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DAWN WIRE SERVICE
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Week Ending : 11 July 1996 Issue : 02/28
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Youths not involved in grim crimes to be freed
Woman, 5 children slaughtered in Lahore
Two killed, 30 hurt in Faisalabad bomb blast
Nakai says RAW involved in bomb blast
Troops called out as flood hits 45 villages
Al Faran harmed Kashmiris struggle
New Delhi develops nuclear submarine
US arms shipment begins from 8th
---------------------------------
Hubco project starts power supply to national grid
Transit trade deal signed
Govt urged to solve bourses issues, ensure progress
Cabinet okays export target of $10 billion
Remittances decline
Accelerated privatisation vital for capital market
KSE 100-share index recovers 5 points
Western banks being set up in Muslim states
---------------------------------------
The incompetent authorities Ardeshir Cowasjee
Learning from the Bosnian crisis Benazir Bhutto
Advice to PTV Omar Kureishi
The mugging of the social contract Mazdak
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National Games to be held in Karachi
Pakistan backing Dalmia to head ICC
Janshers tiff with PSF officials ends
AVM Farooq expects medal in hockey
Game of hi-tech at Atlanta
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960705
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Youths not involved in grim crimes to be freed
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By Our Reporter
KARACHI, July 4: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Thursday announced the
formation of a three-member committee for providing relief to those
interned youths who are not involved in heinous crimes.
If they admit to committing mistakes under the directives of the Altaf
group, and if their parents guarantee that their children will not indulge
again in acts of terrorism, I am prepared to release them, said the prime
minister while addressing a massive public rally at the German School
ground in Gulshan-i-Bihar, Orangi.
The committee will be headed by the PPP MNA from the area Afaq Shahid,
representatives of the police and the law department, she said.
Those who want relief should contact Afaq Shahid, said the prime minister
and added that her government would not spare the killers.
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960706
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Woman, 5 children slaughtered in Lahore
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Reporter
LAHORE, July 15: Six people of a family, a woman and her five children,
were slaughtered by some unidentified people in Muhajirabad, Nawankot, late
on Thursday night.
Bodies of 12-year-old Maqbool and his four-year-old sister Aini were found
in a store. Four other bodies were recovered from the adjacent bedroom who
were identified as Shafiqa Begum, 34, nine-year-old Temore, six-year-old
Haroon and two-year-old Ayesha.
The gory drama came to the knowledge of the neighbours when Faisal, a
nephew of deceased Shafiqa, visited the house on Friday morning. The
householder, Mansoor Ahmed, was in Gujranwala where he runs his power
looms. He also returned on Friday at 7.30am.
Manzoor Ahmed, the brother of Mansoor said four gold bangles and earrings
of Shafiqa were missing.
Manzoor said Shafiqa had tried to write some thing on the floor with her
blood but could not complete the message. The knife which was used in
killing was lying near the four bodies.
The incident took place after about 1am.
Nawankot police said the motive behind the tragedy could not be
ascertained. It could be an enmity or business rivalry, a police officer
said.
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960709
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Two killed, 30 hurt in Faisalabad bomb blast
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Shamsul Islam Naz
FAISALABAD, July 8: At least two persons were killed and more than 30
injured in a bomb blast at the Faisalabad railway station here on Monday
afternoon. One person died on the spot and the other succumbed to injuries
in hospital.
The blast took place at 2pm in the waiting hall for lower-class passengers
which was crowded with passengers. The bomb was said to have been planted
under a television set in the hall, and the blast created a 2-1/2 by 2 feet
crater. Four small shops and an improvised PCO in the hall were also
destroyed.
The person killed on the spot, unidentified so far, had both his legs blown
off. Some of the injured people also lost their limbs in the blast.
The injured were rushed to the DHQ and other hospitals for treatment. All
the available ambulances in the city were mobilised to shift the injured
people to hospitals.
Police sealed off all routes leading to the railway station, and the bomb
disposal staff of the Civil Defence Organisation also reached the spot.
Police had no immediate clue to the incident.
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960710
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Nakai says RAW involved in bomb blast
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Staff Correspondent
FAISALABAD, July 9: Chief Minister Arif Nakai said that RAW agents were
involved in the bomb blast here.
The CM accompanied by Punjab minister for health (urban), the divisional
commissioner, and other high officials reached the DHQ Hospital and
inquired about the condition of the injured people.
He paid tributes to the doctors, para-medical staff and citizens for timely
providing medical aid and donating blood.
An eye-witness told the CM that a suspect came in a rickshaw at the railway
station and immediately after placing a bag under a bench lying in the
waiting room, left the station and returned in the same three-wheeler.
The matter was reported to the railway police, but they did not take any
prompt action, he claimed.
Mr Nakai issued instructions that punitive action be taken against the
police personnel concerned.
On the occasion, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Chaudhry Umer Draz
Khan announced that Rs 30,000 would be paid to the heirs of the deceased,
while Rs 10,000 to the people injured in the blast incident.
Meanwhile, maternal uncle of Muhammad Akram, who was seriously injured in
the bomb blast, refused to accept a cheque of Rs 10,000 as compensation and
informed the chief minister that his nephew had been crying since morning
with severe pain but the doctors on duty did nothing to made him calm.
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960710
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Troops called out as flood hits 45 villages
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Our Correspondent
SUKKUR, July 9: Troops were called out to help police and local irrigation
authorities in combating floods, caused by the major breaches in the Tuhri
and Makhwani embankments, in Sukkur division.
Massive damage has been reported as the flood hit 45 villages and
destroying houses and standing crops in about 16,000-acre area.
There was further damage night as a 250-foot breach in the Tuhri Bund near
Ghouspur caused the water to gush out into the settlements. Troops have
already launched an operation to rescue hundreds of people stranded in the
flood-hit areas.
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960710
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Al Faran harmed Kashmiris struggle
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, July 9: The year-long captivity of four western hostages by the
Al-Faran group has damaged the reputation of Kashmiri people and caused
distraction from their cause, said Mrs Jane Schelly Hutchings, wife of an
American hostage.
We do not know who Al-Faran is, but we do know that from Al- Faran
kidnapping nobody has profited, everybody losses, and the reputation of
Kashmir cause has been harmed, said Mrs Jane Schelly, wife of Donald
Hutchings, at a Press conference where Mrs Julie Mangan, wife of a British
hostage, Keith Mangan, was also present.
Reiterating the appeal, Mrs Hutchings said, We do not know where they are.
We do not know how they are. We do not even know if they are still alive.
>From the bottom of our hearts we ask each one of you, if you have seen
Donald or Keith, if you know anything about them or the other hostages, or
if you have heard about them, please find a way to let us know.
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960707
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New Delhi develops nuclear submarine
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Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, July 6: India has secretly developed a nuclear powered
submarine equipped with 1,000-kilometre range cruise missiles at a cost of
over 700 million dollars which is presently being tested, defence sources
said.
It has been developed jointly by the Department of Atomic Energy, the
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy,
and was recently described by the authoritative Defence News as Indias
most secret defence programme.
Integration problems are frustrating Indias most secret defence
programme, as the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV), has failed tests of its
compressed enriched uranium water reactor with plate type fuel, the
journal said in its latest issue.
Although Indias best defence and nuclear scientists are involved in the
project, the design team has not yet been able to solve several integration
and fabrication problems. These problems have delayed the land and sea
tests of the ATVs nuclear power plant.
Menon estimated the Navy would need at least $714.3 million to build the
nuclear submarine.
DRDO and the Navy are responsible for the ships design while the
Department of Atomic Energy is responsible for the nuclear power unit.
The ATV will be equipped with 1,000 kilometre-range cruise missiles and a
sophisticated sonar system, DRDO sources were quoted as saying.
The India Navy also is working on an indigenously designed 600- 700 ton
diesel-electric submarine using semi-finished assemblies and components
from abroad.
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960706
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US arms shipment begins from 8th
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Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, July 5: The United States would begin shipment of arms and
equipment to Pakistan under the Brown Amendment next Monday and complete it
by August 31, official sources said.
A Pakistan ship will be loaded at Philadelphia port this week to take
equipment for the Pakistan Army to mark the end of a military embargo
imposed in 1990 under the Pressler Amendment.
Most of the $368 million worth of equipment belonging to the Pakistan Air
Force and the Army, officials said, would be shipped by sea while the Navy
would receive the three P3-C Orion planes by air.
Sources said Pakistan had requested that a lot of equipment which had been
ordered before the embargo in 1990 was no longer needed and not be shipped
but there was still no final decision on what would be done.
A Department of Defence official said that most of the equipment which
would be moving out was lying scattered with contractors and released by
them for onward shipment.
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960705
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Hubco project starts power supply to national grid
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Staff Reporter
HUB, July 4: Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto formally inaugurated the
commissioning of the first 300 megawatt unit of 1,292 megawatt Hubco Power
Plant, some 40 kilometres north west of Karachi on Balochistan coast. She
described the occasion, A great day in the history of Pakistan and
Balochistan province.
Hubco Power Plant is considered to be one of the biggest private sector
electric power generation projects in terms of financial outlay and also in
terms of electric generation capacity in the developing countries. Benazir
Bhutto while speaking as Chief Guest, at the ceremony held to mark the
commissioning of first unit, called it, nothing short of an energy
revolution and, a tangible evidence of the successful realisation
of governments energy policy announced some 30 months ago.
Thirty months back, the government chalked out its energy policy and today
the energy generation has started for supply of electric power to
industries and homes all over the country, providing fuel to drive the
economic engine of growth and development, she declared before a gathering
that included top brass of Hubco Company Sheikh Mohammad Ali Reza, the
Chairman and Mr D. M. Woodroffe Chief Executive, the Balochistan Governor
retired General Imranullah Khan and the Chief Minister, Mr Zulfikar Magsi.
I promised you reduction in loadshedding, she recalled and said that the
days of power breakdowns have now reduced considerably.
The government, she said, was giving equal importance to the transmission
and distribution of electric power from North to South in the country but
did not elaborate as to what projects are being taken up for this purpose.
Speaking about the economic impact that Hubco project made in Pakistan,
Benazir Bhutto said a sum of 100 million dollars was spent on the local
supplies of goods and services and engagement of about 4,000 work force
from Pakistan, mostly from Balochistan. In addition, she said the sponsors
of the project contributed in supplying electricity to the villages around
the project site, besides construction of innumerable schools.
She said the first unit of the Hubco project has started transmitting
electric power in the WAPDAs national grid for onward distribution to
homes and factories and each of the next three units would be commissioned
at regular intervals of three months to mark the completion of 1,292
megawatt power generation by March 1997.
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960707
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Transit trade deal signed
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Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, July 6: Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed an
agreement on Saturday on a unified customs procedures for transit trade
among the four countries.
Following this accord, all the technical hindrances in the way of transit
trade among Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have been removed.
According to the agreement the countries have agreed on a common set of
rules and regulations for a unified customs procedure for movement of
transit trade traffic among the four countries. A common set of document
has been agreed upon which will be accepted by the custom officials at the
entry and exit border posts of Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Basically, the agreement deals with a common procedure pertaining to
scrutiny of documents at the port of entry, examination of goods,
assessment of goods, loading of cargo and movement in transit.
The agreement also specifies procedure for verification of goods in
transit, with transfer across border and principles of implementing the
passport and visa regime.
Of the four contracting parties, Pakistan and Kazakhstan agreed that one-
year multiple entry visas be endorsed on valid passports of the personnel
concerned with goods-in-transit. The concerned personnel include freight
forwarders, transporters, drivers and importers if accompanying the goods-
in-transit.
Under the agreement, visas would be issued for undertaking of maximum of
six visits and would be valid for the duration of the international road
transit permit.
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960708
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Govt urged to solve bourses issues, ensure progress
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Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, July 7: Leaders of all the three stock exchanges of Pakistan
have urged the government to resolve the three remaining issue for gaining
confidence of investors, both local and foreign, and ensuring smooth
development of the capital market.
During annual meeting with the Corporate Law Authority and Central Board of
Revenue at Bhurban recently, they praised the efforts made particularly by
the CLA chairman for removal of various legal irritants and facilitating
improved functioning of the bourses.
The meeting was attended by presidents of the stock exchanges of Karachi,
Lahore and Islamabad, M/s Arif Habib, Noshir Dastoor and Tariq Iqbal,
respectively, and other office bearers, CLA Chairman and Members Jamil
Bhutto and Abdul Rehman Qureshi and Member (Tax Policy) Ahmed Khan from the
CBR.
The bourses chief expressed satisfaction over number of provisions of the
1996-97 budget, as elaborated by CBR officials, regarding stock market.
Notable among these are:
(1) The government has accepted their demand for exempting the value of
membership card from wealth tax.
(2) Agreeing with their contention that the new members subscription (Rs
40 lakh) paid to the stock exchanges concerned is not its revenue but
capital receipt and should not, therefore, be subject to levy of income
tax.
These measures would send a positive signal to the market, the LSE
president acknowledged while talking to Dawn.
All the three bourses presidents noted that the government had fallen
short of adopting three more measures in spite of commitments made earlier.
These include:
(1) Withdrawal of income tax on bonus shares, which they regard as a
disincentive to the companies giving bonus shares to investors.
This tax was imposed for the first time under the 1995-96 budget and the
government had promised to remove it under the new budget.
(2) Withdrawal of income tax on trading in shares by the insurance
companies. As these companies are very big operators in the market, it was
argued, the tax on their selling and purchasing of shares would act like
brakes on the development of capital market.
In this regard, Dawn was informed by the CLA Chairman that the insurance
companies themselves had not shown any interest in pursuing the matter with
the government.
(3) The government has not fulfilled its promise to reduce the corporate
tax by three per cent. Instead of bringing it down to 33%, it has been
frozen at 36%, it was noted.
About the corporate tax, the contention of CBR was that it would constitute
a loss of Rs 2 billion to the exchequer. Regarding two other demands, it
was stated that the matter was with the government at the highest level.
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960708
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Cabinet okays export target of $10 billion
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, July 7: The federal cabinet approved the foreign exchange budget
for 1996/97 with the expectation that the countrys external account would
show a significant improvement over the revised estimates of 1995/96.
Briefing newsmen after the cabinet meeting Information Minister Khalid
Kharal said the cabinet was informed that exports for 1996/97 had been
projected at $10.046 billion on shipment basis and $9.996 billion on
payment basis, thus registering an estimated growth of 14.4 per cent.
This specific projection is based on the assumption that the next cotton
crop would yield 10.8 million bales, with an anticipated exportable surplus
of 1.8 million bales and that the paddy crop would yield 4.2 million tonnes
leaving a sizeable surplus for export. These export estimates are also
reinforced by the 7.2 per cent estimated growth rates of the manufacturing
sector, Mr Kharal said.
But, the commerce secretary had reportedly predicted that the exportable
surplus would be less than 1.8 million cotton bales.
In his opinion the global market for textile products, which constitutes a
major part of Pakistans exports does not promise any improvement in
prices.
Kharal told reporters that the cabinet was informed that import figures for
1996/97 were likely to increase by 5.1 per cent with a projected figure of
$12.06 billion on FOB basis.
He said the trade deficit was expected to be around $2.1 billion in fiscal
1996/97 against $2.8 billion during 1995/96.
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960709
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Remittances decline
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Aslam Sheikh
ISLAMABAD: Notwithstanding depreciating rupee, the receipts of remittances
from overseas Pakistanis have witnessed a big crash in the year 1995-96,
oil-producing Gulf countries contributing to it significantly.
According to official statistics available here oil-producing countries
where the bulk of Pakistani emigrants are concentrated reported a decline
of over 27 per cent in remittances receipts upto May this year (fiscal year
1995-96) compared to eleven months of fiscal 1994-95. The total remittances
for this period were also over 21 per cent less compared to eleven months
of the financial year 1995-96. The remittances from all sources aggregated
1346.6 million dollars compared to 1718.5 million dollars in 1994-95.
While remittances boom of the seventies and eighties which witnessed the
dramatic rise of remittances from 136 million dollars in 1972-73 to nearly
three billion dollar in 1982-83 ended long ago, the dip in the outgoing
financial years receipts is the biggest in one single year during the last
decade extending a grimmer dimension to Pakistans on-going crisis on the
balance of payments front. No considered explanation for this big fall from
remittances from the oil rich region is available from official quarters
but partly it is explained by a sizeable shift of funds to foreign currency
accounts. But at best this seems a partial explanation and the sharp
decline in the overall remittances is attributable to more long term trends
including politically and economically unstable situation at home.
Remittances from UK and USA incidentally have increased by eight per cent
and 2.4 per cent respectively for nine months of lest fiscal year though
more than 70 per cent still emanate from the Gulf region. In about a decade
the share of remittances from USA, increasingly an attractive destination
for Pakistani emigrants, have doubled in percentage outstripping the
percentage share of UK, the biggest contributor to remittances in the
fifties and the sixties. The percentage share over this period for
remittances from the Gulf region has dropped from the peak of 82 per cent
in the early eighties to about 70 per cent.
The drop in receipts from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, once major contributors
to the remittances pool, has been 28 per cent and 35 per cent respectively
in 1995-96 compared to the July-March period in the preceding year. In the
first nine months of 1995-96 Saudi Arabia reported 506.74 million dollar
receipts compared to 705.15 million dollars in the preceding year,
representing a decline of 28.1 per cent while receipts from Kuwait were
47.67 million dollars compared to 74.39 million dollars with Oman faring
better with 63.70 million dollar.
The redeeming feature of the scenario, however, is the foreign currency
deposits which have grown at the rate of 12.7 per cent in a year- rising
from over three billion dollars at the end of June 1994 to 3383 million
dollars twelve months later, rising further to 3890 million dollars toward
the end of March this year, representing an increase of 506 million
dollars. Nonetheless, the weight of remittances has been so large in the
balance of payments in the recent history of the country that potential of
remittances needs to be exploited fully if the ongoing crisis is to be
overcome because
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960710
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Accelerated privatisation vital for capital market
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Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, July 9: Accelerated privatisation and the utilisation of its
proceeds for retiring the national debt are essential for enabling the
capital market of Pakistan to come at par with other emerging markets of
the world.
This was stated by Mr Arif Habib, President of Karachi Stock Exchange and
Mr Noshir F. Dastoor, President of Lahore Stock Exchange, during separate
interviews.
Agreeing with the remark by the Chairman, Corporate Law Authority, Mr
Khalil Masud, that the government had removed most of the hurdles in the
way of the stock exchanges through amendments in the relevant Securities
law and rationalisation of taxes. A decisive headway had also been made
towards automating the three stock exchanges of Pakistan and linking them
by computer. Nevertheless, they pointed out, the budgetary deficit, heavy
taxation, high rate of inflation and depressed savings still persisted as
major impediments.
Expressing his concern over the budgetary deficit, Mr Arif Habib
apprehended that Pakistans economy had reached the stage where the country
might go in default in fulfilling its debt-service obligations. The most
effective solution to the chronic problem of budgetary deficit lay in
diversion of privatisation funds for payment of debt.
The disinvestment of Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation alone could
reduce the debt by Rs 42 billion provided this amount was not used for
filling the budget deficit, the KSE President argued. Most of the remaining
debt could be wiped out by privatising enterprises like OGDC and WAPDA, he
added.
The sheer weightage of these organisations would go a long way towards
attracting foreign investors. Such a boost is a dire need of the country
whose share in the total foreign direct investment is no more than one per
cent of the total inflows of the emerging markets.
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960711
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KSE 100-share index recovers 5 points
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, July 10: The Karachi Stock Exchange index of share prices
recovered another five points but the performance of the broader market was
lacklustre in the absence of strong demand from the bargain-hunters.
The KSE 100-share index was last quoted at 1,663.10 as compared to 1,658.04
a day earlier, reflecting the strength of the base shares.
But in any way it could hardly be described the return of a bull market as
the recovery in the index is largely based on revival of demand in some of
the base shares, dealers said.
They said over the last few sessions, the daily volume has fallen from the
average of 25m shares to 20m shares as a sizeable section of investors has
already withdrawn to the sidelines.
Analysts said the falling turnover might in a way could be a move to
forestall further decline in share values and it is positive development in
the wake of developing situation on the political front.
It was perhaps in this background that the price changes were highly
fractional and reflected a terrible decline in the buying interest rather
than large selling from any quarter.
But rather a section of leading investors was buyer at the falling prices
and picked up all the sale offers at the dips.
Some of the leading shares, which managed to recover were led by Adamjee
Insurance, Gadoon Textiles, Balochistan Wheels and PSO, which posted fresh
gains ranging from Rs 2 to 3.
Other leading shares, which managed to show good rallies were led by EFU
Life Insurance, Nishat Mills, Imrooz Modaraba, Genertek, Mari Gas(r),
Reckitt and Colman, Sandoz Pakistan and Pakistan Hotels, rising by one
rupee to 2.15.
Allawasaya Textiles, which suffered a fresh setback of Rs 25 but without
any willing buyers at the falling price, again led the list of
prominent losers as some leading sellers tried to liquidate positions.
Alico, Rupali Polyester, Mustehkam Cement, General Tyre, Ciba-Geigy and
Prince Glass followed it, which fell by Rs 2 to 5. Pak-Suzuki Motors, which
rose by Rs 2 overnight fell by one rupee followed by Telecard, Hoechst
Pakistan, Parke-Davis and Pakistan Oilfields.
On the corporate front, the board of directors of Dadabhoy Insurance
Company has omitted the dividend for the year ended Dec 31, 1995, but
announced to give right shares at the rate of 100 per cent at par.
The trading volume shrank further to 16.079m shares from the previous
21.437m shares owing to the absence of leading dealers.
Among the actively traded shares, PTC vouchers were again leading, up 40
paisa on 5.442m shares followed by Hub-Power, steady 10 paisa on 4.020m,
ICI Pakistan, up 75 paisa on 1.592m, Dewan Salman, firm 15 paisa on 1.125m,
FFC-Jordan Fertiliser steady five paisa on 0.299m and Lucky Cement, higher
45 paisa on 0.173m shares.
There were 360 actives, out of which 169 shares fell, while 100 rose, with
91 holding on to the last levels.
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960710
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Western banks being set up in Muslim states
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Masood Haider
NEW YORK, July 9: Western banks and institutions are setting up banks in
Muslim countries in an effort to enter the market that is growing at a
breathtaking pace of 15 per cent a year, controlling more than $150 bn
worth of deposits world-wide.
Towards that end, Citibank, a unit of Citicorp has opened a bank in Bahrain
to offer investment that conform to Islamic religious principles.
Following the forced closure of bank of credit and commerce international
(BCCI) on charges of drug money laundering, a wide gap has been left open
to capture in Muslim countries.
The western banking institutions which once looked down upon the Islamic
banking practice calling it unworkable and impractical, have had a
major change of attitude in view of the stupendous growth of Islamic banks
world-wide.
The Citi-Islamic Investment Bank which opened in Bahrain has an initial
capital of $20 bn and will operate independently from its American parent
company.
Although Citibank is the first western financial institution to found such
a bank in the Persian Gulf region, other western institutions are likely to
follow its example.
Islamic law forbids charging of interest, so Islamic banks make their money
by financing trade and construction projects in partnership with their
depositors, both the bank and depositors share in any profits or losses.
Islamic banks also offer equity funds, but they refrain from investing in
companies involved in gambling or selling alcohol.
DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*
DAWN FACTS
Another first from the DAWN Group of Newspapers --- the people who brought
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Covering all spheres of life, the service arms you with facts to guide you
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information on the foreign exchange rates, stock market movements, the
weather and a complete entertainment guide, DAWN Facts is your one-stop
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DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*DAWNFacts*
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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===================================================================
960705
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The incompetent authorities
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardeshir Cowasjee
THIS column concerns that corrupt, incompetent, inefficient authority,
WAPDA, and two internationally famed and respected competent efficient
organisations, one founded by The Hon Charles Stewart Rolls (1877-1910) and
Sir Frederick Henry Royce (1863-1933), the other by Werner von Siemens
(1816-1892) and Johann George Halske (1814-1890).
The four gentlemen engineers, innovators and inventors, two British, two
Prussian, would highly disapprove of the recent happenings involving their
legacies, whose byword is excellence, and a jumped-up Third World
government.
The name Rolls-Royce is synonymous with the best car in the world Rolls-
Royce owners are not like you and me. (F. Scott Fitzgerald). They are not.
They include some of the richest, cleverest, wickedest, weirdest, wittiest,
most charming, most boring, most discriminating, most vulgar human beings.
Their only common denominator: money. And money was synonymous with the man
with the longest name and title to ever own a Rolls-Royce: Lieutenant-
General His Highness Ferzand-i-Khas-i-Inglishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir-ul-
Umra, Maharaja Dhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Shree, Maharaja-i-Rajgan, Maharaja Sir
Bhupindra Singh, Mohinder Bahadur, Yadu Vanshavatans Bhatti kul Bhusshan,
Maharaja Dhiraj of Patiala, GCSI, GEICE GCVO, GBE.
RR later diversified into manufacturing aero engines that were fitted into
Hurricanes and Spitfires, the fighter planes that won the Battle of Britain
in WW2. RR then moved on to jet engines (their jets now power the
Concorde), turbines and electrical equipment. RR recently acquired Engineer
Alphonse Reyrolles power generation company and named it Reyrolle Ltd.
Siemens has moved on from laying telegraph lines all over Germany and now
concerns itself with every conceivable type of electrical engineering.
WAPDA, the incompetent, is now lorded over by ZABs former Loin of the
Punjab Ghulam Mustafa Khar, who is no more of an engineer than is my
friend, the Sardar of the Gorgezh tribe. Reyrolle signed with WAPDA an
agreement on November 30, 1995, for the design, supply, testing and
commissioning of plant for the Muzaffargarh 500/220 KV sub-station project.
The value of the contract is estimated to be worth some pound 20 million
(chicken feed compared to the amounts dealt with and disposed of by our
bankrupt exchequer). What is to be supplied is static plant and machinery,
which neither exudes nor emits pollution.
Unknown to Reyrolle, the derailment of their contract started even before
it was signed. On November 18, their competitors, Siemens ABB consortium,
wrote to Mr Asif Ali Zardari, Chairperson, Pakistan Environmental
Protection Council, raising an environmental issue a red herring.
Reyrolle fulfilled all their contractual obligations, and in January 1996
provided the required advance-payment bank guarantee qualifying them to
receive the mobilisation advance from WAPDA. This was not forthcoming. No
progress could be made. The British government stepped in, Prime Minister
Benazir Bhuttos intervention was sought, and on January 15, Ahmed Sadik,
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, wrote to Minister of Water and
Power, Khar, informing him that, the competent authority has further
directed that there is no need to reopen the case for award of contract to
Messrs Reyrolle for Muzaffargarh grid station which was awarded to the
lowest bidder. WAPDA Authority which is the competent forum, has approved
the contract.
Therefore, Reyrolle received no intimation, no mobilisation advances, so no
work was done. After four months, on May 8, the British High Commissioner
in Islamabad wrote to Minister Khar: ....The emission control point seems,
as far as I can make out, to be a red herring! Of course environment impact
is an extremely important consideration for power stations; but it is only
minimally so for grid sub-stations. I imagine that this is why WAPDA did
not specify environmental issues in the contract documents. Where
environmental concerns do arise, however, it is over the entirely separate
power station at Muzaffargarh with which Reyrolle are not in any way
connected..
No response from WAPDA.
On May 14, the Rt-Hon Ian Lang, MP, President of the Board of Trade and
Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry, wrote to Khar: ....I
gather the Ministry is considering re-awarding the contract to another
company....To be frank, Pakistan would risk creating for itself a major
credibility problem if international business suspected that contract
awards could simply be overturned in this way. I fear that such an image
would not be easy to remove.....
No response again.
On May 23, Khars Joint Secretary (Power), Sahibzada Masuad Ali, wrote to
WAPDA: ...The undersigned is directed to refer to previous correspondence
on the subject and to convey that the competent authority has been pleased
to approve that WAPDA may reconsider the award of contract to Messrs
Reyrolle.... The authority may take immediate necessary action to implement
the above decision under intimation to this Ministry.....
On May 31, Reyrolle London wrote to Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan, our High
Commissioner in London, saying that they had to say: I hope by now you
have had a chance to read my letter of May 28.... May I request, Sir, for
your advice and assistance at GOP level to restore this serious situation
to a proper basis so that the contract with us can proceed without further
delay.....
*From His Excellency, no response.
On June 3, the British High Commissioner again wrote, this time to the
Prime Minister: ....However, what most concerns me is the impact on other
British companies working in Pakistan. Rolls-Royce are a world-renowned
company and have been eager to work in Pakistan following a meeting with
you in May 1994.... Any decision now by the Pakistan government to
terminate their contract with Reyrolle would jeopardise Pakistans growing
reputation in the United Kingdom as a good country to do business. I would
therefore be extremely grateful if you felt able to instruct those
responsible for implementing the Muzaffargarh sub-station project, to do so
in a spirit of fairness, and with due consideration to the contractual
obligations which have been entered into.
Once more, no response.
On June 14, the Managing Director of Reyrolle, London, wrote to Khalid
Javed, the WAPDA Chairman: It was a pleasure to meet you on Monday and
Wednesday last week and I hope you managed to achieve a few hours of
relaxation during your busy schedule in the UK.... Secondly, we are aware
that you have been notified by the Ministry to recommence negotiations with
a competitor in spite of the fact that WAPDA and Reyrolle have a binding
contract.... In the absence of a clear confirmation that the contract will
proceed, there appears to be no choice but to resort to legal proceedings
to protect our contractual rights.
In keeping with the track record, no response.
On June 21, Fenwick Elliot, Reyrolles London solicitors, wrote to the
WAPDA Chairman: ....Any endeavour on WAPDAs part to place this contract
with any other party would be a breach of the contract between our client
and WAPDA.... Any such action on WAPDAs part would be an abuse of the
tender procedure...(and) would expose WAPDA to an action for injunctive
relief, and to a claim for damages (including, should the fact permit it,
exemplary damages) from our client.....
No response, naturally.
Reluctantly, Reyrolle filed a suit in the Court of the Senior Civil Judge,
Lahore, and along with it also filed an application praying that the GOP
and WAPDA be restrained, from taking or acting or purporting to act upon
any decision or doing any act that would result in any
termination/cancellation of the contract and/or the award of the project to
any person other than the Plaintiff. It is further prayed that an ad-
interim injunction may be issued against the Defendants.
On July 2, the application was heard. As the judiciary is now fully
judicious and assertive, the good judge was pleased to grant an ex-parte
injunction. Every man of affairs and every man of straw in Pakistan knows
that there are two parallel governments (neither of which have any regard
for time or for our money) operating at a tangent with each other. Each
time a man sees the words competent authority, what springs immediately
to mind is incompetence and abuse of authority. The competent authority
shrouds itself in anonymity. What? Why can it not just plainly say, the
Prime Minister, or, the Chairman of the EPA? Why is it frightened to
give its true name? Is it because it knows it is always doing wrong?
Whereas on January 15, the de jure authority directed that there was no
need to reopen the case for the award of the contract to Reyrolle, on May
23 the de facto authority was pleased to approve that WAPDA may
reconsider the award of the contract to Reyrolle. The High Commissioner for
the United Kingdom in Pakistan, Sir Christopher Macrae, seems to have
failed in his duty to correctly inform the government he represents of the
true position prevailing in Pakistan.
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960711
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Learning from the Bosnian crisis
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Benazir Bhutto
TODAY, investigators are slowly unearthing the remains of murdered Muslims
in the mass graves surrounding Srebrenica. As the dirt is removed and the
bodies are identified and laid to rest, a horrible chapter of our modern
history is being documented.
Now the world has tangible proof of a level of carnage and brutal savagery
that defies belief. We have proof of a viciousness seldom seen since the
genocide in Cambodia and the on-going terror in Kashmir.
No longer can we question whether or not this ethnic cleansing is a
brutal reality. We know for certain that Western nations stood by as
uninterested witnesses to events that bore an uncanny resemblance to
Hitlers Final Solution.
So now, as we expose this single great massacre, we should also throw light
on the foolishness and ignorance that allowed these events to occur. How we
could have let such genocide into our lives again?
The people of the Muslim world have long been bewildered at the
indecisiveness of Western countries in taking punitive measures against the
Serbs when it seemed obvious that force was the only language these
criminals could understand.
The weakness of the United Nations came as a shock to us, as well. After
all, the United Nations is perceived as the centrepiece of the new global
order, focusing on the rights of women and children, protecting the
environment and dealing with runaway population growth. And most
importantly, the United Nations has a basic duty to prevent conflict and
bring opposing parties to peaceable agreements.
Part of our surprise was due to the sharp contrast between the Wests
reaction to the events in Bosnia and its reaction during the Gulf War. The
world, under the UN banner, acted with alacrity and unity in confronting
the occupation of Kuwait in 1990. What happened to the speed, decisiveness
and co-operation that proved so effective against Iraq? Did innocent
Bosnian Muslims not deserve the worlds help? It seemed that the West was
deliberately indifferent to or, worse, intolerant of different religions
and beliefs.
But while other nations stood by, the Muslim world and the people of
Pakistan demonstrated what could have should have been done to prevent
the crises. We treated the Bosnian crisis as the major global travesty that
it has proven to be.
Pakistanis, who have long been victims of Indian aggression, immediately
empathised with the Bosnian people. We knew mere UN resolutions would not
stop the bloodshed decisive action was the only answer. Pakistan urged
members of the Security Council to authorise the use of force against the
Serbian aggressors, worked for a Special Declaration on Bosnia at the
Vienna World Conference on Human Rights and helped organise the efforts of
other Muslim nations. Most importantly, Pakistanis risked their lives so
that Bosnia could have peace, sending 3,000 troops to join the UN
Protection Force.
During my visits to France, Germany and England in 1994, I personally
stressed the importance of Bosnia to world leaders. In 1995, I urged US
President Bill Clinton and then Sen. Bob Dole to lead America in fulfilling
its responsibilities as the worlds only superpower by helping to end the
Bosnian conflict.
Finally, in consultation with other Muslim leaders, I offered a Muslim
force under the UN banner should the arms embargo be lifted and Western
troops be withdrawn, as they wee hinting they would do.
Although I stressed that it was a European conflict that needed a European
involvement in the solution, if Western nations couldnt withstand the
pressures of public opinion, Muslim countries would fill the void.
To drive home this point, then Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Ciller and I
travelled to Bosnia, where we wore flak jackets and were surrounded by
gunfire. We went to show the commitment of our nations to the Bosnian
people and to witness the courage and determination with which the
persecuted Muslims faced their aggressors.
After all the bloodshed and anguish, what have we learned? That a quick
solution to the Bosnian conflict was a necessity. That appeasement and
hesitation only encourage elements of disharmony and disorder in other
nations.
When provided with the right leadership, a peaceful parting of the ways is
possible, such as the division that gave birth to the Czech and Slovak
republics under the guidance of Vaclav Havel.
When leadership is abdicated and responsibility is renounced, we allow the
likes of Radovan Karadzic to begin their massacres. That should be our
enduring lesson.Copyright 1996 Dawn/ Creators Syndicate, Inc.
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960707
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Advice to PTV
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Omar Kureishi
THERE were no newspapers on Tuesday (July 2) and since we are creatures of
habit, I re-read the previous days and truthfully did not feel short-
changed except that I could not update myself on Pakistans match against
Glamorgan.
There is a muchness about the newspaper in terms of hard news and the
national scene seems dominated almost entirely by charges and counter-
charges, by threats and counter-threats, by forebodings and counter-
forebodings, as if we were in a state of perpetual agitation and strife.
This may well be the case and if it is then it is a sorry state of affairs.
But that is not what I propose to write about because of the utter futility
of doing so.
Politics plays only a marginal role in the lives of the people, mainly
because people are irrelevant to the politicians except when they are
needed to vote or to make up a crowd for a jalsa or a procession or more
grimly to receive the comeuppance (by proxy) when matters get out of hand
and irate law-enforcing agencies try to restore order, by fair means or
foul. Unless I missed it, in all the furore about the budget which included
strikes and sit-ins, nowhere did I come across a demand for clean drinking
water, something that is not available to more than half of our population.
It is at times like this that I am reminded of Oscar Wildes verdict on
fox-hunting the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable.
But with no newspapers, in most other countries, people would have turned
to television to fill the void, as it were. Not so here for we would have
been dished out the familiar bread and water. I dont know if PTV did but I
doubt that they had special news bulletins to make up for the lack of
newspapers.
I do not watch television very much and PTV even less. It is not that I am
particularly demanding but PTV provides me with neither news nor
entertainment. Not just this government but every government since Ayub
Khans has had a lock on the electronic media and when there were no other
choices, they had a captive audience. Not so many more. Even before
television came to Pakistan, there was the transistor radio and by turning
a knob one could get switched on to the radio stations of the world.
Illiterate most of our population may have been, they were even then very
well informed. Something that was not entirely comprehended by those who
manipulated and engineered the news. Often the BBC Urdu Service became the
primary source of news, the other source being rumour. Radio Pakistan,
invariably ran a poor third.
But it is the dish antenna that has really shown up PTV. There are now so
many choices that there is an embarrassment of riches. I can understand the
reluctance of a government to give up its control on the news but there is
much more to television than the news. There is sports, for instance. There
is really no reason why we cant be competitive in this field.
PTV chose not to show Euro 96 and thus deprived thousands of football fans
from watching a tournament that had the rest of the world glued to their
sets. Even in countries like India, the viewership was sizeable and like us
they did not have a team in the tournament. The viewership of Euro 96 was
in billions. Is it PTVs judgement that viewers in Pakistan do not care
about football? They are sadly mistaken. There has always been a demand
that Pakistan should be doing something about seriously creating an
interest in football.
It is a game that our young people should be playing, even in preference to
cricket, sacrilegious as it may sound coming from someone like me. There
can be no better way of attracting young people to the game than by showing
them top class football. Euro 96 has concluded. And Wimbledon too is on
its final legs and the test series between India and England is coming live
on ESPN as will the Pakistan matches. Star Sports had Wimbledon live and
ESPN is covering Indias tour of England in detail. There was a news item
recently that Rupert Murdoch was in India and was seriously considering
moving the Star TV Network to India.
We may lament (or get incensed) about what is perceived as cultural
invasion but others are forging ahead and we are not even able to
safeguard our own backyard. If other channels offer better choices, better
programmes than PTV then people will switch to these channels. It is as
simple as that. I dont think there is a conscious attempt to subvert us
culturally. Thats just our imagination, our paranoia.
There is no shortage of talent in this country. Given the chance we can
compete with the best there is and we have proved it in many fields.
Despite the fact that PTV pays its artists what really are slave wages,
people do come forward. Take cricket commentary for instance. We get the
princely sum of Rs 700 for a full days broadcast. Thats about 6 hours.
Recently I was rung up by BBC from London and they wanted to ask me a
couple of questions. This was during the World Cup. The conversation lasted
about two minutes. I was delighted to receive a cheque of pound 50, the
equivalent of four days cricket commentary on PTV! But I still do the
commentary on PTV and invariably end up out of pocket.
Its not the money that attracts talent. But opportunity. And PTV must
throw away the old mould and start to get competitive or it will find that
it has no viewers.
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960706
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The mugging of the social contract
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mazdak
WHATEVER happened to the recommendations of the Task Force for the Social
Contract? This formidable body, headed by none other than the Governor of
Sindh, had suggested an array of far- reaching changes in Pakistans
administrative structure.
Predictably, this report is not going to be implemented anytime soon. In
fact, the whole thing has become a bit of an embarrassment, not unlike a
marriage proposal made in a moment of weakness. When the ruling party was
in the opposition, its leader got a lot of mileage out of her avowed
support for the concept of the devolution of power to the grassroots level.
Indeed, she came out strongly for local elected leaders running the affairs
of their community, thus marginalising the district administration. A
number of us, fed up with the current system which had clearly failed to
deliver, supported Benazir Bhutto in her crusade to reform the
administrative structure.
But like many other electoral promises politicians make at the whiff of an
election, this one, too, has been jettisoned at the first opportunity.
Actually, judging from the ruling partys contempt and distrust of the
whole concept of local government as demonstrated by the indecent haste
with which the Punjab Assembly recently abolished the local bodies law, it
is clear that its commitment to democracy is only skin deep. In fact, one
suspects that most politicians in and out of positions of authority regard
the parliamentary system itself only as a vehicle to achieve political
power. No more and no less.
They discover the virtues of the rule of law and a democratic order only
when they are out in the cold, being kicked around by the government of the
day. As soon as they are back in the saddle, democratic institutions that
inhibit their exercise of absolute power become annoying checks to be
dumped or marginalised as soon as possible.
Seen against this backdrop, the ignominious fate of elected local bodies
was fairly predictable. Dismissed by Moeen Qureshis caretaker government
on the persistent demand of the PPP, they have stayed in limbo ever since.
At the time, their sacking seemed logical: dominated by Nawaz Sharifs
Muslim League in Punjab, there was every possibility that they would be in
a position to influence the outcome of the national and provincial
elections. It was widely assumed that soon after the formation of the new
government, local body elections would be held.
But the more cynical among us made no bets on this seemingly obvious
sequence of events: having seen the electoral results in urban Punjab the
outcome in urban Sindh being a foregone conclusion they knew that the
ruling party would never risk the embarrassment of having hostile local
governments dominating most cities in the make-or-break province of Punjab.
Quite apart from the humiliation, political tactics were involved: anti-PPP
councillors and mayors could and probably would oppose and confront the
PDF coalition provincial government at every turn, making sure that
development funds were funnelled only to Nawaz Sharifs supporters. Thus,
in terms of Pakistani realpolitik, local body elections were seen by the
ruling party as being against its interests and, therefore, to be avoided
like the plague.
So when the higher judiciary restored local bodies, the government had very
few options available, and all of them were bad. But by choosing to undo
the courts decision through a parliamentary ploy, the confrontation with
the judiciary has been sharpened. In the short term, this bodes ill for the
government; in the long term, it bodes ill for the system.
In a sense, the present bad blood between the executive and the judiciary,
on the one hand, and the government and the opposition, on the other, once
again underlines the lack of tolerance that infects our body politic. Just
because the Chief Justice would not elevate a very junior government
nominee to the Sindh High Court, we have a situation where the higher
judiciary is perceived as interpreting the law to the ruling partys
disadvantage.
But this perception should not lead to paranoia: the recent judgement on
local bodies was clearly aimed at restoring elected municipal committees
that the government itself was committed to strengthening through the Task
Force for the Social Contract. Indeed, the entire unfolding scenario makes
one fear for the viability of the system. If an assertive judiciary and an
executive with a siege mentality are going to be involved in a series of
debilitating showdowns, neither institution will be strengthened; rather,
our hard-won democratic order will be weakened. Clearly, a modus vivendi
between the two has to be worked out.
This applies equally to the ruling party and the opposition: if successive
federal governments fear that their rivals will hamstring them if they form
provincial and local governments, they will do their best to ensure that
this does not come to pass, even if they have to resort to highly dubious
methods. This has already come to pass in Punjab and the NWFP.
It is high time that our politicians acquired some maturity and wisdom.
There are already voices in the wings whispering seditious ideas, and
pointing out the many failings of our leaders to substantiate their
unacceptable claim that democracy does not and cannot work in Pakistan. But
those clamouring for a change should remember that ultimately, any system
is only as good or as bad as those who work it.
Having tried a number of political systems, we have reverted to
parliamentary democracy because there is a broad-based consensus behind it.
We cannot discard the present system just because of the venality and
incompetence of a handful of politicians: as we know to our cost, other
experiments have failed because those conducting them did not believe in
them any more than our current rulers believe in democracy.
To repeat a tired clichi, we stand at the cross-roads of our political
development. The founders of Pakistan started out fifty years ago with a
democratic ideal before them. Events and individuals subverted that ideal
before it could take root.
After many fits and starts and with several dictatorial detours, we have
finally achieved the cherished goal of a democratic dispensation. Shall we
allow a bunch of greedy, power-hungry politicians to wreck a system we have
all fought for? Let us not forget that democracy does not belong just to
the politicians: we all have a stake in it. If the country slides back to
autocracy, we will all suffer the consequences.
As we all know, in the law of the jungle, the opportunists and the lotas
thrive. In Pakistan, there is no shortage of either.
===================================================================
960708
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National Games to be held in Karachi
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ilyas Beg
LAHORE, July 7: Syed Wajid Ali Shah was re-elected President and Muhammad
Latif Butt Secretary General of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) for
the next four-year term (1996 to 2000).
The meeting dealt with a heavy agenda and took some important decisions.
Mohammad Latif Butt briefed the newsmen about the deliberations of the
meeting shortly after its conclusion.
A representative of the Sindh Government informed the meeting that Governor
and Chief Minister have agreed to host the 26th National Games in Karachi.
However, the General Council asked the Sindh Government to submit a
detailed plan of holding the National Games in Karachi by Aug 7. If it
failed to do that, the Games will be allocated to NWFP Olympic Association
which has already submitted its plan to host the Games in a befitting
manner.
The Secretary Generals report said that three regional courses in
basketball, gymnastics and weightlifting and as many national courses in
cycling, tennis and yachting had been allocated to Pakistan for 1996. For
each regional course, the IOC Solidarity Commission would pay $18,000 and
for every national course $8,250. The basketball regional course will be
held at Lahore from Sept 28 to Oct 11. The gymnastics course will also be
organised at Lahore from Oct 4 to 15. The weightlifting course will be held
at Islamabad from Oct 15 to 28. The national course in cycling will be held
at Lahore from September 1 to 14, the tennis course at Islamabad from Sept
20 to 23 and the yachting course at Karachi from Oct 2 to 18. The General
Council confirmed minutes of its earlier meeting held on Jan 18 this year.
The meeting approved audited statement of the 1995-96 accounts.
An amendment in the POA constitution was also approved which makes it
compulsory to resolve all disputes within and amongst its member units as
well as those arising on the occasion of Olympic Games and other games
through arbitration. It forbids the bodies from going to courts. After
receiving the arbitration report, the disputing bodies may appeal to the
IOC Arbitration Commission which would give its award within 21 days of
receiving that. All concerned have been asked not to go for litigation.
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960709
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan backing Dalmia to head ICC
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Athar Ali
LONDON, July 8: The International Cricket Council (ICC) members have
started their deliberations to resolve administrative and technical issues.
The Honorary Secretary of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI),
Jagmohan Dalmia, is being tipped to succeed Sir Clyde as Chairman of the
ICC though there are two other candidates, one from Australia and the other
from South Africa.
The draw for the 1999 World Cup, to be hosted by England is also to be
held. Informal consultations between ICC members and associates will
continue throughout the week but lobbying for the election of the Chairman
is in full swing. Pakistan is being represented at the meeting by Cricket
Board Chairman, Zulfikar Bukhari, Chief Executive, Majid Khan, and the PCB
special representative Ehsan Mani. The most important item on the agenda
for the ICC meeting is the election of the Chairman to replace Sir Clyde
who completes his four-year term early next year. Besides Dalmia Malcolm
Gray of Australia and Chris Mackerdhuj, President of the South African
United Cricket Board, are also contesting for the post.
Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, the three who hosted this years World Cup,
are supporting Dalmia as Chairman. The votes of the nine full members are
thus divided. Full members have two votes each while each of the 22
associate members holds one vote. The contest may not be decided in the
first ballot and then goes to a second ballot unless one of the candidates
decides to withdraw at the last moment.
According to informed sources Dalmia has a better chance of winning the
election. The founding members of the ICC have not accepted the change for
having a chairman from outside the group. They think this impairs the
authority of the ICC and moves the centre of gravity of international
cricket away from London.
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Janshers tiff with PSF officials ends
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Sports Reporter
RAWALPINDI, July 7: World number one squash star Jansher Khan has said that
all differences with the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) have been
resolved and he will work with the national body for the promotion of
squash in the country.
The world champion stated that most of the time his views were
misinterpreted which further added to whatever differences were there.
Jansher informed the Press that he met the Senior Vice President Air
Marshal Aliuddin at Chaklala and solved all disputes. He stressed that
there existed no more apathy between them and that he will work with the
federation to promote the game in the country
Jansher offered to train the juniors after their return from the World
Junior Championships. He stated that earlier when the federation wanted him
to train the youngster he was busy in his own commitments therefore he
could not spare time.
Commenting on his plans after retirement, Jansher Khan said that he would
open a training centre. However he said that it will not be before five to
six years from now.
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AVM Farooq expects medal in hockey
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Our Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD, July 10: Chef de mission, Atlanta Olympic contingent, AVM Farooq
Umer, has asked the whole nation to pray for Pakistans victory at the
global event.
Talking to this correspondent on the eve of departure for New York from
Islamabad in the early hours, the head of Pakistan squad stated that the
team qualified for the big event and it was upto the boys as how
they click and direct their energies to keep Pakistans name top in the
event. Our main hopes are with the hockey team but we also hope that the
boxers would be able to achieve something.
The AVM added that teams preparation was planned in the best possible way,
although lately the incidents of revolt and intrigue put us on the back
track. He said that they have tried to motivate the boys so that they
produce the winning combination and claim the most sought after victory.
But for that we need prayers of the whole nation. Pakistans presence in
the 200 plus countries of the world will be most visible through their
hockey performance and we pray to Allah let us come out with flying
colours, he said.
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Game of hi-tech at Atlanta
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Masood Haider
NEW YORK, July 9: As the countdown to the centennial Olympic Games in
Atlanta has begun it seems that the athletes are not the only ones who will
be competing in the games: The high tech computer and electronic companies
will be there too, competing in their field of expertise.
Complex, intricate and highly technical infrastructure is installed at the
site of the Olympiad to monitor everything from security to traffic,
weather to telecommunications by I.B.M, American Telephone and telegraph,
M.C.I., Eastman Kodak, Motorola, Panasonic to test their latest
technological inventions. These inventions will be at the games, albeit, on
the sidelines.
More than 15,000 athletes and coaches, two million spectators at Atlanta
and three billion television viewers world-wide will depend on the modern
high-tech infrastructure at the games.
Almost 300 million dollars worth of technology is already in place and the
operation centre created thus far is being compared to Houston Command
Control Centre which launches and monitors Americas space programme.
The operation centre is the hub where high trained crew of technical
specialists, most of them sent in by the big corporations, who have stake
in the technology, will monitor and manage 7,000 computers, 9,000 radio
phones, 6,000 pagers, 1,000 facsimile lines and 8,000 cable connections.
Panasonic has installed 10,000 video monitors for every activity on the
field and off it.
If the athletes are going for the gold, the big corporations are making
efforts for the same. They have both prestige and earnings in their Olympic
plan.
The list of technical innovations for the games is long and diverse.
Athletes and coaches will wear special security badges that broadcast
access codes and information, as the wearer approaches the security
checkpoints, using microchips embedded in the plastic. Everyone from the
spectators to the journalists will be issued cards or passes which will be
encoded, allowing them access to certain areas and keeping them at bay from
others.
To help the anticipated traffic rush in the city, Atlanta has augmented its
traffic system with remote sensors, video cameras and global positioning
system. Eventually, when linked to on-board navigation system now beginning
to appear in several models of cars, the system will be able to monitor
automobile traffic on major roads throughout the city.
But the city officials are still warning people not to arrive in Atlanta
during the Olympic games with their cars, trucks or recreational vehicles.
Dawn page