------------------------------------------------------------------- DAWN WIRE SERVICE ------------------------------------------------------------------- Week Ending : 04 December 1999 Issue : 05/49 -------------------------------------------------------------------
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 DAWN Group of Newspapers
Haroon House, Karachi 74200, Pakistan
Please send all Editorials and Letters to the Editor at
letters@dawn.com
(c) Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan - 1999
DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS
CONTENTS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS + Supreme Court bench to hear petitions against coup + Law amended: ATCs to be headed by HC judges + 100 courts will be set up to try corrupt: CE + 96 names removed from ECL + All debts be cut on top priority: Chief Executive + Chief Executive wants end to politics of dissension + Kulsoom to fight for release of Nawaz + Supreme Court dismisses reinstatement petitions of 11 judges + Bodies dissolved in chemical: Maniac slaughters over 100 boys + SC disapproves presence of bank staff in large numbers + Govt urged to unfreeze accounts of politicians + Muttahida asks govt to produce Farooq in court --------------------------------- BUSINESS & ECONOMY + IMF team assured of continuing reforms + CBR to end deadlock on GST levy + Prize bonds worth Rs30.45bn sold + $265m debt rescheduling accord signed with Germany + Bankers tracking defaulters' asset abroad + EAB body proposes online banking, deregulation + 'Over-staffing handicaps industrial growth' + Power purchase agreement can be re-written: Hubco + Economic agenda to focus on demand management + CBR may opt for limited scrutiny of taxpayers + Stocks finish with extended gain --------------------------------------- EDITORIALS & FEATURES + Storming of the Supreme Court Ardeshir Cowasjee + Operating fallacies Ayaz Amir + Sink or swim Irfan Husain ----------- SPORTS + Pakistan's show below par against Australia: Wasim + Australia accomplish a 3-0 clean sweep of series against Pakistan + Controversy erupts again over Shoaib's action
=================================================================== DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS =================================================================== NATIONAL NEWS 991202 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Supreme Court bench to hear petitions against coup ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: Supreme Court on Wednesday set up a five-member bench to hear petitions challenging the ousting of premier Nawaz Sharif in a military takeover in October, officials said. The bench, led by Chief Justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui will hear four identical petitions on Monday, they said. Four other judges in the bench are Mohammad Bashir Jahangiri, Nasir Aslam Zahid, Abdur Rehman Khan and Wajeeh-ud-Din Ahmed. The petitions were filed last month by Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and three lawyers, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, a member of suspended National Assembly, Iqbal Haider of Muslim Welfare Movement and Wahabul Khairi, an advocate. The PML, which called the army action "illegal and unconstitutional", has asked the court to set aside the overthrow of Sharif's government. It has also asked the court to overturn the suspension of the federal and provincial assemblies. PML lawyers said the petition had challenged all actions taken by General Musharraf since military takeover on October 12. General Pervez Musharraf proclaimed a state of emergency two days after the military takeover, suspended the constitution and parliament and declared himself chief executive. The general also issued an order prohibiting the Supreme Court and high courts from taking action against him.-AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Law amended: ATCs to be headed by HC judges ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rafaqat Ali ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: In a late-night development on Thursday, the president promulgated an ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, to the extent that a special anti-terrorism court will now consist of a high court judge. Under section 13 of ATA, 1997, a Special Court for Anti Terrorism consisted of a judge who " is or has been a Session Judge or an Additional Session Judge". After the amendment to section 13, a special court for anti- terrorism will consist of a judge who "is a Judge of High Court." The provisions of the ordinance, called Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Ordinance 1999, will have overriding effects, notwithstanding any other provision contained in any other law for the time being in force. Through this amendment the president has provided a new sub section to section 13 of the Act. The new section reads as: " Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2) and sub- section (3), the federal government or if so directed by the government, the provincial government shall, in addition to the existence to special courts or such other special courts as may be established in the area, establish one such additional special court under this at the principal seat of the Lahore High Court and the High Court of Sindh and appoint a judge of such High Court as a jude of special court in consultation with the chief justice of the High Court concerned, and where a judge of High Court is appointed as judge for any area under this Act, he shall be the administrative judge for that area and such administrative judge may, in addition to the powers exercisable under this Act, either suo motu or on the application of any party, at any stage or of the proceedings whether before or after framing of charge, for sufficient cause including as mentioned in sub-section (1) of section 28, transfer, withdraw or recall any case pending before any other special court in that area and may either try the case himself or make it over for trial to any other special court in that area." "The special court to which a case is transferred or recalled for trial under sub-section (4) shall proceed with the case from the stage at which it was pending immediately before such transfer or recall and it shall not be bound to recall or rehear any witness who has given evidence and may act on the evidence already recorded." The ordinance further provided in section 14 of the ATA which provided that a special court shall consist of a judge, being a person who is or has been a session judge or an additional session judge. The amendment has provided that special court will consist of a judge of a High Court." SCHUDLE: The government on Thursday amended the schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, providing for trial of offences like hijacking and criminal conspiracy in special courts. Former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and others are being tried in ATA court for, inter alia, hijacking the plane carrying the chief of the army staff. The new amendment to the schedule of ATA Act 1997 provided that offences under sections 109, 120A, 120B,121A,122, 123, 295A, 365, 365A of Pakistan Penal Code could now be tried in ATA courts. All the offences are already provided in the PPC, and the federal government has only changed the forum for trial, Law Minister and Attorney-General Aziz A. Munshi told Dawn. He said section 34 of the ATA empowered the federal government that it might, by notification, amend the Schedule so as to add any entry thereto or modify or omit any entry therein. "This is not the first time that the schedule of ATA has been amendment. It was amended twice in the past," he said. The federal law minister said that under section 17 of the ATA Act 1997, the ATA court can try any offence other than the schedule offence with which the accused might, under the Code, be charged at the same trial. The amendment to the schedule of ATA on Thursday provided the ATA court to try cases under section 109. Under this section, the court can award punishment for abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and there is no express provision made for its punishment. The court can award the accused punishment of ta'zir, including death sentence. Section 120-A of the PPC defines the criminal conspiracy. Section 121 of the PPC relates to waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan and the accused can be punished with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine. Section 121-A deals with those facing the charges of depriving the country of the sovereignty of her territories or any part of that. The accused can be punished with imprisonment for life or any shorter term. Section 122 deals with collecting men, arms or ammunition or otherwise prepare to wage war. The accused can be imprisoned for life or any shorter term. Section 123 deals with those acts of concealment with intent to facilitate design to wage war against Pakistan. The accused can be punishment with imprisonment up to 10 years. Section 295-A deals with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religious or religious beliefs, defiling, etc, of copy of the Holy Quran. The accused is liable to be punished with imprisonment for life. Section 365 deals with kidnapping or abduction with intent to cause that person to be secretly and wrongfully confined. He can be confined for term not more than seven years. However, 365-A, kidnapping or abduction for extorting property, valuable security, the accused can be awarded death sentence. Section 402-A 402-B, and 402 relate to hijacking and the accused can be awarded the capital punishment. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991201 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 100 courts will be set up to try corrupt: CE ------------------------------------------------------------------- TURBAT, Nov 30: The chief executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf, said on Tuesday that 100 courts would be established to try the cases of corruption and loan defaults. Addressing the notables of Makran division here, he said six to eight of such courts would start functioning in next four to five days. "We will recover the looted money and loans from corrupt people and punish them for their deeds. I want to tell you the truth. Corrupt people have looted this country mercilessly. The treasury is empty and forex reserves are declining," the chief executive said. He reiterated his resolve to correct this situation by recovering bank loans from defaulters and looted money corrupt people and tax evaders. "We will not allow robbery any more and take all those responsible to the task," he maintained. He said the looted money would go back to the treasury and stuck-up loans would be collected to improve the banks' position.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991201 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 96 names removed from ECL ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: The government has removed the names of 96 tax defaulters from the exit control list (ECL) after they cleared their dues. It has also allowed the government servants to travel abroad by submitting NOC from the head of their respective organizations instead of the intelligence bureau. Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider told a press conference after presiding over an exclusive meeting on the issue of ECL in his ministry here on Tuesday. He said the list would be revised on a regular basis. The ban on foreign travel of retired government officials and businessmen who were not defaulters had also been lifted, he added. Mr Moin disclosed that the ECL included almost 5,000 names of bank and tax defaulters, alleged corrupt politicians and bureaucrats and some members of the suspended national and provincial assemblies and senate, and others. Almost 2,300 of these 5,000 names, he said, were already on the ECL before the Oct 12 military takeover. Majority of these names were included in the ECL on the request of the provincial governments, he said. Mr Moin said the government had also contacted the State Bank to give it, within seven days, the updated list of loan defaulters so that names of those who had cleared their dues could be delisted from the ECL. The State Bank, he said, would be sharing this information with the interior ministry on regular basis to avoid any inconvenience to ordinary people. The minister said that the cases of suspended parliamentarians were also being reviewed to exclude the names of those from the ECL who were neither defaulters nor on the inquiry list. The chief executive's approval would be sought in such cases, he said. He also announced that the list would be computerised and round- the-clock information would be provided on enquiry. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991202 ------------------------------------------------------------------- All debts be cut on top priority: Chief Executive ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ihtasham ul Haque ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The chief executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf, said on Wednesday that internal and external debts should be reduced on a priority basis to achieve self-reliance. He observed this during a luncheon meeting with the members of the Economic Advisory Board which is preparing an economic package for the country. He told the EAB members that the economic package should benefit the common man and concentrate on the economic imbalances in the provinces to promote national cohesion. He said Pakistan needed to restore the investors' confidence by introducing credible and consistent economic policies. The investors, he added, should include local and foreign investors, and expatriate Pakistanis. The chief executive said the EAB and 13 sub-groups had done a good job by formulating recommendations for the economic reform agenda. Meanwhile, the EAB, working under Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, concluded its 3-day deliberations for preparing the economic reform agenda. On the last day, the leaders of the sub-groups on poverty alleviation, energy, information technology and macro-economic framework presented their recommendations which were discussed at the meeting. Now the sub-groups will work further on their recommendations in the light of the discussions held during the last three days. The finance minister asked the sub-groups to complete their recommendations quickly. APP adds: The recommendations (of the sub-groups) would ultimately go to the National Security Council and the cabinet before being made public, official sources said. They hoped that the reform package would be announced by the third week of December. "The board is trying to put together a set of proposals which will constitute an agenda for the government," the sources said, adding, "the reform plan will initially cover a period of two years." The sources further said: "We want the board (EAB) to work as a standing committee, like a think-tank, to meet periodically. From time to time, the board will keep bringing and discussing issues of economic concern." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991204 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Chief Executive wants end to politics of dissension ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf has advised the politicians to shun discord and dissension and work for the stability of the country. "My politician brothers have a very profound role to play and I urge them to remove dissension and discord to achieve the objectives of stability," he said at the annual dinner of the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee. He assured the gathering that his government would give political stability, improve the economy and strengthen the federation. Gen Musharraf also asked the Pakistanis living abroad to keep themselves away from partisan politics in their adopted countries for achieving the much-needed stability in Pakistan. "When we are out of Pakistan we should not fight our political battle at the cost of Pakistan." He said the Pakistanis should keep their personal and group emotions aside so that the problems of the country could be resolved. The chief executive counted the problems and said the malaise had had serious effects on everything. "Our economy has collapsed and we are near bankruptcy. We have been looted and plundered. Our banks and financial institutions are near being emptied", he lamented. However, he said he was not all that despondent but was an optimistic one and, "we shall pull Pakistan out of trouble". He praised his economic team, specially Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz, and said by December 15, the country would have an economic reform agenda. He said he was sure the recommendations prepared by the economists and financial experts would pull the country out from "present quagmire". The chief executive reiterated the resolve that the government would take steps to generate economic activity, restore the investors confidence and create investor-friendly environment. "To achieve this goal we need stability and continuity of policies. We need sincerity and credibility and if we bring stability it would mean that we are on the right track", he said. Gen Musharraf said he and the institutions of the army alone could not bring stability and added it could be achieved through the collective efforts of every Pakistani. "If we err we will rectify but errors are not in our intentions". He said days of manipulation of rules and regulations for personal gains were gone. "No crocked aggrandizement. Let our actions speak louder than our words", he said, assuring that the set-up he was trying to give to the nation would deliver the goods and remove the country's major political and economic problems. Gen Musharraf said each of his associates, be it in the army or civil, was working day and night to have some credible system in the country. In this regard he referred to his meeting with 36 financial experts who, he said, had worked selflessly to formulate recommendations specially for the economic revival. Talking about the major problems, he said the country needed to be self-reliant. "We shall not beg, we shall not borrow and we must get out of the syndrome of borrowing". The end effort, he said, was to be to provide relief to the poorer sections of the society. He regretted those who had been committing very minor crimes were given hard punishments but those who indulged in big crimes like smuggling and refusing to pay back bank loans, had not been taken to task. The chief executive called upon the rich people to contribute some portion from their resources for the poor. Our poor man has never let Pakistan down. It is our industrial, religious, political and military elites which let Pakistan down", he observed. Talking about the federation, the chief executive said the slogans of provincialism should be discouraged. "Serious cracks are developing and I felt so during my recent visit to Balochistan and that is why I say that we have to remove the feelings of deprivation in the smaller provinces". He was of the view that the smaller provinces should not feel alienated. "They need justice in the distribution of resources, funds and jobs", he said adding he had tried to give some representation to Balochistan in the cabinet and it had very positive effects. Gen Musharraf stressed the need for devolution of power so that development could take place at the grassroots level. "Danger lies in denying of power and not giving power". He said all the government functionaries would have to be made subordinate to the masses. "Therefore, I believe that a system has to be worked out for having certain checks and balances and the use of power and authority with utmost care", he added. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991202 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Kulsoom to fight for release of Nawaz ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI, Dec 1: Kulsoom Nawaz, the wife of deposed premier Nawaz Sharif, said on Wednesday she would begin a political fight to win her husband's freedom. "I am out of my house to fight a battle for my innocent husband who is in jail for no crime," Begum Kulsoom told AFP in an interview. "I have never had any ambitions in politics. But now if I am in politics, I am here to save my husband," she said. "I will say goodbye the moment my husband comes out and I pray all daylong for that moment," she said. Although she said she had no plan to lead Pakistan Muslim League, she has started attending some party meetings. "It has seasoned and senior leaders who can provide guidelines to supporters to run the party," she said. "But I want to raise my voice against injustice." Begum Kulsoom said her life had changed since the ouster of the Sharif government by army chief Gen Pervez Musharraf. "I have not seen my son for the last 50 days. I do not know, where he is. Isn't this sad for any woman?" she said. Begum Kulsoom complained that a "lobby", which she did not identify, was tarnishing the image of the deposed premier's family. "Now some are saying the Sharifs used to import machinery from Israel. They had friendship with (Indian premier Atal Behari) Vajpayee. They are corrupt. It is all rubbish," she said. "We had or have no personal friendship with Vajpayee. We just wanted that the Kashmir issue be solved through talks and not through war," she said, echoing her husband's policy during the 30- month rule before he was ousted. "We just wanted a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue without any bloodshed or the killings of soldiers. Is it personal friendship?" she asked. Begum Kulsoom, who held meetings with her husband in prison and in court, said Mr Sharif's resolve was firm. He has appealed supporters to remain peaceful. The deposed premier, his brother Shahbaz Sharif and five other senior officials are accused of treason, conspiracy to murder and hijacking a plane.- AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991202 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Supreme Court dismisses reinstatement petitions of 11 judges ------------------------------------------------------------------- Rafaqat Ali ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed all the petitions of eleven former judges of high courts who were removed from the judiciary in the light of the famous Judges Case. The court in its majority judgment of 4-1 declared that Salim Dil Jan, former judge of Peshawar High Court was eligible for fresh appointment and denotification of his appointment as judge would not stand in his way. The 11 judges who were shown the exit through the regularization process had sought their reinstatement. Those who had challenged the process were Ghulam Hyder Lakho, Sindh High Court; Abdul Majeed Khanzada, SHC; Miss Tallat Yaqub, Lahore High Court; Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, LHC; Rana Mohammad Arshad Khan, LHC; Ahmed Saeed Awan, LHC; Syed Zahid Hussain Bukhari, LHC; Rao Naeem Hashim Khan, LHC; Qazi Ehsanullah Qureshi, Peshawar High Court; Zinat Khan, PHC; and Saleem Dil Jan, PHC. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bodies dissolved in chemical: Maniac slaughters over 100 boys ------------------------------------------------------------------- Azmat Abbas LAHORE, Dec 2: A man claimed to have killed during the last one year over 100 boys after subjecting them to criminal assault at his three-room house, some 200 yards from the Ravi Road police station. As an evidence of his claim the suspect left two human skeletons in an acid-filled container at the house from where the police recovered at least nine bags carrying the clothes and shoes of the suspected victims. Although the police admitted that the murders had been committed at the place, they expressed doubts about the exact number of the victims. The dreadful crime came to light on Thursday when a newspaper received a parcel containing the pictures of the 100 boys, aged between 12 and 15, and a hand-written note from the alleged killer, who identified himself as Javed Iqbal, 40. The exact contents of the note could not be ascertained. However, a source said that the man had given in it the details of his killing spree that started over a year ago. He claimed that the boys murdered had been enticed away from Ravi Road and from around the Data Gunj Bakhsh shrine at Bhati Gate. Javed admitted that he had committed criminal assault with the victims before murdering them. "It seems that the man committed sodomy to avenge his own humiliation but his claim of killing over 100 boys has yet to be verified," said Malik Iqbal, the DIG of Lahore. "I have received a parcel last night containing the pictures and addresses of about 40 boys. In his note, the accused has claimed that he had killed all the people in revenge as he, too, had been treated in a similar fashion." Sources, however, said that the police had received the parcel about five days ago. The police referred it to the CIA for action. The house was placed under surveillance but the police made no attempt to check it from inside. "The staff officer of CIA SP Sarwar and head-constable Umer Hayat visited the scene about four days ago. On seeing the door locked from outside they left without making further investigations," said the sources. The police reached the scene only after some reporters had entered the house by scaling its wall. The reporters found in the house, located in a narrow street, several placards nailed to the walls in an orderly manner. The writings on these placards give details about the victims and the murders. One placard read: "The five sacks lying in one corner of this room contain the clothes of 100 victims while the remaining three (sacks) contain 85 pairs of shoes belonging to them. All details about the murders are mentioned in the diary and the 32-page notebook has been placed in the room. This is my confessional statement". At least four sacks filled with clothes were found in the room and some 20 pairs of shoes and sandals were seen lying in another corner. The alleged killer had also written on each of the sacks the exact number of garments and shoes in them. The house emitted an odious smell and there were several drums of chemicals lying in a V-shaped storeroom. The skeletons were recovered from two large containers. At least, 13 other small containers filled with acid and some other items were in the store. "Today dated November 25, 1999, I have decided to commit suicide. Yesterday, I killed my employee, Sajid, and incinerated his body in the container so that he could be punished for theft and for disturbing me again and again. Now I can (go) to sleep in the depths of the Ravi," according to another placard. Yet another placard read: "The dead bodies in this room have not been disposed of intentionally so (that) the administration may find them after my suicide". And another placard read: "If the Ghaziabad SHO had not taken away my 'murderer' and had not kept him at his place this tragedy would not have happened. He (the SHO) is responsible for the death of these 100 people. That fateful night I was asleep in the room with my two employees when one of them 'murdered' (sodomized) me. Later, he 'murdered' my minor employee." "I pray for forgiveness to all my friends who helped me. I take responsibility for all the acts and bring these blind-murders to public, otherwise, you would not have become aware of the reality." One placard was about the way he had disposed of the bodies: "I am indebted to my friends, especially Haji Naseem. I am leaving the world with this burden. One more death after the killing of 100 does not make much difference. The world will remember this mode of revenge. The bodies flowed through the sewer just like my blood when my employees 'murdered' me." Talking about the selection of victims, he writes: "Data Darbar and the red-light area have been turned into breeding- grounds of crime. The runaway children seek refuge there and learn to commit murder, theft, pick-pocketing and get involved in immoral activities. If the government failed to check this, people would find a 'solution' like I did." Another placard narrates the details of torture Javed claimed he had been subjected to by the Ghaziabad police in a fake case. "The car was sold and I went broke during my medical treatment. All routes were leading towards suicide so I decided not to go alone and (thus I have) taken several others with me. God heard my prayers and helped me. I started playing holi with human blood. Now 100 mothers would die weeping like my mother did," read a placard. The police said Javed rented the house about three months ago. He set up a chemical manufacturing business there. Javed rented the house through a real estate dealer, Munir Hussain Shah, who has been taken into custody for interrogation. In his letters to the DIG and the newspaper, Javed also provided the addresses of his brothers - Ziaul Haq, Mohammad Shahid and Mohammad Pervaiz - in Shadbagh. The police were preparing to raid their houses when the three brothers themselves appeared at the police station. They wanted to file a report disowning Javed, stating that he had taken his share of the family property and that they should not be held responsible for any of his acts. They were taken into custody and shifted to the CIA headquarters in Qila Gujjar Singh for interrogation. "Either it is a coincidence or they knew what Javed claimed he had done," said a police investigator. Talking to reporters, Ziaul Haq said Javed had married twice and had two children. Both the marriages had ended in divorce. He claimed that Javed had shifted to a separate house about one-and- a-half years ago and no family member had seen Javed or heard from him during the past six months. The DIG said that special teams had been sent to check all the addresses given by Javed. "The list contains addresses in Lahore and other cities. Therefore, we need some time to verify whether his claims are true or not." "It seems that either we are dealing with a psychopath or the man is a liar. It also remains to be verified if he is alive or had actually committed suicide," he said. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- SC disapproves presence of bank staff in large numbers ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: The Supreme Court on Thursday deprecated the practice of government employees attending court proceedings in a large number when a case involving an official or union of an institution was fixed for hearing. In its detailed judgment on the appeal against the Lahore High Court order of declaring the appointment of ADBP chairman as invalid, the SC remarked that it was necessary to take note of the unhealthy practice. The apex court had upheld the appointment of the Chairman of the ADBP, Fazal Mehboob, by setting aside the Lahore High Court judgment. The 3-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Saiduzzaman Siddiqui, observed that it had become common that when a case involving an official/union of an institution, government or authority, was fixed for hearing before any court, a large number of officers/employees of such body made it a point to attend the court proceedings with the apparent intention of expressing their support or opposition for one party or the other. The court held that only those officers/employees who were parties to the proceedings, might attend the court with the permission of the competent authority after taking leave from their office. The practice of other officers/employees attending the proceedings and that too without taking leave from their institutions was strongly depreciated, it said. Such practice is not only against the service rules but also affects the working of the institutions they belong to. On last Monday, an interesting thing happened when the lawyer of the petitioners, advocate Ibrahim Satti, had stated that the president and other officer-bearers of the ADBP union were present in the courtroom. Chief Justice Saiduzzaman Siddiqui had asked the employees of the ADBP present in the courtroom to stand up. When a large number of the employees stood up, the chief justice asked why such a large number of employees of the bank were sitting in the court without any purpose. The chief justice asked the court staff to call the Deputy Registrar Judicial, Budha Khan. When the official reached the court, the CJ directed him to take down the names of those present in the court. The deputy registrar Judicial had written the names of 30 employees of the ADBP, majority of them senior officials of the bank. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991204 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Govt urged to unfreeze accounts of politicians ------------------------------------------------------------------- Correspondent RAWALPINDI, Dec 3: Some local politicians have demanded the government to unfreeze bank accounts of those who are not defaulters. As a result of the seizure of accounts, some local politicians have been unable to pay even house utility bills and salaries of their servants. They said last month the authorities of the State Bank had announced that bank accounts of those who were not defaulters would be unfroze but the orders had yet to be implemented. "All politicians are not corrupt and defaulters, but they are also being treated like corrupt politicians," they added. They appealed to Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf to look into the matter. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991129 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Muttahida asks govt to produce Farooq in court ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporter KARACHI, Nov 28: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has expressed concern over the authorities' failure to produce its central leader, Dr Farooq Sattar, before a judicial magistrate for the purpose of seeking remand. Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, deputy convener of the MQM coordination committee, Aftab Shaikh, said that Dr Sattar had voluntarily given himself up before the Military Intelligence for accountability on the directives of the party. He should have been produced before the magistrate within 24 hours, he said, adding that despite the passage of more than 48 hours he had neither been produced in the court for remand purpose, nor the authorities were saying anything about the charges against him. "Dr Farooq Sattar is a heart patient and is also suffering from ulcer but permission is not being given to send him medicines," said Mr Shaikh, claiming that Dr Sattar was also not being allowed to meet his family and the lawyers. He claimed that under the law and the Constitution the authorities could not keep any person in detention for more than 24 hours. They were bound to present him before a magistrate for seeking remand, which had not been done so far, he said. He said that when the fundamental rights had not been suspended, this treatment with him was an "insult of the mandate the MQM enjoys." Aftab Shaikh said that when he contacted Governor Azim Daudpota in this connection, he expressed his inability to allow Dr Sattar's family or lawyers to meet him at this stage. He said that those who had plundered national wealth were given one month to clear their accounts, but Dr Sattar, an elected member and not included in the list of defaulters, was being treated in such a manner. He deplored the manner in which the police had raided Dr Sattar's house, ransacked the place, arrested his private assistant and subjected them to torture, and declared Dr Sattar a proclaimed offender. He demanded of the chief executive, General Pervez Musharraf, to purge the administration of such elements and to take notice of what he termed "illegal and unconstitutional" actions against Dr Farooq Sattar.
=================================================================== BUSINESS & ECONOMY 991204 ------------------------------------------------------------------- IMF team assured of continuing reforms ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau Report ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: A visiting three-member IMF mission, held second round of talks with Finance Minister Shoukat Aziz here on Friday, sources said. The Fund mission, headed by Paul Chabrier, was assured that the military government would continue to implement the Fund's prescribed economic reforms programme. The meeting was also attended by the newly-appointed State Bank Governor Ishrat Hussain, Finance Secretary Moeen Afzal and chief advisor of the finance ministry Dr Ashfaq Hasan Khan. During the meeting, matters pertaining to revenues, exports, balance of payment and banking sector reform also came under discussion, they said. However, they said the meeting could not last for more than 45 minutes as everybody had to attend the funeral ceremony of the father of Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf who died on Thursday. "The mission will go back to Washington on Saturday and give its report to the senior Fund officials about the prevailing political and economic environment", a source said. He said another Fund mission would review the economy due within this month. Sources said Pakistan had informed the mission about the urgency for release of next tranche of $280 million, out of the $1.6 billion ESAF/EFF programme. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991201 ------------------------------------------------------------------- CBR to end deadlock on GST levy ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporter LAHORE, Nov 30: The Central Board of Revenue and many trade bodies are understood to have moved substantially towards resolving deadlock on the ticklish issue of levying the general sales tax at retail level. Informed sources believe that the federal government will agree to some of traders' demands which had been rejected in the past including a crackdown on the trade of smuggled goods at busy markets in bargaining extension in the tax net. Sources claimed that some military personnel had held detailed meetings with business leaders to tell them about the sensitivity of the matter specially in regard to Islamabad's weak position in obtaining funds from the IMF without enlarging the scope of the sales tax. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991201 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Prize bonds worth Rs30.45bn sold ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI, Nov 30: The new prize bonds of four various denominations have attracted Rs 30.45 billion from general investors during last 8 weeks. According to Central Bank statistics, the Rs 15,000/- denomination prize bonds have attracted Rs 12.2 billion when these were put on sale from October 1 to October 30. The Rs 750 denomination bonds fetched Rs 4.5 billion during October 15 to November 14; the Rs 7,500 bonds worth Rs 7.55 billion were sold while Rs 6.2 billion were attracted by Rs 1500 denomination bonds issued for sale during October 15 to Nov 27 period. The SBP will issue the Rs 40,000/- denomination bonds in place of Rs 25,000 from Dec 1 while Rs 200 denomination bonds which will replace Rs 100 bonds, and would be available for sale from Dec 15. Banking sources said that the new bonds offer handsome prize money and that was the reason for their high demand. The number and amount of prizes to be awarded on each series of Prize Bonds in each draw will be as under: (i) Rs 200/- prize bonds, (1st prize of Rs 500,000/-; 5 prizes of Rs 250,000/- each; and 1250 prizes of Rs 1,000/- each. The total prize money will be Rs 3,000,000/-. (ii) Rs 750/- prize bonds,(1st prize of Rs 1,000,000, 5 prizes of Rs 500,000/- each and 775 prizes of Rs 10,000 each. The total prize money is Rs 11,250,000/- for each draw. (iii) Rs 1500/- prize bonds (1st prize of Rs 2,000,000/- , 5 prizes of Rs 1,000,000 each and 775 prizes of Rs 20,000/- each. Total prize money is Rs 22,500,000/-. (iv) Rs 7500/- prize bonds (1st prize of Rs 10,000,000/-, 5 prizes of Rs 5,000,000/- each and 775 prizes of Rs 100,000/- each. Total prize money is Rs 112,500,000/- (v) Rs 15000/- prize bonds (1st prize of Rs 20,000,000/-, 5 prizes of Rs 10,000,000/- each and 775 prizes of Rs 200,000/- each. Total prize money is Rs 225,000,000/- (vi) Rs 40,000/- prize bonds (1st prize of Rs 50,000,000/-, 5 prizes of Rs 25,000,000 each and 850 prizes of Rs 500,000 each. Total prize money is Rs 600,000,000/-.-APP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991128 ------------------------------------------------------------------- $265m debt rescheduling accord signed with Germany ------------------------------------------------------------------- ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: Pakistan on Saturday signed agreements with Germany and Norway for the rescheduling of its more than 265 million dollars worth of loans, reports said. The German government has agreed on extension periods of 18 to 20 years with grace periods of three to 10 years on its $254-million loan. The finance ministry initialed agreements with the Norwegian government for the rescheduling of an $11.63-million loan. The bilateral agreements were concluded under the Paris Club rescheduling process, which was agreed earlier this year with the facilitation of the IMF. The accord with Germany applies to commercial credit claims, guaranteed by the German government, of $116 million and claims arising from Official Development Assistance (ODA) of $138 million. The interest rate for the ODA claims is a concessional low rate of 1.75 per cent and the interest rate for the commercial credit claims is lower than the original ones. The negotiations were led on the Pakistan side by Finance Secretary Javed Akram and on the German side by Dr Brenhard Ziese, director of the federal ministry of finance. The agreement between Pakistan and Norway would be signed as soon as it was cleared by the government of Norway, it was officially announced here. Under the agreement debt service of $11.63 million would be consolidated and rescheduled for repayment in 30 semi- annual installments commencing from July 2003. This amount was due between July 1, 1998 and Dec 31, 2000 on loans contracted up to Sept 30, 1997.-Agencies DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991130 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Bankers tracking defaulters' asset abroad ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sabihuddin Ghausi KARACHI, Nov 29: The recovery drive for the stuck up bank loans is not over, on expiry of Nov 16 deadline set by the Chief Executive General Musharraf and bankers report that efforts are still on to track down the assets of all 'wilful defaulters' and bad account holders within the country and outside. Efforts are on to search the properties acquired by the 'wilful loan defaulters' in foreign countries and in Pakistan. Banks report revamping of their legal departments in Pakistan by way of engaging lawyers of repute and standing and doing away with those who were employed on recommendation of one ministry or the other. Banks now appear all set to effectively push forward their litigations against such bad account holders in the local courts. Reports suggest that State Bank of Pakistan is also forming a committee of senior loan recovery officers of major banks to maintain the tempo of recovery drive and the government has been approached to frame foreclosure laws and improve the functioning of banking courts at lower and higher levels. Simultaneously, the banks and the financial institutions are also digging deep into the files to find out those bankers and executives who were responsible for sanctioning and disbursement of loans without adequate safeguards. The fact that quite a good number of bankers and their children are running big business concerns in and outside Pakistan lends credence to the belief that many of them actually connived in sanctioning of such bad debts. Two out of five top banks of the country have engaged foreign firms to track down the assets made by loan defaulters in Europe, USA and other countries and at least one - Habib Bank Limited - has reported some success in settling down one bad account after locating the property. Shaukat Tarin, President of the HBL said that the company engaged by his bank has tracked down the property of a major business group in a European country and before the legal proceedings could be initiated the account holder himself approached the bank and agreed to settle the loan repayment. Zubyr Soomro, President of the United Bank Limited said that his bank has also acquired the services of foreign firms to search for fixed and liquid assets of the loan defaulters in foreign countries. These two top bankers of the leading government-controlled banks were of the view that there are strict laws in European countries and in USA against the corruption and on loan default and provide all opportunities for attachment of property, as well as punishment to those who are found guilty. Zubyr Soomro specifically, mentioned the Moreva Injunction in Britain which substantially supports the aggrieved institutions to get back the amount lost to such loan defaulters, as well as to get them punished. A sample survey of 68 selected textile mills in Pakistan carried out by a leading local private consultant firm during the exercise of a Coordination Committee of the State Bank of Pakistan in 1998 has already found owners of seven mills not traceable and four others missing. This list of missing loan defaulters include a former Chairman of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association who as reported by the Pakistan Television in a news bulletin is running three hotels and one health centre in Britain. Bankers say that when properties and liquid assets of high profile political personalities can be found out in Britain and in Switzerland, it should not be difficult to track down the assets of the big business groups and loan defaulters in foreign countries. While the bankers are pretty confident of effectively pushing their efforts in foreign countries to get back the loan amounts from the defaulters they face serious problems at home because of a host of problems in the judicial system. Bankers informed a World Bank team early this year that they could file cases for recovery of only 43 per cent of the non-performing loans till end 1998. A report of the World Bank given to the ex-Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr Muhammad Yaqub reveals that cases for the recovery of Rs62.86 billion out of total Rs146 billion non-performing loans were filed in the courts. The amount for which the cases were filed, was only 43 per cent of the total sum odd non-performing loans. The World Bank report based on interviews with the judges and bankers blamed the lawyers of the banks for failing to pursue their cases skillfully. Bankers maintain that for quite a long time the lawyers were appointed from a list of the law minister or on recommendation. "We have now revamped our legal department", Zubyr Soomro said who pointed out that UBL was employing the lawyers of professional standing. Other banks are also doing the same. Amendments made in the loan recovery laws in 1997 are considered effective but banks face problems in obtaining decrees and then getting these decrees executed. Statistics given to the World Bank team by the bankers showed they could obtain decrees only in 21 per cent of the cases filed by them in the courts till end 1998 for recovery of loans under Rs30 million. All the five banks filed 37,868 cases till end 1998 for recovery of Rs11.6 billion of loans of less than Rs30 million. Out of these the banks could obtain 8,035 interim decrees for Rs2.7 billion. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991202 ------------------------------------------------------------------- EAB body proposes online banking, deregulation ------------------------------------------------------------------- Haris Anwar KARACHI, Dec 1: The sub-group of Economic Advisory Board on the Information Technology (IT) has recommended the government to force banks to go online for more efficient and transparent banking. "The government should target at least 3000 branches to go online by the end of 2000, using data networks of PTCL and private sector," the group recommends. This move, the group feels, will result in the rapid growth of e-commerce in the country. The group says if the PTCL privatization is not achieved by June 2000, the government should deregulate the telecom sector for attracting more foreign investment. To provide enabling conditions for internet growth, the group says, PTCL should bring down its charges for international bandwidth connection, access lines, and encourage the setting up of National Access Points and Peering Points by Internet Service Providers. "The government will have to remove the obstacles in the growth of internet services as done in India where there is no license fee, royalties and other charges," it says. The group includes Aizaz Hussain, MD, System Private Ltd (chairman), Mian Javed, chairman, Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA), Ansarul Haq, GM, CyberNet and others. The group has also recommended the government to bring one ministry completely online to spread the use of modern technology in the public sector. In order to increase the software export by small and medium size enterprises, the group members have stressed the need for providing overseas marketing support to these companies. "Export of IT services will not enhance unless an aggressive marketing campaign is undertaken in the target markets. "Effective match making between local companies and foreign customers to boost Pakistan's share in this industry can thus be undertaken by Pakistan Software Export Board, which can act as a coordinator between local and foreign companies," the group recommends. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Over-staffing handicaps industrial growth' ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ihtasham ul Haque ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Pakistan's industrial and commercial growth and export competitiveness are severely handicapped by weak and over- staffed public sector institutions. According to a latest World Bank study, this commercial and industrial growth has also been hampered by poorly targeted investments, neglect of essential highway maintenance, high transport costs, and poor safety standards. The government plans to implement a 10 year National Highway Improvement Programme to improve public spending, increase maintenance components, introduce more private and road-user sources of financing, improve and commercialise road sector agencies, and to promote private sector provision and operation of highway-related services. In the urban sector, the burgeoning urban population is growing at almost 5% annually and is outstripping the expansion of delivery of urban services. Improving water supply, sewerage systems, and solid waste management are important priorities for improving the situation. The government plans to undertake major reforms to development thecapacity of local governments to deliver better service, while encouraging private sector participation in urban service delivery. About the Human Resource Development, the study said Pakistan's inability to develop its human capital has adversely affected medium term growth prospects as low levels of education and poor health constrain the growth of productivity throughout the economy. Despite some improvements over the past decade, social indicators, particularly for women, fall well short of those of other countries at a comparable stage of economic development. Toimprove social indicators, the government launched the Social Action Programme (SAP) in 1992 to expand and improve the delivery of social services in elementary education, primary health, population welfare, and rural water supply and sanitation.The SAP, which has received wide financial support from the donor community, also strives to strengthen partnerships with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and local communities in development and delivery of social service programmes. In Nov '97, the Bank approved a $285m credit for Pakistan's National Drainage Programme, which supports major policy and institutional reforms in the water sector. In 2000, the Bank is planning to help promote policy reforms which will introduce agricultural income tax, restructure agricultural enterprises, and remove subsidies. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Power purchase agreement can be re-written: Hubco ------------------------------------------------------------------- KARACHI, Dec 2: Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) can be re-written in the interest of both Hub Power Co Ltd (Hubco) and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) with 'mutual consent', said chief executive of the Company Khursheed Hussain. 'Hubco has suggested December 7 and 8 for meeting with WAPDA officials to restart negotiations on long standing power tariff issue. I am optimistic that the new government will not follow policy of previous government and the issue would be settled once and for all', said Khursheed while speaking with members of SITE Association of Industry Thursday. He said present power tariff being charged by Hubco was 6.42 cents per unit which was 5.75 cents per unit and 6.03 per unit in '94 and '92 respectively. The increase was due to high price of furnace oil, rupee depreciation etc. Power tariff can be reduced if WAPDA start buying more power from Hubco. Chairman SITE Association of Industry Abdullah Rafi asked the government to accord approval for Hubco to directly supply power to KESC on a priority basis and establish infrastructure so that industries in Karachi could have required and uninterrupted power supply.-PPI DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Economic agenda to focus on demand management ------------------------------------------------------------------- Haris Anwar KARACHI, Dec 2: The external side weaknesses are seen shaping new regime's economic agenda, sources said on Thursday. "The emphasis will be more on the demand management as fragile external sector leaves a little room for the expansionary policies," a source involved in the policy-making said. This scenario dampens the chances of an immediate stimulus to the economy as the government will try to contain the imports which result in a higher input cost to the manufacturing and services sectors, a source added. When asked whether the government would be able to continue the previous government's programmes aimed at demand stimulus to the economy, the same source said a growth initiative that required an increase in imports was unlikely to be continued in the original form. The previous government had announced some import concessions for the housing and transport schemes to stimulate sagging economic growth. Pakistan's new regime faces an extremely unfavourable balance of payment situation. Adverse international prices of cotton and oil have threatened to increase the current account deficit. The trade deficit for October has increased the trade gap to $ 587 million in the first four months of fiscal 1999-200 against full year's target of $ 800 million. Pakistan, currently enjoying debt relief by bilateral and commercial creditors, will have to reduce its current account deficit this year to be in a position to make normal and rescheduled payment by December 2000. According the macroeconomic framework committee of the Economic Advisory Board, the GDP should be targeted to grow 5.2 per cent by the year 2002-2003 from 3.1 per cent in 1998-99 with an average growth rate of 4.5 per cent. "This growth figure largely depends on the recovery in the agricultural sector as the chances of revival in the trade and manufacturing sector are dim in the near-term," another source said. He said that the IMF mission, which was currently in Islamabad, was called to secure approval for the new economic agenda likely to be announced by the Chief Executive on Dec 15. But economic experts involved in devising the policy framework for the new government have questioned the timing of the Mission's arrival, which, they say, cast doubts on the official claim that new economic agenda will be based on a homegrown programme. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991129 ------------------------------------------------------------------- CBR may opt for limited scrutiny of taxpayers ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ikram Hoti ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: The Central Board of Revenue has decided to review the immunity to taxpayers from official scrutiny. Official sources told Dawn here on Saturday that the immunity was causing huge revenue losses, and the present manner of selecting auditable individuals and companies was injecting corruption into the tax collecting machinery. They added that the immunity from scrutiny had been in place since long, but it was being misconstrued and misused by many taxpayers. Those taxpayers, they said, were applying evasive tactics by paying up marginal amounts, in additional to the tax payable by them, for attaining the immunity status, and were preventing the tax machinery to peep into their actual incomes and turnovers. The CBR chairman, Riaz Hussain Naqvi, also hinted at removal of the immunity to taxpayers while briefing the trade bodies here on Saturday at the planning commission. He explained that the concept of immunity of taxpayers from official scrutiny had to be discarded. He, however, said the extent of scrutiny should be limited and the selection for scrutiny should be on a random basis with the help of computers. He said it should also be ensured that the audit of such selected taxpayers was conducted in a manner that there is no scope for harassment or extortion. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991204 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Stocks finish with extended gain ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reporter KARACHI, Dec 3: Stocks on Friday finished with an extended gain defying weekend selling as the strength of the leading base shares spilled over to other counters. The KSE 100-share index was up 5.06 points at 1,260.89. The news from Hubco about the proposed meeting in Islamabad and higher dividend announcements keep investors at their toes all the time as they could not precisely decide how to react to some positive developments. But a leading stock analyst Faisal Abbas is not that optimistic about next chart point of 1,300 for the KSE 1index, basing his assessment largely on technical factors. 'The index could beat a hasty retreat after touching the high mark of 1,275.00', he claims adding 'most of the leading local investors and foreign funds may take profit after it touches the target of 1,270, the point where 10% profit margin will mature'. But stock analysts at the KASB & co think otherwise saying the market is in for a grand technical rebound as its most pressing irritants are fading out by each day. The KSE 100-share index finished higher by 5.06 points at 1,260.89 as compared to 1,255.83 a day earlier, adding Rs2bn to the market capitalisation at Rs341.00bn. News of a meeting between Hubco and WAPDA officials on Dec 7 and 8 in Islamabad could trigger a lot speculative buying on selected counters by the next week adding new element to stock trading. 'What seems to have raised hopes of an imminent settlement of the 30-month old tariff dispute is the indication from the Hubco chief that the tariff could be lowered but he did not specify the rate of cut', analyst Muhammad Ashraf said. 'We can cut the current tariff by 20% after capacity utilisation touch the high mark of 85%', he said adding 'indications are that of the scene deal has been reached with the new regime and it will be formalised in the scheduled meeting'. Floor brokers said the trading next week will remain focused on the Hub-Power share, which still ruling at an attractively lower level of Rs20.50 after having fallen from the peak of Rs60.00 two years back when the tariff cut dispute started. The weekend selling was well-absorbed at the decline as investors are not inclined to entertain bearish ideas at least for the near- term amid encouraging dividend news pouring in daily, they added. Broader market performed well as most of the leading shares in the bank, energy and textiles shares finished with an extended gain amid active trading volumes. Plus signs again dominated the list under the lead of Dewan Khalid Textiles, Kohinoor Weaving. Lafayette Industries, Ishaq Textiles, Knoll, Sitara Chemical Shafi Chemical and Cherat Papersack, which posted gains ranging from Rs2.00 to Rs5.00. They were followed by PSO, Bolan Casting, Dawood Hercules, 13th ICP, Wah-Noble Chemicals, and Al-Meezan Fund, rising by one rupee to Rs1.40. BOC Pakistan, which has been in strong demand for the last couple of sessions in anticipation of higher dividend came in for active selling at the higher levels, falling by Rs6.25 followed by Shell Pakistan, Millat Tractors, Central Insurance and Packages, which suffered decline ranging from Rs1.20 to Rs1.75. Trading volume further rose to 125 shares from the previous 100m shares as leading speculators kept to the sidelines owing partly to weekend considerations. Gainers led losers by 111 to 63, with 54 shares holding on to the last levels. The most active list was again topped by Hub-Power, up 25 paisa at Rs20.80 on 40m shares followed by PSO, higher Rs1.35 at Rs144.50 on 18m shares, PTCL, unchanged on 16m shares, ICI Pakistan, unchanged at Rs9.35 on 9m shares and Japan Power, up 45 paisa at Rs545 on 5m shares. The persistent buying in it is attributed to reports that it will start commercial production during the next two weeks. Other actively traded shares were led by FFC-Jordan Fertiliser, firm 15 paisa on 5m shares, Fauji Fertiliser, steady by five paisa also on 5m shares, Bank of Punjab, up 80 paisa on 3m shares, Askari Bank, higher 90 paisa on 3m shares, Adamjee Insurance, lower 25 paisa also on 3m shares, Dewan Salman,, easy 15 paisa on 2m shares and D.G.Khan cement, up 40 paisa on 2m shares. DIVIDEND: Shezan International cash 50% and Capital Asset Bank cash five per cent for the year ended June 30, '99. BOARD MEETINGS: Mandviwala Mauser Plastic, BOC Pakistan, Valika Art Fabrics on Dec 7, Kohinoor Energy, PEL Appliances, Pak Elektron and Caravan East Fabrics on Dec 8, First Fidelity Leasing Modaraba, Ghandhara Nissan and Islamic Investment Bank on Dec 9.Back to the top
=================================================================== EDITORIALS & FEATURES 991128 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Storming of the Supreme Court ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ardeshir Cowasjee AN affidavit in the case of the storming of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (Cr.Appeal 162/99 arising out of Cr.Misc.27/98) was sworn on November 27, 1999, and placed on record in the Supreme Court of Pakistan : "I, Ardeshir Cowasjee, son of Rustom Fakirjee Cowasjee, resident of 10 Mary Road, Karachi, do hereby place on record a letter dated November 26, 1999, written by me to Mr Aziz Munshi, the Attorney General of Pakistan: "Dear Mr Attorney-General "1) It is not necessary for me to remind you - -That no democracy can survive without checks and balances, institutional or otherwise. -That the last sham democracy we have suffered, imposed upon us by Mian Nawaz Sharif, has destroyed all but one institution of state capable of checking his megalomania, his avarice for pelf and power, and his abuse of power. -That when institutions are corrupted, in the eyes of the people those who corrupt as well as those who tamely allow themselves to be corrupted are all equally culpable. However, a megalomaniac must be deemed to be less culpable than those who profess to be burdened by the halos they wear. - That in order to protect itself when in the wrong, one institution, misusing its power, has been known to employ intimidatory measures against another institution. Case in point : excised by the editor (self-censorship) from my Dawn column of 28/12/97 (Fascism on the march-IV) : "Is there any reasonable man in Pakistan prepared to believe that three honourable judges of the Supreme Court, Justices Irshad Hasan Khan, Nasir Aslam Zahid, and Khalilur Rahman, sitting in far away Quetta in the month of November, were capable of acting as they did on their own ? What transpired in cold Quetta and the repercussions thereafter, which defy logic and reason, is a story that will haunt our superior judiciary for years to come." When I brought this to the attention of the then law minister, Khalid Anwer, his comment was : "Since I have no desire to see you hauled up under our antiquated and irrational law of contempt, I can only applaud your editor's discretion." "2) Whilst investigating a crime, it is vital to the case to look into its background and the motives which prompted the crime."3) Instigated, supported and aided by the leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) party then in power, legislators, party members and street activists of the party stormed the Supreme Court on November 28, 1997, committing the gravest contempt in the face of the court in judicial history. The president of the ruling party, Nawaz Sharif, and his dastardly aides committed the crime with impunity, safe in their knowledge that no court in the country would convict them. "4) The run-up to the disgraceful storming began in August 1997, when CJP Sajjad Ali Shah recommended the names of the five senior- most high court judges for elevation to the SC. The filling of the five vacant positions was long overdue. The government response to the request was to issue a notification reducing the strength of SC judges from 17 to 12. "5) Early in September 1997, the Supreme Court Bar Association challenged this reduction and the SC admitted its petition. The Court suspended the notification, which was withdrawn by the government, but which held the appointment of the five judges in abeyance. The government subsequently backed down and the petition was disposed of. "6) On October 9, 1997, CJP Shah flew to Saudi Arabia. The next day, Acting Chief Jusitce Ajmal Mian claimed that he had not been consulted on the elevation of the five judges. Eight other Supreme Court judges sent him a requisition for the convening of a full- court meeting to discuss the matter. ACJ Mian gave notice for such a meetting to be held on the 13th of the month. "7)CJP Shah flew back on the 13th and cancelled the full-court meeting. "8) On October 17, seven judges of the SC asked CJP Shah to convene a full-court meeting. He rejected their requisition. "9) On October 20, in an unprecedented move, five judges of the SC addressed a letter to CJP Shah challenging his appointment and released to the press the text of their letter. "10) On October 25, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan challenged the 14th Amendment and on October 29 a bench of the SC passed an interim order suspending the amendment, terming it 'anti-dissent'. That same day a joint parliamentary group declared - verbal war on the superior judiciary, the prime minister calling the suspension 'unconstitutional' and several of his parliamentarians from the floor of the National Assembly condemning in violent language the action of the CJP. "11) On October 30, a Bench of the Supreme Court passed an order invoking Article 190 of the Constitution and requested President Farooq Leghari to appoint the five judges to the five vacant positions. The president warned the government that he may be compelled to do so, whereupon the prime minister backed down and agreed to the elevations. "12) On October 31, a petition was filed challenging the 13th Amendment, and contempt petitions were also filed against the prime minister and seven other parliamentarians. "13) On November 3, the SC issued pre-contempt notices to the prime minister, to the law minister, to five other parliamentarians, and to the editors of three newspapers. Barrister S M Zafar appeared for the PM and sought one month's time to prepare and file his written statement. He was given one week. "14) On November 12, contempt notices were issued to the PM and the others asking them to appear and to file their written replies. "15) On November 14, Information Minister Mushahid Hussain announced that the PM had decided to make a personal appearance in the SC which he duly did on November 17. "16) On the night of November 17-18, at a post-midnight session, the National Assembly passed a bill amending the contempt of court law, allowing an intra-court appeal to 'the remaining judges' against a Supreme Court show-cause notice or conviction for contempt of court. "17) On the morning of November 18, an SC bench in Quetta (JJ Nasir Aslam Zahid, Irshad Hassan Khan and Khalilur Rehman Khan ) admitted a petition challenging the appointment of the CJP and asking that he convene a full court to decide the matter. "18) On November 19, the PM publicly criticized President Farooq Leghari for delaying the signing of the Contempt of Court (Amendment) Bill. On the 20th, Leghari issued a statement saying he would not sign the bill on the insistence of one man; the SC heard petitions challenging the bill, and issued an interim order asking the president not to sign the bill, which, if already signed, would be considered suspended. To this, the PML(N) parliamentary group demanded the impeachment of the president, the cabinet approved, signatures were sought, and the decision taken to give notice at that evening's Senate session. "19) On November 21, the SC issued a notice to the government in the 13th amendment case and refused to grant interim relief. The hearing was adjourned to the 27th. "20) On the night of November 25, Senator R.A.Tarar, was sent in a special flight to Quetta to use his persuasive powers on the SC judges sitting there. On November 26, two members of the Quetta bench of the SC (JJ Irshad Hasan Khan and Khalilur Rahman Khan) issued an interim order suspending CJP Shah, challenging his out- of-turn elevation, and restraining him from the performance of his functions. CJP Shah termed this order illegal. (The order was signed that night by the third member of the Quetta Bench, Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, who was out of Quetta when the order was issued.) "21) On November 27, a bench of five judges of the SC at Islamabad anulled the verdict of the Quetta bench. PML(N) parliamentarians and activists present in the courtroom insulted and heckled the judges, refused to accept the authority of the court, shouting that 'Sajjad Ali Shah' had no right to be there as he had been suspended. That same day, a two-member Peshawar bench of the SC (JJ Saeeduzaman Siddiqui and Fazal Illahi Khan) called for a full-court bench to decide the matter of the validity of the CJP's appointment. "22) On the night of November 27-28, having completed all arrangements for transporting a mob of PML(N) workers and activists from various areas of the Lahore region, Senator Saifur Rahman and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif flew into Islamabad from Lahore in the CM's special plane. "23) At 0700 on the morning of November 28, Lt-General Rana, then heading the ISI, informed COAS General Jehangir Karamat that a mob had been organized to raid the SC whilst the contempt case against prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, was being heard. You, I, and the world at large know well the sordid details of the demeaning and shameful events that followed on that day of November 28, 1997. "May I suggest, now that the storming case has been reopened, that in addition to those already summoned, President Tarar, Shahbaz Sharif, Saifur Rehman, former CJP Sajjad Ali Shah, former President Leghari and Lt-General Rana, all be called to give evidence. "The Court was stormed two years ago on November 28, 1997. The verdict in the contempt case, acquitting the few insignificant members of the storming party who had been charged, was given on May 14, 1999, over 500 days later. We must hope that the rehearing of this case will be completed expeditiously." DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating fallacies ------------------------------------------------------------------- Ayaz Amir A REVOLUTIONARY order, one which upsets everything and leads to the emergence of something entirely new, is its own justification. For its legitimacy it needs no sanction from any supreme court. Lenin went before no chief justice after the Bolshevik Revolution. Nor did Mustafa Kemal or, nearer to our own time, the Ayatollah Khomeini after the Iranian revolution. The English-speaking coup, on the other hand, which because of our collective sins is the phenomenon whose fourth incarnation we are currently seeing in Pakistan, is the very antithesis of a revolutionary order. The reason for this is simple. Not only in Pakistan but in all ex-British colonies, the English-speaking coup flows from an institution which is one of the pillars of conservatism and tradition. Let us not forget that the most enduring legacies of our colonial experience are: the English language, the trappings of democracy, the notion (if no more) of the rule of law, and armies structured on the English pattern complete with mess ceremonial, swagger sticks and batmen. Small wonder then if, as far as tradition is concerned, there is more in common between the Pakistan and Indian armies than, say, the armies of Pakistan and Iran. Being therefore a mainstay of the status quo, and indeed one of its principal beneficiaries, the army can no more shatter or even upset the status quo than a college of cardinals can be expected to move against the Holy See. This is not to say that the officer corps is not concerned about the country or is not upset when politicians make a mess of things. Army officers, especially when they are young, in their innocence and enthusiasm get very upset indeed. But to remedy this situation they do not rush to the collected works of Ho Chi Minh or Che Guevara. Their instinct is to bring to the complexities of the political situation the certainties of the parade ground. And since on the parade ground everything slovenly or wrong can be set right usually by shouting the appropriate orders, the temptation is to think that in politics too there is nothing that cannot be set right with a bit of discipline and military rigour. Every military government in Pakistan has suffered from this approach and General Pervez Musharraf's government is no exception. The latter has made an example of a few people - the defaulters put in prison - which is exactly what Ayub Khan and Yahya Khan did in their time. Ayub threw the country's leading politicians out of the political arena and launched a noisy drive against smugglers and black-marketeers. Yahya threw hundreds of civil servants out of their jobs. In both cases after the dust had settled it was business as usual. General Musharraf is from the same army and heir to the same tradition. It takes a leap of faith to suppose that the current accountability drive - now sputtering, now coming alive in fitful spasms - can pose a serious threat to the standing and privileges of the country's elite classes. At the risk of sounding faintly ridiculous, this is not, nor can ever be, a Khomeinite revolution. General Musharraf and his colleagues, therefore, should tailor their rhetoric to the limitations of where they come from. Since they are not French or Bolshevik revolutionaries and since smashing the status quo is neither on their agenda nor indeed in their vision of things, it follows that the utmost they can hope for is (1) to undertake the necessary surgery to lance out the more conspicuous pimples and carbuncles which spoil the face of Pakistan and (2) to help create an enabling environment for the restoration of democracy. If General Musharraf succeeds in bringing about just this and no more he will have earned a place for himself in Pakistan's history. If, however, through a combination of bad advice and megalomania (both qualities of autocratic rule) he goes beyond these basic aims and starts thinking of himself as a de Gaulle or an Ataturk he will be repeating the mistakes of his predecessors. In the aftermath of October 12 it is a strange sight to see perfectly sane people go into hysterics the moment democracy is mentioned. "You want to return to Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif?" they heatedly ask. In their indignation they tend to ignore the fact that our country was the product of a political process spearheaded by a strong-willed and clear-headed man called Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Pakistan was not the result of a military conquest; the army, or for that matter the bureaucracy, had nothing to do with its making. For better or worse therefore keeping the political process alive is a matter of necessity for us even if from time to time inept and corrupt figures blight the political landscape. Consider this analogy. On the battle-field the record of the Pakistan army, which has had its shares of defeats and disasters, has not been uniformly glorious. Should this mean we call for disbanding the army? In the same manner even if an entire generation of politicians is guilty of crooked behaviour it should not mean we pack up the entire baggage of democracy. Of course ordinary people in their frustration look to quick-gun solutions. They expect an end to poverty, injustice and unemployment and think that hanging a few people from the nearest lamp-post will do the trick and push Pakistan into the light. All this is over-simplistic melodrama. But at the moment it is not very popular to try to see things against the backdrop of our history. Whenever we have had military rule what has happened is that after a few spectacular moves like the current arrests of defaulters routine and inertia take over. While the army command, with the help of the bureaucracy, exercises political power, the economy is left to be managed by 'technocrats' usually with strong links to the financial powerhouses in Washington. Shaukat Aziz is not the first of this kind. From Muhammad Shoaib in Ayub Khan's time there have been others before him. The day-to-day running of the administration is left to the bureaucracy without any interaction from public representatives. In the beginning this arrangement looks geared to the conduct of efficient business. Very soon, however, the bureaucracy becomes more and more aloof from the people. The regime as a whole becomes inward-looking with all thought of reform sacrificed at the altar of political survival. This was the pattern in the past and it looks likely to be repeated in the absence of institutional reform - reform of the courts, the criminal justice system and the police. The army is not fully qualified to understand the necessity of this reform. The bureaucracy has an interest in blocking it. We will therefore be left with gimmicks such as the so-called monitoring mechanism set up by the present regime. All it is doing is to salve the army's conscience without having the slightest effect on the running or efficiency of the general administration. It is not a little odd therefore to hear General Musharraf repeat his mantra at every conceivable opportunity about sham and real democracy. Since the logic of power cannot be denied, the army as the country's most powerful institution will continue to exercise direct or indirect political influence for the foreseeable future. So for army commanders to want to look periodically like statesmen and reformers should not be surprising. All the same, the officer corps should not forget that the army's basic task is soldiering, a difficult enough business in any case, while government is best left to the people's chosen representatives even if the currency of public representation looks soiled for the moment. If distortions arise in the political process, as they have arisen in Pakistan from the Zia era till today, the army should help correct them and then, its short task completed, it should go back to the barracks. When instead of this it assumes the mantle of messiahdom (as it stands in danger of doing at present) and starts liking the feel of the new fit, its own professionalism is affected and the national polity is further distorted. We cannot afford to see this pattern repeated. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991204 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Sink or swim ------------------------------------------------------------------- Irfan Husain THE scenes from Seattle were reminiscent of the anti-Vietnam war protests that swept the United States in the sixties and early seventies and finally brought that conflict to an end. Whatever the outcome of the WTO talks, one thing is certain: the official agenda has been successfully hijacked by the odd alliance of trade unionists, environmentalists, students and anarchists who briefly ruled the streets of Seattle. One group conspicuous by its absence was that of representatives of developing nations, although they will be the biggest losers if the US and the European Union get their way. Indeed, ever since the World Trade Organization came into being in 1995 as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), there has been relative apathy in the Third World to the implications of the agreement signed by 130 members of the WTO. We have been particularly laggard in focusing on the key provisions of the agreement that affect Pakistan directly. Instead of co- ordinating with similarly placed countries, we have been locked in our sordid little world of politics and corruption. The result is a total lack of preparation in adjusting to a more open and liberal international trading system. The implications of the Seattle talks are far-reaching and will touch the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. Consumers, farmers and manufacturers will all be affected to varying degrees. Unfortunately, developing countries have woken up to these coming changes rather late, thus failing to evolve a common platform and strategy for Seattle. Luckily for them, American protesters have taken up their cause. So what has ignited the protests in Seattle? Basically, the WTO is different thing to different groups. It offers vast opportunities to multinationals as well as efficient (and often subsidized) farmers, while spelling doom to inefficient manufacturers and small farmers. And it will deal a heavy blow to nations that turn a blind eye to child labour and indulge in gender discrimination as well as environmental damage. In brief, countries like Pakistan will derive few benefits while standing to be the biggest losers from trade liberalization. As custom duties head towards zero in most categories of goods by 2005, our manufacturers will face increasing competition from imports that will be both cheaper and of better quality. Our farmers will be unable to compete with produce from Europe and America that is grown on huge, mechanized and massively subsidized farms. It is true that Pakistani customers will benefit from greater choice, lower prices and better quality. However, this increase in imports will result in higher trade deficits and a fall in the value of the rupee. Ultimately, the economy will come under intolerable strain as many manufacturers and farmers face ruin. When the WTO came into being in 1995, member states had a decade to make the structural adjustments needed to bring their economies into line with the requirements of free trade. However, successive Pakistani governments since then remained blind to the need to gear up the economy, and our manufacturers, spoiled by decades of subsidies and official pampering, did not put in the investments and hard work necessary to increase efficiency and quality. None of this is to suggest that trade liberalization is not a good thing. All things being equal, it brings about a better deal for the consumer and provides manufacturers a level playing field to compete on. But in real life, things are seldom equal. For years, multinationals have employed lawyers specializing in international trade to draft provisions that benefit them, and these clauses are then placed in the working papers of governments that spearhead the cause of these giant corporations. Manufacturers in developed countries are far more efficient than those in developing countries, and generally enjoy greater economies of scale. Farmers in the West are generally subsidized and produce food far in excess of national requirements; much of this excess is exported to the rest of the world at prices that small farmers elsewhere cannot match. Before the GATT and the WTO, countries protected their own interests through high tariff barriers and restrictive import policies. However, this will no longer be possible. For instance, the governments of Pakistan and India will not be able to restrict imports from each other without attracting severe penalties. Indeed, this policy of cutting our noses to spite our faces has always been incomprehensible to me: both nations prefer paying far higher prices in importing goods and services from the rest of the world rather than trading directly with each other. According to Third World critics of the WTO agreements, the whole thing is a western conspiracy to further impoverish poor countries. But while we demand greater access and lower tariffs on our exports to the richest markets in the world, we are unwilling to grant similar access to their products. However, the fact remains that the present system of international trade is tilted in favour of the developed countries: currently, tariffs on imports from the least developed countries are 30% higher than on imports from developed nations. Indeed, according to an Oxfam estimate, trade barriers are costing developing countries up to $700 billion annually through lost exports. International trade is now a far bigger factor in the global economy than it was fifty years ago, having increased fourteen times since 1950 to $6,500 billion in 1997. Twentysix per cent of the world economy now is directly linked to international trade as compared to eight per cent in 1950. Clearly, then, there is a growing need to regulate this burgeoning commerce and protect groups and countries unable to withstand the growing power of multinationals. However, there is a real danger of the WTO becoming a handmaiden of western interests, much as the United Nations has. The fact that developing nations have so far not played an active role in the GATT and the WTO negotiations is one reason they are in the very real danger of being marginalized even further in the world economy. For Pakistan, the problem is that our politicians, planners and businessmen have still not grasped the opportunities and dangers of globalization. With a largely illiterate workforce, a poor work ethic, a ramshackle physical and social infrastructure, outmoded management and a corrupt bureaucracy, there is just no way we can compete in the global marketplace without following protectionist policies. And these policies are about to be scrapped under the WTO agreement we are signatory to. The name of the game now is 'sink or swim', and there is no indication that we are taking any swimming lessons.
=================================================================== SPORTS 991203 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Pakistan's show below par against Australia: Wasim ------------------------------------------------------------------- Correspondent LAHORE, Dec 2: A below par performance in all departments of the game brought 0-3 whitewash of the Pakistan cricket team in Test series in Australia. Talking to mediamen here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, Wasim Akram admitted that the Pakistani bowlers, including himself, failed to bowl at length and to good direction which helped the Australians play their strokes freely. The Pakistani captain said that the team-management kept on advising Shoaib Akhtar to maintain good line and length rather than generating extra-pace unnecessarily but he could not come up to expectations. However, Shoaib Akhtar had learnt a lot by playing in Australia but his inaccuracy cost the team dearly. Replying to a question about giving more chances to Shoaib Akhtar in preference to the experienced paceman Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram said: "We want to give more chances to youngsters in preference to seasoned campaigners, keeping in view the future needs of the Pakistan team". Wasim Akram rejected the allegation of Shoaib Akhtar's bowling action being "doubtful". He termed it as "perfect". However, Wasim expressed his sorrow and indignation over statement of former national coach and Test all-rounder Wasim Hasan Raja, who had termed the express delivery of Shoaib Akhtar as "doubtful". "Pakistan Cricket Board must take a bold stand before the International Cricket Council (ICC) in this regard and fully support Shoaib Akhtar. The rivals are trying to discourage young bowlers through such tactical moves", said Wasim Akram. Replying to another question about not giving any chance to Ghulam Ali during the three Test series, Wasim said that the opener was a second choice. Wajahatullah Wasti had played very well in a three-day practice match, therefore he was preferred over Ghulam Ali. Skipper Wasim said that Aamir Sohail could be considered for selection in the Pakistan team for the forthcoming triangular one- day series also involving Australia and India if he performed well during the current domestic cricket season. "I have a couple of batsmen in mind who needed to be given a chance during the limited-over series in Australia. They are presently playing either for the Pakistan under-19 team or for the Pakistan Reserve team. But I will not like to disclose their names at the moment", emphasised Wasim Akram. DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991129 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Australia accomplish a 3-0 clean sweep of series against Pakistan ------------------------------------------------------------------- PERTH, Nov 28: Australia, spurred by a vintage performance from Glenn McGrath, completed a 3-0 series clean sweep over Pakistan with victory by an innings and 20 runs in the third and final Test on Sunday. Pakistan, 296 behind on first innings, were bowled out in their second innings for 276 before tea on the third day, giving Australia their first series whitewash against Pakistan in 27 years since Ian Chappell's team overwhelmed Intikhab Alam's tourists. McGrath finished with four for 49 after an inspired display on a typically bouncy WACA pitch. The lanky strike bowler has been below his best in this series but produced a high-class piece of bowling here to seal Australia's win. He dispatched Inzamam-ul-Haq (8) and Yousuf Youhana (0) before lunch, then added the scalp of Moin Khan (26), having dismissed Wajahatullah Wasti on Saturday. Saqlain, whose place at the crease was taken by Inzamam, was only able to bat again at the fall of seventh wicket. The only Pakistanis to offer any real resistance were their number three Ijaz Ahmed, who scored a defiant 115, and captain Wasim Akram, who made 52 from just 40 balls. Ijaz, who also scored 82 in the second Test in Hobart, reached his 12th Test century and his sixth against Australia off just 138 balls. Ijaz played a powerful innings as his team mates fell by the wayside. He scored freely on the lightening-fast outfield before being caught by Michael Slater in the deep after a mis-timed pull off Michael Kasprowicz with the total 230. Akram made his seventh Test half-century with a typically carefree display, hitting nine boundaries in his 71-minute innings before he skied a catch to McGrath at deep mid-off off Kasprowicz. Kasprowicz, playing his first Test in over a year, picked up three late wickets to finish with seven for the match. Damien Fleming took two for 86 and Shane Warne, whose leg spin is far less effective on the WACA, also chipped in with the wicket of Azhar Mahmood, bowled for 17. Australian middle-order batsman Ricky Ponting was named man of the match after his outstanding 197, which followed three successive ducks in the series.-Reuters/AFP DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS*DWS 991201 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Controversy erupts again over Shoaib's action ------------------------------------------------------------------- PERTH, Nov 30: Pakistan's cricket tour of Australia ended here on Tuesday just as it began five weeks ago, on a bitter note, with fresh suggestions the world's fastest bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, may have an illegal action. As the touring party prepared to fly home after being trounced 3-0 in the Test series, the Pakistan management was seething over newspaper allegations the 24-year-old could be a "chucker". But tour manager Yawar Saeed defiantly declared Shoaib would return to Australia for the January-February triangular one-day series against Australia and India unless the International Cricket Council (ICC) intervened. The Pakistanis are angry and confused over reports in two Rupert Murdoch-owned News Limited papers that a video of his bowling action - captured during the three Tests - will be sent to the ICC this week for scrutiny. The reports in The Australian and The Daily Telegraph did not say who would send the video and an accompanying request for a review of Shoaib's action to the ICC. Neither paper gave direct quotes nor indicated where the reports had come from. However, Daily Telegraph reported a videotape containing footage of his bowling in the three Tests against Australia would be sent to the ICC along with an official request that Shoaib's action be reviewed. The area of concern is Shoaib's faster ball, clocked at more than 154 kilometres per hour (97 mph) this month, rather than his routine delivery. The papers suggested the video could be sent by Reid or one of the two umpires in the final Test. Peter Willey of England and Australian Darrell Hair stood in the Perth Test, which Australia won by an innings and 20 runs. If the reports are correct, a nine-man ICC sub-committee, which examines suspect bowling actions, could recommend Shoaib change his controversial slingshot bowling style. And that could mean the paceman missing the lucrative one-day series starting on Jan 9. Yawar told The Australian newspaper he was unaware of any problem regarding Shoaib. "It's not been brought to my notice by anyone," he said. (AFP/Reuters) ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
Webbed by Philip McEldowney
Last update: .