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FRONT PAGE (28-05-2014)_Layout 1 5/28/2014 1:29 AM Page 1
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014 Rajab 28, 1435 Rs 17.00 Vol IV No 329 16 Pages Lahore Edition
PCB employees' status be maintained per IHC's orders till final decision: SC STORY ON PAGE 05
The Sharif way of reSolving iSSueS! Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that he had urged his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to work together to change "confrontation into cooperation" for the betterment of the people of the two countries. He said they discussed trade, bilateral ties and agreed on a meeting of their foreign secretaries to review and carry forward their bilateral agenda.
Don't politicise PM's visit to India: Shah Modi govt looks to revoke special status for Jammu and Kashmir
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Army chief sAys nAtion hAs rejected terrorists' ideology GEN SHARIF PRAISES TROOPS' COMMITMENT TO BRINGING PEACE IN TROUBLED TRIBAL REGION ISLAMABAD
PPRECIATING resolve of Pakistani troops and locals in the tribal areas, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said the whole nation has rejected the "misplaced ideology of the terrorists," who he said have clearly lost their cause and are being marginalised. Speaking to the troops, he commended their professional commitment and paid rich tributes to them for their sacrifices in bringing peace and normalcy to the troubled regions bordering Afghanistan, said a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The statement came during his visit of the field formations deployed in Waziristan tribal agencies. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Sharif reiterated Pakistan Army's contin-
ued whole hearted support for tribal brethren under all circumstances. He reviewed the progress of mega and micro projects of socio economic significance, being undertaken by the army, and appreciated them for quality of work and timely completion in the area. The ISPR press release added that the army chief particularly mentioned the construction of Central Trade Corridor – a 714-kilometre road network linking Pakistan's Indus Highway and Waziristan agencies with the Afghan Ring Road. The road network was already beginning to bring great economic dividend to the local residents of the region, it added. Gen Sharif also visited other community development schemes in health, education, water and power projects, as part of successful programs for rehabilitation of the people. Later, the COAS visited recently established Cadet College Spinkai Raghzai and lauded the college administration for the standard of education and administration being maintained. Speaking to cadets, he said that these education projects completed by the army would go a long way to groom a new generation of young Pakistanis from such remote areas and integrate them in the national mainstream.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Tuesday said it appears as if a conspiracy is being hatched to detach North Waziristan from the country and vowed to bring the matter to Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif's notice. Briefing the media after attending a meeting of the party's core committee here, he said that he will meet the army chief and appeal to him to stop the military offensive in North Waziristan. The PTI chief said he witnessed similar situation in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the military operation before it was detached from rest of the country in 1971. The cricketer-turned-politician claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had failed in negotiating with Taliban. Reiterating his stance on alleged rigging in the May 11 poll, Khan said the government was scared of verifying thumb impressions in four constituencies where his party pointed out alleged rigging took place. He also alleged that Punjab government used its 'machinery' to rig the recently held by-poll in the province. The PTI chairman assailed the government for recent hike in electricity prices, saying the hike during the five-year rule of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has been superseded by the prevailing government in just one year. "It feels as if the PML-N government is not afraid of anyone," said Khan while mentioning 14 foreign trips of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif since assuming power last year. Despite all these trips, the government has failed to bring any foreign investment in the country, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said that his province was being treated like an 'orphan'. He complained about non-issuance of development funds by Islamabad and its noncooperation on the matters relating to power, water and wheat.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has decided to give another chance to Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) Akhtar Buland Rana to explain his position on the allegations levelled against him for drawing 'excessive salary' from the national exchequer – a charge vehemently denied by the AGP and accountant general of Pakistan revenue (AGPR). The decision was taken during a special in-camera sitting of the PAC with PAC Chairman Syed Khursheed Shah in the chair. Rana has been accused of drawing excessive salary as compared to other Grade-22 officers. He has been blamed for drawing salary at par with the judges of superior courts. Later, the matter was raised in PAC which formed a subcommittee tasking it to examine the excessive salary and privileges attained by the AGP in the light of SRO 1074-(1)/2007. On Thursday, the subcommittee, headed by Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Junaid Anwar Chaudhry had recommended the PAC to ask the government to file a reference against the AGP under Article 209 of the Constitution to get him removed from his office for misconduct. However, the PAC meeting on Monday overturned the recommendation of its subcommittee and decided to give another opportunity to AGP Rana to appear before its members and explain his position. ON GETTING THE AGP REMOVED: A source who attended the meeting confided in Pakistan Today that the meeting reviewed the report of its subcommittee formed to probe the allegations against the AGP which had recommended the PAC to send a reference to the Supreme Judicial Council against Rana under Article 209 of the Constitution to remove him from the constitutional slot. The source added that as the scrutiny and audit of the spending of the first financial year of the incumbent government is starting on July 1, the PML-N government wanted to remove the "defiant" AGP who had refused to remove some audit paras against top PML-N and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaders from the audit report for financial year 2013-14. The source said that during the PAC
meeting, committee members from PPP, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Awami Muslim League objected to the recommendations of the PAC subcommittee and proposed to provide another chance to the AGP to clear his position. They opined that the government's "witch-hunt" must be stopped. The source added that Naveed Qamar, Khursheed Shah, Shaikh Rasheed and Shafqat Mahmood opposed the recommendation of the committee and called for reviewing the matter by the PAC itself. They opined that the AGP was being targeted as were the cases of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) chiefs. The source added that PML-N lawmaker Sheikh Rohail Asghar also supported the views expressed by the opposition and said that the AGP should be heard before jumping to any conclusion. CHAUDHRY CONFIRMS PAC DECISION: When approached, PAC Subcommittee Chairman Junaid Anwar Chaudhry confirmed that the PAC had decided to give another chance to the AGP. However, he added that the PAC was not divided over the subject matter. Chaudhry said that it was a unanimous decision by the PAC to give another chance to Rana who had decided not to appear before the subcommittee for personal hearing. "Finally, agreeing to the proposal put forth by some members, PAC Chairman Khursheed Shah decided to provide another chance to Rana for personal hearing," he added. OFFICIAL DEFENDS 'EXCESSIVE' SALARY TO AGP: Talking to Pakistan Today, Deputy Auditor General (DAG) Manzar Hafeez Mian, who was then serving as AGPR and had also approved the additional salary to the AGP, defended his decision of raising Rana's salary. "Look, this is the only constitutional post whose salary has been determined under the Schedule for Pay, Allowances and Pension of Section 3 of the Auditor General's (Functions, Powers and Terms and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2001. Under Clause (a) of this schedule, it is mentioned that the paid salary for AGP would be 20 percent higher than the maximum salary payable to an officer in Revised Basic Pay Scale-22.
The term 'salary' for the purpose of this Clause also includes ad-hoc reliefs/increases sanctioned by the government for civil servants from time to time. Moreover, under Clause (b) of the schedule, the AGP is entitled to all such benefits including entitlement pertaining to travel, as are admissible to a minister of state," he said adding that hence, the salary of AGP includes all sorts of allowances, including Monetization Allowance. Ultimately, the AGP would be paid a lump sum salary which is to be determined and fixed by the AGPR and not by the AGP himself, he said. Mian said that he was satisfied with his judgement for fixing the salary of the AGP Rana. "If anyone has any objection to the AGPR's decision, the matter may be verified with the incumbent AGPR. Even if any officer gets excessive payment, the amount could be deducted from salary of the officer," he added. IS RANA'S DEFIANCE 'REVOLT' AGAINST PARLIAMENT?: Another source privy to the proceedings of the PAC subcommittee against Rana said that the PML-N lawmakers were projecting the AGP's defiance as a "revolt" against the parliament. Rana was asked by the PAC subcommittee to appear before it and satisfy the committee about the alleged excessive amount drawn as salary. However, the AGP, who was out of country those days, refused to appear before the committee, writing to the subcommittee that it had no legal provision to question his conduct. He told the committee members that his conduct could only be discussed by the Supreme Judicial Council. "The committee members took this response as an insult and the PAC Subcommittee Chairman Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, a PML-N lawmaker, sought legal advice from Law Secretary Barrister Zafarullah against AGP's salary case. The Law Ministry in its view stated that the committee could discuss the remuneration of the AGP as it was a 'voted' budget item," source said. "In response to the legal view of the Law Ministry, Rana contacted Barrister Zafarullah and asked him to read Article 81 of the Constitution which provides that like the judges of the apex court and other constitutional post holders, the remuneration of the AGP was 'charged' upon the Federal Consolidated Fund, meaning that the same could not be discussed even by the parliament itself," the source added. "The law secretary admitted his mistake and informed the subcommittee that the remuneration of the AGP could not be discussed by the PAC."
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
the shArif wAy of resolving issues! INDIAN AND PAKISTANI PREMIERS AGREE ON RESUMPTION OF TRADE BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES, FOREIGN SECRETARIES-LEVEL MEETINGS NEW DELHI
RIME Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that he had urged his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for working together to change "confrontation into cooperation" for the betterment of the people of the two countries. He said they discussed trade, bilateral ties and agreed on a meeting of their foreign secretaries to review and carry forward their bilateral agenda Attired in a black suit and red tie, the premier warmly shook hands with Modi who was attired in a beige Nehru jacket. The leaders gave a big smile to the awaiting cameras, before being ushered in for the talks at the Deccan Suite. The scheduled 35-minute meeting between the two leaders held at the Hyderabad House was stretched to a 50-minutes discussion, reflecting a desire by both the sides to move forward. Adviser to PM on National Security Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Secretary to the Prime Minister Javaid Aslam and Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit accompanied the prime minster as he met the Indian side led by Prime Minister Modi. LET'S BE MORE PRODUCTIVE: Speaking about his meeting, PM Sharif said that he impressed upon the Indian PM that accusations and counter-accusa-
tions would be counter-productive. The premier said he had a good and constructive meeting with Modi where they agreed that the New Delhi meeting should be a historic opportunity for both the countries. Sharif said that he pointed out to his Indian counterpart that both of them were beginning their respective tenure with a clear mandate which provided them an opportunity of meeting hopes and aspirations of the people. He hoped that together they would succeed in turning a new page in bilateral relations so as to focus on wellbeing and welfare of the people. ON MAKING THE REGION MORE STABLE: The prime minister said that he recalled to the Indian leader that he invited then Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Lahore in February 1999 and that he intended to pick up the threads from where they were left. Sharif said that he told Modi that they have a common agenda of development and economic revival, which was not possible to achieve without peace and stability in the region. The prime minister said he urged the Indian PM to work together to rid the region of instability and insecurity that has plagued the region for decades. "We should, therefore, work together for peace, progress and prosperity," he said, adding, "We owe it to our people to overcome the legacy of mistrust and misgivings." Sharif said that during the meeting, both sides agreed that common objectives could be facilitated by greater people-to-people exchanges at all levels.
MODI GOVT LOOKS TO REVOKE SPECIAL STATUS FOR JAMMU AND KASHMIR MONITORING DESK Just hours after Narendra Modi took charge as India's prime minister, the Prime Minister's Office came out with a controversial statement on Article 370, which grants a unique status to the disputed Kashmir region. Article 370 specifies that except for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Communications and ancilliary matters (matters specified in the instrument of accession), the Indian parliament needs the state government's concurrence for applying all other laws. Thus the state's residents live under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, as compared to other Indians. This unique status is granted to the disputed Jammu and Kashmir and similar protections exist in tribal areas of India including those in Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Nagaland. "The process of repealing Article 370 has started. We are speaking to the stakeholders," said senior PMO officer Jitendra Singh. "The BJP has won more than half of the seats from Jammu and Kashmir. So we will interpret this as an endorsement of the BJP's stand. Article 370 is more like a psychological barrier," he added. The repealing of the article has been a poll promise of the BJP. The BJP has been opposing the special status for Jammu and Kashmir since very long. It had earlier claimed that it could not repeal the article during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government due to the lack of a majority. Speaking to CNN-IBN, Jitendra Singh said, "Article 370 has done more harm than good. The youth of Kashmir has to be convinced about this. That's why the honourable PM has called for a debate. Having a debate doesn't mean we have deviated from what we promised. It just means convincing those who are not convinced."
He said that Modi warmly reciprocated his sentiments and remarked that his visit was seen as a special gesture by the people of India. Sharif said he agreed with Modi that foreign secretaries of the two countries would be meeting soon to review and carry forward bilateral agenda in the spirit of New Delhi meeting of the prime ministers. MEETING THE INDIAN PRESIDENT: The prime minister said he also had a warm and friendly exchange of words during a meeting with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi. Sharif said he was leaving New Delhi with a strong sense that the leadership and people of the two countries share desire and mutual commitment to carry forward the relationship for the larger good of the people.
INDIAN FOREIGN SECRETARY SPEAKS: Briefing the media about the meeting, Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said the talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere and both the sides agreed that the foreign secretaries of the two countries will remain in touch and discuss the way forward. The Indian foreign secretary acknowledged that invitations for visit to Indian Prime Minister Modi have been extended by all the leaders including Prime Minister Sharif, and added that all these have been accepted. However dates for the visit were yet to be decided. Sujatha said that both sides also agreed on early resumption of trade. She said the two countries needed to move ahead on the roadmap agreed upon by both the countries in September 2012.
While several analysts have lauded the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to India on the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming it a good omen for the future of both the nations, many have lambasted the premier's move of accepting the invitation. Speaking on the issue, Jamaat-eIslami Secretary General Liaqat Baloch has said that Sharif's dash to
FORMER AMBASSADOR HALALI SAYS 'SHARIF'S GOODNESS WAS REPLIED TO WITH A SLAP' India had proved counter-productive and had created more problems for Pakistan. Baloch held that the prime minister had undertaken the New Delhi visit in "great haste", without taking the Parliament into confidence and without any agenda. "So, it was simply a joy ride for Nawaz Sharif. However, the Indian premier availed the opportunity and handed over to him his own agenda. Thus, the visit was a sheer loss for the country and the
nation," he added. Moreover, former ambassador Zafar Halali, while talking to a private television channel criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to India, terming the visit "a bad judgment" on the part of the premier. Hilali said that Sharif went to India with "all the goodness in his heart" and to give a message of peace but "received a slap in response". "It appears that Modi with his foreign minister had planned to insult Sharif and lured him into a trap. You should know that we will get nothing from India on the issue of Kashmir and water," the former ambassador aggressively narrated his point of view on the state of affairs. The former diplomat went on to say that the premier was "misled" on the issue just as former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been back in time.
Opposition leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Ahmed Shah said on Tuesday that the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to India should not be politicised. Talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Shah lauded the PM's decision to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Indian premier Narendra Modi. He said the long standing issues between the two countries, including Kashmir and water disputes, can only be resolved after establishing a congenial environment.
The opposition leader said that unfortunately there are several countries which are against Pakistan-India friendship and called upon the nation to shun all conspiracies hatched to undermine Pakistan-India relations. Shah said that the PM should go ahead and do what is best in the interest of Pakistan. "Pakistan People's Party has always supported democracy and rendered many sacrifices, and will continue to do so," said Shah. The opposition leader said that his party would never support any action to derail the country's democratic set-up. Responding to a question, the
SRINAGAR: Banned outfit Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) denied Monday that it was behind an attack last week on an Indian diplomatic mission in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Monday that he had been informed by a Western intelligence agency that LeT was responsible for the assault on the Indian consulate in Herat which left two policemen wounded. "Hamid Karzai's claim is not based on truth. We condemn the attack," a man identifying himself as LeT spokesperson Abdullah Ghaznavi said in a call to the office of a foreign news agency in Indian-held Kashmir. "Our operations are limited to Jammu and Kashmir alone, and these will continue until the dawn of freedom for the territory," he said from an undisclosed location. The caller spoke in Urdu and rang from an unrecognised number. LeT have called the agency to issue denials of their involvement in attacks in the past. LeT has been active in Indian Kashmir since the early 1990s and the group has allegedly carried out many attacks against Indian forces in the disputed region. AGENCIES
She said for enhancement of trade, the Wagha-Atari border needed to be opened as the first step for the commencement of full trade while other steps would follow. MODI STRESSES ANTI-TERROR ACTION: Meanwhile, Indian media reported that Prime Minister Modi had conveyed India's deep concerns relating to terrorism to Prime Minister Sharif, and made it clear to him that Islamabad must abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and areas under its control from being used for terrorist acts against India. Indian media reports said that Modi had told Sharif that India expected Pakistan to take the necessary steps to expedite the trial in the cases relating to the November 26, 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai to ensure that those guilty are punished.
PPP leader urged media houses to avoid airing news which is incorrect or against the country's interest. He was of the view that gatherings by certain political parties could not affect the government unless these parties are backed by some undemocratic elements.
ISLAMABAD: Congratulating the nation on the 16th anniversary of "Youm-e-Takbeer", Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has assured that Pakistan has a strong defence against any aggression. "Our nuclear assets that are guarantee of national security are in safe hands and the same fact has been expressed and reiterated by numerous international institutions," he said in his message on the occasion being celebrated today. The prime minister, however, emphasised that Pakistan being a responsible nation was playing a vibrant role in the comity of nations. "Let me state on this occasion that our nuclear capability should not be a point of concern for anyone as it is only for peaceful purpose and for the welfare of our people," he added. The premier said that Pakistan was cooperating with international organisations for peaceful uses of nuclear technology for the benefit of mankind. APP
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
obAmA sAys 'time to turn the PAge' on AfghAn wAr US PRESIDENT SAYS AMERICAN TROOPS WON'T STAY IN AFGHANISTAN WITHOUT A BILATERAL SECURITY AGREEMENT WASHINGTON AGENCIES
RESIDENT Barack Obama announced plans Tuesday to leave a force of 9,800 American troops in Afghanistan after this year and withdraw all American troops by the end of 2016, as he winds down the nation's longest war. "The bottom line is, it's time to turn the page on a decade in which so much of our foreign policy was focused on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq," Obama said at the White House. Coming on the heels of a Memorial Day weekend trip to visit troops in Afghanistan, and a day before a major foreign policy address at West Point, Obama's announcement didn't come as a surprise. Pentagon officials had recommended to the President either a force of this size or a full withdrawal at the end of
SAYS 9,800 TROOPS TO REMAIN STATIONED IN AFGHANISTAN AT YEAR-END the year. "I think Americans have learned that it's harder to end wars than it is to begin them," Obama said, hinting at his broader foreign policy philosophy set to be outlined Wednesday. "Yet this is how wars end in the 21st century, not through signing ceremonies but through decisive blows against our adversaries, transitions to elected governments, security forces who are trained to take the lead and ultimately full responsibility." The remaining forces will have a pared back mission focused on counterterrorism and training Afghan security forces. Outgoing Afghan President Hamid Karzai has yet to sign a Bilateral Security Agreement, which would provide legal protections for U.S. troops and is viewed as a prerequisite for any lingering American troop presence, but both of the candidates to replace him have pledged to sign the agreement if they take office.
SAYS US HAS STRUCK SIGNIFICANT BLOWS AGAINST AL QAEDA AND PREVENTED AFGHANISTAN FROM BEING USED FOR ATTACKS AGAINST AMERICA "We have struck significant blows against al Qaeda's leadership, we have eliminated Osama bin Laden, and we have prevented Afghanistan from being used for attacks against our homeland," Obama said. "Now we're finishing the job we started." Addressing critics who assert the US withdrawal timetable is too aggressive, Obama said, "We have to recognize Afghanistan will not be a perfect place, and it's not the US's responsibility to make it one." Speaking from the Rose Garden, Obama told reporters that US troops won't stay in the country without a Bilateral Security Agreement. On a call with reporters, a senior administration official defended Obama's decision to announce a firm timeline for withdrawal, saying it is important to set a schedule for troop drawdowns for planning with allies and the Afghan government.
PALESTINIANS TO UNVEIL UNITY GOVT BY THURSDAY GAZA CITY: Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is to unveil a unity government by Thursday, ending seven years of rival administrations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, an official said. "We have finished consultations on the national consensus government," Azzam al-Ahmed, an envoy from Abbas's Fatah movement, said Tuesday after talks in Gaza with its Hamas rulers. "The announcement will come from the president in the next two days." The Palestine Liberation Organisation, which is dominated by Fatah, signed a surprise reconciliation deal with Hamas on April 23, giving the two sides five weeks to draw up an "independent government" of technocrats headed by Abbas. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority is to head the new government, an official said Thursday. Hamas, which has its own Gaza prime minister, Ismail Haniya, saying it had "no objection" to the decision. Agreement on a unity government would pave the way for long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections. Hamas won a landslide victory in the last parliamentary polls, in 2006. AGENCIES
Boko Haram gunmen attacked a Nigerian military base and adjacent police barracks simultaneously in the northeastern town of Buni Yadi, killing at least 25 security personnel, security sources and a witness said. The attack late on Monday in Yobe state occurred not far from where the Islamist insurgents shot or
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday allowed the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to withdraw Rs 420 million from the seized account for payment of employees' salaries and utility bills. As the threemember SC bench, headed by Justice Saqib Nisar, resumed hearing of the case pertaining to multibillion corruption scam in Employees Old-Age Benefit Institute
(EOBI), the court directed the DHA to submit a bank guarantee for permanent revival of Rs 6 billion seized in the account. During the course of proceedings, the EOBI chairman informed the court that the Board of Trustees had decided to return the purchased properties to their original owners after receiving the amount with interest. Justice Nisar termed it a good omen and directed the counsels of
different parties to discuss the matter with their clients. He said that if a party wanted to get the property back, the court would facilitate it and would also issue directives to withdraw the cases registered. He remarked that the case registered against EOBI employees would be decided by the concerned courts. Justice Nisar observed that if the concerned parties failed to reach a consensus then the court would issue proper directives in this regard and could also form a judicial commission to investigate the corruption cases. The EOBI chairman informed the court that the institute will receive
of Buni Yadi, who identified himself only as Mustafa for fear of retribution, said the militants arrived in an armored personnel carrier and six Toyota Hilux pickup trucks before dismounting and firing into the air. They fired rocket propelled grenades at both bases. The witness and two security sources, one in Yobe state and another at the army's northeast headquar-
ters in Maiduguri, said at least 11 soldiers and 14 police officers, including a female officer, were killed. The security source in Yobe state said 17 soldiers may have actually died. The spokesman for defense headquarters was not immediately available for comment. Yobe police spokesman Nansak Chegwam said he knew of the attack but that the details were sketchy.
irAn confirms first two cAses of mers DUBAI AGENCIES
Iranian officials say they have confirmed the country's first two cases of MERS, a deadly virus first reported two years ago in Saudi Arabia, its neighbour on the western side of the Gulf. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona-Virus (MERS) causes coughing, fever and sometimes fatal pneumonia, killing an estimated 30 percent of those who are infected. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for MERS, which has killed more than 175 people in Saudi Arabia and spread throughout the region, also reaching as far as Malaysia, Greece, Lebanon and the United States. "Four suspected cases of new corona virus infection were observed in a family in the province of Kerman. Two of these cases were confirmed in two sisters," said Mohammad Mahdi Gouya, the directorgeneral of communicable diseases at the Iranian Health Ministry's Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention. "One of the sisters is in critical condition and the other is currently receiving treatment under special circumstances," the ministry's website quoted him on Monday as saying. A recent upsurge of infections in Saudi Arabia is of concern because of the influx of pilgrims from around the world expected in July during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
burned to death 59 pupils at a boarding school in February. The militants, whose violent struggle for an Islamic state in northern Nigeria has killed thousands and made them the biggest threat to security in Africa's top oil-producing state, are still holding more than 200 girls kidnapped on April 14, an act which provoked a storm of international outrage. A witness and resident
9.5 percent interest with expenditure after returning the purchased properties. The counsel for DHA informed the court that DHA was ready to get the properties back to save its market reputation. He said that DHA sold properties worth Rs 22b and it did not agree the EOBI decision to get back the properties to their original owners. He pleaded the court to reopen the seized DHA accounts so that the authority can pay utility bills and salaries of the employees. The court accepted the DHA counsel plea and ordered to release amounts and adjourned hearing for two weeks. APP
ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan witness the agreement signing ceremony between Turkey's Al-Bayrak company and Rawalpindi's Solid Waste Management Company for removing solid waste from Rawalpindi and Murree areas.
Iran court summons FB's founder Mark Zuckerberg TEHRAN AGENCIES
A judge in southern Iran has ordered Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to appear court to answer complaints by individuals who say Facebook-owned applications Instagram and Whatsapp violate their privacy, semiofficial news agency ISNA reported Tuesday. It quoted Ruhollah Momen Nasab, an official with the paramilitary Basij force, as saying that the judge also ordered the two apps
blocked. Another Iranian court last week had ordered Instagram blocked over privacy concerns. However, users in the capital, Tehran, still could access both applications around noon Tuesday. In Iran, websites and Internet applications have sometimes been reported blocked but remained operational. Facebook is already banned in the country, along with other social websites like Twitter and YouTube. However some senior leaders like Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are
A wave of attacks in Iraq, including a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Baghdad, killed 27 people Tuesday, the latest in a protracted surge in bloodshed. In the deadliest attack, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to a Shia mosque in central Baghdad's Shorja neighbourhood as worshipers were performing ablutions ahead of mid-day prayers. At least 19 people were killed and 34 wounded in the blast at the Abu al-Timan Husseiniyah, near the headquarters of the Baghdad mayoralty, security and medical officials said. Security forces barred journalists from taking photographs or videos of the aftermath of the scene, a common occurrence in the wake of deadly violence in the capital.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, but militants including those linked to the powerful Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant jihadist group often target Iraq's Shia majority. Elsewhere in the capital, roadside bombs in the neighbourhoods of Sadr City and Dura left two people dead. And a series of shootings and bombings in the main northern city of Mosul killed six others. Mosul and surrounding Nineveh province are among the most violent parts of Iraq, and security officials say Sunni militant groups including ISIL hold significant sway there. Tuesday's incidents pushed the death toll for the year above 4,000 as near-daily violence and battles with militants in western Iraq have fuelled fears the country is slipping back into the all-out conflict that plagued it in 2006 and 2007.
active on Twitter. While top officials have unfettered access to social media, Iran's youth and technological-savvy citizens use proxy servers or other workarounds to bypass the controls. The administration of moderate President Hassan Rouhani is opposed to blocking such websites before authorities create local alternatives. Social media has offered a new way for him and his administration to reach out to the West as it negotiates with world powers over the country's contested nuclear program.
ArchbishoP of cAnterbury visits PAkistAn LAHORE STAFF REPORT The Archbishop of Canterbury met church leaders in Pakistan Tuesday as he began a visit that comes as part of a weeklong tour that will also take in India and Bangladesh. Justin Welby, the leader of the world's Anglicans, will meet Muslim leaders and senior government officials during his stay. Welby met Bishop Samuel Azariah, Moderator of the Church of Pakistan, in Raiwind on Tuesday, a spokesman said. Raheel Sharoon, development officer of the diocese of Raiwind, said the archbishop would also meet Punjab Governor Muhammad Sarwar.
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
HE Supreme Court (SC) has barred punitive action against the employees of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and said their status should be maintained as per high court's order. The court also allowed Sethi to work as PCB chairman till the final decision of the court. A three-member bench of the SC presided over by Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali issued these orders on Tuesday during the hearing of a contempt of court petition filed by employees
of PCB against PCB Chairman Najam Sethi. When the court asked Inter-Provincial Coordination Ministry Counsel Asma Jahangir what she wanted to do with the employees, she said, "We have no objection over reinstatement of employees but its effects will not be good." Counsel for the employees, Ahmad Raza Kasuri took the plea that Sethi violated the high court's orders by sacking the PCB employees, which constitutes contempt of court and called for contempt proceedings to be initiated against Sethi. Jahangir told the court that PCB did not terminate the employees but the no-
CONTEMPT PETITION FILED AGAINST PCB CHAIRMAN ISLAMABAD: A contempt of court petition was filed against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi at the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Member of PCB's scrutiny committee Arbab Altaf filed the contempt of court petition against Sethi. Altaf argued before the court that Sethi concealed facts in the court and a notification of appointment of Zaka Ashraf was also not presented in the court. He said he wanted to produce all these documents before the court. The court has told him to furnish all these details. INP
tifications issued by Ashraf were withdrawn following the SC orders.
The hearing of the case was adjourned for two weeks.
The Balochistan government on Tuesday registered a case against tribal leader Mir Shafiq Mengal in connection with the murder of eight Levies personnel in Balochistan's Khuzdar district last week, an official said. An officer from the Balochistan government's Home and Tribal Affairs department who requested anonymity said that the FIR was lodged against Mengal in relation to the murder of the eight personnel. "Another 100 armed men — some of them identified and others unidentified — were also booked for attacking the Levies checkpost," he said. He added that the FIR was registered at the Wadh Police Station under the Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO). No group has so far claimed the attack which took place on Sunday near Wadh area, some 70 kilometres south of Balochistan's Khuzdar town. The incident had taken place at the Johar checkpost on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway.
A clash between militant groups left at least four militants dead and three others injured in Shawal Tehsil of North Waziristan Agency on Tuesday. According to sources, two militant groups clashed late night on Monday at Taubda Darra area of Shawal Tehsil. The battle left four of them dead and injured three others. The groups fled to nearby mountains after the incident, added the sources.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Shireen Mazari stated that the Geo/Jang group apology as an advertisement in their papers on Tuesday is merely an expression of regret over the hurt caused to the armed forces and a large number of Geo channel viewers and implies that the nation as a whole and the civilian government had no issue with the eighthour attack against Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its chief. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mazari said that this in itself shows the nefarious link between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Geo/Jang group. "Perhaps that is why Minister for Information Pervaiz Rasheed himself went to Dubai to extricate an apology from Mir Shakilur Rehman, which he then carried back personally as if he were an employee of Rehman like many others who work for both the PML-N government and Geo/Jang group," she said. Mazari said that the content of the apology does not show any regret over the actual content that was aired, adding that the content is being justified in the "apology" which is a mere apology for "the hurt" that the content has caused to a few. Mazari also highlighted the fact that Geo/Jang never mentioned the name of CIA official in Islamabad who was directly responsible for drone attacks in FATA, adding that this self-restraint was inexplicable given that it was merely a factual revelation. Mazari said that in contrast, the ISI and its chief were vilified for eight hours and his picture shown on mere accusations. She asked whose agenda Geo was implementing through this discriminatory approach. She said it was unbelievable that for eight hours neither the PML-N government nor Geo owners realised that a baseless targeting of the country's national security agency was going on in a manner that only Pakistan's enemies would do. Mazari also demanded that Geo be dealt with according to PEMRA laws, claiming that this whole episode is not the first time Geo/Jang group has blackmailed politicians and done smear campaigns against heads of state organisations, including former PEMRA chief, former head of NADRA, and numerous other such examples abound. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his then cabinet members were also targeted in 1999, she said.
BANNU: Residents of North Waziristan Agency's Mir Ali area head to safer areas on Tuesday as security forces continue to target Taliban militants and their havens in the militancy-infested tribal areas. INP
The Scotland Yard on Tuesday released the photographs of two suspects in the murder of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Imran Farooq. They confirmed that were looking for two Pakistani men, named Mohsin Ali Syed and Muhammad Kashif Khan Kamran, in relation to the assassination of Farooq on Green Lane, Edgware, on September 16, 2010. The Scotland Yard claims that the suspects are under custody of Pakistani authorities. "The two men wanted in connection with the murder are: Moshin Ali Syed, 29 (15/05/85) a Pakistani national who was in the UK between February 2010 and 16 September 2010 and Muhammad Kashif Khan Kamran, 34 (6/7/79), a Pakistani national who was in the UK between early September 2010 and 16 Sep-
tember 2010," read the details released by the Scotland Yard. They added that the two suspects were residing in the Stanmore area prior to the murder and left the UK on the evening of the murder. "The men are known to have registered to study at a college in East
London having entered the UK on student visas," they added. Farooq was stabbed to death outside his residence in London's Green Lane while he was on his way home from work. According to the post-mortem report, Farooq died from multiple stab wounds and blunt trauma to his head.
Seventeen people, including five women and 10 children, were killed when their truck fell into the river near Kalam in the Swat Valley in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Seven others were also injured in the accident. A local police official Shakeel Khan confirmed the death toll and said that the injured had been taken to a local hospital. All of the deceased belonged to the same family, according to the police. "The injured included three men, as many women and a child," said Khan. Rescue teams are working to salvage the wreckage of the truck from the Swat River. "We don't know any reason for the accident at the moment. It may have been caused because driver slept while driving," Mehmood Aslam, a senior administration official in Swat told reporters. Fatal traffic accidents, blamed on poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving are frequent in Pakistan claim many lives annually.
Ahead of a key meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) today (Wednesday), Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani has proposed the elevation of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial as a Supreme Court judge and nominated LHC Justice
Khawaja Imtiaz Ahmad as new LHC chief justice. Sources said that the commission would consider the CJP's recommendation about the elevation of LHC chief justice in the top court and the appointment of new Lahore CJ. Justice Umar Ata Bandial will remain a Supreme Court judge till September 16, 2023 while Justice Khawaja Imtiaz Ahmad will retire as
LHC judge on March 28, 2015. Meanwhile, the JCP will also discuss the appointment of the three additional judges of Islamabad High Court on May 28. IHC Chief Justice Kasi has already initiated the name of noted lawyer Athar Minallah for appointment as IHC judge. Minallah is from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and was the spokesman for former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry during the lawyers' movement. According to the Islamabad High Court Act, 2010, the court will comprise one chief justice and six judges and they would be appointed from all provinces
and Fata. After the retirement of Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan on May 14, Minallah's name has been proposed for the post of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) judge. The IHC chief justice has proposed two names — Mian Abdul Rauf and Anees Jillani — for one post from Islamabad city. Similarly, the CJ has also initiated the name of Shair Shah Kasi and Tahir Shah for one post of Balochistan. A subcommittee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Rahmat Hussain Jafri, will meet today (May 27) to shortlist two names from the four nominees.
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
OppOsitiOn threatens tO disrupt budget sessiOn in pa LAHORE: The opposition parties in the Punjab Assembly (PA) on Tuesday threatened to disrupt budget session in the house, if development funds were not released to them. The session was held under Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal. The opposition continued its protest against non-releasing of the development funds. The opposition parties have been accusing the government of withholding their uplift funds, adding that only MPAs belonging to ruling party were being released such funds. PML-N MPA Uzma Zahid moved the resolution on proceedings of acid-throwing cases in the anti-terrorism court was approved. Another resolution pertained to demand of increasing salaries of the PTV employees was also adopted by the house. Opposition LeaderMian Mehmoodur Rasheed, however, threatened that they would now allow running budget session if development funds to opposition MPAs were not released. Online
LAHORE: Opposition MPAs stage a demonstration outside the Punjab Assemly on Tuesday. ONLINE
cM hails sacrifices Of pakistan arMy
Royal College of Defense Studies Britain delegation meets CM LAHORE app
akistan is facing serious challenges including terrorism and shortage of electricity, said Punjab Chief Minister shahbaz sharif on tuesday while talking to an eighteen member delegation of the Royal College of Defense studies Britain. He said that Pakistan has lost 40,000 precious lives including that of Pak army, police and politicians and all segments of the society have given sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said that the whole nation is on one page with regard to elimination of terrorism and restoration of peace, adding that terrorism can be rooted out through promotion of education and socio-economic measures. He said that the armed forces of Pakistan have rendered glorious services in the defense of the country and the whole nation is proud of courage and professionalism of its forces. He said that the Royal College of Defense studies of Britain is playing an important role in the training of army officers of different countries including Pakistan. the delegation was led by Lieutenant General (r) sir David Robert Bill and included army
officers of different countries. CM wants More Milking!: Livestock, dairy farming and agriculture are important sectors of national economy, said Punjab Chief Minister shahbaz sharif on tuesday while addressing a meeting regarding promotion of livestock and dairy development sector and
future needs. He said that the Livestock and Dairy Development department has enough potential to make Pakistan a self-reliant country, however the performance of this department has not been up to the requiredstandard during the last 67 years. He said that inspite of being a big country with regard to live-
stock and dairy development, Pakistan's share in world trade is negligible. He said that the Livestock and Dairy Development department will have to come up to the expectations and no delay or laxity would be tolerated in the implementation of livestock and dairy development projects.
Man stabs MOther tO death Over dOMestic dispute LAHORE: A heartless man stabbed his mother to death over a domestic dispute in Baghbanpura on Tuesday. According to police sources, Atif had been having a dispute with his mother since long. On Tuesday, they exchanged harsh words, which infuriated the son and he stabbed the mother many times, injuring her seriously. The mother succumbed to the wounds on the way to the hospital. On getting information, police reached the scene and arrested Atif. The police registered a case against him and started investigation. Staff RepORt
punjab gOvt barred frOM deMOlishing dairy farM LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday restrained the Punjab government from demolishing a 710-kanal dairy farm situated at land being acquired for garments city in Sheikhupura. Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan passed the orders on a petition filed by Mashallah Dairy Farm owners including Zulifqar Ahmad challenging the acquisition of the farm for Garments City Sheikhupura. The court also sought reply from respondents by May 29. Earlier, the petitioner's counsel arguing before the court submitted that the government had issued two notifications for garments city land acquisition and the dairy farm also falls within it. He said that the farm was a commercial unit and it was supplying milk to a multinational company. The counsel said that the commercial unit yielding significant profit had been treated as agriculture land and subjected to compulsory acquisition. He contended that the step was illegal and pleaded the court to set aside acquisition of the farm. The court after hearing initial arguments stayed the demolishing of farm and sought reply from respondents by May 29. app
Taliban talks won't succeed till establishment's approval, says Fazl LAHORE Online Peace talks with the Taliban cannot be successful until the establishment approves it, said Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazl (JUI-F) Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman while speaking to journalists after meeting Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan Noorani Ameer Pir Ejaz Hashmi on Tuesday.
Fazl said that population is being destroyed and children are dying due to the military operations in the tribal areas. "The peace talks cannot succeed without the establishment's consent," he added. JUI-F ameer, while commenting on the agendas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)
Chairman Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, said that an extra constitution will not be accepted. Commenting on the meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Premier Narendra Modi, Fazl said that it is a good thing that the Indian leader accepted the "ground realities" that the Kashmir issue can only be resolved via dialogue. "Sharif's tour to India is a part of diplomatic morality. There are not many
expectations from the visit," he said. On the occasion, Ejaz Hashmi said that Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir. He further said that it is a good thing that Nawaz Sharif is meeting with Narendra Modi but Kashmir should not be forgotten. "The experiment of Muttahida Majlis-eAmal (MMA) was successful and the struggle of religious groups will continue," he added.
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
iMran playing in hands cOuntry's eneMy: sanaullah LAHORE: Imran Khan has become the puppet at the hands of country's enemy and his agenda is to spread disorder and anarchy in the country, said Provincial minister of Law Rana Sanaullah while talking to journalists in the provincial assembly on Tuesday. Rana Sanaullah said that after taking oath from parliament now after one year Imran Khan is thinking about rigging instead of poverty, inflation, unemployment and terrorism which is the result of the past 15 years. He further said that the country has started towards journey of stability of Pakistan under the leadership of PM Nawaz Sharif. Sanaullah said that the Supreme Court has stopped to issue funds to MNA and MPA, when the verdict will come then funds will be issued to all along with opposition members. He said, I ask Imran Khan when in the past Pervaiz Musharraf bought polling agents and organised fake referendum why he could not see rigging at that time. Talking about Nawaz-Narendra Modi meeting, Sanaullah said that two countries should negotiate for solving problems so that relations become better among both. O nl in e
pti cOndeMns pMl-n Mpa fOr hitting a dOctOr LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Punjab President Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry, General Secretary Dr Yasmin Rashid and Secretary Information Andleeb Abbas severely condemned the deplorable behavior shown by the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) MPA Rao Kashif Raheem slapping a doctor performing his duty and looking after patients in Samundri Tehsil Head Quarter Hospital Faisalabad. After the MPA his PA also did the same and slapped Dr Saeed Ashraf Wahla whose only fault was that he did not stand up to salute the MPA. Ejaz Chaudhry said that the PML-N government should be ashamed of themselves that their MPA had started this atrocious behavior towards educated community of Pakistan and particularly that serving the ailing community. Staff RepORt
a dishOnOur fOr the wOrd hOnOur itself! Woman stoned to death outside Lahore High Court LAHORE Staff RepORt
25-year-old woman was stoned to death by her family outside the Lahore High Court on tuesday in a so-called "honour" killing for marrying the man she loved, police said. Farzana iqbal was waiting for the High Court in Lahore to open when a group of around dozen men began attacking her with bricks, said Umer Cheema, a senior police officer. Her father, two brothers and for-
mer fiance were among the attackers, he said. iqbal suffered severe head injuries and was pronounced dead in hospital, police said. all the suspects except her father escaped. He admitted killing his daughter, Cheema said, and explained it was a matter of honour. Cheema said Farzana had been engaged to her cousin but married another man. Her family registered a kidnapping case against him but Farzana had come to court to argue that she had married of her own free will, he said. arranged marriages are
HAJJ QUOTA DISTRIBUTION: LHC ISSUES NOTICE TO MINISTRY OF RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS LAHORE Online Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday admitted a petition for hearing against the official Hajj quota. LHC Justice Khalid Mehmood heard the petition. Advocate Azhar Sidique, counsel of the petitioner, took the stance that the distribution of Hajj quota by Ministry of Religious Affairs was unjustified. He said Saudi government granted Hajj quota for 143, 368 persons for Pakistan this year out of which 50% was for the
government and other 50% was for private tour operators. The petitioner said that the Ministry of Religious Affairs accepted 53, 814 applications instead of 71,684. The petitioner took the stance that the ministry deprived the citizens of low-cost Hajj package. The petitioner's lawyer said that the ministry has tried to mislead the court. The court issued notices to the federal government, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attorney general and sought reply on May 29.
KH SALMAN LAUDS DRUG TESTING LABORATORY LAHORE: State-of-the-art Punjab Drug Testing Laboratory and Research Centre Sundar Industrial Estate would conduct research work as well as third party evaluation, said Punjab chief minister's Advisor on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique while visiting the Punjab Drug Testing Laboratory and Research Centre established in Sundar Industrial Estate on Tuesday. Online
LAHORE: Zaka Ashraf, chairman Ashraf Group of Industries, presents a cheque of Rs 700,000 to the widow of late Ghulam Muhammad, a cook at Ashraf Sugar Mills. PR
the norm among conservative Pakistanis, who view marriage for love as a transgression. around 1,000 Pakistani women are killed every year by their families in honour killings, according to Pakistani rights group the aurat Foundation. the true figure is probably many times higher since the aurat Foundation only compiles figures from newspaper reports. the government does not compile national statistics. Campaigners say few cases come to court, and those that do can take years to be heard. no one tracks how
many cases are successfully prosecuted. Even those that do result in a conviction may end with the killers walking free. Pakistani law allows a victim's family to forgive their killer. But in honour killings, most of the time the women's killers are her family, said Wasim Wagha of the aurat Foundation. the law allows them to nominate someone to carry out the murder, then forgive him. "this is a huge flaw in the law," he said. "We are really struggling on this issue."
'Metro Bus is a threat to the environment' LAHORE Staff RepORt Metro Bus Project Islamabad/Rawalpindi is a bigger disaster environmentally and speaks volumes of the erroneous priorities of the government reflective of their flawed development strategy, said Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said that Punjab chief minister was engaged in undermining the historical façade of the cities under his misplaced narrative of development, he added. He observed that development is justified on the parameters of improvement and not at the altar of severing historical and cultural links of the metropolis through such projects. He said that the cost of the project of Rawalpindi/Islamabad had been projected as Rs 24 billion which was more than six
times as the Asian Development Bank study worked out the cost around Rs 4 billion. The silence of the government over this was disturbing because no clarification was issued by the government. The prime minister may direct to address the issues raised at the earliest, he added. Punjab chief minister's passion for mega projects is understandable but serious allegations leveled by important quarters should be looked into, adding that the government should have taken the notice of it much earlier. Wattoo rejected the idea of building new roads for the proposed project because there was enough space in Islamabad roads for carving out a bus-lane solely dedicated to the buses only. The problem of the daily commuters would have been solved with a fraction of the cost, he pointed out.
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
Broad advised to give up t20 S TrenT Bridge AGENCIES
tuart Broad may have to call time on his England twenty20 career - and with it the "kudos" that goes with being captain - to give him a better chance of staying fit for test and one-day international cricket. the 27-year-old fast bowler is playing competitive cricket for the first time since the World twenty20 in Bangladesh as Nottinghamshire take on Durham at trent Bridge and bowled six overs in no obvious discomfort after suffering tendonitis in his right knee. But Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket and now one of the England selectors, said that the like-
lihood the problem would flare up again placed a question mark over Broad's involvement in all three formats at international level. Given his importance in England's test and ODI attacks, managing his workload would probably mean sacrificing his place in the twenty20 side. "Stuart is a key man for test cricket and one-day internationals, so in terms of managing his fitness I think we are going to have to look at twenty20 for Stuart," Newell said. "the last two or three years he has picked up a lot of little things and he would want to have played more cricket than he has. "there is a lot of ODI cricket coming up and how you manage the workload for players like Stuart through the
summer and as you prepare for the 50-over World Cup next February is something that will have to be looked at." Broad needed painkillers to get through the World twenty20 and was rested for England's current one-day series against Sri Lanka. Earlier this month, speaking at the launch of royal London's sponsorship of English one-day cricket, Broad expressed a desire to continue in all formats but Newell believes he would accept the need to give one up to give himself a better chance of prolonging his test career, even if it means relinquishing the captaincy. "Of course there is kudos in being captain, but I think he will get his head around [losing] that," Newell said. "He is proud and ambitious, but captaincy in a longer form of the game, per-
haps in one-day cricket, would remain a possibility." In the shorter term, Newell expressed concern that the poor weather forecast for the remainder of the current round of matches would not help either Broad or Ben Stokes in their plans to prove themselves match-fit ahead of the test series against Sri Lanka next month. Broad has the current match against Durham and Nottinghamshire's next Championship fixture, against Sussex next week, to get some overs into his legs. Stokes, who is back in action in this match following his self-inflicted broken wrist, is scheduled to play also against Middlesex at Chester-le-Street. the first test begins on 12 June.
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
sammy signs t20 deal with glamorgan
ifth seed David ferrer reached the second round of the french Open courtesy of a 6-4 6-3 6-1 win over igor Sijsling. A break in the seventh game of the first set was enough to secure the first
stanza, and ferrer opened the second set with a break before securing that set 6-3. Meanwhile, 11th seed Grigor Dimitrov, one of the young players expected to challenge the likes of champion Rafa Nadal in Paris, found the service of giant Croatian ivo Karlovic too hot to handle. the 11th seed was beaten 6-4 7-5 7-6(4). French Open men's singles First rOund results 5-David ferrer (Spain) beat igor Sijsling (Netherlands) 6-4 6-3 6-1, ivo Karlovic (Croatia) beat 11-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) 6-4 7-5 7-6(4), 19-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) beat Stephane Robert (france) 7-5 6-3 64, 28-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) beat Pere Riba (Spain) 7-5 6-4 6-1, 32-Andreas Seppi (italy) beat Santiago Giraldo (Colombia) 6-3 7-5 6-3, Juan Monaco (Argentina) beat Lucas Pouille (france) 6-3 6-1 6-4, Axel Michon (france) beat Bradley Klahn (U.S.) 6-1 6-7(4) 57 6-1 6-4, Carlos Berlocq (Argentina) beat Lleyton hewitt (Australia) 3-6 6-2 6-1 6-4. SPORTS DESK
SPOrTS deSK rAWAlpindi: Aqeel Butt poses with Superintendent of Police haroon Joyea and body builders from Riasat Sahee Group at the Rawalpindi Police Lines. stAFF phOtO
Darren Sammy, the hardhitting West Indian allrounder, has signed a deal with Glamorgan to play in the NatWest t20 Blast until the Caribbean Premier League begins. Sammy has received a No Objection Certificate from the WICB and will arrive in time for Glamorgan's next t20 Blast fixture, against Sussex on Friday. He could be available for seven matches before returning to the West Indies to captain St Lucia Zouks in the CPL. the deal is one of few secured by the counties for overseas players in the new t20 Blast which is spread over the course of the season. Having captained West Indies to the World t20 title in 2012, Sammy will add international quality to a Glamorgan side who have won one and lost one of their opening two t20s. Sammy showed his ability in the recent World t20 in Bangladesh with a match-winning 34 in just 13 balls against australia. Sammy has just finished a season in the IPL for Hyderabad, where he stood in as captain in latter stages, but endured a poor tournament with only 108 runs at 15.42 and his 14 overs across 10 matches costing 11.21 per over. Sammy recently retired from test cricket, almost immediately after being replaced as captain, and therefore is not engaged in West Indies test series against New Zealand in June. But he could be called up for the two t20s which follow the tests, potentially curtailing his time at Glamorgan.
WATSON SAFELY THROUGH AT ROLAND GARROS SPOrTS deSK Heather Watson progressed to the second round of the French Open courtesy of a 6-3 6-4 win over Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. Watson, who captured the Prague Challenger title last week, raced into a 3-0 lead in the first set but a lapse in concentration saw that advantage cut to 3-2. However, the young Brit broke back to give herself a 4-2 advantage before the rest of the set went with serve. Watson began the next set with another break but Zahlavova Strycova again managed to break back to level things up at 2-2
ISLAMABAD: Nasir Bilal, Director Sales Mobilink, and Khalil Ahmed Nanitalwala, Group Chairman Medicam, at the signing ceremony of 1300 new Mobilink Business Postpaid connections. PR
efu life wins 'Brand of the year' award KARACHI: EFU Life Assurance Ltd. has been honored with Brands of the Year Award 2013 by Brand Foundation for 'Best Life Insurance Company'. It is the second time the company has been awarded this prestigious title. Brands of the Year Award is a distinctive and premium recognition for a brand recognized as a champion in its category based on current year market standing and consumer preference. EFU Life is one of the leading life insurance companies in the private sector, rated AA, Outlook Stable, by JCR-VIS credit rating company. EFU Life's widely acclaimed 360 degree campaign "Life mein Kamal karna zaroori hai" in 2013 strengthened the company's strong brand equity. This campaign moved away from the traditional methods of advertising in insurance industry through fear-appeal and rather focused entirely on the positives in life. The campaign had a larger national cause of creating awareness about the importance and benefits of financial planning and life insurance for every citizen. PReSS ReleASe
HBl wins title of Pakistan's leading atM deployer
KARACHI: HBL, Pakistan's preeminent bank, was awarded the "Top ATM Deployer of the Year" at the 12th International E-Banking Conference and Exhibition, in Karachi for the second consecutive year. HBL has Pakistan's largest ATM network of over 1400 ATM's. The award was presented to Mr. Faiq Sadiq, the Group Head of HBL's Payment Services by Mr. Amir Malik, MD, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB). The ceremony was attended by senior bankers and leading local and international technology service providers. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Faiq Sadiq said, "HBL has been offering banking services to its citizens since 1947. We are proud of this legacy and are committed to introducing new and innovative services to our customers, especially the unbanked and underserviced population of Pakistan. Over the years we have focused on enhancing our alternate delivery channels (ADC's) which include branchless banking, Internet banking and ATM's." PReSS ReleASe
Mastercard, Bank of Punjab bring financial inclusion to Pakistan KARACHI: MasterCard and the Bank of Punjab announced Tuesday the launch of the Social Security Program (SSP) to automate and streamline government disbursement, subsidy and assistance programs. This first-of-its-kind initiative is aimed at driving financial inclusion in Pakistan and specifically in Punjab – the largest province in Pakistan. As part of this landmark agreement with MasterCard, Bank of Punjab will issue millions of payment cards to citizens, empowering the unbanked population by providing them with access to formal financial services. Currently approximately 90 per cent of the Pakistani population is unbanked. The program will also bring transparency and efficiency to key government initiatives. The scheme was formally launched at a signing ceremony held at MasterCard's regional headquarters in Dubai between Naeemuddin Khan, President and CEO, Bank of Punjab and Raghu Malhotra, Division President, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard. PReSS ReleASe
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
BudGet 2014-15 will Set tHe direction of tHe econoMy: dar Finance minister says budget proposals will bring in positive results For the nation in the long run ISLAMABAD
STAFF RePORT
HE new budget will set the direction of our economy and it will be a component of mid-term macro-economic strategy, finance minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday. Chairing a meeting with Fed-
eral Bureau of Revenue (FBR) officials to review budget proposals at the ministry of finance, the minister observed that the budget proposals will bring in positive results for the nation in the long run. The meeting with FBR officials was conducted over the past two days. Indicating that the tax net will
be expanded in the upcoming budget, Dar said all those people who are not paying their taxes will be encouraged to do so. He added that those tax payers who had been regular in their payments will be rewarded while serious efforts will be made for documentation of the economy. Dar said that the youth is our
future capital and the prime minister's schemes are aimed at harvesting this great potential of the nation and that they would have to find fiscal space to invest in this future capital in the upcoming budget. Outlining policies for the budget, he said that the aim should be to ensure growth and reduce poverty. Briefing the finance minister on proposals to be incorporated in the upcoming federal budget 2014-15, FBR chairman Tariq Bajwa said that as per the directives of the minister, recommendations of all stake holders including chambers, industry representatives, traders and professional bodies have been considered and the doable proposals have been incorporated in their proposals. Dar claimed that during the current financial year the government had to do a lot of firefighting to save the economy from further deterioration.
Bhasha Dam delayed over failure of compensation accord: WAPDA
ISLAMABAD: The first 95 MW unit of 425MW Nandipur Power Project started power generation and it will be formally inaugurated by May 31. Talking to APP, Managing Director M Mehmood said the first unit was completed in just seven month and start supplying 95 MW to the national grid system. He said the project had four units and after every two month another unit would be added to the grid system. Around 60 per cent physical work on the second 95.4 MW unit has already been completed and would start generation by July, he added. Mehmood said the whole project would be completed by December and the last unit would generate 134 MW electricity. The MD said that the project would cost Rs 59 billion and around Rs 7 billion was saved so far. He said all technical tests of first gas turbine including performance, sound, temperature and vibration proved to be successful. To a question, he said the project was delayed due to policies of the past government which had also cost billion of rupees to the national exchequer. APP
ISLAMABAD: The WAPDA chairman has regretted the delay in construction of Bhasha Dam within its targeted date in 2010 over failure to reach any compensation agreement with the affectees. Replying to a question by member Dr Shireen Mazari, the Tuesday meeting convened by Malik Abrar, was briefed by WAPDA officials that despite being disbursed Rs 17 billion, the relevant authorities even failed to acquire any land for the purpose. It was also disclosed that both World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) would also be releasing funds for the construction of Daimer-Bhasha Dam, while the committee also expressed its strong indignation over absence of federal minister, while the issue of residential colony , land for which was not available due to 'unacceptable rates', for project officials was also deliberated. It was also disclosed that delay in agreed and ratified payment to affectees would entail penalties on government since the original accord was in English, while the one made with the government was penned in Urdu; the ensuing mistake in use of "interest (rate)" binding the government to pay an additional Rs 100 million to every affected family. It was also briefed that since the dam was based on active fault line (earthquake zone); its revised PC-1 had been released. ONlINe
NEXT FISCAL YEAR GROWTH RATE TARGET FIXED AT 5.2PC ISLAMABAD: The federal government has fixed the target of 5.2 percent for economic growth in the next fiscal year, while inflation at 8 percent and exports estimated at $27 billion. A private news channel quoting sources reported that the meeting held with Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal in the chair approved the annual development plan for the next financial year, which envisages growth in agriculture at 3.3 percent, industrial production growth target at 6.8 percent besides the growth in services sector expected to remain at 5.2 percent. Power production and gas distribution target have been fixed at 5.5 percent and the imports for the next fiscal year estimated at over $44 billion. INP
Marriott GM visits St Joseph's Hospice
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0.35 0.18 -0.50 0.24 1.62
48,051,000 8,099,000 6,822,500 4,367,500 3,834,500
Major Losers nestle pak. siemens pakistan wyeth pak ltd island textile philip morris pak.
8100.00 1439.00 4050.00 850.25 772.00
Volume Leaders K-electric ltd. lafarge pak.Xd pak elektron ltd maple leaf cement pioneer cement
8.06 14.25 26.40 29.70 45.29
Interbank Rates usd gbp Jpy euro
pKr 98.8251 pKr 166.2930 pKr 0.9694 pKr 134.9061
MUZAFFARABAD: SEVP/Group Chief & Chairman NBP Exchange Co. Ltd, Khalid Bin Shaheen (left) along with senior NBP officials distributes gifts to Home Remittance customers in Muzaffarabad. PR
ISLAMABAD: Regional GM Marriott Hotels Pakistan Hartmut Noack, along with the Head of Departments of Islamabad Marriott, paid a special visit to St Joseph's Hospice recently as part of the Marriott Associate Appreciation week. The associates stopped to chat with the patients and distributed special lunchboxes and Marriott Caps to 80 patients in the nursery ward , women's and men's wards. PReSS ReleASe
uK pound sterling euro us dollar australian dollar canadian dollar Japanese yen saudi riyal u.a.e dirham china yuan
167.75 135.75 99.6 92 91.5 0.963 26.45 27.05 15.7
168 136 99.85 92.25 91.75 1.03 26.7 27.3 15.85
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
HaGaR tHE HoRRIblE
Try not to dive too deeply into any emotional business today -you've got to keep things on surface-level as much as you can. Your energy is best spent on mundane activities anyway.
You may surprise someone close -maybe even yourself -- with a remark or impulsive action that seems to run counter to your character. It's all part of the big picture, though!
It's a great day to communicate -even for you, and you're usually the best at getting your point across. People are likelier to understand your points and to agree with your perspective.
Push yourself a little -- things aren't quite going your way at first, but if you can crawl out of your shell long enough to make an impression, things should improve dramatically.
A dear friend needs to talk to you about their ambitions -- it turns out that you are an important part of them. That doesn't mean you're obligated, just that you have the chance to do some real good.
The little details are more important today. That means it's your turn to shine, because you know them inside-out and can point out any tiny flaws that might change things for the worse.
Your great, brainy energy help keep you on track toward success. It's easier than ever for you to bust out with great ideas or to develop new plans. Gather the gang and tell them what's what!
Money is hard to handle right now -- but you might have to do so anyway! It's one of those days when you really need to make sure that you're pushing things as far as you think they can go.
It's vital that you stay as busy as possible today, or you may find yourself doing slightly crazy things, thanks to boredom or anxiety. A steady stream of activity keeps you sane.
You seem to have acquired a flock of little birds instead of coworkers or friends -- they just can't seem to keep their minds focused on the project that you want to take care of. Let them go for now.
Find new ways to get your message out there -- you can reach ten times as many people with not much more effort. It's a good day to rethink your plans and make a real difference with people.
You feel the change before it comes -- which means it's easier for you to adapt. Try to help your friends or colleagues do the same, but don't be too surprised if they are much more resistant.
woRd sEaRcH
fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the squares contains all the digits. the object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once.
Today's soluTions
GUaRdIaN aNGEl
cHEss white tO PLAY AND MAte iN fOur MOVes 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
chess solution
1.Rfe1 bf6 2.Nc5 bc8 3.d6 Nd7 4.bxa8 *
sudoku solution
Down 2 anger (3) 3 pain-relieving (7) 4 in fashion (6) 5 domain (5) 6 radio or tV show (9) 7 twinkling of an eye (5,6) 8 names and addresses of the sender printed at the top of stationery (11) 12 order of flesh-eating mammals (9) 16 giant california redwood (7) 17 picture made up of small pieces of coloured glass or stones (6) 19 seem to be sensible (3,2) 23 (give) a small sharp bite (3)
How to play
neon pepper pole pule punk pupil purse rise scrub scrupulous sews sheep slant stank study throng tins wall whelp wrecks
crossword solution
1 hatred of mankind (11) 9 wonderful things (9) 10 lyric poem (3) 11 suffering from a rash? (5) 13 black mark (7) 14 one riding on the crest of a wave? (6) 15 chemical compound — i'm eros (anag) (6) 18 us city — musical featuring all that Jazz (7) 20 stand in line (5) 21 new (prefix) (3) 22 compelled by coercion (9) 24 like an evangelical christian? (5-6)
bunion clamp clean cleat client cute define disciple early exact fierce flail flurry fussy garlic ginger girt light louse marionette matron
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
E are now more stressed out at home than at work because of the rising demands on our personal lives, a study has found. Getting the family ready in the morning and cooking dinner in the evenings leaves us so anxious that we find it hard to cope. But being in the office by comparison seems like bliss because we feel appreciated by our colleagues. The U.S. study found that men reported feeling happier overall at home - but women said by a significant margin that they were most comfortable behind their desks. The researchers said this is because women are still doing a bigger share of the housework than men - despite advances in equality. The findings suggest that rather than dreading going back to work on Monday morning, many people could shudder on a Friday afternoon - when they have to spend the whole weekend at home. Some 122 men and women were asked to swab their saliva six times a day for three days to test cortisol levels, which is a biological marker of stress. They were also asked to write down their stress levels at various parts of the day. For the majority of the test participants, cortisol levels were higher at home than at work. Sarah Damaske, a professor of labour and employment at Pennsylvania State University, said: 'This is across gender, across education level,
across occupation level, so, a pretty strong finding.' Professor Damaske said the cause could be because the daily routine with a family is exhausting. Getting the kids up for school, making sure they have had breakfast and getting their lunch together means that mornings are a stress. When you come home it can be a constant juggling act of cooking dinner and making sure they do their homework before you collapse in bed with no time for yourself.
Professor Damaske said that women reporting being happier in the office because after that they are 'leaving work and then cooking dinner and doing the dishes' She said: 'Even though men are doing more (housework) than they did 30 years ago, it's still not an even distribution.' The only exception to the overall trend were high income workers who had equal levels of stress at work and at home, though previous research showed that high status jobs are more stressful. Arlie Russell Hochschild, a
renowned sociologist with the University of California, Berkeley, said that it was only in the office that people felt really valued these days. She said: 'Where do you feel really good at what you do? Relaxed? Appreciated?" 'People would say: 'Actually, if I'm doing the right thing at work, chances are my supervisor's clapping me on the back'. 'But if I'm doing the right thing at home, with my teenager who wants the car and is mad at me, I'm doing the right thing but I'm not appreciated.' VIA MAIL ONLINE
Diagnosing yourself on the internet could be harmful, doctors have said, as they warn that nine in ten medical entries on Wikipedia are inaccurate. A number of articles on the hugely popular website were found to contain factual errors, largely because Wikipedia lets users create, delete and edit entries, which leads to more mistakes. The study by doctors found that errors on the site included an entry telling readers that to correctly diagnose high blood pressure, high readings must be obtained on three occasions. The researchers said this is not true and could lead to a dangerous delay in obtaining treatment. Lead author Robert Hasty of Campbell University in the US warned: "Researchers should not use [Wikipedia] as a primary resource because those articles do not go through the same peer-review processes as medical journals. "The best resource when looking for a diagnosis is to speak with your physician, who can take into account your medical history and other factors to determine the best course of treatment." The researchers, who looked at entries on conditions such as diabetes, lung cancer and back pain, said: "Wikipedia's prominence has been made possible by its fundamental design as a collaborative database. "How-
ever, it is this very feature that has raised concern in the medical community regarding the reliability of the information it contains. Medical staffs were also found to be turning to Wikipedia for guidance. The researchers wrote in the study, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association: "Physicians and medical students who currently use Wikipedia as a medical reference should be discouraged from doing so because of the potential for errors." Wikipedia, which launched in 2001, is the most popular online general reference site. At least 20,000 of the 31 million entries are health-related. A spokesman said: "There are a number of initiatives in place to help the continuous improvement of Wikipedia articles, especially in relation to health and medicine. For example, WikiProject Medicine brings together volunteer Wikipedia editors with knowledge of the topic. They work together to identify articles that need improvement, find credible sources and collaborate on articles to make them more accurate and more readable. "However, it is crucial that anybody with concerns over their health contacts their GP as a first point of call. Wikipedia, like any encyclopaedia, should not take the place of a qualified medical practitioner." VIA THE TELEGRAPH
Nepal said on Tuesday it was investigating whether a Chinese woman, this season's sole climber of Mount Everest from the Nepalese side, used a helicopter to reach a high camp after a deadly avalanche last month washed away part of the route. Using a helicopter would constitute a serious moral violation of tradition in climbing the world's highest peak. But Wang Jing, 40, who completed the climb last Friday, denied she had used the aircraft to advance up the mountain. The April 18 avalanche killed 16 Nepali guides, who were fixing ropes and ferrying supplies for their foreign clients to scale the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) peak. Guides then refused to accompany foreign climbers out of respect for their dead colleagues and hundreds had to abandon their expeditions. Wang completed her climb with five Sherpa guides arranged privately to become the first to go up from the Southeast Ridge route after the deadliest accident in the mountain's history. Authorities said they were looking into reports that Wang took the helicopter and flew over the route damaged by the avalanche to the site of Camp II at 6,400 meters (20,997 feet). AGENCIES
A tablet computer capable of taking 3D images is set to be put into production by Google, according to reports. The Wall Street Journal quoted sources close to the company as saying a run of 4,000 devices will be manufactured next month. The tablet will have two rear-facing cameras and advanced imaging software - and will be shown off at the firm's forthcoming developers' conference. Google has said it will not comment on "rumour and speculation". But in March, Google showed off Project Tango, an effort to bring 3D technology to its handheld devices. A prototype smartphone had been given out to 200 developers to try out. The technology makes use of infrared sensors to measure depth of surroundings. While the ability to create 3D images with small devices is by no means a new technological feat, Google's strategy will be to harness the hardware to contribute to, among other things, its mapping effort. VIA BBC
TEENAGE GIRLS ARE MORE PRONE TO DEPRESSION: STUDY Teenage girls could be more prone to depression and anxiety disorders because they experience greater blood flow to the brain, a new study has found. The sex hormone oestrogen drives more blood to the heads of young women compared to men - and that could explain disparities in psychiatric disorders. Blood flow is known to be higher in adult women than men, but a study now shows it is markedly different during adolescence when teenagers are going through puberty. Professor Theodore Satterthwaite, of the University of Pennsylvania, said: 'In general, females have a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression and males have higher prevalence of schizophrenia. 'The parts of the brain that saw the highest difference of blood flow were in parts of the brain associated with higher cognitive functions.' He added the area affected was im-
portant as it involves 'emotions and regulates and controls social situations'. Professor Satterthwaite and his colleagues used MRI scans to analyse the development of brain blood flow in 922 young people aged between eight and 22 to find out when such sex changes emerge. Previous studies have shown brain blood flow falls during adolescence. But by about the age of 15 it began to decline more rapidly in males than in females, and by late puberty it rose in females but continued to decline in the males. The results published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggest the gender difference may originate during puberty, and may have implications for understanding psychiatric disorders that often manifest later. The psychiatrists added: 'Puberty is the defining biological process of adolescent development, yet its effects on fundamental properties of brain physiology
such as cerebral blood flow have never been investigated.' It is the first time to the researchers' knowledge that such different patterns of development have been linked to the effects of puberty. Prof Satterthwaite said, 'These results may have important implications for neuropsychiatric disorders with adolescent onset and strong gender disparities such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.' Sex differences in brain structure are well documented and are increasingly tied to developmental effects related to puberty. Added Prof Satterthwaite, 'The present results have potential relevance to a wide range of psychiatric disorders that often manifest following puberty and have marked sex disparities including depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.' He added that future research could test whether increased brain blood
flow in girls after puberty may be linked to the greater risk for mood and anxiety disorders, and a lower risk of schizophre-
nia. Boys are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia which is linked to the male sex hormone testosterone. ONLINE
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
Angelina Jolie feels dull after playing Maleficent
ollyWooD actress Angelina Jolie says she looked dull when the prosthetics she sported in her film 'Maleficent' were removed. The 38-year-old actress, who donned prosthetics to transform the shape of her face to play the titular wicked fairy Maleficent in the upcoming film, says it made her feel "flat" when she returned to her normal self after filming finished. "What's now strange is when I go home for the weekend, I feel like my face is really flat – I feel very dull in comparison to her. She's so much more fun," she said. The brunette beauty, who is raising six children with fiance Brad Pitt, said that the film, which revolves around the villain of Disney's 1959 classic, 'Sleeping Beauty' has taught her a lot about 'being a woman'. "I've learned more about being a woman. She's very complicated, she wasn't born evil. She was born very soft and female in a way that a lot of women will be able to relate to but then she was abused in a way," she said. "We've all had that experience where something has made us put our wall up and fell like, in order to survive, we need to become tougher," she added.
Komal Rizvi officially launched her new single "Kalli Kalli" with a bang at Port Grande in Karachi, Pakistan. The video and audio combined have already received 3000 + likes and quite a few shares on Facebook. Now, this soft melody which has captured the hearts of thousands of fans has been picked up and remixed by renowned international DJ AKS. Dubai based DJ, remixer and producer, DJ AKS is known for his unique mixes. He opted to remix Komal Rizvi's Kalli Kalli describing it as a "wonderful and whimsical musical piece." Komal thanked him via her official facebook page saying, "Thank you DJ for rocking the world of Kalli Kalli!" Having only recently released his head bopping version on SoundCloud about 5 days ago, DJ AKS' remix version of Kalli Kalli has already been highly re-posted and heard 2000 + times -- the numbers continue escalating every day. If the hits on DK AKS' other mixes are any indicator, this is only the beginning for the success of Komal's remixed Kalli Kalli. PRESS RELEASE
AGENCIES Whenever there is an Aamir Khan film playing in the theaters, what one is treated to is mega serpentine queues and houseful boards everywhere. The recent example can be cited that of Dhoom 3, which broke all the box-office records to create its own! The news that has been the talk of the town lately is about the release of an Aamir Khan's unreleased film, the difference being that, this time it's not getting released on the silver screens, but on TV! The release will happen exclusively on '& pictures' on Sunday, June 8,
2014 at 8:00pm. The said film is supposed to be a film that's full of drama, love, dreams, action and tragedy and which engulfs Aamir's feelings, hard-work and dedication, and includes entertainment in the truest form! Besides airing the film, Aamir Khan will be taking live call-ins and answering questions to his fans during the breaks of the film. He will be interacting with his admirers and will give them a chance to ask him about his experience and talk to him about the movie, his performance and more! This movie of the suave actor will see the channel giving a chance to select lucky winners across India to watch the film with 'Mr. Perfectionist'.
Fawad Khan's First indian Film to release in september
Fawad Khan, the superstar of our country is working in a film 'Khoobsorat' across the border in India. The film is under production from last year and Fawad Khan is absent from all Pakistani productions to complete the shooting of this film. As per reports, the film 'Khoobsorat' will be released on 19th September 2014. Fawad is widely popular and followed in Pakistan, so it will be interesting to see the response of this film in India i.e. the actual market the film is made for. COURTESY REVIEWIT
Ushna shah is GettinG threats From???
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE KAREENA KAPOOR, SAYS KARAN JOHAR Filmmaker Karan Johar today said that actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has set the bar high in film industry by sheer magnitude of her work. "I think there can be only one Kareena. I am extremely close to her. I love her for what she is on celluloid and as a person. She has that certain spunk, energy in her. Kareena has a tremendous body of work and has set the bar high and it is not fair to compare (her) with anyone," Karan told reporters at a function here. There have been comparisons between Kareena and newcomer Alia Bhatt for quite some time. Alia is playing a Kareena Kapoor fan in Karan's upcoming film 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania'. In the trailer of the movie launched
here, Alia is seen saying to her relatives, "Main shaadi karoongi to Kareena wala designer lehenga pehen kar..' (I will marry wearing the designer lehenga worn by Kareena). "Alia is new and I am sure she will work hard and go her way up and be known as Alia Bhatt than anyone else," the filmmaker said. In tune with the title of the film, 'Humpty Sharma..', lead actors Varun and Alia unveiled the trailer with zest and funny act in which Varun came in a 'doli' (palanquin) looking for his bride and Alia coming dancing with revellers. "It ('Humpty Sharma…') is a filmy love story. We all talk about how our love stories are different. This film is different from '2 States'," Alia said. AGENCIES
According to a local newspaper, the news of the affair between Ushna Shah and Hamayun Saeed are pathetic publicity stunts used by a production house so that people will forget about what a big flop Bashar Momin has been. The newspaper reported that according to their sources Ushna and Hamayun are under massive stress because of these rumors which have been spread by A & B productions. Ushna Shah is being threatened so that she will stay quiet which is why she is not giving her views on the issue. The sources close to the actress have said that she has gone underground for now because no one is allowing her to speak on the issue. Some people are saying that she has left Karachi, other people are saying that some political personality is backing her up. COURTESY REVIEWIT
Needed: A consensus India and Pakistan can't keep fighting forever
HE meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Narendera Modi began with warm handshakes and ended in smiles. While subsequently addressing media, Sharif said both men shared a common goal of economic development which could not be achieved without peace and stability in the region. To attain the objective top diplomats from both countries would meet soon to advance peace talks. He said it was also agreed that the two foreign secretaries would be meeting soon to review and carry forward their bilateral agenda in the spirit of the meeting. India's foreign secretary however had maintained earlier that Modi had conveyed his concerns about militants allegedly using Pakistani soil to carry out acts of terrorism in India. Further that Islamabad needed to abide by its commitment to prevent its territory and the territory it controls from being used to stage terror attacks on India. Now that he has returned from New Delhi, Nawaz Sharif needs to bring the stakeholders together to reach a consensus over some of the basic issues. The foremost that needs to be settled is whether it is in Pakistan's interest to maintain hostility with neighbours when countries all over the world are increasingly engaging in beneficial trade and strengthening economic ties while putting their disputes on the backburner. They should also decide whether the country can eliminate poverty and social backwardness without ensuring regional peace. Terrorism is taking toll of human life in both Pakistan and India. Can the two countries put an end to the phenomenon jointly? Pakistan has differences with India. It is time the stakeholders decide once for all how they would like to settle these differences. Do they think the country is in a position to resolve them through war with India? Pakistan claims Indian agencies are supporting Baloch insurgency as well as some of the terrorist groups who attack personnel of the LEAs. India blames Pakistani agencies of conducting similar attacks inside its territory. Does it suit Pakistan to let the situation deteriorate? Nawaz Sharif's delayed response to Narendera Modi's invite has been interpreted as his lack of control over the instruments of power in Pakistan. It is also being maintained that as long as Pakistan's establishment continues to paint India as an existential threat and a permanent enemy in the minds of its people, no Pakistani leader, civilian or military, can improve mutual relations. A lack of consensus on these issues led to unhappy standoffs in the past causing social strife and breeding instability. In 1999, no attempt was made to evolve a consensus over the issues between the stakeholders, leading to unhappy results. This should not be allowed to happen again.
Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami Editor
Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor Lahore – Ph: 042-36375963-5 Fax: 042-32535230 Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 Fax: 021-35381208 Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545 Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
Will the 'Deep State' allow peace? Six years after Mumbai, incoming Indian PM Modi pledges better relations with Islamabad, but only if it cracks down on the deep state's patronship of terror
Bruce riedel
ndia's incoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to invite his Pakistani counterpart, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to attend his inauguration in New Delhi on Tuesday is a bold move intended to signal the new government wants to end the decades of confrontation in South Asia. Sharif's delayed response reflects his lack of control over the instruments of power in his own country and suggests the Indian initiative will face tough resistance from Pakistan's "deep state." But Sharif has arrived in India today. He too, it is clear, wants to end the cold war in the subcontinent. Modi's election is the most important political moment in India in decades. For the first time in over a quarter century a Prime Minister's own
party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, will have a majority in the parliament and can pass significant legislation without gaining the backing of a host of smaller, mostly regional parties. Modi can try to jump start the Indian economy, reduce government bureaucracy and corruption and get the country moving forward in a way his predecessors could not. Inviting Sharif to the inauguration, along with the leaders of India's other neighbors in South Asia, is also a bold move. It comes almost six years after the city of Mumbai was attacked by ten Pakistani terrorists in the most important terror attack since 911. Between November 26 and 29, 2008 over 160 people died and over 300 were injured by the terrorists in the city's most luxurious hotel, the Taj Mahal. Six Americans were among the victims. The men who masterminded the attack are still free in Pakistan and are plotting more attacks. Years of good police work and investigation have established clearly that the plot was the joint work of Laskar e Tayyiba (LeT) and the Pakistani intelligence service known as the ISI. In the last five years some good work has been done by India and America to bring to justice some of those involved like David Headley, the American who did the reconnaissance for the attack, and Sayeed Zabiuddin Ansari - alias Abu Jindal - who was in
the Karachi control room in 2008 overseeing the massacre. But the Pakistani mastermind of the Mumbai plot, LeT's leader Hafez Saeed, remains free in Pakistan where he continues to be a darling of the ISI and regularly calls for more attacks on India and America. He has already mocked Modi's election. There is an American bounty for information that could lead to his arrest but it seems unlikely he will be brought to justice any time soon by Pakistan. The army and ISI protect Saeed and the LeT. The LeT and ISI apparatus is still training legions of terrorists like the ten sent to Mumbai. The ISI officers involved in the plotting are also free. Some have suggested that ISI involvement was probably only low level and that the top army commanders did not know what was going on. As a former professional intelligence officer I find that argument ridiculous. Running an American citizen like Headley for years was a major ISI operation that would have been overseen and monitored, if not micro managed, by the very top of the service. They knew what the plan was and they approved it. The government of President Asif Zardari was never strong enough to try to tackle the ISI. Modi has pledged to seek better relations with Islamabad but only if it cracks down seriously on the deep state's patronship of terror. He has sig-
nificant potential economic carrots and sticks to use with Sharif who knows Pakistan needs to dramatically improve trade with India if it is to get its own economy moving. But Sharif is also very aware that the last time he was Prime Minister, he tried to get peace talks moving with India - only to be sabotaged by the deep state. Early in 1999 Sharif invited then Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee to Lahore to talk about reducing tensions. Less than six months later Sharif's army chief, Pervez Musharraf, broke the cease fire in Kashmir and started a small war around the town of Kargil. The small war threatened to escalate into a full scale catastrophe with nuclear weapons until Sharif bravely came to Washington on July 4th and was persuaded by President Bill Clinton to unilaterally pull back the Pakistani army behind the cease fire line. By the end of 1999 Sharif had been over thrown in a coup by Musharraf. The deep state had triumphed. More than five years after Mumbai justice has yet to be served. The small fish have been brought to account for their role but the big fish are still free and dangerous. Modi and Sharif are smart to meet but the challenge will be for Pakistan to control its own hardliners. If not it is all but certain that LeT will stage another attack and force Modi to react forcefully after the outrage. That could put the entire subcontinent on the brink of catastrophe.
Swearing-in or swearing-at? Either the Sangh Parivar dilutes its demands from Sharif government. Or Sharif pulls off the impossible. Neither is feasible
Mani Shankar aiyar
LMoST a year ago to the day, and in the wake of his convincing victory in the Pakistan general elections, Nawaz Sharif stretched out an exceptional hand of friendship to India, pointing to neither Kashmir nor India having been an election issue in Pakistan, seeking a resumption of intensive dialogue with India, and demonstrating his earnest by inviting the Indian prime minister to his swearing in. The invitation was not taken up then or subsequently, largely because of pressure against engaging sincerely and in depth with a Pakistan that had not brought Hafiz Saeed to book, nor proceeded with the expeditious trial of those involved in 26/11, nor handed over Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, besides being responsible for the beheading of Indian soldiers, the bludgeoning to death of Sarabjit Singh and more than one incursion into Kashmir across the Line of Control. None of that has changed. And yet, the very elements that most opposed even the courtesy invitation to lunch at 7, Race
Course Road to outgoing Pakistan president, Asif Zardari, before he proceeded to perform ziarat at Ajmer Sharif, are now preening themselves at having pulled off the coup of getting the Pakistan PM to hop across to Rashtrapati Bhavan for what is being described as the "coronation" of the next Indian PM. They might have delusions about this being a repeat of the 1911 Durbar for the Laat Sahib with the feudatories all in attendance, but ours is a republic, not a monarchy, and the seven heads of government who have come are not salaam-ing maharajahs. What then is the import of the visit? Has Pakistan changed its spots? or has the Sangh Parivar undergone a lobotomy? I still remember with horror the twisted fury on the face of Arun Shourie, spokesman for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha on the morrow of 26/11, as he railed against the Pakistanis that we should not seek a tooth for a tooth but the entire jaw for a tooth in any Pakistani terrorist attack. Has that fury abated? For Nawaz Sharif to accept the invitation is no more than consistency with the stand he has always taken: that any contact with India is welcome and that dialogue with India is a must. But without preconditions — that is fundamental. The Sangh Parivar, on the other hand, has thus far insisted that without Pakistan making amends for past outrages and giving iron-clad guarantees of no repeats, how can India engage with this monster to our west? Is, therefore, the invitation to Nawaz Sharif no more than yet another empty gesture in keeping with the event-management style of the BJP's election campaign or does it mark the dropping of preconditions to dialogue that Pakistan can neither accept nor fulfill?
This is the year of the centenary of the outbreak of World War I. The casus belli was the Austro-Hungarian Empire's allegation of the Serbian government's involvement in the assassination of the heir to their throne in Sarajevo by Serbian terrorists. It is now clear that although the Serbian government shared with the terrorists the broad national goal of uniting all Serbs under the roof of a single Serb state, the assassins were acting on their own and not at the instance, or under the direction of, the Serbian authorities. That is exactly what the Pakistanis say. Short of bombarding Islamabad, as the Austrians bombed Belgrade to bend the Serbs to their will, there is nothing New Delhi can do to compel the Pakistani government to admit it is complicit in crimes against India it says it has had nothing to do with. And parallel to Hafiz Saeed in 2014, loomed in 1914 in Serbia the dreaded figure of Apis, the don of all Serb terrorists, who covered his tracks so well that the Serbian government never figured out, or was aghast at the thought of finding out, just how compromised individual officials of the Serb government in aiding or abetting the assassin Gavrilo Principe and his five teenage companions were. (Even in age, the assassins who fired the bullets in Sarajevo that sparked the death of a hundred million through the first half of the 20th century resemble the gang that spread its net of terror through Mumbai that ghastly night of 26/11). Remember, Pakistan may be the hub of Islamist terror but it is even more a victim of its own terrorism than the outside world. It is futile to pretend, as some Indians who ought to know better do, that the terror groups who train their sights on India are different
to those who train their sights on Pakistan; in effect, all these groups are inter-linked and share the same objectives and sources of sustenance, even if their different targets are nuanced. Nawaz Sharif is engaged simultaneously in defanging all of them. But the chances of his success are remote. If, therefore, the Pakistan government has to prove itself more successful at reining in its terrorists than India has been at reining in its own home-grown terrorists, whether in the jungles of Dandakaranya or in the Northeast, or even among the Indian Mujahideen, imagine how much more horrendous the challenge before the Pakistani government is in proving its antiterrorist credentials to the Sangh Parivar's satisfaction. Pakistan just cannot do all that the Sangh Parivar demands before serious talks commence. Therefore, either the Parivar dilutes its demands or Nawaz Sharif pulls off the impossible. Neither is feasible. The only way out is an "uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue", as I have been urging for decades. Pakistan, under Hina Khar of the PPP, accepted and articulated the proposal. The successor government of Nawaz Sharif has endorsed the phrase. Neither the previous UPA government nor the incoming one were or are ready to touch such a proposal with a barge pole. Thus, we are left stranded where we were — whether Nawaz Sharif prefers last night's chicken chettinad to his own Lahori biryani or not. The swearing-in is but a prelude to the resumption of the swearing-at. The writer is a Rajya Sabha MP from the Congress. This article originally published in the Indian Express.
Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
Modi and Sharif MuSt coMe up with a peace plan Times of india
Sherry rehman
he flight to New Delhi for Pakistan's Prime Minister to attend Narendra Modi's inaugural among other Saarc leaders is a short one, but is nothing short of a diplomatic coup for both. The symbolic ceremonials of the event can at best be, well, just that: Symbolic. It is Nawaz Sharif's bilateral meeting with the newly anointed PM of India, Narendra Modi that has more than all the usual suspects chattering. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the average Pakistani no longer thinks about India, except to visit, trade or watch Bollywood movies. But this time, everyone has an opinion on two things: whether Sharif should have gone or not, and more importantly what he should expect from his first meeting with a BJP PM. As former President Zardari said in support of the move, it's a good decision, but a difficult one. It's a tough call because hardliners are at their shrillest peak in trashing any reciprocity as a compromise with received history, Kashmir and Gujarat. Sharif must also know that to be taken seriously on foreign policy, the current muddle-through on counterterrorism policy at home must change.
But it is smart politics because the positives far outweigh the negatives, just like the numbers for the decision far outweigh those against it in Parliament. Pakistan is now a noisy democracy. Its elected representatives have spoken with a consensus on waging peace with India, which includes the main opposition party. Given the limits of short-run diplomacy, what can take this meeting beyond a photo-op? A first encounter after years of stalled dialogue can only hope to do three things. If the aim is to reset ties, and not just drive PM Modi's stock up on the global stage, then the two can at least go beyond sizing each other up. They can use the meeting to kick-start a long, often challenging journey of planned engagement to make South Asia a prohibitive, lonelier place on the planet for terrorists, poverty and energy insecurity. They don't need to make a calendar or a roadmap. That's not what prime ministers do. But they can certainly direct their foreign and home ministries to plot a course for the 'new normal'. They can flesh this out in September at the UN sidelines, or earlier. Two, they can buck a trend, and some criticism, to set a higher value on legacy politics than on just business. Don't get me wrong. Business, trade, economic integration are the future, and must drive the motor for game-change. Yet all of us who have been powerful advocates of economic change as the lead engine in bilateral ties, have to step back and remind ourselves that while rightist governments dominate in both countries, at this point in time, history will not bend without a hand at its helm. The politics of extremism is at an unprecedented high in both countries, albeit in very different form and intensity. Pakistan faces a rash of terrorist violence and intolerance bordering on bigotry, especially with minorities. Afghanistan is facing multiple vulnerabilities, including a
security and economic vacuum. Such transition likely, if not surely, begets chaos. And while comparisons with Indian formal protections against religious intolerance may be odious and even misplaced, to the outside world, BJP is still the benign face of a communalist machine that messaged anti-Pakistan sentiment in its election campaign. This is in stark contrast to Pakistan's election where none of the mainstream political parties even bothered to mention, let alone demonise, India. So what must the business-backed PMs do? Still plug hard for economic ties, but make the executive leap to broader course correction and resumption of full spectrum composite dialogue, in-
cluding Kashmir. Before that can realistically be uninterruptible, PM Sharif has the Mumbai-trial baggage to sort, while PM Modi has to moderate some of his colleagues' hawkish talk. Lastly, Messrs Modi and Sharif really should take 10 minutes out to game out what happens in event of a crisis. Let's not even pretend that the region is inured from that or that through this year or the next the Line of Control cannot flare up dangerously. Both must know that any real test of diplomacy will be during a flashpoint moment. heads of nuclear states usually get this. Yet we still leave two hot borders and crisis management systems on autopilot. Both have been in politics long
enough to know that usually between India and Pakistan, broad policy intentions spelt out at press stakeouts fall into the black hole of strategic drift. So before the next crisis erupts, they must commit to a timelined plan to prevent events taking on a life of their own. This is indeed an order as tall as the Minar-e-Pakistan which another vintage of BJP PM had the foresight and vision to visit. It is time another, more empowered BJP PM looked to history. The writer, currently Chair of Jinnah Institute, served as Minister of Information and Pakistan's ambassador to the US in the PPP government.
indian express huSain haqqani
Nawaz Sharif's participation in Narendra Modi's inauguration may be the first time a Pakistani prime minister has attended such celebrations in India, but it is just one of many occasions that have been billed as an opportunity for laying the foundations of a new relationship between India and Pakistan. In 1950, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan travelled to Delhi and signed the Liaquat-Nehru pact, which was expected to resolve the issues created by the violent Partition of 1947 that gave birth to Pakistan. But the optimism about the agreement died within a year with the assassination of its Pakistani signatory. Pakistan went through several years of political instability while the army gained influence in policymaking. Then, once General (later Field Marshal) Ayub Khan assumed the reins of power directly in a coup d'etat in 1958, it was argued that a Pakistani military leader was better positioned to normalise relations with India than the weak politicians who preceded him. Pakistan's participation in US-led military alliances was also meant to give the new country sufficient self-confidence in dealing with a larger, more powerful and ostensibly hostile neighbour. Ayub Khan said that only two issues caused friction between India and Pakistan. One related to the division of the Indus waters, which was resolved by the US-backed and World Bank-funded Indus Waters Treaty. The other, according to Ayub, was Jammu and Kashmir, and the field marshal started the 1965 war hoping to find its final solution.
Another war, in 1971 over Bangladesh, resulted in a massive military defeat for Pakistan and the loss of half its territory. Ayub's successor as military dictator, Yahya Khan, was forced to relinquish power to civilian Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It was presumed that now a more coherent Pakistani state and a triumphant India would find lasting peace. At Shimla, in 1973, Indira Gandhi purported to show magnanimity. The Ceasefire Line in Kashmir became the Line of Control and a carefully worded agreement committed both countries to the peaceful resolution of disputes. But the Simla Accord virtually fell by the wayside after the military coup of 1977 that led to Bhutto's judicial murder two years later. General Zia-ul-haq and Morarji Desai spoke of peace amid Western media commentary that the two ostensibly pro-US leaders could accomplish what left-leaning Indian governments under the Congress could not. In the end, Zia lasted in power for almost 11 years, but good relations between Pakistan and India did not.
When Benazir Bhutto was elected prime minister in 1988, we heard the "new beginning" mantra again. India was now led by Rajiv Gandhi, and the two young prime ministers were expected to transcend the bitterness of Partition, of which neither had any personal memory. But the Pakistani establishment cut short Benazir's tenure while stepping up jihad for the liberation of Kashmir. Nawaz Sharif, a Punjabi civilian originally backed by the army, was supposed to be the new miracle worker. But he was pushed out of office by the establishment within three years of his election. Sharif was succeeded by Benazir Bhutto for three years, only to return to office after another palace coup. By the time Sharif returned to office in 1997, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had helped install the Taliban in power in Kabul and myriad jihadi groups were seen as challenging India's might in Kashmir. Once Pakistan tested nuclear weapons following
India's nuclear tests in 1998, the rationalists argued that a Nixon-to-China moment had arrived. If only hindu nationalist Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would travel to Pakistan and talk to the Muslim nationalist Pakistani leader, a modus vivendi between the two countries could be found. Vajpayee did indeed travel to Lahore, assuring Pakistanis of India's acceptance of their country and its nuclear status. But that did not prevent General Pervez Musharraf from plotting and executing the war in Kargil and subsequently taking over the reins of power in Islamabad. Musharraf kept talks with India going under the shadow of both nuclear weapons and terrorism. But details of the elaborate deal his emissary is said to have worked out with Satish Lamba are nowhere to be found in Pakistan's Foreign Office since the general lost power in 2008. Civilian President Asif Zardari's vision of regional integration was blown to pieces by Lashkar-eToiba's terrorist attack in Mumbai in November 2008 within a couple of months of his election. Now, hopes are being pinned on renewed dialogue under Nawaz Sharif, who does not need to negotiate the complexities of Pakistan's coalition politics, unlike Zardari. hope springs eternal and engagement is always better than giving up in despair. But it is important to understand the reason for the historic failure of efforts aimed at fostering friendly neighbourly ties between India and Pakistan. There are many logical reasons for why and how India-Pakistan ties can be normalised. It is psychological, not logical, factors that have held the relationship back so far. As long as Pakistan's establishment continues to paint India as an existential threat and a permanent enemy in the minds of its people, no Pakistani leader — civilian or military — can embrace the Canada-US model in India-Pakistan relations. Although Indians are now focused more on their internal development, they have a long way to go in reassuring Pakistanis that their acceptance of a united Pakistan is final and irreversible. The writer is director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC. He served as Pakistan's ambassador to the US and is author, most recently, of 'Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States and an epic history of misunderstanding'.
I GO MY WAY Wednesday, 28 May, 2014
Younis wants to retire on his own terms
sPOrts DesK
ounis Khan, the Pakistan batsman, hopes to revive his oDi career ahead of the 2015 World Cup and aims to retire on his own terms rather than be dropped for good by the selectors. Younis last played an oDi in March 2013, and a Twenty20 international in December 2010, but he remains a regular in the Test team. "Whatever format i played i always tried to give my best," Younis said during the ongoing training camp in Lahore. "But i don't have a long-term goal that i want to play the 2015 or 2019 World
Cup, my desire is to play as much cricket and keep up my role-model performance. A player like me, who has played 14-15 years of top cricket and played all forms of cricket, his career shouldn't be ended like being classified as only a Test player. "My desire is to walk away on my own conditions, playing in every form of game i am available to play, rather than being dropped. i obviously want commit myself to playing oDis and whenever i get a chance i surely would like to grab the opportunity to play the World Cup." Younis' oDi form took a downturn during the 2012 tour of sri Lanka, where he was left out of the fifth match of a series that Pakistan lost 1-3. Younis had
made only 10 runs in three innings in that series, but managed to find a place on the tour of india and the oDis in south Africa. However, after making only 190 runs in eight innings at an average of 23.75 and strike rate of 67.37, Younis was left out of the Champions Trophy squad and not found a way back since. Younis is among the fittest Pakistan players, according to Mohammad Akram, who is running the Lahore camp. Younis was optimistic about his oDi future and hoped to use the rigourous training camp to get the selectors' attention. He felt he had another two years at top level. "i might play for the next 10 years, but it's all about time and hunger for the
game," Younis said. "i am almost in the fourteenth year of my career and it's very difficult to maintain your top performance playing at top level. After all, we are human and we can't maintain the much needed consistency, and sometime you lose interest. "such camps actually are very important to know yourself inside out - understand where you stand, what is the fitness level and how much we need to improve. it is good to get a window in international cricket. We unfortunately have lost the home advantage and mostly are on tours, hence no time for such extensive camps. so i took the opportunity to get myself tuned."
England need response to Durham drubbing Manchester AGENCIES Peter Moores' honeymoon period lasted all of one match and after Sunday's inexplicable annihilation at Chester-le-Street, England are back to square one in their quest to win back hearts and minds of the British public. Being slaughtered on a torrid tour in Australia or in alien conditions in Asia can be explained away but the Durham drubbing was a case of seeing is believing for England supporters. There was no Johnson, no Ajmal, no other mystical beast of terror, England were simply done at their own game and the criticisms of the winter returned, perhaps most concerning that of bowling too short. Nuwan Kulasekara utilised conditions far better than James Anderson - the player brought back to England's ODI team to swing the new ball and take wickets with all the cards in his
favour. Anderson needs a response on his home ground. But of course it was Eng-
land's batting, losing all 10 for just 80, that shocked most as no answer was
Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore.
found to the high-class swing bowling of Kulasekara, who removed the top three. England need to prove it was just an aberration. And they should be confident in doing so after a smart showing in the first rubber at The Oval, where Malinga and co. were easily dealt with, save Sachithra Senanayake, in a performance that was supposed to point the way to the future. Sri Lanka will be delighted with their retort to defeat, their first in 11 matches. As a complete one-day unit they are in far better shape than England and at Durham proved that they can play in English conditions. The batting effort should be a fillip for the rest of the tour; they built a solid total without major contributions from Kumar Sangakkara or Mahela Jayawardene. Tillakaratne Dilshan showed the responsibility the twilight of his career must provide and Ashan Priyanjan's late burst perhaps showed what lies ahead.
MuMbai: Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in a knockout is a familiar scenario in the IPL. However, a different narrative had tempted the tournament as recently as a week ago. MS Dhoni's men were cantering to a top-two finish until their bowling was found out, and elsewhere Yusuf Pathan rained mayhem. Rohit Sharma was leading a group of individuals that could not rally as a team, until faced with an improbable task. Sunday's heroics will be difficult to set aside and in many ways, they will benefit from turning up at Brabourne Stadium believing the first ball to be 14.5. Dhoni is a captain who enjoys the camera. Clever jabs with commentators at the toss and a clear post-game analysis during the presentation are just as much part of his game as his brutal hits down the ground. During a three-match losing streak, his reasons flitted between fielders shelling opportunities to the new ball not being profitably utilised. Super Kings function on belief, perhaps more so than any other team. Their batting is capable of posting any total, their captain is capable of finishing any game and their spinners are canny enough to stump any opposition. However, the form of their seamers would be a worry. They were a vital part of Super Kings' success in the UAE, but lately the number of overs they get have dwindled in accordance to their potency. Mumbai are strong enough to exploit those weaknesses, but it depends on which Mumbai turns up. AGENCIES

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