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Week Ending : 22 November 1997 Issue : 03/47
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NA amends Contempt of Court Act
Appointment of chief justice challenged
Senate passes Contempt Bill
Scuffle breaks out in Supreme Court precincts
LHC issues notice to govt. on 'blank papers'
Nawaz wants Leghari to sign bill immediately
SC frames charges against PM, others
PML and allies decide to impeach president
SC asks president not to sign bill
President refuses to give his assent
Parliament cannot summon CJ: Akram
SC issues notice to govt. in 13th Amendment case
Contempt case hearing adjourned till 28th
Benazir vows to resist retrenchments
Pir Mazhar sentenced to 5-year RI in land scam
Kansi's signature on confession statement differs
---------------------------------
New policy to attract $5bn foreign investment
Loan linked to approval of SEC by Parliament
Power consumers forced to pay more
PTCL signs accord with ICO Global
Steel engg industry to get top priority
Foreign investors return to rings, index up 62.29 points
---------------------------------------
They stand accused By Ardeshir Cowasjee
Back to the brink By Irfan Husain
A matter of commitment By M.B. Naqvi
Before it is too late
-----------
WI snatch back initiative from Pakistan
Pakistan well placed after Inzamam's heroics
Pakistan whip West Indies by an innings and 19 runs
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971118
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NA amends Contempt of Court Act
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By Ihtasham ul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 17: The National Assembly adopted, with a majority
vote, a bill that amended the Contempt of Court Act, 1976, by
providing an intra-court appeal against the orders passed by the
Supreme Court to a larger bench consisting of all the remaining
available judges of the court within the country.
The leader of the opposition Benazir Bhutto and a couple of other
PPP MNAs opposed the bill. Just before the bill was put before the
House for passage, the PPP members walked out in protest. They
wanted to suggest some changes but the speaker ruled they could not
do so because they had not formally moved their amendments to the
bill.
The bill was earlier approved by a special cabinet meeting chaired
by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and was thoroughly discussed in a
meeting of the PML and its allied parties. The purpose of the bill,
the special cabinet meeting said, was to bring the provisions of
the Contempt of Court Act, 1976, in conformity with the injunctions
of Islam.
The eminent constitutional expert, Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, and a
couple of other prominent lawyers are said to have been behind the
preparation of the new bill to stop the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court Syed Sajjad Ali Shah to take any final decision
against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others involved in the
contempt of court case that was heard today and was adjourned for
Tuesday.
The bill passed by the National Assembly holds that an intra-court
appeal shall lie against the issuance of the show-cause notice or
an original order, including an interim order passed by a bench of
the Supreme Court in any case, including a pending case, to a
larger bench consisting of all the remaining available judges of
the court in the country. It also provided that in the event the
impugned show-cause notice or order has been passed by half or more
of the judges of the Supreme Court, the matter shall, on the
application of an aggrieved person, be put up for re-appraisal
before the full court.
The bill further provides that "the operation of the impugned show-
cause notice or order shall remain suspended until the final
disposal of the matter in the manner herein before provided...and
...(ii) after sub-section (3) the following new sub-section shall
be added namely: "An intra-court appeal or application for re-
appraisal shall be filed within thirty days from the date of show
case notice or the order, as the case may be".
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971119
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Appointment of chief justice challenged
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Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Nov. 18: The appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan,
Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, was challenged in the Balochistan Bench of
the Supreme Court.
The validity of the chief justice's appointment was challenged in a
petition filed by Munir Ahmad.
The division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Nasir
Aslam Zahid and Justice Khalilur Rehman, which heard the petition,
referred it to the chief justice for placing the matter before the
full court for consideration.
The apex court bench in its order said: "After considering the
submissions made, we are of the view that this matter requires
urgent attention and decision by the full court. In the
circumstances, it is directed that this file may be sent to
Islamabad for being placed before the honorable chief justice for
placing the matter before the full court."
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971119
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Senate passes Contempt Bill
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Staff Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 18: The Senate passed the Contempt of Court
(Amendment) Bill, 1997, with a voice vote amid a walkout by the
opposition over misinterpretation" of the Supreme Court and Federal
Shariat Court verdicts on the issue of right of appeal by
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Yasin Wattoo.
The bill was passed by a voice vote. The bill will now go before
President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari for assent. The Leader of the
Opposition in Senate, Aitzaz Ahsan, and deputy leader Raza Rabbani
argued against the bill.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohammad Yasin Wattoo defended the
bill, saying that it was in consonance with the verdicts passed by
the Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court and recommendations of the
Islamic Ideology Council and provided right of appeal to aggrieved
individuals and parties.
He defended the summoning of the two Houses, saying that it
fulfilled the Islamic requirements of consultation on important
issues facing the nation. He justified the suspension of rules of
business and procedures of the House to meet an emergency. He said
while every forum provided a right of appeal to an aggrieved party,
there was no such recourse in cases relating to the Supreme Court.
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971119
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Scuffle breaks out in Supreme Court precincts
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 18: Exchange of hot words between Privatization
Commission Chairman Khwaja Mohammad Asif, PTV Managing Director Sen
Pervaiz Rashid and Advocate Akram Sheikh led to a scuffle in the
precincts of the Supreme Court when the contempt case against Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif and his colleagues came up before the court
for hearing.
It all began with an exchange of light taunts between the old
buddies when in the heat of the moment their tempers snapped and
they started hurling abuses at each other. Khwaja Asif gave two
punches on Akram Sheikh's face. This left a scar on his face. "Take
the picture", a baffled Akram Sheikh shouted at a photographer
standing nearby. Some lawyers intervened and saved Akram Sheikh,
who later raised the issue inside the court and narrated the whole
story. He said he had invited Khwaja Asif and others to join him at
tea.
Akram Sheikh said he called Khwaja Asif a corrupt banker and also
admitted to hurling an obscenity. He said he had decided not to
lodged any formal complaint with the police. He, however, called
upon the Chief Justice to take note of the violation of the
sanctity of court.
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971120
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LHC issues notice to govt. on 'blank papers'
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By Shujaat Ali Khan
LAHORE, Nov. 19: The Lahore High Court issued notice to the federal
government in an application alleging that "the prime minister may
use blank papers he got signed by the PML parliamentarians for
moving an impeachment resolution against the president".
The application has been moved by Dr. Abdul Basit in a pending writ
petition seeking that appointment of a permanent chief election
commissioner by the president in his discretion. The petition,
filed on behalf of the Lawyers' Front for the Protection of
Constitution, says that the CEC will soon have to adjudicate
disqualification references against the prime minister and certain
ministers and it is in the propriety of things that a permanent CEC
is appointed by the president under Article 213.
The federal government is already claiming that an acting CEC
appointed under Article 217 will, like an acting chief justice, not
enjoy all the powers of his office, alleges the petition.
The new application alleges that the PM got blank papers signed by
his partymen in Parliament before the suspension of the anti-
defection 14th amendment. An impeachment notice or resolution may
now be typed on these blank papers. It seeks a restraint order
against the PM and a direction for scrutiny of the notice and
resolution to ascertain whether they have been freshly signed by
the movers.
Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who is seized of the main petition,
directed Deputy Attorney-General Khwaja Saeeduz Zafar to obtain
instructions from the government on the latest application also and
place them before the court on Nov. 21 when the main petition would
also come up for hearing.
According to Article 47 of the Constitution, notwithstanding
anything contained in it the president may be removed from office
on the ground of physical or mental incapacity or impeached on a
charge of violating the Constitution or gross misconduct. Not less
than one half of the total membership of either House may give to
the speaker of the National Assembly or, as the case may be, to the
chairman of the Senate a written notice of its intention to move a
resolution for the removal or impeachment of the president. The
notice shall set out the particulars of the charge against him or
of his incapacity.
If the notice is received by the Senate chairman, he shall
immediately transmit it to the NA speaker, who shall cause a copy
of it to be transmitted to the president within three days. The
speakers shall then summon the two Houses to meet in a joint
session not earlier than seven days and not later than 14 days
after the receipt of the notice by him.
The joint sitting may investigate or cause to be investigated the
ground or the charge upon which the notice is based. The president
shall have the right to appear and be represented during the
investigation, if any, before the joint sitting.
If, after consideration of the result of the investigation, if any,
a resolution is passed at the joint sitting by the votes of not
less than two-thirds of the total membership of Parliament
declaring that the president is unfit to hold the office due to
incapacity or is guilty of violating the Constitution or of gross
misconduct, the president shall cease to hold office immediately on
passing of the resolution.
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971120
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Nawaz wants Leghari to sign bill immediately
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 19: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif linked the
prevailing uncertain situation to the delay by President Farooq
Leghari in giving assent to the Contempt of Court Amendment Bill,
and added that "with his signature, we will be able to end the
crisis."
He did not commit that the president had become a party but
repeatedly urged Mr. Leghari to accord assent to the Contempt of
Court Amendment Bill. Explaining the urgency of the president's
assent to the Bill, the prime minister said: "I am facing a
contempt case and the Contempt of Court Amendment Bill provides
that if the Supreme Court decision goes against me (as it can go
against any Pakistani), I should have the right of appeal as each
Pakistani has. You know charges have been framed against me and we
had passed the Bill so that we could go into appeal in the full
court, if needed."
Mr. Sharif did not elaborate what his party would do should the
president not sign the amendment Bill which had been sent to Mr.
Leghari. In his informal press talk, Mr. Sharif showed a veiled
resentment against the president whose delay in signing the
amendment Bill was further complicating the issues.
The prime minister did not give any answer when asked if the assent
to the Bill would end the confrontation between the two
institutions (judiciary and executive). What he said was:
"Parliament has its own powers and we are empowered to take our own
decisions."
The prime minister said the country was going through an
extraordinary phase, the economy was under formidable threats,
uncertainty was sitting heavy on everybody and the situation had
become alarming. Asked if he had to go to jail, the prime minister
replied: "I don't mind going to jail in the larger interest of the
nation.
Mr. Nawaz did not disclose the details of his meeting earlier in
the day with the chief of the Army staff, Gen Jehangir Karamat, and
said these meetings were also a part of the system. Asked why he
was so anxious to get for himself the right of appeal while the
anti-terrorism law, which parliament under him approved did not
give such a right to the people, the PM said this right was
guaranteed in the said law. He denied the government was
contemplating any proposal to reduce the age-limit of the judges
and also contradicted press reports that he had contacted on phone
the Army chief while the COAS was in London.
Asked if he thought there was a conspiracy against the system, the
prime minister said: "What do you say on this?" He left it to the
judgment of the people to decide whether it was a conspiracy
because the nation was well aware of the whole situation.
The prime minister deplored that the country was being pushed on
the path of destruction as far as economy was concerned. He said
billions of rupees were being wasted daily and the past few weeks
had done the country the damage which would take long to recover.
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971120
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SC frames charges against PM, others
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Rafaqat Ali
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 19: The Supreme Court chargesheeted Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif and eleven other respondents, including seven
legislators, for their alleged commission of contempt of court.
The respondents would be required to either plead guilty or not
guilty. The SC exempted the prime minister from personal appearance
in the court. The chief justice said the court would summon the
prime minister if required. All other respondents, including the
law minister and chairman Privatization Commission, would be
required to attend the court on every hearing.
The court told the respondents that they had "committed contempt of
court which is an offense falling within the purview of Article 204
(2)(b) of the Constitution and section 3 of the Contempt of Court
Act, 1976, which is punishable under section 4 of the above-said
Act and within the cognizance of this court. And we hereby direct
that you be tried by us on the said charge."
The court again turned down the request of the prime minister's
counsel for dropping the proceedings against his client because of
his personal appearance in the court. He further said that his
client, who was the prime minister of the country, had offered his
regrets "if his remarks had hurt any judge."
All the respondents have been asked two questions: 1) Do you plead
guilty? and 2) Do you have anything else to say?
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971121
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PML and allies decide to impeach president
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Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 20: The government decided to impeach the president
following his refusal to give assent to the Contempt of Court
(Amendment) Bill, but later chose to defer the move for a day.
The decision to postpone the impeachment motion came after a
cabinet session and separate meetings of Nawaz Sharif and his
brother Shahbaz Sharif with Chief of the Army Staff Gen Jehangir
Karamat.
Official sources told Dawn the government had opted for a ceasefire
till Friday evening. It was also decided not to discuss the
summoning of the chief justice in the privileges committee. The
chairman of the privileges committee had earlier convened the
session for Thursday which, too, was postponed.
A senior government spokesman told Dawn " things are moving towards
resolution". He said the cabinet and the PML and its coalition
partners had rejected the idea that the prime minister should step
down and that some other party leader should be made leader of the
house to avert the crisis.
Nevertheless, the sources said the names of Lt.-Gen Majid Malik and
Syed Fakhr Imam and Ishaq Dar were being discussed in case Mr.
Sharif decided to step down. The role of President Leghari was also
discussed during the meetings. The president is reported to have
told both the chief ministers of Punjab and the NWFP that the
government should not expect anything unconstitutional from him and
that they were welcomed to move an impeachment motion against him.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told reporters while going to preside
over the parliamentary party meeting that he enjoyed full support
of his MNAs and those of the allied parties and had been authorized
to take any decision in the interest of the country.
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971121
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SC asks president not to sign bill
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Staff Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 20: The Supreme Court directed the president not to
give his assent to the Contempt of Court (Amendment) Bill, 1997,
until the petitions challenging the validity of the bill were
disposed of by the apex court.
The court also ordered that in case the president had given his
assent to the bill before this court order at 10.45am on Thursday,
the operation of the act would remain suspended until further
order.
The order was passed by the three-member bench comprising Chief
Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, Justice Bashir Ahmed Jehangiri and Justice
Mohammad Arif on the petitions of Naveed Malik, President of
Pakistan Solidarity Front, and Syed Iqbal Haider. The court also
issued notices to the president of Pakistan, Federation of
Pakistan, attorney-general and the law secretary to explain their
positions.
The court after one-hour hearing ordered: "In the circumstances we
deem it fit and proper to direct respondent No 1 (President of
Pakistan) in Constitutional Petition No 43 of 1997 not to give
assent, and if assent has already been given the operation of the
Contempt of Court (Amendment) Act, 1997, is hereby suspended until
further orders."
Iftikhar Gillani, counsel for Naveed Malik, argued that the
Contempt of Court (Amendment) Bill, 1997, was passed to save
certain individuals facing contempt of court charges in the Supreme
Court. He submitted that the impugned legislation was violative of
Article 191 and item 55 of the Federal Legislative List.
Article 191 gives the power to the chief justice to regulate the
practice and procedure of the court. Item 55 of the Federal
Legislative List reads as: "Jurisdiction and powers of all courts,
except the Supreme Court, with respect to any of the matters in
this list and, to such extent as is expressly authorized by or
under the Constitution, the enlargement of the jurisdiction of the
Supreme Court and the conferring thereon of supplemental powers."
Mr. Gillani argued that item 5 of the Federal Legislative List
clearly stated that parliament had no powers to curtail the
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and it could do legislation for
enhancing its jurisdiction. Under the proposed law, he said, a
convict and even an alleged contemner could file an appeal before
the judges who were not members of the bench which was seized of
the contempt matter, and mere filing of an appeal would result into
automatic stay.
Mr. Gillani further argued that the bill passed by the parliament
ran counter to the administrative powers of the chief justice as
envisaged in the rules and provisions of the Constitution.
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971121
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President refuses to give his assent
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 20: President Farooq Leghari refused to give his
assent to the Contempt of Court (Amendment) Bill, 1997, saying it
was beyond his powers after the Supreme Court passed an order
restraining him from doing so.
A three-member government team comprising Punjab Chief Minister
Shahbaz Sharif, NWFP Chief Minister Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and Leader
of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, called on President
Leghari and requested him to give his assent to the bill. However,
according to informed sources, the president expressed his
inability to sign the bill and said he did not intend to commit
contempt by disobeying the Supreme Court.
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971122
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Parliament cannot summon CJ: Akram
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By Shujaat Ali Khan
LAHORE, Nov. 21: Parliament has no power to summon any member of
the superior judiciary, including the chief justice, for any reason
or purpose under the Constitution of Pakistan, Supreme Court Bar
Association outgoing President Muhammad Akram Sheikh said.
Talking to Dawn on his return from Islamabad after a week of
eventful Supreme Court proceedings, he said the position was
entirely different under the Indian Constitution, which empowers
parliament to impeach superior court judges. A judge guilty of
misconduct in the eyes of the government in Pakistan can only be
dealt with under Article 209, which provides for inquiry and
adjudication by the Supreme Judicial Council.
There is no corresponding provision in the Indian Constitution. But
Indian parliament has used its power to impeach the superior court
judges sparingly, probably only once. It was not exercised when
Mrs. Indira Gandhi was unseated, or when certain constitutional
amendments protecting her were declared ultra vires for being
repugnant to the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, or
even when corruption cases were started against leading
parliamentarians. Mr. Akram Sheikh, who is appearing as amicus
curiae in the contempt case against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,
said Article 68 is quite categorical in prohibiting Parliament from
even discussing the conduct of any judge. How can it summon a judge
when it cannot even discuss his conduct in his absence.
IMPEACHMENT MOVE: Mr. Akram Sheikh said the Supreme Court can stay
an impeachment move against the president if it has no nexus with
the grounds mentioned in the Constitution for the president's
removal � incapacity or gross misconduct.
As in case of the repealed Article 58 (2) (b) envisaging the
National Assembly dissolution by the president if the
constitutional machinery breaks down, the superior courts can
assume jurisdiction to examine whether the grounds mentioned in an
impeachment notice or resolution have any nexus with the grounds
mentioned in Article 47 of the Constitution, he said.
Mr. Akram Sheikh affirmed that he always supported Article 58 (2)
(b) and most other provisions of the Eighth Amendment as they
provided for a system of checks and balances. The Supreme Court
also upheld them as being in accord with the salient features of
the Constitution � Islam, democracy and federal parliamentary
system.
About the Supreme Court restraint order to the president, who has
power to consider and return a questionable bill adopted by
parliament within 30 days, Mr. Akram Sheikh said the court can
intervene when a matter is patently outside the legislative
competence of parliament. It is better to nip an illegality in the
bud rather than waiting for it to mature before striking it down.
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971122
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SC issues notice to govt in 13th Amendment case
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Rafaqat Ali
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 21: The Supreme Court started hearing of a
constitutional petition challenging the validity of the 13th
Amendment declined to suspend the operation of the Amendment, and
adjourned it to Nov. 27.
The court issued a notice to the federation of Pakistan, and the
Attorney to appear on Nov. 27 to explain their position.
Syed Iqbal Haider, contended that due to removal of the president's
discretionary powers to dissolve the assembly, he was not powerful
enough to play an effective role in resolving the constitutional
crisis in the country. The PML and its allied parties demolished
the constitutional structure in the name of massive mandate, he
stated.
Shehzad Jehangir, former attorney-general appeared on behalf of the
petitioner said by depriving the president of his powers to
dissolve the National Assembly under Article 58(2)(b), the present
legislature exposed the country to threat of martial law.
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971122
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Contempt case hearing adjourned till 28th
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Staff Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 21: The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of the
contempt of court case against the prime minister and seven other
legislators for one week.
The court acceded to the request of the respondents and granted
them more time for filing reply to the charges. The apex court will
now take up the case on Nov. 28.
The court also discharged the contempt notice against the secretary
of the National Assembly as he had provided complete record,
including expunged portions. "He has done the needful and notice is
discharged against him", the court observed.
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971116
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Benazir vows to resist retrenchments
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Shamim ur Rehman
KARACHI, Nov. 15: The Chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party,
Ms Benazir Bhutto, accused Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of pursuing
policies that would threaten the federation.
Demanding immediate reinstatement of those who had been sacked from
banks and other public sector organizations, she accused Mian Nawaz
Sharif of entering into an agreement to deprive over 300,000 people
of livelihood.
She said influential loan defaulters, not workers, were responsible
for banks' stringency. Ms Bhutto said she had presented a list of
500 bank defaulters in the National Assembly. "Instead of
recovering the money from them, Mian Nawaz Sharif had resorted to
anti-people policy of retrenchment and forced retirements under the
pretext of downsizing and imposing tax on small agriculturists."
She alleged that the prime minister was among leading bank
defaulters.
She also accused him of entering into a secret agreement to slash
the strength of the armed forces. She demanded that IMF and the WB
should "ask Nawaz Sharif to return public money" and withdraw taxes
on small agriculturists. Ms Bhutto said during her two stints in
the government she had provided jobs to many, but the government of
Mian Nawaz Sharif had thrown them out. She alleged that Mian Nawaz
Sharif was an "associate of those who killed workers of Colony Mill
at Multan, removed employees of Wah Ordnance Factories and imposed
a ban on trade union activities." Castigating the government, Ms
Bhutto also dwelt on the price spiral and the law and order
situation.
The PPP chairperson said that unless the poor people of Pakistan
felt secure and were assured of their livelihood, Pakistan would
not make progress.
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971121
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Pir Mazhar sentenced to 5-year RI in land scam
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov. 20: The Ehtesab Bench of the High Court of Sindh,
sentenced Pir Mazharul Haq, a former provincial minister for
housing and planning; ex-member of KDA Shah Mansoor Alam, and a
beneficiary, Abdul Razzak, in a land conversion case, to five
years RI and a fine of Rs 2 million each or in default of payment
of fine another two-year imprisonment.
Pir Mazhar is the general secretary of PPP, Sindh, and deputy
opposition leader in the provincial assembly.
According to the reference, Abdul Razzak had claimed that he was
the occupant of an amenity plot, measuring 2,666.66 square yards,
in Sector No ST-3, Sector 12/C, North Karachi township, and had
applied to KDA on Aug 18,1993, for its regularisation. The
director(Recoveries), KDA, in his note had opposed the
regularisation on the ground that conversion of amenity plots into
commercial, residential or industrial ones was strictly prohibited
under the Sindh(Amendment) Act No XVII of 1974 and Clause 52 of the
KDA Order No 5 of 1957.
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971119
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Kansi's signature on confession statement differs
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaheen Sehbai
FAIRFAX, Virginia, Nov. 18: The local court which tried and
sentenced Mir Aimal Kansi to death released the evidence in his
case for the media and a cursory look establishes that the
confession signed by Kansi was written by the FBI agents.
The evidence, besides the confessional statement, included the AK-
47 gun, pistols and ammunition used in the CIA killings, pictures
of the crime scene, reports of the specialists and scanning tests
done on Kansi and copies of applications made by Kansi to buy
firearms and seek asylum in the US.
Interestingly, the documents reveal that Kansi's signatures on the
confessional statement were totally different from what he normally
signed on the asylum application or the forms he filled to buy the
gun and two pistols.
The statement, signed by Kansi on board the aircraft while on way
from Pakistan to the US, was written by an FBI agent, in capital
letters on two small lined papers. It was written in pure legal
language and said: "I, Aimal Khan Kasi, also known as Mir Aimal
Kansi, freely and voluntarily provide this statement to SA Bradley
J. Garrett and SA Sean Joyce of the FBI. No threats or promises
have been made to me. I can read, write and have a master's degree
in English.
"Approximately two-three days prior to the shooting outside CIA
headquarters in January 1993, I purchased a AK-47 rifle and approx
150 rounds of AK-47 ammo. I also purchased two pistols at this
time. On Monday 1-25-93 I drove my Isuzu pick-up truck to the
entrance road off of HW123 in Fairfax Co VA. I had with me the
purchased AK-47 and several magazines of ammo. I parked my truck in
the right lane of 2 left lanes that turn into CIA headquarters. I
got out of my vehicle I started shooting into vehicles stopped at a
red light. I shot approximately 10 rounds shooting 5 people. I
aimed for the chest area of the people shot. I then returned to my
truck & drove back to my apartment in Herndon, VA after stopping at
a park approx. 1 mile from the shooting. The next day I returned to
Pakistan.
This statement is accurate and correct. Also several days before
the shooting I decided to do the shooting at the CIA or the Israeli
Embassy but decided to shoot at the CIA because it was easier
because CIA officers are not armed."
X signed Aimal Kasi, 6-17-97
Witness: SA signed Bradley Garrett, FBI, 6-17-97
SA S. M. Joyce, FBI, 6/17/97
The signatures of Kansi on this statement read Aimal Kasi while in
all other papers which he signed on his own free will, he has
written Mir Aimal.
The confession was admitted as evidence in the case, despite
objections by the defence but later when the defence could have
pointed out the discrepancies, they never mounted any defence for
Kansi and concentrated only on the post-guilty phase to try to save
him from death penalty, which they ultimately could not.
===================================================================
971122
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New policy to attract $5bn foreign investment
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 21: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced a
comprehensive new investment policy which is expected to attract
five billion dollar foreign investment during the next three years.
One of the major features of the new investment policy is that the
customs duty has totally been abolished on the import of plant,
machinery and equipment not manufactured locally. The prime
minister also promised to accept some of the suggestions given by
the businessmen and said that the new policy will be made effective
in one week time after having incorporated these proposals.
SALIENT FEATURES: The premier said," the essence of the policy is
to keep Pakistan attractive in international investment market by
improving the policy regime, offering fiscal and tariff relief and
through providing procedural and social facilitation". Special
attention has been given to the development of human capital and
the base for quality services. It is pertinent to mention that the
measures have been proposed in comparison with other Asian
countries and considering macro-economic scenario of the country.
The policy comprises three sections, i.e. a) Policies, b)
Incentives, and c) Facilitation.
The foreign direct investment in Pakistan until now has been
limited to the manufacturing sector under which the following
policy incentives were available:
- Foreign exchange controls had been relaxed.
- Foreign investors had been allowed participation in local
projects on 100% equity basis.
- There was no compulsion for a limited company to offer shares to
the public even if its paid-up capital exceeded Rs100 million.
- Full safeguards had been provided to protect foreign investment.
- There was no requirement of having local partners and full
repatriation of capital, capital gains and dividend was allowed.
- Ceilings on payment of royalties and technical fee had been
abolished.
- Work permit restrictions on expatriate managers and technical
personnel working in an industrial undertaking had been withdrawn
and remittance restrictions had been eased.
- No government sanction was required for setting up an industry in
any field, place and size, except for the following four
industries:-
Arms and ammunitions;
- High explosive;
- Radioactive substances;
- Security printing, currency and mint.
- There was no requirement for obtaining No Objection Certificate
(NOC) from the provincial government for locating the project
anywhere in the country except the areas which were notified as
negative.
- In the new investment policy the manufacturing sector has been
prioritized in four categories;
A. Value-added or export industry: All those units which can attain
a minimum of 40% value-addition will be taken as value-added units
and all those industries which can export 80% of their production
will be treated as export industry.
B. Hi-tech;
C. Priority industry; and
D. Agro-based industry.
These categories will be liable to change as a result of the review
of Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCOI) as and when deemed
necessary.
The industries falling under categories A&B, e.g. leather, textile,
footwear, surgical, sports goods, carpets, electronic, sea food
industry, mining, powder metallurgical industry and manufacture of
alloys and stainless steel, information technology, solar
technology, aerospace and defence production etc. will get First
Year Allowance (FYA) on capital expenditure/investment @ 90% and
Re-investment Allowance (RA) @ 50% of capital/investment will also
be admissible in balancing, modernization, replacing and expansion.
The net effect of these allowances will be that profits will not be
taxable until the capital expenditure has been recovered.
The industries falling under categories C&D, which cover main areas
of engineering/capital goods, petro-chemicals, chemicals,
production of quality/hybrid seeds, edible oil extraction/refinery,
live stock/poultry feed, milk processing, agri-based value-added
productions etc. will be entitled to First Year Allowance (FYA) @
75%. Similarly, these industries will also be entitled to re-
investment allowance @ 50%.In case of all other industries, which
do not fall under the four categories, accelerated depreciation
allowance at an enhanced rate of 50% will be allowed.
AGRICULTURE SECTOR: "In the agriculture sector, it gives me great
pleasure to announce that the import tariff on plant and machinery
(not manufactured locally) used for agriculture will be zero
rated", the premier said. List of specific machinery and equipment
will, however, be notified later. Other incentives granted under
this sector will be:
- In line with the reforms announced in agriculture package, there
will be no upper ceiling of land for registered companies which are
involved in production, processing and marketing of agricultural
products on commercial lines. However, the income of these
companies would be taxable.
- The proposals related to foreign investment in agriculture sector
will be processed by the BOI in consultation with the respective
provincial government and will be approved by the competent
decision making forum.
- The land for agriculture purpose will be available on leases for
long periods, i.e. initially up to 30 years, extendable for a
further period of 20 years.
- Foreign company, interested in investment in agriculture sector,
will not be allowed to transfer or sell such land to any other
foreign company unless specifically permitted by the federal and
the concerned provincial government.
- The amount of foreign equity investment will be at the level of
at least US dollar 1 million.
- The minimum 40% of the equity will be held by Pakistani company
or individuals in such projects.
The activities permissible under the agriculture sector will be:
Land development/reclamation of barren, desert and hilly land for
agriculture purpose and crops farming; reclamation of water front
areas/creeks; crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers farming/integrated
agriculture (cultivation and processing of crops); modernization &
development of irrigation facilities/water management;
plantation/forestry and horticulture.
The activities in the service sector available for foreign
investment will be:
- Wholesale, distribution and retail trade; transportation, storage
and communications/infrastructure projects, including development
of industrial zones: deregulated services in telecommunication
sector, real estate development, including development of
commercial buildings, apartment buildings, housing projects, super
markets, shopping malls, urban development, development of new
communities hotels, tourism and travel-related services; technical
testing facilities; audio-visual services; sporting and other
recreation services; rental/leasing services relating to transport
equipment and machinery, equipment and tools for land development &
agriculture purpose; Environmental Services.
In the service sector the government has decided that:
- The amount of foreign equity investment will be at the level of
at least US Dollar 1 million.
- A minimum 40% of the equity will be held by Pakistani company or
investors in the company or project.
- The import tariff on plant, machinery & equipment (not
manufactured locally) will be leviable at standard rate of 10% and
no sales tax shall be leviable.
- Unless title of property is transferred in the name of foreign
company, it may not develop real estate projects.
- Inter-provincial regulatory authority will be established at
federal level to regulate and monitor the land and real estate
development by foreign companies.
- Condition of induction of Pakistani equity as 40% of the total
equity will not be applicable in case of hotels & tourism;
Infrastructure and telecommunication projects, including
development of industrial zones; and export & import trade (except
domestic retail trading and distribution).
- In the social sector, 100% foreign investment on repatriable
basis will be allowed in education, technical and vocational
training, human resource development as well as hospitals &
medical/diagnostic services, provided the equity investment is at
least US dollar 1 million.
- The import tariff on plant, machinery & equipment (not
manufactured locally) will be leviable at standard rate of 10% and
no sales tax shall be leviable.
The prime minister announced that to encourage the investors to re-
invest their earnings by expanding the existing manufacturing
facilities and improving the technology or diversifying the product
line, re-investment allowance (RA) 50% of capital
expenditure/investment will be allowed in case of balancing,
modernization & replacement and expansion.
Similarly, he said, to encourage the establishment of small and
medium industries (SMIs),industrial sheds, structures/constructed
and sold/leased to SMIs will be granted an enhanced depreciation
allowance @ 30% (in first year) of the cost which has been incurred
on the development of these sheds/structures.
The prime minister also announced certain "facilitation" decisions
in order to provide support services and utilities under one
umbrella and to remove other procedural, operational and social
bottlenecks.
A composite scheme of national industrial zones (NIZs) engulfing
industrial estates, free industrial zones, free trade zone and
export oriented units within the areas of its boundary, will be
launched at a few selected prime sites. Export-oriented units will
however be allowed to be set up all over the country.
The unit will undertake production and operation in bonded factory
under customs control. The scheme focuses on efficient
industrialization and development with export-led strategy in a
contiguous, congenial investor-friendly-environment. It will
promote local and foreign investment through invigorating the
participation of private sector in development of the zones and
provision of incentives, facilities and one window service by the
government to support the investors in establishment and operation
of their projects.
Infrastructure within the zone will be developed by the private
sector investors. Development, management and marketing of
industrial estates/free industrial zones and free trade zones will
be offered to local and foreign investors. Provision of
infrastructure and utility facilities up to the zone will be the
responsibility either of relevant agencies of the government or the
developer/investor.
The premier said, the industry specific tariff and fiscal
incentives and other concessions as provided in the new investment
policy will be available to the projects to be located in these
zones.
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971120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan linked to approval of SEC by Parliament
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 19: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) would offer
500 million dollars for modernizing capital market, and improving
social sectors in the country.
"The ADB plans to extend 250 million dollars loan for introducing
market reform program on the pattern of ESAF of the IMF", disclosed
Mr. Geert Van Der Linden, the local chief of the ADB.
Talking to Dawn on Wednesday, he however, pointed out that the
first tranche of the market development fund would not be offered
unless the government got an approval from the Parliament for the
setting of the Security and Exchange Commission. He said another
250 million dollars will be made available to Pakistan for
undertaking development projects. "Both the programs will be
started in 1998 about which a broad understanding has been reached
between the ADB and the Government of Pakistan".
Giving the details, Mr. Linden said that the market development
loan would stimulate the stock market and help modernize the
system. Discussing 250 million dollar project loan, he said that
social sectors specially women education, non-formal education,
rural development and a pilot irrigation scheme in Punjab will be
supported.
In addition, Mr. Linden said, the ADB was considering to offer 250
million dollars for trade and export promotion of Pakistan. The
package, he pointed out, also included training of the people.
Responding to a question, the ADB chief said that there were large
number of conditionalities attached to loan packages. He said that
further reduction of tariffs was also one of the conditions. It was
also one of the conditionalities, he pointed out, that Mutual Fund
Schemes should be operated in the capital market like that of the
insurance companies.
Asked about the problems, Mr. Linden said that since Pakistan was
facing financial difficulties, it has not been able to arrange
counterpart funding in the execution of development projects. He
said that the ADB wanted certain provisions in the Public Sector
Development Program (PSDP) to protect development program and
projects.
He said that ADB was providing 300 million dollars separately for
Ghazi Brotha which will cost 2 billion dollars. He said that beside
ADB, the World Bank would provide 350 million dollars, 350 million
dollars by the OECF of Japan, 150 million dollars by KFD of Germany
and 70 million dollars by the Islamic Development Bank for Ghazi
Brotha. He was of the view that Pakistan should arrange counterpart
funding for this project as well as for other 52 projects so that
they could be completed in time.
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971117
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Power consumers forced to pay more
-------------------------------------------------------------------
By Sultan Ahmed
WITH a crushing current deficit of Rs 30 billion, a ban from the
prime minister on raising the power tariff despite the rising cost
of power production and distribution and the heavy debts it has to
repay or service, WAPDA, the proverbial white elephant of Pakistan
is in an agonizing quandary.
However, instead of raising the tariff, as it has always tended to
do in such circumstances, WAPDA and the Karachi Electric Supply
Corporation (KESC) are coming up with devious new means to make the
hard-pressed consumers pay more.
If the KESC earlier increased the security deposit substantially
and then the fee for new connection steeply, WAPDA is to come up
with enhanced monthly meter charges and earn Rs 3,000 million
through the latest measure.
When members of the National Assembly protested against such
increases in charges after the prime minister's categorical
assurance in the Assembly that power rates would not be raised,
minister for water and power Raja Nadir Pervez said the government
had no other option when consumers did not pay their bills, and
WAPDA could not recover the outstanding amounts even after
disconnection.
He also told the NA that WAPDA sustained a loss of Rs 3.94 billion
as a result of 6,73,000 consumers not paying their bills. As a
result of the WAPDA's large deficit it has not been able to repay
the large temporary loans taken from the government and the gas
bills of Pakistan Petroleum Ltd., Sui Northern and Sui Southern Gas
and the PSO's huge oil bills, and the amount it owes to
multinational companies like Siemens for the equipment it got from
it.
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971118
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PTCL signs accord with ICO Global
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 17: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited
(PTCL) has entered into an agreement with the Britain based ICO
Global Communications Limited for investing 21 million dollars to
offer the latest satellite communication services including local
cellular operations in Pakistan.
This signed the agreement will enable PTCL to become a wholesale
distributor of the ICO services throughout the country. Mr. Nasim
Mirza told reporters that the PTCL's 21 million dollar investment
into ICO global communications will help achieve the objective of
expanding its satellite network both in and outside the country. He
did not rule out the possibility of entering into a similar
agreements with some of the other reputed international companies.
Responding to a question, the ICO chief said that his company will
provide cellular telephone facilities by June 2000. He said that
the PTCL will be provided advanced technologies to compete with
other cellular companies operating in Pakistan. Asked about the
tariffs, he assured that they would be quite competitive and would
be acceptable to the users because of being comparatively cheap.
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971119
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Steel engg industry to get top priority
-------------------------------------------------------------------
M. Ziauddin
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 18: The government has finalized a medium term
industrial policy granting the highest priority to the steel based
engineering goods industry.
Cotton textiles and high-tech industries have been accorded the
second and third place in the three-point priority list of the
proposed new industrial policy. In addition, the small and medium
enterprises have been given a special importance in the new policy.
The new policy proposes the following incentives/concessions to
further boost the industrial investment activities in the country:
a. Machinery imported by sick units which is not manufactured
locally will be allowed at zero rate of duty;
b. Machinery imported for BMR by textile units and not manufactured
locally may be given 50 per cent exemption in the normal rate of
duty;
c. The engineering sector will be treated at par with export units
for the sake of import of raw material and tax credit;
d. Industry specific incentives may be developed for resource base
industries in the backward/less developed areas.
Appropriate tariff and other policies will be developed in order to
achieve sustained growth and expand the engineering sector. High-
tech industries like software industry and manufacture of solar
energy equipment and electronic industry will be given priority and
special encouragement.
The new industrial policy aims at achieving a growth rate of 7.2
per cent in the manufacturing sector during the current financial
year which will be gradually increased to double digit. The growth
in the large-scale manufacturing is projected to grow at the rate
of 6.5 per cent during the current year and thereafter to around 7
per cent. The growth in the small scale manufacturing is projected
at 8.4 per cent keeping in view the past performance of this sector
during the last many years.
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971122
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign investors return to rings, index up 62.29 points
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov. 21: Foreign investors were back in the rings and made
massive covering purchases in the current favorites, pushing the
KSE index up 3.69 per cent or 62.29 points at 1,750.08.
The market capitalization swelled by Rs 16 billion at Rs 533.010
billion after hitting the six-month low of Rs 517.461 billion. Bulk
of buying was confined to four leading foreign MNCs, notably Hub-
Power and ICI Pakistan, which together accounted for about 55
million shares of the total volume of 89 million shares, followed
by PTCL, which rose by Rs 1.95 on 22 million shares.
Both Hub-Power and PTCL, which hold 42 per cent weightage in the
KSE index, were up by Rs 2.45 and Rs 1.95, followed by other
leading shares such as ICP SEMF, Bank Al-Habib, MCB, Adamjee
Insurance, Fauji Fertilizer and some others.
The biggest gains were noted in PIC, which rose by Rs 75, followed
by Engro Chemicals and Shell Pakistan, posting gains ranging from
Rs 12.70 to Rs 27 respectively. PSO, however, did not follow the
market's general line of action and did fresh selling, falling
sharply lower by Rs 10.15, followed by Bata, Honda Atlas Cars and
EFU Insurance.
Traded volume rose to 89 million shares from the previous 69
million shares. Out of the 147 actives, 74 shares finished partly
recovered, 38 fell with 35 holding on to the last levels.
The most active list was topped by Hub-Power, up Rs 2.45 on 34.464
million shares, followed by PTCL, higher Rs 1.95 on 21.870 million
shares, ICI Pakistan, up Rs 1.90 on 21.824 million shares, FFC-
Jordan Fertilizer, firm 75 paisa on 2.241 million shares, and
Southern Electric, steady 35 paisa on 1.431 million shares.
The other actively traded shares were led by Fauji Fertilizer, up
Rs 1.50 on 1.345 million shares, followed by Japan Power, firm 35
paisa on 0.831 million shares, Kohinoor Energy, firm five paisa on
0.491 million shares, Dhan Fibre, unchanged at 0.0573 million
shares, Sui Southern, up 65 paisa on 0.375 million shares, and Sui
Northern, higher 55 paisa on 0.372 million shares. There were some
other notable deals also.
DEFAULTING COMPANIES: Crescent Spinning came in for stray support
and was marked up by 10 paisa at Rs 6.00 on 1,000 shares.
DIVIDEND: Bawany Air Products, bonus shares 20 per cent, Haroon
Oils, cash 32.5 per cent, and Indus Polyester, nil.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
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971116
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They stand accused
-------------------------------------------------------------------
By Ardeshir Cowasjee
IN THE first quarter of this year, the 140 million people of
Pakistan elected 205 from amongst themselves to represent them in
their National Assembly. These parliamentarians and those of the
provincial assemblies then voted in 87 Senators. All these
representatives are constitutionally bound to protect our lives,
safeguard our liberty and ensure our right to the pursuit of
happiness.
On our parliamentary benches sit three former judges, retired
military officers, innumerable Syeds, one Syeda, a handful of
Sardars and Mirs, a couple of Nawabs, assorted Pirs, a flock of
Chaudhris, a Raja or two, a score or more Hajis, revered Maulanas
and Moulvis, a few Lawyers and Doctors, a Bishop, an Engineer, a
retired Major General, a Master Mariner, well over a hundred
Misters, three Mrs, one Begum, one Miss and our Mohtarama.
In the National Assembly we have :
Pakistan Muslim League: Abdul Ghafoor, Abdul Hameed, Abdul Majeed
Malik, Abdul Manan, Abdul Sattar, Abdul Sattar Laleka, Abdul
Waheed, Abida Hussain, Adnan Aurangzeb, Adnan Hayat Khan Noon,
Aftab Ahmad, Aftab Ahmed Khan Daha, Afzal Hussain Tarar, Ahmed
Mahmood, Ahmed Nawaz Khan, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Amanullah Khan
Sial, Amir Hussain, Anwar Ali Cheema, Anwarul Haq Ramay, Asadur
Rehman, Asghar Ali Shah, Atif Ali Sanjrani, Atta Muhammad Qureshi,
Aurangzeb, Ejaz Ahmed, Ejaz Shafi, Faizul Hassan, Fakhar Imam,
Faridullah Khan Jamali, Farooq Anwar Abbasi, Fida Muhammad Khan,
Ghaus Bux Khan Mehr, Ghias Ahmad Mela, Ghous Ali Shah, Ghulam
Abbas, Ghulam Dastgir Khan, Ghulam Haider Rind, Ghulam Muhammad
Noor Rabani Khar, Ghulam Qasim Khan, Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, Gohar
Ayub Khan, Haleem Ahmed Siddiqui, Hamza, Humayun Akhtar Khan,
Iftikharul Hassan Shah, Illahi Bukhsh Soomro, Makhdoom Immad-ud-
Din, Inamullah Khan Niazi, Inayat Khan, Iqbal Mehdi, Jamil Ahmad
Hussain Bokhari, Javed Ali Shah, Javed Ibrahim Piracha, Kamil Ali
Agha, Kamil Omar, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Lal Khan, Mahmood Akbar
Khan, Mahmood Bashir Virk, Mahmud Ahmed Khan, Majeeda Wyne, Mansab
Ali Khan, Mansoor Hayat Tamman, Manzoor Hussain Shah, Jam Mashooq
Ali, Shahzada Mohiuddin, Maulana Moinuddin Lakhvi, Mubasher
Hussain, Muhammad Afzal Khan, Akram Ansari, Amjad Farooq, Aqueelur
Rahman, Ashiq Dayal, Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad
Azhar, Berjees Tahir, Muhammad Boota, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad
Hanif Khan, Muhammad Hayat Khan, Ijaz-ul-Haq, Iqbal Bosal, Ishaq
Dar. Muhammad Jaffar Iqbal, Javed Hashmi, Kabir Khan, Muhammad
Khan, Khurshid Zaman, Maqbool Ahmad Khan Niazi, Muhammad Munir,
Muhammad Nawaz Alai, Muhammad Nawaz Khan alias Dilawar Khan Khichi,
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pervaiz Malik, Maulana Muhammad Rehmatullah,
Muhammad Sarwar Khan, Siddique Khan Kanju, Muhammad Tahir Rashid,
Muhammad Tahir Sultan, Yaqub Khan Nasir, Yasin Khan Wattoo,
Muhammad Yousuf, Jam Muhammad Yousuf, Zarafullah Khan Dhandla,
Muhammad Zaman, Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar, Nadir Pervaiz Khan, Naeem
Hussain Chattha, Nasir Ali Khan Baluch, Nasir Khan, Nazir Ahmed
Khan, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Noor Muhammad Ghirfari, Pir Noor
Muhammad Shah Jillani, Qaisar Ali Khan, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Safdar
Rahman, Sajjad Haider, Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi, Rai Salahuddin,
Salahuddin Saeed, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Shahid
Mehdi Nasim, Shahid Saeed Khan, Shaukat Hussain Shah, Sher Ali,
Shuja Muhammad Khan Baloch, Shujat Ali Khan, Chaudhry Shujat
Hussain, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, Sikandar Hayat Malhi, Tehmina
Daultana, Tanveer Hussain, Tariq Aziz, Umar Farooq Khan, Umar Aslam
Awan, Zafar Ali Shah, Zahid Tauseef.
Pakistan People's Party: Abdul Sattar Leghari, Pir Aftab Hussain
Shah Jilani, Aftab Shahban Mirani, Ahmed Karim Dad Baloch, Ali
Muhammad Khan Mahar, Ali Nawaz Shah, Benazir Bhutto, Pir Fazal Ali
Shah Jeelani, Fehmida Mirza, Baboo Ghulam Hussain, Khalid Ahmed
Lund, Khurshed Ahmed Shah, Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Muhammad Bux
Jamali, Naveed Qamar, Nusrat Bhutto, Shabir Ahmed Khan Chandio,
Shafqat Hussain Shah Sheerani.
Haq Parast Group: Ajaz Mahmood, A K Shams, Babar Khan Ghori, Hasan
Musanna Alvi, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Kunwar Khalid Yunus, Liaquat
Hussain, Muhammad Arif Khan, Farrukh Naeem Siddiqui, Muhammad
Farooq Ahmed, Nishat Mallick, Tariq Jawaid.
Awami National Party: Abdul Matin Khan, Asfandyar Wali, Ghulam
Ahmed Bilour, Muhammad Azam Khan Hoti, Arbab Muhammad Jehangir
Khan, Nasimur Rahman, Haji Rehmanullah, Arbab Saadullah Khan,
Shamsur Rahman Khattak, Wali Muhammad Khan.
Balochistan National Party: Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Sanaullah Baloch,
Shakeel Ahmad.
Jamhoori Watan Party: Nawab Muhammad Akbar Shahbaz Khan Bugti,
Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind.
Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam: Maulana Abdul Ghani, Maulana Muhammad Khan
Sheerani.
National People's Party: Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi. Pakistan People's
Party - Shaheed Bhutto Group: Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani.
Independent: Abdul Lateef Afridi, Baroz Khan, Bashiruddin Khalid,
Bazgul Afridi, Rana Chandar Singh, Danyal Aziz, Arbab Ghulam Rahim,
Peter John Sahotra, Khatu Mal Jewan, Kirshan Bheel, Kishan Chand
Parwani, Lal Karim, Khan Muhammad Asghar Khan, Maulana Muhammad
Dindar, Jaffar Khan Leghari, Nasrullah Khan Dreshak, Maulana Noor
Muhammad, Peer Bakhsh Junejo, Pir Bux Khaskehili, Qaiser Ahmad
Shaikh, Rufin Julius, Said Munir Sayed, Simon Jacob, Tariq Qaiser,
Yezdiar Kaikobad, Zarin Khan Mangal.
And in the Senate:
Pakistan Muslim League: Farooq Ahmad Khan, Sardar Mansoor Ahmed
Khan Leghari, Mushahid Hussain, Parvaiz Rashid, Saifur Rehman Khan,
Justice Javaid Iqbal, Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, Anwar Bhinder, Khalid
Anwer, Justice Afzal Lone, Raja Zafarul Haq, Wasim Sajjad, Majid
Sultan, Khwaja Quttubuddin, Aijaz Ali Khan Jatoi, Javed Iqbal
Abbasi, Sar Anjam, Malik Abdur Rauf, Nisar Muahmmad Khan, Khan
Abbas Sarfaraz, Anwar Kamal Khan Marwat, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Sartaj
Aziz, Subedar Khan Mandokhel, Zarif Khan Mandokhel, Abdus Samad
Dogar, Akram Zaki, Raja Aurangzeb.
Pakistan People's Party: Aitezaz Ahsan, Ihsanul Haq Piracha,
Jehangir Badar, Rafiq Ahmed Shaikh, Raza Rabbani, Shah Nawaz Khan,
Ali Nawaz Shah, Ghulam Qadir Chandio, Hussain Shah Rashdi, Asif Ali
Zardari, Qaim Ali Shah, Iqbal Haider, Taj Haider, Safdar Ali
Abbasi, Waqar Ahmad Khan, Masood Kausar, Qasim Shah, Saifullah Khan
Paracha, Shafqat Mahmood.
Awami National Party: Ilyas Ahmed Bilour, Ajmal Khan Khattak,
Muhammad Zahid Khan, Bashir Ahmad, Major Mukhtar Ahmad Khan, Aqil
Shah, Qazi Muhammad Anwar.
Baloch National Party: Tahir Bizenjo, Muhammad Javed Mengal, Sardar
Sanaullah Zehri, Muhammad Hussain Waja, Habib Jalib Baluch.
Haq Parast Group: Jamiluddin Aali, Mustapha Kamal Rizvi, Nasreen
Jalil, Ajmal Hussain Dehlvi.
Jamhoori Watan Party: Mir Humayun Khan Marri, Muhammad Zafar,
Muhammad Anwar Khan Durrani.
Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam: Hafiz Fazal Mohammad, Muhammad Ismail
Buledi.
JUP(N) & PML(N): Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi.
Pakistan Muslim League (J): Fizza Kaniz Junejo.
Pakistan Muslim League (F): Islamuddin Shaikh.
JH: Professor Sajid Mir.
Haq Parast Group: Aftab Ahmed Shaikh.
PMAP: Akram Shah Khan.
BNM: Dr Abdul Hayee.
Independent: Muhammad Jawad, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Abdul
Rahman, Gul Sher Khan, Haji Gul Afridi, Haji Sakhi Jan, Moulvi
Sayed Ameer Khan, Muhammad Shah Afridi, Dilawar Khan, Abid Hussain
Al-Hassaini.
At the end of June these representatives, en masse, decided that
they would amend the Constitution in the hope that the amendment
would keep them in office for as long as it takes. In the process,
they agreed to voluntarily restrict their freedom of expression and
their freedom of dissent (and consequently ours). The motive of the
amendment: the further and more foolproof use of public office for
personal gain and good.
On June 30, in the Senate the rules of procedure were suspended,
i.e. that a Bill, when introduced, is referred to the relevant
standing committee which is given thirty days within which to
submit its report, with changes and recommendations, if any, to
each legislator within seven days of its finalization. Thereafter,
two clear days must elapse before it can be sent down for a motion.
The Bill went through like a shot, passed in less than a day,
without one single protest or dissent being recorded.
On July 1, the Bill was presented to the National Assembly. Again
rules of procedure were suspended, and the Bill was passed
immediately, again without one single protest or dissent. It went
up to the President, on July 3 he put his signature to the Bill,
and the Fourteenth Amendment Act of 1997 came into force.
Its purpose is to prevent defections from political parties, aka
lotaism. But, a member of a parliamentary party will not only be
deemed to have defected if he in actual fact defects, but also if
he breaches any declared or undeclared party discipline, code of
conduct or policies, or if he votes contrary to any direction
issued by his parliamentary party, or if he abstains from voting,
as instructed by his party, on any Bill. The prosecutor, defence
counsel, judge and jury who will decide the member's fate is the
head of the party, whose decision is not justiciable in any court
of law.
Ironically, on July 4, American Independence Day, our freely and
fairly elected representatives stood accused of having voluntarily
forfeited their right to represent their constituents and stood
stripped of their mandate.
On October 29, hearing two constitutional petitions, filed by two
citizens of Pakistan, challenging the 14th Amendment. Chief Justice
of Pakistan Sajjad Ali Shah and his brother judges Mukhtar Ahmed
Junejo and Mohammed Bashir Jehangiri were pleased to pass an
interim order and suspend the operation of the Amendment. No action
shall be allowed to be taken against any member, under this
Amendment, until the petitions are finally disposed of.
If our parliamentarians do not wish to be ostracized, they should
pass an act repealing the Fourteenth Amendment without any further
procrastination, thereby rendering the petitions in the Supreme
Court infructuous. By doing so they may yet be able to redeem the
honour and respectability they are still left with.
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971122
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Back to the brink
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By Irfan Husain
JUST when you think we can't sink any deeper into the mire, you can
count on our leaders to plunge another fathom or two. To date, they
haven't been able to touch bottom, although it hasn't been for lack
of trying.
Events these last few weeks have been moving at a speed resembling
a Greek tragedy seen on fast forward. Every day, we are given fresh
intimations of this government's mortality, and every day, we
discover yet again our leaders' limited mental powers. The entire
country is aghast that such trivial issues could be blown into a
full-fledged constitutional crisis of proportions we cannot yet
assess.
The prime minister himself is on record as saying that the country
is losing billions every day as a result of the unending
uncertainty we face. One of his ministers puts the figure as high
as ten billion. Apart from the financial impact of the clash of the
titans, Nawaz Sharif's moral authority to rule has been seriously
eroded. In addition, the country has (yet again) become a
laughingstock in the comity of nations. It is hard to get somebody
like the American secretary of state to take you seriously when you
don't know if you are going to be thrown out of office tomorrow.
As the implications of the confrontation became clearer, there was
much shifting of blame away from the prime minister to his
advisers. Calculated, off-the-record suggestions started appearing
in the papers to the effect that heads would roll among the PM's
legal team. But those projecting this line did not dwell on the
fact that it was Nawaz Sharif who appointed his advisers and
ministers in the first place, and then accepted their advice.
I may be wrong, but I think it was Theodore Roosevelt who put a
small sign on his desk at the White House saying: "The Buck Stops
Here." In Pakistan, a more appropriate slogan for our chief
executive would be: "The Buck Stops Here, There and Everywhere."
Nobody is willing to accept responsibility for his mistakes. It is
always somebody else's fault. Often it is an international
conspiracy, and every now and then, there is a "hidden hand."
Whenever one of our leaders blunders � not a rare occurrence � he
or she immediately points a finger at somebody else.
In a recent interview, Nawaz Sharif told a reporter that "they"
were out to get him, just as they had in 1993. Unfortunately, the
reporter didn't ask the obvious question: Why did the PM start a
totally unnecessary confrontation in the first place? Three years
ago, he took on the president and the COAS; this time around he has
taken on the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Both crises were
suicidal and self-created.
Similarly, Benazir Bhutto blames the media for her downfall. She
does not stop to think that it was she and her husband who gave the
press so much to speculate and comment on. Had she run an honest
and competent government, she would still have been prime minister.
Two decades ago, her late father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, blamed the
Americans for toppling him. Till the very end, he did not see that
the charge of election rigging had supplied his opponents the
impetus to destabilize his government.
Pakistani politics is replete with examples of this unbending
attitude. Our inability to admit a mistake and apologize is a
national characteristic. Whether we are behind the steering wheel
or behind an office desk, we are congenitally incapable of publicly
acknowledging our fault. Thus, we have convinced ourselves that
somebody else is to blame. We do not learn from our mistakes and go
on repeating them. This has happened twice with Benazir Bhutto, and
Nawaz Sharif is in real danger of following in her less than
illustrious footsteps.
This preoccupation with saving face � or keeping the mustache
unbowed and the nose intact � has hamstrung our efforts to develop
and evolve as a society. Whether a tribal chief, a feudal lord, an
industrialist, a bureaucrat or a politician, all Pakistanis suffer
from this fatal macho outlook. The result is a constant search for
scapegoats, and a steadfast refusal to accept responsibility for
any wrongdoing. This attitude ensures that there will be no
improvement in any field as everybody manages to convince himself
that he was absolutely right and somebody else committed the
mistake.
Another attitude that has led us to our present sorry state is the
difficulty our leaders have in comprehending the alien concepts of
power-sharing and checks and balances. These are at the heart of
any working democracy, but are beyond the grasp of our politicians.
In backward societies like ours which make a show of following
democratic traditions, this is a real problem. The model of
leadership Pakistani politicians have before them is the Moghul
dynasty with its code of unquestioned authority. Even
superficially, well-educated people like Benazir Bhutto cannot bear
to share power to the extent that for nearly three years she
refused to appoint a finance minister, preferring to hold this
crucial portfolio herself. Although politicians have reluctantly
learned to acknowledge the army's clout � acquired largely because
of their own incompetence � they are loath to share power with the
other pillars of democracy. Thus, when the Chief Justice asserted
himself, Nawaz Sharif saw this as a threat to his power, not as
something normal in democracy. There are many instances of the US
Congress shooting down a nominee of the president without causing a
constitutional crisis. Here, just because the prime minister (or
his father) felt unhappy about a couple of judges recommended by
the Chief Justice, we are once again on the brink of the precipice.
As I write this, it is crystal clear that Nawaz Sharif has driven
himself into a corner. By resigning with good grace, he can still
save the system. He has antagonized too many powerful forces to be
able to rule with any moral authority. Without any rhyme or reason,
he has provoked the Chief Justice and the president, and we can be
sure that he won no friends at GHQ by his tantrums that have caused
havoc with the national economy and polity.
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971117
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A matter of commitment
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By M.B. Naqvi
THESE are not the best of times for this crisis-ridden country. The
economy is in a bad shape and law and order is rapidly
deteriorating, chiefly in Karachi, most parts of Punjab and some
other areas in Balochistan. The dominant political trends �
sectarianism, tribalisms of all kinds and ethnic chanvinisms � only
sadden democrats.
Signs of bad governance are everywhere. We are supposed to be a
parliamentary democracy. The news and analyses about parliamentary
politics reeking of intrigue and unprincipled factionalism make
dismal reading. National leadership seems to lack both commitment
and steady nerves, its vital ingredients.
It is easy to diagnose the ills. We Pakistanis are in point of
simple fact failing to rise to the challenges facing us. Most
decision-making on larger issues of national importance is
frequently dictated by personal motives. If we go by some of the
press reports emanating from Islamabad � a rare blend of rumour,
speculation and special pleading by obscure groups � major
differences originate in petty squables among high officers of the
state. Only one positive thing can be said: virtually all dirty
linen is now being washed in public and few sordid goings- on
remain secret. Which is one of the desirable byproducts of even a
partial and defective democracy.
Some of the filth and pettiness in politics is due to two factors.
The first and more important one is the political under-
development of our people that has enabled narrow elite groups to
corner power and they have no commitment to higher ideals by virtue
of their social origins, though a few of them do have elementary
personal decencies. But such persons are few and far between. The
best of them are committed to promoting their political and social
ambitions, with this rest being busy augmenting personal fortunes.
The second factor is both insidious and pervasive: corruption.
Corruption is deep-rooted and pervasive. Maximum energies of the
government are being devoted ostensibly to fighting corruption,
what with the Accountability Cell in the PM's secretariat and all
the worldwide chase of tainted money. But anyone can see that Mr.
Nawaz Sharif is simply carrying on an old tradition: harass and
oppress your opponent. Ms Benazir Bhutto did it to him and he is
now returning the compliment with a vengeance. Other can illustrate
the absence of good governance better.
There is no doubt that corruption is at the bottom of many of the
ills that the nation is suffering from. Even the World Bank has now
started emphasizing corruption as a cause for both under-
development and many of the specific ills of Pakistan's economy.
But it is necessary that we keep the perspective level.
Corruption is not anything new or recent. It is a part of the
subcontinent's culture. Folklore in almost all parts of South Asia
speaks of corruption and its open and devious ways. Indeed, it
colours all or most motivations, attitudes and expectations. A
bribe is not simply taken; it has to be given too.
The willingness of the giver is as vital as the desire of the
taker. In our day-to-day living anyone can observe the operation of
this factor in things petty at the grassroots and in larger matters
at higher levels as well. Until our culture and civilization
produce persons of sturdy character who would do their duty without
fear or favour, we cannot expect to eliminate corruption. It is
going to be a long haul even when society desires to reform itself
resolutely in all spheres.
Yet for this nation � the very description seems to beg the
question because many among our intelligentsia wince at it �
corruption cannot be left alone in the name of its civilizational
character. Unless incidence of corruption in the higher echelons of
government is contained, Pakistan is likely to lurch from one
serious crisis to the next. Few can forget that all the four
dismissals of governments during the last ten years were based on
the perception, among the practorian guards or the establishment,
of their being guilty of corruption and maladministration. Similar
causes can produce similar results, and enactment's alone cannot
change basic power correlation's.
The instincts, assumptions and attitudes of today's rulers are
absolutely indistinguishable from those of the previous lot of
rulers. Why? because they are chips of the same block having the
same social origins, characterized by an absence of idealism and
given to self-seeking in the name of pragmatism. There is every
indication that the constitutional crisis that had arisen as a
result of the rifts between the PM and the Chief Justice of
Pakistan has not finally removed all signs of trouble at the top.
Little of impotence can be said about the current Islamabad
situation because much of the news comprises speculation and
rumours. That there may be something cooking in the overheated
atmosphere of Islamabad may be likely. But how to unravel the
inscrutability's of the haze?
It is in this situation that the leadership and the functioning of
the PM comes into sharp focus. He has to display both a steady
nerve � as distinct from stubbornness and pugnacity � and a
commitment to democratize ideals and not merely references to his
popular mandate. Democracy and all its institutions have to be
allowed to function in their true spirit. The PM will do well to
recognize that the state of the nation requires both change and
deft handling. Bending of rules and gimmicks will only intensify
crisis and uncertainty. If democratic government and institutions
have to survive, they must plan and carry out change through
innovation and cool foresight.
Change of methodology has to be adopted in any case in order to
prevail and to achieve anything � indeed, to implement change. The
PM must constantly be receiving reports of conspiracies by this or
that group or even institution. That is where his nerve is going to
be tested: let him take the risks and do the right thing. That is
the only way to operate for a democratic leader and to survive.
Supposing he does not servive in office � a possibility he cannot
ignore � he must take that also in the stride. Going into the
wilderness for doing the right thing will ensure a brighter
political future.
One has mentioned two things: commitment to democratic objectives
and institutions; and democratic methodology in decision-making.
The latter has many implications. His having been elected by a
large majority does not necessarily entitle him to take major
decisions in a kitchen cabinet. All such decisions must be taken in
the proper cabinet and in a democratic spirit.
That is the way for a decision to acquire political and moral
weight and strength. Also such decisions are likely to be fully
implemented. Only then can powerful vested interests be kept at
bay. That is the way a genuine democratic leader can survive and
prevail: when obstructed, all he has to do is to take the matter to
the people directly and involve them in the making of tough
decision. That is how true democracy functions; that is how it
strikes root and strengthens itself. The leader who involves the
people with his own decision-making has nothing to fear from vested
interests or elite groups. Let Mian Nawaz Sharif operate as a
democratic leader. He will find he has nothing to fear from power
brokers or other strategically-placed individuals or institutions.
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971120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Before it is too late
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NO ONE with any concern for the country's fortunes or its future
will remain undismayed at the present turn of events. It is no
exaggeration to say that unless wisdom prevails, where we are
headed is towards disaster. Yet the truly tragic aspect of this
situation is that those who are in a position to influence events
and take decisions seem to have put blinkers on their eyes.
Heedless of the consequences, they are playing blind man's buff
when what the nation seeks is a firm hand on the tiller and some
thought and compassion for its problems. It takes no extraordinary
perspicacity to see that the problem which has the whole nation in
its thrall is not simply a matter of legal technicalities hinging
upon a particular law. It has now developed to a point where if
left unresolved by the nation's collective wisdom it will endanger
the entire edifice of democracy. This is what is at stake and yet
this realization seems not to be dawning upon the wise heads of the
ruling party. Indeed, if these same heads had shown a greater
measure of prudence and ordinary common sense than they have
hitherto demonstrated, it is arguable that things would not have
come to their present pass.
The ruling party, relying more on its numbers than on a clear
reading of the situation, is trying to meet the predicament into
which it has been put by the contempt petition against the prime
minister and others by instant and thoughtless legislation. If laws
alone could save governments Pakistani democracy could never have
been swept off its rails as so often it has been in the past. Yet
this government seems not to be imbibing such simple home truths
which after all come not from the pages of Confucius or any other
philosopher but our own dark and troubled experience.
To say that somebody (let us not specify who) is being obstinate
begs more questions than it answers. What has brought the nation
and the government to the present situation? Statesmanship lies not
in reacting to events but in so conducting oneself as to forestall
difficult eventualities. The prime minister and his impressive
phalanx of advisers could not read where their stand-off with the
judiciary was taking them and the country. Even now that they are
in the thick of the storm they are not realizing the gravity of the
situation. They are thinking it is simply a legal battle, which is
why they are relying on the so-called legal wizards to bail them
out of it. What is needed instead is political vision (a badly
abused term though this is in our political milieu) but of this
quality there is precious little evidence on the capital's
Constitution Avenue.
This is a crisis which must be resolved not by legal nit-picking
but by the coming together of the President, the Chief Justice, the
Prime Minister and, reluctant though we are to say this, the Chief
of the Army Staff. The Constitution of course has no provision for
such a gathering. But then the Constitution has no provision
permitting or condoning the repeated follies of Pakistan's
governing classes. If the country's political leadership cannot put
their house in order, they have no one to blame but themselves if
other forces step in to fill the vacuum created by their ineptitude
and their blundering ways. Even otherwise it has not been lost upon
the people that in this crisis too repeated calls have been made
upon the assistance of the army chief.
This is a tragic situation and simply shows up the inadequacy of
our leaders. But since it is also a real situation, there is no
alternative except to make the best of it. Let all the figures we
have named come together and try to resolve what is not an
insuperable problem. The people of Pakistan deserve a reprieve from
crises inflicted upon them by their rulers. They deserve a reprieve
from the politics of foolishness and shortsightedness. There is
still time to avert the worst but only if all concerned rise above
the pettiness of their minds, perceptions and spirit and see where
the country is headed.
===================================================================
971119
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WI snatch back initiative from Pakistan
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Samiul Hasan
PESHAWAR, Nov. 18: Pakistan squandered a golden opportunity to
build a sizable lead over the West Indies when they finished the
second day of the first cricket Test at 246 for five at the Arbab
Niaz Stadium.
Last evening's overnight pair of Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmad had set
a perfect stage for a huge first innings total when they shared in
an enterprising 133-run second wicket partnership. But the
departure of the two batsmen in a space of 14 balls, exposed
Pakistan's brittle and suspected batting.
Mohammad Wasim was unfortunate to drag in Courtney Walsh's
delivery, which kept low, on to his stumps while skipper Wasim
Akram was stumped by David Williams off Carl Hooper when he was
half way down the wicket.
What is more upsetting and mind-boggling is the fact that Akram
once again came ahead of Azhar Mahmood. Akram had done the same in
the quadrangular tournament that cost Pakistan the match against
South Africa.
The home team could have been in further disarray had Courtney
Walsh held on to simplest of chances offered by Inzamamul Haq at
mid-on. But the West Indies skipper showed greasy palms and
Pakistan escaped from being four down for 159. Nevertheless, Walsh
partly settled his account with Inzamam when his yorker struck
Inzamam's centre finger of the right foot which forced the batsman
to retire. But this catch will certainly haunt Walsh in his dreams
because it would have brought the West Indies right back into the
Test.
Moin, struck six boundaries and a massive six to Test debutante
Rawl Lewis to be batting on 36. Azhar was on 14 with the two having
added 39 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket partnership.
The feature of the day was, however, innings of contrasting styles
by Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmad. While Saeed batted with a mixture of
defence and controlled aggression, Ijaz was more over ambitious
when he threw his bat against everything. But the hallmark of both
the innings was that the two key batsmen found their lost forms.
Saeed Anwar desperately needed runs to retain his place in the side
and he obliged his fans with a delight 65 helped with nine
exquisite boundaries. Anwar, who recorded his 14th half century in
25 tests, was under severe pressure when he could score only 40
runs in five innings against South Africa. The way Anwar batted
proved that the batsman has worked really hard on his batting as
well as concentration.
Ijaz scored 65 with 10 blistering boundaries from 134 balls after a
little over three hours of occupancy of the wicket. It was his 10th
half century in 40 Tests.
The West Indies bowling remained erratic while the fielding sloppy
as the fielders gifted the batsmen with some cheap runs. Courtney
Walsh added the wicket of Mohammad Wasim to his yesterday's scalp
of Aamir Sohail to finish with two for 30. Hooper accounted for
Saeed Anwar behind the wickets and then had Wasim Akram to end with
two for 37.
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971119
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jansher Khan enters Mahindra Cup
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Majid Khan
KARACHI, Nov. 18: Eight-time world squash champion Jansher Khan,
has entered the Mahindra International, scheduled to be held at the
Indian port city of Mumbai from Dec. 1, along with a large
contingent of Pakistani squash players.
The entry list released by the Professional Squash Association
(PSA) after the participants, date of withdrawal includes almost
all the leading world players for the super series events which
carries a cash prize of US dollars 1,10, 000.
Pakistan's Zubair Jahan, whose world ranking has gone down from ten
to 15, is in the main draw. However, Jansher Khan, in various press
statements had stated that he would be going to India for the super
series, starting on Dec. 1-6. Zarak has recently under gone knee
operation and would not be competing in Qatar Open and Mahindra
Open as well as Heliopolis Open at Cairo, the last tournament of
the current season.
Mir Zaman Gul (World no 35), Amjad Khan (W no 38), Kashif Shuja (W
no 58) Kumail Mahmood (W no 66), Mohammad Hussain (W no 70),
Shamsul Islam Khan (W no 76) and Ijaz Azmat (W no 96) are among the
32 players for qualifying round from which eight players will go
into the 32-man main. The qualifying Round starts on Nov. 29.
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971120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan well placed after Inzamam's heroics
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Samiul Hasan
PESHAWAR, Nov. 19: Inzamamul Haq was denied of a personal landmark
but his heroics were enough to put Pakistan in a winning position
against the West Indies in the first cricket Test being played here
at the Arbab Niaz Stadium.
Inzamam scored a brave and courageous unbeaten 92 to propel
Pakistan to 381 that provided the home team a first innings lead of
230.
In the post-tea session, Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed picked up
the wickets of Stuart Williams (3) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (14)
respectively to reduce the West Indies to 99 for two at stumps on
the third day, still 131 runs in arrears. But the only concern in
the Pakistan camp would be the form shown by Brian Lara in his 40-
minute innings in which he hammered nine punishing boundaries,
including two each in Arshad Khan and Mushtaq Ahmed's one over.
With Lara was Sherwin Campbell batting on 34 that included five
hits to the fence. But the star of the day was, however, Inzamamul
Haq who was robbed of his first century at home as he ran out of
partners. Shahid Nazir (18) and Mushtaq Ahmed (4) gave excellent
support to Inzamam but their efforts could not help Inzamam to
break the jinx.
It has been the third time that Inzamam has reached 90s � second
time on this centre in two years � in home Tests but failed to
complete centuries. Inzamam batted with authority and confidence
but the key element of luck also favored him. He was dropped four
times when on 5, 32, 35 and 88 besides escaping with a very close
run-out call. Nevertheless, as people say `fortunes favor the
brave', same happened to the star batsman.
Inzamam was handicapped when he had to bat with a runner after
receiving telling blows on his left foot. On the first day, a David
Williams struck him on his ankle and on Tuesday, a Courtney Walsh
yorker crushed his middle finger of the same foot. But he defied
all pains to play an innings which may well help Pakistan notch up
his first Test win over the West Indies in seven years. Pakistan
last beat the Caribbeans in the 1990-91 home series at Karachi by
eight wickets.
Inzamam was a class by himself. He struck the ball with ferocious
power and the nine boundaries that came of his willow hardly
allowed the fielders any chance. The two sixes he struck off Rawl
Lewis were simply blistering as one of them landed in the Pakistan
team dressing room.
Overall, Inzamam occupied the crease for four hours and 33 minutes
during which he received 191 balls. But while Inzamam was dropped
four times, Mohammad Wasim did all his leg work as he did the duty
of the 27-year-old batsman's runner. On Tuesday, Aamir Sohail had
done the similar work before Inzamam had to retire when 13.
Inzamam also benefited from the legs of Wasim on 88 when he
narrowly survived a run-out. Had Inzamam being running himself, he
would have surely been run-out by half the pitch as he is one of
the slowest movers in cricket today and perhaps the worst runners
between the wickets.
Inzamam's cause was also eased out by erratic and ill-planned West
Indies bowlers. Inzamam was having problems in coming on to the
front foot and instead of pitching the ball up, they bowled short
of length which Inzamam played comfortably on the back foot with
all the weight of his body coming on his strong right leg.
Inzamam, was quick to get down to business when overnight batsman
Azhar Mahmood departed in the second over of the day with Pakistan
only adding four runs to his overnight score of 246 for five.
Together with Moin Khan, Inzamam added 44 runs for the seventh
wicket. The stand was broken when Moin mistimed a hook and was
taken safely this time by Courtney Walsh at mid-on off Ian Bishop.
Moin, who had resumed this morning at 36, registered his seventh
Test half century in 30 games by hitting a valuable 58 which was
Pakistan innings fourth half century.
The Pakistan wicketkeeper, who played the four-nation cup at Lahore
as a batsman, struck seven elegant boundaries and two sixes in his
124-ball innings which lasted for about three hours. But it were
the stands with Shahid Nazir and Mushtaq Ahmed that helped Pakistan
reach 381 and Inzamam 92.
For the ninth wicket, Inzamam and Nazir put on 43 runs in 77
minutes. And when Mushtaq joined his pal, Inzamam was 62 but
managed to add another 30 in a partnership of 34 in 42 minutes. For
the West Indies, Courtney Walsh, who ended Mushtaq's resilience
with a perfectly executed yorker, finished with five wickets for 78
runs in 32 overs.
It was the 14th time that the 35-year-old Jamaican had taken five
or more wickets in an innings in 94 Tests. An injury-prone Ian
Bishop finished with three for 76 and the other two wickets went to
Carl Hooper.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
971121
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Pakistan whip West Indies by an innings and 19 runs
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Samiul Hasan
PESHAWAR, Nov. 20: Pakistan's champion spinner Mushtaq Ahmed
recorded his fourth 10-wicket haul in a match as Pakistan whipped
the West Indies by an innings and 19 runs in the opening Test of
the three-match series at the Arbab Niaz Stadium.
Mushtaq, named Man-of-the-Match, followed up his five for 35 in the
first innings with five for 71 in the second as the visitors were
sent crashing out for 211 while needing 230 to make the home team
bat again. That gave the little Mushy his career-best match figures
of 10 for 106 eclipsing the previous best of 10 for 143 against New
Zealand at Lahore last year.
The West Indies, who lost with more than one-and-a-half day to
spare, had resumed this morning at 99 for two.
The match was also a personal achievement for skipper Wasim Akram.
The star allrounder made his critics bite the dust by claiming four
wickets for 65 runs besides becoming the only Pakistani captain
after late Abdul Hafeez Kardar to beat the once mighty West Indies
by an innings margin.
The last and decisive wicket, however, went to Azhar Mahmood who
trapped master batsman Brian Lara in front of the wickets in the
fourth over of the penultimate day. An over before, Lara was
dropped by Mushtaq Ahmed at gully off Akram. Lara, who lasted just
four balls today, was let off on the second ball he faced.
Lara was one of the four batsmen, including top scorer Sherwin
Campbell (66), to be adjudged leg before by the 57-year-old English
umpire David Shepherd.
Mushtaq Ahmed, by taking 10 wickets for 106 in the match, has
confirmed his status as the most glittering wrist-spinner who
adores the modern game. Mushtaq, who is one of the five Wisden
cricketers of the year, in the current Test clinched success from
mesmerizing spin, accuracy and bounce with deceptive googlies.
His instincts were to outwit the batsmen rather than wear them
down. And his positive approach worked wonders as Carl Hooper (23)
attempted a cover drive to be smartly caught at covers by Wasim
Akram. Then Mushtaq deceived Phil Simmons (1) with a flipper as the
batsman ended up skying the ball into the hands of substitute
fielder Saqlain Mushtaq.
After lunch, Mushtaq had a lucky bat and pad decision against David
Williams (20) while completing his five-wicket haul when Curtly
Ambrose became too adventurous and danced down the track to leave
substitute wicketkeeper Mohammad Wasim with a simple stumping.
On Wednesday, Mushtaq had Shivnarine Chanderpaul who was caught in
the slips by Ijaz Ahmed after the ball had deflected the shoulder
of Aamir Sohail who was keeping wickets. Wasim Akram, whose all
four victims were trapped leg before, bowled with hostility and
fire. He proved that he was superbly fit by bowling 23 overs in
three spells.
The West Indies vulnerability against quality spinner and lack of
depth in batting was clearly exposed. After Brian Lara was the
third batsman out in the fourth over of the day to make the
tourists 102 for three, the remaining seven wickets went down for
just 109 runs.
Clive Lloyd, the West Indies manager, may emphasize that his team
doesn't depend only on Lara, the fact is the other way round.
Moreover, except for Carl Hooper there is no batsman in the West
Indies team who could easily walk into any of the top three current
Test teams viz Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.
There was Philo Wallace who showed form and maturity in the four-
dayer at Rawalpindi but he was not included in the Test side for
reasons unknown.
The stand of umpiring, it would not be out of context to say,
remained below-par. Said Shah, who was standing in his debut Test,
and David Shepherd were too generous towards the home team but if
the West Indies go back and evaluate the Test, they would find that
lacklustre batting in the first innings and sloppy fielding in
Pakistan's 381 combined to end in a humiliating defeat.
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