-------------------------------------------------------------------
DAWN WIRE SERVICE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Week Ending : 21 November 1998 Issue : 04/46
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents | National News | Business & Economy | Editorials & Features | Sports
The DAWN Wire Service (DWS) is a free weekly news-service from
Pakistan's largest English language newspaper, the daily DAWN. DWS
offers news, analysis and features of particular interest to the
Pakistani Community on the Internet.
Extracts, not exceeding 50 lines, can be used provided that this
entire header is included at the beginning of each extract.
We encourage comments & suggestions. We can be reached at:
e-mail dws-owner@dawn.com
WWW http://dawn.com/
fax +92(21) 568-3188 & 568-3801
mail Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Limited
DAWN Group of Newspapers
Haroon House, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
Please send all Editorials and Letters to the Editor at
letters@dawn.com
Make sure you include your full name, complete address and, if in
Pakistan, your daytime telephone number.
TO START RECEIVING DWS FREE EVERY WEEK, JUST SEND US YOUR E-MAIL
ADDRESS!
(c) Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan - 1996
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
********************************************************************
*****DAWN - the Internet Edition ** DAWN - the Internet Edition*****
********************************************************************
Read DAWN - the Internet Edition on the WWW !
http://dawn.com
DAWN - the Internet Edition is published daily and is available on
the Web by noon GMT.
Check us out !
CONTENTS
===================================================================
NATIONAL NEWS
+ President invokes Article 245: Armed forces take control of Sindh
+ Military courts in a week
+ 8,000 to get jobs, Rs1bn saving in fuel: PM
+ Indo-Pakistan talks on border security end
+ Hepatitis-B afflicts 15m people in Pakistan
+ Defence ties with Kuwait discussed
+ Cabinet to discuss illegal hike in drugs' prices
+ Immigrant visa: US embassy resumes processing review cases
+ Senate session prorogued amid rumpus
+ PPP files petition in Swiss court
+ Kahuta can place satellite in space, says Dr Qadeer
----------------------------------
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
+ Dar hopes accord by Tuesday: Draft paper finalized with IMF
+ Trading in treasury stocks may be allowed
+ Power cos issues being resolved, says Nawaz
+ Forex reserves down to $417m
+ $5m ADB technical assistance for export
+ Trading in dollar bonds
+ ECC move to check price volatility
+ PM issues fresh orders for recovery of tax dues
+ Wasim Sajjad for local production of computers
+ KSE index gains 22 points as investors remain active
---------------------------------------
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
+ No nous Ardeshir Cowasjee
+ A critique of the critics Irfan Husain
-----------
SPORTS
+ Jansher Khan pulls out of World Open
+ Sohail and Yohanna guide Pakistan to a 4-wicket win
+ Pakistan to face India in 10-game hockey series
===================================================================
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
===================================================================
NATIONAL NEWS
981121
-------------------------------------------------------------------
President invokes Article 245: Armed forces take control of Sindh
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Faraz Hashmi
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: The government on Friday gave sweeping powers to
the armed forces to arrest, interrogate and summarily try
terrorists in Sindh, by invoking Article 245 of the Constitution.
President Rafique Tarar, in exercise of his powers under Article 89
of the Constitution, invoked article 245 through an ordinance named
Pakistan Armed Forces (Acting in Aid of Civil Power) Ordinance,
1998.
The ordinance, which comes into force at once, shall be extended
to only those areas of Sindh in which the armed forces are called
upon to act in aid of the civil authority.
Section 3 of the ordinance gives powers to the COAS, or any officer
designated by him not below the rank of brigadier or equivalent, to
constitute as many military courts as required by the federal
government.
The ordinance has also set aside the jurisdiction of superior
courts and any verdict passed by the military courts could not be
challenged in the apex court or any high court.
The military courts, constituted under the ordinance, will try only
civilian offenders and not the armed forces personnel and will be
bound to pass their judgment within three days.
An appeal against the verdict of these courts could be filed only
in a court of appeal. The court of appeal shall have to dispose of
an appeal within three working days and its final decision could
not be called in question before any court.
The trail courts and courts of appeal will not have the powers to
release any accused on bail.
All the pending cases regarding the offences cognizable under this
ordinance can also be transferred to the military courts on the
directives of the federal government.
The government has provided complete indemnity to all actions taken
by any authority under the provisions of this ordinance.
"No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against
any person in respect of anything which is in good faith done or
intended to be done under the ordinance," it said.
The ordinance has described civil commotion as "creation of
internal disturbances in violation of law or intended to violate
law, commencement of continuation of illegal strikes, go-slows,
lockouts, vehicles snatching/lifting, damage to or destruction of
state or private property, random firing to create panic, charging
bhatta, acts of criminal trespass (illegal qabza), distributing,
publishing or pasting of a handbill or making graffiti or wall-
chalking intended to create unrest or fear or create a threat to
the security of law and order or to incite the commission of an
offence punishable under Chapter VI of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act
XIV of 1860)."
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981121
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Military courts in a week
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarfaraz Ahmed
KARACHI, Nov 20: Summary military courts would be set up in a
week's time, sources said, adding that the army headquarters had
received the notification of the ordinance promulgated by the
president on Friday invoking Article 245 of the Constitution,
vesting the armed forces with certain major powers.
The concerned branch of the GHQ was at present studying the details
of the ordinance and would issue instructions after their approval
by the chief of army staff, the sources added.
They said legal experts of the armed forces would be involved in
the preparation of necessary framework, on the basis of which
military courts would be set up and course of army action would be
determined.
Consequently, the sources added, each summary court might have at
least three members, which would be presided over by an officer of
the rank of a lieutenant-colonel or an officer of equivalent rank
in the navy or the air force.
The members of the jury of plea would be named from amongst majors-
general or officers of equivalent rank from the other two services.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8,000 to get jobs, Rs1bn saving in fuel: PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shamim-ur-Rehman
KARACHI, Nov 19: Prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that
Rs9 billion, 135-kilometre-long Karachi-Hyderabad motorway project,
expected to be completed in two years, before the next elections,
would provide jobs to 8,000 people and help save one billion rupees
in fuel costs annually.
He was speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony of the project
near Al Asif Square at Sohrab Goth where PML supporters, mostly
from upcountry, had converged to welcome Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Carrying national and Muslim League flags and Mr Sharif's picture,
his supporters had come in pick-ups, busses and trucks as well as
in the vehicles of various utilities, specially of the KESC, led by
their union activists.
Addressing the crowd the prime minister said the project was a very
important segment of his overall plan to integrate the country with
fast moving tracks to boost trade and interaction among the people
within the country as also Pakistan's relations with other
countries of the region.
He said owing to higher speed limits and better facilities, there
would be a saving of 5.5 million litres of petrol every month which
in one year would come to 66 million litres.
Mr Sharif said the project would be the harbinger of prosperity in
Karachi and other parts of the province.
Explaining the salient features of the project, which the prime
minister considered very important for his party's election
campaign in the province, he said the six-lane motorway project
would have six inter-changes and six service areas (3 on each
side). Besides, there would be seven rest areas, three on one and
four on the other side.
The motorway will have four weighing stations, at least 12
flyovers, and emergency telephone at every two kilometres. In fact,
the project envisages the construction of two additional lanes and
rehabilitation of existing dual-carriageway Super Highway.
The prime minister said very soon ground-breaking of the Rs6
billion northern bypass would be held and the circular railway
would be revamped at a cost of Rs7 billion.
Mr Sharif did not touch upon the apprehensions that on completion
the motorway would take away the revenue generating source from
Sindh which at the moment earned Rs100 million from the auction of
toll on the Super Highway.
Earlier, in his welcome address, communications minister Raja Nadir
Pervez said the project was part of the Trade Highway that would
serve as "Suez Canal" for the country linking it with the Central
Asian countries. He said the projected Gawadar port would also play
a key role in boosting Pakistan's links with those states.
The minister of state for water and power, Haleem Siddiqui, said
the project had dispelled the impression that the motorway projects
were only meant for Punjab.
Welcoming the imposition of governor's rule he rejected the claim
that Karachi belonged to a particular group and said if given
patronage, the PML could win more than a dozen National Assembly
seats from Karachi.
"Those who think that Karachi is their city are living in a fool's
paradise. Karachi belongs to Muslim League," he added.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Indo-Pakistan talks on border security end
-------------------------------------------------------------------
LAHORE, Nov 19: The 3-day meeting of the delegations of Pakistan
Rangers and Indian Border Security Force concluded here on Thursday
afternoon.
The exchange of firing along the working boundary in Sialkot
sector, joint patrolling, illegal border crossings and maintenance
of boundary pillars were discussed in detail in the meeting. Anti-
smuggling measures being taken by the two sides for preventing the
flow of contraband as well as narcotics were also discussed.
It was agreed that measures being taken to stop smuggling, drug
trafficking and illegal immigrations would be strengthened to
ensure desired effectiveness. It was also agreed to exercise
restraint while dealing with inadvertent border crossers and avoid
casualties to innocent civilians and farmers living in the border
villages.APP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981117
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hepatitis-B afflicts 15m people in Pakistan
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Hepatitis-B, a deadly liver disease having same
mode of transmission as AIDS, has infected 15 million people in
Pakistan.
According to well-placed sources, hepatitis-B (a kind of jaundice)
is hundred times more deadlier and infectious than AIDS, and every
tenth person in Pakistan is the carrier of this disease.
Dr Sharif Astori, in charge, blood bank, Federal Government
Services Hospital (FGSH) Polyclinic, observed that hepatitis-B was
spreading fast owing to ignorance about the disease and lack of
proper preventive measures.
He said hepatitis (inflammation of liver) had five types A,B,C,D
and E. He said A and E were caused through oral infection,
contaminated water and unhygienic food while B,C and D were caused
through unsterilized syringes, sexual relation, blood transfusion
and from mother to newborn baby.
Dr Iram Kamran, a student of higher education in the Health Service
Academy, maintained that a person, having such symptoms as nausea,
mild fever, restlessness, bodyache and pain in abdomen should go
for a jaundice test.
She asserted that passage of yellow colour urine, loss of appetite
and distaste for cigarette were also among the common symptoms of
the killer disease.
Dr Sarwar Chaudhry, associate surgeon, Polyclinic, said hepatitis-B
spread through blood transfusion, sexual intercourse and use of
common needles for taking drugs like heroin.
He said boring of nose and ears, a practice in vogue, and dental
surgery could also be causes of its transmission. He said that
according to latest research, breathing and saliva might act as
hepatitis-B transmitters.
Dr Mohammad Naseer from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
(PIMS) said properly screened blood should always be used and blood
of a person positive for hepatitis-B should be avoided.
Dr Zafar Toor of the National Institute of Health (NIH) said
preventive measures should be adopted, including use of sterilized
syringes, avoidance of shaving at barber shops, sharing of towels,
tooth picks and tooth brushes.
He said the most important prevention was the use of clean drinking
water and hygienic food. He urged medical professionals to prefer
oral medication to giving injections to patients.
Dr Toor said the World Health Organization had strongly recommended
the inclusion of anti- hepatitis-B vaccine in the expanded
programme of immunization (EPI) in the third world.
There are some reports that some vaccinated persons also acquired
hepatitis-B virus, which was due to the efficacy missing in the
vaccine because of absence of cool chain or placing it in the room
temperature.
Dr Naseer warned people that vaccine, which is not properly
maintained through cool chain, had no use and rather killed a
person. He said some suppliers of imported vaccine were misleading
people that these vaccines had unique feature to keep it under room
temperature.APP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981116
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Defence ties with Kuwait discussed
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
KUWAIT CITY, Nov 15: A six-member Pakistan defence delegation, led
by the Defence Secretary, Lt General Iftikhar Ali Khan, held talks
on Sunday with Kuwa-it's acting defence minister, Sheikh Mohammad
Khaled Al Sabah.
Later addressing a press conference at the Embassy of Pakistan, the
defence secretary said that he discussed with the Kuwaiti minister
and other high military officials the expansion of bilateral
cooperation in defence field.
He said that he has invited Kuwaiti military officials to visit
Pakistani military establishments in order to determine the fields
of cooperation.
The Pakistani delegation, which arrived here on Thursday night,
left Kuwait for Abu Dhabi at the end of the visit during which it
also met the commander-in-chief of Kuwait Armed Forces, General Ali
Momen and Defence Undersecre-tary Sheikh Sabah Nasser Al Sabah.
Iftikhar Ali Khan explained that his visit follows an understanding
reached between Kuwait's Crown Prince and Minister Sheikh Saad Al
Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to
expand cooperation in the field of defence, Pakistan Prime Minister
visited Kuwait last June.
Iftikhar Ali Khan said that Pakistan remains committed to the
territorial integrity of Kuwait and backs all the United Nations
resolutions related to the Gulf war, particularly concerning to the
release of all Kuwaiti POWs still in Iraqi jail.
He said that Pakistan and Kuwait enjoy excellent relations and he
hoped that they would be strengthened further. The defence
secretary said that Pakistan also enjoys good relations with the
Muslim and Arab countries and it has agreements of defence
cooperation with a number of Arab countries.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cabinet to discuss illegal hike in drugs' prices
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: The federal cabinet will take up the issue of
illegal and arbitrary increase in the prices of more than 100
medicines and also consider whether to enhance or not the prices of
drugs by 7 to 9 per cent as recommended by the ministry of health.
According to well-placed sources the issue of drug price raise is
on the agenda of the cabinet meeting and Health Minister Makhdoom
Javed Hashmi is likely to take it up.
In an interview to APP, Makhdoom Javed Hashmi said the next cabinet
meeting would review increase in drug prices from 7 to 9 per cent
and the issue of arbitrary increase in the prices of 100 drugs from
100 to 2000 per cent.
He said, "We are public representatives and bound to safeguard
people's rights, particularly the rights of patients."
"I had resisted any increase in the prices of medicines for two
years and the health ministry will continue to look after the
consumers' rights," Javed Hashmi added.
Meanwhile, Pharma Bureau Executive Director and spokesman Zafar
Mooraj denied any illegal and massive increase in the prices of
certain medicines. He said the reports appearing in the press in
this regard were baseless. He said pharmaceutical industry was
already in deep crisis and on the verge of collapse.
Mr Mooraj said that despite the issuance of SRO 1038(i)/94 dated
Oct 16, 1994 which committed annual price adjustments to the
industry to make up for the increase in input costs such as
inflation and devaluation, there had been no implementation since
November 1996.
Mr Hashmi confidently said, "I will raise the issue of illegal
increase in the prices of 100 drugs in the cabinet meeting and will
try to convince cabinet colleagues to link up the raise with the
withdrawal of arbitrary enhancement in the prices of these drugs."
He said, "the PPMA and Pharma Bureau to first withdraw the
arbitrary and illegal price increase in the medicine then they will
be given the agreed price raise in drugs."
He said it was true that the Pharma industry and government had
reached an agreement to increase prices of control products and
decontrol medicine from 7 to 9 per cent.
He said, "raising of drug prices is not the issue with drug
manufacturers because it was an agreed formula but problem is to
reverse and bring back the prices of drugs detected by the
ministry's different investigating teams.
The spokesman for the Pharma Bureau said over the last two years
input costs had sky rocketed with inflation registering a 19.8 per
cent increase and devaluation of rupee by another 23.9 per cent. An
additional duty on all imported raw and packaging materials had
also added to the cost of finished medicines.APP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Immigrant visa: US embassy resumes processing review cases
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: The United States embassy announced here on
Thursday that, its consular section would accept for review the
cases of all the previously-refused immigrant visa applications
from Nov 23.
In a press release here today the embassy said the applicants were
being advised to appear on any working day except Thursday before
8:00am with their form OF-194 (blue sheet or refusal sheet), along
with all documents requested previously by the consular officer.
Failure to bring the required documents would only mean further
delays for the applicant.
The applicants would be issued a token with a new appointment date
by which time their case would be decided. This notice applies to
all applicants who had been refused immigrant visas prior to Nov
23, 1998, the release said.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981119
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate session prorogued amid rumpus
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: The Senate session was prorogued on Wednesday
night amid rumpus and exchange of hot words between the treasury
and the opposition over the latter's insistence on moving a
resolution seeking suspension of rules to condemn the siege of the
Sindh Assembly and denial of the democratic right of the people of
the province.
The presiding officer, Anwar Bhinder, prorogued the session reading
out Senate chairman's order to this effect.
This dramatic turn in events took place as the Information
Minister, Mushahid Hussain, was readying to wrap up the debate on
the opposition's adjournment motion on the imposition of the
governor's rule on Sindh.
The opposition leader Aitizaz Ahsan surrendered his time to the
information minister to sum up the debate on the ground that the
senators wished to go home and another Sen Dr Hayee had been given
time to conclude the debate on behalf of the opposition.
As he was about to begin his concluding speech, the deputy
opposition leader Raza Rabbani stood up seeking suspension of the
rules of procedure and business to move his resolution.
Anwar Bhinder rejected Mr Rabbani's plea and ruled the point out of
order arguing that the resolution he wanted to move could not be
given leave since the House was already seized with the discussion
on the adjournment motion.
This remark evoked repeated shouting from the opposition as well as
the treasury benches. Senator Raza Rabbani addressing the chair
called for taking the sense of the House.
The opposition with their numerical superiority took charge of the
situation. Amid the exchange of hot words between the two sides,
the presiding officer read out the order of the Senate Chairman
Wasim Sajjad proroguing the House.
Earlier in the day six senators from both sides took part in the
debate on the opposition's motion. Those who addressed the house
included Akram Shah, Syed Hussain Shah Rashdi, Shafqat Mehmood,
Javed Iqbal Abbasi, Ajmal Dehlavi and Dr Abdul Hayee Baluch.
They criticised the imposition of the governor's rule on Sindh and
described it as a political and administrative failure of the
government. The opposition alleged that the province of Sindh was
being run from Islamabad by remote control.
Sen Javed Iqbal Abbasi of the PML defended the government's action
in Sindh in order to banish terrorism from Karachi.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PPP files petition in Swiss court
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has filed a
petition in a Swiss court challenging the legality of the Swiss
authorities' acceptance of Pakistan government's request under the
mutual assistance agreement to probe against opposition leader
Benazir Bhutto and her spouse Senator Asif Ali Zardari.
According to a press release issued here by the PPP media cell, the
petition was filed on Monday by the PPP leader and in charge of
party matters in the West European countries, Mr Matloob Waraich.
The petitioner has taken the plea that by misinterpreting the
mutual assistance law and accepting as true without questioning the
politically motivated allegations of the Ehtesab Bureau, the Swiss
government had lent its name to damaging the reputation of the PPP
and its leaders. The Swiss government through its foreign minister
and the chief of federal department of justice and police have been
made respondents in the case.
The petitioner maintained that the government of Pakistan had
resorted to perjury, torture and coercion to extract statements
from businessmen and bureaucrats implicating Ms Bhutto and her
spouse in false cases of money laundering and drug trafficking.
False cases of drug trafficking and money laundering specially
fabricated belatedly so as to "attract the mischief of Mutual
Assistance Law of Swiss government which cannot be invoked
otherwise", the petition said.
Copies of statements of some of those who said they had been
coerced and tortured and an October 1997 statement of Senator Saif
that sleep deprivation had been employed to get confessional
statements has also been attached with the petition.
The petition said the myth of the so-called narcotics case against
Sen Asif Zardari was exposed last month when the investigation
officer, police inspector Ehsan Elahi, moved the High Court against
the pressures exerted on him by the government for falsely
implicating Sen Zardari in he drug case. A copy of the police
inspector Ehsan's writ petition No.12369/98 before the Lahore High
Court last month is also annexed with the petition before the Swiss
Court.
Ehsan Elahi's petition mentions how he was penalized by way of
suspension from service and demotion in rank when he refused to go
all out in carrying out the illegal orders of his bosses in the
drug case against Sen Zardari.
It was a grave travesty of justice, abuse of judicial processes and
misinterpretation of the mutual assistance agreement on the part of
relevant Swiss authorities to have agreed to allow such a spurious
and fictitious case as the basis of co-operation, the petition
said.
The petition asked the court to direct the relevant Swiss
authorities to refrain from becoming a party to a political
squabble in Pakistan.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981115
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Kahuta can place satellite in space, says Dr Qadeer
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: Renowned nuclear Scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan
said on Saturday that Kahuta Research Laboratories (KRL) would
fulfil any task assigned to it by the government and come up to the
expectations of the nation.
He expressed these views, while speaking as chief guest at the
concluding ceremony of the course and exhibition on "Vacuum 98",
organized jointly by KRL and Pakistan Vacuum Society (PVS), in
order to promote vacuum technology in the country.
President PVS, Dr F.H. Hashmi and course coordinator Muhammad Amin
Sabir also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Khan said that KRL has become one of best modern scientific
institutions in the world and added, "we can do any task assigned
to us".
He commended the role and efforts of KRL scientists and other staff
for successful nuclear research carried out by them in the
laboratories which enabled Pakistan to explode its nuclear devices
on May 28.
Dr Khan further said that credit of successful development of
Ghauri Missile also went to KRL, which led to the successful test-
firing of the missile.
He said that KRL has developed this technology indigenously and
achieved self-reliance in it. He said "We are proud of Ghauri
missile as its accuracy rate is 99.94 per cent and can carry
warhead of more than 700 kgs up to 1500 km".
He said that Pakistan's missile technology was far superior than
that of India.
Dr Khan said "if the government asks us for putting a satellite in
the space, we can do it".
He said the Vacuum is one of the basic technologies being used in
almost all scientific, technical and industrial organizations
including nuclear plants.
He said that PVS would make its all-out efforts for the promotion
of vacuum technology in order to achieve self-reliance in this
technology.APP
===================================================================
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
981121
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dar hopes accord by Tuesday: Draft paper finalized with IMF
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: The government and the visiting seven-member IMF
mission have finalized the "Draft Paper" after a week long talks to
provide $ 5 billion rescue package to Pakistan.
Official sources told Dawn that Governor State Bank Dr Yaqub,
secretary and special secretary ministry of finance held here on
Friday a marathon session with the IMF mission headed by Ms Sena
Eken and formulated the Draft Paper to have maximum understanding
on major issues.
The issues which came up for discussion related to IPPs, multiple
exchange rate, readjustments in Pak rupee vis a vis dollar, GST
rate and GDP growth rate, restructuring of the WAPDA and CBR and
implementing the banking sector reforms.
Sources said that while the package has almost been finalized, some
of the issues related to IPPs were still to be sorted out.
Minister for finance and commerce Ishaq Dar is expected to hold a
final meeting with the IMF mission here on Saturday that may lead
to the announcement of the package at a news conference to be
jointly addressed by him and by Ms. Sena Eken.
Reuters adds from Karachi: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on
Friday he expected to finalize an agreement with the International
Monetary Fund by Tuesday.
"We are expecting the IMF and World Bank negotiations to be over
hopefully by Tuesday," Dar told Reuters. "We hope to have a good,
strong, but a productive programme for Pakistan."
He said Pakistan intended to approach the Paris Club and London
Club for rescheduling of some of its debt after concluding an
agreement with the Fund but before the IMF board meeting which is
due to be held sometime next month.
"We will go to the Paris and London Club as soon as the conclusion
with IMF ... and obviously before the matter goes to the IMF board
sometime end of December," Dar said.
An IMF team is in Islamabad negotiating resumption of a stalled
$1.56 billion structural adjustment facility that is said to be
crucial for Pakistan to avoid a default on the repayment of its $32
billion debt.
Pakistan says talks include a bailout package to plug a gap of $5
billion external payments gap in 1998/99.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading in treasury stocks may be allowed
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Muhammad Ilyas
ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: Corporate Law Authority has formally submitted
to the federal government the draft of an amendment in section 95
of the Companies Ordinance, 1984, to allow introduction of the
concept of treasury stock in Pakistan, an official source told Dawn
here on Thursday.
The objective, he said, was to remove the long-persistent
depression of the stock market as a result of which the shares of a
large number of companies have ceased to be traded following the
steep drop in their quoted market value. In order to avoid loss,
the shareholders have been holding on to their shares, waiting for
the opportunity to offload these once the market starts picking up
again, for the past three or four years.
The system of treasury stock has been in vogue in some of the
countries for some times. India too, introduced it recently to come
out of a deep slump of shares market.
The proposed amendment would remove the rules that prohibit the
companies from buying back their own shares from the general
public. It had been finalized in the light of the recommendations
of a Committee which was headed by Khalil Mian, Chairman of Policy
Board of the proposed Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Other members of the committee are Shamim Ahmed Khan, Chairman,
Corporate Law Authority, M. Yasin Lakhani, President, Karachi Stock
Exchange (KSE) and some eminent bankers and businessmen.
The committee, in formulating its proposals, also studied similar
laws in other countries, particularly, the United Kingdom and
India. According to the source, the committee was particularly
keen, while working out amendments in the relevant law, to
effectively eliminate the possibility of manipulation and insider
trading.
The CLA was now preparing the rules for facilitating the companies
to exercise this option.
These would be notified once the proposed amendment in the
Companies Law is approved by the government.
The main objective of the change in law, he said, was to facilitate
restructuring and reduce the spread of the capital of companies
that would lead to improvement in the earnings per share. The main
features of the amendments prepared by the CLA were:
*A company proposing to re-purchase its shares shall be required to
seek approval of its members through a special resolution.
*The companies shall be able to purchase shares only out of their
distributable profit.
*Shares shall be purchased through tender system and the modality
shall be approved by the company in a general meeting.
*Shares required through buy back arrangement shall be cancelled
and not resold in the market.
"It is hoped," said a senior CLA official, that with the amendment
of the law a number of companies who have excess liquidity would be
able to purchase their own shares besides allowing the companies to
restructure their capital."
In reply to a question, the source said that there would be no
compulsion on the shareholders to sell their shares. It was likely,
however that the measure would benefit them potentially by raising
their price. The companies, he explained, would have to indicate
the maximum price and the period for which the offer would be
valid. Consequently, the rates of shares in the stock market would
go up, inducing the shareholders to sell these.
The situation now is that the market price of shares in many cases
was much below the real worth of the companies.
The directors of a company opting for the scheme would be required
to give full disclosure about the mode of purchase, reasons for
purchase and source of funding, the source further stated. The CLA
would also take appropriate steps to ensure that the offered price
is not below the breakup value.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Power cos issues being resolved, says Nawaz
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KARACHI, Nov 19: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said Thursday
that issues pertaining to private power companies were being
resolved.
Addressing businessmen at the annual dinner of All Pakistan Textile
Mills Association (APTMA), he said important administrative changes
have been made to bring about improvement in the affairs of WAPDA.
He said Capt Haleem Siddiqui has played an important role in this
regard and hoped that these measures will prove enough to remove
the grievances of trade and industry.
'Power theft is a very important issue which needs to be resolved
with mutual co-operation,' he added.
He said co-operation between the government and industrialists was
need of the hour and hoped of positive results if the co-operation
is broadened.
Prime Minister said the government had brought economic reforms and
amended policies after due consultation with the business
community.
Referring to the revenue collection, he said 'Government was quite
optimistic that revenue collections will increase after taxation
reforms and businessmen will pay their taxes honestly but the
statistics of CBR were self-explanatory which negate the
expectations of the nation.'
The Prime Minister said he wants maximum participation of
businessmen in measures taken by the government for economic
development of the country.
He said the government has introduced Special Dollar Bonds which
offer an attractive package for the bond holders. The Scheme is
guaranteed by Government of Pakistan, he said and hoped that
businessmen would ensure their maximum participation in it.
Premier Nawaz Sharif said besides the issue of GST and power
tariff, the government was trying to resolve the problem of trade
and industry and would soon make the announcements.
He said there was no need to set up a separate Ministry of Textile
for the time being.
He asked the owners of sick industrial units to avail of the
incentive package announced by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
'Repayment of loans will ensure a lesser number of sick units,' he
added.
He said the cotton crop has been very good this year and hoped that
there will be a surplus for export purpose also. 'Government has no
immediate plans to allow exports of additional bales of raw
cotton,' he said while referring to permission of exports of 0.5
million bales of cotton.
He called upon the businessmen to concentrate on value- addition
and come forward for economic development of the country.
He said there was a greater need of cooperation instead of steps
promoting protest demonstration and strikes. 'We need to promote
peace,' he added.
He said government had introduced self-employment scheme for the
youth of the country and suggested the youths of Karachi to take
maximum benefit of the scheme.APP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Forex reserves down to $417m
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 19: Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves fell by $7.0
million to $417 million on November 14 from $424 million on
November 7.
The latest State Bank report said on Thursday that on November 14
the country had $313 million worth of approved forex reserves and
$103 million worth of cash and short term securities held abroad.
The two figures stood at $294 million and $130 million on November
7.
Senior bankers link the marginal fall in the reserves over a week
to shortfall in export earnings and foreign remittances. They said
had the State Bank not reduced the permissible period from 14 to 7
days last week for selling of 50 per cent export proceeds into the
market the reserves might have fallen below $400 million.
On May 19 this year Pakistan had $1.4 billion worth of forex
reserves which fell to $1.2 billion on May 28the day it conducted
a nuclear blast.
Consequent economic sanctions imposed by the developed countries
and an overall mess-up in the economy later on resulted in a
continual decline of the reserves which still goes on.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981119
-------------------------------------------------------------------
$5m ADB technical assistance for export
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: The Asian Development Bank has sanctioned $5
million for a $7.6 million technical assistance programme for
export and trade facilitation.
Sources said the programme envisages reform of customs valuation
system, institutional development, capacity building for anti-
dumping, and establishment of a national level accreditation
infrastructure.
The assistance is meant for promotion of export facilities by
establishing mechanisms that assure free-trade status and
availability of pre-shipment financing at international market
prices to exporters while developing public and private sector
capacities to deal with emerging international trade perimeter.
The ADB will provide $5 million for the project while the
government of Pakistan will be co-financing it at $2.5 million.
The cost and financing plan of the programme is as follows: ADB
financing relates to international and local consultants'
remuneration and per diem ($2.513 million); international and local
travel ($1 million); communication and reports ($2.38 million).
The government of Pakistan will co-finance the programme as
follows: equipment ($2.4 million); office, secretariat and related
services ($125,000); local transportation ($35,000), and local
counterpart staff ($35,000). Pakistan has agreed to the ADB
financing $5,000,000 equivalent comprising $3.835 million in
foreign exchange costs and $1.165 million equivalent in local
currency.
"The Technical Assistance will be financed as a loan from the ADB's
ordinary capital resources (OCR)", says the agreement. It includes
a provision of $1.3 million for computer hardware and software for
IOCO, PEFG, NCA etc.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981119
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Trading in dollar bonds
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 18: The bearer US special dollar bonds for three and
five-year maturity came in for active support on Wednesday as
investors continued to lift the bonds offered below Rs 50.00 or
around it.
Unlike the Tuesday's maiden session when the trading was confined
to only three-year maturity bonds, five-year ones also attracted
good support and finished Rs 2.90 higher at Rs 48.90 as compared to
Rs 46.00 a day earlier. Seven-year bond, however, remained inactive
at Rs 46.00.
In kerb the dollar further weakened by 30 paisa at Rs 56.75 and
56.65 for selling and buying, reflecting the outflow of money to
the bearer bonds, analysts said.
Bulk of the business was reported in the five-year maturity bond,
which rose by Rs 2.90 to Rs 48.90 from the previous Rs 46.00
accounting for 23 lots followed by seven-year maturity, unchanged
at Rs 46.00 on 10 lots, while three-year maturity rose by 75 paisa
at Rs 50.00 on only one lot.
The total business thus comes to 34 lots of $100 dollar each.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ECC move to check price volatility
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: The Economic Coordination Committee of the
Cabinet has underscored the need to take appropriate and timely
measures to check volatility and erratic trends in the prices of
important items of daily consumption.
The ECC meeting chaired by the Finance Minister, Muhammad Ishaq Dar
here on Thursday, reviewed the prices and availability of essential
items in the country and noted that prices of 10 out of 21 kitchen
items either declined or remained stable during the week ending on
Nov 11.
The committee was presented a report on the trends in export and
import during the current fiscal year.
The impact of development in international economy particularly in
South Asia on exports was highlighted.
For the generation of exportable surplus, it was pointed out at the
meeting, that good cotton crop and consequently growth of textile
and exports of sugar and rice presented hopeful signs of export-led
growth.
It was noted that the imports were lower by about 15% as compared
to the last year.
The import of consumer goods declined by 49% but the decline in
imports of raw material was relatively modest to the tune of about
13% during the period under review.
The ECC directed to keep the study updated with a view to keep the
balance of payments position under constant review.
The ECC was also presented a report on the export of cotton during
the current year and was informed that the total anticipated
production this year would be more than 10 million bales.
The committee, therefore decided that the quantum of half a million
bales allowed for exports from the 1998-99 crops would be
maintained.
It was decided that the committee would review the situation
pertaining to cotton exports in the last week of November.
The committee reviewed the rehabilitation development of social
services/infrastructure in settlement of the affectees of Tarbela
Dam Project.
The committee noted that there was need to immediately attend to
the plight of people uprooted in the development of large projects.
The meeting directed that ministry of water & power should
coordinate with the NWFP government to resolve the issue of Tarbela
Dam affectees.
The meeting was attended by minister for water & power, Chairman
Privatization Commission, SBP Governor, concerned secretaries and
other senior officials.APP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981118
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PM issues fresh orders for recovery of tax dues
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: The prime minister has issued fresh instructions
to Central Board of Revenue for swifter recovery of arrears of all
taxes due after the period of June 1998, alongside those which had
been due prior to the 1998-99 budget.
This order came last week, after CBR completed its four-month long
drive for recovery of tax arrears recoverable by the end of June
1998. During this period, a number of evaders have been arrested
while others are absconding.
Those listed throughout the country as evaders of tax arrears by
the end of June 1998, owed a sum of about Rs 14.7 billion. By Oct
15, 1998, the CBR has reported to have recovered about Rs 7 billion
under the premier's directives, which means about 50 per cent
performance on this count so far.
The PM had issued the previous orders for recovery of the tax
arrears simultaneous with the announcement of the National Agenda
wherein he had said that he was relieving himself of the burden of
all tax arrears and that those holding tax money would have to pay
up or face reprisals.
The fresh orders mean extension of the CBR efforts for making tax
arrears' recovery onto the period between June and October 1998.
Fresh steps are being taken to ensure that the rest of the arrears,
which are due by end of October, are recovered without further
delay, to improve the receipts situation and help meet the pressing
payment demands.
Sales tax arrears worth Rs 3.5 billion were due on June 12 of which
almost half the amount was recovered by last week. By end of
October, another Rs 756 million piled up and the prime minister has
asked the CBR to go all out for the recovery of this amount too.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981118
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Wasim Sajjad for local production of computers
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: Chairman Senate Mr. Wasim Sajjad has said that
there are bright prospects for the manufacture of computer
equipment and also development of computer software packages in
Pakistan as both the application and the demand for computer
technology are rapidly increasing in the country.
Mr. Wasim Sajjad was talking to Mr. James W. Jarret, vice president
Intel Corporation/president Intel China, who called on the former
in the Parliament House here on Tuesday.
Senator Taj and Intel country manager for Pakistan Mr. Mohsin Iqbal
were also present on the occasion.
Chairman Senate said that Pakistan was endowed with talented and
gifted manpower which possessed tremendous aptitude to learn and
handle new gadgets and techniques in a very short span of time.
He said business-friendly culture and environment, coupled with the
availability of manpower, offered good prospects for the setting up
of indigenous industry and that the equipment produced here could
be used in the country and could also be exported abroad.
Senate Chairman said that the interest in computer literacy
programmes and development of software packages were rapidly
increasing in Pakistan and to cope with the rising demand the
computer training institutions were expanding their facilities.
Mr. James W. Jarret apprised the Chairman Senate about the
activities of Intel Corporation in Pakistan, which included
identification of the usage of computer technology, organization of
training course and assistance in the development of software
packages.
He said that Intel Corporation was also trying to encourage the
development of local brand computers in Pakistan.
He informed the Chairman Senate that the use of computer technology
worldwide was growing at 15 per cent while the growth rate in the
case of emerging markets like Pakistan was 30 per cent.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981121
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KSE index gains 22 points as investors remain active
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 20: Stocks maintained their upward drive on Friday as
investors were not inclined to take a technical breather owing to
weekend considerations followed by predictions that the current
bull-run could be sustained next week also.
"This optimism is also shared by many others as perception of peace
in the city and an imminent release of stuck up credit lines from
the IMF do not allow investors to stay out," said an analyst.
Bulk of the interest remained confined to the low-priced blue
chips, notably Adamjee Insurance, PSO, Engro Chemical and Fauji
Fertilizer, which were massively traded at a substantial higher
levels under the lead of PSO, surging by Rs 8.55.
"Unconfirmed reports say some of the foreign funds are in the rings
in a big way and are making extensive buying in the blue chips," he
added.
News that Japan will lift the post-nuclear test economic sanctions
and positive signals from Islamabad regarding settlement of the lPP
issue seem to have reinforced the investor confidence about the
future market outlook, dealers said.
The KSE 100-share index finished with an extended gain of 22 points
at 988.00 as compared to 966.24 a day earlier, reflecting that it
is inching up progressively to achieve its base level of 1,000
points.
A 2.32 per cent increase in the index means an increase of about Rs
5 billion in the market capitalization at Rs 286 billion.
"As the developing economic scenario tells, the KSE index could
stabilize above 1,200 points not in the very distant future,"
analysts said.
"The current lower level of blue chips could provide the much-
needed bait to any prospective investor," he added.
Any rally at the weekend tells that it could be extended next week
also as investors seldom take risk before the two official closures
on Saturday and Sunday.
Floor brokers said the city situation, notably terrorist attacks on
police parties, did worry investors as they could be intensified
creating new law and order situation.
"News from the economic front appear to be more encouraging and
there are reasons to believe that sailing might be smooth in the
coming sessions," they added.
Analysts said huge amount of cash also outflowed from the bond
market to the leading shares and that was one of the reasons behind
the market's weekend upturn.
Bank and chemical shares led the market advance, which rose in
unison on persistent support at the current lower levels, but
energy shares showed either-way movement amid alternate bouts of
buying and selling with fractional price changes.
Big gainers were led by Adamjee, Dawood Hercules, Engro Chemical,
Fauji Fertilizer, Lever Brothers and PSO, which posted gains
ranging from Rs 3.95 to Rs 8.55 on large turnovers.
They were followed by Gulf Commercial Bank, Metropolitan Bank,
Reliance Weaving, Searle Pakistan and Dawood Cotton, rising by one
rupee to Rs 1.70.
Losses on the other hand were mostly fractional barring Orix
Leasing, Balochistan Wheels, Millat Tractors, Knoll Pharma and Syed
Match, which suffered fall ranging from one rupee to Rs 3.00.
Trading volume rose to 86 million shares from the previous 73
million shares thanks to active short-covering in the current
favourites, notably Hub-Power, PTCL and some others.
There were 141 actives out of which 69 shares rose, 33 fell with 39
holding on to the last levels.
Hub-Power topped the list of most actives, higher 35 paisa at Rs
14.80 on 26 million shares, followed by PTCL, up also 35 paisa at
Rs 22.50 on 21 million shares, KESC, firm 25 paisa at Rs 8.65 on 13
million shares, PSO, up Rs 8.55 at Rs 77.40 on 11 million shares,
and ICI Pakistan, steady 20 paisa at Rs 13.70 on 4 million shares.
Other actively traded shares were led by MCB, higher 80 paisa on
1.419 million shares, Fauji Fertilizer, up Rs 4.10 on 1.288 million
shares, FFC-Jordan Fertilizer, steady 30 paisa on 1.243 million
shares, ICP SEMF, firm 10 paisa on 0.724 million shares, Japan
Power, steady 10 paisa on 0.572 million shares, Dewan Salman, up 20
paisa on 0.467 million shares, and Adamjee Insurance, sharply
higher by Rs 3.95 on strong foreign support on 1.537 million
shares.
Back to the top
===================================================================
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
981115
-------------------------------------------------------------------
No nous
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardeshir Cowasjee
GOVERNOR'S rule has been imposed upon our province, and the
governor's hands duly tied behind his back. Unsuitable senior
officers have been foisted upon him by the federal government,
without even seeking his advice or obtaining his consent.
Really bad news is that Jam Sadiq Ali's notorious principal
henchman, Imtiaz Shaikh, who was suspended on the charge of
corruption by the succeeding government, is attempting another
comeback. He has been trying since the day Liaquat Jatoi was sworn
in as chief minister, when Imtiaz drove him to the Governor's
House. Currently, he is being pushed by the prime minister's
information Minister, Mushahidsaab, and by the PM's Karachi host,
Senator Majid Sultan, to be slotted in as the Sindh information
secretary. The governor is resisting.
Now to the subject at hand education. A young man sent his bio-
data impressive, well presented. He had studied at one of
Karachi's leading old-established schools, obtained seven 'A'
grades in his 'O' Levels and had managed to get admission into a
university in the US. His father had been saving up to send him
abroad, but his foreign exchange account had been frozen by Nawaz
Sharif. He applied to our family Foundation for a scholarship.
Worth helping, we decided, and called him for an interview. He
arrived, extended his hand, and said "Hello, Ardeshir." "How old
are you?" I asked. "Eighteen," came the reply. When I informed him
that I was four times his age, he failed to get the point and
looked at me blankly.
His general knowledge was abysmal. Who was Ferdinand de Lesseps, I
asked. He had never heard of him. I then asked him where the Suez
Canal is located. His response was to inform me that geography was
not one of his subjects. Next, I tried the Panama Canal. In Cuba,
he announced with pride.
At that stage I felt sorry for the parents. I had talked to his
father well spoken, well educated, who had three growing sons to
put through college. Because the father deserved to be helped, the
boy was given a grant. We asked ourselves what exactly it is that
education in a good school and the passing of exams had done for
him. Perhaps he is possessed of a mind that does not question, but
hopefully it will develop in a better environment.
What about all the poor young men, perhaps with enquiring minds,
perhaps who are keen to learn across the broader path? They have no
chance, they are given no opportunity. The Government of Pakistan
spends little or nothing on education which is a subject that is
near to last on its priority listing. Any man appointed to the
education ministry or departments, or given an education portfolio
considers that he is being punished (except perhaps the astounding
Ghous Ali Shah). It is a subject of no interest to our
parliamentarians or the millions of sycophants who pay court to
them.
It is not the letters which follow a name that denote that a person
is educated, or necessarily the institutions which they have
attended. Take one of our recent prime ministers who can boast of
having been to Radcliffe and to Oxford. Was she educated in the
true sense of the word? And her brother, a Harvard man could
anyone in his right mind refer to him as having been educated? It
is also doubtful whether, in view of his track record, our last
president, manor-born and an Oxford man with letters after his
name, could be deemed educated. How can an educated man knowingly
collude with a bank robber, shamelessly deplete his poor country's
exchequer, and misuse his presidential position to retrieve some
29,000 acres of land which he had surrendered to the state land
reform commission 26 years earlier? Can we say that those who make
an industry of robbing the people are educated?
On to a Rhodes Scholar, Shahid Javed Burki of the World Bank.
Having lived outside Pakistan for the past 31 years, he has managed
to retain his sense of balance. At the convocation last Sunday of
the Institute of Business Administration at Korangi Creek, he
spoke, with regret, on the crumbling state of Pakistan and on the
deep crisis in which we find ourselves. The thrust of his address
was the dearth of education and the need for the building of
institutions, two of our weakest sectors.
*From experience of dealing with development in various countries,
he told us: "When people lose hope in the ability of the state to
provide the services they expect of it, they step forward and fill
the gap themselves. Bangladesh is the most recent example of the
working of this phenomenon. Some of the non-governmental
organizations in Bangladesh are now as important as the
institutions of the state. Some of the remarkable social
improvements that have taken place there in the areas of health,
education and family planning were the consequences of the work
undertaken by non-governmental organizations. Perhaps the best
example of the positive impact of their work is in the area of
demography. In the sixteen-year period between 1980 and 1996, the
fertility in Bangladesh declined by 44 per cent; from 6.1 births
per woman to 3.4. Consequently, the rate of population increase has
declined by a third, from an average of 2.4 per cent between 1980-
90 to 1.6 per cent between 1990-97.
"Compared to Bangladesh Pakistan has done badly. Whilst its total
fertility rate has dropped by 27 per cent, from 7.0 in 1980 to 5.1
in 1996, it remains one of the highest in the world. A high
fertility rate produces a rate of population growth that Pakistan
does not have the space or the resources to sustain over time. At
2.9 per cent per year [the questionable official figure], the
growth rate of Pakistan's population is 81 per cent higher than in
Bangladesh."
Bangladesh has spent far more of its limited funds than Pakistan on
education, with particular emphasis on the education of women,
without which the population growth cannot decline. It knows what
it is doing; it knows where it wants to go.
To quote Shahid again, "It is indeed a matter of great regret that
administration after administration in Pakistan has paid such
little attention to educating the country's women. A society that
condemns its women to backwardness is choosing backwardness for
itself."
Burki and the rest of us must remind our failing governments of
such facts over and over again. They must be repeated time and
again, even though our words may fall on deaf ears and even though
the people can expect little or no help from the governments such
as ours in the education of their children or, as things are going,
of their children's children.
Education of the masses at the hands of this government is at its
lowest ebb, hopeless. But there is good news on the private sector
front.
A group of citizens of Karachi have formed The Citizens' Foundation
(TCF) with the principal aim of educating the poor. They were
fortunate and found themselves an able organizer in General Sabeeh
Qamar uz Zaman, their chief executive officer.
Sabeeh, as chairman of the Steel Mill (1992-1994), was the first to
detect a ghost labour force of some 3,000 men. He sacked them. When
the Mill started to produce steel in 1982-83, that year it produced
32,000 tons. In 1993-94 Sabeeh managed to cross the million-ton
mark, the mill producing 1,044,000 tons utilizing its capacity (on
the ground and not merely on paper) to the extent of 95 per cent.
Naturally, he had to go. The fact that Benazir Bhutto, Asif Zardari
and Naheed Khan wanted him sacked add to his stature. Allegations
cooked up against him on questionable grounds remain
unsubstantiated.
In the short space of two years, TCF has built and equipped and now
operates 25 primary schools on the outskirts of Karachi and Lahore,
and a further nine are in various stages of completion. Encouraged
by this success, our family Foundation also joined in and has
committed funds for a high school in the slums of the Machhar area
of Lyari. The school will accommodate eight hundred children and,
as with all the TCF schools, 85 per cent of the children will pay
nominal fees ranging between Rs.5 and Rs.50 per month. Last month
we had the ground-breaking ceremony a happy day for our family
when Cyrus, aged three, my brother Cyrus's grandson, broke the
ground with his spade. Plinth level has already been reached.
To all the e-mailers who ask me what they can do to help this
country, where they should invest, my answer is: Education. The
return will be priceless.
The TCF website: http://www.citizensfoundation.com. Please visit
it. The e-mail address : citizens@cyber.net.pk
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981121
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A critique of the critics
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Irfan Husain
FOR an institution that makes it its business to criticize people,
policies and governments, the press itself is hardly ever the
subject of comment and criticism.
Indeed, there is a vast, unmonitored fraternity flourishing under
the protective umbrella of organizations like the All Pakistan
Newspapers Society (APNS), the Council of Newspaper Editors (CPNE)
and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) which together
constitute one of the most powerful lobbies in the country. All in
all, these organizations have played a positive role in gaining and
protecting the freedom of expression in a country that has suffered
years of repressive rule.
But this immunity from criticism has meant that, by and large, the
print media has not been forced to evaluate and assess itself as
any institution needs to from time to time. Archaic practices and
attitudes are the norm, and editors and publishers have seldom
bothered to invest the time and resources needed to revamp their
publications. The exceptions are a handful of monthlies and
weeklies that approach international standards in terms of
editorial content and layout.
Despite the enormous strides made in print technology and newspaper
design in developed countries, most of our publications have been
locked in a Victorian time warp, both in style and content. Much of
the language is positively Dickensian, except that the famous
English writer was not guilty of as many grammatical and spelling
errors in his entire lifetime as a single issue of any of our
dailies contains.
Take the average front-page as an example. Crowded with many small
headlines, over a dozen stories vie for attention and are then
continued in the inner darkness of page eight. A couple of
indistinct photos and an ad or two complete the layout. The world
over, the emphasis is on simple, uncluttered design with crisp,
eye-catching photographs of people, objects or places that often
have nothing to do with the main news, but tells a story visually.
The selection of stories is often bizarre. Instead of focusing on
what happened the previous day, our newspapers concentrate on who
said what. Political lightweights get coverage far beyond their
role and significance. Indeed, it can be argued that many of them
exist on life support provided by an indiscriminate print media.
Not only do some of these worthies frequently write columns, their
utterances and comings and goings are solemnly reported as though
the rest of us were dying for such information. Talk about double
jeopardy.
Then there is the whole other problem of most of our reporters
being reluctant to do the legwork needed for accurate and
interesting stories. As a rule, they would much rather use press
releases or handouts to base their reports on, rather than cover an
event themselves. I know journalists who ask colleagues on the
phone to describe what happened and who said what during a VIP's
visit, and then call their editors with a rehashed story from the
Press Club.
There is virtually no follow-up on even the most sensational story
after it has died down. For instance, we may read one day that 23
people died in a horrific bus accident, and the driver was
arrested. But what happened to him? Was he tried and sentenced, or
released? A man kills his wife for alleged adultery and is locked
up. Was he hanged, jailed or let loose? Neither our reporters nor
our editors seem to have the curiosity or the capacity to follow up
and keep the readers informed of developments.
Editorial pages are usually one solid block of text with solemn,
self-important prose usually reserved for Biblical pronouncements.
Editorial writers and columnists hold forth at interminable length,
advising the world on how to conduct its affairs. Nobody seems to
consider brevity a virtue; indeed, think of how much revenue could
be generated by accepting ads in this space! Writers get genuinely
upset on being edited; I must confess to a distinct rise in my
blood pressure when I get censored. But generally speaking, editors
refrain from cutting down pieces because they are too long. The
result is an endless ramble on every issue under the sun, beginning
from the Flood.
Most editors seem to be allergic to names. Thus, a hotel where a
certain event took place in not named but referred to as "a five-
star hotel." If I cite another newspaper, the reference is changed
to "a Lahore daily", and if I quote a fellow columnist, his name is
blue-pencilled. As far as I can gather, the logic behind this
insistence on anonymity is to avoid giving free publicity to
individuals, business concerns or rival publications.
Another paradox is the dearth of local human-interest stories while
such reports from other countries often find their way into our
pages. This can be explained by the fact that foreign news agencies
wire ready-to-print stories, while for local reports, our own
reporters would have to travel to remote parts of the country. By
the same token, our papers often carry photographs of local events
and personalities sent out by foreign agencies based in Pakistan.
For two decades now, Afghanistan has been making headlines around
the world. Journalists from virtually every major news gathering
organization in the world have gone into our neighbouring country
from Pakistani soil. And yet only a handful of enterprising local
journalists have taken the flight to Kabul or the hike across the
border. Do our newspapers lack the initiative or the money? Or
both?
Every few years, we hear that the Wage Board is meeting to fix
salaries for working journalists. Since this August body does not
touch upon the question of rates for freelance columnists, I have
not paid too much attention to its deliberations. But I am not
aware of government-appointed boards fixing wages for journalists
working in privately owned newspapers in other countries, just as I
haven't heard of subsidized housing colonies for journalists
elsewhere.
Having vented my spleen against friends, colleagues and an
institution close to my heart, let me say there is nothing I would
rather do than be a full-time journalist. Unfortunately, fate and
circumstances have taken me higher and yon, but the one constant
factor in my life has been a column in one publication or another,
under one name or another.
Despite its limitations, the print media in Pakistan is probably
the freest in the Muslim world. There are certain taboo areas like
religion and the army, but by and large, we can criticize anyone
and anything without checking our facts and get away with it. What
more could a desk-bound hack wish for?
===================================================================
SPORTS
981118
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jansher Khan pulls out of World Open
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KARACHI, Nov 17: Former squash world champion Jansher Khan of
Pakistan said Tuesday he had pulled out of the World Open Squash
Championship because of a groin injury.
The championship is scheduled to start in Qatar November 29.
"My groin injury has healed up and I am feeling much better, but on
doctor's advice I have decided not to play in the World Open,"
Jansher told AFP.
The eight-times world champion, now sixth in the rankings, did not
participate in last year's world open in Malaysia due to personal
reasons. Australian Rodney Eyles won the world title.
Jansher said he was confident he would bounce back, saying
"everyone will see when I regain my place, with Allah's blessings."
The 29-year-old, who underwent surgery on both knees in July,
believes he will be fit to play at his best in three weeks' time.
"I would love to play for Pakistan for three more years and will
regain my top place in 1999," Jansher vowed.
The six-times British Open champion lost his world number one
ranking to Scotland's Peter Nicol last February and subsequently
his British Open crown to Nicol in April.
Jansher's first competition on his return to the arena will be the
Tournament of Champions starting in New York January 23.
He will also play the Esso Open in Belgium in February 1999, the
Hungarian Open in March and the British Open the following month.
AFP
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981121
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Sohail and Yohanna guide Pakistan to a 4-wicket win
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ilyas Beg
GUJRANWALA, Nov 20: Half centuries by skipper Aamir Sohail and
Yousuf Yohanna pulled Pakistan from trouble to steer the home team
to a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first one-day
international at the Jinnah Stadium on Friday.
Leading from the front, Aamir Sohail scored a brilliant 91, studded
with nine exquisite boundaries and a six off Eddo Brandes to help
Pakistan reach the victory target of 241 in 47.4 overs. This
overhauled Zimbabwe's total of 237, accumulated in 49.3 overs and
gave Pakistan a welcome win after a bad drubbing at the hands of
Australia in Tests as well as one-day international series.
Both teams will play their second one-day international at the
Sheikhupura Stadium on Sunday (November 22).
Pakistan was also served well by Yousuf Youhanna (55 not out of 80
balls with one six and two boundaries), Moin Khan (35 of 26
deliveries with one six and four boundaries) and Azhar Mahmood (17
not out of 35 balls with one four).
Yousuf Yohanna added 54 runs for the fourth wicket with his skipper
off 62 deliveries when Pakistan was struggling at 87 for three.
Thereafter, Yousuf Yohanna added 52 runs for the sixth wicket
partnership with Moin Khan off 44 balls. That brought Pakistan's to
197, needing 41 runs to win.
Yohanna kept up the good work and added 44 runs with Azhar Mahmood
(17 not out) for the unbroken seventh wicket stand. Azhar Mahmood
swept Heath Streak for his only boundary which took Pakistan to the
winning total.
Aamir Sohail, named Man-of-the-Match, earlier provided Pakistan a
sound start with Saeed Anwar when the two left-handers put on 60
runs off 77 balls (19 of 29 balls) for the first-wicket partnership
which laid a foundation for an easy sailing.
For a change, despite giving some shaky batting displays, the
Pakistan players fought like a team and gave a superior display in
all departments of the game. Their bowling was immaculate which
restricted Zimbabwe to a not-so-big total. Catching of the
Pakistanis, particularly of Wasim Akram and Yousuf Yohanna, was
brilliant. Even the ground fielding of the Pakistanis was praise-
worthy. Had there been discipline in the Pakistan batting, it would
have wilted mid-way through. Pakistan is fast moulding into a
fighting combination which augurs well for the future.
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
981120
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan to face India in 10-game hockey series
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW DELHI (India), Nov 19: Traditional rivals India and Pakistan
will play a ten-match field hockey series in February next year, a
domestic news agency said Wednesday.
Dates for the matches will be finalized later this week during
Indian officials' meetings with Pakistan Hockey Federation
president Akhtar Rasool who arrives in New Delhi on Thursday,
United News of India reported.
Five matches each are likely to be played in both countries, the
news agency said quoting K.P.S. Gill, who heads the Indian Hockey
Federation. The first five matches will be held in India.
The two sides played an eight-match series in India and Pakistan
before huge crowds earlier this year, with Pakistan winning 4-3
with a game drawn.
Field hockey, like cricket, is hugely popular in both India and
Pakistan but matches between the two sides are often laced with
bitterness because of the 50-year enmity between New Delhi and
Islamabad.AP
-------------------------------------------------------------------
You can subscribe to DWS by sending an email to
<subscribe.dws@dawn.com>, with the following text in the BODY of your
message: subscribe dws
To unsubscribe, send an email to <unsubscribe.dws@dawn.com>, with
the following in the BODY of you message:
unsubscribe dws
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Back to the top.
Dawn page