Thursday, November 15, 2012

4Pakistani.com

4Pakistani.com

PTI-led govt will prioritise Kashmir problem: Imran Khan

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 12:50 PM PST



MIRPUR: The first foreign policy issue the PTI-led government will solve is the Kashmir problem, said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday.

Speaking to a gathering in Mirpur, Imran said his government will solve the problem through dialogue as military solutions have failed in the past.

"Both the countries [Pakistan and India] have been spending their wealth on weapons instead of investing in their people," Imran said.

Speaking about the problems faced by Kashmiri people, Imran said the solution to the region's problems should come from the people living here.

Referring to his discussion with former foreign ministers who are now a part of his party, Imran said he was told that the Kashmir issue was discussed in detail and the two countries were close to solving it.

However, he said, the current government has put the issue on the back burner.

The PTI chairman also applauded the people of Kashmir who are now living abroad but are still fighting for the cause.

Rule of law

Blaming the absence of rule of law for all the wrongs, Imran said Pakistan has a different law for the rich and a different law for the poor.

"The big robbers are granted with NRO and the poor are jailed," he said.

Imran said the problem with Karachi is also linked to the weak law in the country.

Fight against terrorism

Reiterating his stance on the war fought in Pakistan's tribal areas, Imran said he will take Pakistan out of this foreign war as it is the only solution to maintain order in the country.

"The tribal fighters have waged a war against our army because they see our soldiers as fighting for the US," he said, adding that once Pakistan Army pulls out, the tribal people will fight the militants themselves and win the war against terrorism.

Teacher shot dead as two people killed in Balochistan

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:50 AM PST



QUETTA: Two people, including a teacher were killed in separate incidents of violence in Balochistan on Thursday. A bullet-riddled body was also found dumped.

According to police, unidentified armed men opened indiscriminate fire on a senior science teacher of Model High School in Chatkan area of Panjgur district. The teacher identified as Abdul Hahad, sustained fatal bullet wounds. He was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to his wounds before he could be helped.

The assailants manage to flee from the scene after committing the crime.

Local administration later moved Hahad's body to a hospital for medico-legal formalities before handing it to his heirs for burial.

The motive behind the attack is yet to be ascertained.

In another incident, a man was killed in Sara Ghardgi, on the outskirts of Quetta.

Levies officials said that one man identified as Ahmedullah was shot dead by armed men in Zarghoonabad area who fled after committing the crime.

Levies shifted the body to Civil Hospital Quetta and registered a case against unidentified people.

Body recovered

Acting on a tip-off, police recovered a bullet-riddled body in Uthal area of Lasbela district on Thursday.

The body was shifted to hospital for postmortem where identity of body was established as Akbar Kher Mohammad Baloch, a resident of Sakuran hub.  "He was brutally tortured before he was killed with a a bullet to his chest," hospital sources said.

Police officials said that the victim bore bullet wounds in his head and chest while marks of torture were also visible on the body. They however, said it could not be known who was behind the murder.

Police have registered a case and started an investigation into the incident.

For Fawad Khan, team work is the key to success

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 10:49 AM PST



KARACHI: 

Starting off his career in music with Entity Paradigm (ET) and then starring in the award-winning film Khuda Kay Liye, actor-singer Fawad Khan has managed to steal many hearts. Realising that his passion for acting burns more than his love for music, Fawad has steered the wheel away from the mic and moved onto the screen. He has since been acting in various TV shows most famously "Humsafar" — a show watched and loved by the whole nation. On the sets of Hum Network, Fawad talked about his career and future plans.

"It's been really nice," he said, referring to his rise to stardom and the journey he has made so far in the entertainment industry. "'Humsafar' was the next step for me in my career and the response I received from the audience was simply overwhelming."

When asked whether his new TV show "Zindagi Gulzar Hai", which airs this week, would be as captivating as "Humsafar" once was, he said: "I certainly didn't expect that 'Humsafar' would receive such a great response. I don't think that I am that great an actor in isolation but when I work with a team, my co-stars and other people around me help bring out the best in me."

Fawad believes that the content of a script is important, but having the right team which understands an actor is as significant, if not more. "It's never been a habit for me to pick up more than I can do in a given period of time. However, I feel that more than anything, your sanity comes first and so the team you will be working with is very important — I believe my team makes me."

The storyline or script of the TV show is important to him as well, "I do look at the content because the storyline is a big thing, too. But I still feel a team plays a more significant role — your wavelengths [work ethic] don't always match with your co-stars. So this definitely counts for me."

"I have worked with a couple of directors and each has played his or her part in bringing out the best in me," he said. "I have been blessed to have worked with Sultana Apa [Sultana Siddiqui, the director of 'ZInagi Gulzar Hai']. I know there is a balance a director has to maintain when it comes to fulfilling his or her purpose — either you become a dictator and tell the actor exactly what he needs to do or go to the other extreme which is throwing the character on to him to let him figure out what needs to be done."

He believes Siddiqui knows how to balance the two and this is why it's been such a rewarding experience for him and an achievement for her.

About his future plans in music, he said: "We [EP] have been disbanded for a while now and it's been difficult to coordinate amongst ourselves. But yes, if something comes up and I have to sing, then I will." Commenting on whether he's aiming to act in films as well, he said, "If something really creative comes my way in the near future and if it's something different and not conventional, then I might do it."

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2012.          

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A concert and a fashion show take place in Peshawar

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:47 AM PST



PESHAWAR: The tense and entertainment-starved youth of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) recently witnessed a concert and a fashion show at Neshtar Hall, which was arranged by the Directorate of Culture. The event was aimed to be a distraction for the young people for whom security concerns have narrowed entertainment options.

The event management company Globoss said that the aim was to provide entertainment and create awareness about fashion trends in the city. Globoss claims that the event was called off many times, and the situation remained uncertain until the culture directorate intervened.

A variety of artists performed their songs; Waheed Achekzai performed his latest numbers including "Zwanano Pasai Inqilab Rawal" followed by some romantic songs which got the crowd moving. However, the performances became repetitive and boring and left the audience no choice but to boo the singer off stage.

To add variation, there was a modelling session showcasing different designers from the city. Designers flaunted their clothing lines with male and female models walking down the ramp in full-sleeved shirts in A-line cuts.

"The display of different fashion designers will educate people about new fashion trends and new designers, as there are many upcoming in the city," said Ambreen, a female presenter. "However, the crowd that came to the hall was more interested in a stage performance rather than the fashion show."

Well known singer Shafqat Mehmood took the stage after the fashion show, where he covered the popular fast Pashto number "A zma Yara, Zma Dildar" by the Afghanistan-based singer Najeeb Haqarast. He proceeded to cover more songs, including one by Khyal Mohmmad but left the crowd largely unimpressed.

"The crowds in Peshawar are more interested in watching stage performances rather than concerts," said Zeeshan Khan, the media co-ordinator for Globoss, explaining that people are more accustomed to dance performances than musical evenings."The objective of this show was to entertain and give an opportunity to the youth to show their potential, because the city is still conservative and the atmosphere is strained," he added.

Even though the ticket prices were high, the hall was flooded with young people. Unfortunately, during the fashion show, the crowd thinned considerably as uninterested young people strolled out.

"We came to the hall expecting famous Pashto singers like Humayoun Khan and Gul Panra to be performing," said Amir, a young attendee. "Sadly, only fashion designers occupied the hall." Event manager Zeeshan Khan clarified that those singers will perform later. "Those singers will perform on the second day of the event, but another ticket will have to be purchased on that day."

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2012.          

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Under threat: Taliban may attack Muharram processions in G-B

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 08:46 AM PST



GILGIT: 

The ministry of interior has cautioned the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government of possible terrorist attacks by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) processions during Muharram.

In a letter sent to the G-B government, the ministry's National Crisis Management Cell stated that TTP has dispatched 28 terrorists to Wazirstan, to get training and procure arms and ammunition to carry out the attacks. It further asked the government to remain "extremely vigilant" and adopt measures to ward off such attacks.

In another letter, the cell maintained that terrorists are likely to exploit the current volatile situation.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Ali Sher said he is aware of the possibility of terrorist attacks and assured that all necessary security measures have been taken to maintain peace in G-B.

Meeting held in DI Khan

Meanwhile, a meeting was held at the Police Rest House in DI Khan to assess the measures taken by the district police and district administration to maintain security during Muharram.

K-P Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir said  he is satisfied with the security plan prepared by the police and the district administration for Muharram.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2012.

Revenue collection: FBR obtains data of 150,000 tax evaders

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 07:45 AM PST



ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has obtained third-party data regarding 150,000 tax evaders who send their children to expensive schools and buy new costly vehicles.

Documents obtained by Roznama Express revealed that the data was also obtained from motor vehicle manufacturers and electricity distribution companies among other institutions.

At least 6,010 people who send their children to branches of a private educational institute, built in a specific region, evaded tax while 35,673 evaders bought new cars from three auto manufacturing companies in one region.

According to the information received, most of the people who send their children to expensive schools and buy new costly vehicles did not have National Tax Number (NTN), while many are even hiding their original incomes.

This story was originally published in Roznama Express on November 15, 2012.

Fog-related road accidents kill 5 in Punjab

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 06:44 AM PST



MULTAN / GUJRANWALA: While the country awaits winter, five people lost their lives in Punjab on Thursday to accidents caused by the fog that heralds its arrival.

Three of a family – a man, woman and their 18-month-old daughter – were killed near Chicha Watni when their car crashed into a truck standing on the road. Three others were also injured in the accident.

The family was enroute to Multan via the Kasuwal Bypass when the incident happened. Three others in the car suffered injuries who were then shifted to Sahiwal Hospital.

A wagon with students on board rammed into a truck in the Kohlowala area of Gujranwala and two students on motorcycles rammed into the wagon, who were then crushed by an another truck. Both students died on the spot.

The students on board the bus sustained injuries and were shifted to Civil Hospital.

Many are killed in fog-related accidents every year.

Fog impairs visibility of drivers and hence they are advised to slow down, keep their headlights on and not stop in the middle of roads. If drivers need to stop the car, they should switch on their flashers so others know a car is stationary.

China’s new party chief Xi gets strong mandate for action

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 05:45 AM PST



BEIJING: China’s president-in-waiting Xi Jinping won a strong mandate on Thursday to lead the world’s second-biggest economy and deal with problems ranging from corruption to economic uncertainty.

Xi was appointed head of both the ruling Communist Party and its top military body as the ruling Communist Party unveiled a new leadership line-up consisting of conservatives and respected financial reformers.

In an address at the end of the party’s once-in-five years congress, Xi said he understood the people’s desire for a better life but warned of severe challenges going forward.

“Our party is dedicated to serving the people,” he said after introducing the other six members of the standing committee at the Great Hall of the People in a carefully choreographed ceremony carried live on state television.

“It has led the people in making world-renowned achievements, and we have every reason to take pride in these achievements,” he added, speaking in perfect Mandarin.

“But we are not complacent, and we will never rest on our laurels. Under the new conditions, our party faces many severe challenges, and there are also many pressing problems within the party that need to be resolved, particularly corruption, being divorced from the people, going through formalities and bureaucratism caused by some party officials.”

The run-up to the handover has been overshadowed by the party’s biggest scandal in decades, with former high-flyer Bo Xilai sacked as party boss of the southwestern Chongqing city after his wife was accused of murdering a British businessman.

Xi will be steering China for at least the next five years with a mixed team, including the urbane, English-speaking anointed next premier Li Keqiang, and North Korea-trained economist Zhang Dejiang.

That could make undertaking the kind of reforms China so desperately needs, whether financial or social, much harder. Two senior leaders with strong reform credentials – Guangdong party boss Wang Yang and party organisation head Li Yuanchao – did not make it to the standing committee, the party’s premier body.

And Wang Qishan, 64, currently the vice-premier in charge of economic affairs, will take over the graft-fighting role, rather than having anything to do with financial affairs.

“The leadership is divided,” said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a Chinese politics expert at Hong Kong Baptist University.

“It’s easier for them to move to a new growth model. I think they agree upon that and that won’t be the hardest task. But I see a lot of political paralysis in terms of changing the political system.”

Cut to seven

Still, the standing committee – the innermost circle of power in China’s authoritarian government – has as expected been cut to seven members from nine, which should ease consensus building and decision making.

Zhang is expected to head the largely rubber-stamp parliament, while Shanghai party boss Yu Zhengsheng is likely to head parliament’s advisory body, according to the order in which their names were announced.

Tianjin party chief Zhang Gaoli and Liu Yunshan, a conservative who has kept domestic media on a tight leash, make up the rest of the group.

Xi will take over Hu’s state position in March at the annual meeting of parliament, when Li will succeed Premier Wen Jiabao.

Despite the problems ahead, Xi will at least not have to worry about Hu looking too much over his shoulder.

Hu has not followed his predecessor Jiang Zemin in staying on as head of the military commission after stepping down as party chief. Xi has instead directly taken over that post, strengthening his position.

Advocates of reform are pressing Xi to cut back the privileges of state-owned firms, make it easier for rural migrants to settle in cities, fix a fiscal system that encourages local governments to live off land expropriations and, above all, tether the powers of a state that they say risks suffocating growth and fanning discontent.

With growing public anger and unrest over everything from corruption to environmental degradation, there may also be cautious efforts to answer calls for more political reform, though nobody seriously expects a move towards full democracy.

The party could introduce experimental measures to broaden inner-party democracy – in other words, encouraging greater debate within the party – but stability remains a top concern and one-party rule will be safeguarded.

“We’re not going to see any political reform because too many people in the system see it as a slippery slope to extinction,” said David Shambaugh, director of the China Policy Program at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.

“They see it entirely through the prism of the Soviet Union, the Arab Spring and the Colour Revolutions in Central Asia, so they’re not going to go there.”

HEC: 2,627 scholarships in 7 years

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 04:45 AM PST



ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission has awarded 2,627 overseas scholarships from the year 2000 to 2007 in various undergraduate, postgraduate, PhDs and post-doctorate schemes of the commission, said Minister In charge of the Cabinet.

Out of these, 60% overseas scholarships were awarded to fresh graduates.

By adopting this policy of awarding scholarships to fresh graduates and employees of different organizations, the country will have a well developed human resource and educated people for socio-economic development in Pakistan.

The minister said that out of 2,627 overseas scholarships, 1,589 were awarded to students and employees belonging to Punjab, 413 to those of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (K-P), 364 to Sindh, 56 to Balochistan, 66 to Azad Jammu & Kashmir,  122 to Islamabad, 9 to FATA and 8 scholarships to students and employees of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2012.

Blasphemy charges: Man gets death sentence in Chitral

Posted: 15 Nov 2012 03:42 AM PST



CHITRAL: A man accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was declared guilty and awarded a death sentence along with a fine worth Rs100,000 by Additional Sessions Judge Azhar Ali Khan in Chitral.

According to prosecutors, Hazrat Ali Shah uttered something blasphemous against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in March 2011 in his village of Barenis, which was testified by many villagers.

Police registered a case under Sections 295 –(a), (b) and (c) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The convicted man allegedly stood on the roof of his house and spoke loudly and inappropriately against the Prophet (pbuh) about one and a half year ago, creating a tense situation in the village, after which police arrested him and lodged a case.

Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive topic in Pakistan.

Scores of Pakistanis have been harassed and implicated in false cases instituted by misusing the country's blasphemy laws.

Additionally, allegations of blasphemy have led to assassinations, extrajudicial killings and threats to life and property.

With the misuse of these laws, it has become difficult to differentiate between false accusations and actual blasphemous acts.
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