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DAWN WIRE SERVICE
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Week Ending : 28 November 1998 Issue : 04/47
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Contents | National News | Business & Economy | Editorials & Features | Sports
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CONTENTS
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NATIONAL NEWS
+ Ordinance amended: Army gets powers to investigate cases
+ India pushes for economic bridge with Pakistan
+ 13 new oil, gas fields discovered
+ MQM seeks UN help against human rights violations
+ IMF okays $5.5bn bailout package
+ Politicians oppose imposition of Article 245
+ US may write off some of loans against F-16s' price
+ Pakistan, US discuss Kashmir options
+ More tests of missiles await govt permission
+ Ehtesab benches' verdict can be challenged: SC told
---------------------------------
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
+ Approval likely: Sale of $ bonds by money changers
+ Change in composite rates on cards
+ Forex reserves up at $444m
+ ECC allows export of 0.5 million tons sugar
+ 3m tons of rice to be exported: Lalika
+ Increase in wheat support price urged
+ Task force to tackle millennium bug
+ Banks to maintain SLR on rupee funds
+ Banks asked to remove hurdles for loan seekers
+ Stocks lose 9.68 points on weakness of base shares
---------------------------------------
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
+ Governor's rule Ardeshir Cowasjee
+ Can the MQM grow up? Irfan Husain
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SPORTS
+ Pakistan beat Zimbabwe to clinch one-day series 2-1
+ Pakistan breeze into final of World Cup blind cricket
+ Davis Cup: Swedish coach to train Pakistan squad
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NATIONAL NEWS
981127
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Ordinance amended: Army gets powers to investigate cases
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: The federal government on Thursday notified that
armed forces will have the power to conduct investigation
"appropriate cases" of terrorism.
President Rafiq Tarar on Thursday issued an ordinance amending the
Armed Forces (Acting in Aid of the Civil Power) Ordinance, wherein
the armed forces have been empowered to investigate "appropriate
cases."
The amended ordinance to be called the Pakistan Armed Forces
(Acting in Aid of Civil Power) (Amendment) Ordinance, 1998 has
substituted section 5 of the ordinance which had provided that the
armed forces might supervise investigation of any case but that too
on the direction of the federal government.
The new section stated that investigation of all the offences
specified in the Schedule to this ordinance should be conducted in
accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (Act V of 1898) and in appropriate cases the same may be
conducted by the armed forces.
APP adds: When asked about the objective of the ordinance,
Secretary Law Choudhry Irshad Ahmad said by enforcing the
ordinance, the government had withdrawn its power to decide which
cases were to be investigated by the armed forces.
He said, under the new ordinance, the armed forces will have a
neutral and independent position to decide about the cases, in
which it may decide to investigate. He said the army would be in a
position to conduct investigation into cases where it considers it
necessary.
NNI adds: By virtue of the amendment, the armed forces have now
been empowered to investigate and collect evidence through their
own intelligence agencies as per the Army Act. The evidence will be
placed before the military courts, which will exclude the chances
of political parties or groups levelling allegations of
government's partiality or political victimization, sources said.
A legal expert pointed out that the evidence collected by the armed
forces would have to be relied upon by the civil prosecutors to be
appointed by the government.
The following is the text of the said Ordinance:-
"ORDINANCE to amend the Pakistan Armed Forces (Acting in Aid of the
Civil Power) Ordinance, 1998
WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the Pakistan Armed Forces (Acting
in Aid of the Civil Power) Ordinance, 1998 (XII of 1998), for the
purpose hereinafter appearing;
AND WHEREAS the National Assembly is not in session and the
President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it
necessary to take immediate action;
NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1)
of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, the President is pleased to make and promulgate the
following Ordinance:-
1. Short title and commencement:-
(1) This Ordinance may be called
the Pakistan Armed Forces (Acting in Aid of the Civil Power)
(Amendment) Ordinance, 1998.
(2) It shall come into force at once.
2. Substitution of section 5, Ordinance XII of 1998:- In the
Pakistan Armed Forces (Acting in Aid of the Civil Power) Ordinance,
1998 (XII of 1998), for section 5, the following shall be
substituted, namely:-
"5 Investigation:- The investigation of all the offences specified
in the Schedule to this Ordinance shall be conducted in accordance
with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V
of 1898), and in appropriate cases the same may be conducted by the
Armed Forces".
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981128
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India pushes for economic bridge with Pakistan
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NEW DELHI, Nov 27: An economic bridge is the only way to ease
political tensions between Pakistan and India, India's Junior
Foreign Minister Vasundhara Raje said on Friday.
"The only way out of the political dilemma we face vis-a-vis
Pakistan...is to find an economic rationale that itself will create
a stake in the narrowing down of political differences," she said
in a speech on economic diplomacy.
Addressing members of the women's wing of the Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Raje said events after
New Delhi's nuclear tests this year showed that economic relations
were vital for political security.
"Post Pokhran Two events have shown us that not only does enhanced
economic strength and global engagement give greater flexibility
and multiple options in the pursuit of our economic objectives but
can also be turned to the advantage of our political, strategic and
security objectives," Raje said.
While pursuing close economic ties with Pakistan, India is pushing
for a South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA).
New Delhi was in the process of working out a free trade
arrangement with Sri Lanka and has also offered it to Bangladesh,
Raje said.
Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives are the other nations.Reuter
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981128
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13 new oil, gas fields discovered
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Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: Oil and gas explorations in Pakistan have
yielded as many as 13 new fields rich with exploitable hydrocarbon
resources, says an official source.
These fields, when developed, would add six trillion cubic feet of
gas alone to the gas availability in Pakistan, resulting in a
saving of $5 billion for the country per annum.
So far, natural gas has been used as domestic fuel and also in
industrial production and generation of electricity. In recent
years, however, its importance as an environmentally clean energy
resource has gained increasing attention of the government
planners.
Thus, at present, 28 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) stations are
providing gas to vehicles. A major development in this regard has
been the increasing involvement of the private sector in the
establishment of CNG stations and marketing of gas cylinders for
vehicle owners as well as domestic consumers.
The federal government recently approved a plan to convert 100,000
vehicles to CNG at 150 new CNG stations to be established all over
Pakistan in the next two years. The objective is to promote
domestic environmental friendly fuel and save foreign exchange by
substituting imported gasoline with natural gas.
Thirtyone CNG stations are already under construction in the
provinces of Punjab, Sindh and NWFP. These would have the capacity
to cater to 25,000 vehicles. However, Balochistan has yet to
benefit from this resource, although it has been the main source of
gas supply to the rest of the country.
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981126
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MQM seeks UN help against human rights violations
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Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 25: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Wednesday
urged the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and human rights
organizations the world over to take notice of the violations of
human rights and police excesses in Sindh, especially in Karachi.
The appeal was made by deputy convener of the MQM, Senator Nasreen
Jaleel, at a news conference at Karachi Press Club.
A letter signed by Senator Aftab Shaikh and Nasreen Jaleel have
been sent to Mr Annan, saying that two MQM parliamentarians, Shoaib
Bokhari and Wakil Jamali, were under enormous pressure by the Nawaz
Sharif government to change their allegiance.
Senator Nasreen Jaleel said the torture and pressure tactics used
by the police to force the interned leaders to change their
loyalties was not a new phenomenon. In this context, she cited the
case of Firoza Begum who had been compelled to change party
loyalties and to join Abdullah Shah ministry.
She also condemned the alleged firing by unknown attackers on the
Colombian de-weaponization experts in Liaquatabad, while it had
been on a conducted tour of the area in an armoured personnel
carrier on Tuesday.
Senator Nasreen Jaleel termed it a conspiracy to malign the MQM.
She alleged the act was a conspiracy aimed to demoralize and
belittle the Muttahida on the international scene and to portray it
as a terrorist party in Pakistan.
"Almost all the Muttahida workers are in hiding, and the visit of
the Colombians to the area was only in the notice of the
government," She claimed
Senator Nasreen Jaleel said after the incident an MQM delegation
had apprised the UNDP-supported mission of the factual position
regarding the ongoing police operation against peaceful citizens in
the province, in a congenial and friendly meeting.
The MQM deputy convener said the arrest of MQM activists in the
firing incident was yet another example of police excesses and
state-sponsored terrorism.
She said: "Military courts are being set up for those cities where
Mohajirs are in a majority, which has brought the government's
anti-Mohajir bias in the open.
"Why the government is not establishing these courts in those areas
of Punjab and elsewhere where the law and order situation is bad."
She claimed that during Basant Mela in Punjab, men and women used
firearms, but the local administration had taken no action for the
possession and use of firearms.
She claimed that the DIG police Karachi was incompetent and junior
which had caused heart burning among the police officers.
The senator alleged that MPA Shoaib Bokhari was being tortured to
force him to become an approver and betray the confidence of
thousands of people he represented.
Mr Bokhari's mother said she had met her son in airport police
station in the presence of the duty officer, which, she said, was
not fair. She also objected to her son being taken to the court
with handcuffs.top10
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981126
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IMF okays $5.5bn bailout package
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: Pakistan and the IMF have reached an agreement
on US$5.5 billion bailout package to be jointly offered by the
World Bank, the Fund, Asian Development Bank and Paris and London
clubs.
"We have successfully concluded talks with the IMF mission for $5.5
billion programme that also included debt rescheduling of about $3
billion by London and Paris clubs", claimed Finance Minister Ishaq
Dar at a news conference here on Wednes-day.
This is for the first time that there was no joint news conference
and the seven-member IMF mission, led by Ms Sena Eken left early on
Wednesday morning for Washington after holding 12-days of talks
with the Pakistani authorities.
"All matters stand resolved with the IMF and the World Bank", Mr
Dar claimed.
However, the local IMF office issued a press statement which was
read out by the minister at the press conference.
The statement says: "The IMF mission has concluded discussion with
the Pakistani authorities and reached an agreement on a programme
of economic policies.
"After the review and approval by Fund Management, it will serve as
the basis for consideration by the IMF executive board for
reactivation of ESAF/EFF programme.
"The programme has sizable financing gap to be filled from several
sources. The financing package envisaged under the programme will
enable Pakistan to normalise its external payments relations.
"Effective implementation of the agreed programme, supported by
adequate financing, will also pave the way for restoration of
confidence and resumption of high and sustainable rates of growth",
the IMF statement added.
The finance minister also said that the Paris Club would meet on
Dec 10 to consider debt rescheduling for Pakistan. He said that the
IMF board would clear the agreement for the reactivation of
ESAF/EFF. "But in case the board does not meet next month, we are
not going to default", he said.
Mr Dar said Pakistan had repaid loans to preferred creditors during
the last few months.
He said foreign exchange reserves currently stood at $450 million
after having paid some important loans.
Giving details of the programme, Dar said out of $5.5 billion
programme, the World Bank and the IMF would jointly provide $980
million, while $350 million would be extended by ADB. "Rest of the
financing relates to the debt rescheduling by London and Paris
clubs", he said.
The minister added that since an agreement had been reached with
the IMF, issues related to both the clubs would be resolved without
any problem.
"In fact both the clubs had said that Pakistan should first achieve
an agreement with IMF and only then come to us", he said adding
that things were now bound to settle with all the international
lenders.
About the power tariffs, the finance minister said that the
National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) would meet
periodically to determine future tariffs and there would be no
interference by any government agency in this behalf.
Asked about the IPPs' issues, he said that five of them had already
lowered their tariffs and the remaining 13 had been asked to
negotiate with the newly-created independent committee.
To a question he said remittances dropped to 37 per cent during the
first four month of the current financial year.
He repeatedly said that there were no visible or invisible
conditions that eventually led to an agreement with the IMF. "I
have told you that we re not here to compromise the national
interest as was done by the previous government on many issues", he
added.
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981124
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Politicians oppose imposition of Article 245
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KARACHI, Nov 23: The parliamentary leader of Muttahida Qaumi
Movement in Sindh Assembly, Dr Farooq Sattar, has said the
promulgation of presidential ordinance under Article 245 in Sindh
and imposition of governor rule are aimed to eliminate the
Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
This he stated while speaking at a seminar on promulgation of the
presidential ordinance here on Monday.
He said affiliation with the MQM had become an offence and on this
pretext people were being harassed and victimized. The only agenda
was to crush the MQM by hook and by crook and to capture the
mandate of the MQM after setting it aside from politics.
Dr Sattar maintained that the imposition of governor rule and the
promulgation of Presidential Ordinance under Article 245 was
undemocratic and unconstitutional.
He warned that it would yield dire consequences as the MQM enjoyed
the mandate of the masses, being the first biggest party of urban
areas of Sindh, second biggest party of the province and the third
largest party of the country.
He said by conducting a media trial of the MQM the government was
once again trying to tarnish its image, and for the purpose, so-
called confessional statements were being aired on television.
Speaking on the occasion Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, deputy chief of
Jamaat-i-Islami, said the promulgation of Presidential Ordinance
was against the constitution and the law.
Prof N.D. Khan of the PPP said as early as the country should get
rid of the present government and fresh election be announced, it
would be better for the nation.
Mian Ejaz Shafi, a PML MNA from Karachi, dwelling upon the subject,
supported the promulgation of Presidential Ordinance saying that
the MQM had done nothing to restore peace as it was its prime
responsibility after having the mandate of the urban people. PPI
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981122
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US may write off some of loans against F-16s' price
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Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Nov 21: The US is considering writing off some of
Pakistan's loans against the payments that have to be made for the
F-16 aircraft, informed diplomatic sources said on Saturday.
These US loans to Pakistan would be slightly more than the amount
Washington will have to reimburse, in case Pentagon is able to sell
or lease the Pakistani aircraft to New Zealand.
If an agreement between officials of Pakistan and the US is reached
on this resolution of the F-16 aircraft issue, it could be
presented as a major success of Mr Nawaz Sharif's visit to the
White House, sources said.
They said at the moment Pakistan is claiming the entire $658
million it had paid for the 28 F-16 aircraft and a court case may
be filed in the near future.
But once Washington finalises a deal with New Zealand, Wellington
will be asked to pay the price directly to Islamabad.
A senior administration official told Dawn the State Department was
continuing to work on the F-16 issue and hopefully there would be
some progress by the time Mr Sharif arrives here for the official
visit on Dec 2.
Pentagon has already given its price tag for the Pakistan planes to
Wellington, but a spokesman of the New Zealand Embassy told Dawn on
Thursday no quick decision was expected and there may even not be
any decision before the visit of Mr Sharif to Washington.
The senior defence diplomat of the New Zealand Embassy in
Washington was not even aware of the fact that Mr Sharif was coming
to Washington for talks with President Clinton on Dec 2.
The time frame he gave for a possible decision was in the middle of
December when the NZ government would make a decision about the F-
16 and other military equipment to be purchased from the US.
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981127
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Pakistan, US discuss Kashmir options
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Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, Nov 26: Top US and Pakistani negotiators have
separately carried out studies on what alternative options could be
pursued to resolve the Kashmir dispute other than implementing the
50-year old UN Security Council resolutions.
The "other options" issue came up in recent Talbott-Shamshad talks
when the US was asked to play a more serious role in resolving this
issue, as it had done in Bosnia, Ireland and Middle East.
A knowledgeable source said Shamshad Ahmed suggested to Talbott to
study the various proposals that had been made over the years to
solve the problem, both by Indians and Pakistan at different
forums. "Talbott ordered his team of researchers to undertake the
study but in a sharp diplomatic response he also asked Mr. Ahmed to
undertake a similar study in Pakistan as well," the source said.
Pakistani diplomatic sources said Mr. Ahmed did order that study in
Foreign Office and his researchers came up with more than 40
alternative solutions to the Kashmir crisis, other than holding the
elusive plebiscite in the Indian-held territory.
The sources, however, emphatically stated that Pakistan had told
the US that it could not make any official move on even discussing
these options at any forum as this would militate against the
years-old Pakistani stand on the issue.
"But the US was given the encouragement to float some of these
proposals as its own and push both India and Pakistan to come to
some agreement to resolve the issue," sources said.
Anticipating that some added pressure on India may be generated
during the Nawaz Sharif visit to the White House to settle the
issue, the Indians are already hardening their bargaining
positions, diplomats said.
A senior Pakistani diplomat said India had recently reversed its
years-old position on redeployment of troops on the Siachin Glacier
and had refused to discuss the subject of redeployment with the
Pakistani defence negotiators in New Delhi.
The diplomat said in the past India had agreed to redeploying the
troops on Siachin and the Pakistani team of defence experts led by
secretary defence Lt.Gen. Iftikhar Ali Khan was expecting to
discuss the matter further and finalise the levels of redeployment.
"The Pakistanis were shocked to hear the new Indian position. What
redeployment are you talking about, they were told. Siachin is in
Indian territory and Pakistan is no one to tell us where to deploy
our forces," the Indians said.
The Indians were only prepared in the defence talks to discuss a
"ceasefire" on Siachin and that too only in the interest of
avoiding human casualties. They were not interested in the
Pakistani proposals of the levels of redeployment.
A diplomat explained this going back on a position, which had been
conceded by the Indians years ago to the extent that even an
agreement on Siachin had already been drafted and remained just to
be signed.
He said: "They want to use the Siachin issue as a bargaining chip
for the negotiations they may have to start on Kashmir under
international and specifically American pressure."
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981125
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More tests of missiles await govt permission
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Renowned nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan
on Tuesday declared Pakistan has begun serial production of Ghauri
missiles saying that "we will test-fire more missiles as soon as a
go-ahead signal is received from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif".
"I have no problem in carrying out more missile tests as it is a
matter of just few hours but we await a go-ahead signal from the
Prime Minister", he said while answering questions by reporters
here at the Convention Centre after distribution of cheques by
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif among Pakistani affectees of the Gulf
war.
Responding to a question, he made it clear that no power on earth
could force Pakistan either to dismantle or roll back its nuclear
programme." We have a very strong and stable government, he added,
by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who cannot be pressurized or
intimidated".
He said no body right from the government to the people as well as
the scientists would agree to dismantle or roll back country's
nuclear programme. Therefore, there is no question of choosing any
of the two options.
He said there were plenty of Ghauri missiles with us and their
serial production had also commenced adding that Chief Minister
Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif was also shown these missiles when he
last visited Kahuta Research Laboratory.
Replying to another question, Dr Qadeer said Ghauri had a range of
1500 kilometres which could be enhanced up to 1700 to 1750
kilometres if a smaller warhead was installed with the missile. "I
can assure you that it has the capability to target Indian cities
of Madras and Calcutta".
Answering a question, he confirmed testing of an Anti-Tank missile,
equipped with Night Vision Device recently saying that earlier, "we
used to test Baktar Shikan missile but this was the first night
vision missile which was tested recently and it hit the bull's eye.
Asked whether Pakistan had a proper site to carry out nuclear tests
if India conducted more nuclear explosions in future, he said
"there is no problem of a new site as we are determined to come up
to the expectations of our nation".
He replied in affirmative when asked if Pakistan had a proper and
effective command and control system. "We have a very strong and
effective command and control system which is being supervised by
the Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff and nuclear experts".
Asked if the Americans were pressurizing Pakistan on the issue of
export control system, he said they were neither pressurizing
Pakistan nor were they asking for roll back of the programme. Their
only worry is that the nuclear technology should not go into "wrong
hands".
To a question about Fissile Material Cut Off Treaty (FMCT), he said
it would affect Pakistan's capability as "we will have to maintain
a proper record of fissile material production and other relevant
things".
When his attention was drawn towards a recent statement of US
Secretary of State Strobe Talbott that America wanted gradual
dismantling of nuclear and missile technologies as well as their
deployment, he said "they have a programme to eliminate Muslims
from the scene. How can they succeed now particularly when their
efforts failed to yield any results even during last 1400 years.
What they are thinking is just a part of their wishful thinking".
PPI
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981127
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Ehtesab benches' verdict can be challenged: SC told
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: The counsel for the opposition leader, Benazir
Bhutto, on Thursday argued that appeals against the interlocutory
orders of Ehtesab bench could be challenged in the Supreme Court as
the Ehtesab benches were "high courts".
When the petitions of Benazir Bhutto were taken up today by the
two-member bench, headed by Justice Saiduzzaman Siddiqui and
consisted of Justice Abdur Rehman Khan, asked Choudhry Aitizaz
Ahsan to address the court on the legal question.
Justice Siddiqui observed that the court should be addressed on the
question whether any appeal under Article 185 of the Constitution
could be filed in the Supreme Court against the order of Ehtesab
bench which was not final.
The counsel for the petitioner argued that the Ehtesab bench was a
high court for all practical purposes and referred to a number of
cases from Pakistani jurisdiction in his support.
Aitizaz said a case which was before an Ehtesab bench, comprising
Justice Ahsanul Haq and Justice Saeedur Rehman Farrukh, was
referred to another Ehtesab bench, comprising different judges, who
passed the freezing order of her accounts without hearing her. He
stated that it was only possible because the Ehtesab bench were
treated as high court.
He said judges of Ehtesab bench were designated by chief justice of
a high court to hear Ehtesab cases referred to a high court by the
chief Ehtesab commissioner. He said Ehtesab benches could not be
equated with the special courts like customs courts etc.
Aitizaz said the judges of all the Ehtesab benches enjoyed all the
powers of high court judges. "Ehtesab benches are high court which
deal with special law Ehtesab Act," he argued.
The counsel for the petitioner referred to Article 175 (2) to show
that appellate jurisdiction of the court was constitutional which
could not be taken away by an ordinary act. He said that if it was
assumed that Ehtesab benches were special courts and no appeal
could be made against its interlocutory order, dire consequences
would flow from this assumption.
Attorney General Choudhry Mohammad Farooq, who appeared on court
notice, asked the SC to adjourn the case. The court adjourn the
case till Nov 30.
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY
981128
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Approval likely: Sale of $ bonds by money changers
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Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 27: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told a meeting of
private licensed money brokers on Friday that they would shortly be
allowed to sell the special dollar bonds, said the chief of
Pakistan Forex Association, Malik Boostan.
"The minister has told us that the State Bank would shortly issue a
circular in this respect," Boostan told Dawn by phone after
attending the meeting at the SBP office.
But the press release issued by the State Bank was silent on this
subject. The release issued by the Association itself did not
mention it.
"This is not there in our press release but I tell you the minister
has assured us of allowing dollar bonds trading through money
changers," Boostan insisted.
The press release issued by Pakistan Forex Association said the
State Bank might allow the banks to start issuing cheques to the
money changers for encasement of money transferred from one place
to another through electronic means. It said the association
recommended to the finance minister that dollar prize bonds be
issued on the pattern of rupee prize bonds to ease off the foreign
exchange crunch. It did not say how the finance minister received
the proposal.
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981128
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Change in composite rates on cards
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Mohiuddin Aazim
KARACHI, Nov 27: The composition of composite exchange rates is
going to be changed in the coming days but the official exchange
rate of Rs 46 to a US dollar will remain unchanged for the time
being.
This indication was dropped by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar at a
meeting with heads of banks held here at the State Bank office on
Friday.
"The minister told us that the multiple exchange rates would be
phased out adding that the composition of composite rate will be
changed as a first step," said a source privy to the meeting.
Currently the composite rate is the simple average of official rate
of Rs 46 to a dollar and floating inter-bank rates which means a
50:50 ratio of the two rates.
The bankers who attended the meeting said the minister did not
disclose the proposed ratio. But it is generally believed that the
ratio would be changed to raise the percentage of floating inter-
bank rates and reduce the official rates to make the new composite
rates more market-oriented.
"If this happens it would simply be a disguised devaluation," said
a participant of the meeting adding that the minister made it clear
that there would be no up-front rupee devaluation. He said the
minister elaborated the term up-front devaluation by saying that
the recently-concluded talks between Pakistan and the IMF did not
stipulate such a measure.
Sources privy to the meeting said the finance minister also made it
clear that import of wheat and petroleum products would continue to
be made at the official exchange rate of Rs 46 to a US dollar. They
quoted him as saying that the holders of frozen foreign currency
deposits would also continue to get the deposits converted into
rupees at the same rate.
The sources said the issue of maturing swap funds also came up
adding that it was decided in principle that the banks would roll
over these funds for at least 2 more years. They said the banks
were told that the State Bank would pay 20 per cent of the
principal amount of these funds in the first year and the remaining
80 per cent in the second year.
The meeting was told that some $1.2 billion worth of swap funds had
matured and the same had to be rolled over in any case because of
the current foreign exchange crisis facing Pakistan.
The sources said State Bank Governor Dr Muhammad Yaqub told the
meeting that the November 30 deadline set for liquidation of
balances in frozen foreign currency deposits as collaterals against
loans would not be extended.
The minister told the bankers to persuade their clients to get
these collaterals converted into the special dollar bonds which
would also help the government transfer its foreign exchange
liabilities from short term to long term.
The sources said the finance minister warned the banks not to allow
speculations in the inter-bank foreign exchange market for profit-
taking. He said SBP would take stern actions against the banks
involved in speculations.
The sources said the minister invited proposals from the banks and
financial institutions for speeding up the recovery of stuck- up
loans.
They said the bankers told him that implementation of decrees
obtained against loan defaulters was a major impediment to
efficient recovery and the minister promised to them that the
government would try to address this issue.
The sources said the minister casually mentioned the figure of Rs
200 billion as stuck-up loans but he neither elaborated it nor
quantified the recovery that has been made so far.
An SBP press release said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar briefed three
separate meetings including the one with the bankers on the
understanding reached with the IMF. The other two meetings were
held with money changers and members of export development
committee.
"He explained that with this understanding and anticipated support
of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, balance of payment
difficulties will be over, the preferred creditors will be paid on
time, other debt will be regularised and all categories of payment
will be soon made current," the release said. "It was also
explained that the State Bank had enough foreign exchange resources
to meet the essential foreign exchange obligations without
requiring any "bridge financing" prior to the IMF Board meeting on
Pakistan."
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981127
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Forex reserves up at $444m
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 26: Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves rose by $27
million to $444 million on November 21 from $417 million on
November 14.
The State Bank said on Thursday that on November 21 Pakistan had
around $309 million worth of approved forex reserves and $135
million worth of cash and short term securities held abroad.
The two figures stood at $314 million and $103 million on that day.
Senior bankers link the nominal increase in the reserves to faster
inflow of export proceeds into the financial system and slightly
reduced demand for foreign exchange by the importers.
In the middle of this month the State Bank had cut Nostro limits
and Net open positions of the banks and reduced from 14 to 7 days
the permissible period for the exporters to sell 50 per cent export
proceeds in the inter-bank market. Bankers say the twin measures
accelerated inflow of foreign exchange on the one hand and
contained outflow through import financing on the other. Hence, a
small build-up in the forex reserves.
Bankers say the reserves may increase further in the weeks to come
after successful conclusion of talks between Pakistan and IMF on
resumption of a $1.56 billion worth of stalled package.
On May 19 this year Pakistan had $1.4 billion worth of forex
reserves which fell to $1.2 billion on May 28. Consequent sanctions
and structural flaws in the economy caused a gradual depletion of
the reserves.
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981127
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ECC allows export of 0.5 million tons sugar
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: In view of a good sugarcane crop, the Economic
Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) has decided to allow
exports of 0.5 million tons of sugar.
The situation regards to exports will be reviewed in the first week
of March, 1999.
It was also decided that 25% of total production by every mill will
be obligatory for export and the balance to be sold in the local
market. In case of non-compliance the mill will be charged Central
Excise Duty at the rate of Rs 4.40 per kg.
The Committee, which met here on Thursday under the chairmanship of
minister for finance and commerce Ishaq Dar, was also presented a
detailed report on the wheat situation and its import requirement
for the year 1998-99.
The meeting was informed that against the total purchases of 1.3
million tons, a quantity of 0.8 million tons of wheat has already
arrived/dispatched to the provinces/ agencies and the remaining
will be available by the end of December.
While reviewing the situation pertaining to the sugar production,
the ECC was informed that so far almost 400,000 tons of sugar have
been exported since June 1, 1998 and more than 100,000 tons of
sugar is available in stock.
The Committee also allowed 1.4 million tons of molasses to be
exported in a phased manner. It was decided to increase the period
of sugar retention for Central Excise Duty from 6 months to 12
months. The Committee directed the Governments of Punjab and Sindh
to sort out issues of sugar industry pertaining to them with
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA). While doing so the views
of the representatives of growers and sugar mill owners should be
given due consideration.
The ECC also reviewed the prices and availability of the essential
items in the country and noted with satisfaction that the kitchen
items as a whole decreased by 0.26% during the week ending on Nov
18.
The Committee was informed that the prices of onion had started
declining and expected that the trend will continue in view of the
bulk arrival of green onion and regular Sindh crop due to arrive
shortly.
The Committee also noted that SPI was 3.5% during the first five
months of the current financial year.
The Committee while reviewing the fertilizer situation decided that
the provincial governments should maintain strict administrative
control over the distributors of DAP fertilizer so that they do not
charge the farmers retail price of more than Rs 695 per bag.
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981127
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3m tons of rice to be exported: Lalika
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: Pakistan will export three million tons of rice
during this fiscal year, earning precious foreign exchange, Federal
Minister for Food and Agriculture, Abdul Sattar Lalika said.
The Minister said on Thursday the country had a bumper rice crop
this year, and the target of five million of rice has been
achieved.
The country had surplus rice this year, while the market was wide
open after crop failure in some regional countries.
According to the official of Export Promotion Bureau, the traders
have already registered order for exporting more than two million
of rice.
The Minister said that the country is likely to reap more than five
million rice this year. The target for this season is 4.3 million
tons.
Pakistan is expected to earn around eight hundred million dollars
from the rice export this year. The total earning last year from
rice export was dollar 550 million.
He said the country had also bumper crop of wheat this year, and at
present 2.2 million tons of wheat is available to meet the total
requirement.
The Minister also denied reports of fertilizer shortage.APP
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981126
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in wheat support price urged
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Correspondent
HYDERABAD, Nov 25: Sindh Secretary for agriculture Dr Badaruddin
Soomro has said that all-out efforts will be made to achieve the
wheat production target of 2.6 million metric tons despite the late
sowing of the crop.
He was presiding over a seminar on wheat crop cultivation at the
Hyderabad museum auditorium here on Monday.
The seminar was organized by the agriculture extension department
in collaboration with Sindh agricultural supplies organization
(SASO).
He pointed out that the problems confronting the farming community
were being tackled with their assistance and the representative
bodies of the growers, such as, Sindh Abadgar Board, Sindh Chamber
of Agriculture and Sugarcane Growers Association.
The growers of Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas expressed their
reservations about the wheat production targets due to the delay in
the start of sugarcane crushing season resulting in late sowing of
wheat crop, untimely heavy rains in lower Sindh, unattractive
support price of wheat announced by the government and inflated
prices of inputs and tractors.
The president Sindh Chamber of Agriculture Syed Qamaruzzaman Shah
pointed out that in other provinces the price of tractors had been
reduced by Rs 2 lakh per unit while this facility had not been
extended to Sindh.
He demanded that the requirements of the Sindh growers in respect
of imported phosphatic fertilizers should be met first because the
sowing season in Sindh commenced one and a half month earlier than
the other provinces.
Sindh Abadgar Board's president demanded that the support price of
wheat should be increased from Rs 240 to Rs 400 per maund.
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981125
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Task force to tackle millennium bug
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Faraz Hashmi
ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Ahsan Iqbal
on Tuesday said the government was fully alive to the challenges
posed by millennium bug and had established a National Task Force
to cope with the situation.
Speaking at a seminar on "Meeting the Millennium Challenge",
organized by the Pakistan Tobacco Company in collaboration with the
Pakistan Computer Bureau he said, "we as a nation are casual in our
approach to the millennium bug and perhaps are not fully aware of
the complications this problem may create."
He pointed out that the task force had already started approaching
the issue with the public and private sector's cooperation.
He reiterated the government's commitment to the information
technology and said that in the coming month a National Convention
on IT was being held in which Pakistan's first IT policy would be
announced by the prime minister.
He hoped that private and public sector in Pakistan would be able
to pool resources and technological skill to overcome the
Millennium problem before the deadline.
Other speakers were Chief Executive Pakistan Tobacco Company
Michael P. Fenn, PTC's Finance Director John Richardson and Chief
of Computer Bureau Khawaja Ijaz who explained the complexities of
the problem.
The Millennium problem commonly known as Y2k arose due to the
programming practices of the yesteryear, in which two digits were
used to represent a year instead of four i.e., 98 instead of 1998.
This was done to conserve disk space and memory. This has now
resulted into the problem which can have disastrous effects not
only on business but also on major national resources like
electricity and gas distribution, communications and other areas.
It could impact many core business processes dependent on date.
Functions like production forecasts, order processing, invoice
dispatching, supplier payment calculations, distribution and many
other areas can be affected.
Representatives from both public and private sector organizations
who addressed the seminar said the technical problem was simple to
fix, that was currently two digits needed to be expanded to four
digits. But what have made this issue difficult to handle was the
billions of references to date that must be identified, corrected
and tested before the deadline of January 1, 2000.
Due to simplicity of the problem, it was very easy to underestimate
both its scale and urgency, especially as this was of no business
value itself.
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981125
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Banks to maintain SLR on rupee funds
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 24: The State Bank has asked all banks and non-bank
financial institutions (NBFIs) to maintain cash reserves and
statutory liquidity requirements on the rupee counterpart of
special dollar bonds.
This means that the banks using the rupee funds created out of
conversion of foreign currency deposits into the dollar bonds will
have to set aside 5 per cent of these funds in cash and 15 per cent
in government securities with the State Bank. The NBFIs will need
to place 5 per cent of these funds in cash and 14 per cent in
securities.
A SBP circular issued to all banks and NBFIs on November 21
informed them that such funds would be treated as the federal
government deposits. It said the banks and NBFIs would have the
option to surrender the rupee counterpart of the dollar bonds to
SBP before one year if they choose to retain it in the first
place. It said the rupee counterpart once surrendered cannot be
reclaimed before encashment of the dollar bonds in Pakistani
rupees.
On November 14, the State Bank had allowed the banks and NBFIs to
use for one year the rupee sale proceeds of the dollar bonds issued
against frozen foreign currency deposits. The step was taken to
minimize the liquidity problems facing the banks and NBFIs in the
wake of a faster conversion of these deposits into the bonds.
The SBP circular reminded the banks and NBFIs that they needed to
pay an interest on the rupee counterpart of the dollar bonds in
their use. It said the interest would start accruing from the day
the rupee counterpart of the dollar bonds was retained by the banks
or NBFIs and the rate of return would be the simple average of the
three latest available weighted average yields on the six-monthly T
bills.
Senior bankers say the SBP decision to allow the banks and NBFIs to
use the rupee counterpart of the dollar bonds for one year has not
worked well. They say in a bid to take advantage of this facility
most banks are persuading their customers to get their frozen
foreign currency deposits converted into the bonds instead of
rupees but the response of the public is very cool.
These bankers say that the cumulative sale of the dollar bonds
initially launched on July 22 stood at $54.6 million up to November
23 adding that less than $20 million worth of bonds were sold after
November 6 when the government raised their rates of return and
made them more lucrative by offering some other incentives.
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981126
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Banks asked to remove hurdles for loan seekers
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday
launched over Rs250 billion loan scheme to promote small and medium
size enterprizes in the country.
Addressing at the inauguration ceremony of Small and Medium
Enterprizes Development Authority (SMEDA) at the Convention Centre
here he asked bank officials to ensure transparency in giving loans
and keep a vigilant eye on the subordinates to avert any difficulty
to the people.
The latest "self-employment package" has in fact scaled back an
earlier decided upper limit on individual loan of Rs40 million to
Rs10 million in order to benefit maximum applicants. The scheme has
consolidated the earlier announced scheme within the same Rs250
billion allocation.
The government has set up SMEDA to provide technical, financial and
other required assistance to the people seeking to invest in such
enterprises in both industrial and agricultural fields.
Loans ranging from Rs0.5 million to Rs10 million will be provided
to the entrepreneurs.
Mr Sharif directed all banks to immediately set up complaint cells
in their headquarters as well as zonal offices to redress the
grievances of loan applicants.
He took strong exception to the reports about demands for
commission by bank officials for approval of loans and said this
practice should be brought to an end.
Small loans, ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs500,000, would continue to
be given under the self-employment scheme, he added.
He said, the total bank credit for business in the last 50 years
amounted to Rs600 billion with big businesses drawing a lion's
share of Rs550 billion.
Mr Sharif criticized those who were propagating that these small
loans, given to SES and SMEs, were not adequately secured and would
become a part of bad-debt.
"The records say to the contrary as the ratio of default by the
small loan-seekers is less than 10 per cent while the same for big
loans is more than 40 per cent," the prime minister said.
He called for changing this trend, saying, the small loans schemes
must be promoted as "it target those 70 per cent majority who want
to do something but did not have the finances and guarantees
required for these loans."
The government would devise a plan to grant small loans to
deserving talented people who were unable to provide adequate
guarantees, the PM said.
The PM proposed that community and respected people of the locality
could provide guarantees to loan-seekers of their respective areas.
Mr Sharif said, he would try to hold meetings in the provincial
capitals to have first hand knowledge of the problems of skilled
persons. He assured that he would give full consideration to
proposals floated during the convention.
He called on the people to ensure feasibility of their projects
before applying for the loans.
The PM called on the banks to reach out deserving people and ensure
proper disbursement of these loans.
WOMEN: Encouraging skilled women to come forward for national
development, the prime minister assured that they would be given
full opportunity to exploit their talents under this scheme.
He directed SMEDA to prepare a special package for skilled women.
Mr Sharif also urged chambers of commerce to set up cells for
guidance of the people.
The PM said, he would continue listening the complaints of the
people over telephone every Saturday from 9:00am to 9:45am.
The prime minister hoped that the upsurge in the stock market,
improvement in balance of payment position, increase in foreign
exchange reserves, dollar bond scheme getting popular and a
propitious climate was bound to encourage investment in the
country.
Answering newsmen questions the PM said the dollar rate had gone up
in the kerb market in the past as a result of speculations spread
in the country under a plot. Mr Sharif said the value of rupee
against dollar was now gradually increasing and the economic
conditions were set to improve.
To another question he said he was unaware of any plan for increase
in power tariff.
Earlier, the Chairman, SMEDA, Khawaja Belal Ahmad, in his brief
address said offices of the authority would shortly be set up in
all provinces.
President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce said, board of governors of
SMEDA should comprise of persons who were aware of the problems of
small and medium entrepreneurs.PPI/NNI
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981128
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Stocks lose 9.68 points on weakness of base shares
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 27: The strong overnight rally was intercepted as a
short Friday session saw a good bit of profit-selling by jobbers
and day traders on selected counters but the underlying sentiment
remained uppishly inclined.
The selling in part came from weakholders who were not inclined to
hold long positions owing to weekend considerations, although it
was well-absorbed at the dips.
"The interruption in the run-up is technically-inspired and there
are no reasons to believe that the post-IMF bail-out accord rally
is overdone," analysts said adding "brokers and members of the KSE
were in a bit haste to leave market to be ready to attend the award
giving ceremony in honour of the top 25 companies to be chaired by
the prime minister."
The KSE 100-share index suffered a modest decline of 9.68 points at
1,035.17 as compared to 1,044.85 a day earlier, reflecting the
weakness of the PTCL and some other leading base shares.
Owing to KSE's Corporate Excellence Award ceremony the trading in
the afternoon session was suspended.
Analysts said the accord with the IMF is generally considered a
good omen for the market as it could lure foreign investors back in
the rings in a big way, possibly by the next week.
"Already investors and local financial institutions are taking long
positions in most of the low-priced blue chips to realise capital
gains," they added.
"No one would like to miss the opportunity to buy Fauji Fertilizer,
Engro Chemical or Hub-Power as all ensure massive capital gains if
all goes well with the donor agencies in regard to the bail-out
package," said a member of the KSE.
Hub-Power again topped the list of most actives, up five paisa at
Rs 15.20 on 22 million shares, followed by PSO, off Rs 1.05 at Rs
80.20 on 5 million shares, KESC, easy 10 paisa at Rs 10.25 on 4
million shares, Fauji Fertilizer, lower 35 paisa at Rs 52.00 on 3
million shares, and ICI Pakistan, off 15 paisa at Rs 13.10 on 2
million shares.
Other actively traded shares were led by Sui Southern, easy 15
paisa on 1.845 million shares, followed by Dewan Salman, unchanged
on 1.373 million shares, Japan Power, lower 30 paisa on 0.338
million shares, ICP SEMF, easy 20 paisa on 0.435 million shares,
Sui Northern, lower 25 paisa on 0.529 million shares, Dhan Fibre,
up 15 paisa on 0.459 million shares, and MCB, off 25 paisa on 0.326
million shares.
DIVIDEND: Genertech Pakistan, 17.5 per cent, and Latif Jute, cash
10 per cent.
Back to the top
===================================================================
EDITORIALS & FEATURES
981122
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Governor's rule
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ardeshir Cowasjee
ON October 30, the corrupt, inefficient political government of
Sindh, together with its chief minister, was suspended and
governor's rule imposed on the province.
Almost immediately thereafter, the governor was shorn of his powers
by two ill-conceived notifications issued by the federal
government. The governor was expected to captain a team selected by
the manipulators of Islamabad. His opening batsman, his googly
bowlers, his wicket-keeper and the umpires would be appointed by
and be answerable to, them, but he would be expected to win. Not
on.
Thereafter, sense prevailed, the notifications were withdrawn over
the weekend of November 14-15, and thus governor's rule effectively
began the next day. The prime minister is responsible for the waste
of over two weeks of remedial administration.
Anwar Zahid, the prime minister's adviser, does not share the
people's view that it is his responsibility to advise the PM at all
times. He advises only when advice is sought. However, in the
present case it was he who wisely gave unsolicited advice and
prevailed upon the PM to undo the wrong and withdraw the ridiculous
notifications. Whereas it is known who set matters right, it is not
known who are the tricksters of Islamabad. The governor is still
burdened with the IGP Sindh and the DIG Karachi, both foisted upon
him from above.
Back to the second half of 1990 when the then President Ghulam
Ishaq Khan sacked the first Benazir Bhutto government, and
installed in Sindh Jam Sadiq Ali to ensure that the PML, by which
he had been assured a second term in office, would gain the upper
hand in the province in the forthcoming elections. To assist him as
the perfect hatchetman, Jam recruited as his secretary the then DC
Larkana, Imtiaz Shaikh who remained with Jam until his death.
Muzaffar Shah took over from Jam as chief minister, Sindh, and
rewarded Imtiaz with a double promotion, jumping him from Grade 18
to 20. When the second PPP government came in, Imtiaz was suspended
on various charges of corruption. Having amassed sufficient ill-
gotten gains, he managed to pay his way and remain out of jail.
Imtiaz managed to get his brother, Maqbool, elected as a PML MPA of
Sindh. Since governor's rule, Imtiaz has ingratiated himself with
the fixers of Islamabad and has guaranteed that he can fix the
formation of another PML government in the province, and the
election of a Karachi metropolitan PML mayor to boot. The infamous
Islamabad notifications would have enabled Imtiaz to creep back
into service in Sindh, ending up as the governor's secretary. Our
governor, a discerning man, put his foot down and blankly refused
to have the man in his province.
On Monday, November 16, the governor was badly let down by his
administration. The speaker of the suspended Sindh Assembly had
called a session on that day. Instead of allowing the suspended
members to assemble and let off steam, the administration acted
hamhandedly and barred all roads leading to the assembly building.
Had they been allowed to meet, they would have attracted low-key
headlines describing the heat generated rather than banner
headlines, blasting the administration's inability to think before
acting.
The administration's hamhandedness caused us citizens a lot of
inconvenience in that the traffic was jammed for hours all around
the assembly area. But that was not all. That same evening, on the
Shahrah-i-Iran, there were also traffic jams and much noise,
inconveniencing those who live in or have to pass through the
Clifton area.
* * *
For reasons of propriety, public interest and convenience, public
parks and gardens falling within the administrative control of the
KMC and KDA, or any other civic body, are not allowed to be hired
out and used for private parties.
This ban was imposed a few years ago, to the benefit of the people
and of the parks. However, many of our politicians have misused
their clout and arranged for these open spaces to be used to the
people's detriment. Selfish and uncaring, while they save their
ill-gotten wealth, the people's money is squandered, and the people
of the area are deprived for at least three days at a stretch of
the use of their park. On day one the caterers dig holes in these
grassy open spaces and put up their shamianas; on day two hundreds
of people stomp about, chucking chicken bones and other litter
about; and on day three some cleaning up is done, leaving behind a
mangled and damaged park.
On November 16, the park in Clifton, administered by the KMC, that
opens on to Shahrah-i-Iran was handed over to former minister of
Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, for the marriage party of his son.
Municipal administrator Syed Arshad Ali, respecting the ban, had
refused permission. Bypassing him, the ex-minister extracted
permission from the Sindh secretary of the department of local
government, Jamil Ahmad Siddiqui. Why did he defy the ban? Chief
Secretary Salik Nazir Ahmed said he had no knowledge of all this,
but, under governor's rule, neither he nor the secretary can be
absolved for this wrong.
* * *
Then, on November 18, thousands of citizens of Karachi, dependent
on public transport, were stranded. The traffic and general police
in various districts were halting loaded buses, off-loading
passengers midway to their destinations, and forcibly taking
possession of the vehicles for using them the following day to cart
off rented crowds to welcome the prime minister when he arrived for
the plaque unveiling ceremony of his highly-priced, unnecessary
highway project. Dawn reporter counted 61 confiscated vehicles in
the compound of the DC Malir and over a dozen outside the Malir
police station. All very disturbing. Why further harass the already
harassed people so that a rented crowd may be herded to wherever to
shout 'Nawaz Sharif Zindabad'?
Other reports that day told us that the DCs paid for the taken-over
vehicles at the rate of Rs.2,000 per day. From where did the DCs
obtain the funds, and under what rule of service did they act in
such arbitrary fashion?
That same day, the evening paper, The Star, reported "According to
a spokesman of the Commissioner's office, the Commissioner of
Karachi, Mr Shafiq Piracha, has ordered the release of all vehicles
requisitioned in the last 24 hours. However, none of these vehicles
have so far been released.....".
That many of the ignorant officers now serving are unaware of what
happened between 1988 and 1992 is believable though not acceptable.
The Sindh governments of those days were wont to order the DCs and
the police of Karachi to hijack all parked vehicles capable of
carrying a fair amount of passengers to be used to transport rented
crowds to bolster prime-ministerial arrivals and meetings in the
city. People who had parked their cars and gone into a restaurant
to eat, used to come out and find their cars had disappeared. The
situation was becoming untenable. The official response: "Do what
you like."
In those days, Sindh was fortunate in having High Court judges
possessed of two vital physical attributes, and independent minds.
The High Court was presided over by the then fearless judge,
Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid. Public-spirited citizen Nazim Haji, then
chief of the CPLC, wrote to the CJ for help. When this became
known, Nazim received 'messages' suggesting that it would be wise
were he to withdraw his plea for help. He ignored them.
Chief Justice Zahid converted Nazim's letter into a petition and
admitted it for regular hearing. The advocate-general and law
officers were summoned and asked to cite the provision of law under
which private vehicles were requisitioned. None could cite any,
and, as the judge wrote, all they did was request that the hearings
be postponed. Justice Zahid wrote his judgment in October 1992. It
ends : "In the circumstances, this petition is allowed and it is
declared that the requisitioning of private motor vehicles by the
provincial government authorities is wholly illegal and without
lawful authority. Provincial government, its functionaries,
including police and also magistrates, are restrained form
requisitioning or procuring private vehicles.
"Constitutional Petition No.D-144/1992 stands disposed of
accordingly. Copy of this order may be sent to the Home Secretary
for giving necessary instructions to all the concerned
functionaries, including Inspector-General of Police, Magistrates,
Senior Superintendents of Police, Superintendents of Police, and
Station House officers. "
This judgment is reported in PLD 1993 Karachi 83. It should be
framed and hung on every wall of every office of every DC, and in
every police station of the country.
Ignorance of law is no defence. The governor of Sindh would send a
salutary message were he to sack all concerned with the
requisitioning of transport and with the desecration of our public
parks. If leniency must prevail, the culprits should at least be
transferred to inferior postings. Unless punitive action is taken,
there can be no cure.
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981128
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Can the MQM grow up?
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Irfan Husain
THE decision to establish military courts in Sindh represents a
totally unacceptable increment in the repressive powers of the
state.
As it is, governor's rule in the province was something we accept
albeit with some reluctance as a necessary evil, but to dispense
arbitrary justice with little regard for due process is a negation
of democracy and a severe erosion of human rights. True, extreme
situations call for extreme measures. But governor's rule had begun
to show a salutary effect on the law and order situation, so it is
difficult to understand why the government found it necessary to
give the army Draconian powers under article 245 of the
Constitution.
Indeed, by giving the corps commander virtually unchecked executive
and judicial powers in Sindh, the governor's role has become
ambiguous at best, and redundant at worst. As they report to, and
derive their authority from, different bosses, a conflict of
perception and interest can easily develop. In fact, by
unnecessarily invoking article 245, Mr Nawaz Sharif has lost much
of the goodwill he had earned by imposing governor's rule in the
first place. Human rights organizations and activists in Pakistan
and abroad fear that these proposed military tribunals will
sentence many innocent people on the basis of evidence fabricated
by the police, or confessions extorted under torture.
Perhaps the reason why the government has sought to hand over
judicial powers to the army is the sorry performance of the civil
judiciary. Over the years, our courts have acquired an unenviable
reputation for delays and a lack of objectivity. In this, they are
no different from the other institutions in Pakistan. However, the
fact is that time after time, they have been inclined to release
alleged criminals accused of the most vicious crimes on bail.
In a city like Karachi that is bleeding to death, releasing
terrorists accused of violent crimes does not help matters. Indeed,
Nawaz Sharif himself released on parole large numbers of alleged
terrorists as part of the deal he cut with the MQM to install a PML
government in Sindh. Given the supine nature of the ex-chief
minister, and the peculiar nature of the power-sharing arrangement
between the two coalition partners, it came as no surprise that the
law and order situation deteriorated progressively.
Today, the most vocal critics of governor's rule are the leaders of
the MQM because they are the biggest losers in the present
dispensation. But in a sense, they have only themselves to blame.
As they battled for turf with their Haqiqi offshoot, and bodies of
the combatants and innocent bystanders littered the streets, people
in and out of Karachi were sickened and appalled by the carnage.
Repeated "days of mourning", a euphemism for physically enforced
strikes, cost the economy billions. By not reining in their armed
wing, the MQM finally forced even Nawaz Sharif to take a decisive
action.
But having finally moved, it is important to maintain a balance and
not appear to be on a witch-hunt. Currently, only Muttahida
activists seem to be targeted, while the Haqiqis are off the hook.
The apparent manhandling of the MQM MPA, Shoaib Bokhari, is
uncalled for and unnecessary.
It is clear that the present authoritarian dispensation is not a
panacea for Karachi's many ills. At best it will buy us some
breathing space; at worst it will further exacerbate the city's
ethnic tensions. But without accompanying political and economic
action, strong-arm methods on their own will provide no long-term
solutions. Urban Sindh's complex ethnic politics cannot be ignored
in the search for lasting peace. Locking up MQM activists may
silence the guns briefly, but for the present uneasy ceasefire to
be converted into a long-term settlement, the underlying causes for
the unrest have to be addressed.
Unfortunately, various agreements between the federal and the
provincial governments and the MQM over the last decade have all
floundered due to political expediency on both sides. Successive
administrations have dragged their feet on the implementation of
accords, while the MQM has insisted on the juicy portfolios as a
price for keeping quiet on other, thornier issues. And while in
power, the MQM has simultaneously tried to play the part of the
opposition in order to appease its constituency which has been
bypassed time after time in this cynical horse-trading.
Another problem has been the inability and unwillingness of the MQM
to distance itself from its armed wing. As a consequence, it is
difficult to treat this ethnic party as another mainstream
political organization. The mistrust and apprehension the MQM
arouses among foes and allies alike has created a gap that cannot
be bridged until Altaf Hussain and his lieutenants renounce
violence as a political tool. If they want to be treated as normal
politicians, they must start acting the part.
While talking to senior members of the Muttahida party, it is
impossible to convince them that since the inception of their
movement, they have caused more harm than good to the Mohajir
community. By isolating them through the politics of violence, the
MQM has effectively made them the object of suspicion among the
various power centres as well as ordinary people across the
country.
Indeed, the problem while talking to ideologues of nay stripe is
that they are so convinced of their fixed position that any
conversation soon degenerates into a dialogue of the deaf. The MQM
is no exception. Its leaders insist that it is not a violent
organization, and it harbours no terrorists in its ranks, contrary
to our experience. According to them, all the violence taking place
in Karachi is caused by the Haqiqis and "the agencies." And so on.
They refuse to concede that their perceptions and tactics may be at
fault, and they need to review their policies.
One huge obstacle in their approach is the peculiar position Altaf
Hussain has acquired in their party. While politicians in other
parties may occasionally diverge from their leaders' views in
private and in public, the MQM does not permit any dissent in its
ranks. This had led to a situation where a leader who has chosen to
sit thousands of miles away and is totally out of touch calls the
shots in all matters affecting the party and its supporters.
So until the local leadership of the MQM can assert itself and
distance the party from the killers and racketeers who shelter
under its umbrella, it is difficult to see how it can be treated as
a mature, responsible group.
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SPORTS
981125
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Pakistan beat Zimbabwe to clinch one-day series 2-1
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Farhana Ayaz
RAWALPINDI, Nov 24: A dazzling knock of 132 by Ijaz Ahmed helped
Pakistan pull off a walloping 111 runs victory over Zimbabwe here
in the third and final one-day game at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
on Tuesday.
By virtue of the win, Pakistan also won the three-match series 2-1.
Pakistan clinched the opener at Gujranwala by four wickets while
the tourists battled back with six wicket triumph at Shiekhupura.
Having won the toss the Zimbabwe skipper may have had the
brittlePakistan batting in mind when he put the hosts into bat on a
strip ideal for stroke-play.
A buoyant 132 by Iiaz Ahmed off 102 balls studded with nine
boundaries and four towering sixes tookPakistan to a match-winning
total of 302 for 6 in the allotted 50 overs. Ijaz secured the man-
of-the-match award of Rs 20,000 and a medal for his sparkling
innings.
Pakistan innings got off to a flying start when the left-handed
pair of skipper Aamir Sohail and Saeed Anwar put on 77 runs for the
first wicket. Anwar was especially in dashing nick and clobbered
almost all the bowlers. Pacer Niel Johnson came under fire giving
away 14 and 9 runs in his first two overs before Campbell replaced
him with Heath Streak. Going at a healthy rate of nearly 8 runs an
over Pakistan had posted 40 in first five overs. Streak succeeded
in bringing down the high run rate as Pakistan added 13 runs in
next five overs.
Anwar continued to delight the enthusiastic crowd with his
exquisite stroke-play. He lifted Brandes for a six in the 13th over
to roll his score to 44. Sohail who wasn't looking agile, failed to
develop anything taller than one run after being dropped at 19 off
Brandes when Johnson failed to hold on to a straight forward catch
at mid-on. Sohail going for a drive against Andrew Whittal was
clean bowled at 20 (47 balls) in the 15th over with the total at
77.
Anwar struck six fours and a six to complete his 27th half century
in the one-day internationals. It came off 39 balls spanning 57
minutes.
Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed posted the 100 in 18.1 overs. Pakistan lost
its second wicket at the total of 110 when Anwar, in fluent form
and looking set for a big score, was run out. Anwar playing towards
backward point was sent back by Ijaz but a dashing pick-up and
throw-in by Gavin Rennie into the gloves of keeper did the damage.
Anwar made 73 off 63 balls in 86 minutes.
Sohail introduced himself to the bowling attack in order to check
the slow over rate. Sohail clean bowled Andy and then also trapped
Zimbabwe's last wicket at the total 191 in 37.2 overs.
Waqar who made his comeback to international cricket after a lay
off of nearly six months looked in fine form, he grabbed 2 for 49,
Saqlain had 3 for 27, Akram, Aaqib took 1 each while Sohail had 2
for 26.
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981127
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Pakistan breeze into final of World Cup blind cricket
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LAHORE, Nov 26: Muhammad Ashraf struck magnificent unbeaten 166
runs as Pakistan beat Australia by eight runs to breeze into final
of inaugural World Cup Cricket for Blind at New Delhi on Thursday.
According to facsimile message received here from India, Pakistan
elected to bat after winning the toss,piled up 342 for the loss of
six wickets in the allotted 40 overs and restricted Australia to
334 for five.
Apart from "Man- of- the- Match" Ashraf's master and match winning
knock,Masood Jan (80) and Aamir Ashraf (42) build the innings and
steered their side to victory.
With this win Pakistan set a final clash with South Africa on Nov
28, who thrashed India by ten wickets.
India made 335 for seven in the allotted 40 overs but South Africa
answered with 336 without loss with two balls to go.South African
openers set a new world record for opening stand.APP
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981123
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Davis Cup: Swedish coach to train Pakistan squad
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Sports Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: A Swedish tennis coach will be arriving here in
January to supervise Pakistan's next Davis Cup campaign against
Uzbekistan, it was disclosed here on Sunday.
Mr. Anwar Saifullah, the President of Pakistan Tennis Federation,
said that top Pakistani players would be sent to India to compete
in the international circuit for preparing them for the coming
challenge.
Pakistan rolled over Thailand in the final of Davis Cup Asia-
Oceania Group-II at Lahore to advance into the group-I of Asia
Oceania zone.
Anwar Saifullah also awarded a special cash prize of Rs 24,000 each
to the Pakistan Davis Cup team that won the final against the
Thais.
The PTF president, while talking to reporters, also disclosed that
the development work on the PTF Tennis Complex would start as soon
as the final lease agreement between PTF and CDA was signed. "They
have already allotted PTF 9.2 acres of land but in order to start
the work, it requires proper legal and technical coverage," the PTF
chief said, adding that private sponsors have been found to develop
the complex.
He said that it should not take more than three years to develop
the complex which would include all the modern facilities. It was
stated that some Rs 100 to 150 million will be spent to develop the
complex.
The PTF chief also informed the Press that he has decided to
appoint an office secretary to properly organise the federation
working. The office secretary whose name he did not disclose, would
be a retired deputy secretary, Mr Anwar Saifullah said.
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