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DAWN WIRE SERVICE
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Week Ending : 02 May 1996 Issue : 02/18
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The DAWN Wire Service (DWS) is a free weekly news-service from
Pakistan's largest English language newspaper, the daily DAWN. DWS
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CONTENTS
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NATIONAL NEWS
Bomb blast near Bhai Pheru : 50 perish in bus inferno
Imran Khan launches Movement for Justice
Killers of 21 held in Lahore, claim police
Indian agencies manipulated MQM team at Geneva
FACC unearths : IT secret fund misappropriation
FACC recommends transfer of Emigration Bureau officials
PM worried over Indian N-plan but sees no war
Anti-tank guided missile manufacturing begins
Woman forced to divorce at gunpoint
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Sale of UBL to Saudi firm still uncertain
SBP order effective for two years
Asif offers help to businessmen
Stuck-up loans swell to Rs 108bn
Heavy buying in energy scrips: index up 34 points
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EDITORIALS & FEATURES
The judiciary triumphs-IV Ardeshir Cowasjee
A leader with a vision Professor Sharif al Mujahid
Habits assuming the force of history Ayaz Amir
Co-operation, not bombs Benazir Bhutto
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SPORTS
Run-away victory for Jansher at Wah
Jahangir for low-price squash circuit
A daunting task faces Tiwana for Olympic hockey title
Fitness key to success: goalie Mansoor
Apprehensions about Friendship series
Archery revived in Pakistan
Iran, India, Lanka to take part in Quaid volleyball
NATIONAL NEWS
960429
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Bomb blast near Bhai Pheru : 50 perish in bus inferno
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Intikhab Hanif
LAHORE, April 28: At least 50 people, including women and children, were
killed most of them reduced to ashes when a powerful bomb ripped through
a crowded passenger bus at Kot Radha Kishan stop in Bhai Pheru, some
60km from here. Twenty-nine others were injured, most of them
critically.
The bus (FDJ 9176), on its way to Multan from Lahore, caught fire
following the blast at around 10:30am and turned into a flaming trap.
Only those who had alighted at Bhai Pheru escaped the inferno. Most of
the occupants were consumed by the flames as they tried to come out.
Thirty-six bodies have been counted and limbs and parts of many others
were found making the actual count difficult. Many of the injured died
on way to the hospital.
Most of the passengers were travelling from Lahore to their home towns
to celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha. The administration has termed the blast an
act of terrorism.
The bomb was placed under a seat near the fuel tank of the bus. It
exploded, according to the driver, as the bus was moving out of the Bhai
Pheru stand for its onward journey.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Arif Nakai was scheduled to pass through
Bhai Pheru near Pattoki at about the same time when the explosion took
place. He, however, went home through Raiwind and later visited the site
of the explosion.
When this correspondent reached the site, the 72-seater bus had been
reduced to a charred wreck.
According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle was packed to capacity and
passengers were even sitting on the roof, standing between the seats and
crowding the entrance. Most of those sitting on the roof suffered minor
injuries. Of the few survivors from among those inside the bus were its
driver, Muhammad Aslam and conductor Khalid of Manga Mandi, who have
been admitted to Mayo Hospital in Lahore.
The explosion made people around run helter skelter in confusion. A
terrified boy said he was present in the shop of his brother when the
bomb exploded.
People rushed to help but an object near the bus mistaken for a bomb
kept them away. Eyewitnesses said the explosion was so powerful and the
fire so intense that 99 per cent of the passengers did not have a chance
to come out. They were roasted alive before people of the area or the
fire brigade and district administration could do anything.
Charred bodies could be seen in the burnt-out hulk of the bus. Many of
them were perched on the seats they had occupied. A number bodies were
found near the door of the bus indicating that the passengers had made a
desperate attempt to escape the inferno.
Some of the charred bodies of women could be identified by the jewellery
they had on. Except for damaged wrist watches, pieces of jewellery and
burnt household items, there was nothing to identify the dead. Nine of
the victims were women and five children. The odour of burnt-out bodies
had fouled the atmosphere.
The area people blamed the absence of fire brigade unit in the town and
the two-hour late arrival of fire tenders from other cities for the
increased number of casualties.
A police constable, Khan Muhammad, who was among the injured, said he
had been deputed to clear the traffic for the chief ministers
motorcade. He had just asked the driver to move his bus and had gone
towards its rear when the bomb exploded.
He said he found blood oozing out of his face and his shoulder and when
he looked at the bus, he found it engulfed in a cloud of smoke. Soon, a
big fire broke out and I ran to save my life, terrified and confused.
A young girl Mussarat of Head Balloki was among the lucky survivors who
remained unhurt. The weeping girl said she was travelling with her two
brothers. She was able to speak only when she came to know that they
were alive. She said she was standing near the door of the bus and was
thrown out by the impact of the explosion.
Sarwar of Arifwala, who suffered minor injuries said he was sitting near
the door of the bus when the bomb exploded.
Another passenger, Murad Ali of Okara, said he was sitting on a seat
behind the driver. Initially he could not understand what had happened.
But later found the bus and the passengers burning. As he saw some
burning women struggling to come out he jumped from a window. I dont
know what happened to the women, he said.
A chemist who provided first-aid to some of the injured said he saw the
bus burning after he came out of his shop on hearing the explosion. The
fire brigade reached there after over two hours and in the meantime
people made desperate efforts to extinguish the fire.
Muhammad Sadiq, a soft drink seller said the area police were present on
the spot but did not dare go near the bus. The fire died down itself
after it had consumed the passengers and the bus.
Rescue operations were supervised by the administration. Bomb disposal
squads of the Pakistan Army and civil defence were called in.
The debris from the explosion was taken away by the experts, who said
they could not immediately comment on the nature of the explosive device
used.
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960426
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Imran Khan launches Movement for Justice
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Bureau Report
LAHORE, April 25: Expressing his disappointment with the failure of the
political system and of politicians to solve public problems and lack of
commitment on their part to give the people their rights, former cricket
star Imran Khan on Thursday launched his Tehrik-i-Insaaf (Movement for
Justice) to bring about a change within the framework of the
Constitution.
At a news conference, Mr Khan highlighted the problems which his
movement would address, and singled out corruption as a major focus of
attention. He alleged that it was because of corruption that foreign
investment was not coming into Pakistan.
He said eight committees would be constituted to prepare recommendations
for a change in the current terrible state of affairs in judicial and
legal affairs, human rights, governance, health and education, economy,
youth affairs and joblessness, women affairs and environment.
Mr Khan said every citizen was free to join the movement, but the
leaders to be inducted in the proposed committees would have to be men
of proven integrity and with an unblemished character.
He set no time-frame for the establishment of these committees or how
long he could take to bring about a desired change in the country.
When it was pointed out that a change would not be possible unless he
formed his own political party, he said his movement was the first step
towards the formation of a party. He believed that the people would
trust and support him. Even the Quaid-i-Azam, he pointed out, was an
individual but he got popular support only because the people trusted
him and his integrity.
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960428
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Killers of 21 held in Lahore, claim police
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Bureau Report
LAHORE, April 27: The police have arrested a gang of five people who are
said to be implicated in several recent murders in Lahore. The five were
stated to belong to the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan.
They are said to be involved in the murders of Manzoor Masih, Professor
Aftab Naqvi, Syed Sajid Hussain Gilani, director, excise and taxation,
Punjab, Syed Mohsin Naqvi in January this year, and Sibtey Hasan,
superintendent of the Kot Lakhpat jail, last year.
They are also implicated in the killing of many other people. The SSP
said in all the accused had confessed to the killing of about 21 people
and a large quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from the
possession of the accused.
The killers are identified as Mohammad Ramzan, Master Mohammad Afzal
Saeed, Haroon Rasheed, Mirza Maqsood Baig and Mohammad Sahfique.
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960428
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Indian agencies manipulated MQM team at Geneva
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, April 27: Senator Iqbal Haider claimed that Indian intelligence
agencies had manipulated the MQM delegation at the 52nd session of the
Human Rights Commission in Geneva to malign Pakistan and to downplay
atrocities being committed by its troops in the occupied Kashmir.
Addressing a joint Press conference with the Sindh Chief Ministers
advisor on Information Mohammad Yusuf, Senator Haider, who led
Pakistans delegation at the conference, said: We not only countered
their moves successfully by exposing terrorist activities of the Altaf
Group and killing of innocent people in Pakistan but also drew world
attention to Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir where thousands of
people have been killed.
He said the propaganda by the MQM delegates against the state of
Pakistan could not impress the members of the UNHRC as we provided
evidence of the killing of innocent citizens of Pakistan, including
Urdu-speaking community whom they claim to represent.
He said that none of the political parties in Pakistan, except the Altaf
group, ever used international forum to defame Pakistan. He said that
such a thing had made it clear that the Altaf Group wanted to strengthen
the aims and designs of India.
He said that no political party or group has harmed the interests of the
Urdu-speaking people as had been done by Altaf Hussain since 1985.
He said the delegation apprised the Commission, comprising 53 member-
states, of the struggle for the right to self-determination launched by
the people of Kashmir and the atrocities unleashed by the Indian
occupation forces in the held valley.
Senator Haider did not agree with journalists who were of the view that
the governments inability to table a resolution on Kashmir in Geneva
was a setback and a failure of the foreign policy initiative.
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960428
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FACC unearths : IT secret fund misappropriation
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Nasir Malick
ISLAMABAD, April 27: Some officials of the Income Tax Department are
alleged to have misappropriated the entire secret fund of one million
rupees, informed sources claimed that the parent organisation, the
Central Board of Revenue (CBR) was trying to hush up the matter.
The secret fund is used by the department to make payments to informers
for obtaining information on tax evasions. According to official
sources, one million rupees were placed at the disposal of the director
general (investigation), Lahore.
But since no cases were assigned for special investigation, the money
was not spent. The sources said when a CBR official, Farooq A. Malik,
was transferred from the CBR as director general of IT (Investigation),
Lahore, the money was withdrawn from the bank. They said when the issue
was brought to the notice of the Prime Minister, she asked the Federal
Anti-Corruption Committee to hold an inquiry and pinpoint the officials
involved.
The sources said when the FACC inquiry officer asked the CBR chairman
about reports of misappropriation, he was informed that the money had
not been misappropriated but was still lying with the bank.
However, the FACC wrote at least four letters to the CBR chairman in
January and February, asking him to provide the attested copy of the
bank statement up to Dec. 31, 1995, but got no positive response. The
FACC then used its own channels to get the information and obtained
documentary evidence showing that there was nil balance in the secret
fund account in June 1995.
Based on its investigations, the FACC sub-committee held Farooq A.
Malik, director general (Inspection, Audit and Investigation),
responsible for the breach of trust of public funds.
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960429
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FACC recommends transfer of Emigration Bureau officials
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, April 28: The Federal Anti Corruption Committee (FACC) headed
by Senator Malik Mohammad Qasim has advised the government to consider
mass-scale transfer of all officers who have been serving the Bureau of
Emigration and Protectors of Emigrant for quite long to some other
departments.
The recommendation has been made in a report given recently to the Prime
Minister by the FACC chief after a detailed investigation was made into
repatriation of 32 Pakistani workers by the Dubai authorities on
February 27. Dubai authorities had charged that these workers were
travelling on forged documents. The Prime Ministers Secretariat
instructed the FACC to carry out investigation into this affair.
During the investigation, the FACC noted that almost every officer in
Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment is not subjected to normal
transfers under the rules, as is the case with other officials of
bureaucracy, since there is no reason to provide this relaxation, the
report suggested to the Secretary Establishment Division to consider
enforcement of normal postings and transfer practice in these offices
also.
Following a detailed investigation by the member FACC Mr Ali Ashraf
Khan, the Committee Chief Senator Malik Mohammad Qasim in his report to
the Prime Minister has blamed the Protector of Emigrant at Lahore and
Counsellor Welfare in Pakistans Consulate General in Dubai for being
equally responsible in the case and has recommended that these officials
be immediately relieved from their present posts and that departmental
enquiries be instituted against them.
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960502
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PM worried over Indian N-plan but sees no war
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ISLAMABAD, May 1: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has ruled out an open
conflict with India but warned that the continuation of Indian nuclear
programme would have terrible consequences for the subcontinent.
In an interview with CNN, she said Pakistan and India have though fought
three wars, both the countries have, however, avoided an outright armed
confrontation since 1972. Some say it is because of the political
understanding, others say its because of the unspoken nuclear parity,
she said adding so I do not see an open conflict breaking up between
India and Pakistan, but I do see skirmishes.
Recalling a recent rocket attack on Forward Kahuta Benazir Bhutto feared
there would, however, be an increase in tension unless efforts are taken
to diffuse the situation.
When asked what would be the outcome of the on-going elections in India,
Benazir believed that India would have a split mandate and there would
be a week coalition government. I am concerned as to whether the
coalition government will be able to take the bold decisions that are
necessary to begin talking to Pakistan about Kashmir.
She said it really did not matter which political party forms the Indian
government. Most of the parties have the same view towards Kashmir that
is to send in the Indian troops and solve the problem, but thats no
solution.
She said she was concerned because this (Kashmir) dispute has led to
the development of a missile programmes, and people are living in an
area which seems out of synchronisation with the rest of the world.
Answering a question Benazir Bhutto said that by holding a sham election
in occupied Kashmir, India was deceiving the world and this was going to
add fuel to fire.
She said the mock elections in occupied Kashmir will show India that the
Kashmir problem is not going to go away. The people of Jammu and Kashmir
never wanted to be a part of India and they want a plebiscite to
determine their own future, and live in freedom, she added.
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960502
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Anti-tank guided missile manufacturing begins
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Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, May 1: Pakistan is undertaking production of a new anti-tank
guided missile for its army, capable of hitting targets upto 3,000
meters.
The missile has a maximum range of 3,000 m with a hit probability of 90
percent claimed. The single high explosive anti-tank warhead will
penetrate 800 mm of armour with average flight speed being 220 m/sec,
Janes weekly said.
Giving its technical details, the weekly said guidance of the missile is
semi-automatic command-to-line of sight. To obtain a hit, the operator
has to keep the sight on the target.
Britains Devonport Management recently received a US$ 530,000 contract
to assist in integrating the command system, which suggests the
programme will begin later this year.
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960427
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Woman forced to divorce at gunpoint
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Bureau Report
LAHORE, April 26: A 22-year-old married woman whose husband was
allegedly forced to divorce her at gunpoint by her father, refused to
return to her parents home, even though her father, Hafiz Abdul Waheed
Ropri, and the Lahore High Court (LHC) Bar Association president Dr
Khalid Ranjha tried to arrange an out of court deal.
Saima has been ordered by the Lahore High Court to be kept at Dastak
under the supervision and control of Dr Ranjha. Dastak is a womens home
run by the AGHS Legal Aid Society.
Sources close to the family told Dawn that Saima Waheed, who stated she
lawfully married Arshad Ahmed, refused to return to her parents or any
of her relatives for fear of her and her husbands life. The source said
she married against her fathers wish.
In an 45-minute meeting with her father, she made it clear that she
will not accept anything less than a reunion with her husband who was
forced at gunpoint to divorce her, said the family sources.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
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Sale of UBL to Saudi firm still uncertain
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Faraz Hashmi
ISLAMABAD, April 26: The fate of the Rs 585 million deal of the
Privatisation Commission with Saudi Basharahil for the sale of 26
percent management in the United Bank Limited (UBL) is still seemingly
uncertain as the former is not satisfied with the financial position of
the latter.
The documents provided by the group about its business and directors is
still being scrutinised closely, a top official at the Commission told
Dawn.
The credentials of the Saudi Company became ambiguous when the
commission received the first instalment down payment through a
Hyderabad Branch of Muslim Commercial Bank which established
Basharahils links with a Sindh businessman, the source said.
On enquiry the buyer said due some problems with the transfer of
resources from outside the country within the time limit allowed, the
down payment had to be arranged from inside the country, and therefore
the MCB cheque from the Sindhi businessman who it was claimed was one of
directors of the company.
However, the Commissions disquiet increased substantially when the
cheque for the second instalment also came through the same MCB branch
made out by the same businessman from Sindh, the source added. Now the
Commission is trying to make the sale and purchase agreement more
stringent to ensure that the Saudi firm after taking over management
control would inject the required resources in the bank to make it a
profitable concern, the source said.
The Saudi firm had earlier given an undertaking to the Commission that
it would inject 500 million dollars to turn the bank around.
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960426
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SBP order effective for two years
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Mohiuddin Aazim
KARACHI, April 25: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) move to replace the
previous Board of Directors of United Bank of Ltd is effective for two
years that means that the SBP take-over of the bank is for the same
period.
The April 20 order of the SBP governor had superseded the former UBL
board of directors for two years, a defunct director of the board
confided to Dawn.
I order that the Board of Directors of the bank be superseded for a
period of two years from the date hereof subject to modifications that
may be made in accordance with law and without prejudice to such other
actions that may be taken under the law, says the order copies of which
have been supplied to the removed chief executive and defunct directors
of the UBL.
The SBP governor has also sent letters to the defunct chief executive
and directors of UBL to make representation against his order by May 5.
On April 20, the SBP chief had issued an order under section 41-A and
41-B of the Banking Companies Ordinance of 1962 to replace the top
management of UBL.
The order said the former UBL President Khalid A. Sherwani was removed
from the post of chief executive and the board of directors was
superseded in the public interest and to secure the proper management
of the bank. The order a copy of which is available with Dawn had
made it clear that the chief executive and the board of directors would
be given a reasonable opportunity of making a representation, if any,
to the State Bank against the order. It had further clarified that Mr
Sherwani was removed from the presidency of UBL and the board of
directors was superseded from April 20 pending consideration of the
representation, if any...
Sources at UBL said the erstwhile board of directors was made up of
seven members including Mr Sherwani the only UBL employee among all of
them and a representative of Ministry of Finance Mr. Mohammad Iqbal
Malik. The remaining five were all from the private sector and their
appointments as directors of UBL was largely seen as political
nominations. It is yet to be seen whether any of them decides to make a
representation against the SBP order but sources privy to the UBL fiasco
say hardly one or two of them can do so because such representations
have to be substantiated on sound legal grounds that most of the former
directors might be lacking.
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960502
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Asif offers help to businessmen
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Sabihuddin Ghausi
KARACHI, May 1: The Chairman of Pakistan Environmental Protection
Council, Asif Ali Zardari, offered to serve as a bridge between the
business community and the government to sort out all issues that may be
hindering trade and industrial activities.
He also suggested to them to form small committees with the government
to sort out all outstanding issues and problems which they consider are
obstructing trade and industrial activities.
I am ready to act as a bridge between you and the government, Mr
Zardari told a luncheon meeting of the about 200 businessmen clustered
in the corridor of Sindh Governors House where he announced the
appointment of the former President of the Federation of Pakistan
Chambers of Commerce and Industry, S.M. Muneer, as Chairman of Pakistan
Trade Fair Corporation, with immediate effect and till further orders.
Done, was the prompt reply from Asif Zardari in response to a
suggestion of former FPCCI Chief Mr Tariq Sayeed to give representation
to the private sector on Privatisation Commission. The only condition
for such a nomination, he said was that businessman should be known
internationally.
He also agreed to have a businessman as the Chairman of Export
Processing Zone Authority and apparently consented that structure of the
Board of Investment needed a fresh look to provide room for
representation of private sector on it.
More than three hours discussion in hot and humid corridor of the
Governors House was more of a brain storming session in which more than
a dozen businessmen spoke at length on the issues that included the levy
of general sales tax on an expanded level in the coming budget,
implications on investment plans of some investors of the abrupt
withdrawal of specialised industrialised zones (SIZ) scheme, rebate
refund, role of pre-shipment companies and necessity of involving
businessmen in crucial decision making. There were complaints of non-
implementation of the decisions taken in the previous meetings and non-
compliance of the policies framed to boost exports and invest. However,
none spoke on the environmental related issues or bringing
agriculturists income into tax net.
Money making is the best pursuit in life, the husband of Prime
Minister remarked while sharing governments changed perception on trade
and industry with the businessmen to stress the point that the
government now considers promotion of investment and trading activities
sine qua non for the countrys progress and development.
He repeatedly stressed upon the businessmen to consider government as
their partner in their trade and industrial pursuits and should cease to
be hostile as was in the past.
Mr Zardari also emphasised the need to bring an end of discrimination
between the urban and rural people. Both live in Pakistan and they
supplement and complement each other in economic progress, he said.
He indicated that government would hold pre-budget meetings with the
businessmen and that your views would serve as inputs for the budget
makers, he assured.
Speaking on the current economic situation, the PPP Member of National
Assembly from Nawabshah said that he considers countrys current export
earning capacity of 9 billion dollars as mere peanuts when looked in
context of the available potential. Our foreign exchange reserves are
too meagre, he said and expressed the view that export earnings and
foreign exchange reserves can be increased manifold if both government
and businessmen pool their talent and resources.
His assertion was that 125 million population was an asset of the
country rather than a liability as some international agencies try to
create impression. He termed Pakistans geographical location at
immediate proximity of Central Asian Republics as the greatest economic
advantage which has yet to be fully exploited.
Referring to some businessmens observations on conditionalities of the
International Monetary Fund, Mr Zardari reminded them that IMF was
facilitation agency and has a responsibility to ensure that budgetary
expenditure, inflation and other conditions remains under control.
He said that 5 billion dollars are being invested in the power projects
to ensure that electricity reaches all part of the country and
particularly in the remote rural areas where he said people still live
in primitive conditions.
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960428
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Stuck-up loans swell to Rs 108bn
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Mohiuddin Aazim
KARACHI, April 27: The total stuck-up loans of banks and Development
Finance Institutions (DFIs) rose from Rs 103.039 billion to Rs 107.836
billion by end December last year.
Sources close to State Bank of Pakistan told Dawn domestic banks had
the largest share of 82.8 percent in the total infected loan portfolio
followed by DFIs 13.9 percent and foreign banks 3.3 percent. By
December 31 the total stuck-up loans of DFIs totalled Rs 14.933 billion
and that of foreign banks Rs 3.565 billion.
A comparative study shows that by end September last year stuck-up loans
of domestic banks totalled Rs 85.510 billion or 83.0 percent of the
total infected loan portfolio. The DFIs and foreign banks had reported
total stuck-up loans of Rs 14.5 billion and Rs 3.029 billion
respectively constituting 14.1 percent and 2.9 percent of infected
portfolio.
Sources in the banking industry link the accumulation of huge stuck-up
loans to four main factors (i) political interference in financial
institutions (ii) inefficient bank managements and imprudent lending
policies and (iii) lack of accountability of bankers responsible for
piling up of stuck-up loans and (iv) absence of effective legal
framework for quick disposal of cases in litigation.
Lately the SBP has taken strong exception of the expansion of infected
loan portfolio and has instructed banks and DFIs to contain it without
loss of time. Only this week, the SBP Governor again urged all banks and
DFIs to contain expansion of bad loans and asked them to draw specific
plans for this purpose.
Three NCBs and four state-run DFIs are busy making such plans that they
are supposed to submit to the SBP by May 12. Senior executives of NCBs
and DFIs say implementation of the plans they are making would not be an
easy task. Not that we do not know how to contain bad loans. The
problem is with implementation of the plans, the chief executive of a
DFI told Dawn.
He said any move to contain bad loans needs to be strengthened by (i) an
all out SBP support to banks and DFIs in implementation of their
policies (ii) non-interference of government in banking affairs and
(iii) co-operative attitude of the trade and industry in the process.
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960426
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Heavy buying in energy scrips: index up 34 points
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Commerce Reporter
KARACHI, April 25: Stocks were back on the rails, boosted by heavy
buying in the energy shares followed by press reports of an imminent
tariff hike. Index soared by over 34 points.
The market also continued to derive strength from the aid pledge of $2.4
billion by the donor countries for Pakistans next years development
programmes.
The fast changing world view about the growth potential of Pakistan has
created a new buying enthusiasm in the rings and it might not be without
some positive indicators, said a leading analyst but hastened to say
it is too early to pass judgement on the direction of the market at this
stage.
The KSE 100-share index soared 34.39 points to 1,590.68 as compared to
1,556.29 a day earlier but unluckily could not attain its current
psychological barrier of 1,600 on which a solid rally could be built-up.
After several lean weeks, the index managed to recover 70 points over
the week, which is said to be good performance, pointing to the possible
advent of a bull market during post-Eid holidays trading week.
A 70 points gain in index means an addition of Rs 10.5 billion in the
market capitalisation, which reflects the markets urge to rise to its
pre-reaction levels, analysts said.
But most floor brokers believe the direction of the market will be clear
in the post-Eid holiday sessions as by that time investors will have
fully analysed the current developments on the economic front.
Although buying interest spread to some more sectors but by and large it
remained selective as a section of leading operators was not inclined to
move out of the safe havens.
However, it was for the first time after several weeks that gainers
managed to force a strong lead over the losers, indicating that the
current tempo of recovery could be sustained in the post-Eid holiday
sessions too.
PSO and Lever Brothers led the list of leading gainers, rising by Rs 5
to 6 and they were closely followed by some other leading shares,
notably Fauji fertiliser and Berger Paints, which rose by Rs 2.
But sudden burst into activity of Kohinoor Energy on strong buying at
the lower levels was days feature as it not only showed a good gain of
Rs 2.15 but also actively traded, accounting for 1.777m shares.
Other leading shares, which managed to show good recoveries were led by
Askari Bank, Bankers Equity, Faysal bank, Dewan Salman, Essa and Fecto
Cement and KESC, which posted gains ranging from one rupee to Rs 1.75.
Dawood Hercules, which surged by Rs 20 over the last two sessions came
in for active selling at the higher levels and was marked down by Rs 6.
It was followed by Pakistan Oilfields, which suffered a decline of Rs 3,
losing well over 15 over the week. Shell Pakistan, Pakistan Gum, Sandoz
Pakistan, Hoechst Pakistan and SK&F were leading losers among the MNCs,
falling by one rupee each.
Among the local losers, Javed Omer, Dadabhoy Insurance, Dewan Textiles,
Gulistan Textiles and Dilon were prominent.
Hub-Power maintained its upward thrust on heavy speculative buying and
led the list of most actives, up Rs 1.90 on 14.840m shares followed by
PTC vouchers, higher Rs 1.40 on 11.470m shares, Kohinoor Energy, firm Rs
2.15 on 1,777m shares, D.G.Khan Cement (r), unchanged on 0.529m shares,
Lucky Cement, steady 15 paisa on 0.455m shares, and Fauji Fertiliser,
higher Rs 2.60 on 0.337m shares.
Other actively traded shares were led by Dhan Fibre, unchanged on 0.234m
shares, D.G.Khan Cement, up 75 paisa on 0.220m shares, PICIC, higher 80
paisa on 0.122m shares and Pakistan Synthetics, firm 25 paisa on 0.155m
shares.
Trading volume rose to 33.617m shares from the previous 30m shares
thanks to larger activity in the pivotals.
There were 292 actives, out of which 135 shares rose, while 88 fell,
with 69 holding on to the last levels.
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EDITORIALS & FEATURES
960426
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The judiciary triumphs-IV
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By Ardeshir Cowasjee
THIS time, Editor, you really have led. On April 19 your leader, Time
to put this spectacle behind us, opened up:
The spectacle to which the nation has been treated following the
verdict in the Judges Case has not been an edifying one. An entire tribe
of commentators has felt free to pass opinions on it, in the process
subjecting the higher judiciary to the kind of attention that, left to
itself, it will probably not seek in the next hundred years...
Those motivated (by whatever or whoever) to speak or write supporting
the executive exposed themselves and made a fool of those on whose
behalf they wrote. Some (as said Paine of Burke) rose like a rocket and
fell like a stick.
Were Benazir to digest the words of Advocate Qaim Ali Shah, she would
have the former commuter consigned to Outer Mongolia. In The Friday
Times of April 11, Qaim stated that the Prime Minister was inclined to
appoint Mr Justice Saad Saud Jan, the senior-most judge of the Supreme
Court as Chief Justice. However, partymen Qaim, Abdullah Shah and
Mirani pleaded for Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, and she gave in to them.
Hardly likely, would not one say?
Sabhiuddin Ahmed, our human rights lawyer, suggested in The Herald that
the conflict was not between the executive and the judiciary but merely
an attempt by the executive to wield a feudal stick, keep the judiciary
dependent, and control the courts. For all our sakes, we must be glad
that the feudal stick, as far as our courts are concerned, has been
neutralised and the people are not at the mercy of the Prime Ministers
Secretariat.
The short order was announced in the Supreme Court on March 20. What was
ordered to be done has been done. All four provincial High Courts are
now presided over by permanent Chief Justices Sindh, Justice Mamoon
Kazi; Punjab, Justice Khalilur Rahman; NWFP, Justice Ibne Ali;
Balochistan, Munawar Mirza.
Apparently, the Chief Justice of Pakistan had satisfactory discussions
with the President and the turf has, for the time being, somewhat
settled. Here I deviate. The draftsmen of constitutional law using the
world discussion must remember how the people of the subcontinent tend
to talk at each other rather than to each other. I quote from James
Camerons An Indian Summer: I cannot remember ever hearing between
Indians (read Pakistan) what would pass elsewhere for dialogue. The
Indian (Pakistan) genius is for rhetoric, not repartee, for assertion,
not discussion. Perhaps this explains in some degree the morbid
sterility of their politics. A professional politician in India
(Pakistan) does not change his mind; he changes his Party. He shifts
one area of monologue for another.
I am a great believer in genealogy, that a man consciously or
unconsciously emulates his forebears. A cattle rustlers son, even if
sent to Oxford, may on the off-chance widen his knowledge and end up
being a camel rustler.
Now for three judges most concerned with the people of Sindh.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Sajjad Ali Shah, was born on February 17,
1933, in the home of his father Syed Roshan Ali Shah, in Lyari, Karachi.
Roshan Ali rose to be Deputy Registrar of the Sindh High Court (often
acting as Registrar). His knowledge and acumen were respected by the
judges and he was responsible for ensuring that many a suffering
litigant appeared in time before the right court to receive justice. His
kindliness was legendary and when he died, years after his retirement,
hundreds of Sindhs citizens (I one of them) walked behind his bier.
Justice Shah went to the Sindh Madressa-tul-Islam, to the Sindh Muslim
College, then to London to read law. He was called to the Bar in 1959
from Lincolns Inn (where in 1995 he was honoured and appointed an
Honorary Bencher). In 1960 he enrolled as an advocate of the Sindh High
Court. In 1963 he was appointed the Lasbela District Public Prosecutor,
and from 1967 to 1974 served as District and Sessions Judge in various
districts of Punjab and Sindh. In 1974 he was posted as Joint Secretary
in the Federal Law Ministry where he remained till 1977 when appointed
Registrar of the Supreme Court.
He was elevated to the Bench of the Sindh High Court in 1978, took over
as permanent Chief Justice in November 1989, in November 1990 was
appointed to the Supreme Court, and in June 1994 became Chief Justice of
Pakistan.
Noted for his integrity and the courage of his convictions, as we know,
he is capable of dissent, even of being a sole dissenter as he was in
the Nawaz government dissolution case.
Nasir Aslam Zahid is the son of Zahid Hussain, a man with a string of
firsts to his name. A Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh University, he became
Pakistans first High Commissioner in India, the first Governor of our
State Bank, the first Chairman of the Planning Commission and the author
of our first five-year plan. He died in 1957.
His son, Nasir, was born on February 3, 1935, matriculated from
Karachis St Patricks High School, did his BA at Government College,
Lahore and went on to Cambridge (Fitzwilliam House) to read law and gain
an Honours Degree. In 1956 he was called to the Bar from the Middle
Temple.
Barrister Zahid enrolled as an advocate of the Sindh High Court in 1957,
and of the Supreme Court in 1962. He was elevated to the Bench of the
SHC as an Additional Judge in 1980, and in 1983 was made a permanent
judge. The second of the PPP governments temporarily removed him from
the Bench in 1988 to send him off on deputation as the federal law
secretary, a post he held until June 1990 when he returned to the SHC.
>From January 1991 to the end of April of that year he moved to the
Supreme Court as an ad hoc Judge. He had several spells acting as Chief
Justice of Sindh, during the absence of the sitting Chief Justice, and
in May 1992 took over as permanent Chief Justice.
By 1994, Justice Zahids independence could be tolerated no more by the
harsh law enforcement agencies, backed by the executive. A relief-giving
judge, he afforded no quarter to the agencies or the government
prosecuting authorities. He had to be punished. The only way to do this
was to move him to the Federal Shariat Court. This the government did,
on April 16 of that year, without his consent, for a period of two
years. A tribute to the man. By right and according to the Supreme Court
judgement of March 20, in April of this year he should have returned to
the SHC to resume the chief justiceship. But, for reasons which cannot
be gone into here, he was instead elevated as a permanent judge of the
Supreme Court. Sindhs loss. However, he should now be able to continue
his contribution towards the dispensing of justice to the people of
Pakistan up to the year 2000.
Justice Mamoon Kazi, now our Chief Justice in Sindh, hails from a
distinguished family of jurists, the Kazis of Sindh. To start with,
Barrister Allama Imdad Ali Kazi, called to the Bar from Lincolns Inn.
Recognised as a sage of Sindh, he became the first Vice-Chancellor of
the University of Sindh. then, judges of the High Court, Mohammed Hayat
Junejo, Mushtaq Ali Kazi, Bashir Ghulam Nabi Kazi, Imam Ali Kazi, and
Akhtar Ali Kazi. The last mentioned still holds the record for being the
only sitting chief minister of Sindh who lost an election.
Abdul Rasool Kazi, Justice Mamoon Kazis father, was the Chief Judge of
the Karachi Small Causes Court. In the 50s he succeeded the last
Britisher, Tobin, as the powerful City Magistrate of our city. Later he
became an Additional District Judge, then Solicitor and Deputy Secretary
of the Federal Law Ministry under Law Secretary, Sir Edward Snellson. He
retired as Joint Secretary of the Ministry.
Justice Kazi was born on December 30, 1935, at Karachi. He read law and
practised his profession until appointed a member of the National
Industrial Relations Commission in 1973, from where he resigned as
Chairman in 1978, and continued his practice. In 1985 he was appointed
Additional Judge of the Sindh High Court and confirmed in 1988. In 1995,
he went to the Supreme Court as an ad hoc Judge and returned to Karachi
on April 13 to take his oath as Chief Justice of the SHC.
Known also as a relief-giving judge, he is now bound to be more
considerate knowing the state of the prisons of this province,
overflowing with political prisoners who have never even seen the door
of a court. He started well, with Justice Dr Ghous Mohammed sitting with
him, dealing with all the stacked up kachcha peshis. He has the capacity
to be as effective as his predecessor, Justice Zahid. We trust he has
the will.
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960427
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A leader with a vision
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Professor Sharif al Mujahid
SETH Abdullah Haroon, whom the nation remembers today on his death
anniversary was a successful business magnate, an entrepreneur, a
committee man, an organiser, a philanthropist, founder of several
educational, religious and social institutions, and a leader of
outstanding merit.
Once he had established himself in business and attended to social
causes calling for immediate attention, he was drawn to politics. In
this case as well, his motive was the uplift of the poor, backward
masses. This cause led him to take up, for instance, the cause of the
separation of Sindh from Bombay Presidency. At the Muslim League session
at Aligarh (1925), he demanded a resolution on Sindhs separation; at
the Leaders Conference at Delhi (1926), he put in a resolution on the
issue; and from 1928 onwards, he argued against the financial solvency
requirement for the separation of Sindh, stipulated in the Nehru Report
(1928). He served as Secretary, Sindh Financial Inquiry Committee (1930-
35); he was a member of the Sindh Administrative Committee (1933) and
Sindh Delimitation Committee (1935); he also chaired the Reception
Commit-tee of the second session of the Sindh Azad Conference (1934), an
organisation set up to counter the continuing Hindu propaganda and
pressure against setting up Sindh as an autonomous province.
Of all the Muslim leaders of Sindh, he was the foremost to make an
impact on the all-India mainstream politics; (Bhurgri was, of course, in
All-India politics before him, but he died rather prematurely, in 1924).
Haroons debut in all-India politics came in 1917 when he joined the
Congress. From 1918, he was closely associated with the Khilafat
movement. He was President of the Sindh Provincial Khilafat Committee
for five years (1919-24); he made his house available as a centre for
Khilafat activities, and for visiting all-India Khilafat leaders,
including Maulana Mohammed Ali; he contributed generously to Khilafat
coffers. And in recognition of his services, he was elected President of
the All-India Central Khilafat Committee in 1928.
The 1920s also witnessed his entry into electoral politics and all-India
mainstream Muslim politics. In 1923 he contested and won a seat in the
Bombay Legislative Council, and in 1926 in the Indian Legislative
Assembly, which he retained till his death in 1942. In 1920, he was
elected President of the Provincial Muslim League, and from 1925 onwards
he was active in All-India Muslim League. Beginning with 1929, he was
also prominent in the All- India Muslim Conference which was set up as
an umbrella organisation to counter the Nehru Report; he became its
Secretary, and later President in 1935. All through these years he
worked strenuously for its amalgamation with the All-Indian Muslim
League, with a view to bringing about solidarity in Muslim ranks.
The most remarkable thing about Abdullah Haroon was that he had the
vision and the imagination to see the problems of Sindhi Muslims in an
all-India context and to establish linkages between the Sindhi component
and the pan-Indian Muslim community, the only other Sindhi leader who
shared this honour with him was Sheikh Abdul Majid who participated in
the Cawnpore Mosque Agitation (1913), and the Khilafat movement, who was
presumably inspired by the Cawnpore affair in taking a leading part in
the Manzilgha Mosque agitation (1939), and who launched Al- Wahid (1920)
on the pattern of Abul Kalam Azads Al- Hilal. Not only in the
provincial context but also in the regional context, Abdullah Haroons
impact on all-India politics was impressive.
Indeed, in the region now constituting Pakistan, his contacts with all-
India leaders and his involvement with all-India Muslim politics were
only next to Mian Muhammad Shafi (d. 1931), who was involved in Muslim
politics since the days of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Abdullah Haroon was
President of at least six all-India conferences and bodies All-India.
Central Khilafat Committee (1928), All India Tanzim Conference,
Allahabad (1930); All-India Postal and RMS Union (1931); All India Memon
conference (1935); All-India Muslim Conference (1935), and All-India
Seerat conference, Allahabad (1942).
His role in the Muslim League from 1937 onwards, however, surpassed
everything else he did in his entire political career. In that year, he
undertook the task of organising the League in the province. In 1938, he
organised the First Sind Provincial Muslim League Conference at Karachi,
with himself as Chairman, Reception Committee. In 1939, he was elected
president of the Sindh Provincial Muslim League, and also became
Chairman, All- India Muslim League (AIML) Foreign Sub-Committee; in 1940
he was nominated member of the AIML Working Committee; in 1941 he
presided over the Punjab Muslim Students Conference at Lyallpur; in the
same year he secured the Manzilgah Mosque in Sukkur on behalf of the
Muslim League as its president.
Among these, however, the First Provincial Muslim League Conference in
October 1938 represented his most important contribution in channelling
the course of Indo-Muslim politics. Though a provincial moot, it was not
only presided over by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, but was participated in by a
galaxy of Muslim leaders including the premiers of Bengal and the
Punjab, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, Bahadur Yar Jung, Maulana Shaukat
Ali, Begum Mohammed Ali, Raja of Mahmudabad, Raja of Pirpur, Maulana
Jamal Mian of Farangi Mahal, Syed Ghulam Bhik Naraing, Maulana Abdul
Hamid Badayuni and Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani.
Nor were the topics discussed or the decisions taken confined to Sindh.
Haroons welcome address set the tone for the conference: it was radical
and militant; it commended an ideological goal. Unless adequate
safeguards and protection for minorities were duly provided, declared
Haroon, the Muslims would have no alternative but to seek their
salvation in their own way in an independent federation of Muslim
states. he drew a parallel with Czechoslovakia which had been
partitioned to provide safeguards to Sudetan Germans, and warned that
the same might happen in India should the majority community persist in
its present course, saying, We have nearly arrived at the parting of
the ways and until and unless this problem is solved to the satisfaction
of all, it will be impossible to save India from being divided into
Hindu India and Muslim India, both placed under separate federation.
This conjunction of interests of the Muslim majority and minority
provinces represents a milestone in evolving a common goal for the
entire Muslim community and towards enunciating the concept of Muslim
nationhood. And the resolution argued the case of separate Muslim
nationhood, not merely in terms of transient factors such as the
castridden mentality and anti-Muslim policy of the majority community,
but, more importantly, in terms of durable factors such as the acute
differences of religion, language, script, culture, social laws and
outlook on the life of the two major communities and even of race in
certain parts. Thus, the concept of separate Muslim nationhood was
spelled out not merely in political and immediate terms, but on an
intellectual plane, spelling out the basics and bases of that
nationhood. Equally significant, this was also the first time that the
Hindus and Muslims were officially pronounced by the Muslim League as
two distinct nations.
In the historical perspective, this resolution became the precursor of
the Lahore Resolution of 1940.
In order to give a big push in that direction and to prepare the
intelligentsia for the partition proposal, he got Dr Syed Abdul Latifs
book on the Muslim Problem in India (1939) published and circulated. In
his Foreword, he shunned the circumlocutory language of the Karachi
resolution for a categorical enunciation of the still evolving Muslim
goal:
To quote R. Coupland, who studied the constitutional problem in India in
early 1940s, Abdullah Haroon was the only Muslim politician of any
standing who had so far taken a public part in the constitutional
discussion he was also clear in his mind as to the solution. Finally,
the Sub-committee which he headed prepared a comprehensive report which
became the basis of the Lahore Resolution.
In thus advancing the cause of a Muslim homeland at a critical stage,
Abdullah Haroon carved for himself a niche as one of the founding
fathers of Pakistan, although he did not live long enough to see his
dream materialise in 1947.
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960429
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Habits assuming the force of history
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Ayaz Amir
THE following vignette is not apocryphal. It actually happened. When Mr
Kunwar Idrees, the former senior bureaucrat, was waylaid recently (this
being the second time that this misfortune was befalling him and his
family) his daughter-in-law who was sitting with him in his BMW asked
one of the dacoits who had seized them as to why he had taken to this
profession. The answer was along the following lines: if everyone else
was involved in looting the country what was wrong with him and his
colleagues following the same example?
Then the dacoit asked Kunwar Idrees a question in return. Pointing his
pistol at Kunwar Idreess head he asked him as to who was the biggest
robber and dacoit in the country. Ever the cautious bureaucrat, Kunwar
Idrees named some nondescript person. Incensed by what he thought was a
dishonest answer, the dacoit looked menacingly at Kunwar Idrees and told
him to speak the truth. At this Kunwar Idrees named someone else which
further infuriated the dacoit who said he would blow his head off if he
was not careful. Left with little choice, Kunwar Idrees, I am sure
against his better bureaucratic instincts, took the name of the person
how shall I put it? about whom it could be said as Cassius said of
Caesar: Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a colossus...
No sooner had he done this than the holdup man relaxed, flashed a
knowing smile and lowered his gun.
While looking up this quote from Julius Caesar, I also came across those
passages which speak of Brutuss jealous regard for his honour. What a
contrast this presents with our own country. People in positions of
authority and power think nothing of being known universally as crooks
and blackguards as long as they can keep enjoying the fruits of
prosperity. A regard for honour or a concern for ones reputation seems
quaint and old-fangled notions. And well they might be because in other
countries if you lampoon a person or turn him into an object of ridicule
it has some effect. Here none at all. The notoriety of powerful
individuals makes not the slightest difference to their social or
political standing, so completely has the distinction or tameez between
right and wrong disappeared from the Islamic Republic.
As I write this I am aware of the element of repetition in these
complaints. Dont we all say how corrupt our society has become, how our
values have become debased? Even so, the dhitai (obstinacy not really
conveying the meaning of this Urdu word) of our better off classes does
not cease to amaze.
Take sarkari pilgrimages to the Holy Land which certainly do not fall
into the same league as highway robbery but which still indicate the
contempt which the bonzes of the Republic have for public opinion. What
criticism and even ridicule has this practice not invited? And yet the
Prime Minister has just been on one of her endless umras at state
expense and the President with an entourage in tow is even now in the
Holy Land performing the haj for the umpteenth time.
It was the late Maulana Kausar Niazi who during General Zias lifetime
wrote a scathing column in Jang in which, citing chapter and verse from
the Quran, he pointed out that using public money, money that belonged
to the people, in order to perform the haj or the umra was totally
against the tenets or the spirit of Islam. Our present rulers let no
opportunity go by without attacking General Zia and yet some aspects of
his legacy they have taken to with surprising ease.
In any event, is it not pertinent to ask what our great ones take the
Lord of the Universe to be? Do they consider Him to be a wayside
mendicant or the mujawar of a shrine whose goodwill can be bought by
making a gesture or two in his direction? They will not use their power
or authority for the general good, nor will they refrain from doing what
they should not, but they will present themselves at regular intervals
at the Holy Kaaba or the Masjid-i-Nabvi (at the public expense) and
there pray loud and long for the countrys prosperity (and, since they
are mortal, perhaps also for their own longevity). They cannot be having
a very high opinion of the Supreme Intelligence if they seek to mock it
in this manner.
In any case, it is a very shabby understanding of Islam to think that
the mere ability to be in the Holy Land gives one a licence to do
anything at home. As my undoubtedly limited knowledge of Islam tells me,
performing the umra or the haj is good insofar as it makes one a better
person. One has been touched by the Divine Presence and one is the
better for it. But to go to the Holy Land whenever it pleases someone
just because he has the resources of the state at his command and this
act of piety having not the slightest effect on his actions, is not much
different from the Roman Church at its worst: doing what one pleases and
then buying immunity from divine prosecution through the sale of
indulgences.
But enough of this. There was a story in Sundays newspapers which has
also served to shatter my composure. A Lahore industrialist, Shahid
Sethi, who had been kidnapped some days back was recovered from a
locality of the city after a massive police operation. This is something
commendable. The police deserve praise and the affected family is
entitled to everyones sympathy. But just consider what it took before
this happy event could come to pass. The family of the kidnapped
industrialist was influential enough to approach MNA Asif Ali Zardari
(who seems to be everywhere from the environment to anything else that
you can think of) and insist that a DIG of their choice (Salim Wahidi)
be appointed to head the investigation. This was done and all the
resources of the Lahore police were put at the disposal of Salim Wahidi.
After tracing the source of the telephone calls that had been made to
the family a dragnet was thrown around the suspected locality and a
house-to-house search was conducted which eventually led to the recovery
of Shahid Sethi.
Not for a moment am I suggesting that the Lahore police should not have
shown the diligence that they did in this matter. If something happened
to my son or to a daughter of mine I would try to move heaven and earth
for them. But how many people can approach MNA Asif Ali Zardari and have
a DIG of their choice appointed if they are the victims of a crime?
Isnt it sad, therefore, that if the wheels of justice and of the
criminal justice system move in this country they only do so if there is
someone to push them from behind?
There are few examples from Islamic history which the devout of this
land like to quote more often than that of the angry Bedouin who roughly
asked the Caliph Omar as to how he had appropriated more cloth for his
shirt from the Bait-ul-Maal than that falling to the share of others. We
all know what Omar said: that since he was a tall man and his own share
of the cloth would not have sufficed for his shirt, he had added to it
the share of his son. How we love quoting this example and how we abhor
the very thought of putting it into some form of practice.
Come to think of it, it is more a question of culture than of actual
wrongdoing. When the columnist Masood Hasan, now sadly lost to the News,
writes (invariably to scathing effect) of the way we eat at our marriage
functions, of the traffic and noise in Lahore, of the inventive marvel
of our airport trolleys (surely the likes of which are not to be seen at
any other airport in the world), about the loutishness of our cricketing
champions, and even of the tired and monotonous routine of our great
singing maestros, what he serves to emphasise is a general decline in
manners and a loss of anything remotely approaching good taste. We seem
to have lost a sense of balance and propriety which is why our follies
and the antics of our governing classes are becoming not so much more
criminal as more egregious by the day.
But surely, someone will protest, this state of affairs is amenable to
change and the gentle winds of reform. I wish this optimism could be
more widely shared. As time passes we are getting more confirmed in our
habits, with the result that the threshold of what is acceptable keeps
rising. Insensibly but surely we are also reverting to some fixed
patterns of our historical past. The lands which constitute Pakistan
have in the past known just and orderly rule (and therefore a modicum of
prosperity) not through the application of laws or the wholesome
influence of durable institutions but through the rough justice flowing
from the hands of strong rulers. For the last fifty years we have
destroyed other institutions and raised monuments to greed and
corruption. Now we await the arrival of a Strong Man. Other people may
talk of the end of history. We are trying to go back to its beginnings.
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960502
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Co-operation, not bombs
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Benazir Bhutto
LAST Sunday, more than 50 of my countrymen lost their lives in the cold-
blooded bombing of a bus returning from Eid-ul- Azha, one of the most
important feasts in the Muslim calendar.
Women and children burned to death, and witnesses were unable to
approach the shattered vehicle for hours because of the extreme heat. It
was a senseless tragedy that leaves us wondering about the kind of world
we live in.
Although we do not know the identity of those responsible for this
heinous act, the preliminary findings indicate that it might have been
from outside the country and externally sponsored. It may have been an
effort by enemies of Pakistan to step up activity in the important
province of Punjab.
The ultimate irony is that this comes at a time when all the nations of
the world should be overcoming differences and learning to cooperage in
the quest for peace and economic prosperity.
One only has to look as far as the European Union and ASEAN to see the
potential benefits of this type of co-operation. But the success of
regional alliances depends on the promotion of a common interest, mutual
confidence and a spirit of equality among big and small neighbouring
states the type of brotherhood that can be so easily shattered by a
terrorists explosives.
We must not let these potential dangers deter us from our attempts to
build successful regional alliances, however. The economic well-being of
our people is too important for such fears.
SPORTS
960428
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Run-away victory for Jansher at Wah
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Farhana Ayaz
ISLAMABAD, April 27: World number one Jansher Khan subdued fellow
countryman Zubair Jehan Khan, with a splendid exhibition of technique
and stamina in straight games 15-10, 15-9, 15-10 to win the $10,000
Pakistan International Squash at POF Wah Squash courts.
Facing fellow team-mate of World and Asian championships, it took
Jansher just under 45 minutes to claim the final.
The world number one did not give Zubair Jehan any moment of relief in
the first two games as Zubair put in his best effort. Ruthless Jansher
after securing the opening two games at 15-10, 15-9 was rather
complacent at the start of the third game as Zubair went three point up.
But, Jansher came right back and won the game and the match at 15-10 to
clinch the title.
About his triumph at Wah, Jansher said that he has improved his fitness
with competitive practice before the bigger event in Cairo.
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960502
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Jahangir for low-price squash circuit
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A. Majid Khan
KARACHI, May 1: Former world squash champion Jahangir Khan, strongly
urged holding a well-planned low prize money circuit of at least eight
tournaments in Pakistan next year.
Talking to Dawn Jahangir Khan, stated that low-prized money tournaments
would considerably help our talented players by competing both against
the world ranked foreign players as well as against our own seasoned and
experienced players of the world circuit.
The former mighty Khan urged the squash authorities of the country to
work out a comprehensive annual calendar for next year during which no
less than eight events, spreading between two sessions, be held
depending on weather conditions of the country. Each tournament should
be approved by the Professional Squash Association (PSA). The prize
money for each event should be between US dollars 10,000 and 15,000 or
more, he added.
The former world number one said it is good that four low prize money
tournaments, two in Lahore, and one each at Peshawar and Wah, had been
staged and a good number of foreign players competed in these events.
However, the once great Khan opined that the Pakistan squash circuit
first session of four tournaments should start either from Karachi or
Peshawar and be organised in such a way that players especially the
foreign contestants, could play in each event one after the other.
Besides this international circuit, the number of the local tournaments
should also be increased. Khan cited the example of Sami Elopuro of
Finland who last year was among the top 12 players in the world as he
honed his competitive skill by participating in low prized money
tournaments before entering the PSA Super series. The low prize money
events would provide an ideal opportunity to our players, especially the
up-and-coming youth, to earn points as well as cash prize as these
tournaments have a draw of 16 players, 12 reserved for PSA ranking
players and four for qualifiers from the qualifying rounds.
The small tournaments, he further stated, are gaining popularity
throughout the squash world. Though we have started late, nevertheless a
beginning has been made for holding PSA opposed low prized tournaments
and what we now need are more such tournaments.
Jahangir who is General Manager Sports, PIA, further suggested that
annual PIA Open should be made an international event, if possible even
this year.
About the women squash, the former world champion said for one reason or
the other we have not given due attention to the promotion of the game
among the girls, though they are fully capable of becoming players of
international repute.
What we require is to provide proper training and coaching facilities
for the girls under the guidance of coaches at different centres of the
country. The standard of women squash would certainly improve with the
passage of time provided we also provide the required competitions for
them throughout the year. It is a challenging task and if the
organisers, at all levels, sincerely commit themselves in raising the
women squash standard, the objective can easily be achieved, he stated.
We have to work tremendously hard for maintaining Pakistan supremacy in
international squash as the challenge is growing as all the world is
after us to end the domination.
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960426
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A daunting task faces Tiwana for Olympic hockey title
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By Walter Fernandez
KARACHI, April 25: Mr. Mohammad Nawaz Tiwana, Managing Director of
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday was elected chief of
the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for the second time in place of Air
Vice Marshal (Retd) Farooq Umar.
Mr. Tiwana had first served as the PHF supremo from April 1992 after Air
Chief Marshal Farooq Feroze Khan had resigned on being made the Chief of
the Air Staff, and held that office until May 21, 1993, when Air Vice
Marshal Farooq Umar was elected the PHF President.
The immediate task that stares Mr. Tiwana in the face is to try to
regain the coveted Olympic hockey gold medal for the country at Atlanta
in July-August this year. Pakistan, the reigning world hockey champions,
had last won the hockey gold medal in 1984 Olympics at Los Angeles. But
in the 1988 Seoul Games Pakistan had finished one from the bottom and in
1992 at Barcelona Pakistan was able to restore a semblance of Olympic
pride by winning the bronze medal.
Indeed, credit for reviving Pakistans dismal Olympic hockey fortunes
does go to Mr. Tiwana who was then at the helm of the countrys hockey
affairs. Of course, the mechanics and workings of Pakistans hockey is
not new to PHF President, who himself was pretty adept at playing the
game during his college days at Atchison.
Even though, Mr. Tiwana was able to prize a medal through the efforts of
former Olympians Islahuddin as the Manager and the late Munawaruz Zaman
as the coach, he was not satisfied with the bronze and had initiated
moves to regain the elusive Champions Trophy gold medal in 1994, the
World Cup at Sydney in December of the same year and the gold in the
1996 Olympics. Perhaps, providence has provided him with a chance to
realise one of his ambitions.
With only three months left before the Olympics get under way, the task
at hand seems to be very daunting. Pakistan have only two four-nation
tournaments to hone the skills of the players before beginning their
Olympic campaign. One at Milton Keynes (England) from June 13-16 and the
other at Amstelveen (Netherlands) from June 19 to 23.
Nonetheless, Mr. Tiwana, with impeccable credentials as an
administrator, should find the job all to his liking. The manager of the
squad is the PHF Secretary, Col. Mudassar Asghar, and the coach is
former Olympian Manzoorul Hasan.
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960502
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Fitness key to success: goalie Mansoor
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Farhana Ayaz
ISLAMABAD, May 1: Mansoor Ahmed, captain of Pakistan hockey team had no
hesitation in affirming that the national side for Atlanta Olympics
would be a lot stronger with the experience of Shahbaz, Khwaja Junaid
and Wasim Feroze but added that the stalwarts will have to prove their
fitness in the training camp to catch the bus.
He said Here, we are talking of the Olympics where the best teams from
around the world train exceptionally hard to produce their peak
performances. It is a big occasion and nobody wants to miss it but for
that one has to work harder.
Commenting on the team that he led to Atlanta, Mansoor said that it was
the best available team and each member worked hard to produce the
results, he especially mentioned inside right Muhammad Sarwar who played
an exceptional game throughout the tournament. However, Mansoor had his
reservations for left half Shafqat and said that Junaids experience
even if on the reserves would matter. Every match is different,
especially facing Asian and European countries in a tournament it
becomes harder. A continuous onslaught from the Europeans from the right
flank means a number of short corners and with their perfection in this
field, it becomes harder to save as many, Mansoor said.
About the win at Atlanta, Mansoor said that the team played with
complete control and kept the tempo, especially against Korea, who are
considered super fit. We outclassed them 3-0. It took complete team
work and total fitness to win at Atlanta against teams like Korea,
England, Argentina, India and America, he said.
The Pakistan team is set to participate in two four-nation tournaments
in June after a five-week training camp at Karachi starting May 2. The
first tournament in England starts from June 9-13 while the one in
Holland will be held from June 16-20.
Pakistan will be pitted against three European countries England,
Holland and Germany. Besides, a high class warm-up competition before
the Olympics the tournaments will provide the last opportunity to the
participating team to check their weak links. After the tournaments,
Pakistan may also enter a Test series against Germany.
However, the final programme in this regard is yet to come out. It also
remains to be seen if Shahbaz Ahmed, who has shown utmost interest in
playing for Pakistan in the forthcoming Olympics, would play under
another captain or would want to resume his former job as a skipper,
because the Madras debacle inquiry which led to the ouster of manager
Rasheed and coach Saeed Khan also meant axing Shahbaz, who was found
equally guilty of playing poorly and not motivating the full formation.
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960427
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Apprehensions about Friendship series
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Shujauddin Butt
An interesting news item emanating from Delhi, on March 28, stated that
Pakistan and India are to play five one day internationals in Canada in
September this year. According to Mr Inderjit Bindra, President BCCI,
the series will be called Friendship Cup.
If forging of cordial relations is one of the objectives of the
organisers then why is the Friendship Series being held in Canada? How
will the series be instrumental in creating friendly relations between
India and Pakistan
Granted that the present political climate between the two countries at
present may not be conducive to holding such sporting contests in India
and Pakistan but since 1952 to 1988 there have been several exchanges of
tours in spite of similar situation.
Therefore there is a dire need to break this cricketing impasse. If
honest efforts are made by the organisers to hold the series in the
respective countries, it may indeed pave the way to improve our sporting
relations if not the political climate. However to hold the series in
Canada only for the sake of minting money would amount to the same
exercise as was undertaken by the Australian Tycoon Kerry Packer in
1977/78. It may be a financial bonanza for the players, and of course
the Management group in charge and also Canada where the matches are
scheduled to be held.
Therefore to fulfil the theme of friendship between the two nations, I
suggest that there should be a series of six matches, three in each
country, as a regular feature. If that could be organised it is likely
to usher in a new era of goodwill and understanding between the two
boards and the neighbours too. The crowds in both the countries would be
educated to develop better sense of sportsmanship to accept victory or
defeat in the normal stride gradually like the Ashes Series between
England and Australia or for that matter against any other country like
West Indies, New Zealand or South Africa etc. The frequency of such
contests is bound to have salutary effect on the crowds of both sides of
the border.
Further more according to Mr Bindra, the Friendship series is also part
of a plan to popularise the game world wide which may appear to be
laudable. But let me remind him that is one of the objectives of the
International Cricket Council and therefore he better be advised to
desist from arrogating to himself such a vicarious responsibility.
Similarly Pakistan is well advised to restrict its scope of activities
of popularising the game in far flung villages and rural areas of
Pakistan which is badly needed for talent hunting from all over the
country rather than only a few big cities of Pakistan.
If the two Boards of India and Pakistan make up their mind to cooperage
with each other, the friendship series can be organised within the sub-
continent. In this way the beneficiaries will not only be the two teams
but it would also promote better understanding between the two nations
particularly among the hugeness of crowds of cricket fans who throng to
witness the matches.
In fact there are large number of limited overs series being played all
over the world. The Australians have regularly been holding World Series
cricket within their own country. Sharjah Cup is staged by the Cricket
Board of UAE in which foreign teams are invited to participate. The UAE
team at present is not good enough to participate in the tournament.
Similarly Singapore and even Hongkong organise One Day limited overs
matches in which they invite other countries to participate. It is the
host country which runs and organises such tournaments or championships.
It is as such a preposterous concept organising One Day Series between
two national teams in an alien country in which the three contractual
parties are India, Pakistan and IMG and not the host country. The
holding of such a series is bound to transmit wrong signals to the world
who are well aware of the uneasy political climates between India and
Pakistan. The logical inference is bound to be that the two national
teams cannot play each other within their own countries and therefore a
neutral venue has been picked by the marketing experts whose sole aims
is to churn money rather than creating friendly atmosphere.
To sum up, therefore, it is reiterated that if the series can be
conducted as I have suggested, it will not only enrich the coffers of
the two Boards but it will also be good for the cause and popularity of
the game in the South Asia. The series could then be rightly termed as
Friendship Cup.
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960427
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Archery revived in Pakistan
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Abdul Rashid Khan
Primordial forms of bow and arrow can be traced back to ancient and
mediaeval period of history. Archery then was a Profession, a skill as
well as part and parcel of combat.
The passage of time has not only changed the role and range of weapons
but also the whole system of olden days warfare.
The modern age has brought with it many innovations in weaponry. And
nowadays archery has become a sport, a pastime or a hobby. Its only
importance for us is that it is among the innumerable Olympic sports.
In Pakistan, an organisation by the name of Pakistan Archery Federation
has been formed to revive a forgotten heritage.
Miss Amna Iqbal (22), daughter of Rear Admiral Jawaid Iqbal an MBA, is
the Vice-President of Federation. In an interview she elaborated the
aims and objects of the organisation:-
Question: How and when did you develop liking for sports, particularly
archery?
Answer: I have always been a sports enthusiast and have played tennis at
the national level and participated in ICI Pakistan Open, Sindh
Governors Cup and International Tennis Federation Cup. I won the Naval
Cup Tennis tournament. I was also a member of Federal Board Netball and
Athletics team in 1990. Currently I am playing Squash at the National
level.
I took fancy to archery much later in life and began taking part in the
sport in right earnest. As my interest in archery grew the penchant for
other sports took secondary place.
Question: What is archery?
Answer: Archery in its modern form is the art of shooting arrows from a
bow at a target. Modern composite how is made of wood, plastic and fibre
glass. It is an extension of the ancient Asiatic bow and is graded by
number of pounds. Men use bows of 32 to 42 lbs (11.79-15-42 Kg). Those
of women weigh 26 to 34 lbs (11.79-15-42 kg).
Question: How and when was archery introduced in Pakistan and what was
the response?
Answer: Archery was introduced in Pakistan in 1990, when a ten-day
coaching course was arranged by FITA, the international governing body
of archery for this purpose. Two British coaches. Philip Van Burn and
Ken Bearman were sent to Pakistan for two weeks. The course was held in
Islamabad from January 8 to 17, and was attended by 40 students.
The course was followed by the First National Archery Championship held
on January 18 and 19. It comprised four events namely Mens individual
event, Ladies event, Junior under-18 event and team event. Ehsan Illahi
grabbed gold medal in mens event, I won the gold in Ladies event while
Khurram Shaikh emerged victorious among the juniors.
In the meantime, the Archery Federation of Pakistan (AFP) held its first
congress.
A three-member delegation represented Pakistan as observers at the 9th
Asian Archery Championship in Bangkok in February. A three-member team
of archers comprising Commander Razaullah Khan, Miss Amna Iqbal and
Arshad Cheema took part in Bangkok Championship. Participation in the
contest enabled Pakistan to earn membership of the Asian Archery
Federation. It is now eligible to send an archery team to participate in
Asian Games, in Thailand in 1998 as well as the 10th Asian Archery
Championship to be held in Malaysia in 1997.
The AFP is planning to organise a coaching course in Karachi as it is
determined to popularise the sport in Pakistan as quickly as possible.
Another task that lies ahead of AFP is to popularise the sport among the
women so that archery can be included as another discipline in the
forthcoming Islamic Women solidarity Games.
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960429
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Iran, India, Lanka to take part in Quaid volleyball
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Ilyas Beg
LAHORE, April 28: India, Iran and Sri Lanka have confirmed their
participation in the Quaid-i-Azam International Volleyball Tournament to
be organised at the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad Sports Complex from
May 6 to 11. Pakistan will field two teams, viz, Pakistan Greens (senior
string) and Pakistan Whites (junior string).
Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) president Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob
told newsmen in a crowded Press briefing at a local hotel that all
arrangements of the four-nation, 11-day competition among five teams of
almost equal strength had been completed. The opening and closing
ceremonies would be telecast live while arrangements were also being
made to show some other important matches of the contest on the other
days direct from the gymnasium.
Chaudhry Yaqoob said that teams from the brethren Muslim countries of
the Middle East and the Central Independent States (CIS) had also been
invited. However, the Middle East countries have sent their regrets for
non-participation because the examinations of most of the University and
college students, who form the main strength of their teams, were being
held during the month of May. The CIS states have said that they were
unable to send their teams due to paucity of funds. He said that the
tournament was a humble effort to pay tributes to the Father of the
Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and also to prepare the
Pakistani senior and junior teams for future international competitions.
The Pakistan junior team will take part in the Asian Junior Volleyball
Championship to be held at Ho Chi Minh city (Vietnam) in September next
while the senior team will take part in the Asian Senior Volleyball
Championship to be held in Qatar next year.
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