Thursday, November 22, 2012

4Pakistani.com

4Pakistani.com

‘SC never raised objection against Balochistan Assembly’

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 12:10 PM PST



ISLAMABAD: 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that it had made the provincial authorities and not the Balochistan Assembly the target of criticism during hearings on the strife-hit province.

"We have not said a single thing against the provincial assembly during the 72 hearings on Balochistan as we believe in democracy," said Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who is heading a three-member bench.

During Tuesday's hearing of the Balochistan law and order case, Shahid Hamid, the Balochistan government's counsel, said a provincial assembly session was summoned by members who passed a vote of confidence in Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani.

Missing persons

The court also directed authorities to recover and present missing persons, including Dr Saeed and Advocate Munir, before the court by December 5, the next date of hearing.

It also directed the authorities to present a detailed report pertaining to around 100 missing persons abducted from Balochistan.

Targeted killings

The chief justice also highlighted the plight of the Shia community in the province. Along with members of the Shia community, 28 journalists and 432 personnel of FC and people from minorities were murdered but not a single killer has been arrested so far, he added.

Chief Justice Chaudhry further said that the provincial interior minister himself disclosed that cabinet members are involved in kidnappings, which is a matter of great concern.

The government's counsel sought some time in this regard and was given till December 5 to submit a compliance report.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2012.

D-8 leaders summit begins in Islamabad

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 10:09 AM PST



ISLAMABAD: The Developing Eight (D-8) leaders summit began in Islamabad on Thursday.

Leaders from member countries including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey will discuss the progress made by the bloc and future plans.

The D-8 group was established in 1997, upon an initiative of Turkey, to promote development cooperation among group members.

The Islamabad Summit is coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the founding of the D-8 bloc.

Since its inception, trade volume of the member countries has increased from $ 433 billion in 1997 to $ 1.73 trillion in 2011. Intra-D-8 trade, however, stood at a modest $ 130 billion in 2011, just 7.5% of the total trade of the D-8 bloc – implying that barriers still hinder trade amongst member countries.

Chagi mining: SC questions legal basis for TCCP operations

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 09:07 AM PST



ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Thursday asked the counsel representing Tethyan Copper Company (TCCP), under which laws was the organisation engaging in mining business in Pakistan without being incorporated as a company.

The apex court chief raised the question while conducting proceedings on a petition moved by late Maulana Abdul Haq regarding a mining lease awarded to the organistaion for gold and copper reserves exploration in the Chagi district of Balochistan.

During course of proceedings, the Chief Justice told TCCP's counsel that people should realise that it was a sovereign country with laws. He asked counsel to substantiate his stance as to how could they operate in other countries without meeting the legal requirements. The CJP observed that nobody could do business in any part of the globe without being incorporated and questioned whether he could cross over to the Wagha or Torkham borders without meeting the legal requirements.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed said that there were also many somersaults from the BHP company itself over issues related to relaxation of rules and mining lease. He observed that the company had sought complete trampling of rules.

Khalid Anwar, counsel for TCCP, contended that concept of incorporation in foreign countries required attention and said under the relevant laws, there was no such embargo upon a foreign company as a number of US and Australian companies were doing various businesses in Pakistan.

On the other hand, Anwar claimed that incorporation of a company was not difficult, but that the government of Balochistan was in the wrong by suing TCCP rather than BHP, with which they had reached an agreement. He contended that the parent company should be sued as his client had not sought a single law to be relaxed nor for a single word in the Chagi Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (CHEJVA) to be amended.

The bench adjourned further hearing till Friday.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed were the other members of the bench.

Grenade attack on Peshawar checkpost kills one policeman, injures 2

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 08:05 AM PST



PESHAWAR: As Ashura nears, the attacks by terrorists on religious places and on law enforcement personnel have apparently stepped up as a grenade was chucked at a police checkpost in Peshawar on Thursday evening, killing one officer and injuring two others.

DSP Sajjad Khan told journalists that unidentified assailants had hurled a hand grenade at a security post set up near the Pahari Purah imambargah.

"A police official was killed while three others were injured who were rushed to Lady Reading Hospital," DSP Khan said. He further added that other officers present at the site retaliated, but the assailants managed to flee.

Additional police units rushed to the site following the blast and cordoned off the area.

Earlier in the day, two bombs were found planted near Arbab Sikandar Khan Khalil flyover at Gulbahar. The bomb disposal squad (BDS) immediately reached the spot. BDS officials said that one of the bombs was defused whereas the other bomb was detonated using a robot, adding that both the bombs weighed up to three kilograms each.

The philosophy of Pakistan

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 07:04 AM PST



The other night, I watched a play in Karachi's Arts Council called "Pawnay 14 August" ("Quarter to 14th August") written by famed Pakistani playwright and actor Anwar Maqsood. The play's premise is simple: three great leaders of the Pakistan Movement come down from heaven for one day to see what has become of the country they envisioned sixty-plus years ago.

As they wait for a flight to Islamabad in the Karachi airport lounge, they come across a variety of modern-day Pakistanis who show them that life in the Islamic Republic hasn't turned out as successfully as they'd hoped. It's a comedy with a bitter bite at the end as the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is unrecognisable to everyone and is finally mistaken for the actor Christopher Lee (who portrayed him in a biopic) by a little girl with an autograph book.

One of the other figures portrayed in the play is Allama Iqbal, the famed philospher-poet whose verses inspired the Pakistan movement. He wrote both in Urdu and Persian, and is also known for exploring the concept of  "Khudi", or the self, which correlates with the Islamic concept of the divine spark that exists in every human being. Iqbal surmised in his great work Asrar-e-Khudi, or The Secrets of the Self, that the self is the transformer of the spirit through which humans cannot just achieve tremendous goals on earth, but actually know the face of God.

Named as Pakistan's national poet, Iqbal's ideology was the philosophical skeleton on which the flesh of Pakistan's creation was draped — he believed in the nobility of humankind to such an extent that the people were moved enough to actually create a new country for themselves. Yet, a running joke in the play was that Iqbal's dream of a nation for Muslims carved out of India had turned into a nightmare, a zombie country characterised by brutality, mass confusion and dishonesty. "Even if you saw such a dream", moaned Mohammed Ali Jauhar, the third of the illustrious leaders, "why did you have to tell him (Jinnah) about it?"

Iqbal

Still, it's very easy to understand what's gone wrong in Pakistan through the prism of Iqbal's vision: we Pakistanis have become disconnected from the self or at least that spark that resides within all of us and keeps us connected to one another and to divinity. Swayed by competing ideologies — militarism, capitalism, Islamism to name a few — we have lost direction. Our journey to selfhood, which Iqbal said was tantamount to human development — and collectively, the journey to nationhood — has been interrupted, replaced by a journey in which a pure heart is not as important as a full pocket and a self-righteous, hypocritical façade.

Is it possible or even desirable that we as Pakistanis find our way back to Iqbal's vision or has it become outdated with the increased economic and sociopolitical pressures of the modern world, the War on Terror and the nuclear competition with India? I don't know the answer to this question. What I do know, though, is that if we turn our backs on Iqbal's philosophy, we lose the chance to see ourselves as worthy human beings, deserving of better than the mess our country is in today. Allama Iqbal was someone who believed in not just the potential but the very real greatness in each and every Pakistani. And every human being needs someone to believe in her, so that she may believe in herself and aspire to raise herself to the heights of recreating this nation: a newer, better version that Jinnah, Iqbal and Shaukat Ali would truly be happy to see.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2012.

Militants kill two policemen near Khyber Agency

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 06:03 AM PST



PESHAWAR: Two police constables were killed when militants attacked the Speen Qabar check post of Badabher police near Khyber Agency on Thursday.

Around 50 militants, equipped with RPG-7 rockets and medium machine-guns, attacked the check post jointly manned by the police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) around 10am – opposed to most attacks which take place at night.

The attackers took complete advantage of the element of surprise and inflicted damage on the police. A police constable, Rehman Wali, was killed inside the check post while another, Shamsur Rehman, went missing.

A large search operation was carried out by the police in the area after the militants retreated, fearing the abduction of their fellow official. An hour later, the man was found dead in a nullah.

Police arrested several suspicious men from the area during the operation and shifted them to a police station for investigation.

"They really surprised the police by attacking in broad daylight from an open country like Akka Khel Khyber Agency," said Israr, commander of local peace militia, adding that in the past 99% of the attacks had been carried out at night.

"The entire area is open with very less human habitation but the problem is the bushes which could provide cover to any attacker," he explained.

DSP Fazal Mulla told The Express Tribune that two policemen were killed by the militants who retreated towards their native town, Akka Khel, Khyber Agency.

It is worth mentioning that the Speen Qabar check post lies on the border of Khyber Agency to stop militants' movement. It has been repeatedly attacked by the militants, killing several police and FC men in the past five years.

Quetta bombing: Six killed in attack on army soldiers

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 05:02 AM PST



A bomb tore through a Pakistan Army vehicle escorting children home from school in Quetta on Wednesday, killing at least six people, including three soldiers and a woman.

The attack, which occurred in the Shahbaz Town area of Quetta, also wounded more than 22 people, including six security personnel.

Home Secretary Akbar Husain Durrani confirmed the death toll while talking to The Express Tribune and added that the bomb was planted on a motorcycle, which was parked on the road side.

"The target was an army vehicle which was escorting a school bus carrying children of local army officers from different schools," Quetta city police chief Hamid Shakeel told AFP.

Durrani said that the army squad was going to the military cantonment from the school when the bomb went off. He added that the area is administered by the Cantonment Board.

"The school bus children remained unhurt in the blast and have been shifted to a safer place," he said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Talking to reporters at the blast site, Capital City Police Officer Mir Zubair confirmed that the blast was not a suicide attack and added that investigations are under way.

Witnesses said the motorbike appeared to have been parked near shops to avoid any suspicion in the Shahbaz Town neighbourhood.

"I was returning to my shop after saying prayers in a nearby mosque," said shopkeeper Mohammad Talib, 45.

"Soon after, I heard a huge blast. There was dust and smoke. I saw an army vehicle in flames. Shards of glass were littered on the road. There was panic, people were screaming, others were fleeing the area."

Fruit vendor Abdul Karim, 30, said the army vehicle took the same route every day after school.

Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) sources said that around 10 to 15 kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the blast.

Nearby shops and vehicles caught fire as a result of the blast but it was contained by the fire brigade. Around six vehicles, 14 motorcycles, eight shops, 12 houses and a nearby marriage hall were extensively damaged in the blast.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohamamd Aslam Khan Raisani condemned the attack and announced Rs1 million as compensation for the families of the deceased victims and Rs0.2 million for the injured.

The deceased were identified as Naik Itibar Khan, Sepoy Shahbaz, Mumtaz, Khurshid Begum and Mir Mohammad. The sixth body could not be identified.

The deceased and injured were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital and Civil Hospital for treatment.

Since the past week, doctors across Balochistan have boycotted their duties to register their protest against the kidnapping of a colleague.

However, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) spokesperson Dr Aftab told The Express Tribune that they opened the emergency wards at the Civil Hospital after the blast to treat an injured victim, and continued their protest later.

"The PMA has decided that they will open the emergency and casualty ward in case of any emergency like bomb blast incidents and other major disasters," Dr Aftab said.

(With additional input from AFP)

 

 

Mobile suspension case: SHC issues notices to PTA, interior ministry

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 04:02 AM PST



KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Interior ministry while hearing the cellular service suspension case on Thursday, reported Express News.

During the hearing, PTA's lawyer Badar Alam maintained that the suspension of mobile services is in the national interest and for the safety of the people. He said that the application against suspension is not worth hearing and should be dismissed.

The court issued notices to PTA and the interior minister for November 23.

The government had suspended cellular services in many cities on August 10, 19 and 20, September 21, October 27 and again on November 16.

A foreign cell phone network operator has taken the government to court citing massive financial losses. The petitioner is also seeking compensation for the losses.

Unabated misery: Patients protest against doctors’ strike

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 03:00 AM PST



QUETTA: An NGO, Pakistan Citizens Liberation Forum staged a protest in front of Civil Hospital against the strike of doctors, particularly suspension of the emergency services in all major hospitals.

Doctors continued their protest on Wednesday closing all the major hospitals, including all emergency wards and operation theatres for the day.

Government has made arrangements in the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for the treatment of patients.

Government has made special arrangements in the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta for the treatment of patients.

According to the CMH sources easy access for the patients to reach the maximum security zone of the provincial capital has been ensured.

The doctors are on strike against the kidnapping of Dr Saeed, an eye specialist.

Big bird — 1 Romney— 0

Posted: 22 Nov 2012 01:58 AM PST



Louis Farrakhan did it. So did the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). Now, it's Elmo and the Cookie Monster's turn to stage a Million Man March. That's the unlikely sight that jaded Washingtonians were treated to as Big Birds, Ernies and Grovers marched down to the US Capitol on a chilly Saturday afternoon to voice their support for public broadcasting and Sesame Street. Sadly, the rally, which was touted as the Million Puppet March, missed the historic headcount by just 999,000 people. 

The march was organised after the now-defeated Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, in the first presidential debate, announced he would cut funding to PBS, and in particular to Sesame Street.

Romney's remarks had incensed Sesame Street fans so much that netizens took it upon themselves to protest the budget cut. Soon parody Twitter accounts like @SaveBigBird sprung up and got thousands of followers. It even led to an advertisement by the Obama campaign, saying that Mitt Romney believed that one doesn't have to worry about Wall Street, just Sesame Street.

All this eventually led to the organisation and execution of the Million Puppet March on November 3 this year. The rally, which was publicised through social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, saw people come down from as far as Los Angeles and even hurricane-hit New York in support of their beloved Muppets.

As the rally made its way to the US Capitol, participants shouted slogans such as "Who loves Big Bird? We love Big Bird!", "Bow to the Puppets" and "What do we want? Cookies! When do we want them? Now!"

"You can't take Sesame Street away from the kids," said Linda Dennis, a resident of Annapolis, Maryland. She added that Sesame Street and public broadcasting was important for people of all ages, and the fact that they are not commercialised was an added plus point.

Rainbow, a member of the puppet group Fuzz and Feathers, had come with members of her puppet company from Los Angeles. "Our philosophy is similar to that of Sesame Street's in that you can teach by being positive, not by showing conflict." Despite Hurricane Sandy, two of her group members had also come from New York to participate in the rally.

Laurie Solnik, a volunteer at the march and a retired federal employee from Washington, DC, said that the march proved that the American people believed in public broadcasting. Zoe Homan, an 11-year-old girl from Philadelphia, said she had come for the rally just to support Big Bird.

Kathleen Lothringer, a 22-year-old woman, said she had come down to the US capital from Austin, Texas to show her support for public broadcasting and Sesame Street. "I would not be the person I am today if it wasn't for Sesame Street," adding that public broadcasting was important for education.

The rally culminated in a gathering at the US Capitol's Reflecting Pool. Before the speeches, the organisers played songs from Sesame Street, and even the theme music for the popular drama series 'Downton Abbey', which airs in the US on PBS.

Michael Bellavia, one of the co-organisers, runs an animation company in Los Angeles. Speaking to the participants at the US Capitol, he said that he had a visceral reaction to Governor Romney's remarks, and decided that they wanted to support public broadcasting and make their voice heard.

He also added that cutting funding to PBS, for example, would also lead to a loss of jobs across the country. Bellavia encouraged participants to donate to their local PBS station as well.

Bellavia said that while they had received donations as well, the organisers would also have to pay for some of the costs of organising the event. Chris Mecham, another organiser of the event, told participants that public broadcasting was important for a democracy, so that people could not just see educational programmes, but also make informed decisions about who to vote for come Election Day.

Mecham also said, "Big Bird is a puppet, not a partisan issue." The rally ended with shows put up by various puppet companies for the kids (and adults!) in the audience.

Now that Romney has been defeated by incumbent President Barack Obama in the presidential elections, Sesame Street is safe. One might even say that Romney learned a valuable lesson: if you mess with Big Bird, you will get pecked on.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, November 18th, 2012.

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