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Rs37b lost in ISAF containers pilferage

January 20th, 2011 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary on Wednesday hearing the embezzlement of billions of rupees in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) containers case observed that revelations made in the Federal Tax Ombudsman report is just the tip of the iceberg, as further investigations could divulge much more.
The Federal Tax Ombudsman submitted a comprehensive report regarding fraud in the garb of Afghan Transit Trade, which testified that large number of containers carrying Afghan trade goods have been pilfered inside the country.
The report has made a startling disclosure that more than 50,000 transit containers have been pilfered within Pakistan that have caused a huge loss of approximately Rs19 to Rs37 billing to the countryÂ’s economy during the last four years. A three-member bench of apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, while hearing the ISAF containers case ordered the authorities concerned to take a strict action against those involved in the case and issued them notices.
The Court on September 30, 2010 had directed the Federal Tax Ombudsman to file a comprehensive report over the permission of contraband items under the garb of food supplies to the ISAF in Afghanistan under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA). The court also sought a comprehensive report over 10,000 to 11,000 containers of ISAF which went missing from Karachi, as Customs has no record of these containers.
The Chief Justice said, “We have gone through the report, which is not only comprehensive to the point with the reference mentioned in the complaint of smuggling of foreign goods in the name of Afghan Transit Trade.”The report prima facie concluded that action is required to be taken against all the concerned officials of Customs. The court stated that for the sake of justice it would be appropriate to provide them an opportunity of hearing so they may also forward their comments in view of the report prepared by Federal Tax Ombudsman.
The court directed Chairman Federal Board of Revenue Salman Siddique to assist the court and provide a list of all officials, including former chairperson of CBR/FBR, who was holding the position from January 1, 2007 to December 24, 2010, the Members of Customs (Customs Collectors Karachi Port and Port of Qasim, Collectors of Quetta and Peshawar, Secretaries Commerce and Finance, Director General Customs Intelligence and Investigation and the relevant officers of NLC who were hold the charge during that period. The court said that the Chairman CBR might also identify any other officer, prima facie involved in the alleged corruption, so he may be summoned.
The court directed the FBR counsel to furnish the list by January 20, 2011 along with copies of the report prepared by the FTO, which shall be obtained from the office of the FTO as we have been given only six copies. On receipt of the names as mentioned above the office shall issue notices through the FBR for affecting service upon them. However, notice would be served on the DG NLC by the office itself.
The officers/officials to whom notices are issued are directed to file their comments, particularly in respect of the period during which they were holding the charge of the above posts.
The Chief Justice observed that right from top to the bottom officials are involved in the case. The Chief Justice asked the FBR chairman to proceed against the officials allegedly involved in the case, get them handcuffed and present their report in the court. The chairman FBR replied, “We have to take some measures and finalise the nitty-gritty of the plans.”
Justice Ramday said, “If someone is in this illusion that by deputing a person of his choice could influence the investigation is wrong, because the court would itself control the investigation.” He asked whom they could depend? If the economy will be bad then how would the country be run? Justice Ramday said, “Like Haris Steel Mills’ case the court could control the investigation of this case as well.
The Chief Justice asked Salman that if you have time then travel from Quetta to Chaman by road. The CJP said in the presence of Customs officials and the Levies goods are being smuggled in and out of the country, but no one is there to question them. He said because of smuggling the national exchequer faces a loss of $2 billion every year.
The Chief Justice further said that even the Islamabad markets are flooded with the smuggled goods. Justice Ramday said that the domestic barrowing have reached Rs4008 billion since 2008 to 2010. The court wondered that besides the smuggling of alcohol and arms, what else is being smuggled on the pretext of Afghan trade.
The case is adjourned till 27th January.

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Justice JavedÂ’s parents killed

January 12th, 2011 | No Comments


LAHORE – Malik Abdul Hameed, former DIG Police and father of Supreme Court judge Justice Javed Iqbal, along with his spouse was found strangled to death at their Cavalry Ground residence in Cantonment police area late on Tuesday night.
Police sources claimed that the possibility of target killing could not be ruled out.
Sources further said the couple, in their early 80s, was tortured and strangled to death in their house located in the posh and fortified locality. The policemen deployed outside their residence 164-Cavalary Ground were absent from the duty. The motives behind the murder are yet to be ascertained, but nothing from the luggage was missing, raising suspicions, a top police source said. Both Malik Abdul Hameed, 85, and his wife Amna Hameed, 80, were lying dead on the floor in the courtyard of the lower portion when the police reached there.
A woman residing on the upper portion of their house on rent found the couple dead and informed the police about the gruesome murder incident.
“Two female neighbourers phoned the police, which reached the spot and detained the both for preliminary investigation,” insiders said. They further said as the women were the first eyewitnesses of the incident, they would be interrogated regarding the incident.
Investigators were on the scene, collecting evidences to determine how the killers brutally murdered Malik and his wife.
Apparently, the killers suffocated former DIG Special Branch Quetta Abdul Hameed and his wife to death by putting pillows on their faces. “We are trying to find out motives behind the killings. Nothing is clear at this moment,” the source said.
Justice Javed Iqbal, a close associate of Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry who had refused to take oath under PCO, was in Islamabad while his parents were staying alone at their Lahore residence. The Punjab Bar Council announced strike for Wednesday (today) and lawyers will not appear in the courts to protest the killings.
Sources said Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA) SP Umar Virk had got a tip-off that a gang would break into the locality some days back on which the CIA, in collaboration with the Lahore Police teams, had started surveillance of the area and deployed personnel at several locations.
Days after the newly-appointed IG Punjab Javed Iqbal assumed charge of his new office and spelt out his priorities to bring down the alarming crime rate, dacoits have killed the parents of a senior Supreme Court judge Justice Javed Iqbal.
The police have arrested the street guard and are investigating.
The news got many grave ramifications for the judges and their families after this incident took place.
It is worth mentioning here that the horrible incident has come at such a critical situation when the SC judges are being considered the only ray of hope and the only working institution for the deprived people across the country.
The dacoity-cum-murder incidents have swelled to an alarming level in Lahore as the dacoits killed 55 people on offering resistance last year.
Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif took strong notice of the incident and directed IGP Javed Iqbal to nab the killers.
The Chief Minister of Punjab, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner, the DCO Lahore and provincial law minister were also on the crime scene till the filing of this report.
The police denied the media access to the crime scene and cordoned off the entire locality.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rehman Malik constituted a Joint Investigation Team comprising ISI, FIA, IB and Punjab Police to probe into the ghastly murder incident.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, PML-Q President Ch Shujaat Hussain, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and JamaÂ’at-i-Islami Ameer Syed Munawar Hassan and former Ameer JI Qazi Hussain Ahmed strongly condemned the killing of the parents of Justice Javed Iqbal.
Premier Gilani directed the Joint Investigation Team to investigate the sad incident and submit a report at the earliest. The Prime Minister conveyed his heartiest condolences and sincere sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.
President Zardari also strongly condemned the tragic happening and ordered immediate inquiry into the incident. He expressed his deep sense of shock and grief over the tragic deaths and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family.

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Successful strike across country

January 1st, 2011 | No Comments


LAHORE\KARACHI\ISLAMABAD\PESHAWAR – Business activities ground to a halt on Friday as major markets across the country completely remained shut on the call of religious and political parties to protest against governmentÂ’s move to amend the Blasphemy Law.
Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat (TNR), alliance of over 60 religious and religio- political parties, had given call for the countrywide shutter-down to convey strong message to the rulers regarding sentiments of the faithful about the law.
Besides closure of major business centres, component parties of TNR organised Hurmat-e-Rasool (PBUH) conferences in major cities where speakers threw light on the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and highlighted the importance of the Blasphemy Law. Ulema and Khatibs highlighted Seerat-un-Nabi (PBUH) and the issue of blasphemy during Juma sermons while unanimous resolutions, supporting Blasphemy Law, were also adopted during thousands of congregations across the country. Several khatibs said any change to the law would happen “over our dead bodies”. After the Juma prayers, rallies and demonstrations were staged outside mosques all over the country including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta and Azad Kashmir.
Hundreds of thousands of peopled attending the rallies to raise their voice in support of the Blasphemy Law and against attempts by the government to change it.
The participants were carrying placards and banners inscribed with writings relating to the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and importance of blasphemy law. Highly charged participants chanted slogans ‘Ghulami-e-Rasool (PBUH) main maut be kabool hai’, ‘death for those who commit blasphemy’ and ‘no one will be allowed to amend blasphemy law’.
They demanded that for showing sincerity, the government should initiate an action against Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer for campaigning against the law and it should also direct PPP MNA Sherry Rehman to withdraw the bill already tabled in the House.
The participants also chanted slogans against PPP MNA Sherry Rehman and Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer for supporting changes in the law and Christian lady Aasia Bibi, a blasphemy accused.
In a joint statement, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Sahbzada Abual Khair Zubair, Syed Munawar Hasan and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed maintained that the successful shutter-down strike had sent a strong message to the rulers, vowing that the nation would not allow them to undo the countryÂ’s Islamic identity under foreign pressure. They stated that the nation had demonstrated complete unity by closing all business. They urged the rulers and all political forces to get approved resolutions in support of Blasphemy Law from the National assembly and Senate.
In Lahore, Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat Mahaz organised Hurmat-e-Rasool rally outside the Lahore Press Club. Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Athar-ul-Qadri, Raza-e-Mustafa, Muhammad Ali Naqashbandi, Nawaz Kharal, Ziaul Haq Naqashbandi, Hasseb Qadri and other led the rally.
Addressing the participants, Dr Raghib Naeemi warned the rulers against introducing any amendment to the law, saying that the Muslims would not accept any punishment less than death for any blasphemer. He vowed to utilise all energies for protecting blasphemy law.
Speaking at a rally in Mansehra, JI Amir Syed Munawar Hasan said the government assurance against any amendment in the law would be acceptable only if Prime Minister Gilani personally made an announcement to this effect on the floor of the Parliament. He said for showing sincerity, the government should initiate action against the Punjab Governor for campaigning against the law.
Addressing Juma congregation at Jamia Masjid Al-Qadsia, JamaÂ’at-ud-DaÂ’wa Chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed urged the rulers to make sincere efforts for persuading the world community to pass the law regarding death sentence for those committing blasphemy against all prophets. He suggested the UN to step in and pass blasphemy law for all countries.
In Karachi, Sahibzada Fazal Karim, Haji Hanif Tayyab and Sarwat Ijaz Qadri lead the mammoth rally. Sahibzada Khalid Sultan led a huge public gathering in Quetta, Akhlaq Jalali in Rawalpindi, Shadab Raza Naqashbandi in Faisalabad, Daud Rizvi in Gujranwala, Afzal Qadri at Gujrat, Mehfooz Mashadi at Mandi Bahauddin, Arif Saeedi at Sukkur, Safdar Gilani at Mianwali, Ajmal Gilani at Narang Mandi while Mufti Fazal-ur-Rehman led rally at Okara.
Besides these cities, massive demonstrations were also staged in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Pasrur, Muridke, Sialkot, Jhelum, Jhang, Kasur, Raiwind, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tank and Burewala. Business centres and shops also remained closed in these cities.
In several major cities including Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar, small markets in residential areas were completely closed till at noon. However, some of the traders opened their shops in the afternoon.
In Karachi, complete but peaceful shutter-down strike was observed across the metropolis. There was no public transport in the city, where demonstrators blocked traffic. Daily routine life was suspended as shops and markets throughout the metropolis remained closed.
Transporters fully took party in strike to make it successful and effective.
However, private cars and motorcycles were seen plying on the roads.
The people staged huge and small rallies in various parts of the city to give vent to their anger against proposed changes to the Blasphemy Law.
Sunni Ittehad Council Chief Sahibzada Fazal Karim took out a big rally from Numaish Chowrangi to Shah Alam Bukhari Eidgah, which was attended by a large number of people.
Speaking to the participants, Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Fazal Karim threatened to launch a civil disobedience movement if the government tried to amend the law.
In Rawalpindi, on the call of Tahafuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat (TNR), traders observed a complete shutter-down strike in the city against rulersÂ’ shameful attempt to change the Blasphemy Law. All the markets, shopping centres and Bazaars remained closed at Saddar, Bank Road, Chick Bazaar, Ganjmandi, Liaquat Road, City Saddar Road, Sotter Mandi, and other areas of the city.
After Juma prayers, hundreds of thousands of traders and ulema belonging to different schools of thought held a protest demonstration at Committee Chowk giving a clear warning to the government that entire nation would march towards Islamabad if the rulers tried to make any amendment in law.
While addressing the protesters, the speakers demanded removal of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer from his office as well as of former federal minister Sherry Rehman from PPP for their alleged efforts to get passed the amendment bill from the Parliament.
They came down hard on Interior Minister Rehman Malik over his failure to recite of Surah-e-Ikhlas correctly. They said such politicians had no right to rule the country and they should step-down immediately.
In Peshawar, traders community also observed complete shutter-down against the proposed changes to the Blasphemy Law and demanded that the Christian woman should be handed for committing blasphemy. Businesses remained closed and city-wide rallies were held by the religious parties to record their protest.

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Malik denies presence of Taliban leadership in Quetta despite US rage

November 23rd, 2010 | No Comments

There is no top leadership of Taliban in Quetta, and the Pakistan government will take immediate action if any evidence of its presence is provided, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday. Malik made these comments while talking to media persons after visiting the CID building, The Nation reported. Meanwhile, the United States has renewed [...]

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US drones zero in on Quetta

November 21st, 2010 | No Comments


WASHINGTON – The United States has renewed pressure on Pakistan to expand the areas where CIA drones can operate inside the country, The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing the US and Pakistani officials said. But Pakistan has rejected the request, the newspaper said in a dispatch from Islamabad.
The US appeal was focused on the area surrounding Quetta, where US believes the Afghan Taliban leadership is based. But it also sought to expand the boundaries for drone strikes in the tribal areas, which have been targeted in 101 attacks this year, the officials said.
While rejecting the request, Pakistan has agreed to more modest measures, including an expanded CIA presence in Quetta, where the agency and PakistanÂ’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have established teams seeking to locate and capture senior members of the Taliban, the newspaper Post says, adding that the disagreement over the scope of the drone programme underscores broader tensions between the two allies.
Senior Pakistani officials, according to the Post, expressed resentment over what they described as misplaced pressure to do more, saying the United States, which has not controlled the Afghan side of the border, is preoccupied by arbitrary military deadlines and has little regard for PakistanÂ’s internal security problems.
“You expect us to open the skies for anything that you can fly,” said a high-ranking Pakistani intelligence official, who described the Quetta request as an affront to Pakistani sovereignty. “In which country can you do that?”
Confirming the request for expanded drone flights, the US officials cite concern that Quetta functions not only as a sanctuary for Taliban leaders but also as a base for sending money, recruits and explosives to Taliban inside Afghanistan.
“If they understand our side, they know the patience is running out,” an unnamed NATO military official was quoted as saying.
The CIA’s drone campaign in Pakistan has accelerated dramatically in recent months, with 47 attacks recorded since the beginning of September, according to The Long War Journal. By contrast, there were 45 strikes in the first five years of the drone programme. But Pakistan places strict boundaries on where CIA drones can fly, according to the Post. The unmanned aircraft may patrol designated flight ‘boxes’ over the country’s tribal belt but not other provinces.
“They want to increase the size of the boxes, they want to relocate the boxes,” a second Pakistani intelligence official said of the latest US requests. “I don’t think we are going to go any further.”
Pakistani officials, according to the Post, stressed that Quetta is a densely populated city where an errant strike is more likely to kill innocent civilians, potentially provoking a backlash.
At the same time, the high-ranking Pakistani intelligence official say the CIA-ISI relationship is stronger than at any times since the Sept 11, 2001, attacks, and that the two spy services carry out joint operations ‘almost on a daily basis’.
“I wish [our] countries understood each other the way the CIA and ISI understand each other,” the official said. But he also traced Pakistan’s most acute problems, including an epidemic of militant violence, to the decisions by the government to collaborate with the United States.
Using the ISI to funnel CIA money and arms to ‘mujahideens’ in the 1980s helped oust the Soviets from Afghanistan, the official said, but also made Pakistan a breeding ground for militant groups.
Similarly, PakistanÂ’s cooperation since the 9/11 has been key to the capture of Al-Qaeda operatives and the success of the drone campaign. But it has inflamed radical elements in the country and made Islamabad a target of terrorist attacks.
“We’d not have been here if we had not supported the Afghan jihad, if we had not supported [the response to] 9/11,” the official said, adding, “It was our fault. We should have stood up.”
Barring the CIA from flying drones over Quetta, the official says, is one area in which Pakistan is now taking a stand.
In other areas, CIA-ISI cooperation has deepened, the paper says, as two the agencies have carried out more than 100 joint operations in the past 18 months, including raids that have led to the capture of high-ranking figures including Mullah Baradar, the TalibanÂ’s former military chief.
The Pakistani intelligence official said the operations had been mainly focused on Quetta. Teams based there relied on sophisticated surveillance technology and eavesdropping equipment provided by the CIA. “When a raid or capture is attempted, the ISI is in the lead.”
“The aim is to capture or arrest people based on intelligence primarily provided by Americans. The effort has been underway for a year, but now the intensity is much higher.”
Nevertheless, U.S. and Pakistani officials acknowledge that they have no high-profile arrests or other successes to show for their efforts.
The NATO military official said there had been intelligence-led operations against Taliban targets in Quetta in recent months but described them as small scale in nature.
The two sides disagree sharply over the importance of the ‘Quetta Shura’, the leadership council led by Mullah Mohammed Omar that presides over the Afghan Taliban. Senior Pakistani officials refuse to use the term, calling it the US construct designed to embarrass Pakistan.
“I’m not denying the individual presence of members of the Taliban in or near Quetta,” a senior Pakistani military official was quoted as saying in the Post. “But to create the impression there is a body micromanaging the affairs of the Afghan Taliban . . . is very far-fetched.”
The push to expand the drone strikes had come up repeatedly in recent months, Pakistani officials said, as the United States has also urged Pakistan to launch a military offensive in North Waziristan.
Pakistani officials ruled out a sweep anytime soon, saying the countryÂ’s military is still consolidating its hold on territory in Swat and South Waziristan, where tens of thousands of residents were displaced during operations to oust militants last year, the Post said.
The senior Pakistani military official said the US expectations had little to do with IslamabadÂ’s own national security calculations.
“You have timelines of November elections and July 2011 drawdowns – youÂ’re looking for short-term gains,” the official said, referring to President ObamaÂ’s pledge to begin withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan in July. “Your short-term gains should not be our long-term pain.”

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Militants gut 40 NATO trucks in Quetta

October 6th, 2010 | No Comments


QUETTA – At least 25 oil tankers, carrying fuel for the Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan, were completely destroyed while 15 partially damaged in a pre-dawn attack on Wednesday in the outskirts of Quetta. One person was also killed in the assault.
DIG Investigation Hamid Shakeel said over two dozens oil tankers, parked near a hotel located at the Aktherabad Bypass, were destroyed when unidentified people opened indiscriminate fire, adding that one person was also killed in the attack whose body was shifted to the Bolan Medical Complex Hospital.
But the sources said the number of vehicles parked at the terminal was over four dozens out which 25 were gutted completely. Meanwhile, the drivers managed to shift 11 tankers to safer places, they added.
According to the eyewitnesses, a group of attackers, who reached the spot in two vehicles, targeted the tankers with live ammunition and fled the scene easily.
Heavy contingents of police and Frontier Corps (FC) reached locality and cordoned off the area where the fire continued to blaze till late afternoon.
The fire brigade personnel started the operation to control the inferno but lack of vehicles and water affected their efforts badly. “The fire could not be extinguished immediately owing to the huge magnitude and lack of fire-fighting arrangements,” one of firefighters told this scribe, adding that two of his colleagues were shifted to the hospital as they fainted due to huge flames and thick smoke.
Police have registered a case and started investigation; however, no arrest has been made so far.
It is pertinent to mention that after Torkham crossing in Fata, Balochistan is the second largest route for the supplies of Nato and American troops fighting Taliban in Afghanistan. The two routes being used from the province are Karachi-Quetta via Bolan Pass and Karachi-Quetta via Khuzdar. The number of attacks on Nato tankers and containers has increased many manifolds in recent weeks, resulting in destructions of dozens of vehicle and killing of several drivers.
Agencies add: Taliban terrorists have claimed the Quetta attack and other raids his week in which nearly 60 trucks were torched and three people died.
They vowed more attacks to disrupt NatoÂ’s supply route through Pakistan and to avenge a new wave of the US drone strikes targeting Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists linked to the terror plot against European cities.
“We claim responsibility for attacking and torching Nato tankers in Quetta today,” Tehrik-e-Taliban Spokesman Azam Tariq told AFP.
“We will further intensify attacks with the intensification of the US drone strikes on us.”
Provincial police chief Malik Mohammed Iqbal later said some suspects from the area were being questioned but gave no further details.
On the other hand, Home Secretary Balochistan Cap (r) Akbar Hussain Durrani said the US and the Nato officialsÂ’ policy of not informing the Pakistani authorities about the position of their tankers had resulted in the latest attack.
Talking to the news agency, he said the Home Department was not informed that the vehicles would be parked at a private terminal in the outskirts of the Quetta.
He said the provincial govt with cooperation of the security agencies could provide protection to the oil tankers if the US and the Nato had made a request for pre-emptive measures.
“We have strictly advised the US-led allied forces officials that their supplies should not be moved or parked individually and without informing the Home Department,” Durrani said.
When asked whether the Balochistan government had been directed by Islamabad to shut down Chaman border for the NATO supplies, he denied and said, “No! we have not received such directives so far.”

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Gilani forces minister to resign

September 25th, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD/Quetta – In a shocking move, Saturday night, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani forced Minister for Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Jatoi to resign after he failed to give a satisfactory explanation on his critical remarks he gave about the Army and Chief Justice of Pakistan earlier in the day.
Following the provocative and irresponsible statement against the state institutions and very person of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Jatoi was summoned to Federal Capital by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and on finding his clarification on the matter as unsatisfactory, the PM sought his resignation as Federal Minister.
Earlier, speaking during a news conference at Bugti House in Quetta, Qayyum Jatoi had castigated Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and also slated the hearings of fake degree cases.
On the occasion, he claimed that the CJP belonged to Faisalabad but was appointed on a bogus domicile, showing him as a resident of Balochistan, he said while responding to a query about the hearing of fake degree cases at Bugti House in Quetta.
To another question, Jatoi said the PPP was neither scared of the Army nor the sound of boots, adding that the uniforms and the boots had not been provided to the Army to use them against their own men or to kill them but to serve the nation and ensure security at the borders. He added that Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party would never be deterred by the ArmyÂ’s intervention, adding that Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed by the Army while the country also lost the top popular leaders including Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto because of the same forces.
The PPP-led coalition government had already decided that no institution would be allowed to go beyond the prescribed limits, he said. He said the PPP had been made accountable the very day of its inception but no one had ever dared to ensure accountability of judiciary, bureaucrats and dictators.
Jatoi also vowed that his party would never bow to any institution or powerful quarter.
Answering another query, Jatoi said accountability should not be specific to a particular individual or group, as the process must be all-encompassing without any discrimination, adding that Punjab has 65 per cent of population, but controlling the country for the last 65 years, which would take time to end the control.
He answered another related question saying, “The right of corruption had been given to the specific people and I believe that every person whether he is Baloch, Sindhi, Seraiki, Pakhtun or Punjabi should be given an equal right to do corruption in order to ensure equality.”
He said that the government would resist the elements trying to dismantle the present democratic set-up. The Muslim League was the B-team of establishment and there would be no democracy in case it came into power, he claimed.
Former premier Mir Zafarullah Jamali, ex-chief minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf and current Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Owais Ghani were the establishment’s products, he remarked and claimed that they involved in the assassination plot of Nawab Akbar Bugti. “Nawab Bugti was assassinated by the Army on the directives of Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, who was the then Chief of the Army Staff,” he said, adding the government would arrest him on his return to the country.
He said Pakistan was fighting the war against terrorism with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as the commander; therefore, his service was extended.
The Minister said the PPP leaders and workers had always struggled against dictatorship and sacrificed their blood. “We have given numerous sacrifices for the country and would continue the same. We are also fighting against the forces hell-bent to undermine the country,” he added.
Earlier, he offered fateha for the departed soul of Akbar Bugti. Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) chief Talal Akbar Bugti and Shahzain Bugti were also present on the occasion.
Our monitoring desk adds: Later, talking to a TV channel, Jatoi said the Prime Minister had the authority to remove him from the office. But, he said, the views he had expressed were his personal opinion and there should be no curb over freedom of expression.
He said he was ready to appear before any court if he was asked to clarify his stance.
Meanwhile, PPP leadership has dissociated itself from the recent remarks of Abdul Qayyum Jatoi.
Commenting on the remarks of Jatoi, Central Information Secretary of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party Fouzia Wahab termed it highly irresponsible and provocative, and completely disowned it and termed the statement as personal views of the Minister.
PPP Senator Faisal Raza Abidi said that he was not in picture in what circumstances the Minister had given such an irresponsible statement and made it loud and clear that the party leadership had nothing to do with it.
He said that PPP believed in respect to all state institutions and the party could not support such a move by any of its party members or ministers.

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Varsities shut against slashed funding

September 22nd, 2010 | No Comments


LAHORE/KARACHI/MULTAN – The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Wednesday gave September 24 as a deadline to the government for the acceptance of their demands after a countrywide protest was held against the move to slash the funding to the public sector varsities.
There was no academic activity in the varsities as the staff and the students responded positively to the protest call after the government failed to yield to the justified demand of not curtailing the funds to Higher Education Commission (HEC), which is responsible for managing the affairs of the 72 state-run universities in the country.
In Lahore, the academic staff of various universities of the metropolis staged a protest demonstration in front of Lahore Press Club, which was led by FAPUASA President Dr Mehr Saeed Akhtar.
The protesters chanted slogans in favour of their demands and criticised the govt for the decision to cut the HEC budget.
The speakers condemned the attitude of Federal Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh with HEC Chairman Javed Leghari and the vice-chancellors of the public sector varsities, and demanded his immediate resignation.
They demanded of the government to increase the budget to Rs90 billion along with a hike in the annual grants to the universities, 50 per cent increase in salaries and 15 per cent medical allowance.
They also demanded of the government to release the regular grant immediately for the teachers doing their PhDs abroad. They also opposed the fee structure of the universities and asked the government to pay the amount collected from self-finance scheme to the universities. They also called upon the government to release development funds allocated for the varsities.
The FAPUASA call received partial response, as NED Engineering University remained open while there was no education-related activity in the University of Karachi, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUH) and Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology.
The Karachi University TeachersÂ’ Society (KUTS) held a general body meeting at the Arts Auditorium, which demanded of the federal government to shut down HEC and issue grants directly to the public sector universities.
A demonstration was held outside the Dow Medical College against the govt move. The protesters described the decision as ‘a murder of higher education in the country’.
In Multan, the academic staff of Bahauddin Zakariya University boycotted the classes, as they termed the biased behaviour of the federal finance minister a conspiracy against the country.
Similar protests were held in Gujrat, Sargodha, Islamabad, Hyderabad and other cities.
Online adds: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association announced to organise a demonstration in front of the Parliament House on September 25 in case of governmentÂ’s failure to release the funds.
When contacted, HEC Executive Director Sohail Naqvi said the government sector universities were in desperate need of Rs7 billion to overcome prevailing economic crunch, and if the government did not issue the required funds, the varsities could be shut down.
He also said that the government had allocated Rs15 billion for the current fiscal year out of which only Rs1.5 billion were issued so far while the HEC had demanded an amount of Rs23 billion.
In Quetta, a large number of Pashtunkhwa Students Organisation (PSO) activists staged a demonstration and took out a rally Wednesday to protest against the move to slash the funding for the public sector universities.
The protesters, who were carrying placards and banners inscribed with different demands, marched through various roads of the provincial capital and assembled outside Quetta Press Club. They chanted slogans against the government and Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Addressing on the gathering, PSO leaders Ahmad Jan Kakar, Kabeer Afghan and Umar Kakar termed the cuts in the budgets of 72 state-run varsities an anti-education step. “Only five universities out of a total 72 are in Balochistan while the province is already lagging behind in the education sector,” they observed, adding that the educational institutions lacked even the basic facilities while the cut would complicate the situation.
They warned to start a countrywide movement in case the govt failed to withdraw the decision.
On the other hand, the students and the academic staff of Balochistan University Quetta and Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology Khuzdar boycotted classes and staged demonstrations against the cuts in HEC budget.
In Quetta, the varsity academic staff organised a demonstration in front of Quetta Press Club.
They were unanimous in their views that the unfortunate development would lead the nation towards ignorance.
They demanded Prime Minister Gilani to take personal interest and save the varsities from complete destruction.

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Punjab raises alarm bells as queues grow

September 19th, 2010 | No Comments


LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has written a letter to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, strongly protesting interruption in the fuel supply to the country’s biggest province and urging him to have the matter probed.
The letter pointed out as the situation about fuel shortage worsened deplorably on Sunday so the Chief Minister had no option but to ask the federal government to take measures to make the fuel available to consumers.
The CM conveyed his concern to the PM over the serious shortage of petrol in the province, underscoring the need for solving this problem without any delay.
It was stressed that due to suspension of petrol supply to various cities of Punjab, people are facing serious hardships, and daily life and business activities have virtually come to a grinding halt.
The CM said as the Punjab government could not remain silent over the shortage of petrol, therefore, it decided to raise this issue at every level.
Shahbaz said poor people whose life has already become miserable in the context of inflated rates of electricity and gas are being impelled to buy petrol at exorbitant price.
Meanwhile, the fuel situation in Lahore and other Punjab cities showed no sign of improvement even on the sixth consecutive day, as motorists were constrained to queuing up for the commodity on Sunday. The shortage of the fuel continued in most parts of the provincial capital, with a limited petrol stations providing the fuel in a very scarce amount.
Consequently, the hapless motorists gathered around the selected PSO pumps where limited stock of the fuel was available while other companiesÂ’ filling stations including Shell, Caltex and Total also ran out of stocks.
A motorist observed that the persistent petroleum shortage in the wake of unprecedented floods in the country, is forcing them to wait in long queues for a long time to procure the fuel.
It is to be mentioned here that majority of the petrol stations in Lahore have exhausted their reserves and were closed down. Several cities, including Faisalabad, Quetta, Sahiwal, Okara, Pattoki, Sheikhupura, Multan, Vehari, Mailsi, Khanewal and Khangarh were reportedly facing this shortage for the last one week, where the stocks of the fuel came to an end now and most of the petrol pumps were shut down.
In Lahore, due to acute shortage, petrol pumps, in most parts of the City, have stopped the fuel sale, however, very few stations are providing petrol but in a very little amount.

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No Swat-like mly op, only targeted action planned

September 8th, 2010 | No Comments


QUETTA – Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday ruled out a Swat-like military operation in Balochistan, saying only targeted action will be taken against the miscreants.
Malik announced that the federal and provincial governments had agreed to launch an intelligence-guided law-enforcement agenciesÂ’ action against extremist groups involved in suicide attacks and targeted killing of innocent people in Balochistan.
The minister said the federal government was ready for talks with disgruntled Baloch leaders on all issues, except on ‘freedom’, to solve the Balochistan problem. “The proposed operation in Balochistan will not be similar to that of in Swat and Malakand,” he clarified while addressing a news conference after attending a meeting with Chief Minister Aslam Raisani and other members of the provincial cabinet.
He said very few among the Baloch people wanted separation and an overwhelming majority wanted to remain a part of Pakistan. “We are ready to negotiate with all annoyed Balochs to settle the disputes, except ‘freedom’, Malik remarked.
He also made it clear that no talks would be held with those elements aiming at disintegrating the country rather they would be dealt with an iron hand.
Expressing sympathies with the families of victims of the FridayÂ’s suicide bombing, the minister said he was visiting Balochistan on the directives of President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to evolve a comprehensive strategy to wipe out religious extremism and the menace of target killings in the province.
He said he had a detailed discussion on the latest situation prevailing in Balochistan with Governor Zulfiqar Magsi and Chief Minister Raisani who had agreed to root out terrorism from the province.
“The federal govt would address the grievances of Baloch people related to insecurity and to tackle the terrorist activities,” he said, adding that the government had assigned police powers to the Frontier Corps (FC) for three months to ensure a swift action against miscreants.
Malik informed reporters that the authority of deploying and withdrawing the FC personnel anywhere in the province had been given to the Chief Minister.
To a query, he said the FC was working under FC Act while the powers of police were rested with the Interior Ministry.
Malik ruled out the possibility of full-scale military operation in Balochistan on the lines of Swat and Malakand; however, he said a targeted action would be taken to annihilate anti-social elements.
He promised to take the provincial govt into confidence before launching any action and extending the federal govtÂ’s full support to the province.
He said five militant organisations, including Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), had been banned and an operation would soon be launched against them besides sealing their offices and freezing accounts.
“A decisive action will be taken against all those who do not accept Pakistan as their own country,” he warned, adding that no organisation would be allowed to use the words of lashkar, army and liberation.
Responding to the missing personsÂ’ issue, he said the incumbent govt had inherited the issue and was making concrete efforts for finding a solution, as the incidents of forced disappearances had reduced to a great extent. He, however, said the claims putting the number of missing persons in thousands were misleading as he had challenged them to prove but they could not do so.
He went on to say that a large number of people were getting training in neighbouring country but their names had been included in the list of missing persons.
Malik said 5,000 Baloch youth had been given job under Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan while 2,500 posts were vacant in the FC. “Baloch youth should quit resistance and play their role in the development of the country,” he said.

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19 die as bomber rocks police station in Lakki

September 6th, 2010 | No Comments


LAKKI MARWAT – At least 19 people including policemen and students were killed and 57 others got injured when a suicide bomber rammed his car into a police station here on Monday morning.
According to sources and eyewitnesses, a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden pickup into Lakki Police Station building at 07:00 a.m. causing massive destruction to the police station and nearby buildings. They said that policemen were inside the building while a number of people, mostly students, were passing by the police station on the old Katchery Road to reach their schools.
Intensity of the blast can be gauged from the destruction and damages it caused in the radius of one and a half furlongs, they maintained, saying that the building of police station was completely destroyed in the explosion.
A number of policemen were buried under the debris and wreckage of the building and rescue operation was immediately launched to dig out the injured and the dead. DCO Muhammad Ayyaz Mandokhel, DPO Gul Wali Khan and SSP Investigation Qayyum Jan Marwat also rushed towards the spot soon after the incident and themselves took part in the rescue work. Regional Police Officer Bannu Region also inspected the blast site.
Heavy machinery and excavators were brought to remove the rubbles of the destroyed buildings. Besides the police station building, the blast destroyed the building of Veterinary Hospital, City Hospital, offices of DSP Lakki, SSP Investigation, Assistant Director Livestock and District Collector, residence of Assistant Coordination Officer and several houses and shops in the locality. The blast also shattered shutters and windowpanes of shops in the locality.
Emergency was declared in the city hospitals. A team of doctors along with medicines also arrived Lakki from Bannu.
An official in Lakki City Hospital told reporters that 15 bodies, including seven of policemen, and 57 injured persons had been brought to the hospital so far. Four students, a primary schoolteacher and an Afghan woman are also among the dead, he added.
Due to explosion an electricity transformer and two power pylons installed outside the residence of ACO fell on a motorcar carrying schoolchildren. Many students were killed and injured in the incident.
Out of 57 wounded persons, 24 are police personnel and over eight are students. Eight wounded people were referred to Bannu while four others were taken to DI Khan in critical condition.
Sources told that 500 to 600 kg explosive material was used in the suicide attack. They said that experts collected evidence and parts of the vehicle used in the blast from the site and examined the crater caused by the explosion. Security was beefed up in the city and law enforcers were deputed on roads and streets leading to the site of the blast.
The cops who were killed in the blast included Qasim Khan, Ajab Khan, Muhammad Akram, Ghani Rehman, Hafeezullah, Muhammad Ishaq and Muhammad Hashim, while civilians who died in the explosions included Ms Batakha Bibi (Afghan national), Khalil-ur-Rehman (student), Ms Sehri Hayat (student), Asma Naheed (Student), Ismatullah (student), Faiz Rasool (schoolteacher) and two unknown persons.
The injured police personnel are Muhammad Arif, Munawar Khan, Khan Muhammad, Haroon Rashid, Javed Khan, Abdul Haq, Shehzada, Naqeebullah, Sifatullah, Terri Khan, Javed Iqbal, Faheemullah, Ikramullah, Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Idrees, Naseer Khan, Muhammad Ayyaz, Fakhar Alam, Illauddin, Afsar Khan, Mamoor Khan, Muhammad Hayya, Muhammad Amin and Zeshaan.
Civilians who were wounded in the explosions included Hafiz Ihasan-ur-Rehman, his brother Shafiur Rehman, Muhammad Hasan, Muhammad Hanif, Fazal Rehman, Samiullah, Sifatullah, Wahid Ali, Sher Bahadar, Kamran, Israruddin, Fayazuddin, Waqaruddin, Jamal Khan, Majid, Muhammad Farooq, Israr Ali, Rustam Khan, Gul Nawaz, Faizullah, Suhail, Kalimullah, Ibrahim, Ikramullah, Ameer Jehan, Naveed Akhtar, Fatima Bibi, Javeria, Farhat, Naveed Asif, Khursheed Begum, Khizar Hayat and wife of Pir Ghulam.
Reuters adds: A Taliban suicide bomber rammed his car into a police station in northwest Pakistan on Monday killing at least 19 people, police said, in a new wave of attacks by al Qaeda-linked militants. The recent bombings end a relative lull in militant violence over the past month and turn up the heat on a government overwhelmed by devastating floods that have made millions homeless and hammered the economy.
Nearly 100 people were killed last week in suicide bombings on processions of minority Shiite Muslims in the eastern city of Lahore and southwestern city of Quetta. “It goes to show that the terrorists have no creed except bloodshed and chaos, and are desperately carrying out their agenda regardless of the precarious conditions,” Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told a meeting of provincial officials.
PakistanÂ’s Taliban claimed responsibility for MondayÂ’s attack in the town of Lakki Marwat, warning the government not to use lashkar or militias to fight the group. The bomber struck a school van before hitting the rear wall of the police station. The blast turned most of the police station into rubble. Burned-out cars were flipped on their sides.
“Nineteen people have been killed. There are nine policemen and two children among the dead,” said the Information Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Mian Iftikhar Hussain. Hussain said 34 people, including 20 policemen, were wounded.
Earlier this year, a suicide bomber blew himself up in an SUV at a volleyball game, killing nearly 100 people in a village near Lakki Marwat in one of the deadliest attacks in the country. PakistanÂ’s Taliban have been fighting to topple the US-backed government for years. Their ambitions have grown, complicating the US war on militancy.

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PM announces APC on floods

September 4th, 2010 | No Comments


ISLAMABAD – The 24th session of the National Assembly requisitioned by PML-N to discuss the post-flood situation, Saturday, prorogued with 25 members of he Parliament attending the session at that time.
Most of the parliamentarians remained on their seats till the presence of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Opposition Leader Ch Nisar Ali Khan on the floor of the House. However, no sooner did both the leaders leave the House, than the parliamentarians started disappearing and at the time when the session was prorogued only seventeen members were present in the National Assembly and, of those present, too, most of the MPs were from the MQM.
Surprisingly, there were only five to nine members of the PML-N, the party, which had requisitioned the session. Concluding the session, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Babar Awan admitted that Rs15 million were spent on the session, however, the MPs could not focus properly on the flood aftermath. He added that the suggestions of the members would be considered in the coming meeting of the CCI.
Earlier addressing the session Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani announced to summon All Parties Conference immediately to discuss the flood situation and the governmentÂ’s plan for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the flood-affected areas with political consensus. The Prime Minister said the government had set priorities to ensure provision of maximum funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction process and under this strategy, the government expenditures would be reduced besides ensuring austerity and suspending development works to divert resources towards rehabilitation of the flood affectees. He said under the strategy all available resources would be utilised for the next three years for reconstruction and rehabilitation activities. He said the NDMA had also chalked out a long-term strategy for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work. PM Gilani said that the government had decided to extend relief process for the next eight months while early recovery process would be completed by December 30 this year.
Gilani informed NA that around Rs4 billion had been accumulated by September 3 in the Prime MinisterÂ’s National Relief Fund. He said the floods had claimed more than 1,600 lives. He further said that some 479 health centres were operational and providing relief to the survivors.
He said the World Bank and Asian Development Bank would complete damage assessment survey by the end of this month (September) while resource mobilisation programme would be launched by December 1, which would continue till completion of reconstruction and rehabilitation process. He said an international donors conference would also be held in Islamabad within next two months. The Prime Minister said that the meeting of the Council of Common Interests had been summoned tomorrow (Monday) in which a consensus rehabilitation and reconstruction policy would be finalised in consultation with the federating units. Giving details of donations received so far, he said 173 flights had so far landed with relief goods while donations from the international community were pouring in rapidly. He said the government had provided an emergency relief of over Rs1.2 billion so far while with the payment of Rs20,000 to each affected family as immediate relief, the relief would touch to Rs40 billion.
Responding some points raised by the Opposition Leader, Gilani said the government had summoned regular National Assembly session but it was postponed due to worsening flood situation in Sindh and Punjab.
Prime Minister said $1.03 billion donation had been received from various countries including Saudi Arabia, USA, UK, Germany, China, European Union and other countries. He said 20 per cent of the donation would be spent through government while 80 per cent would be spent through NGOs.
However, he said transparency would be ensured in expenditure of these funds. Leader of the Opposition Ch Nisar Ali Khan, however, said the opposition might have differences with the government on various issues but it would not support any force to destabilise the system. He said Opposition would stand by the government for protection of the Constitution and democracy in the country.
However, he said Opposition would not become part of the wrongdoings of the government and would never come to save it for its wrong doings.
Taking part in the debate, legislators criticised Sindh Government for breaking Tori Blockage causing flood in Balochistan and Sindh.
They demanded judicial inquiry into the incident. The MPs urged the federal government to write off the loans of the flood-affected people and provide free seeds and fertilizers to farmers. They also condemned the blast and firing incident on a religious rally in Quetta. The MPs who took part in the debate included Ghaus Bux Mahar, Khwaj Sheraz, Sh Waqqas Akram, Ijaz Jakhranni, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Abdul Qadir Balouch, Salahuddin, Malik Ammad, Sherry Arshad, Saqlain Shah Bukhari, Hamayun Saifullah Khan and others.
APP adds – Members of the National Assembly Saturday demanded of the government to launch a judicial probe into the breach of Tori and other embankments causing huge devastation in the surrounding areas, and bring the culprits to justice.
On the second consecutive day, the House resumed discussion on the situation arising out of mass devastation to life and property caused by the recent floods in the country, initiated after the House unanimously adopted a motion.
Resuming discussion, Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazaar Khan Bijarani said the flood changed the geography of the affected areas and suggested the formation of judicial commission to probe into breaching of Tori embankment that has ignited a blame game. He said the volume of disaster in floods was highest ever and proposed waiving off loans besides providing further loans and other facilities to the flood affected population.
He said the filling of breach in Tori Bund is essential to avoid further devastation and said linking of rail and road links is essential.
Abdul Qadir Baloch said the flood was not directed towards Balochistan and the province was intentionally put under water and judicial inquiry into breaches would be meaningless until the culprits were not brought to justice.
He said 10 gates of Sukkur Barrage were totally closed and not more than 900,000 cusecs can pass through the barrage and rest of the water was flowing from Guddu Barrage, seeking investigation into it. He said people of flood-affected Dera Allah Yar and Jacobabad were neither provided boats nor other relief items and suggested construction of floodgates on right and left banks to save barrages.
Justice Fakhr-un Nisa Khokhar said the ground situation was totally different from what had been portrayed and affected population had been living without assistance.
She criticised the rescue operation and said there should have been a control room and said the people were hesitant to move to flood camps due to insecurity of their belongings as well as life. Ayaz Ali Sherazi said people feel uncertain about the future of their properties while being in camps and are eyeing the government assistance. He also applauded the relief efforts of different political parties extending all possible assistance to the flood victims, nullifying the notions of dishonesty and corruption in distribution of relief items.
Minister for Sports Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani said the Jacobabad faced worst disaster due to floods as the district has been disconnected from rest of the province and several villages have been washed away. He called for probe into the breach in Tori embankment and asked as to why the flood has hit Balochistan province, adding that floods have devastated the right bank totally.
He suggested waiving of agricultural loans and provision of seeds to farmers without any cost to make them stand on their feet, adding the government is alive to the situation and is sincere to relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit population. Sher Muhammad Baloch criticised some news anchorpersons and political leaders, who, he said, were pursuing an agenda to malign the leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party and destabilise democratic system.
He said the country was faced with the devastation of floods but some political elements were politicising the situation for their political or personal gains.
Saqlain Bukhari said 700 acres of Layyah District had been destroyed due to floods causing loss of billions of rupees and applauded determination to revive their position. He said eight union councils of his constituency have faced inestimable loss of infrastructure and communication set up but concrete steps for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the area are awaited.
Gul Muhammad Jakhrani said the floods initiated from Tori Bund in his constituency had displaced 376,000 people destroyed 240 public buildings and damaged 60,324 homes. He said the Federal Flood Commission had revealed that 19,8000 people of Punjab were affected but within a couple of days the number was shown as above 80,000 that needs to be probed and sought representation from Sindh in the Commission. He said flood-hit people are not being allowed to settle in Karachi rather they are targeted, suggesting the House to set up an independent commission to probe the breach of embankments. Dr Abdul Qadir Khanzada said affected people seem to be dissatisfied from the governmentÂ’s efforts in first phase of rescue.
He said during the two-day discussion neither the Government nor the Opposition had suggested effective steps to expedite relief process, adding that helping flood victims by taking loans from international monetary organizations is contrary to national dignity. Khanzada told the House that he knew names of people involved in creating breaches in embankments and suggested a Judicial Commission to look into it.
Aftab Shaban Mirani said more than 300,000 acres of Shikarpur have been inundated by floods following breach in Tori embankment. He said 40,000 are being served meal twice a day, 35,000 people are being provided dry ration and lauded efforts of Pakistan Army and Navy for airlifting the stranded people and establishing camps for relief of affected population.

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General strike after attack on Pakistani Shi’ites

September 4th, 2010 | No Comments

A general strike is in effect in Pakistan’s Quetta, following Friday’s suicide bombing that targeted minority Shi’ites and killed at least 57 people. More than 160 others were wounded by the explosion at a Shi’ite rally called to express solidarity with the Palestinians.

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Bloodbath as bomber rips through Quetta rally

September 3rd, 2010 | No Comments


QUETTA – As many as 59 people were killed and over 120 including seven journalists suffered serious injuries in a deadly suicide blast, targeting Youm-al-Quds rally at Meezan Chowk of the provincial capital on Friday.
Banned religious outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has accepted responsibility for the attack. Unruly protesters burnt vehicles, ransacked public properties, shops and fired gunshots on media persons.
Hundreds of people from Shia community while leading a rally opposing IsraelÂ’s control of Jerusalem and showing solidarity with Palestinians were passing from Meezan Chowk when a suicide bomber blew himself up right in the middle of the procession. As a result, over 40 people died on the spot and more than 120 people suffered serious wounds. Heavy firing was also heard soon after the blast while several shops were also damaged due to the blast.
The injured and the deceased were shifted to Civil Hospital, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital and Combined Military Hospital where another 15 injured succumbed to their wounds.
An emergency was declared in all government hospitals following the suicide blast. Hospital sources said that 11 bodies were brought to Civil Hospital, 44 to CMH and four were moved to BMC. However, official sources confirmed only 43 casualties.
Driver of a private TV channel namely Sarwar was also killed in the blast while seven journalists, including Noor Elahi Bugti, Ejaz Raisani, Fateh Shakir, Mustafa Tareen, Shahid, Irshad Mastoi and Imran Muktiar suffered serious wounds. After the blast, a large number of people suffered injuries due to stampede in the procession.
Sources said that several people also sustained injuries due to firing that followed the blast. The victims of the blast were shifted to hospital in rickshaws and other available vehicles owing to shortage of ambulances at the blast scene. The critical injured were later shifted to CMH after getting first-aid in Civil Hospital.
Some deceased were identified as Gul Muhammad, Muhammad Javed, Hussain Ali, Naseebullah, Imran, Talib Hussain, Mehdi Hussain, Muhammad Hussain, Syed Abass, Raza Zargar, Ejaz Sarwar, Jalil Ahmed, Barat Ali and Raja Anwar.
The blast was far more deadly and people were seen lying in pools of blood everywhere. “I was witnessing the rally which was heading towards Meezan Chowk when suddenly a huge explosion followed by intense firing took place and people started running helter-skelter,” an eyewitness told TheNation.
Another witness, Naseer Ahmed, that he heard the blast on his way from Shahra-e-Iqbal. “I headed towards the direction of the blast after a few seconds, I heard gunshots, and immediately left the area,” he said. Soon after the blast, shopkeepers pulled down shutters in all main markets and people starting running towards their homes while the public transport disappeared and many people, who had come to the bazaar, had to travel on foot.
In the meantime, several groups of furious people started attacking the public property and vehicles in different areas of the City. More than five vehicles, including a vehicle of security forces and five motorcycles and several shops were set on fire. The infuriated protestors who had gathered outside Civil Hospital Quetta blocked Jinnah Road and also made gunshots on journalists who were covering the incident. However, luckily they remained unhurt in the attack.
Police sources said that when the rally reached Alamdar Road, DIG (Operations) Hamid Shakeel and some other police officers stopped participants from heading towards Meezan Chowk due to security threats but instead of following the instruction they attacked police with sticks and marched towards Meezan Chowk.
IG Balochistan Malik Mohammad Iqbal told the media that the police had earlier tried to stop the rally from going towards Meezan Chowk citing security concerns but the participants refused to follow the instructions. “There were some intelligence reports about any unpleasant incident that is why the rally was requested to follow the planned route but they refused to do so,” he added.
Sources said that due to Juma prayers already foolproof security arrangements were made as police backed by Balochistan Constabulary, Anti-Terrorist Force and Frontier Corps were deployed outside all imambargahs and mosques while tight security arrangements were also made at Meezan Chowk. “Police had also placed barricades to stop procession towards Meezan Chowk but they broke them and the tragic incident occurred,” they added.
Police sources said that head and other body parts of alleged suicide bomber had been recovered from the blast site who was aged between 20 and 22 and further investigations were underway.
Bomb Disposal Squad officials said the bomber used suicide vest weighing 10 to 15 kg to carry out the attack.
Meanwhile, Spokesman of banned religious outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Ali Sher Haideri calling from unspecified location via satellite phone claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on the rally of Youm-al-Quds.
Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani have condemned the suicide attack and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in the incident.
On the other hand, Chairman Tahaffuz Azadari Council Pakistan Muhammad Rahim Jaffari strongly condemned the suicide blast and described it failure of provincial government. He announced observing 40 days of mourning over the tragic incident and a shutter-down strike on Saturday (today) in Quetta.

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Unrelenting floods swamp Naseerabad

August 15th, 2010 | No Comments


QUETTA – Floodwater coming from Sindh has played havoc in Jaffarabad and Naseerabad districts of Balochistan on Sunday, killing 12 people and washed away over four thousand villages and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to abandon their homes and seek safety under the open skies.
Following breaches in a number of embankments on the Indus River, flash floods started roared towards Balochistan, inundating a number of towns including Dera Allahyar, Rojhan Jamali, Sohbatpur, Manjho Shori, Baba Kot and Chhatar. Official sources said 12 people including women and children have died in flood-related incidents in Naseerabad district.
A large number of people have started moving towards safer places in wee hours of Sunday after emergent evacuation of towns was announced by the local administration.
Sources said eight feet water flooded Dera Allahyar that had damaged hundreds of houses and forced people to take refuge on the rooftops of the buildings.
Deputy Commissioner Jaffarabad Dr Saeed Jamali told media persons that local administration was utilising all available resources to rescue the affected people. He said the affectees were being shifted to safer places on emergent basis, and official and public transports were being hired for this purpose.
A big flow of water in Indus River was passing from Jaffarabad due to which the Dera Allahyar and Jhat Pat have been submerged in the floodwater. Sources said that in order to protect Shahbaz Airbase, which is located in Jacobabad city, floodwater was diverted towards Jaffarbad and Naseerabad areas of Balochistan that caused immense devastation in these districts.
Due to floodwater, electricity in five grid stations of Balochistan including Osta Muhammad, Rojhan Jamali, Sohbatpur, Jhal Magsi and Gandakha have been suspended from Shikarpur grid station. Official sources said floodwater had affected over 5,000 localities in Naseerabad Division while floods completely inundated district headquarters of Jaffarabad before heading towards Osta Muhammad and Gandakha.
Sources said Jhat Pat was completely under water while Sohbatpur was already swept away and residents had migrated towards Dera Murad Jamali. Officials said road and rail links between Quetta and rest of the country have been suspended again because of inundation of track and highway between Dera Allahyar and Jacobabad in Sindh.
Commissioner Naseerabad Division Sher Khan Bazi said floodwater entering into Balochistan from Jacobabad had caused colossal loss after washing away dozens of villages.
He said so far 12 people had been killed in Naseerabad due to floods while more than 150,000 had been affected and added that over 0.4 million flood-hit people of Sindh had migrated to Naseerabad and other adjoining areas that had further multiplied problems. He said shifting the affected people to the safer places was the first priority of the local government and it direly needed 10 helicopters and 15 boats so that marooned people could be shifted to safer places.
“Owing to non-availability of tents in market, flood affectees are compelled to live under open sky in the scorching heat,” DCO Nasirabad said and appealed philanthropists and citizens to come forward and take active part in relief activities.
Talking to newsmen, Brigadier Tahir said that four to five feet high floodwater had entered Dera Allahyar due to which hundreds of mudhouses collapsed. “Six helicopters and 14 trucks of Army are busy in rescuing trapped people,” he said and added the affected people need food, dates and biscuits on emergency basis.
He said the Army had distributed 780 tents among affectees. However, he said number of affected people were being increased and tent villages were being set up for temporary settlement of the flood-hit people. Reports said that floodwater after causing devastation in Rojhan Jamali had entered Osta Muhammad and the town had been evacuated.

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Floodwater roaring towards Jacobabad

August 14th, 2010 | No Comments


JACOBABAD – The unending devastation continued in Sindh as floodwater was roaring towards Jacobabad, a city of 0.5 million people, which gave a deserted look on Saturday, as 95 per cent of the residents had left for safer places. Presently, the floodwater is just one km away from the city and the Shahbaz Airbase.
It may be mentioned that the Shahbaz Airbase was one of the three Pakistani airbases used by the US and the allied forces in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
On the other hand, Federal Minister for Sports Aijaz Jakhrani along with officials of district administration tried to cut Jacobabad-Quetta Bypass, aiming to save Jacobabad and Shahbaz Airbase from inundating; however, former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali along with his private security staff reached the spot and foiled the bid.
During his visit to the city, Jakhrani told TheNation that he along with the DCO, DPO and other officials tried to cut the Jacobabad-Quetta Bypass but Zafarullah Jamali stopped them from diverting the water to save Jacobabad.
“The artificial breach and cut in Jacobabad-Quetta Bypass was the only option to save Jacobabad from inundation,” he said, adding, “Everyone, including Jamali, has to pay some sacrifice for the purpose.”
The minister said he was trying to contact President Asif Ali Zardari to intervene to save the Jacobabad from devastation. He had also contacted Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, urging him to take up the issue with his Balochistan counterpart to allow the cut, from where floodwater would easily pass to Hamal Lake and flow towards the sea through Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD).
Warning about the enormous threat, Jakhrani said if water was not passed through artificial cut to the bypass, Jacobabad would be completely inundated.
He pointed to the fact that after the cut, the flood would have inundated a number of villages in Balochistan, which was the natural path of the floodwater, but it had been blocked after the construction of the by-pass.
Meanwhile, DCO Jacobabad Kazim Jatoi told TheNation that almost 95 per cent residents had left the city after the district administration cautioned them to relocate their families to safer places as a preventive measure.
DPO Pervez Chandio said the government was trying to find other options to save the city from flooding.
EDO Revenue Munawar Mathiani said at least 300 prisoners of Central Jail Jacobabad were shifted to Sukkur and Khairpur jails in view of the flood threat.
He confirmed that about 30,000 to 40,000 people were still stuck in katcha areas while the standing crops on all cultivated land, measuring around 50,000 acres, had been destroyed.
The flood has also destroyed many villages in the settled areas where village Ahmed Mian Soomro, which is also village of former chairman Senate Muhammad Mian Soomro, became the latest among the submerged localities.
During the visit to Jacobabad, Sukkur and Shikarpur areas, which are severely affected by the flood, it was observed that the displaced people had established camps alongside the roads where they were without food, water and other necessities. Besides, the relief camps set up by the government had no capacity for more affectees.
In this scenario, more caravans were on their way to Karachi, Hyderabad and other big cities of the province.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said the floods had affected at least 3.7 million people in Sindh while the financial loss had reached around Rs40 billion in terms of damage to agriculture, collapsed houses, roads and other infrastructure.
Agencies add: According to DCO Jacobabad Kazim Jatoi, water will affect Shahbaz Air Base first of all after entering the city. He added the city is under emergency state in a way.
The floodwater inundated several places and various villages including Goth Lal Bux Bugio near Jacobabad-Humayun Road. The surging floodwater overwhelmed Jacobabad-Sukkur railway track near Sultan Kot.
The water level at catchments area of Nawabshah is fast rising. The protective embankments here are being supervised as water pressure has mounted at Mud Mangli and Makaro Bunds. Over 200 villages have sunk under floodwater in Dadu, raising the number of inundated villages to over 300.
The floodwater has made its way into in various other areas including Bhund Mari and Mondar, as hundreds of people have been left stranded owing to unavailability of boats.
Many villages in Rohilanwali have been submerged, while a huge torrent of 789,000 cusecs to 110,000 cusecs from River Indus is moving closer to Sultan, Jatoi and Alipur areas.
Meanwhile, the high torrent of flood, having wrought havoc in low-lying areas of Muzaffargarh, are now zeroing in on Jatoi and Rohila Wali however, the administration said the city is not at risk.
Meantime, the floodwater is once again fast entering Jampur and Sanawan area of Kot Addu. Rohila Wali cityÂ’s suburbs are submerged under one to two feet of water. At the same time, water is entering the city from four points of a nullah passing through the city.
The entire locality including the Rural Health Centre in Sanawan area of Kot Addu has been deluged. A flood torrent has ravaged through to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
Another flood tide is roaring towards Guddu at Chachran Sharif.
About 30 villages of tehsil Jatoi were inundated and over 50,000 people were affected due to fresh waves of floodwater in the area.
The fresh flood waves swept away 10 villages including Rampur, Bhandai-Korie and others. The people of the area have shifted to safer places.
Floodwater from the Indus River has entered Wasindaywali, a town comprising over 25,000 inhabitants.
Meanwhile, six persons including two women were killed while 16 others received injuries in a head-on collision between a passenger van and coach on Hala Bypass in Hyderabad early Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, the rising water pressure on the LS Bund Dadu since Friday has been released on Saturday when a canal was breached by the authorities in the Keti Jatoi inside katcha area thus saving Piyaro Goth, Phulji, Paat Sharif and other small villages and adjoining towns of Dadu district threatened of inundation.
The District Coordination Officer (DCO), Dadu, Iqbal Memon after breach maintained that all the pucca areas of Dadu district were safe and did not face threat of inundation.
He said that out of 1,05,000 population residing in katcha areas 95 per cent people have been evacuated and lodged at relief camps.
The super flood has started flowing into District Shaheed Benazirabad and score of villages situated in the bed of River Indus have submerged under floodwater.
Approximately 70 per cent of area inside protective embankments has come under water. According to officials of Irrigation Department, 7,30,000 cusecs was crossing the district limits.
On the other hand large number of people residing inside the embankments area were still reluctant to vacate their villages and shift to relief camps setup by district administration.

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Rain fury claims 43 lives across country

July 22nd, 2010 | No Comments


QUETTA/LAHORE/PESHAWAR – At least 43 people were killed as a result of torrential rains and flooding in different parts of Pakistan.
Moonsoon rains continued in most parts of Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. At least 30 people were killed in Balochistan and 13 were killed in parts of northern Punjab and Lahore while dozens were reported injured.
In Balochistan, the torrential rains played havoc in different districts reportedly killing at least 30 people, including women and children besides destroying thousands of mud-houses in Kohlu, Barkhan and Sibi, rendering thousands of people homeless on Thursday.
Around 30 bodies have been retrieved from flood water while more than 20 people are still missing. Road links, communication and electricity systems of these areas have been badly affected.
According to details, monsoon rains started in Kohlu, Barkhan and Sibi late Wednesday night which continued till Thursday morning that triggered flash floods and damaged big and small dams in these areas.
Official sources said that heavy floods triggered by torrential rains in different channels caused colossal losses in Barkhan and Kohlu districts as several villages were washed away.
Sources said that floods swept away 50 people in Vattakri area of Barkhan.
About 30 bodies were fished out, whereas rescue and search work continued in flood-hit area for remaining 20 people.
Sources said that after breaching of Sakara nullah and Hain nullah several villages in Barkhan submerged with flood water and dozens of mud houses caved in.
‘Two bodies have been recovered from Nar Kot area while 8 bodies have been recovered from Jabarnisa Marri area’, they said and ,added, that eight bodies of women were retrieved from Sakra nullah.
Owing to breach in Tanga Dam, 6 villages, including, Kalkani, Dad Alizai, Azad Shar, Charmani Malik Rasool Khan and Killi Sardar Feeroz Khan were submerged in water in Kohlu.
Road links between Barkhan and Kohlu have been cut off after heavy rains washed away Nardwala Bridge while emergency was declared in Kohlu and affectees were being shifted to safer places.
Commandment Frontier Corps Kohlu Barkhan, Sheikh Amir Fakar told newsmen that bodies of 15 people who drowned in flood water in Barkhan area were retrieved while more than 30 people were still missing and efforts were on to recover them.
‘Contingents of FC have arrived in affected areas for taking part in relief activities’, he said and ,adding, that affectees were being shifted to safer places. However, he said that they were facing difficulties in relief activities owing to damage to roads.
Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said that three helicopters which were ready to take off towards affected areas could not take off due to poor visibility in Quetta.
However, he said that as the weather got clean they would leave for Kohlu and Barkhan. He said that 5,000 families were affected in Barkhan while about 1,500 families were affected in Kohlu.
According to reports reaching from Sibi, three villages, including Machi, Lehri and Tali were affected due to torrential rains in which a woman and a child were killed. Six people were wounded when mud houses collapsed.
However, official sources did not confirm casualty of anybody.
‘About 800 people were trapped in flood and rains water in Sibi in which 200 have been shifted to safe places’, said Commissioner Sibi Division Qamar Masood ,adding, that due to damages to small dams several areas of Sibi district were washed away. He said that flood water was still flowing with full speed causing difficulties in relief activities.
A local journalist told The Nation on phone that after damage to Tali bridge Road link between Tali and Sibi was cut off while about 8 women and children sustained injuries after roof of their houses caved in because of heavy downpours.
Sardar Abdul Rehman Ketheran former Provincial Minister said that heavy rains and floods had caused huge financial and human losses in Barkhan area.
‘Ten bodies are lying in front of me while we have buried two bodies so far’, he added.
He outrightly rejected reports of any relief activity in Barkhan area by the government and said that rains and flood inflicted huge loss to the people of area, as their cattle and houses were washed away.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani expressed sorrow and grief on losses of the precious human lives in flash floods in Barkhan, Kohlu and Sibi.
He directed local administration to take all measures for provision of relief and assistance to the affected people.
Sources said that Chief Minister has released Rs 3 million for immediate relief in Barkhan, Kohlu and Sibi districts.
Meanwhile in Lahore, the rains started early morning and continued intermittently till noon, submerging roads and streets in urban areas into knee-deep water.
Lahore received 95 mm rain at Airport, 91 mm each at Upper Mall and Baghbanpura, 71 mm at Jail Road, 70 mm at Misri Shah, 60 mm at Shahi Qila and 53 mm at Farukhabad.
Heavy bursts of rains in the morning turned City roads and streets into lakes and ponds. The rains smashed to the ground tall claims of WASA regarding its preparation for the rainy season as it took hours for the premier sanitation agency to clear roads from inundated rainwater. The rains added to the woes and miseries of motorists and pedestrians. Major roads, not only in Northern Lahore but also in several posh localities, were presenting pictures of lakes and ponds even hours after stoppage of rains.
Many roads were not cleared from inundated rainwater even six to eight hours after the rain had stopped.
Many vehicles and motorcycles were seen broken down in various parts of the City. Massive traffic jams were witnessed at major City roads due to inundation of rain water.
According to details, one labourer died while 11 received injuries when the roof of a steel mills, situated near Mehmood Booty Bund Road caved in during rains and as a result they were buried under the debris of roof.
However, rescue services and the staff of Shalimar Town reached the spot and they brought the injured labourers out of debris and rushed them to Shalimar Hospital where a labourer Muhammad Tufail died while doctors told that the other labourers were in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, a 70-year-old man Latif was buried alive when roof of his house collapsed during rain in Shadipura near Daroghawala while his two daughters received injuries and both were rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid.
In another incident occurred in Awan Town, a youngster Zulfiqar was electrocuted when his bicycle was crossing stagnant water on the road after rains.
Rescue sources told that electric wires fell in the water and Zulifqar received sever electric shocks and died instantly. However, police sent his body to City morgue for autopsy.
Roof of a multi-storey house situated near Usman Chowk Data Nagar caved in and about nine persons of a family including Ashraf, his wife Haleema and their seven guests received injuries while the Edhi rescue service rushed all the injured to Mayo Hospital where the doctors said that all the injured were out of danger.
A 80-year-old woman Inayat Bibi received injuries when wall of her house collapsed and the rescue service rushed her to General Hospital.
GPO Chowk, Kashmir Road, Cooper Road, Lawrence Road, Mozang Road, Qartaba Chowk, Empress Road, Angoori Cinema, General Hospital, Railways Station, Kot Lakhpat, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Lakshami Chowk, Garhi Shahu, Baghbanpura, Chowk Nakhuda, Tharenten Road, Revaz Garden, Chuburji, Aziz Road, Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Hameed Nizami Road, Zeldar Road, Ghazi Road, Samanabad, Main Boulevard Iqbal Town, Wahdat Colony, Rehman Pura, Railway Road, Shadbagh, Circular Road, Saidpur, Shahnoor, Scheme Mor, Sabzazar, Abbot Road, Montgomery Road, Gawalmandi, Data Nagar, Abdul Karim Road, Delhi Gate, Masti Gate, Eik Moriya Pul, R A Bazar, Nishat Colony, Tajpura, Mughalpura, Maskeen Pura and Joray Pul were the worst affected areas.
On Thursday, maximum and minimum temperature in the City was recorded at 29 degree Celsius and 23 C respectively. Relative humidity in the morning was recorded 100 percent, which decreased to 81 percent in the evening.
People came out of their houses in the evening to enjoy pleasant weather after the rains. Major parks and picnic spots attracted a large number of people including women and children in the evening. Huge rush was witnessed at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Racecourse Park, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jallo Park and Lahore Zoo in the afternoon.
According to the experts, seasonal low lies over northeast Balochistan and adjoining areas. A trough of westerly wave lies over Kashmir and adjoining areas. Southwest monsoon current from Arabian Sea is penetrating sub mountainous areas of Punjab and Kashmir upto 5000 feet.
Local meteorological department has forecast cloudy weather with chances of more rains for the City during the next 24 hours. Met office has forecast scattered rains for Punjab, Peshawar, Kohat and D I Khan divisions, northeast Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
In Peshawar, as many as 37 houses were damaged, while the affected families were shifted to safer places in and around the provincial capital, officials said.
The heavy rains in Peshawar and in its suburbs have damaged at least 27 houses in the surroundings. These homes have been affected mostly in the worst rain-affected localities.
These localities included Sango and Arbab Landai. Talking to media men here, DCO Peshawar Siraj Ahmad Khan confirmed damaging at least 27 houses owing to severe rain. He said that all the affected families have been shifted to safer places.
He said that in the jurisdiction of Dadhaber area of Sango village situated in suburbs of the provincial metropolis as many as 25 homes have been damaged and unable to be used further. The families living in these homes have been shifted to Sango middle school. Besides, 12 more houses have also been hit and damaged by rain in Arbab Landai.
He said that all the basic facilities would be ensured to these families. He said that restoration work on these homes would start soon. He said that they were ready to assist the affected families.
On Thursday, Mianwali received 179 mm rain, Sargodha and Toba Tek Singh 95 mm each, Jacobabad 86 mm, Garhi Dupatta 56 mm, D G Khan 53 mm, Bannu 51 mm, Faisalabad 47 mm, Sialkot 45 mm, Jhelum 37 mm, Jhang and Palandari 35 mm each, Sahiwal 34 mm, Bhakkar 32 mm, Mangla and Mandi Bahauddin 31 mm each, Multan 25 mm, Balakot and Kotli 23 mm each, Saidu Sharif 22 mm, Astore, Murree and Kamra 21 mm each, Dir 19 mm, Rawlakot 16 mm, Bunji and Hazara 15 mm each, Parachinar 14 mm, Gilgit 13 mm while Okara received 12 mm rain.

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PA resolution evokes countrywide protests

July 10th, 2010 | No Comments


LAHORE/KARACHI/QUETTA – Journalists staged protest demonstrations and observed Black Day across the country on Saturday to condemn the resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly against media.
Forceful rallies were taken out by journalists in almost all cities and towns including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, Sukkur, Peshawar, Quetta, Sargodha, Jhelum, Taxila, Attock, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Chiniot, Rehim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Hyder-abad, Abbottabad, Nawabs-hah, Badin, Dera Ghazi Khan, Chaman, Nasirabad besides Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley and Mirpur in Azad Kashmir.
A demonstration was held outside the National Press Club in Islamabad where the office-bearers of journalistsÂ’ bodies of the twin cities raised their voice against gaggling tactics. The participants chanted slogans against the Punjab government, demanding withdrawal of the resolution against media.
The call for protest and black day was given by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) which had taken exception to the said resolution and stated that it was a calculated move to divert attention from the real issues confronting the country.
In Lahore, a large number of media men gathered in front of Punjab Assembly to record their protest against the resolution. Leaders of political and religious parties and NGOs also joined the protest to express solidarity with the journalists.
Speakers on the occasion pledged to continue the protests till withdrawal of the said resolution, saying it was their duty to make the public aware of the facts.
Participants were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the Punjab government.
Speaking on the occasion, President Council of Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Khushnood Ali Khan said the CPNE was with the journalists and the Council has decided not to hold dialogue with Punjab government over the issue and their simple demand was to withdraw the resolution. He said that journalists should boycott the ceremonies and programmes held under the aegis of the Punjab government.
President of Punjab Assembly Press Gallery, Zaheer Shahzad said the resolution was like a drone attack on media men. Parliamentarians called names to the journalists and disgraced them but no action was taken against them so far, he said.
He said they would not join any committee formed by the Punjab government in this regard. He said the meeting would be held on Monday (tomorrow) to chalk out future strategy for the protest programme.
Secretary General of the Lahore Press Club Ziaullah Niazi said the resolution was condemnable and rulers had tried to scare the media men but they would not be cowed down.
He demanded of the government to take action against bogus degrees holders and recover the money from them, which they had drawn from the national exchequer.
Chairman APNEC Nasir Naqvi said the resolution had been passed only to hush up the issues like bogus degrees, price-hike and unemployment.
He said the Punjab government had issued no show-cause notice to the responsible persons so far.
Rai Husnain, President of PUJ, said it was duty of the media to inform the people about the critical facts of the society like bogus degrees of the Parliamentarians. Punjab government should take action against those who had been involved in bogus degrees rather than media.
Secretary General of PUJ Rana Azeem and President, Lahore Press Club Sarmad Bashir also spoke on the occasion.
Those who joined media men to express solidarity with journalists included Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat-i-Ulema-e-Islam, PML(Q) and other parties.
The media union leaders, blasted the movers of the resolution and said they did not want merit to prevail in the entire spectrum of the country.
The movers of the resolution also wants to subjugate the media so that the real voice of the people might remain gagged and privileged might continue to enjoy all sorts of facilities although illegally.
Meanwhile, the journalists chanted slogans against Punjab government and blocked the Mall Road for traffic.
The journalists community of Karachi took out a protest rally while observing Black Day against the resolution passed in the Punjab Assembly against the media.
Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) took out a rally from Press Club to Sindh Assembly building. The civil society and others also attended the rally.
The protesters were carrying placards inscribed with slogans against the resolution and Punjab government. They staged sit-in outside Assembly building.
When the rally reached the building, Sindh Information Minister Jameel Soomro, MQM leaders and MNA Haidar Abbas Rizvi and MPA Khawaja Izharul Hassan and others joined the rally showing solidarity with the journalists.
KUJ President Khursheed Abbasi, General Secretary Hassan Abbas, senior journalist Khursheed Tanveer, President of Karachi Press Club Imtiaz Ahmed Faran and others addressed the rally.
The speakers strongly denounced the resolution of Punjab Assembly and termed it an attempt against free and independent media. They alleged the Punjab govt had passed the said resolution to divert peopleÂ’s attention from big issues like bomb blasts at Data Darbar, violation of IRSA agreement, fake degrees issue and many other such issues.
They urged the Punjab Assembly to withdraw the resolution and also appealed other political parties including PPP to play their role in this regard.
Meanwhile, MQM leaders assured the journalists that they would table a resolution in Sindh Assembly to condemn the resolution.
Meanwhile, activists of Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) staged a demonstration outside Press Club to protest against the passage of a resolution in Punjab Assembly against the media.
The protesters carrying placards inscribed with different demands chanted slogans against the Punjab government and demanded immediate withdrawal of the resolution.
Addressing on the occasion, BUJ President Abdul Khaliq Rind and others strongly condemned the move and said the resolution was an attempt to suppress the media.
They vowed not to be succumbed to any pressure, saying they would continue to inform the people about the realities.

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Phet batters Pak coastline

June 6th, 2010 | No Comments


KARACHI\QUETTA – Cyclone Phet weakened Sunday after hitting Thatta and Badin but spared Karachi along the Sindh coast.
Heavy rains and winds lashed Karachi and other cities, killing at least 14 people as the cyclone swirled along the coastline after killing 16 people in Oman.
“The cyclone moved rapidly eastwards in last six hours and went away from Karachi’s coast after hitting Sindh’s Thatta and Badin coastal districts,” Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry of Meteorological Department, said.
“The cyclone will turn into depression in the next 12 hours, which will result in further widespread rains in Karachi and other coastal parts of Sindh,” Chaudhry said late Sunday.
Cyclone Phet was earlier expected to landfall near Karachi with maximum winds of 100 kilometres an hour but it did not hit the commercial capital. The outer circle of Cyclone Phet spared the City by miles.
Rains accompanied by gusty winds hit the coastal areas of Thatta including Keti Bandar, Khharochhan, Shahbunder and Jati. The city was inundated by rainwater and all the roads and streets, including Shahi Bazaar, were submerged in knee-deep water due to failure of drainage system.
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from vulnerable coastal villages in Sindh, but thousands more refused to abandon their homes. Hundreds of relief camps have been established in the affected areas but people have complained about the lack of facilities.
Media teams, rescuers and police personnel left behind in ThattaÂ’s coastal town of Keti Bandar have been asked to immediately evacuate the town. Keti Bandar having a population of more than 5,000 had already been evacuated. However, around 100 persons were marooned in some scattered villages till late in the evening.
The Army has mobilised its soldiers for rescue and relief operations in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan. The ISPR said four battalions were on high alert in coastal areas.
The cyclone moved past Karachi without hitting the coast, said Meteorological Department. According to Met Office, two-to-four metre high tides are expected in Karachi coastal areas while more torrential rains are expected during the next 36 to 48 hours.
Many Karachi and Hyderabad areas were still without electricity. Three people were killed in rain-related incidents in Hyderabad.
At least 10 people lost their lives during heavy rains caused by cyclone Phet in Karachi.
The irregular downpour struck the City in the wee hours of Sunday and paralysed the whole of the metropolis where commercial and non-commercial activities remained suspended.
As many as 10 people died in different rain-related incidents while dozens of road accidents left scores of people wounded in different areas of the City.
Officials in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Civil Hospital and Jinnah Hospital confirmed arrival of hundreds of wounded persons who fell victim to road accidents.
A youth Waseem Ahmad died when an electric wire fell down in front of his home at Chowkandi Graveyard. Police officials said the victim tried to have the electric supply through (Kunda) but lost his life after touching the electric pole.
A woman Jannat Bibi died in an electrocution incident took place at her home located at Daud Chowrangi. Yahya, 12, died at Nazimabad No 2, while Muhammad Nadeem was electrocuted at his home at City Railway Colony in the limits of Mithadar Police Station. Saleem Khan, 18, was electrocuted at Baloch colony.
Separately, an unidentified body of a youth was found at Burns Road Street No 2 where an electric line fell on the ground causing injuries to seven people at Sharah-e-Faisal.
Another incident took place within the limits of Azizabad Police Station where a young man died because of the electrocution.
The City slum areas including Old Saddar area, Ibrahim Hydery, Saddar, Ebrahim Hydery, Baldia, Maripur and other slum area were drowned as the rainwater entered most of the homes.
On the other side, Pakistan Fisher Folk coordinator, Sami Memon, said more than 1,000 families from Bhit Shah Island and Manjhar Goth migrated to Ibrahim Hyderi, denying staying in relief camps as these places are not suitable for their survival. That is why, more than 13 camps established by the government are lying empty in Bin Qasim Town.
Meanwhile, extraordinary torrential rains generated by cyclone Phet in the coastal areas of Balochistan have caused widespread devastation, playing havoc in a number of towns, especially Gwadar which is completely submerged in rainwater. The downpour and resultant flooding have also claimed one life and injured many others.
“0.25 million population of Gwadar is waiting for relief as water up to three to five feet is standing in the streets and houses,” Attaullah Mengal, Deputy Director Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Balochistan, told this ascribe on late Sunday night.
He said coastal town of Gunz was completely washed away while 50 per cent of Jiwani town had been destroyed due to the cyclone.
He said the government was facing an uphill task of relief and rescue as no flight could be operated to Gwadar and other coastal towns like Ormara, Jiwani and Pasni as heavy flooding had submerged the landing strips and airports.
He further informed that Pishikan area of Gwadar and some other nearby localities were the worst affected by the cyclone, adding that a survey of these areas would be started soon after the conclusion of relief activities.
Meanwhile, the NDMA and some international relief agencies have contacted PDMA for supply of relief goods in the affected areas.
When contacted, Noor Mohsin, a local journalist of Aaj TV, said the people of Gwadar, which bore the brunt of the heavy downpour, were waiting for the relief and rescue operation.
He said although the Army and the Frontier Corps had initiated relief operation on a limited scale, it was extremely insufficient in the face of huge damages in Gwadar and adjoining villages. He also said five camps had been set up for the affectees but they were not satisfied with the efforts of the local administration.
On the other hand, ArmyÂ’s C130 aircraft loaded with medicines, food, drinking water, tents and other items could not take off both from Karachi and Quetta for Gwadar, as its airport had been rendered non-functional.
Deputy Commissioner Pasand Khan Buledi, who shifted his office to NavyÂ’s relief camp after the rains, told TheNation that the local administration was making all-out efforts for providing relief to the people. But cited the absence of land and air links within the district and rest of the country as the main hurdle in the operation.
The whole Gunz town has been washed away, however, its population of around 4,000 was shifted to safer areas while majority of the population of 20,000 in Jiwani was either shifted or moved to mountainous areas.
Meanwhile, a special cabinet meeting in Quetta with Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani in the chair, decided to donate their one-month salary for the flood and rain affectees.
The CM had already announced Rs50 million for the relief and rescue operation.
According to a Press release of Frontier Corps (FC), personnel of Pak Army, FC and Coast Guards were busy in relief activities in different cyclone-hit areas and shifting the people to safer places while relief camps had been established in which items of daily use were being provided to the affected people. Medical aid was also being ensured while 18 trucks of the Army and FC loaded with goods were also sent to Gwadar through a C-130 flight.

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America mulls unilateral raids into Pakistan: WP

May 29th, 2010 | No Comments


WASHINGTON – The US military is studying options for a ‘unilateral strike’ in Pakistan, whom it calls a key ally in the war on terror, in the event that a successful attack on American soil is traced to the country’s tribal areas, The Washington Post reported Saturday.
Experts here were not surprised by the move, despite recent statements by top administration officials that they would leave the military operations against the Taliban to the Pakistani military. One expert said he believes that the report has been planted by the administration in an attempt to pressure Pakistan into launching an offensive in North Waziristan Agency.
Citing unidentified senior military officials, the newspaper said planning for a retaliatory attack was spurred by ties between Faisal Shahzad, the suspect in the failed Times Square bombing, and elements of the Pakistani Taliban, the US newspaper said, quoting unidentified senior military officials.
“Planning has been reinvigorated in the wake of Times Square,” one of the officials was quoted as saying by The Post. The military would focus on air and missile raids but also could use small teams of US special operations troops currently along the border with Afghanistan, the report said. Air raids could damage the groups’ ability to launch new attacks but also might damage US-Pakistani relations.
The CIA already conducts unmanned drone raids in the countryÂ’s tribal regions.
Officials told the Washington Post that a US military response would be considered only if attacks persuaded President Barack Obama that the CIA campaign is ineffective.
A senior US official told the Associated Press news agency on Wednesday that Pakistan already has been told that it has only weeks to show real progress in a crackdown against the Taliban.
The US has put Pakistan “on a clock” to launch a new intelligence and counterterrorist offensive against the group, which the White House alleges was behind the Times Square bombing attempt, according to the official.
US officials also have said the country reserves the right to attack in the tribal areas in pursuit of Osama bin Laden and other targets.
At the same time, the paper said administration is trying to deepen ties to PakistanÂ’s intelligence officials in a bid to head off any attack by militant groups. The United States and Pakistan have recently established a joint military intelligence centre on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar, and are in negotiations to set up another one near Quetta.
The “fusion centres” are meant to bolster Pakistani military operations by providing direct access to US intelligence, including real-time video surveillance from drones controlled by the US Special Operations Command, the officials said. But in an acknowledgment of the continuing mistrust between the two governments, the officials added that both sides also see the centres as a way to keep a closer eye on one another, as well as to monitor military operations and intelligence activities in insurgent areas.
Obama said during his campaign for the presidency that he would be willing to order strikes in Pakistan, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a television interview after the Times Square attempt that “if, heaven forbid, an attack like this that we can trace back to Pakistan were to have been successful, there would be very severe consequences.”
Obama dispatched his national security adviser, James Jones, and CIA Director Leon Panetta to Islamabad this month to deliver a similar message to Pakistani officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari and the Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Jones and Panetta also presented evidence gathered by US law enforcement and intelligence agencies that Shahzad received significant support from the Pakistani Taliban, The Post said.

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