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DAWN WIRE SERVICE
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Week Ending : 05 December 1996 Issue : 02/49
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ISI also probing Murtaza case
It was quiet when I arrived on the scene: Arif Illahi
We took photos by dodging the police: Press photographers
Testimony before tribunal Police were harsh on us: photographers
Tribunal watches WTN TV film
PPP workers on warpath with leadership
Nawaz meets Altaf
MQM to boycott polls if restrictions imposed: Altaf
Punjab withdraws objection to PIDA
PPP files formal protest with EC
Ghinwa takes over as party chief
Ghinwa rules out compromise with Benazir
Leghari denies Benazir's charges
Tickets for poll: PPP invites applications
SC puts off Benazir's petition
Mehran Bank probe body report
---------------------------------
Caretakers have no mandate to sign long-term accords: Naveed
Govt decides to move against ex-PC chief
Pakistan elected shippers' council association chief
Relief package fails to lift bourse
Tax exemptions announced for stock market
Relief package fails to enthuse investors
Tax concessions for value-added sectors announced
115 units listed for privatisation
Caretakers pander to IMF's economic dictatorship
---------------------------------------
People's government? Ardeshir Cowasjee
A sound decision Editorial Column
Issue of discrimination against Pakistani women Editorial Column
-----------
Another global honour for Jansher Khan
Pakistan restrict N.Z. to 215 as Mushtaq takes 100 Test wkts
N.Z. face Herculean task to save second Test
Saqlain spins N. Zealand to thrilling Pakistan win
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961129
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ISI also probing Murtaza case
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov. 28: The Sindh Home Department has clarified the points raised
by the PPP(SB) in a Press briefing, published in newspapers of Nov. 28.
"It is incorrect to say that the investigation of Mir Murtaza Bhutto's case
has been entrusted to junior police officers. The investigation of the case
is being conducted by crimes branch of the Sindh Police, headed by a
DIG, along with a team of other senior and experienced officers".
The spokesman further said that "the Sindh government has posted new DIG
Karachi and a new DIG Crimes for the purpose. "It is also incorrect to assume
that the investigation team has not been changed. In fact, the present
set-up of the investigation team comprise of experts from specialised agencies
of both the federal and provincial governments, including FIA, ISI,
Intelligence Bureau and a SSP from other province to ensure that the
investigation is not exclusively conducted by Karachi Police".
The spokesman further clarified that Mr Wajid Durrani has been kept in a
bungalow in isolation for security reasons. All those police officials against
whom prima-facie case was established or were nominated in the FIRs
have been booked and arrested. They include SSP Durrani, Ex-DG, I.B Masood
Sharif and other eleven police officials. However, some officers have been
granted bail by the Superior Courts.
The spokesman said: "In case any evidence is found against any other official,
no one will be spared". "It would, therefore, be premature to say that no
results have been yielded because the investigation of the case is still
continuing and on completion of the investigation, the results would be known
to the public," the spokesman added.
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961201
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It was quiet when I arrived on the scene: Arif Illahi
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H. A. Hamied
KARACHI, Nov. 30: The chairman of the three-member inquiry tribunal
investigating the police firing in which Mir Murtaza and his seven companions
were killed, Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, on Saturday asked the then deputy
commissioner of district south, Arif Illahi, why did he not even bother to
find out how many people were injured and killed in the Sept 20 incident in
Clifton and that why he stayed secluded in the hospital where the
PPP (SB) leader, Murtaza Bhutto, was admitted.
The witness, Arif Illahi, who is presently director of Inquiries-III in the
Inquiries and Anti-Corruption Wing of the Services and General Administration
Department, government of Sindh, replied that he spoke to the then SSP Wajid
Ali Durrani, who was on the scene and that he had told him that six men had
died, eight others were injured and six arrested.
For the arrest of Ali Sonara, the witness was asked, whether the SHO of
Khokhrapar police station, was competent, without the permission or knowledge
of the DC South or the police station concerned ?
The witness replied that in Karachi districts it is not happening that the
police stations concerned should be associated with any arrest by the police
of other district, while this is the practice in other districts of the
province.
Mr Illahi denied any knowledge of the arrest of Ali Sonara in his district.
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961203
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We took photos by dodging the police: Press photographers
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H. A. Hamied
KARACHI, Dec. 2: The tribunal investigating the causes of the death of Mir
Murtaza Bhutto and seven others recorded the evidence of two Press
photographers who said they had been beaten and maltreated by the police
and their cameras seized, and one of them said he had not yet received his
camera.
Zahid Hussain, 45, is now a freelancer, produced four photographs which he
had taken and which had been published in Urdu daily 'Koshish,' on the day
of the incident, and other dailies in the country and abroad.
The photographs, taken in darkness after the firing, showed the bodies of the
dead lying unattended and also showed one critically injured man sitting
beside a Pajero vehicle, while armed policemen are standing by or moving
around unconcerned.
Mr Hussain said the police had blocked all access to the place and the whole
area was cordoned off, but he took advantage of the darkness on the scene of
the incident to avoid being noticed and he spotted three bodies lying there,
one of them beneath a car.
When he clicked his camera, the flash light alerted the police and they kept
asking who was using the flash, but each time he retreated for a while by
hiding behind the small trees on the central island and then moved again in
search of his targets, that is, more bodies, and clicked the camera. Thus, he
took four photographs and all of them in colour to the great annoyance of the
police.
He said some of the cameramen were held by the police and when he had left
the place and went to Mideast Hospital, his fellow photographers reported
that they were still held up and their cameras had been seized and damaged.
At one stage, he said, he was told by the police to get lost (Bhag Jao) and
he was also insulted and abused. Further narrating his story, he said he
actually dodged the police and went from place to place where the dead
and the injured were lying outside the vehicles, whose doors were open.
The photographs were shown to the Press people also. The vehicles were neither
damaged in the firing, nor any weapons were lying near the bodies. It looked
that they were taken out of the vehicles and shot and most of them were clad
in white shalwar- kurta.
He presented a copy of the newspaper in which a number of photographs that he
had taken on the scene of the incident and at the hospital were published.
The witness, Mohammad Azim, 28, said he had also taken a picture of Mir
Murtaza when he was taken to the hospital and waiting near the lift on a
stretcher. He described the condition of the PPP (SB) leader as very
disturbing and he was struggling to breathe.
The witness also said he photographed the six dead men at the JPMC mortuary
for his newspaper.
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961203
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Testimony before tribunal Police were harsh on us: photographers
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H. A. Hamied
KARACHI, Dec. 3: Testifying before the three-member tribunal investigating the
causes of death of Murtaza Bhutto and seven others in a police firing on
Sept 20, a WTN cameraman, who was one of the two witnesses examined by the
tribunal, said the police used high-handed tactics against cameramen and their
equipment were seized.
Mohammad Farooq, 24, who works for Worldwide Television News, London, said
when the cameras were returned at 3:30 am the next day, they had missed much
of the catastrophe to be recorded. He said his own Sony video camera, costing
Rs 160,000, was seized and when it was returned after about six hours, the
film already exposed had been taken out by the police.
The WTN cameraman said between the seizure and the return of the camera he
got a replacement from his office in Phase-II of DHA, which he used very
discretely, to avoid being seized by personnel of the law-enforcement agency
again, who were too harsh towards reporters and photographers. "When I reached
the scene of the incident two police officers shouted at their men to
confiscate our cameras, because according to them we had entered the place
wrongly," he said.
The witness was making his submissions before the tribunal, comprising Justice
Nasir Aslam Zahid, Justice Amanullah Abbasi and Justice Dr Ghous Mohammad. He
saw two injured in the hospital and that time he had learnt of five or six
dead, but none was shifted to hospital. He said he filmed the arrival of the
then prime minister at Mideast Hospital and he could do that because he did
not need light, while the still photographers were asked by the police not to
take pictures of her. There was pressure on the mediamen as to what they
should do and what they should not do, he added.
He said the video film which was removed from his camera had the recording of
a public meeting which Imran Khan had addressed earlier in the city. The
cameraman has been directed to submit the video film on Wednesday which will
be watched by the tribunal members and others.
Earlier, the police reporter of Qaumi Akhbar, Farooq Morai, 33, was examined
by the tribunal, who also reported that the police had ordered them to get
lost from there.
The scene of incident gave a picture of all quiet and he saw some bodies lying
here and there near the vehicles, whose engines and lights were on. He said
police harassment was to such an extent that they got readied with their guns
and ordered that they (photographers) should get lost from the area (Yahan se
dafa ho jao).
The witness said the injured Murtaza was taken in a red mobile by
sub-inspector Tahir to the hospital and he also informed SSP Durrani, who was
in the traffic police kiosk. Durrani had given the go-ahead to Tahir when
he informed him that he was taking the PPP (SB) leader to the nearby hospital.
The witness said he followed the mobile and saw Mir Murtaza getting down from
the vehicle, after then he was standing with the support of the policemen
outside the hospital, waiting to be taken on a stretcher. He said the
injured man could not speak and by gesture he asked Asghar Jatoi, in charge
of the hospital, to take him inside for treatment. The witness and Asghar
Jatoi were facing the injured Murtaza. He also saw a Suzuki mobile pass
by and he could see two injured men lying on the seats.
Later, he said, he talked to Dr Mazhar Memon, who was also one of the injured
in the JPMC, and it was he who first told him about what had actually happened
and until then he did not know of the incident.
He said Ashique Jatoi's brother and nephew had been searching for the former
at various places, and he further said he also accompanied them to the
hospital's mortuary, but there was no trace of the Hyderabad president of
the PPP (SB) party.
The tribunal observed that whatever he has stated now has not been reported
in his newspapers and not even 20 percent of it, to which he said that he
had not given all the reports to the two newspapers, 'Qaumi Akhbar' and
'Jurrat.' Questions were also put to him by assistant advocate-general Ansari
Abdul Latif.
The tribunal adjourned its hearing at 4:45 pm to reassemble again on
Wednesday at 11:30 am.
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961205
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Tribunal watches WTN TV film
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H. A. Hamied
KARACHI, Dec. 4: A 13-minute film shot by Worldwide Television News on the
night of Sept 20 at Clifton was screened three times before the tribunal on
Wednesday, to see how the incident was recorded by two cameramen of the WTN.
Two TV sets were installed in the room, one facing the tribunal members
Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid of the Supreme Court and Justices Amanullah
Abbasi and Dr Ghous Mohammad of the High Court of Sindh , and the other
facing the audience, including newsmen.
The film was partly shot by Mohammad Farooq, a cameramen of the WTN, London,
and partly by its editor in Karachi, Shahid Nadeem. The film showed various
aspects of the incident, including the arrival and departure of Ms Ghinwa
Bhutto, and Ms Benazir Bhutto, the then prime minister, at Mideast Hospital.
Ms Benazir's was shown once and Ms Ghinwa Bhutto's was shown thrice, once
when she arrived at Mideast Hospital, and her departure twice. She visited
the hospital more than once between her husband's arrival at the hospital at
about 9:30 pm and his death at 11:55 pm.
The vehicles, used by Mir Murtaza and his men, were filmed at Kehkashan police
station. One of the vehicles, a Mitsubishi Pajero (BC-0705), was shown which
had its left seat and the space between the seats spattered with blood, and
the vehicle had a PPP flag. The witness explained it was the vehicle which
was used by the party chairman. Another bullet riddled vehicle (CJ-4539) was
shown with one hole through which a bullet had pierced through the left side,
next to the driver's seat.
One of these vehicles had its window panes (glass) completely smashed on the
left side, witness Shahid Nadeem said.
The last TV shots which were sent out of Pakistan for the WTN via satellite
through the PTV were shown in which Mir Murtaza after being pronounced dead,
was being given final touches, of cleaning his face and neck of blood stains
and putting plasters on open wounds. One wound was shown on the right side of
the neck and another below the neck on the left side. Either he was hit by
two bullets or one bullet had entered the body through the right side of the
neck which ejected through the right side of the portion below the neck.
Witness Shahid deposed that Mir Murtaza had left 70-Clifton after addressing
his last Press conference at about 4:45 pm, and before leaving, he was asked
to lead a rally, which he declined saying he has other engagements.
He said one mobile was parked near 70-Clifton, and a policeman had asked him
where the party of Mir Murtaza was leaving for, to which he said he was not
aware and that he (the policeman) should inquire of them.
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961130
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PPP workers on warpath with leadership
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov. 29: PPP workers in Sindh are on warpath with the party
leadership, demanding elections at all levels to run the party democratically,
PPP sources said on Friday.
Despite pressure and inducement to join the other faction or parties, this
estranged group, comprising PPP frontliners in the city, has chosen to demand
democratisation of the party in which the grassroots is fully involved and
"opportunists who joined the bandwagon due to their relationship or other
influences, are removed from the party."
Many PPP flag-bearers in the city, who went though imprisonment and other
harassment, have distanced themselves from the party, because they believe
that the former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, was apparently not prepared
to get rid of those elements owing to corrupt policies of those who subverted
the party. This group had earlier decided to leave the party and some of its
elements had even had contacts with the caretaker administration, but later
it decided to wait for the outcome of the dissident group's efforts and also
to see whether or not the deposed prime minister was willing to democratise
the party.
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961202
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Nawaz meets Altaf
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Dec. 1: PML (N) president Mian Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with
MQM chief Altaf Hussain in London.
According to a statement, during the "detailed" meeting both Mr Sharif and
Mr Hussain decided to "not only maintain but increase the atmosphere of
understanding existing between their two parties for the past two years".
Mr Hussain told Mr Sharif of the "problems" facing the MQM "despite" the
change in government.
The statement said that Mr Hussain mentioned "the continuing arrests, raids
and harassment of MQM workers and supporters." He said that under such
conditions it would be difficult to believe that free and fair elections
will be held.
Mr Sharif said that he hoped the caretaker government would "soon" take notice
of this situation and satisfy the MQM's complaints.
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961203
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MQM to boycott polls if restrictions imposed: Altaf
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Dec. 3: MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that the MQM would boycott the
Feb. 3 elections if "anti-democratic" restrictions or conditions were imposed
on the party by the "authorities".
Addressing activists of the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation
(APMSO) over the phone from London, Mr Hussain said that the MQM was the
country's third largest party and had "immense" public support. He said
that the authorities should accept this "reality" and allow the MQM to
function as a political party freely. Mr Hussain said it was unfortunate
that there had been no change in policy in relation to the MQM although the
government had changed.
Mr Hussain also asked the APMSO to set up a "special cell" to gather details
of party workers and activists killed during the last four years. He said
that the 'cell' should also gather details of all families "forced to leave"
from their houses in Shah Faisal Colony, Lines Area, Liaquatabad, Orangi Town
and Federal Capital Area and also a list of all arrested party workers.
According to a statement, Mr Hussain criticised the prohibition on Senator
Aftab Sheikh from attending sessions of the Senate. Mr Hussain was quoted as
having said that the senator had called him up and told him that he was
not being allowed to attend the current senate session by the government
despite orders by Senate Chairman Wasim Sajjad.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Committee of the MQM said that any one writing
to Mr Hussain should now write "briefly and clearly". It said that Mr Hussain
was pressed for time with the "rapidly changing political situation".
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961124
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Punjab withdraws objection to PIDA
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Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 28: Punjab has withdrawn its objections against the setting
up of Provincial Irrigation Drainage Authority (PIDA), paving way for the
initiation of $1billion National Drainage Programme.
"Punjab government has authorised us to undertake the National Drainage
Programme through the establishment of PIDA", Minister for Water and Power
Abdullah J. Memon said. He told Dawn that the withdrawal of objection by
Punjab would help the government secure $1 billion assistance from the
World bank, Asian Development Bank and the Overseas Economic Cooperation
Fund of Japan to undertake comprehensive drainage programme throughout
Pakistan.
"Now all the provinces will promulgate ordinances for the setting up of PIDAs
very shortly", he said adding that Balochistan has already decided to set up
Provincial Irrigation Drainage Authority (PIDA). Mr Memon pointed out that
preparations for broad parameters for these PIDAs would be discussed with the
World Bank-led donor agencies so as to take up the project as early as
possible. "Then we will also discuss with the World Bank Master Drainage
Programme that will effectively cover the existing Left Bank Outfall Drainage
(LBOD) and Right Bank Outfall Drainage(RBOD) programmes", Mr Memon said. He
said the programme once undertaken was expected to remove major hurdles in
boosting agricultural output.
He said President Leghari has all along been supporting the project and at
times himself negotiated the programme with the World Bank.
The programme will help improve the canal system by rehabilitating 1,225
saline ground water tubewells and remodelling of surface drains extending
600km and construction of a new surface drain of 9,060km.
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961129
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PPP files formal protest with EC
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 28: The Pakistan People's Party has officially objected to
the appointment of Mr Goraya as Secretary, Election Commission , and accused
him of masterminding a rigging to defeat PPP candidates.
Mr Goraya, a former secretary- general of the National Assembly , was removed
by the PPP government after a fire broke out in the Assembly building in
November 1993. "In the light of the inquiry report, he was suspended and
removed and has been harbouring a grievance against the Pakistan People's
Party since then," PPP Information Secretary Iqbal Haider said in a letter
addressed to the Election Commission.
Mr Haider said in the letter that a plan had once again been prepared to rig
the 1997 election on the pattern of the 1990 controversial poll. "We have
heard that the Secretary, Election Commission , has boasted that he would
permit the PPP to take only seven seats from Sindh", he said in the letter.
Benazir Bhutto had also made similar allegations against Mr Goraya, accusing
him of working against the PPP to get its candidates defeated in the
forthcoming general election.
Tehrik-i- Insaf chief Imran Khan had also expressed concern of various
political leaders over the neutrality of the Election Commission during his
meeting with the president on Wednesday and asked him to ensure that
elections were held in a fair, free and transparent manner.
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961201
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Ghinwa takes over as party chief
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Mohammed Riaz
KARACHI, Nov. 30: Ghinwa Bhutto, widow of Mir Murtaza Bhutto, on Saturday
formally took over as head of the PPP(SB.
"I would like to announce that I have accepted the chairpersonship of the
Shaheed Bhutto People's Party," the Lebanese-born Ghinwa announced her
decision at an enthusiastic gathering at 70-Clifton.
"The blood of my husband Mir Murtaza Bhutto has not yet run dry, nor has the
memory of my father-in-law, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto dimmed. And whispers
of Shah Nawaz Bhutto's name still reverberate in the Sindh desert," Ghinwa
read out from her poetic statement.
She said she would transform the dream of her husband into a reality. "The
dream will live. It is a legacy bequeathed to me in my husband's blood, and
I will not disown it," she added. The restoration of the PPP, Ghinwa said, as
conceived by its founding fathers, and faithfully resurrected by Mir Murtaza,
was her mission. The Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's legacy was frittered away by its
custodians after his death, she added.
Mir Murtaza, she said, had fought a valiant battle during the dark night of
Ziaul Haq's martial law. "Today it is a new age. We stand at the threshold
of the 21st century in Pakistan too, the winds of change are blowing," she
added.
She said: "The mission remains the same Roti, Kapra aur Makan, literacy,
health care and security for every man, woman and child in this country
irrespective of caste, ethnicity and creed, the elimination of corruption and
ultimately dignity for all the means to this end will differ from those
of the past." Ghinwa asked her followers to work for the stability and
progress of the country.
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961203
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Ghinwa rules out compromise with Benazir
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Staff Correspondent
BADIN, Dec. 2: Ghinwa Bhutto, the chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party
(Shaheed Bhutto Group) and the widow of the late Murtaza Bhutto, has said
that there was no possibility of a compromise with Benazir Bhutto,
the former prime minister and leader of Pakistan Peoples Party.
She was asked whether she would agree to compromise with Benazir Bhutto if
Begum Nusrat Bhutto played the role of a mediator, Ghinwa said, "I can't say
anything about the role that Begum Bhutto can play. I can't see Begum Bhutto
anywhere. Compromise between Benazir and me? It is too late. I can't see
anything we can compromise on."
She said a delay in the elections would be all right if the reason was the
implementation of the accountability ordinance, because "we want
accountability first, as we are sick and tired of corrupt government."
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961202
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Leghari denies Benazir's charges
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 1: President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari has refuted the
allegations levelled against him by the deposed prime minister Benazir Bhutto
regarding construction of swimming pool, shooting range at Presidency and
acquisition of culturable waste lands in D.G. Khan.
A spokesman for the Aiwan-i-Sadar issued a statement on Sunday and termed
these accusations as "utterly false and malicious".
Benazir Bhutto had alleged that Mr. Leghari wanted to exchange a tract of
30,000 acres of barren land with some cultivable land.
The spokesman clarified that the total land was not 30,000 acres but 13,916
acres while adding that "there never was, nor can be, any attempt to exchange
this land with government land in Punjab as alleged by the former PM." Giving
the whole history of the land from the colonial era, the spokesman said under
an agreement in 1927 between the British Indian government and the chiefs of
Leghari Baluch Tribes, the management of certain areas known as Berooni
Burjiyat (demarcations) in Tehsil and District Bar Khan was handed over to
the Balochistan administration in return for an agreed consideration.
He said this treaty lapsed on Aug 14, 1947 by virtue of sub-clause 'C' of
clause 1 of section 7 of the Indian Independence Act and the lands reverted
to the Leghari tribes. However, the deputy commissioner D.G.Khan ordered
these lands to be resumed in 1973 and 1975. But the resumption orders could
not be implemented and the necessary entries were not made in the record on
account of legal complications and conflict and therefore the legal status of
the lands remained the same as it was before the so-called resumption orders.
He said the resumption orders of the DC also lost their efficacy since the
resumption of land under the Land Reforms Regulations 1972, was required to
be taken afresh under the Land Reforms (Amendment) Act 1976. The matter of
resumption was in progress when the Supreme Court decided in the Qagzailbash
Wafaq case, that the provisions of the land reforms regulations were
un-Islamic. In 1993 a review petition was also dismissed by the Supreme
Court - reported as PLD 1990 SC 99. In view of this, the several land
holders of the Leghari tribe affected by this case, including Mr. Farooq
Ahmed Khan Leghari, filed a writ petition praying that the DC's orders be
set aside and the culturable waste lands be returned to their lawful owners.
A division bench of the Balochistan High Court subsequently held that: 1)
the lands were not jageer lands granted to the Leghari tribe by the British
government. On the contrary, it was the Leghari tribe which had handed over
the management (not ownership) of these lands to the British government;
2) This agreement lapsed on August 14, 1947; 3) Following the Supreme Court's
earlier decision, no further proceedings could be taken by the land reform
authorities and all writ petitioners were entitled to full proprietary
rights of their lands.
The 14 writ petitioners of the Leghari tribes undertook not to change the
status and rights of the tenants of these lands and that position has been
maintained to this day. At no stage has there ever been a hint of any
impropriety in this case.
SWIMMING POOL: Regarding the construction of pool he said visiting heads of
state dignitaries and their families are usually accommodated at the
Presidency. In view of security considerations, the government decided over
two years ago to construct a swimming pool at the Presidency in order to
facilitate their requirements. On the same considerations a squash court
and jogging track were built on the premises of the Presidency during the
tenure of former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan.
SHOOTING RANGE:A shooting range was constructed at the Presidency in the
mid-1980s for the use of the President's bodyguard and security personnel
so that they could keep their weapons and skills in order.
When it fell into disrepair after years of use the government decided to
order necessary renovations and upgradations. President Leghari has also
used the shooting range.
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961202
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Tickets for poll: PPP invites applications
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 1: The Pakistan People's Party invited applications for
awarding party tickets for the forthcoming general election.
A decision in this regard had been taken at a meeting of the central executive
committee of the party held, PPP Secretary- General Shiekh Rafique Ahmed
told a press conference at which Senator Iqbal Haider was also present.
"Without prejudice to its case in the Supreme Court , the PPP has invited
applications for tickets ", he said. "We are confident that the court
dispenses justice not on the basis of faces but on the rule of law," said
Mr Haider, PPP Information Secretary, while expressing the party's resolve
to continue its legal battle.
He said the party was still hopeful that the Supreme Court would restore
the assemblies as it had done in the Nawaz Sharif case only three years ago.
Equal treatment of law , he added , was not only ensured under article 4 of
the Constitution but was also an established universal norm of justice.
Aspirants to party ticket had been asked to deposit Rs 10,000 along with
the application s for National Assembly election and Rs 5,000 for provincial
assembly poll. The applications should be submitted to the provincial heads
of the party, Mr Haider added.
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961203
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SC puts off Benazir's petition
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasir Malick
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 2: The Supreme Court on Monday turned down Benazir Bhutto's
plea for an early hearing of her petition against the dissolution of the
National Assembly and preferred to take up Speaker Yousaf Raza Gilani's
petition to decide whether it could be directly admitted by the court or not.
The apex court also rejected the Speaker's request that Ms Bhutto's petition
should be made the main petition as was done in the Nawaz Sharif case by a
full court and the remaining petitions be heard along with it.
The three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, asked the
counsel representing the Speaker, the ousted prime minister, the president
and amicus curiae (friend of court) to form a consensus so that the court
could take up Ms Bhutto's petition first , but they did not agree.
Though Speaker's counsel Iftikhar Gilani and Mahmood Khan Achakzai's counsel
Qazi Jamil agreed that their petitions be taken up after hearing of
Ms Bhutto's petition , Hafeez Pirzada, appearing as an amicus curiae, and
President's lawyer Khalid Anwer did not agree.
They insisted that the question of maintainability should be decided first
if the Speaker was asking the court to admit his petition directly. The Chief
Justice said that if the issue of maintainability was not decided now, the
court would be flooded with petitions for direct hearing of cases.
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961203
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mehran Bank probe body report
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 2: The cabinet considered the Mehran Bank Inquiry Commission
report in which President Farooq Leghari had been exonerated from the
charges of selling his barren land at exorbitant prices to a front man.
Caretaker Information Minister Irshad Ahmed Haqqani told newsmen the
five-member commission constituted by deposed prime minister Benazir Bhutto
had exonerated the president from the charges and confirmed that all
allegations against him were unfounded.
President Leghari had been accused by the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) of
selling his barren land to a front man at an exorbitant price of Rs15 million
by using his influence. No one knows as of today who bought the land or who
made its payment.
A partial commission report released by the caretaker minister confirmed
that Leghari had sold the land but did not say to whom or who made the
payment. "It is confirmed opinion of the commission, based on the evidence
before it, that the allegations against the president are unfounded," the
report said.
The caretaker information minister, when asked, failed to inform the
reporters who were those people who had made the payment or in whose name
the land was transferred. When asked whether this payment was made from
"Benami" accounts, he said: "It must have been made from some account under
some name." "You better investigate," he suggested.
The commission had said that such a sale could not be termed illegal or
dishonest. "No such facts or circumstances are indicated in this case," the
commission said.
*******************************************************************
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961129
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Caretakers have no mandate to sign long-term accords: Naveed
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov. 28: Former finance minister and chairman of the privatisation
commission Naveed Qamar said that the long-term economic measures being
contemplated by the caretaker government indicate that it had the agenda
beyond Feb. 3.
Speaking at a news conference, he said the caretakers had no mandate to enter
into long-term agreements with the IMF, envisaging tariff and tax-base
reforms, structural reforms including defence expenditure. "If they are
planning to impose such policies in which the representatives of the people
have no role, what is the justification of announcing elections," he said,
adding "it smacks that the caretakers have a hidden agenda beyond Feb. 3."
"We will not accept any decisions which are taken in a haste and are against
the national interests," he said.
Mr Qamar said the economic decisions the caretakers were contemplating would
be unconstitutional as no taxation measures could be imposed unless approved
by the National Assembly. He said the economic decisions taken by the Moeen
Qureshi government were generally taken in consultation with the two major
parties of the country, though on many issues they were not supportive of the
conditionalities. However, in view of the peculiar economic conditions, the
successive government's had to face the music in the form of public criticism
of the increase in tariff and inflation.
Rebutting the allegations of shady deals in the privatisation process, the
former chairman of the privatisation commission said "One can have two
opinions about a decision but I am prepared to challenge the government to
prove if there was any criminal intent or smack of corruption in the deals".
When his attention was drawn at allegations about corruption in the UBL
privatisation, Mr Qamar rejected the charges and said there was nothing
shady about it. It was discovered that the front party was not the actual one
and the finances were actually being made by a Pakistani through concealed
arrangements.
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961203
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Govt decides to move against ex-PC chief
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 2: The caretaker government has decided to move against
Naveed Qamar, former chairman of the Privatisation Commission as he is
alleged to have sold below par 10 percent of additional shares of Kot Addu
power project to National Power (NP) of Britain which had already acquired
26 percent of the plant.
The NP had bought 26 percent of the KAPCO shares for a total amount of
215 million dollars. But when it was offered 10 percent additional shares
the British company refused to pay more than 76 million dollars for the lot.
The caretaker investigators reportedly maintained that the prorate price of
10 percent additional shares of KAPCO came to about 82 million dollars and
not 76 million dollars.
Alleging that the deal was totally non-transparent, the caretaker
investigators are said to have taken the position that the difference of
six million dollars (82 million dollars minus 76 million dollars) was
siphoned off by the then PC chairman.
However, facts gathered from documents made available to Dawn indicate
that the NP had paid only 198.6 million dollars for the 26 percent of the
shares (value of regular dividend stream) and the balance of 16.4 million
dollars was the payment to the O&M contractor for the provision of the O&M
services.
So NP fixed the price of the additional 10 percent share on the basis of the
actual cost of 26 per cent shares (198.6 million dollars) and not on 215
million dollars which had included the payment for O&M also.
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S
961202
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan elected shippers' council association chief
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Dec. 1: The 12th meeting of Association of Shippers' Council of
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka (ASCOBIPS) unanimously elected
Pakistan as its next chairman and also approved a five-point action programme
to be carried out during the term of two years.
The out come of the meeting in unanimous approval from the participants to
elect chairman, Pakistan Shippers Council (PSC), Mr A. Rasheed Janmohammed
as next head of ASCOBIPS for a term up to 1998.
Sources privy to the meeting said members of shippers' council from Bangladesh
and Sri Lanka strongly supported the suggestion forwarded by PSC regarding
expansion of membership and scope of activities of ASCOBIPS to SAARC region.
The participants also presented country reports and activities of ASCOBIPS
during the period 1994-96, and confirmed the minutes of last meeting held
at Dhaka on Feb. 8, 1994 because during the last two years when India was
holding the chairmanship, not a single meeting or seminar was held by
ASCOBIPS.
All the participants from three countries Bangladeshi, Sri Lanka and
Pakistan also chalked out five-point action programme of ASCOBIPS for
next two years which includes combating the 'terminal handling charges'
imposed by the shipping lines; advocating and having a uniform stand on
Hamburg Rules; having regular interchange of information amongst the member
countries and holding seminar under the platform of ASCOBIPS on the subject
of shipping industry and expansion of ASCOBIPS to SAARC countries.
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961130
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Relief package fails to lift bourse
-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE WEEKLY trading volume on the Karachi Stock soared to 290 million shares
last week.
Textile shares did rise across a broad as a section of leading operators
continued to make active short-covering at the lower levels on predictions
that the capital appreciation is now almost ensured.
Analysts attributed the weakness on some of the blue chip counters to selling
meant for replacement buying in the textile sector. However, the investors
are mindful of the political scenario and have already made judicious efforts
to balance it after having taken stakes on some of blue chips counters,
notably energy, cement, bank and most of the chemical and pharma shares.
Floor brokers said unlike the textile sector, buying in the synthetic shares
was fairly persistent after the duty waivers in the new relief package. They
said heavy selling in Hub-Power and PTC vouchers, notably from some foreign
investors worked against the sentiment and there are fears in some quarters
that profit-taking by them could gain further momentum and that could well
herald the end of this relief package-powered rally.
Synthetic, energy, cement and chemical shares led by the textile sector were
actively traded and accounted for large turnover, although they rose by
fractions.
Big gainers were again led by Dawood Hercules, which rose further and so did
Philips, Hinopak Motors, Balochistan Wheels, Pakistan Refinery, PSO and
Shell Pakistan. Among the other good gainers, Al-Noor Modaraba, Faisal
Spinning, Quetta Textiles, Jubilee Spinning and Apex Spinning. Parke-Davis,
Rafhan Maize, Engro Chemicals, Nagina Cotton, 19th ICP, and Faran Sugar were
among the other leading gainers.
Dividend news from Atlas Leasing, General Tyre, and Dadabhoy Paper Sack at
the rate of 15 per cent cash 10 per cent bonus shares and 10 per cent cash
were in line with the market thinking. Final dividend of 15 per cent from
Treet Corporation and an interim from Mari Gas at the rate of 10 percent
were also well received in the rings.
There were some omissions too as leading companies such as Pak Leather Craft,
Pak-German Prefabs, Elite Publishers, UDL Industries and Wazir Ali Industries
passed on the dividend for their last financial year ended June 30, 1996.
Bulk of the alternate bouts of buying and selling again remained confined to
half a dozen most active scrips under the lead of Hub-Power and PTC vouchers,
which together accounted for a half of the total.
Dewan Salman was the new addition to the most active list, which was also
traded actively both prior and after the announcement of a modest dividend
of 10 per cent. Dhan Fibre and Ibrahim Fibre and other synthetic shares,
chief beneficiaries of the textile relief package in the form of duty waiver
also joined the list of most actives later.
ICI Pakistan right shares due to mature by the next month and its ordinary
share also came in for alternate bouts of buying and selling and so did Fauji
Fertiliser, FFC-Jordan Fertiliser. Other actively traded shares were led by
Faysal Bank, Askari Bank, LTV Modaraba, PSO, Nishat Mills, Commercial Union
Insurance and Southern Electric.Muhammad Aslam
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961203
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax exemptions announced for stock market
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasir Malick
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 2: The cabinet announced an incentive package to give a flip
to the stock market by exempting them from a number of taxes, a government
spokesman said.
The bonus shares announced by the companies listed on the three stock
exchanges have been exempted from withholding tax, insurance companies have
been exempted from capital gains tax on shares traded on the floor of the
stock exchange, income from Mutual Funds and National Investment Trust units
and from rights shares issued by the companies has been exempted from income
tax. Income from trading shares has also been exempted from levy of the tax
on turnover and provinces have been asked to rationalise the levy of stamp
duties on share transactions.
The cabinet decided to reorganise the Export Promotion Bureau to make it
responsive to international trade environment and for developing data base
and doubling its marketing efforts. It merged the Textile Quota Management
Directorate and the Pakistan Trade Fair Corporation in to Export Promotion
Bureau with immediate effect.
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961203
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Relief package fails to enthuse investors
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Dec. 3: The multi-million tax relief package announced by the
caretaker government on Monday failed to enthuse investors as the initial
reaction was not encouraging.
The KSE 100-share index should have risen at least by 100 points just in
one but an increase of only 20 points reflects some reservations on the part
of investors, said a leading analyst. 'The market has much more than it is
striving for the past several years and what else it wants,' another said
and added 'it is too much too test the patience of the caretakers.'
According to initial estimates, tax waivers will cost the national exchequer
about Rs 7bn, while the three stock exchanges were demanding relief's
totalling about Rs 3 to 4 bn, some high ups of the Karachi Stock Exchange
said.
The market's initial reaction points to a credibility gap, which is hard to
be bridged by the caretakers, some analysts claimed. They based their
assessment apparently on public statements of the two major parties on the
economic reforms being initiated by the caretaker government and their
validity after the elections.
After having much more than what was due to it purely in financial terms what
now ails the market; why it did not react as it should have been and why it
let the great event passed into history just like an ordinary passing
phase. These are some of the big questions being asked by financial experts.
The relief package provide, among others, tax waiver on bonus share and
allied income, capital gains tax exemption for insurance shares, tax waiver
for NIT and mutual fund incomes and above all permission to companies to buy
their own shares to check manipulative tendency to protect the interests of
shareholders.
There was loud whispering in the rings during the pre-announcement sessions
that the new package will create boom-like conditions on the market
reminiscent of early 1994 buying euphoria or mid-1992 price-up when the
index touched an all-time high mark of 2,662 points and headed for its new
chart point of 3,000 points. The missing link appeared to be the lack of
investors' confidence in the new corrective steps and that halted the market's
natural upward journey, said a stock broker. But some others maintained that
the new relief package will certainly work but only after there is peace on
the political front and investors get the cue for things to come. 'In any
case it is much higher beyond the market expectations and will certainly
work in due course.' they said.
Floor brokers linked the current cautious reaction to the package to negative
political developments and the state of the economy, notably falling foreign
exchange reserves, which have just crossed the alarm signal of $600m.
Insurance shares was the only sector, which gave a spontaneous positive
reaction to the tax exemption and rose sharply under the lead of Adamjee
Insurance, which rose by Rs 10.25. Most of the MNCs and index shares
attracted selling, reflecting the absence of strong foreign support. However,
the board of directors of the Karachi Stock Exchange, which met on Tuesday
thanked the government for accepting all its demands.
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961205
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax concessions for value-added sectors announced
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 4: The caretaker Commerce Minister, Dr Mohammad Zubair Khan
announced a seven-point package of generous tax concessions for the
'value-added textile sectors' for boosting exports.
The package, the second in the series of textile packages planned to be
unfolded over the next few weeks, he told a press conference, provides a
no-duty no-drawback procedure. It also includes reduction in regulatory duty
on polyester chips from 10 % to 5 %, as well as allowing liberal import of
processing machinery. Another significant feature of the package is that the
regulatory duty on the industrial sewing machines and their spares has been
waived.
The second textile package also allows the industry to freely re-export
unused inputs imported by the exporter for which no permission will be
required from the Central Board of Revenue (CBR), Export Promotion Bureau
(EPB) or the Ministry of Commerce. The Cabinet directed the CBR to allow duty
drawback on packing materials e.g. pins, plastic wrappers etc. to the garment
and hosiery exports.
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961203
-------------------------------------------------------------------
115 units listed for privatisation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 2: The Federal government has identified 115 public sector
companies, including airports, airlines and railways to be privatised by 1997.
"We are arranging road shows in various countries and first of this will be
held in UAE very soon to attract foreign investment," said PM's Adviser on
Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs Javed Burki.
Mr. Burki said that the government would unveil highly transparent
privatisation policy that will certainly attract foreign investment in
the country.
The chairman of Privatisation Commission Dr. Salman Shah said on the
occasion that it was his priority to dis-invest all banks specially the UBL
and Habib bank as early as possible. Then, he said, the PTCL will be taken up
and its privatisation will be completed between 6 months to one year period.
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961130
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Caretakers pander to IMF's economic dictatorship
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Mahnaz Fatima
WHILE, arguably, the country has been able to shed the yoke of
military-political dictatorship due to a combination of various internal
and external factors, the next national challenge is to be able to achieve a
modicum of sovereignty in chalking out economic development strategies,
policies and plans. Every time an elected government is dismissed, we take
several steps backwards towards moving more firmly into the clutches
of the IMF we experience a fresh attempt at implementing IMF- dictated
symptomatic cures with renewed speed and vigour.
First, the possibility of the implementation of the above caretaker exercise
needs to be briefly assessed before we evaluate the suitability of some of
the IMF's dictates.
The caretaker government of 1993 had also singed a credit facility with
the IMF with great zeal and enthusiasm. The budget of 1994 was proposed in
the wake of this agreement that invited considerable criticism. The budget
of 1996 was governed by political-economic considerations much more than
the budget of 1995 was. By 1996, the opposition in the country had
consolidated its position mainly by capitalising on the fact that no
significant economic turnaround could be made in the previous three years.
The above briefly demonstrates that it might not be possible for another
elected government to implement the IMF's dictates just like the post-Moeen
Qureshi government could not. Mr. Burki simplistically believes that
President Leghari's continuity would ensure the continuity of economic
"reforms". This demonstrates his political naiveti and a complete lack
of caretaker understanding of the political processes in the country. And, if
the caretaker economic team lives in such a misunderstood or in an imaginary
political world, then it could only be a further reflection on the extent to
which their recommendations might turn out to be isolated and divorced
from the reality on the ground. The recommendations might, therefore, lack
practicability and might be difficult to implement.
One has reasons to believe that, based on the warnings being sounded, the
caretaker recommendations might be given a veneer of glossy finish so as to
reflect the popular sentiment in the country with superficial concern for
employment and social benefits. Analysts will, however, need to take it with
a pinch of salt and will need to explore in-depth so as to segregate true
intentions from those that might be stated for public consumption.
It might then be argued that if the IMF's dictates have not been implemented
in the country, then the question of IMF's economic dictatorship should not
arise. I will argue that it still arises as even assumed reliance on the IMF
inhibits the process of intellectual economic ferment that is essentially
required in the country to home-grow development strategies that alone will
take care of the economic development problems of the country. Excessive
intellectual dependence on the IMF inhibits the process just as mid-term
government dismissals stifle the political development process in the country.
Instead of the performance on development strategies and attainment of
development targets, the performance criterion for any economic team has
now degenerated to its ability to line up credit facilities with the IMF. And,
the current caretaker economic team is pursuing this single goal with great
exuberance. Before the caretakers bow out applauding themselves for giving
the country several IMF "facilities", we must make a humble attempt at
viewing alternatively the "inconveniences" that Pakistan might be in for a
long time.
The single most important burden will be that of debt that the future
generations might be mortgaged to. No IMF dictate gives a remedy for the
socio-economic structural weaknesses inherent in the country that need to be
taken care of so as to build Pakistan's absorptive capacity and the ability
to service the debt from internally generated resources.
The panacea, as per the neo-classical and IMF thought, is privatisation.
While it may have shown results elsewhere in the world, there is no reason
why we should be reposing faith in private enterprise again especially
when our history is replete with cases of private sector's lack of business
responsibility.
However, a point worth-raising is: is it at all possible to unleash private
enterprise in the true sense in a country with distorted structures of
economic power that now seem to be receiving moral sustenance from
international lending agencies too? The country is characterised by a
large presence of a class of absentee landlords. This class has spread
its roots to the various branches of government, bureaucracy, military,
politics, business, and industry. And for this class, all of these public
activities are a mere avocation or leisurely pursuits. In the presence of
this class, no class in the country will want to engage in productive
activities seriously with hard work and enterprise. They will all seek
short-cuts to easy money and cushy life and will feel justified in doing
so. So, while the IMF and IMF-influenced economists seek to remove
macro-economic distortions in the country, do they have a solution for
this gross distortion of economic power in the country? None for the time
being and until such time that the neo-classical economists continue to
ignore the role of power in economic decision making.
President Leghari might want to play a role but unless the political
dynamics is favourable, that is, assuming there is a government that will
not want to avenge the dismissal or a body of legislators that will not
comprise big farm interests; continuity remains a remote possibility given
the existing perverse economic power structure in the country.
A new class of intellectual elite's aligned with foreign lending agencies
seems to be gaining visibility fast. It is, therefore, time to pick up
cudgels against neo-classical economic thought and practice in the country
that is providing extension services to the IMF. Or else, in addition to
economic repression of the people, a dark era of intellectual repression of
economic thinking will also set in for a long time in Pakistan that will
further perpetuate the economic miseries of the teeming millions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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961129
-------------------------------------------------------------------
People's government?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardeshir Cowasjee
NOW that some of our top tyrannical embezzlers and looters have been jailed,
or are absconding and in hiding, hope does seem to have been somewhat
rekindled. Day by day, more details are emerging and with them we realise
that the scenario may be even worse than we initially imagined.
The dissolved Benazir, her husband, her cousins, her in-laws acolytes and
sycophants call the caretakers usurpers. Whatever they may be, they are
better than what we had. On a scale of zero to 10, Benazir was zero, Nawaz
and his looters were one, and the caretakers (so far) fall at three. Had
they been careful in their choice and not included a brother-in-law and some
known moles in the cabinet, they might have made it to four.
As far as the dissolved are concerned, they shout and scream that they will
be restored, citing Nawaz's restoration as a precedent. How that gang was
restored is known to the knowledgeable. They should, by all that is right
and proper, never have been brought back. Were they as white as driven snow
and faultless, they would not now be in our courts trying not to pay back
what they robbed. All those who sat with Benazir during her two stints, and
with Nawaz in his one, ruling and looting the people must be disqualified
and not be permitted to stand for election again for a minimum of ten years.
As none show the slightest trace of repentance, this is the least punishment
they should be made to suffer. And they will be prevented for that period
from looting us again. This process must be completed and a census must be
conducted before the people go to vote. Why should the voters be made to
countenance illegitimacy.
However, first things first, the caretakers must ensure that the people's
money directly held is trust by the government and owed to the people must
be secured. I specifically refer to the National Investment Trust, the
government open-ended fund eligible for the investment of pension and
gratuity funds, money belonging to pensioners, widows, orphans and others
who have to live on meagre means.
Of all people, Mr Muzaffar Hussain Soomro, an adviser to the Federal
Ombudsman, has written to the new professional Chairman and Managing
Director of NIT on November 27, 1996:
"It was disappointing to note total bankruptcy of our Trust. As a former
director of the Board, I never imagined that such a prestigious institution
would fall to such a grim situation. This is violation of trust.
"I surrendered some units in your Clifton branch about three weeks ago. I
was told to wait for one week as there was no money available but after the
lapse of one week, I was advised to wait for another two weeks. To my utter
shock, I am being told now that there is no hope in the near future. This
speaks volumes for maladministration, mismanagement and bungling of a high
order, which is simply unacceptable.
"I urge you to look into the matter personally and ensure the payment to me
without delay. Kindly note that you are already liable to pay me profit on
the delayed payment at the rate of 18 per cent from the day I surrendered
these units."
His claim for the 18 per cent interest is quite justified and it is due to
him, as it is due to all others facing a similar predicament. Will the
government come out with a statement, now, and reassure the people? The
people are anxiously waiting for the absconding Asadullah Shaikh, and his
patron Asif Ali Zardari who was responsible for deliberately installing him
to manage the NIT, to be brought to book and the looted money recovered.
Meanwhile, why are the Governor of the State Bank and his regulators not
being questioned and taken to task for their lapses? Why are questions not
being asked of the government- appointed bankers who sat on the NIT board?
Are the caretakers waiting for the people to hold them accountable as well
for conspiracy to defraud?
Another matter that has come to light is that the previous Chairman and the
Board of Trustees of the Karachi Port Trust have concluded an agreement of
sorts with a foreign consortium, Karachi International Container Terminal,
without inviting public offers and bids. This was done surreptitiously, with
most of the negotiations taking place under a shroud in Islamabad. Under the
terms of this agreement, most of the open space, 136,224 sqm, on the better
wharf of the port, West Wharf, is proposed to be leased out to the consortium
for an initial period of 20 years at the rate of Rs 292 per sqm, as against
the rate of Rs 544 which the KPT is currently charging for similar, though
inferior, spaces from local concerns.
By doing what they have done, the KPT has violated Article 25 of the
Constitution.
Questions asked of the previous chairman and his deputy, the general manager
of projects and development, Faruq Chaudhry, remained unanswered. The former
is now unavailable for further questioning and the latter remains silent.
Luckily, the 'financial close' has not been completed and the new chairman
has been warned not to take any further action until this issue can be openly
examined by the reconstituted Board and the caretaker government. This was
discussed with the prime minister two days ago and he, a sensible man, agreed
that what can be saved must be saved.
Another case where over Rs 4 billion have been saved by the bell is that of
Jinnah Terminal built at Karachi Airport. SOGEA, the French builders, filed
a claim against the Civil Aviation Authority for 'additionals' which
the CAA disputed. In terms of the contract, the arbitration clause was
invoked and arbitration proceedings were held at Singapore under the rules
of the International Chamber of Commerce. SOGEA claimed that the law
applicable to the arbitration proceedings had to be the law of Singapore,
whereas the CAA's lawyers claimed that the applicable law must be that of
Pakistan. The dispute persists. Arbitration proceedings were held and the
competent authority appointed Fakhruddin Ebrahim to be CAA's arbitrator. The
arbitral tribunal by a majority of two to one (Fakhruddin dissenting) ruled
that SOGEA be paid FF.509,931,337 and USD 900,000 (approximately Rs. 4.1
billion).
The CAA went to the Sindh High Court in an effort to rightly or wrongly
stave off payment. But a great deal of pressure to pay up was brought to
bear upon the CAA by certain people within our own government. On August
7, 1996, the competent authority (defence ministry) wrote to the DG, CAA,
"It has been decided by the competent authority that CAA should make the
payment of the total amount as awarded by the arbitral tribunal to Messrs
SOGEA. A confirmation regarding release of the above payment to SOGEA may
also be made to this ministry."
On August 11, 1996, the competent authority wrote to the CAA saying that
Pakistan's ambassador in Paris was called by the Under Secretary of the
French Ministry of Economy and Finance who conveyed to him the concern of
"his minister as well as the President's and Prime Minister's secretariats
over the fact that the award given by the International Arbitral Tribunal
in Singapore... was not being implemented... The ambassador was also
informed that payment of the award is also important for the flow of
investment into Pakistan... Otherwise, Pakistan-France economic relations
are likely to be affected."
The DG, CAA, was asked to furnish the relevant information by August 12 so
that "the Ministry of Foreign affairs and Prime Minister's Secretariat could
be informed accordingly."
Asif Zardari is said to have told the man he posted in the CAA (Khalil Ahmad)
to pay up. The man said he could not as there was no money. Why do you think
that you, a Customs officer, were appointed to head the CAA, asked Asif? He
was told the amount awarded is equal to four years' profit of the CAA and it
would be bankrupted were it to pay this amount to SOGEA.
The competent authority consulted the amiable French who are said to have
informed it that before they could kickback what was agreed to be kicked
back, they would have to be paid. But they could give a long-term soft
loan to the government so that the competent authority could sanction
payment. At this stage Tumandar Leghari struck. Khalil was sent on leave
prior to retirement on November 18.
Our present Minister of Defence and Establishment, Shahid Hamid, can get
full details from our present Minister of Law, Fakhruddin Ebrahim, as to
exactly who was the competent authority who was so keen on paying the
French.
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961202
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A sound decision
-------------------------------------------------------------------
THE caretaker government's decision, to hold elections to the National
Assembly and the provincial assemblies on the same day will be welcomed
by all sections of the people. Both the major parties, the PPP and the PML,
had made this demand, and sections of the Press had been advocating
simultaneous federal and provincial polls for the past many years. The
caretakers' argument is that simultaneous polling will lead to reduced
spending by both the government and the candidates, and it is certainly a
major consideration. But politically the case against staggered voting is
even stronger: a gap between National Assembly and provincial assembly polls
holds the possibility of the results of the first influencing the results of
the latter.
In the 1988 elections, it was seen how efforts were made, particularly in
Punjab, to stimulate a verdict in the provinces different from the one given
by the people in the National Assembly poll. In fact, separating the federal
and provincial elections always led to a suspicion that the real object of
those at the helm of affairs was to wait for the National Assembly trend and
then to see whether it was acceptable or whether some effort was needed to
balance it out in the provinces. From every point of view, therefore, the
caretakers' decision for same-day polling is the correct one, which rights
an aberration blindly followed since the end of Zia's martial law.
Administrative problems there will be. A much large force of presiding
officers and other election staff will be required. Since each voter will
have to mark two ballot papers, there will have to be a public education
campaign on radio and television to familiarise voters with the correct
procedure to be followed. But there is enough time between now and the
scheduled polling day for arrangements to be satisfactorily handled.
political parties too have a crucial role to play, since in many ways they
have most at stake. Unfortunately, the emasculation of democratic and
political traditions in the country has led to basic organisational and
motivational faults in political parties and groups, and the polling agents
they appoint appear to be interested only in trying to obtain as many bogus
votes as possible. Voter education and guidance constitute one of the primary
tasks of polling agents and perhaps if political parties even now paid some
attention to this aspect, they might prove of real help to voters.
Several other questions relating to election day remain unresolved or at
least unexplained. There is the whole problem of which electoral lists will
be followed and whether the production of identity cards will remain a
condition for voting.
Opinion is split over the ID card issue: some people favour it as a reliable
means of establishing voter identity while others point to the fact that
countless people in the countryside do not have ID cards and thus stand
effectively disenfranchised. During the past two general elections, it was
seen how ID cards can be bought in bulk by unscrupulous candidates. There is
also the question of controlling the expenditure incurred by candidates on
their election campaign and checking the all too common recourse to pressure
tactics.
The caretaker government says it is considering new laws to ensure minimum
campaign expenditure by candidates and for a more comprehensive declaration
of assets by the contestants. Such reforms are necessary, although they touch
only the peripheries of an electoral system heavily influenced by
considerations of caste and wealth. But rather than the caretaker government
coming to decisions arbitrarily and solely on the basis of its own wisdom,
will it not be more advisable if political parties are called to a meeting
where the modalities of elections can be settled by consensus and agreement
reached on how the March exercise can be most objectively, fairly and
peacefully conducted?
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961203
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue of discrimination against Pakistani women
-------------------------------------------------------------------
BRUSSELS: Here's one more task for Pakistan's overworked caretaker rulers: in
the rush to put Pakistan's ramshackle economic house in order and combat all
kinds of corruption, nepotism and other political evils, don't forget to get
rid of an out-dated, sexist and blatantly discriminatory law which makes a
mockery of Pakistan's commitment to promoting women's rights.
In case the president, the prime minister and the motley group of senior
ministers aren't aware of the problem, here it is in a nutshell: under our
country's current citizenship rules a Pakistani woman can't pass on her
nationality to her children if she's married a non-Pakistani man. No such
restrictions apply to the male of the species. Believe me, I know. The
Pakistan embassy in Brussels has just refused - again - to give a Pakistani
passport to my twelve-year- old son. Not because they don't like my reporting
or politics. But, "just" because I am a Pakistani woman. And years ago I
decided to marry to a non-Pakistani man (in fact, I married a Spaniard).
Strangely, all the male Pakistanis - including diplomats - that I know,
married to all kinds of exotic foreign females, face no such problem. So what
do you think, dear caretakers, is this discriminatory or not?
Look at it another way: under our rules, while Imran Khan's progeny can
aspire to become Pakistani politicians, do-gooders or cricketers, my
children - also wonderfully qualified to run the country and if needed to
bat and bowl for it - can't. It's absurd and senseless to discriminate
against women in this way. If the issue is betrayal of one's community,
civilisation or nation, then let's punish all those who dare marry a
non-Pakistani. Why target only the female population? Could it be because,
women are believed to be somehow less capable of imparting our precious
culture and civilisation to the younger generation than the all-powerful
Pakistani males?
Let's be frank, are men "better" Pakistanis, more Islamic, more in tune with
the Pakistani "way of life", more capable of bringing up veritable Pakistani
children even if they've married American, Turkish or Mongolian wives? Well,
my experience is very different. As far as I can tell, Pakistani men with
American or British wives, produce purely American and British children -
regardless of whether they live in Washington, London or Lahore. However, in
most households with Pakistani mothers and foreign husbands, it's invariably
the other way around: most Pakistani women are determined to ensure that
their children speak Urdu, know about Islam and visit Pakistan as often as
possible. It's a question of cultural pride. And it's natural, really: when
it comes to rearing children, it's mummy who is the key player. She can be a
full-time career woman or a full-time home-maker: when it comes to education,
she's the leader. Daddies, however wonderful, just don't carry cultural clout.
Not even if they are Pakistani.
So am I saying my mixed-race brats are just as Pakistani as their little
hybrid counterparts crowding Pakistan's American-run international schools.
You bet, I am. Both my children, Mikhal and Mariam, have always rejoiced in
their dual cultural heritage. Even aged six, my son had a pat answer for the
perennially curious visitors: "I belong to two world," he'd explain patiently
when asked to identify his country of origin. Nothing complicated about
belonging to two countries, he insisted. You play football in one and cricket
in the other. And who says switching cities, languages and food can't be fun?
Now, Mikhal is the proud owner of a brand new Spanish passport. Under Spanish
law, the children are allowed to use both their parents surnames, which they
do. In school, Mikhal's opted for Islamic studies in Belgium, with a
large population of Muslim immigrants, that is a possibility. His Urdu is
better than Imran Khan's. Seven year old Mariam is getting there.
It's difficult to explain to children brought up in an egalitarian,
non-sexist environment that the Pakistani "world" they claim so
enthusiastically as their own is refusing to recognise them. They know of
course as all Europeans do that Pakistan's neighbours are hardly famous for
their enlightened treatment of women: just a few miles away in Afghanistan,
the Taliban are cruelly and systematically violating women's rights. Across
the border on the west, Iran's women are carefully veiled. In Kuwait, women
don't have the right to vote. In Saudi Arabia, they aren't allowed to drive.
But, these are autocratic regimes dominated by dour old men and religious
extremists. That they should harbour nothing but contempt for the rights of
women is sad but hardly surprising.
I've always insisted, however, that Pakistan, has different aspirations. We
see ourselves as a modern Islamic state. Women go to colleges and
universities, get top jobs in the administration, run lucrative businesses.
Nobody, I know wears the veil. And of course, until her ouster on charges of
mismanagement and corruption a few weeks ago, Pakistan had a woman prime
minister. But, the children are learning that the truth is grimmer: these
rights are enjoyed only by an enlightened, affluent minority. For the
millions of other Pakistani women, life is a constant struggle against sexual
discrimination. And despite her endless rhetoric about promoting women's
rights, Benazir Bhutto did little to improve the lives of Pakistani women.
In a country where most girls can't go to school or get adequate medical
care, where rape is frequent but unreported, where tribal vendettas are
settled by killing or violating women, what's the point of complaining
about a missing passport or two?
After all, my son and daughter can travel the world over with the documents
delivered by their father's country. But, this is about more than just travel
arrangements. As a Pakistani woman, I'm deeply hurt and offended by my
country's failure to recognise me as a full-fledged adult citizen. I can also
foresee practical problems: For the moment, Mikhal and Mariam can move around
their different "worlds" with effortless ease. But, as they grow older, unless
they are recognised as Pakistanis, both will need visas to visit - and perhaps
one day - live and work in their mothers' land.
In the end, it's simple: by giving them Pakistani citizenship I was hoping to
give them the keys to my country, the right to feel at home there. Getting
those documents for them was supposed to be an act of love. And proof of my
continuing commitment to my country.
The new Pakistani administration says it wants an end to nepotism and
injustice. That should also mean that unlike our previous leaders, it will
put an end to all forms of gender discrimination. And stop treating its 65
million women as second class citizens.
===================================================================
961130
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Another global honour for Jansher Khan
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Lateef Jafri
With a competitive composure that was admirable Jansher Khan, disposed of
Australia's Rodney Eyles to retain the honours of the World Open. This was
his eighth triumph, fifth in a row, in the tournament, reckoned as the
blue riband of the globe.
Before the competition, there were doubts that Jansher's authority may been
eroded. He was twice brought down in the game's circuit. At Hong Kong he was
toppled by the Karachi finalist, now the leading challenger from Down Under.
Jansher could not stand the stress and strain of a marathon in New York's
Tournament of Champions after the weariness of a long flight. He was thumped
out by Craig Rowland of Australia in straight games. Certainly the critics
were within their right to have reservations about Jansher's form and his
chances in the 20th edition of the World Open, launched in England in 1975.
>From day one of the contest, organised properly and well, Jansher had the
understanding spectators in raptures with his tidily-executed strokes of a
high-level craftsman. There were the deft volleys, sound and delicate drops
and powerful smashes. Craig Wapnick of South Africa bowed to him in
36 minutes. The supporting fans waited for the match against Jonathan Power
in doubt; he was the conqueror of Rowland in New York. Here Jansher was more
fluently mobile, more consistent in shotplay and fully in command. Power,
whatever may have been his tactics in the American cosmopolitan city, had no
answer to the blazing shots of the Khan. He was removed in straight games,
with smiles plastered across the faces of the onlookers.
The semi-finals against Peter Nicol may have proved tough. About two years
ago he had shocked Jansher in the Leekes Classic in Cardiff at the start of
the European squash season. But here Nicol too capitulated, like the other
world-rankers, without taking a game from the Khan.
It is still not known how Jansher faltered in the third game? No doubt Rodney
Eyles stepped up a gear but Jansher was not to be hesitant in the
stroke-making. But after all Jansher like all champions is also human. He
can let up and give a game to his adversary to make the match an exciting one.
In the fourth game Jansher's power and confidence controlled the game. When
the Khan was 9-1 ahead it was a tall order for Eyles. There was anguish on
the face of the Australian. With perfect racket control Jasher explored the
angles. There were finesse in his drops. The bold drives and returns were
time and again applauded. In the fourth game there was not much except the
delectable shots and high quality of Jansher's squash. He was a worthy winner
and the challengers fell like dominoes before him.
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961129
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan restrict N.Z. to 215 as Mushtaq takes 100 Test wkts
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Farhana Ayaz
RAWALPINDI, Nov. 28: Reeling at 111 for 7, New Zealand fought back to post
a first innings score of 215 for 8. The turnaround was provided by Steven
Flemming (67) and Lee Germon (45) in an 81-run eighth wicket stand here at
the close of the first day's play in the second Test against Pakistan at
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
In the opening spell, 20-year-old Muhammad Zahid performed impressively
before Mushtaq took charge and bowled unchanged after lunch, returning
figures of five wickets for 73 in 26 overs. Zahid grabbed three for 51 in
18 overs. The speedster, who belongs to a small town Gaggu Mandi near Multan,
generated a lot of pace. Both Shahid Nazir and Muhammad Akram stayed
wicketless.
Zahid troubled all the Kiwi batsmen with swings which sharply cut in. The one
that removed Adam Parore came back sharply which found the batsman plumb in
front.
New Zealand who were given an opening stand of 33 between Bryan Young (39)
and J. Vaughan (12), slumped to a major collapse when four batsmen fell
without reaching double figures.
In the 20th over Young smashed Mushtaq for a classical square cut before
falling leg before at 39. In all Young struck five boundaries in 68 balls.
At lunch New Zealand were 68 for 3 in 22 overs. Adam Parore (3) went cheaply,
lbw to Zahid, Nathan Astle (11) was caught behind off Mushtaq and Mark
Greatbatch was the fifth man out caught by Saeed also off Mushtaq with New
Zealand reeling at 87 for 5.
This brought Flemming and Chris Cairns together, who had shared the decisive
141-run 6th wicket partnership at Lahore. These two posted the New Zealand
100 in 31 overs spanning 139 minutes. However, the partnership could only
last 23 runs as Cairns was caught brilliantly at silly point by youngster
Waseem off Mushtaq at 9. He played 34 balls in 42 minutes when the Kiwis were
110. A run later Zahid bowling from the pavilion end removed Chris Harris leg
before for 1.
Before tea Flemming reached his fifty with a mid-wicket stroke to fence. He
completed the half century in 147 minutes in 91 balls. At tea New Zealand
were 163 for 7.
Only four overs were bowled after the tea break, when Flemming protested that
the sun was disturbing his vision from one end. Both teams went off the field
and play was halted for another 25 minutes.
When play resumed skipper Lee Germon and Steven Flemming made vital headway
for the eighth wicket that contributed 81 runs. However, just before the two
started to look dangerous Mushtaq clean bowled Flemming (67). He banged 11
fours in 110 balls in 208 minutes stay. Germon was at 28 while New Zealand
was at 192.
A flashing hit to the fence by Germon posted the 200 for the Kiwis in the
57.4 overs in 284 minutes. An over before the close, Germon got a life at 38
when Saeed Anwar dropped him in the first slip off Salim Malik when
New Zealand were 208 for 8.
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961201
-------------------------------------------------------------------
N.Z. face Herculean task to save second Test
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Farhana Ayaz
RAWALPINDI, Nov. 30: New Zealand face a Herculean task to save the second Test
after Pakistan had taken a first innings lead of 181 runs on the third day of
the match today at Rawalpindi cricket ground. The visitors opened their second
knock in a fighting vein and were 69 without loss but the job appears well
nigh impossible with the Pakistan bowlers trying to tie the New Zealanders
into knots.
Pakistan scored 430 all out in their first innings.
The visitors, hanging on desperately to the assertive first Test triumph,
worked their way through to restrict Pakistan from taking a stronger position
than they achieved in the two sessions on the third day. The Kiwis dismissed
Saeed Anwar (149) in the sixth over off Chris Cahirns while Inzamamul Haq (1),
struggling with his form lately, got out to a fine diving catch by Justin
Vaughan off Chris Harris at silly point. But, it was the post-lunch session
in which the Kiwis toiled harder and were rewarded with six wickets. Pakistan
put on 67 runs before being bowled out at 430 as the tourists restricted the
home side to 181 first innings lead instead of what was being speculated.
In the morning session, Saeed Anwar batting on 130 and night-watchman Mushtaq
Ahmed who was on 1, resumed Pakistan's first innings at 269 for 2. Skipper
Saeed threw his wicket away in the sixth over after adding 19 runs to his
overnight total. Trying to hook Cairns's bouncer, Saeed ballooned a catch
to Simon Doull at long leg. And in a space of one run and six deliveries
Pakistan lost its fourth wicket when an out-of-form Inzamam gave an inside
edge to Justin off Harris.
Lee Germon who made rapid changes in bowling took the new ball instantly
when it was due after 80 overs, Pakistan's score being 313.
For the 5th wicket Saleem Malik and night-watchman Mushtaq added 85 runs off
163 balls. They raised the Pakistan total to 363 at lunch. Mushtaq playing
his career-best innings, 42, was the first success for the Kiwis after the
break, trapped leg before to Chris Haris Mushtaq's last highest, 27, was
against Australia at Lahore. The post-tea session belonged to the visitors.
Strike bowler Simon Doull, all charged up, took in a spell of seven overs
the wickets of Muhammad Wasim (5) and Moin Khan (2) for just eight runs.
Waseem played a ball pitched up to him and gave a simple catch to Cairns at
mid-on. Moin fell leg before. Cairns who finished with figures of five for
137 runs in 30.4 overs routed the off-stump of Saleem Malik (78) and caught
and bowled Shahid Nazir (10). Test debutante Muhammad Zahid was out for nought
lbw to Nathan Astle for his one wicket in the only over that he bowled today.
Saleem Malik showed his class as a batsman and played an innings of controlled
aggression. With quick footwork and wristwork it was pure copy-back cricket.
Thankfully he is at the apogee of his form.
Just at the stroke of tea Pakistan were all out for 430 in 126.4 overs.
Saleem Malik, who was the last man out, made 78 in 159 balls.
New Zealand opened their second innings with Byran and Justin who saw the day
through without loss. Pakistan tried to break through by their pace bowlers
Muhammad Zahid and Muhammad Akram. The duo did trouble the openers but there
was no success, both shared 14 overs between them.
The introduction of danger man Mushtaq Ahmed was delayed for the last session.
In five overs he gave away 14 runs. Mushtaq, who has already taken six wickets
in the first innings, will be the main source of worry for the tourists. With
the second innings, still on, Mushtaq so far has claimed 26 Kiwis batsmen
with two ten-wicket haul at Christchurch and Lahore. Mushtaq's tally in the
last eight Test comes to 61 wickets.
It was learnt that Steven Fleming, the Kiwis mainstay, was down with tummy
bug and was resting in his hotel room. It was stated that the batsman would
only come to the field if the New Zealanders were in dire straits. However,
the Kiwis were hopeful that the gusty left-hander will be all right for the
crucial fourth day on Sunday.
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961205
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Saqlain spins N. Zealand to thrilling Pakistan win
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ilyas Beg
GUJRANWALA, Dec. 4: A brilliant sixth-wicket stand of 91 runs between skipper
Wasim Akram and Salim Malik, which helped Pakistan bolster its innings and
muster a good total of 228 for eight and thereafter career best bowling by
Saqlain Mushtaq (five for 44) and devastating spell by Waqar Younis enabled
the hosts to score a remarkable 11-run win against New Zealand in the first
of the three-match one-day international series the Municipal Stadium.
In fact, Pakistan's win was the result of an excellent team effort which
nullified the heroic struggle by the Kiwis' four pacemen and medium-pacers
and batsmen like Bryan young (58 with 3 fours), Adam Parore (35), Stephen
Fleming and Chris Cairns (36 each).
The New Zealand team was pipped at the post as Saqlain Mushtaq broke the
backbone of their batting. He claimed the prized wickets of Fleming, Nathan
Astle (11), Chris Harris (6) and Captain lee Germon (2). Pakistan's fielding
also rose to the occasion as first Ejaz Ahmad ran out Spearman (6) early in
the innings and thereafter Inzamam-ul-Haq accounted for Doull (0) with a
direct throw. They made up with their excellent fielding although they had
failed with the batting.
Salim Malik played the role of a sheet-anchor after Saeed Anwar was run out.
Salim Malik stayed at the crease till he ran out of partners and the 46 overs
were completed. He hit a huge six and six delicately struck boundaries like a
maestro, in his unbeaten knock of 73, which helped Pakistan reach 228 from a
hopeless position. The team was five down for 71, and the top-order batting
had completely flopped. He was deservedly declared Man-of-the-Match by a jury
of experts although one felt sorry for Saqlain Mushtaq, who swung the game in
Pakistan's favour after New Zealand had reached a comfortable total of 186
for six at one stage.
But full marks should be given to Wasim Akram for his lusty hitting and
astute bowling changes and captaincy in trying circumstances. He, along with
Salim Malik, first had full measure of the Kiwi bowling and later electrified
the strong 22,000 lovers of cricket in Gujranwala with his exhilarating
batting.
The New Zealand side was well served by first Bryan Young and Adam Parore,
who added 78 runs for the second wicket partnership. Later Cairns and Fleming
added 60 useful runs for the fourth wicket stands to take New Zealand score
to 177.
Waqar Younis looked unplayable during his second spell from the far end. He
shattered the stumps of the dangerous-looking Young and later had Cairns
caught by Moin to make dents in the New Zealand innings. Saqlain Mushtaq's
bowling enticed the New Zealand batsmen to charge out and flounder.
Two half-centuries in contrasting styles by the middle-order batsmen Salim
Malik (73 not out) and Wasim Akram (52) helped Pakistan hit a respectable
total of 228 for 8 in 46 overs. The top-order Pakistani batting once
again failed. Had opener Saeed Anwar not tried hard to steady the Pakistan
innings with a sedate knock of 27 on 38 balls in 76 minutes, the Pakistan
team would have been in dire straits as it lost opener Zahoor Elahi (5),
Ejaz Ahmad (8) and Moin Khan (3) very cheaply. Inzamam-ul-Haq chipped in with
useful 14 runs before edging a gentle medium-pacer of Astle into the safe
hands of wicketkeeper Lee Germon.
The match began late due to problem of the sun disturbing the batsmen. The
match had to be reduced to 46-overs-a-side.
The luckless Zahoor Elahi was first batsman out. At the total of 14, Zahoor
Elahi edged a rising outswinger from Robert Kennedy into the breeze from the
pavilion end very intelligently. Simon Doull bowled from the far end and
claimed the scalp of Ejaz Ahmad at the total of 19. Ejaz mistimed Doull's
delivery and Harris held a good catch at point.
Saeed Anwar's resistance came to an end after he had put on 41 useful runs
for the third wicket partnership. Earlier, Saeed had been dropped by young
in the second slip at the total of 49. Chris Harris ran out Saeed Anwar
with a direct throw as the batsman tried to steal a cheeky single. Saeed
completed 4000 runs in one-day internationals. Pakistan's total moved one
run forward when Inzamam-ul-Haq also left. He snicked a delivery from Astle
into the safe hands of wicketkeeper Lee Germon. To make things worse for
Pakistan, Moin Khan, who has been batting brilliantly in crisis and has
pulled the team out of trouble with his brave knocks on many occasions, also
failed at Gujranwala. He was caught by Fleming off Chris Cairns after
contributing only three runs. The fifth Pakistani wicket fell at the total
of 71.
Dawn page