra, SVBP, NBP,

ZTBL, CDA, Ministry of Defence,Defence Housing Authority, NationalLogistics Cell, PSO, PNSC, Canton-ment Boards, etc. All the departmentshave also been burdened with extrastaff appointed on political basiswithout determining the actual staffrequirement. The Government hasdoubled the country’s debts, pavingthe way for inflation and making theprices of essential commodities be-yond the reach of the poor. Pakistanhad been a complete disaster duringPPP regime! Today, my Pakistan can-not help even its poor, elderly and or-phans. From it, bleeding, like from asinking ship, engineers, doctors,teachers are fleeing, because theyhave nothing to live on.

For the personal gains, Militaryand Judiciary were blackmailed andused frequently. The Supreme Courtis fighting against corruption but thegovernment, instead of supportingthem, violated he apex court’s or-der, used very trick to avoid fair in-vestigations and prosecution in cor-ruption cases. While Supreme Courtwas hearing mega corruption scan-dals of the PPP government involv-ing tens of billions of rupees andrecoveries were being made on theorders of the court, the PPP Gov-ernment tried to bring the SupremeCourt and parliament at loggerheadsby conducting the audit of the Su-preme Court funds which carry fullcover under the Constitution, andundermined the independence of thejudiciary by summoning the regis-trar of the apex court before the Pub-lic Accounts Committee.

The Supreme Court is vestedwith power to scrutinize all mattersof complaint regarding the use or ir-

Assessment Report on the Automo-bile Industry of Pakistan’, the Com-petition Commission of Pakistanmakes a rational recommendation ofopening up of the domestic marketto the import of new cars at reason-able tariffs and reducing protectionof the local industry to allow foreigncompetition for the benefit of con-sumers. This will bring in new tech-nology and offer a greater choice tothe consumers.—Islamabad

Modalitiesfor reformsMAHMOOD MIRZA

This is apropos of the article ‘Bigbang opportunity’ by Dr Ishrat Husain(March 11) wherein he cited theMexican president’s reforms to alterthe country’s economic structure. Thepresident proposed reforms in foursectors of the economy, namely en-ergy, tax, labour and education.

Dr Husain has proposed that thecoming general elections provide anopportunity to the newly-elected(coalition) government to introduce‘big bang’ package of economic re-forms in ‘energy, tax and tariff,privatisation and restructuring of pub-lic enterprises, education, technology,competition and the civil services.’ DrHusain expects that the economic re-forms would, subject to political sta-bility, usher in a favourable businessand investment climate. This, accord-ing to him, is big bang economic re-forms, provided a fundamental shifttakes place in our collective mindsetand a witch-hunt against the outgo-ing government is avoided.

Dr Husain proposes a structuralchange with a view to boosting confi-dence of investors, though also pro-posing to change the general mood ofthe country, while another expert aimsat providing minimum conditions ofdignified life to the majority of thepeople, linked to the core human val-ues. The society of Pakistan will nottemper down unless the ‘big bang’ re-forms are carried out by a combina-tion approach of both the learnedscholars. I would replace the headingof ‘big bang’ by a comprehensive so-cial change. I foresee a strong move-ment for a social change a few monthsafter the general elections.

This is because I do not see thatthe elite rule coming in the wake ofexpected elections may carry out thereforms which serve the ruling classessuch as privatisation and restructur-ing of public enterprises and, to adegree, education and energy. But Iwonder whether the future govern-ment would be able to collect tax andbe able to get out of the dictates ofthe IMF and set a system capable ofproviding the minimum condition ofdignified life to the majority of thepeople. It is too big a task for themajor parties contesting the elections.—Lahore

Thinkingindependently

K DURRANI

This is with reference to Karam A.Siddiqui’s letter ‘PAF: discipline andquality’ (March 7). A modern air forceneeds to review its concepts of ‘dis-cipline’ and ‘equality’. Disciplineshould not stop someone from think-ing independently as ‘yesmanship’creates stagnation in an organisation.Freedom of expression is one’s right,whereas taking decisions is com-manders’ privilege.

However, retaliatory actions onthe part of the organisation reflectimmaturity and lack of self-restraintand discipline. Discipline only meanssetting up the perfect environment toachieve the goals you have. So, if wehave any regulations which affect thisgoal, they must be reviewed.—Karachi

regular use of public power by anyauthority of state how high-so-ever.Now, when PPP Government is nomore in the field to pressurize orblackmail the national institutions, theSupreme Court should order a com-plete audit of all the public corpora-tions and Government Departmentsnot only to concentrate on detectionof frauds committed by the PPP, butrather, to look at all the financial andnon-financial activities for effectivecorporate governance oversight.Wrong actions including politicalappointments / promotions, contro-versial summaries approved by vari-ous divisions causing huge losses tothe national exchequer, illegal allot-ment of lands, and such like otheractions may immediately be reversed,and references should be filed withthe NAB in other corruption cases.

Thanks PPP. The guardian of the“democracy”, you’ have done an ex-cellent job of making the people ofPakistan hungry and shelter-less andemptying the national exchequer inaddition to burdening the countrywith unprecedented debt. The PPPgangsters are now much worriedabout their past terroristic attacks onnational exchequer and other publicresources, are involved for saving &hiding their crimes, they are defam-ing military, judiciary, and other na-tional institutions. The nation is call-ing for the arrest of leaders of theoutgoing regime who have been ac-cused of corruption. They wouldlike to see concrete steps takenagainst certain leaders who haveemptied the national exchequer.They may be immediately placedunder exist control list and wouldnot be allowed to abscond.

the conflict.Obama could also usethis visit to ask Prime Minister Ben-jamin Netanyahu whether his inten-tion is two states based on the 1967border. If Netanyahu answers yes,then the president should ask to seeNetanyahu’s map of what thismight look like. The Palestine Lib-eration Organisation has presentedits negotiating positions clearly andrepeatedly while fulfilling its com-mitments; there is no point goingback to the negotiating table with-out an indication from this new Is-raeli government that it shares thesame vision for a solution as the restof the world.

Thirdly, if the United Statesdoes see itself as an honest broker,then the balance of power must beredressed. Two parties cannot rea-sonably negotiate when one isweaker and the mediator is allied tothe stronger party. We understandthat America will always be Israel’sclose friend. But a good friend needsto be willing to tell his friend whenhe is going astray.—Khaleej Times

to Pakistan’s desert belt in Sindh withclear intention of provoking a war.Besides these anti-Pakistan activities,RAW joined hands with KGB andKHAD and indulged in clandestineoperations to harm Pakistan through-out the Afghan war in 1980s. RAWimparted training to al-Zulfiqar ter-rorists in India and launched them forsabotage and subversion purposes inPakistan till as late as 1993-4.

In 1990, Indian forces heated upKashmir front in reaction to armeduprising in occupied Kashmir andthreatened to annex AJK. Indiaagreed to become a strategic part-ner of USA on the condition that itdistanced itself from Pakistan andstopped supporting Kashmir cause.In connivance with USA, India ac-cused Pakistan of aiding terrorismin occupied Kashmir. Theme ofcross border terrorism was hypedso profusely that the US put Paki-stan on the watch list of countriesabetting terrorism. In May 1998,BJP government in India carried outfive nuclear tests and deployed sur-face-to-surface nuclear tippedPrithvi missiles along the LoCwhich could strike any city of Pa-kistan. Jingoistic BJP leaders con-tinued to hurl threats to annex AJKtill Pakistan gave a tit-for-tat re-sponse, which put sense into theiragitating minds and calmed themdown. In September 1998, PakNavy Atlanta aircraft was callouslyshot down by Indian air force.

Forgetting its several incursionsin disputed Kashmir, Indian militaryover reacted to a small incursion inDras-Kargil sector in occupied Kash-mir in 1999 by using up its entire in-fantry formations as well as itsairpower using Israeli made precisionguided missiles to recapture lostheights and also raising hue and cryin the world. Although Pakistan va-cated the heights under US pressure,Indian media continued to deprecatePakistan military by describing Pak

Army as a rogue Army and Kash-mir freedom movement as terror-ism. In reaction to terrorist attacksin Mumbai on November 26, 2008,Lashkar-e-Taiba and ISI wereblamed and drums of war sounded.In December 2008, Indian forcesonce again carried out forward de-ployment of troops and remained inbattle locations till July/August2009. Composite dialogue wasstalled and exerted extreme pressureon Pakistan to hand over accusedpersons.

In addition to covert war fromAfghan soil, India is also involvedin cultural invasion to loosen themorals of the youth and to dilutetheir warrior spirit. India also un-dertook water terrorism as a tool tocoerce Pakistan and restrain herfrom raising Kashmir issue on in-ternational forums. India has re-sorted to water terrorism. She hasalready built over 40 small and bigdams including Baglihar andKishanganga dams over Indus,Jhelum and Chenab Rivers despitethe fact that Pakistan has exclusiverights over these rivers in accor-dance with Indus Water Treatysigned in 1960.

India wants to negotiate andsettle disputes with Pakistan and isdesirous of peace and friendly rela-tions but strictly on its terms. It ne-gotiates only when it finds itself ina difficult position diplomatically ormilitarily but not when it is on astronger wicket. Indian leaders mustunderstand that amicable solution ofKashmir dispute acceptable to thepeople of Kashmir will help in en-hancing the respect and prestige ofIndia and in fulfilling its wish ofbecoming a world power. Non-reso-lution of the dispute would not onlykeep South Asia destabilized andimpoverished, but would lead tofragmentation of India.—The writer is a retired Brig anda defence analyst.

Asif Haroon RajaEmail: asifharoon7751@yahoo.com

Shaukat M ZafarEmail: smzafar101@gmail.com

Pakistan and has played a promi-nent role in expanding coopera-tion between the two nations.“In recognition of his profes-sional achievements and en-deavors for strengthening thefriendship and cooperation be-tween UAE and Pakistan ArmedForces and between the twocountries, he has been conferredthe award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz(Military)”, said the citation.

Chairman Joint Chiefs ofStaff Committee General KhalidShameem Wynne, Secretary toPresident Ms. Nasreen Haque,Secretary Defence Lt Gen (R)Asif Yasin Malik, Foreign Sec-retary Mr. Jalil Abbas Jillani andother senior officials werepresent on the occasion besidesSpokesperson to the PresidentSenator Farhatullah Babar.

The UAE side includedamong others Mr. Essa AbdullahAl Basha Al Noaimi, Ambassa-dor, Staff Brig Abdul RehmanSabt Mubarak Al Murri, Direc-tor of Logistic, GHQ, Staff BrigKhalaf Nasir Rashid Al Qubaisi,PSO to COS and Col (Staff)Ghanem Ali Ghanem Al-Ali,Military Attaché. Later, Lt. GenHamad Mohammad Thani AlRumaithy, along with delega-tion, called on the President.

Spokesperson to the Presi-dent Senator Farhatullah Babarthat the President during meet-ing highlighted close and frater-nal relations between Pakistanand UAE, which he said wererooted in cultural affinities,shared faith and traditions andshared interests.—INP

iz, Ahsan Iqbal, Ishaq Dar, TariqAzeem and others were presenton the occasion.

Nawaz further said thePML-N had given the names ofhonest and best personalitieswith regard to caretaker setup,upon which the whole nation isunanimous. He said Justice(Retd.) Nasir Aslam Zahid haddeclined to take oath from a dic-tator under PCO while it was thePML-N which nominated Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui as party can-didate for the office of President.

Expressing his firm resolveto bring real change in the coun-try, Nawaz said the PML-Nwould not only turn Pakistan intoan Asian tiger, but would try its

Balochistan. As a result of blastseven people were killed on thespot and 40 others sustainedwounds.

Police said that it was highintensity bomb blast which alsodamaged five shops besides cau-salities and injuries. The injuredwere rushed to various hospitalsand emergency was declared inall hospitals of the district. Ac-cording to hospital sources con-dition of several injured peoplewas serious and it was fearedthat death toll may rise further.

DPO Jafferabad said that inaccordance with bomb disposalsquad (BDS) report 20 kg ex-plosive material was used in theblast. Heavy contingent of po-lice and other law enforcementagencies (LEAs) cordoned ofthe area and started search op-eration.—INP

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eignty of Pakistan, all the appealsmade by the successive Pakistanigovernments to bring end to thedrone strikes always fell on deafears of those at the helm of af-fairs in Washington and infactfueled the widespread anti-American sentiments, which arerunning high in Pakistan sinceUS air strikes inadvertentlykilled 24 Pakistani soldiers inNovember 2011.

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returning officer from March 24-29. The ECP directed officers ofthe Election Commission and thereturning officers to keep officesopen on March 23 and 24.

Scrutiny of the candidates willbe done from March 30 to April 5.From April 6 to 9, the candidatesand their opponents can file ap-peals, which will be reviewed bythe tribunals until April 16.

Any candidate can be dis-qualified from contesting theelections until April 17 and finallist of candidates, who will becontesting the elections, will beissued on March 18. Followingthat, the ECP has allotted 22 daysto the election candidates for theelection campaign and generalelections 2013 will be held onMay 11.

ElectionFrom Page 1

level best to rid the country of allissues, including terrorism, loadshedding and unemployment. Hesaid the PML-N Manifesto isharbinger of real change and pro-vides solution to manifold crisesfaced by the country. In the past,the PML-N fulfilled all the prom-ises including restoration ofjudges deposed by DictatorPervez Musharraf.

Without naming anybody,Nawaz said there are many fakefighters in the air who neitherhad any track record nor agendafor future. He said such elementsare not aware of the real prob-lems faced by the country.

Criticizing former presi-dent, he said that Musharraf

was a shortsighted person whosurrendered before the then USSecretary of State on a tele-phone call while setting asidenational interests. He remindedthat it was the PML-N leader-ship which turned down USoffer of US $5 billion and gotconducted nuclear explosionsin reply to Indian atomic explo-sions. Highlighting achieve-ments of the PML-N, he saidthe country was marching onthe road to progress and pros-perity. “Neither there were sui-cide attacks not electricity andgas load shedding,” he said,adding, “India was looking to-wards Pakistan for getting sur-plus electricity.”

of immediate arrest. Musharraf,who seized power in 1999 andleft the country after steppingdown in 2008, is wanted in Paki-stan for conspiracy to murder andillegally ar-resting judges.

“Two hundred percent! I amtravelling back on Sunday to Pa-kistan,” he told AFP in Dubai,where he has divided his timewith London since steppingdown as head of state in August2008. “I will go by land, air orsea, whatever… even to the perilof my life this is the oath I tookfor the coun-try,” said the formerarmy chief of staff.

The outgoing governmentled by the Pakistan Peo-ple’sParty (PPP) always insisted thatMusharraf would be arrestedshould be return to the countryand last year he delayed aplanned homecoming after beingthreatened with detention.

A parliamentary committeecould later Friday agree on a can-didate to head up an interim gov-ernment which will rule duringthe election campaign.

“There will be no arrest oranything,” Musharraf told AFP.“I decided I will go back what-ever the judgment (in court) butthe judgment is favourable,” hesaid.—AFP

MusharrafFrom Page 1

Secretariat in the city. The Cen-tral Information Secretary AasiaIshaque sacrificed 7 goats anddistributed 200-kg sweets as thegesture of thanksgiving.

While speaking on the occa-sion, She said that getting bailbefore arrest from the court wasa sign of victory of the truth andthe day was not far when theAPML Chief would get the com-plete acquittal in all cases that therivals had prepared to implicatehim to gain the vested interest.

She said that the APMLChief had always respected theJudiciary and believed that thefree Judiciary would settle allpending cases on merit andwould keep the justice as itshould be.

She said that the APMLChief had served the country inhis previous tenure and took allthe steps that were in country’sinterest. The APML Chief wouldagain take steps for the people ofthe country and would strengthenthe defence of the country. On theoccasion, APML Central leadersincluding Ahmed Raza Qasuri,Dr Amjad, and ChaudhryShafique, Chaudhry Ashraf,Ghulam Mustafa Khaskheli,Muhammad Ali Sherwani andothers were present.

APML chiefFrom Page 1

Tayyip Erdogan. PresidentBarack Obama helped ar-

range the call shortly beforeleaving Israel. The flotilla in-cident severely harmed ties be-tween the once-close allies.

Turkey withdrew its ambas-sador from Israel, and diplo-matic ties and military coopera-tion were greatly scaled back.

The boat was carrying activ-ists trying to breach Israel’sblockade of the Hamas-ruledGaza Strip.—AP

Israel apologizesto Turkey overflotilla deaths

From Page 1

officers have been awardedSitara-i-Imtiaz (Military), AirCommodore Khalid Mahmood,Air Commodore ShahjahanSattar Khan, Air CommodoreKhawar Hussain, Air Commo-dore Aasim Zaheer, Air Com-modore Humayun Viqar Zephyr,Air Commodore Noor Abbas,Group Captain MuhammadSafdar, Group CaptainMuhammad Afzal, Group Cap-tain Shahzad Zafar Dogar,Group Captain Omer Sharif,Group Captain M Arif Burq,Group Captain SalmanMahboob, Group Captain GoharMajeed Khan, Group CaptainMuhammad Waseem, GroupCaptain Shahid Nadeem, GroupCaptain Tahir Mukhtar.

SITARA-I-IMTIAZ: Inrecognition of his tremendousefforts and support for the JF-17 Thunder programme MrWang Guangya Chairman ofthe Board, President ChengduAircraft industrial Group Co.Ltd Peoples Republic of Chinahas been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz by President of Pakistan.

TA M G H A - I - I M T I A Z(MILITARY): Following offic-ers have been awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military), Group Cap-tain Syed Ali Zaidi, Group Cap-tain Muhammad ShafiqueSiddique, Wing CommanderMuhammad Ehsan-ul-Haq,Wing Commander Gohar-Ul-Hassan Syed, Wing Commander

President confers awardsupon PAF officers

From Page 1Aurangzeb Ahmed, Wing Com-mander Salman Masood, WingCommander Muhammad AsifAslam, Wing Commander ArifMahmood, Wing CommanderImran Siddiqui, Wing Com-mander Adnan Qadeer, WingCommander Tariq Iqbal , WingCommander MuhammadUsman Malik , Wing Com-mander Muhammad Ikram-Ul-Haq Noor, Wing CommanderMuhammad Nasir Javed.SITARA-I-BASALAT: Squad-ron Leader Bilal Hassan Babri(Shaheed) has been awarded withSitara-i-Basalat .IMTIAZISANAD. Following officershave been awarded ImtiaziSanad, Wg Cdr Jehan-Zeb Tahir,Sqn Ldr Syed Asif Hussain.

Four labourerskilled in firing atvehicle in Quetta

QUETTA—At least four personswere killed when unknown mis-creants riding motorcyclesopened fire at a vehicle here onFriday. According to police,armed motorcyclists sprayedbullets at a vehicle at Kalat Na-tional Highway killing all thefour people on the spot.

The accused managed to es-cape from the scene after com-mitting quadrupled murder. Dis-trict administration said that thedeceased were labourers whowere on their way to install so-lar panels.—INP

BERLIN—An Islamic extremistwanted by Germany for allegedlycalling for terrorist attacks onEurope has been arrested in Tur-key and Berlin is negotiating hisextradition, an official said Fri-day.

Austrian-born MohamedMahmoud, 27, was picked upTuesday in the southeastern prov-ince of Hatay near the Syrianborder, a German security offi-cial with knowledge of the talkssaid. The official spoke on con-dition of anonymity because hewas not authorized to discuss thematter. He said Germany has al-ready begun preliminary pro-ceedings to have Mahmoud ex-tradited.

“We are very confident wewill get him to Germany,” hesaid.

Nina Bussek, a spokes-woman for the Vienna publicprosecutor’s office, said Austriawas also seeking Mahmoud’s ex-tradition on “suspicion of form-ing a terrorist organization.”

Mahmoud was jailed Austriain 2007 for being a leader of theGlobal Islamic Media Front,which creates and distributes ter-rorist propaganda videos. Amongthe accusations, police said he

Turkey arrestsextremist wanted

by Germanythreatened both Austria and Ger-many with attacks if they did notwithdraw military personnelfrom Afghanistan.

Following his release in2011, Mahmoud moved to Ger-many and became an imam withthe ultraconservative Salafimovement, which has beengrowing rapidly in the country byattracting both Muslims and con-verts. They have been under closeobservation since 2010, and thatwas stepped up further last yearafter they clashed with police inBonn last year at a rally of a far-right party.

His group, Millatu Ibrahim,was banned last June. Officialsat the time said it taught follow-ers to reject German law and fol-low Islamic Shariah law and that“the unbelievers are the enemy.”

Mahmoud, who had alreadybeen expelled from Germanyahead of the ban, resurfaced inEgypt — where his father is from— and called on his followers tojoin him.

German security officialssay dozens of “jihad travelers”responded, traveling to Egypt andthen going on to fight elsewhere— largely in Mali, Syria andYemen.—AP

Long live Pakistan, long live democracy!From Page 2

It is satisfying moment for thenation as it pays tribute toBegum Nusrat Bhutto, herdaughter Benazir Bhutto and allthose who sacrificed in blood,toil and tears and made idea ofa democratic Pakistan possible.

Notwithstanding the enor-mous difficulties electoral mat-ters are moving in the right di-rection and we shall have achange of government throughvote at last. Five years of demo-cratic rule have been of farreaching consequence.

We never had it as good asmanifested in politics of recon-ciliation and consensus—a vi-sion of Benazir Bhutto— thatbrought its political leadershipincluding the opposition, mili-tary and judiciary on the samepage. Constitutional amend-ments—18th, 19th and 20th—have made democracy invin-cible. Pakistan today is self-suf-ficient in wheat and its economyhas shown improvement slowlybut surely overcoming multifari-ous challenges. Its BenazirBhutto Income Support schemehas laid the foundation of a so-cial welfare state.

The legacy of the govern-ment that is moving out wouldbe a source of strength for thenext since the nation and its in-stitutions are unified on issuesof national and strategic impor-tance. President Zardari’s deci-sion of handing over manage-ment of Gwadar Port to Chinaand Pak-Iran gas pipeline are ofparamount importance for theprogress and prosperity of thecountry. Among its otherachievements include openingup of trade with India without

compromising on its core issues.Yet another feather in its cap

is the excellent relations with theUnited Kingdom as endorsed bythe British Prime Minister in hisoft-repeated assertion that “yourenemies are our enemies andyour friends are our friends”. AsHigh Commissioner of Pakistanto UK I must acknowledge therole played by UK in getting Pa-kistan market access into EU andits continued tenacious support toPakistan for GSP+ status. Nodoubt UK has established itselfas our most reliable friend in thewestern hemisphere.

As far as Afghanistan is con-cerned Pakistan has convincedall parties to initiate a dialoguewith Taliban for an Afghan-spe-cific resolution when the NATOwithdraws by 2014. Now it isup to Taliban to respond posi-tively to a way out of imbroglio.A resilient Pakistan, however, isdetermined to safeguard its sov-ereignty and eliminate terrorism.Pakistan today has an indepen-dent judiciary that had been ren-

dered into a pliable tool in thehands of dictators in the past.Media too can gloat itself onaccount of no holds bar freedomit enjoys. It is also a matter ofpride for the government thatthere is no political prisoner inthe country. Even rallies led byforeign nationals are allowed tosymbolise nation’s strength indemocracy.

It is satisfying to note thatPresident Zardari has buriedpolitics of vendetta and replacedit with tolerance and peacefulco-existence as a democraticway of life. He has also ensuredthat power would be transferredto those who win electionswithin the framework of theconstitution under an interim setup. It is a land mark and proudachievement that a democraticgovernment has completed itstenure to make room for consti-tutionally mandated transfer ofpower. Long live Pakistan, Longlive democracy!—The author is HighCommissioner of Pakistan to UK

ISLAMABAD: Prof of Medical and Dental College awarding trophy to winning team after college’s Sports Gala.

AUCKLAND—A maiden cen-tury from opening batsmanPeter Fulton put NewZealand on track for a big firstinnings total on day one ofthe third and deciding Testagainst England at Eden Parkon Friday.

New Zealand were 250for one at stumps with Fultonunbeaten on 124 and KaneWilliamson 83 not out after afrustrating day for England’sbowlers.

England skipper AlastairCook was punished after win-ning the toss and making NewZealand bat on a drop-inAuckland wicket that wasexpected to offer his attackmore pace and bounce thanthe lifeless pitches inDunedin and Wellington.

Black Caps skipperBrendon McCullum said itwas “judgement day” for hisbatting line-up after theywere put in for the first timethis series – and they camethrough with flying colours.

Eden Park proved an-other flat track thatharboured no demons, allow-ing them to dominate, withEngland’s only wicket for theday coming from a rash shotby Hamish Rutherford (37)just before lunch.

While England’s bowlerswere tight, sending down 27

Ton-up Fulton putsNew Zealand in control

maidens through the day, theNew Zealanders kept theruns ticking over thanks tothe short boundaries at EdenPark, which is normally usedas a rugby venue.

Fulton’s century was thehighlight, reviving a Test ca-reer he feared over before hewas recalled for this seriesafter more than three yearsin the wilderness.

“I’ve played a few Testmatches and now I’ve gotone (a century),” the right-hander said.

“If I’m being brutally

honest, at the start of thisseason I thought maybe mytime had come and gone.”

Fulton, whose previousbest was 75, managed a 79-run partnership with Ruther-ford then combined withWilliamson for an unbeaten171 in New Zealand’s bestbatting performance in theseries. The 34-year-oldlooked nervous as he stalledon 99 for nine deliveries be-fore finally securing a cen-tury that included 14 foursand three sixes to a standingovation from the home

crowd.He used up a life on 16

when a James Andersoninswinger nicked the edge ofhis bat and narrowly avoidedthe slips cordon before run-ning away to the boundary.

Another mistake a fewovers later off a short Broaddelivery flew away for six.

He worked patiently withRutherford to see off the newball, the pair content to takejust 17 runs off the first 10overs. Rutherford showedflashes of aggression hittingtwo sixes off Monty Panesarbut came undone trying todo the same to Steve Finnminutes before lunch.

Williamson was uncom-fortable early on but settledinto a solid supporting role,notching his seventh Testhalf century to build on his55 not out in the second Testin Wellington

After an energy-sappingday in the field for the tour-ists, Fulton said the BlackCaps needed to press hometheir advantage in the searchfor a series-clinching victory.

“We’ve just got to getout there again tomorrowand carry on, when you getthere and you get in you wantto make the most of it,” hesaid. While the weatherforced draws in the first twoTests, clear skies are forecastuntil early next week inAuckland, increasing the like-lihood of a result.

New Zealand, rankedeighth in Test cricket, havenot won a series against En-gland since 1999, with theirsole series victory on homesoil back in 1984.

A win for England, whohave won the last three se-ries against the Black Caps,would cement their positionat number two in the Testrankings.—AFP

New Zealand 1st innings:P Fulton not out ............ 95Rutherford c Cookb Finn .............................. 37K Williamson not out ... 39Extras: (lb2) ...................... 2Total: (1 wkt; 59 overs)173Fall of wickets: 1-79Bowling: ........... O-M-R-WAnderson ........... 14-4-37-0Broad .................. 13-4-45-0Finn ..................... 16-4-38-1Panesar ............... 16-5-51-0

AUCKLAND: Peter Fulton lofts one for six throughmidwicket during New Zealand vs England 3rd Test.

TRIPOLI—Libya are push-ing hard to host the 2017Africa Cup of Nations, achance to showcase thefootballing prowess of itsyouth and mark a return tonormal times in a countryplagued by post-revolution-ary unrest.

The North African coun-try was to host the 2013 tour-nament but the revolutionwhich overthrew MoamerQadhafi two years ago sawSouth Africa step in, aheadof its scheduled hosting ofthe 2017 event.

Libya’s deputy premierand head of its organisingcommittee, Awad al-Baraassi, says his oil-richcountry is “determined” tostep back in and host thetournament on its 60th an-niversary, using “all its re-sources” to ensure success.

The task is a tall order,however, with Libyan au-thorities struggling to im-pose law and order in acountry still plagued by in-security and violence.

Youth and Sports Min-ister Abdessalem Ghulia

Libya interested in hosting 2017 ACONsays hosting the 2017 tour-nament would be the idealopportunity to usher in anew era of post-conflict nor-mality in Libya. “Organisingthe Africa Cup will show areturn to normal life acrossthe country and the launch

of development projects,” hesaid. “It’s not only a sportsevent but an opportunity tomove on from revolution toreconstruction of the state,”he said, appealing for boththe public and private sec-tors to join in the “nationalproject”.

Prime Minister Ali Zeidan

insists that security holds thekey. “Nobody will come to usif security is not restored,”Zeidan said, calling for unityagainst violence and for thedisbanding of militias whichspread insecurity across thecountry.

The authorities havelaunched a charm campaignto convince the Confedera-tion of African Football (CAF)they can host the high-pro-file event, bringing inMustafa Abdel Jalil, a formerfootballer who led the anti-Qadhafi revolt.

FIFA President Sepp

Blatter and the CAF presi-dent, Issa Hayatou, havegiven their support forLibya to host the 2017championship, accordingto the organising commit-tee.

Libya would hostmatches in three cities: Tri-poli, Misrata and Benghazi.

Organisers say thematches would be playedin six stadiums, two ofthem to be built in Tripoliwith a seating capacity of60,000 and 22,000 and onein Misrata for 23,000 spec-tators.

A CAF delegation is ex-pected to visit Tripoli andBenghazi later this monthto check on the infrastruc-ture and security situationin the country, the youthand sports ministry said.

The delegation alsohas to decide on whetherinternational competi-tions can be held in Libya,suspended since 2011 ina country where the foot-ball federation was previ-ously run by Qadhafi’sfamily.—AFP

BIPIN DANI

OBSERVER

CORRESPONDENT

MUMBAI—Out of four ODIbatsmen being given out“Obstructing the field” sofar, 75 % of them are fromPakistani.

“That is why we makegame interesting”, RameezRaja, the first ODI batsmanbeing out under this law(no. 37), said from Delhi.

Mohammad Hafeezjoins the list (against SA atDurban yesterday) ofRameez Raja, MohinderAmarnath and Inzamam-ul-Haq in ODIs’ and Len

Pak batsmen make game interestingby obstructing field: Rameez

Hutton in Test match.Interestingly, Rameez

Raja obstructed the field inODI (against England atKarachi, in 1987) when hehit the ball with his bat toavoid being run out whentaking a second run andthus trying to complete hishundred on the final ball ofthe match.

“I did so out of my frus-tration. The tail ender bats-man (Zahid Ahmed) was notgiving me an opportunity tocomplete the century. He wasnot prepared to come backfor the second run and I wasdesperate to complete thehundred”, Raja said.

“The batsman had notplayed ODIs’ before this se-ries”.

“Rameez Raja com-pleted a hat-trick of unusualdismissals against Englandin 1987. Incorrectly givenrun out when walking for acatch off a no-ball in Perth,and run out without facingat the Oval in the TexacoTrophy, he was here givenout obstructing the fieldwhen looking for a secondrun off the final delivery toreach his hundred. It wasthe first such dismissal in aone-day international”,Wisden Almanack reporthas noted.

GENEVA: Mario Balotelli scored a stunning goal as Italy came back from two goalsdown to draw 2-2 with Brazil in an entertaining friendly match.

GENEVA—Daniele De Rossisparked Italy’s fightback andMario Balotelli scored a su-perb second-half equaliser asthe Azzurri battled to a 2-2draw against Brazil in afriendly on Thursday.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side,hosts of the 2014 World Cup,came into this match lookingfor a win following a 2-1 lossto England last month.

Any doubts Scolari mayhave had about Brazil on theirtravels evaporated by the in-terval after Fred and thenChelsea attacking midfielderOscar scored one apiece togive Brazil a 2-0 lead.

Italy turned the tables af-ter the break with De Rossireducing the arrears in the54th minute, and Balotellipulling his side level onlythree minutes later with a fine,curling effort which beatQueens Park Rangers ‘keeperJulio Cesar. He also had kindwords for Santos strikerNeymar after recentcriticism.”Tactically, Neymarplayed well, probably his

Football: Italy, Brazildraw 2-2 in friendly

best match for Brazil. We hadhim as a second striker andhe made life difficult forItaly’s defence.”

While Brazil do not par-ticipate in qualifying for theWorld Cup, Italy sit top ofGroup B on 10 points, fourahead of second-placed Bul-garia with the Czech Repub-lic in third a point furtheradrift.

The Azzurri face Group Bopponents Malta on Tues-day while Brazil face Russiain a friendly on Monday inLondon.

While Scolari opted for aformidable three-man attackin Fred, Neymar and Hulk,with Ronaldinho left at homefor this trip, CesarePrandelli’s pre-match planswere upset when ClaudioMarchisio pulled out latethrough illness.

AC Milan midfielderRiccardo Montolivo steppedin, with Juventus’s EmanueleGiaccherini the link man forBalotelli and Roma strikerPablo Osvaldo up front in a

4-3-1-2 formation which Italytweaked after the interval.

Italy started brightly withboth Giaccherini and Balotelliforcing early saves fromCesar, and then Osvaldocoming even closer when heheaded over from Balotelli’scross on the left.

Those missed chancesproved costly when defenderAndrea Barzagli headed across from the left towardsthe back post where Fred,unmarked, beat GianluigiBuffon with a coolly-takenvolley on 33 minutes.

Andrea Pirlo, with a curl-ing effort that went just pastCesar’s far post, and Balotelliagain spurned chances andItaly were made to pay whenOscar slipped the ball pastBuffon with the outside ofhis right boot after a calm lay-off by the impressiveNeymar. Prandelli tweakedItaly’s formation after thebreak, with Stephan ElShaarawy replacing Osvaldoand Alessio Cerci making hisdebut replacing Pirlo.—AFP

PESHAWAR: A view of cricket match between Mardan and Peshawar women team during Inter Region DistrictWomen’s Cricket Tournament.

BATA FC &USMANIA inSF of Lahore

district footballLAHORE—Bata F.C andUsmania F.C breezed into thesemi finals of the Lahore dis-trict football championshipafter registering victories intheir respective quarter finalties here on Friday at ModelTown and Faisal Town Foot-ball grounds.

Bata eliminated UniversalCargo F.C 8-2. From winnersZahid ul Islam, UsmanMukhtar, Mudasar Mukhtarstruck two goals each whileAnwer Sohail & UmerMukhtar produced oneapiece from the losing side.

Usmania scored hardearned 1-0 win over RealLahore with Hassan scoringthe lone goal of the match inthe 18th minute.—APP

KinnairdCollege winsinter district

women cricketLAHORE—Kinniard Collegeimposed a massive 154 runsdefeat to Lahore collegewomen club to win the titleof inter district women crickethere Friday at Bagh-e-Jinnahground.

Brief scores, KinnairdClub Women – 294-5 in 50overs: (Bismah Maroof 132*,17x4s, 166 balls, Sidra Amin75, 7x4s, 117 balls, FareehaMahmood 22, 4xz4s, 18 balls,Sana Mir 11, 1x4, 14 balls,Zeba Manzoor 2-60, MariumShafiq 1-44, ,Rabia Basri 1-43).

Lahore College WomenClub – 140 in 40.2overs:(Marina Iqbal 42, 3x4s,75 balls, Ayesha Qazi 37,5x4s, 55 balls, Iram Javed 3-27, Elizabeth Barkat 3-24).Afia Amin and Riffat Mustafasupervised the match as um-pires and Zahoor Alam wasthe scorer.—APP

National womenweightlifting

championshipLAHORE—The inauguraledition of national womenweightlifting championshipwill be held here from Satur-day (tomorrow), at Punjabuniversity old campusground.

All affiliated units of Pa-kistan Weightlifting Federa-tion including Army,WAPDA, Railways, Punjab,Balochistan, Sindh, KPK andIslamabad are sending theirbest female lifters to take partin the one day activity, saidHafiz Imran Butt, Secretary,PWLF on Friday.

Altogether 40 femaleweightlifters will compete inseven body weight catego-ries including 48 Kg, 53 Kg,58 Kg, 63 Kg, 69 Kg, 75 Kgand +75 Kg. “It is the firstever national weightliftingcompetition among thewomen and we anticipate in-teresting and tough compe-tition”, he added.—APP

EC releasesregistered votersISLAMABAD—After the last dayof the registration, the ElectionCommission has released finalstatistics about voters.—NNI

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—All government of-ficers and staff were public ser-vants and they had to work forwelfare and solution of prob-lems faced to general public. Itwill be the objective of the care-taker government to ensure goodgovernance in all aspects of theprovincial government togetherwith observing rule of law at alllevels. Officers should bringproductive and positive results,for which all officers and theirsubordinate staff should observepunctuality in attending offices.Caretakers Chief Minister di-rected that all officers and em-ployees that they should reachtheir offices at 9:00 am posi-tively.

Sindh Caretaker Chief Min-ister Justice (Retd) Zahid

Alvi gears up admin formasses solutions

Kurban Alvi Friday said thiswhile addressing a high levelmeeting of provincial secretar-ies and administration heads ofgovernment departments held atChief Minister House.

He made it clear that hewants work and early disposalof cases while those employeesfound involved in negligent at-titude will be dealt accordingly.Officers that they should trywith sincerity and devotedly toresolve faced to common men.All the Secretaries and headsof departments should earlydispose of pending files, sum-maries and cases lying in theiroffices within one week’stime.

Alvi said that all summa-ries and cases lying pending inCM House would positively bedisposed off within few days.

Dispelling the priorities ofgovernment, the Caretaker CMsaid that besides good gover-nance, the other main problemconfronting to province par-ticularly the Karachi was loadshedding and it would be ob-jective of present governmentto get rid of load sheddingwhich was a curse.

He said that issues withKESC, HESCO and otherWAPDA offices will be re-solved soon and a meeting tothis effect will he convenedsoon. He said that Karachi iseconomic hub of country andcity of progress, prosperitywhile the pace of developmentlies on un-interrupted work-ing of industries, trade andbusiness activities etc and forthat end of load shedding isvery essential.

Farooq rules outalliance with

Musharraf’s partyLAHORE—Muttahida QaumiMovement central leader, Dr.Farooq Sattar on Friday ruled outany possibility of electoral alliancewith former president PervezMusharraf’s All Pakistan MuslimLeague (APML).

“Though we have enjoyedgood relations with PervezMusharraf but still no formula ofseat-adjustment has been decidedwith him,” Sattar said whilespeaking to reporters at AllamaIqbal airport here. He said thatreturning to the country isMusharraf’s right.

About the appointment ofcaretaker prime minister, he saidthe matter should not go to theElection Commission of Pakistan.To a question about a report sub-mitted in Supreme Court by IGSindh Police, he refused accountsof the report, saying that his partywould challenge it.—INP

Khamenei warns Israelof razing Tel Aviv,Haifa to ground

TEHRAN—Iran’s SupremeLeader Ayatollah Seyyed AliKhamenei has warned Israeliagainst any wrongdoing againstthe Islamic Republic of Iran. Aya-tollah Khamenei made the re-marks in his address in the north-ern city of Mashhad in KhorasanRazavi province.

‘The leaders of Israel some-times threaten Iran, but they knowthat if they do anything wrong, theIslamic Republic would raze tothe ground Tel Aviv and Haifa,’he said. The Iranian SupremeLeader pointed to the recentcalls by the American statesmenfor resumption of ties with Iran,and said, ‘It is good for the USstatesmen to understand that dueto their attempts. —INP

KARACHI: Ayla Raza, daughter of former President Gen(Retd) Pervez Musharraf, outside a courtroom of Sindh HighCourt on Friday.

LONDON—Foreigners visitingBritain from ‘high risk’ countrieswill have to deposit ‘securitybonds’ costing thousands ofpounds to deter them from over-staying in the country. Nick Clegg, the Deputy PrimeMinister, is set to announce plansto bring in the Australian-style de-posits for visitors from certaincountries, which will be repaidwhen they leave the UK.

According to the sources, al-though a list of such nations hasnot yet been made by the UKBorder Agency (UKBA), it is ex-

Tough UK visa rules: Pakistanis,Indians to deposit ‘security bonds’?

pected to include Pakistan, othercountries in the Indian sub-conti-nent and some in the Middle East.The move could run into contro-versy if the list does not include‘white Commonwealth’ nations.Clegg, who chairs the Cabinet’sHome Affairs Committee, hasasked the Home Office to run atrial ‘security bonds’ scheme bythe end of this year. The bondswould cost at least 1,000 pounds,rising to as much as several thou-sand pounds for visitors from thecountries deemed to pose the high-est risk, the report said.—INP

Delhi Police claimfoiling terror

attack, arrest Hizbsuspect

NEW DELHI—The special cellof Delhi Police foiled a terror at-tack in the national capital afterapprehending a suspected HizbulMujahideen operative fromGorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The suspect has been identi-fied as Liaqat Ali who wasbrought to Delhi by Kosi Ex-press, a source in Delhi Policesaid. He was produced in courton Thursday itself, according tothe source.

The cops have reportedly re-covered an AK 47 assault rifleand a cache of ammunitions fromthe suspected operative. In whatseems to be a linked operation,Delhi Police also raided the HaziArafat guest house in JamaMasjid area of central Delhi onThursday night and apprehendedtwo men, the source added.Theoperation began around 10.30pmwhen special police teams andbomb squads reached the areaand cordoned it off.

Two men were taken intocustody from room number 304which was then sealed.—INP

Altaf condemnsJaffarabad blast

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Muttahida QaumiMovement (MQM) Chief AltafHussain had strongly con-demned the bomb blast at a busstop in Dera Allahyar ofJaffarabad district ofBalochistan. He expressed hisgrief and sorrow on the killingand injuring of several peoplein the blast. He said that theblood of innocent people wasbeing spilled in incidents of ter-rorism and elements behindthem were open enemies of thecountry.

He extended sympathies tothe families of the people wholost their lives in the blast andprayed for the speedy recoveryof the injured.

He appealed to PresidentAsif Zardari, Prime MinisterRaja Pervaiz Ashraf and ChiefJustice of Pakistan JusticeIftikhar Muhammad Chaudhryto take notice of the killing ofinnocent people in theJaffarabad blast.

ECP to startdelimitation

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The Election Com-mission of Pakistan had final-ized its strategy for the delimi-tation of certain constituenciesof the provincial and nationalassembly in Karachi.

According to details, theECP would start the process ofdelimitation of three electoralconstituencies of national as-sembly including NA-239, NA-250 and NA-254 while the pro-cess of delimitation would alsobe done in electoral constituen-cies of provincial constituenciesincluding PS-112, PS-113, PS-114, PS-115, PS-116, PS-118and PS-124.

US to ‘rebalance’ itsmilitary in Asia

Pacific: PentagonWASHINGTON—As part of its“rebalance”, in Asia Pacific, the USis all set to deploy additional mili-tary resources, including more air-craft careers and fighter jets, in theregion, a top Pentagon official hassaid. “Our rebalance means that ahigher proportion of our assets willbe in the region,” the Deputy De-fence Secretary, Ashton B Carter,said in a speech in Jakarta Thurs-day, a copy of which was madeavailable here.—Online

A STUDY from the Stanford University School of Medicine is publishedthis week in Psychological Science

showing that children who experience diffi-culty with math exhibit an altered brain func-tion from anxiety.When itcomes to equations and for-mulas, all you have to fear isfear itself it seems, with sec-ond and third grade studentsshowing brain activity asso-ciated with panicky or fright-ened feelings, decreasing ac-tivity in the part of the brainthat handles math.

It’s certainly an interest-ing theory and if put into ac-tion, could provide a meansof counseling children thathave problems with math byway of improving theirabilities.As Vinod Menon,PhD, the Stanford professorof psychiatry and behavioralsciences who led the researchconfirms:“The same part ofthe brain that responds to fearful situations,such as seeing a spider or snake, also shows aheightened response in children with high mathanxiety.” Menon and his team used functionalmagnetic resonance imaging brain scans onnearly 50 students with low and high mathanxiety. The children were also assessed formath anxiety with a modified version of a stan-dardized questionnaire for adults, and also re-ceived standard intelligence and cognitive tests.

As Menon continues, math anxiety hasbeen known about for a long time, but has neverreally been studied in terms of its effect on stu-dents, and especially younger ones, when mathsskills are built:

“It’s remarkable that, although the phe-nomena was first identified over 50 yearsback, nobody had bothered to ask how mathanxiety manifests itself in terms of neuralactivity ... You cannot just wish it away as

something that’s unreal. Ourfindings validate math anxietyas a genuine type of stimulus-and situation-specific anxiety.”Essentially what he is sayingis that his team’s observationsshow that math anxiety isneurobiologically similar toother kinds of anxiety or pho-bias. In theory, the process maywork for many other issues thatchildren and even adults havedifficulty dealing with.

Menon says that’s its alsopossible for someone who isconsidered good at maths tohave a bad day and feel theanxiety that blocks his or herskills.Victor Carrion, MD, apediatric psychiatrist at LucilePackard Children’s Hospital

and an expert on the effects of anxiety inchildren. Carrion, who was not involved inMenon’s research, is also an associate pro-fessor of psychiatry and behavioral sciencesat Stanford, said:The results are a signifi-cant step toward our understanding of brainfunction during math anxiety and will influ-ence development of new academic inter-ventions,”

The two groups of good math and badmath / anxious students showed differencesin performance: Children with high math anxi-ety were less accurate and significantly slowerat solving math problems than children withlow math anxiety.

Anxiety makes brain poorat math for some children

ISLAMABAD: Youngsters taking bath in the water leaking from a broken pipeline near Expressway.

ISLAMABAD: Visitors taking interest in paintings during first exhibition at newly inaugu-rated Aqs Art and Craft Village.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir

STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Renownedpoet Iftikhar Arif has said thatthere could be no progress inthe prevailing troubling phaseof the society without a posi-tive and healthy support of finearts and literature.

Iftikhar Arif expressedthese views while presidingover a Mushaira organizedby the Pakistan Academy ofLetters (PAL) here in con-nection with the World Po-etry Day.

He said,”Poetry works asa force of goodness and dilutesthe efforts of negativebehaviours. That is why poetryalways enjoyed a status of themost popular genre of litera-ture”.

Vice Chancellor Quaid-e-Azam University Prof DrMasoom Yaseen Zai, who wasthe chief guest, said that theMushaira showed the poetshad kept alive literary tradi-tions in very bold and com-

ISLAMABAD: A Mehfil-e-Mushaira was held under the auspices of Pakistan Academy ofLetters in connection with International Poetry Day. Iftikhar Arif, Prof Dr Masoom Yaseenzai,Yasmin Hameed and Abdul Hameed are sitting on the stage.

No progress without fine arts, literature: Iftikhar Arifmendable manners. There is nodoubt that poets play a vital rolein civilizing and softening of ourbehaviours and enriching thesociety, he added.

Yasmeen Hameed was alsothe chief guest.

PAL Chairman AbdulHameed, in his key note address,said,”We have a magnificentasset of literature which is uptointernational standards.”

In the galaxy of our shiningwriters include Ghalib, Meer,

Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz,Ahemd Fraz, Parveen Shakir,Sheikh Ayaz, Mir Gul KhanNaseer, Hamza Shinwari,Ahmed Rahi and a lot of otherswho through their creative ef-forts enriched our literary heri-

tage, he said.“ We need to translate Pa-

kistani poetry in to major lan-guages of the world to get itintroduced with the Interna-tional readers,” he added.

Anwar Saleem, AnwaarFeroze, Yasmeen Hameed,Iftikhar Arif, Babar Zohrab,Yawar Azeem, Bedil Jonpuri,Ilyas Babar, Prof. ShahidKausri, Naeem Saqib,Rukhsana Nazi, MadihaNaseer, Ghulam Rasool,Haider Farooq,FakhiraNoreen, Touqeer Ahmed,Wafa Chishti,Rana SaeedDoshi, Dr. Ibrar Umar, TariqSaeed Khan, Mushtaq Asim,Maimoona Mushtaq, SaimaBatool, Tasneem Tassadaq,Hafeez Ullah Badil, ShamsharHaider, Noushaba Adnan,Amjad Harral, Zia Ul Hassan,Imtiaz ul Haq Imtiaz, ShoukatMehdi, Akram Zaki and oth-ers rendered their poetry inthe Mushaira.The proceed-ings were conducted byHaider Farooq.

Police band to playnational songs atAiwan-e-Quaid

CITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—As a regular fea-ture of Pakistan Day celebrationsunder Nazriya Pakistan Council,the Islamabad Police Band willplay the tunes of popluar nationalsongs at Aiwan-i-Quaid, F-9 Parkfrom 10am till noon, on 23rdMarch for the general public.

Meanwhile, an exhibition ofpatriotic documentaries in col-laboration with the Directorateof Electronic Media and Publi-cations, GoP, will continue in themain auditorium of Aiwan-e-Quaid from 10am to 4pm.

UAE Chief ofStaff meets

CJCSCRAWALPINDI—LieutenantGeneral Hamad MohammadThani Al Rumaithy, Chief ofStaff, United Arab Emiratecalled on General KhalidShameem Wynne, ChairmanJoint Chiefs of Staff Committee(CJCSC).

According to ISPR, he re-mained with the Chairman forsome time and discussed mat-ters related to professional inter-ests between the two ArmedForces.Earlier he was presentedguard of honour by a smartlyturned out contingent of triservices. Lieutenant GeneralHamad Mohammad ThaniAl Rumaithy is heading ahigh powered delegation forbilateral talks and hispresent visi t is part ofongoing multifacetedcooperation between the twocountries.—Online

ISLAMABAD—Amid hundredsof music lovers, the mystic singerPervez Akhtar gave a thrillingperformance by providing an en-tertainment opportunity to theIslooites at a concert here on Fri-day. The event titled as “Docu-mentation of genealogical fami-lies in Pakistan” was organizedby Lok Virsa (National Instituteof Folk and Traditional Heritage),under its on-going popular mu-sical series of programmes.

Pervaiz Akhtar, a knownmusicologist, composer has gotspecialty in singing of mysticKalam. He has composed music

Mystic singer enthralls Islooiteson Saadi and Amir Khusrau andhas also been experimenting withJazz music in the form of fusion.His four albums comprised ofPunjabi, Siraiki, Ghazal andmystic songs which are alreadyreleased in Pakistan and abroad.He sings Kalams of KhawajaFarid, Baba Bulleh Shah andShah Hussain.

Talking to APP, Lok Virsa’sexecutive director Khalid Javaidinformed that Lok Virsa launcheda musical series of programme toencourage youngsters in the fami-lies of reputed musicians (Ustad),which they inherited from their

elders. Actually it is an effort ofLok Virsa to pay tributes to theicons of Pakistani musical heri-tage, he added. ED, Lok Virsaapprised that his organization isalso planning to hold more con-certs under this series in futurefocusing on the young artists fromall over Pakistan, he stated.

Answering to a question,Chief Executive Lok Virsa saidthat his institution is in processof producing concerts of youngpromising artists who have theirown genealogical roots and rec-ognition in the world of mu-sic.—APP

CITY REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—”We are proud ofour rich cultural heritage and his-torical track in arts and verymuch clear about the bright fu-ture of Pakistan” Director Gen-eral of Pakistan National Coun-cil for Arts (PNCA), TauqeerNasir said. He said this while ad-dressing award distribution cer-

Pakistan Day celebrations

Awards giving ceremonyof cultural show

emony of children culture showarranged in connection with Pa-kistan Day Celebrations here onThursday at PNCA.

“Children and youth areour pride and our young genera-tion is capable of taking futurechallenges in every field”, headded.

Various other activitieswere also organized on the oc-

casion including skits tableau,national songs folk and regionaldances and speeches.

A large number of studentsfrom Rawalpindi/Islamabadeducational institutions Modelcolleges, schools including spe-cial persons participated in theevent and presented a colorfulpuppet show highlighting theimportance of Day.

Rise in pollen countISLAMABAD—With the adventof spring season and dry weatherfor last few days, raise in pollencount has been recorded in vari-ous sectors of the federal capi-tal and scores of pollen allergypatients have been visiting cityhospitals and clinics.

Following the increase in thenumber of pollen allergy patientsin the federal capital, the hospi-tals including Polyclinic hospi-tal and Pakistan Institute of Medi-cal Sciences have made specialarrangements to treat the patientson priority basis. The hospitalstaff and doctors are also educat-ing the patients and their atten-dants to follow cautionary mea-sures to save themselves from theallergy. Moreover, different gov-ernment departments also set upfree camps to facilitate the pol-len allergy patients. IslamabadCapital Territory (ICT) adminis-tration also started a free pollenallergy camp in Community Cen-tre Aabpara.—INP

ISLAMABAD—Thirty employ-ees of the Capital DevelopmentAuthority will perform Hajj thisyear as the Authority would bear

30 CDA employees to perform Hajjtheir expenditures.

In this connection, a com-puterized balloting was heldamongst more than 12,000 em-

ployees here at the CDA Head-quarters. The balloting ceremonywas attended by Chairman CDA,Syed Tahir Shahbaz.—APP

A STUDY from the Stanford University School of Medicine is publishedthis week in Psychological Science

showing that children who experience dif-ficulty with math exhibit an altered brainfunction fromanxiety.When it comes toequations and formulas, allyou have to fear is fear it-self it seems, with secondand third grade studentsshowing brain activity as-sociated with panicky orfrightened feelings, de-creasing activity in the partof the brain that handlesmath.

It’s certainly an interest-ing theory and if put intoaction, could provide ameans of counseling chil-dren that have problemswith math by way of im-proving their abilities.AsVinod Menon, PhD, theStanford professor of psy-chiatry and behavioral sciences who led theresearch confirms:“The same part of thebrain that responds to fearful situations,such as seeing a spider or snake, also showsa heightened response in children with highmath anxiety.”

Menon and his team used functionalmagnetic resonance imaging brain scans onnearly 50 students with low and high mathanxiety. The children were also assessedfor math anxiety with a modified version ofa standardized questionnaire for adults, andalso received standard intelligence and cog-nitive tests.

As Menon continues, math anxiety has

Anxiety makes brain poorat math for some children

been known about for a long time, but hasnever really been studied in terms of itseffect on students, and especiallyyounger ones, when maths skills are built:

“It’s remarkable that, although thephenomena was first identi-fied over 50 years back, no-body had bothered to askhow math anxiety manifestsitself in terms of neural ac-tivity ... You cannot just wishit away as something that’sunreal. Our findings validatemath anxiety as a genuinetype of stimulus- and situa-tion-specific anxiety.” Essen-tially what he is saying is thathis team’s observationsshow that math anxiety isneurobiologically similar toother kinds of anxiety orphobias. In theory, the pro-cess may work for many otherissues that children and evenadults have difficulty dealingwith.

Menon says that’s its also possiblefor someone who is considered good atmaths to have a bad day and feel the anxi-ety that blocks his or her skills.VictorCarrion, MD, a pediatric psychiatrist atLucile Packard Children’s Hospital andan expert on the effects of anxiety in chil-dren. Carrion, who was not involved inMenon’s research, is also an associateprofessor of psychiatry and behavioralsciences at Stanford, said:The results area significant step toward our understand-ing of brain function during math anxietyand will influence development of newacademic interventions.”

KARACHI: Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh Justice (Retd) Zahid Kurban Alavi presid-ing over first meeting of provincial secretaries at CM House.

Alvi holds meetingwith Consultant

Home, DIG TrafficSTAFF REPORTER

KA R A C H I—Sindh Care-taker Chief Minister Justice(Retd) Zahid Kurban AlaviFriday had a meeting withConsultant Home Depart-ment Sharafuddin Memon,DIG Police Traffic AbdulKhaliq Shaikh at CMHouse. Caretaker CM dis-cussed matters pertainingto law and order and otherissues particularly the traf-fic system of province pref-erably the Karachi.

The Caretaker CM di-rected that Traffic flow ofKarachi City be strictly con-trolled and there should beno traffic Jam, which is in theinterest of people. Alavi di-rected that traffic signalingsystem be redressed andtraffic system be made moreeffective.

Masses urged toexercise theirright to vote

KARACHI—General Secre-tary of Jamaat-e-Islami(women wing), DrRukhsana Jabeen has urgedthe masses to necessarilyexercise their right to voteduring polls scheduled forMay 11.

In a statement on Friday,she said Pakistanis celebrat-ing their national Indepen-dence 2013 are being pro-vided with an opportunity,this year, to bring about theneeded change in the sys-tem.—APP

IRFAN ALIGI

KARACHI—The KarachiMetropolitan Corporation(KMC) Administrator SyedHashim Raza Zaidi said thatthe funds for constructionworks of Aisha Manzilflyover and Water Pumpflyover on Shahra-e Pakistanhad been released and nextinstallment would be paidsoon so that construction offlyovers would continuenon-stop and complete be-fore 30th June. He said thiswhile visiting flyovers on Fri-day where he was accompa-nied by Director GeneralTechnical Services Altaf G.Memon, Project DirectorShabi Ul Hasan, Rehman

Shaikh, Project ManagerIshrat and other officers.

He said that Rs.50 millionfor construction works ofeach flyover was being givento contractors whereas nextinstallment would be paidnext month.

The pace of constructionwork should be faster andcontinue for 24 hours whichstopped due to unavailabil-ity of funds. Problem of traf-fic jam due to constructionworks was being faced bycitizens at Aisha Manzil andWater Pump intersections.He directed to make arrange-ments for opening both in-tersections by the end of thismonth which would reducetraffic pressure.

On this occasion Direc-tor General Technical Ser-vices Altaf G. Memon gave abriefing and informed thatthere were 32 guarders in oneside of Aisha Manzil flyoverout of which 19 had beenbuilt and underground util-ity lines had also beenshifted.

This flyover had threelanes and a space for MassTransit along it. He informedall guarders of this flyoverwould be completed in nextweek and intersection wouldbe opened. Aisha Manzilflyover on Shahrah-e-Paki-stan cost Rs377million andthree lanes were being builtfor each side and this flyoverhas 460 meter length.

Funds made available for2 fly-overs in city: Zaidi

Fishermen’sprotest against deal

to sell islandsSTAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—Fishermen ofKarachi coast on Friday threat-ened to block the channels ofmajor Karachi Port and Port BinQasim if the government didnot cancel the deal of handingover of twin islands, locatednear Ibrahim Hydri to BahraiTown. A large number of fish-ing community people, bothmen and women, staged a pro-test demonstration, started fromSindh Assembly building andculminated at the Karachi PressClub to mark a protest againstthe sale of islands.

The people, hailing fromdifferent coastal villages, lo-cated at 129-long Karachi coast-line, also staged a sit-in and de-manded the govt to realize thefact that these islands are thetraditional routes of fishingvessels to the open sea, hence,any development may harmtheir sources of livelihoods.

STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The Board of In-termediate Education KarachiChairman Prof. Anwar

Ahmed Zai said that it wasinevitable to change theschedule of the annual exami-nations-2013 due to the an-nouncement of the general

elections on May 11, 2013. Inthis regard, a meeting of alleducational boards’ chair-men would be convened onMarch 25 at 12:30 PM.

MEN with an inflated view of theirimportance, who are incapable ofputting themselves in other people’s

shoes and who see themselves as “special”and superior to others, some of the traits of anarcissistic personality, may pay for this withtheir health. This is becausea new study suggests evenwhen such men are not un-der stress, they have highlevels of cortisol in theirbloodstream, increasingtheir risk for developing car-diovascular problems. Thestudy was published onlineon 23 January in PLoS ONE.Narcissism appears to be onthe rise in America, and it ismore prevalent in men, ac-cording to previous investi-gations by study co-authorSara Konrath and others.

Konrath is a psycholo-gist at the University ofMichigan in Ann Arbor inthe US. She told the press:

“Narcissistic men may be paying a highprice in terms of their physical health, inaddition to the psychological cost to theirrelationships.”She said their study extendsother previous findings by showing that“narcissism may not only influence howpeople respond to stressful events, but mayalso affect how they respond to their regu-lar day-to-day routines and interactions”.However, the personality trait is not all nega-tive; it also has its positive points. In thisstudy, Konrath and colleagues assessedfive different components of narcissism: twounhealthy (exploitativeness and entitle-

Narcissistic men maypay with their health

ment) and three healthy (leadership/au-thority, superiority/arrogance, and self-absorption/self-admiration). These com-ponents are measured on a 40-item ques-tionnaire called the Narcissistic Personal-ity Inventory.

Cortisol is a commonlyused measure of psycho-logical stress. Levels of thehormone rise sharply duringthe body’s “fight or flight”response and help to acti-vate key resources to dealwith the immediate per-ceived challenge. The hor-mone signals the level ofactivation of the hypotha-lamic-pi tui tary-adrenal(HPA) axis.

High levels of cortisolwhen there are no stresschallenges around wouldsuggest that the HPA axis isactive all the time, which hassignificant implications forlong term health and in-

creases the risk of cardiovascular prob-lems.

For the study, the researchers re-cruited 106 volunteer students who wereattending one Midwestern and oneSouthwestern American university. Theywere 79 females and 27 males and theiraverage age was 20.

The researchers measured the partici-pants’ baseline cortisol levels from twosaliva samples from each person. At thisstage, the researchers deliberately did notask them to complete any tasks thatwould raise their stress levels.

LAHORE: Visitors taking interest in the pieces of art displayed during an exhibition atMuseum Art Gallery.

LAHORE: PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif addressing to the applicants who submitted their applicationsfor the party tickets for the General Election 2013.

SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Punjab ChiefMinister MuhammadShahbaz Sharif has said thatforthcoming general elec-tions are to save and buildPakistan. He said the coun-try has been pushed back 50years, during the last fiveyears of Peoples Party’s rule,which has destroyed na-tional institutions, becauseof its inefficiency. He saidpeople will hold accountabil-ity of looters and thieves on11th May.

He said energy crisiscould not be tackled duringthe last five years, which is aliving proof of incompetenceof former federal rulers. Hesaid 18-hour longloadshedding is rampant inthe country, people’s liveshave become miserable,economy has been de-stroyed, industrial sector islogjammed, while the corruptrulers have embezzled bil-lions of rupees while on theirway out. He said, if peoplegave another opportunity toserve, Pakistan MuslimLeague-N would, Insha Al-lah, resolve energy crisiswithin two years.

Chief Minister expressedthese views while talking toleader of Pakistan MuslimLeague-N Lashkari Raisanifrom Balochistan who metwith him at Model Town Fri-day. Dr. Ramesh Kumar wasalso present on the occa-sion. During the meetingpolitical situation of thecountry, Balochistan sce-nario and forthcoming gen-eral elections came underdiscussion.

Muhammad ShahbazSharif said the Punjab gov-ernment of PML-N has hon-

PML-N to fulfil all hopes ofBalochistan brethren: Shahbaz

estly served the people dur-ing the last five years whileits public service record isbefore the people, who willgive their verdict in generalelections on 11th May. Hesaid we have served the 10crore people of Punjab prov-ince, despite difficulties andopposition by former federalgovernment.

He said Punjab govern-ment of PML-N has com-pleted record developmentprojects. He said, during theprevious five years’ rule ofCh. Pervaiz Elahi, only Rs. 52billions were spent on thedevelopment of southPunjab, while the Punjab gov-ernment of PML-N has spentan amount of Rs. 290 billionon south Punjab, during itstenure. He said revolutionaryand reforms programmeshave been implemented,which have laid the founda-tion of a prosperous Punjab.

He said Punjab is gettingforeign investment and is onthe road to progress andprosperity owing to effective

projects like Daanishschools, laptop scheme,Ujala programme, PunjabEducational EndowmentFund, IT labs, education ofspecial children, internshipprogramme, Punjab YouthFestival, development ofhealth sector, free availabil-ity of medicines in hospitals,uplift of agriculture and live-stock, model villages, ChiefMinister’s self-employmentscheme, land record comput-erization programme,Aashiyana housing scheme,underpasses, bridges, con-struction and repair of roads,solid waste management,metro bus project and Watancard programme.

Muhammad ShahbazSharif said situation inBalochistan is a matter ofgreat concern for the patri-otic circles, and there is aneed to heal the wounds ofBalochistan.

He said, if Allah Almightygave another opportunity toserve the people, problemsof Balochistan would be

solved on priority basis,under the dynamic leader-ship of Muhammad NawazSharif.

He said we have submit-ted names of respectable andhonest personalities for care-taker setup in Punjab, whilethe names given by the op-position are not acceptable.He said Zardari gang haspushed the country into dark-ness and despondency dur-ing the last five years, due towhich Peoples Party wouldbe politically finished inforthcoming general elec-tions.

Talking on the occasion,Lashkari Raisani said thatpeople of Balochistan havegreat expectations fromPML-N, and as Punjab hasachieved unprecedentedprogress, under inspiringleadership of MuhammadShahbaz Sharif, PML-Nwould also establish new ex-amples of service and pros-perity in Balochistan, alongwith the whole country, afterthe general elections.

LAHORE—PML-N leaderMarvi Memon has said thepeople should not give a splitmandate to political parties inforthcoming elections, if theywant to improve the country’ssystem.

Addressing a ceremonyorganised by the PML-NLawyers Forum at the LahoreHigh Court Bar Association

LAHORE—The Punjab gov-ernment on Friday directedpolice to beef up security andintensify round- the-clockpatrolling by armed policecontingents to ensure peaceon Pakistan Day being cel-ebrated on Saturday.

Official sources told APPon Friday that Provincial Po-lice Officer (IGP), CCPOs, allRPOs, DIGs and DPOs hadbeen directed to beef up se-curity on this occasion.

He said the programmealso included additional de-

Police directed to alert securityployment of police force insensitive areas and mosquesespecially at important shop-ping plazas, commercial mar-kets and public points toavert any untoward incident.

Police officers had alsobeen directed to personallymonitor performance of theirsubordinates, adding, other-wise DPOs,SDPOs and SHOsconcerned would be respon-sible for any negligence.

Capital City Police OfficerMuhammad Amlesh told APPthat he would himself conduct

surprise visits to various ar-eas in the provincial metropo-lis and negligent police staffwould be taken to task.

In Lahore, well equippedsquads of Elite Force Com-mandoes with sophisticatedweapons in addition to heavycontingents of police havebeen deployed on patrolling.

He said special foolproofsecurity arrangements hadbeen made to maintain lawand order and check any un-toward incident in the pro-vincial metropolis.—APP

Pak Resolutionaims vital:Shahbaz

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Punjab ChiefMinister Shahbaz Sharif hascalled for a new pledge tokeep working hard for the at-tainment of objectives of thePakistan Resolution.

In his message on Paki-stan Day, he said, “Weshould vow to uphold thesupremacy of democracyand rule of law, “We need tostrengthen principles of mu-tual tolerance, brotherhoodand reconciliation to fosterunity in our ranks and tostrengthen national securityand independence in accor-dance with national aspira-tions,” he said.

“March 23 is a landmarkday in the history of Pakistanwhen Muslims of the Indiansub-continent adopted thehistoric Lahore Resolution”,he added. This resolutiongave an ideal to the Muslimsand united them for the at-tainment of a shared objec-tive.

It was an epoch-makingevent, which changed thecourse of history for the In-dian Muslims,” he added.

The chief minister saidthe PML-N believed in serv-ing the masses.

UoS vicechancellorsummoned

LAHORE—The Lahore HighCourt Friday summoned thevice chancellor of SargodhaUniversity for April 1 on acontempt petition.

Justice Ayesha A Malikpassed the orders on a peti-tion filed by sixty students.

Earlier, the petitioner’scounsel arguing before thecourt submitted that the pe-titioners were given admis-sion to the Sargodha Univer-sity after qualifying entry re-quirements but, later, theywere expelled without anyreason.

He said the universityhad not withdrawn notifica-tion for cancellation of theiradmissions despite the courtorder. He pleaded the courtto initiate contempt proceed-ings against the respon-dents.

However, the court afterhearing the argumentssought a detailed reply andalso summoned the vicechancellor for April 1.—APP

here on Friday, she saidpeople should give mandateto a single party, so that itcould initiate projects for thecountry’s development asper its manifesto.

She claimed that only thePML-N could steer the coun-try out of challenges it facedat present as it had the visionand the team for the purpose.

Pirated booksseized

STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE—Upon receivingreports of the illegal printingof Oxford University Presstextbooks at a printing facil-ity located at Cattle Park,New Anarkali Bazar, the FIAand the police officials ofNew Anarkali Bazar PoliceStation teamed up with Rov-ing Source—a security con-cern engaged in providingtrademark and copyrightprotection services in Paki-stan—to carry out a success-ful raid at Rizwan PrintingPress.

Around 11,000 piratedcopies of Oxford textbooksNew Active English Book 2and New Oxford Social Stud-ies for Pakistan Book 3 to-gether with sixty-five print-ing plates were recovered.The entire stock was confis-cated by the police and iscurrently lying in their cus-tody. An immediate effect ofthe raid was felt in Urdu Ba-zaar where all the pirated cop-ies of Oxford titles disap-peared from the shelves.

LAHORE—PPP SenatorBabar Awan has said that fairelections are not possible inthe presence of political gov-ernors.

Talking to the media atthe Lahore High Court onFriday, he said the caretaker

DMG officersvisit LDA officeLAHORE—A group of 39probationary officers of Pa-kistan Administrative Service(District ManagementGroup) visited office of theLahore Development Au-thority (LDA) at Johar Townin connection with the 35thspecialized trainingprogramme on Friday.

Additional Director Gen-eral (Housing) LDAMuhammad Usman briefed theofficers about the organiza-tion, functions, performanceand future planning of LDA,and its subordinate agenciesWater and Sanitation Agency(WASA) as well as Traffic En-gineering and Transport Plan-ning Agency (TEPA) for thedevelopment of infrastructurein the provincial metropolis.

He informed that One Win-dow Cell of the Lahore Devel-opment Authority had been in-strumental in expeditious dis-posal of petitions of people.

Fair polls impossible underpolitical governors: Babar

prime minister should changeall the four governors bysending advice to the presi-dent. “All the four governorsshould have resigned afterthe 20th amendment but theyare still working,” he added.

Awan said it was sad thegovernment and the opposi-tion had not agreed to care-taker prime minister. He saidPervez Musharraf would not

come back. “If he had to come,he could have returned ear-lier,” he added.

He said that law was onlyapplicable to the poor and notinfluential persons in Paki-stan. “It is not possible toimplement Articles 62 and 63on those who are taking partin elections as people havemany ways to save them-selves,” he added.—APP

People can mandate single partyto resolve issues: Marvi

Marvi said the PML-Nwould take steps to reduceheavy loans and increaseGDP ratio besides increasingrevenue and reducing ex-penses, if it comes to power.

She said her party wouldwork for dispensation ofspeedy justice and would in-troduce reforms in educationand health sectors.—APP